Corn Pudding
I love corn. I love the texture, the subtle sweetness, and most of all, the fact that you can use it for sweet or savoury dishes. Corn pudding - commonly served as a Thanksgiving side dish - is a combination of both! Think cornbread meets custard. That speaks to the consistency and the taste, thanks to the mix of eggs, milk, and of course, corn!
It's considered a staple in the rural American South.
Cornbread is what I'm more familiar with when it comes to corn-based sides, but that's mostly because in Zimbabwe we have something very similar called chimodo which I have a recipe for, here.
Corn pudding is a great alternative side for the holidays, with sweet undertones and not so potent flavour that it will overpower the main dishes. Think of it like extra moist, rich, and delicious cornbread.
The recipe is a super easy, tasty addition to the table, and certainly, an ultimate comfort food making it a fitting for the holidays.
Ingredients
1 can sweet corn kernels (15.25 ounces)
1 1/2 cans creamed corn (14.75 ounces)
5 eggs
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon chipotle
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup yellow stone ground cornmeal
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup milk or cream
Instructions
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the milk, butter, sugar, salt, pepper, and chipotle, whisk again until well mixed.
Whisk in the cornstarch, and try to make sure most of the large lumps dissolve.
Add the corn kernels, cornmeal, and creamed corn, stir until well incorporated.
Transfer to a small glass baking dish (lightly sprayed with cooking oil), then bake at 400F for 50 minutes to an hour until set.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool but serve warm! The pudding's consistency should be like a thick custard.
Braised Oxtail with Sweet Potato Mash and Green Bean Casserole
Oxtail is a delicacy and beloved dish in my eyes. That's because growing up my mother made the most delectable, slow-cooked braised oxtail you'll ever taste. A lot of people associate oxtail stew with the Caribbean, however, it's enjoyed in parts of Africa as well and, Zimbabwe is no exception. It should be reserved for special occasions as the meat around the bones is high in fat content, but you won’t regret it!
The oxtail bones can be marinated, or not, then lightly fried to brown the meat before adding it to a pressure cooker or roasting pot with vegetables and broth for a few hours i.e. braising. The result? A juicy, succulent, flavourful fall-off-the-bone short rib like dish in a very rich stew you can even eat separately with some fresh bread.
Why now? The holidays call for hearty, comforting dishes, and this oxtail main is the epitome and will not disappoint the table. It's also a great alternative to roast turkey for those who want to venture out!
What sides to pair it with? That can remain classic, I used green beans and sweet potato. I add some garlic to the mashed potatoes for some extra flavour and made caramelized onions for the green bean casserole.
I stewed in cream of mushroom soup but didn't want to use the out-of-a-box fried onions to top the beans as per the traditional recipe. It seems a fresh onion is a better option!
What about the texture? That's where some bread crumbs can come in, but it's up to you!
Ingredients
Oxtail:
4-8 oxtail bones
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 jalapeno, diced
1/2 large shallot, diced
2 large heirloom tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Fresh thyme sprigs
4 tablespoons Royco Usavi mix (optional)
3 beef bouillon cubes
3 cups warm water
3 tablespoons steak seasoning or equal mix salt and coarsely ground pepper
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cooking wine
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Mashed sweet potato:
2 large sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup milk or cream
Green bean casserole:
1 small bag French green beans
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup bread crumbs
2 tablespoons Habanero cheese, grated
1/4 of a large yellow onion
2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
Prepare the oxtail. Cut off as much of the extra, visible fat that you can. Marinate the bones in the soy sauce, cooking wine, steak seasoning, fresh thyme, 2 tablespoons Royco seasoning, 1 tablespoon garlic, and olive oil. Cover with cling wrap and set in the fridge for about 3 hours.
In a large saucepan or skillet, heat the vegetable oil on medium-high. Brown the oxtail for 5 minutes, then add the scallions and 2 tablespoon garlic. Saute for another 3 minutes.
Transfer the oxtail to a roasting pot. Toss the diced jalapeno, onion, and shallot in the same saucepan with 1 tablespoon of Royco. Spoon over the oxtail.
Add the tomato paste, grate one tomato in and dice the other, over the oxtail.
In a small bowl, crush and dissolve the bouillon cubes in warm water, then pour into the pot. Add extra steak seasoning and 1 tablespoon of Royco, then mix well.
Remove any large thyme stems. Place in a 350F oven with the lid on for 4 hours, or until the broth has thickened and the meat easily comes off the bone.
Prepare the mashed potatoes. Boil the sweet potatoes until softened, about 15 minutes. Remove the skin and transfer to a bowl. Mash with a potato masher, then add the butter, salt and pepper, garlic powder, fresh garlic, and milk/cream. Mix until well incorporated, season to taste.
When the oxtail has about an hour left, blanch the green beans. Boil a pot of water (enough to cover the beans) then add the beans and cook until the outside is a bit softened, about 3-5 minutes. You want them to have a bit of crunch. Quickly dunk in cold water to stop the cooking, drain and set aside.
Chop the onion lengthwise, the add to a nonstick pan with the butter. Season with the salt and pepper, sweat them out for about 3-4 minutes.
Deglaze the pan with the soy sauce and add brown sugar. Reduce the heat and stir until the onions begin to caramelize, set aside.
In a small baking dish, add the drained beans, mushroom cream soup, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and milk.
Sprinkle the bread crumbs and grated cheese on top. Bake at 350F for about 25-30 minutes. Remove from heat and top with the caramelized onions.
Serve the oxtail hot atop the mashed potatoes with the green bean casserole on the side.
Tip: The oxtail will taste better in the two days after as the flavours will meld together and intensify, consider making it the day before serving!
Shiitake Mushrooms and Cranberry Sauce with Creamy Polenta
The end of the year marks cranberry season in the U.S., and I'm here for it! The great thing about this fruit is its versatility, as well as its health benefits (I'm talking anti-inflammatory and rich in antioxidants to name only two). You can use cranberries in both savoury or sweet dishes. Their inherent sweetness and tartness can help balance your flavours.
When the weather is bitterly cold, I crave creamy, hot meals, and polenta does it for me. It should, however, be paired with a hot, saucy stew. Last time I made polenta, I made mushroom bourguignon, which is a stew of French origin where typically beef is braised in red wine and cooked with onions, carrots, pearl onions, bacon and mushrooms. My vegetarian version was delicious, I was inspired by that and the upcoming Thanksgiving family feasting period to make something similar.
I decided to use cranberry sauce as my ‘red wine’ or sauce to stew the mushrooms. This makes for a rich and seasonal entrée that goes wonderfully with a creamy starch - be it polenta or even mashed potatoes.
You can use any type of mushrooms, but shiitake mushrooms have a strong, earthy, rich, meaty taste, giving them the umami that will make your dish more flavourful.
I also infused the cranberry sauce with fresh thyme to give in an additional layer when folding it into the sautéed mushrooms.
Ingredients
Cranberry sauce:
6 ounces fresh cranberries
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup white sugar
Fresh thyme sprigs
Mushrooms:
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1/3 cup scallions, chopped
1 cup shitake mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon fenugreek
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons cooking wine
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup fresh cranberries
1 cup vegetable broth
Polenta:
Instant polenta
2 tablespoons butter
4 1/2 cups broth
1/4 cup cream
Bean spouts
Instructions
Prepare the cranberry sauce. Dissolve the sugar in the orange juice in a small pot over low heat. Wash and strain the cranberries, then add them to the pot along with a few thyme sprigs. Boil on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture begins to thicken and the cranberries are mostly broken down. Remove the thyme and set aside.
For the mushrooms, on medium-low heat, sauté the salt, pepper, fresh thyme, and all the spices in the butter and olive oil in a large nonstick saucepan for about 1 minute, take care not to burn!
Add the garlic and onion, cook for another 2-3 minutes until the onions begin to soften. Mix in the mushrooms and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Deglaze the pan around the mushrooms with the soy sauce and the cooking wine, cook for another minute.
Pour the cranberry sauce into the saucepan, mix to incorporate, and cook for about a minute. Add the broth, dried cranberries, and a few extra fresh cranberries. Simmer for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat, Make sure there is enough liquid for the sauce, if not, add some extra broth and mix to thicken.
Prepare the polenta as directed on the package - boil the broth, add the dried polenta in a steady stream and whisk for 2-3 minutes. Add the butter and cream to make it extra creamy.
Serve the polenta and braised mushrooms hot with the bean sprouts tossed in olive oil and thyme.
One Potato, Two Potato Au Gratin
The holidays. No matter where you are in the world if you're fortunate enough these times involve heavy eating and merry times with family. Both Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming up, and one question that comes up in many households is what sides should we serve?
Potatoes nearly always feature on the table in one way or the other. My preference is for sweet potatoes for health reasons, but white or more specifically russet potatoes taste great and have their own unique flare.
I decided to combine both in this easy, flavourful au gratin potato dish. Au gratin is a French technique consisting of a creamy sauce usually made with eggs, milk, butter and cheese, poured over sliced potatoes, sometimes topped with breadcrumbs. How does this differ from scalloped potatoes? Au gratin potatoes don't have to be as thinly sliced and always include grated cheese.
In this case, I omit the breadcrumbs and didn't add any eggs. I also used coconut milk and made sure the roux-based sauce was well-seasoned. If you overlook that step you can end up with a pretty bland side!
If you make this for the table during the holidays, tag me on Facebook or Instagram to let me know! I’d love to see it. Happy cooking! 🦃
Ingredients
1 large russet potato
1 large sweet potato
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup coconut milk, warm
1 cup vegetable broth, warm
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Royco Usavi mix or equal parts cumin, coriander, and fenugreek powder
1/2 cup scallions, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup parmesan cheese + extra for topping
1/4 cup pepper jack or gruyere cheese + extra for topping
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
Fresh or dried parsley
Instructions
Peel both potatoes and wash. Slice into thin, circular pieces (not too thin so they don't fall apart).
Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon pepper, Italian seasoning, olive oil, and garlic powder.
In a non-stick pan, heat the butter. Add the chopped scallions and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Whisk in the flour until fully incorporated. Add the coconut milk, salt, pepper, and Royco Usavi spice blend.
Add the broth and whisk until thickened. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
Add the parmesan and pepper jack cheese, mixing until smooth. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Spray a cast iron skillet with cooking oil, then spoon some of the sauce into the pan.
Lay the potatoes in a spiraled, circular pattern. After every two layers, spoon more sauce over the potatoes.
Sprinkle some additional cheese over the potatoes. Bake for 20 minutes at 400F.
Remove from heat and garnish with parsley.
Thanksgiving Breakfast Hash
Breakfast hash is one of the easiest ways to serve up a delicious, robust, savory meal in the morning or for brunch. It is typically a mix of potatoes, vegetables and meat, topped with eggs in a fashion similar to shakshouka. The best part is that you can pretty much add what you want to it. This makes hash a great way to make use of leftovers, especially during the holidays. This one was inspired by what is typically seen on the American Thanksgiving dinner table, incorporating turkey, sweet potato, and cranberries.
Thanksgiving Breakfast Hash
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup mix of onions and leeks
- 1/3 cup ground turkey
- 1/3 cup of carrots, chopped
- 1 cup red peppers, chopped
- 1 large sweet potato, chopped
- 1/2 cup Thanksgiving stuffing
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon cranberry sauce
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup scallions. chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- On medium heat stovetop, sauté the garlic in butter and olive oil for 2 minutes. Add the onions and leeks, cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add all the spices and seasoning, cook for 1 minute.
- Add the sweet potato, cook for 5 minutes. Add a little water to prevent them from burning if necessary.
- Add the carrots, peppers, turkey, stuffing, tomato paste, and cranberry sauce. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Pour in the broth, make sure it covers everything in your pan. Sprinkle with scallions. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Make a little space and crack in each egg whole without beating. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, check your pan regularly to prevent burning and overcooking your eggs. You can add extra broth if you need to. Serve hot with crispy bread!
Calories
572Fat (grams)
34.14Carbs (grams)
39.38Protein (grams)
27.61