A Currant Affair

Breakfast (guest appearance by Patrick):

Flaky Currant Scones 

(from Rose Leventhal's The Bread Bible)

As part of Patrick's adventure through baking, he is working his way slowly through The Bread Bible.  The scones were flaky and very tasty, although the currant flavor was somewhat muted.  

Dinner:

Black bean tostadas

(adapted from Cooking Light January 2006)

Salsa: 

1/2 cup chopped avocado

1/2 cup chopped yellow tomato

1 tbsp fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cumin

Freshly ground black pepper

Tostadas:

Habanero & lime tortillas (from Trader Joe's)

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

15 oz can spicy black beans, drained

1 cup roasted chicken breast, shredded

Grated cheese (I used a blend of Jack & Cheddar)

Shredded lettuce

Sour cream

Combine together avocado, tomato, lime juice, salt, and cumin; add black pepper to taste, set aside.

Broil tortillas for 2 minutes on each side or until just crispy.

Combine 2 tbsp lime juice, cumin, salt, cayenne, and black beans.   Mix with immersion blender until desired consistency.  

Spread 1/2 cup black bean mixture on each tortilla.  Top with 1/4 cup chicken and 3 tbsp cheese mixture.   Broil for 2-3 minutes or until tortillas are just brown on edges.  Top with lettuce, salsa, and sour cream.

Curried couscous and chickpea salad with dried cranberries

Curried couscous and chickpea salad with dried cranberries

(adapted from Cooking Light, July 2001)

1 1/2  cups  uncooked couscous (about 1 [10-ounce] box)

1  cup  dried cranberries (about 4 ounces)

1  cup  frozen green peas, thawed

1 1/2  teaspoon  curry powder

1/4  cup  thinly sliced green onions

1/3  cup  finely chopped fresh basil

15.5 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 

1/3  cup  fresh lemon juice

1  tablespoon  grated orange rind

2 tablespoons water

1 1/2  tablespoons  olive oil

1  tablespoon  thawed orange juice concentrate

4  garlic cloves, crushed

To prepare salad, combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Pour 2 cups boiling water over the couscous mixture; cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork; cool. Stir in onions, basil, and chickpeas.  To prepare dressing, combine lemon juice and the remaining ingredients in a jar; cover tightly, and shake vigorously.  Add salt & pepper to taste.  Pour over couscous mixture, and toss well to combine. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

I intended this to be a meatless entree, but the garlic herb rotisserie chicken smelled so good at the Teeter that I couldn't not buy it.  I added about 1.5 cups of shredded chicken to flesh this out a bit.  

Corn, green onion, and bacon tart

Since I overcame my fear of my tart pan, my production of tart-like dishes has increased exponentially.  They have all involved bacon.  The most recent endeavor from last night was no exception.  Because of this, I have to cook two to three times as much bacon as I actually need to end up in the recipe, since I am physically incapable of refraining from eating delicious crispy bacon.

Corn, Bacon, and Green Onion Tart 
(adapted from Cooking Light, May 2003)

4 slices applewood-smoked bacon
2 cups fresh corn kernels
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Cooking spray
1 (10-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough


Preheat oven to 375°.  Cook bacon slices in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat 3 minutes or until bacon is beautiful and crispy.  Promptly eat at least 50% of bacon.  Remove and chop any remaining bacon.  Add corn, onions, and chopped bacon to bacon fat remaining in pain.  Salt and pepper to season and sauté 3 minutes. Place the corn mixture in a large bowl. Add the milk, 2 tablespoons cheese, salt, pepper, egg whites, and egg; stir until well blended.


Coat a 10 1/2-inch round removable-bottom tart pan lightly with cooking spray. Unroll dough onto lightly floured surface, and let rest 5 minutes. Pat dough into bottom and up sides of prepared pan.  Add pie weights and pre-back for 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove tart pan from oven and place on a baking sheet. Pour bacon mixture into the dough, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until set. Cool tart in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack.

Makes four generous servings.  Does NOT reheat particularly well.



When I make it again:
I would use a real tart or pie crust, not refrigerated pizza dough.  It worked surprisingly well for a time-efficient recipe, but real crust is so delicious it would be a mistake not to include it.  I also thought the filling was a bit too much for the tart pan, and I would probably use a pie dish next time.