Mediterranean Creamsicle Floats Recipes

COINTREAU CRANBERRY RELISH

Steps:

• Combine one 12-ounce bag cranberries, 1 diced peeled Granny Smith apple, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup Cointreau or Grand Marnier, 1/2 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon and cloves in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the berries start to pop, about 10 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the grated zest of 1 each lemon and orange; chill.

MEDITERRANEAN EGGS (SHAKSHUKA)

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, red pepper, garlic and cumin seeds and saute for a few minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and honey and season with salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat until the ingredients come together into a light sauce, about 10 minutes.
• Break the eggs directly into the sauce, cover and poach just until the eggs whites are cooked and the yolks are still runny, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Garnish with some feta, the remaining olive oil and za'atar spice. Serve with grilled pita.

ORANGE CREAMSICLE FLOAT

Steps:

• Remove the rind from the oranges. Supreme the oranges into a small bowl and squeeze the juice from the membrane over them. Stir in the vanilla.
• Transfer oranges and juice to a tall glass. Add the ice cream to the glass. Top off with the club soda. Stir once and serve immediately with a tall spoon.

CREAMSICLE FLOAT

Steps:

• In a tall float glass, place as much ice-cream as you want.
• Pour a can of orange soda over. Tilt glass & can to reduce the foam & bubbles.
• Enjoy!

REAL MARASCHINO CHERRIES

Steps:

• Bring the liqueur to a simmer, and then turn off the heat. Add the cherries, stir, let cool, and then pour into jars. Refrigerate. Cherries will be tasty for months.

WATERMELON MAI TAI

Steps:

• Place the watermelon, rum, St. Germaine liqueur, lime juice and superfine sugar in the pitcher of a blender and blend on high until well blended. Pour into a double old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.

TED ALLEN'S DECONSTRUCTED HOLIDAY TURKEY WITH SAGE GRAVY

Steps:

• For the Gravy:
• 2 to 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• cup all-purpose flour
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• Brine the turkey:
• Rinse the turkey parts and place in doubled 21/2-gallon resealable plastic bags (or a large stockpot). Add 1/4 cup salt, the honey, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, 2 sprigs sage, the peppercorns, allspice and celery leaves. Add enough cold water to cover the turkey (about 3 quarts). Press out the air, close the bags and place in a large bowl or other container to protect against any leaks. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. Roast the turkey: Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 425.
• Remove the turkey parts from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Place skin-side up on racks set in 2 medium roasting pans (be sure to leave space between the turkey parts to allow air to circulate). Pour 1 cup water into each pan. Drizzle the turkey parts with melted butter and scatter with the leaves from the remaining 2 sage sprigs. Place 1 pan on each oven rack and roast until the turkey begins to brown, about 30 minutes.
• Lower the oven temperature to 400. Switch the positions of the pans and rotate from front to back. Continue roasting until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast (avoiding bone) registers 165degrees, 1 hour to 1 hour, 15 minutes. Transfer the turkey parts to a platter and tent with foil.
• Make the gravy: Pour the pan juices into a 4-cup glass measuring cup and let rest until the fat rises to the top, 2 to 3 minutes. Skim off and reserve the fat. Set 1 roasting pan across 2 burners, add 2 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits. Add the simmering broth to the pan juices in the measuring cup, then add the additional chicken broth, if needed, to equal 4 cups liquid.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the broth mixture and any collected juices from the platter. Increase the heat to medium high and boil, uncovered, until thickened, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Carve the turkey pieces and garnish with sage. Serve with the gravy.

BRUNCH TART WITH SPINACH, OLIVES AND LEEKS

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the leeks and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, stir and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the spinach and cook until wilted and tender, 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, taste and season with salt and pepper as needed; let cool.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the ricotta, 2 eggs, the thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Fold the cooled vegetable mixture and the olives into the ricotta mixture.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry until it's 12 inches square. Using a 12-inch plate or just eyeballing it, cut the dough into a circle (knead the scraps into a ball and save for another use-cheddar straws, say). Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon the tart filling into the center, leaving a 2-inch border of pastry. Lift the pastry edges and fold over the filling, creasing the dough as needed and leaving the filling exposed in the middle. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush a thin layer of the egg wash on the exposed pastry, taking care not to let egg run down the sides to the pan.
• Bake until the pastry is golden brown, about 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

ROMESCO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat 1/3 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup each skinned hazelnuts and roasted almonds, 1 cup crusty bread cubes, 2 sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; cook until golden, 3 minutes. Transfer to a food processor and add 1 canned peeled whole tomato, 1/4 cup jarred piquillo peppers and 1/2 to 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar; pulse until mostly smooth, thinning with up to 1/3 cup water if needed. Season with salt and red pepper flakes.

STRAWBERRY PROSECCO FLOATS

Steps:

• Toss the strawberries and sugar in a medium bowl and let sit 30 minutes.
• Divide the strawberries among 4 wine glasses; put 1 scoop of ice cream in each. Fill with prosecco.

CREAMSICLE FLOAT (OR ANY OTHER FLAVOR!)

Steps:

• In a chilled glass or freezie mug, add the ice cream and sherbet. SLOWLY pour on the soda, add a straw and an ice tea spoon and enjoy.