Salted Caramel Flan Cheesecake

Salted Caramel Flan Cheesecake

Salted Caramel Flan Cheesecake

  • 1 cup whole skinned almonds (toasted)
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)

Flan Batter

  • 3 8-oz packages cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 14 oz sweetened condensed milk (divided)
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • 5 large egg yolks (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Salted Caramel

  • 1 tbsp corn syrup
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream (warmed to at least 100 degrees F)

Toasted Almond Crust

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the “S” blade, grind the almonds, sugar, and salt. Process until the mixture becomes moist and crumbly.
  3. Add the melted butter and process again until thoroughly combined.
  4. Grease the pan(s). Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan(s).
  5. To set the crust, bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.

Flan Batter

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until it is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the stand mixer bowl to prevent lumps from forming.
  2. Add half of the sweetened condensed milk to the bowl of the stand mixer and beat on low speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the stand mixer bowl and continue beating on low speed for 1 minute more, until the mixture is smooth and creamy and free of lumps. Repeat this step with the remaining sweetened condensed milk.
  3. Reduce the mixer speed to low. Slowly add first the whole egg and then the egg yolks to the bowl, one at a time. After adding each, scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Continue beating on low speed for 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is fully incorporated.
  4. Add the vanilla to the bowl of the stand mixer and beat on low speed for 1 minute, until the vanilla is jus incorporated into the mixture. The mixture should be well blended , but not over-beaten.

Salted Caramel

  1. In a heavy 2-quart sauce pan over medium heat, combine the corn syrup, water, and salt. Stir with a spatula and cook for 1 minute, until the salt is dissolved and the corn syrup has melted.
  2. Sprinkle the sugar into the saucepan, taking care to cover the bottom of the saucepan as evenly as possible. Do NOT stir. Cook, using a pastry brush dipped in water to lightly wash down the sides of the pot, for 3-4 minutes, until the mixture begins to caramelize. (Brushing the sides of the pan prevents the formation of sugar crystals.)
  3. Once the mixture becomes a light amber color, immediately remove from the heat and add the warmed heavy cream to the saucepan. Stir with a heatproof rubber spatula scraping the sides and bottom of the pot and making sure to fully incorporate the cream into the caramel, until the mixture is fully combined.

    Note: Be careful at this stage, as the caramel is extremely hot and the cream will bubble up and release very hot steam.

  4. Transfer the caramel to a medium heatproof bowl. Set aside to cool to room temperature for 30 minutes; the caramel will thicken as it cools.

Cheesecake overall Instructions

  1. Prepare the Toasted Almond Crust in a 9-inch springform pan. Follow the recipe as directed.
  2. Prepare the Flan bater. Follow the recipe as directed.
  3. Preheat the oven to 280 degrees F. Generously grease and flour the springform pan. Fill the springform pan with the Flan batter and place it on a baking sheet.
  4. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven, directly on the middle shelf. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cake is slightly firm to the touch and jiggles in the center (this is a shallow cake so it shouldn’t soufflé much.) If a the end of the baking time, the cake is starting to soufflé but still has a loose center, reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees F and bake for another 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
  5. Refrigerate for 1 hour to cool the cake completely.
  6. Loosen the cheesecake from the springform pan by sliding an offset spatula around the inside ring. Remove the springform pan from the cake and transfer to a plate. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight before decorating.
  7. Prepare the Salted Caramel. Set aside while still warm, but not hot.
  8. Pour the Salted Caramel on the center of the cake. Using the back of a wooden spoon or a silicone offset spatual, spread the caramel evenly over the top of the cake, being careful to to spread over the cake’s edge.
  9. While the caramel is still warm, press the toasted almonds into it. Work quickly! As caramel cools, it becomes less sticky and decorations do not adhere as well. Sprinkle with the sea salt crystals.
  10. Transfer to the freezer for 2-3 hours before slicing.
  11. Slice the cake with a thin, non-serrated knife that is dipped in hot water and wiped dry after each slice. Serve immediately or store in the freezer well wrapped for up to 3 months.

    Eli’s Trading Secret: Toasting the almonds in this recipe at a low temperature for a long time produces a deeper, richer flavor.

 

This incredible cheesecake recipe might seem a bit complicated but in the end – totally worth it! Be sure to read over all the instructions before you begin. For those used to making cheesecakes you’ll see the procedure is a bit out of the ordinary which is what makes Eli’s Cheesecakes so special.

 

Extra Crispy Passover Chicken Cutlets

Extra Crispy Passover Chicken Cutlets

 

Extra Crispy Passover Chicken Cutlets

Servings 5

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
  • 1 cup potato starch aprox
  • 3 cups matzo meal
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 4 eggs
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • salt and pepper to dust the chicken strips

Instructions
 

  • Lay out a large sheet of wax or parchment paper to work on.
    Put the prepared chicken strips on one side of this work surface, then a shallow bowl with the potato starch in it.
    In a larger bowl, mix the matzo meal, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder together and have this nearby. 
    In a medium bowl, prepare the eggs (beating just to blend as the egg coating). What is required is an assembly line to work with the chicken, potato starch, eggs, and last the seasoned matzo meal.
    Dust the chicken strips lightly with salt & pepper. Dredge the strips lightly and shake off in the potato starch. Then lower the chicken strips into the beaten eggs, then dip and press in seasoned matzo meal.
    Using a large skillet, heat oil (up to 1/4 of sides) to 350 F. Fry a few pieces of chicken at a time, turning once, until well browned on each side - adjust heat as required. Drain well. Serve warm or cold.

Here’s what Marcy has to say about this great Passover dish: Don’t you love when a substitution become better than your original method or  ingredients? Matzo meal makes a terrific coating mix for chicken cutlets (or turkey fillets or fish). Together with the potato starch( Instead of flour as one would usually use when it’s not Passover) this coating results in crunchy, golden chicken cutlets or fillets that are as good as a snack or appetizer as they are a main dish.

 

Mamaleh’s Chopped Liver

Mamaleh’s Chopped Liver

Mamaleh's Chopped Liver

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb chicken livers
  • 1/3 lb carmelized onions a little burnt is OK!
  • 3 hard boiled eggs
  • 2.5 oz Hellman's Mayonnaise
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Clean livers, always making sure to keep them cold. Toss with schmaltz (or canola oil) and salt & pepper. Sauté until just barely cooked through (a little bit pink in the center) remove and cool in refrigerator.
    2) Cook onions in same pan, caramelize them until soft. (A little burnt edges are encouraged by Alon)
    3) Once onions and livers are cold mix together and run through a meat grinder (or hand chop until desired consistency) mix in mayo and salt & pepper until proper taste and texture. Eat with challah, bagel chips or crackers. 

Mamaleh's Chopped Liver

If you are a fan of chopped liver in any way — you have to try this recipe.  Alon and I talked about the importance of the putting together a deli menu. It’s clear that you need to consider the choices that are always available and those that come and go depending on the Jewish holiday celebration calendar. I asked him what some of the first items were that appeared on the menu and he said that it was important to him to include something from his own family background to the restaurant. We felt it only made sense to include that recipe here for you to try. It’s the chopped liver recipe that originated with his grandmother, Shoshana Munzer (Sapta). So that tells you a few things – it is a family traditional food, it was made with love and it’s withstood the test of time and flavor – so give it a try. And a big thank you to Alon for sharing his story and this recipe. Please let me know what you think.

 

The Original Vegan Challah – Challah Hub Style

The Original Vegan Challah – Challah Hub Style

The Original Vegan Challah

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 pkt rapid rise yeast
  • 3-4 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil
  • flour (extra flour for kneading and braiding)

Egg Replacement Mixture

  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 3 tbsp warm water
  • 3 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil
  1. 1. Empty your yeast packet into a small bowl. Add a pinch of sugar and pour 1 cup warm water over top and stir lightly. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes or so until bubbly and creamy. After that, add 2 tablespoons of veggie or coconut oil to the yeast mix in the same small bowl.

    2. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, 1 ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup sugar. Whisk well.

    3. Egg replacement time: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons veggie or coconut oil, 3 tablespoons warm water and 2 teaspoons baking powder (it will fizz). Then, pour into your yeast bowl.

    4. Add the yeast and egg replacement mixtures to your bowl of dry ingredients, stirring as you pour.

    5. Mix dough with a spatula or wooden spoon, then get in there with your hands and knead until smooth.

    6. Add up to 1 cup additional flour until dough leaves the side of the bowl

    7. Coat the inside of a big bowl lightly with oil and drop your ball of dough inside.

    8. Cover with a damp cloth, and let rise on your counter for 2 hours.

    9. After your dough has doubled in size, dump it out onto a lightly floured surface.

    10. Gently knead the dough to get out any big air bubbles, then braid as desired.

    11. Place your braided dough onto a lightly greased and foil – lined baking sheet.

    12. Cover with damp cloth and let rise 1 more hour.

    13. Pre-heat your oven to 325 degrees, and toss that bad boy inside for 26-32 minutes.

    14. Once it is evenly golden brown on top, take your challah out of the oven, place on a cooling rack.

    15. Do not cover. Allow to cool, then put it in your face.

Challah Baking Schedule
30 Min prep
2 Hours first rise
20 Min braiding
1 Hour second rise
25-35 Minutes oven time

Straight from the folks at Challah Hub: Bringing your challah to a dinner party? Never cover a hot challah! It’ll get soggy and sad. Transport uncovered on someone’s lap (we call this person the Guardian of the Challah), or wait until it totally cools, then wrap in foil.

 

Alicia’s Mexican Za’atar

Alicia’s Mexican Za’atar

Alicia’s Mexican Za’atar

  • 1 Tbsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 Tsp Anise seed
  • 1 Tbsp Dried hibiscus flower (crushed)
  • 1 Tbsp Coriander seeds
  • 1 Tbsp Cumin seeds
  • 2 Tbsp Sesame seeds
  • 1 Tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp Lemon salt
  1. Toast the coriander and cumin seeds in a 300º for about 5-8 minutes. Toast sesame seeds separately. Grind the oregano, hibiscus flower, coriander, cumin, and anise seed until powdery. Add the salt, sesame seeds, and lemon salt. Store in an airtight container. 

This spice has a wonderful twist to the usual recipe for Za’atar. The flavor is different, see if you can guess why. Alicia’s Mexican Za’atar has a slight pink hue; a really fun plus.

Challah

Challah

It seems like a simple recipe but there’s so much Jewish history and love behind it. This particular Challah recipe was given to my guest, Dr. Beth Ricanati by a good friend of hers many years ago in a class at the JCC on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Please enjoy the experience of baking this Challah and of course sharing in the eating!

Challah

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/4 tsp Yeast loose
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 1 cup warm water almost too warm, but not hot!
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 4+ cups flour

Instructions
 

  • Mix yeast, sugar & warm water together in small bowl (1); let stand ~ 10 min. This mixture will start to bubble.
    Meanwhile, in a lg mixing bowl, mix eggs, salt, sugar, oil & 2 c flour together (2). Now is a great time to say, “I am making this dough in the merit of _____ (name someone…maybe a friend who is sick that week, or someone you are happy for, sad for, mad at, etc.)
    Add yeast mixture (1) to flour mixture (2).
    Add ~ 1½ cups of flour to mixture. Dough should start to form a ball, separating from the bowl.
    Place dough on a floured surface & knead, lifting up with one hand & then the other. Knead at least 5 mins as dough becomes increasingly elastic. If still sticky, add a bit more flour to dough. Knead dough into a ball.
    Place dough back into oiled bowl, cover & place bowl somewhere warm for 1 – 1½ hours to rise, ~ doubling in volume.
    Preheat oven to 375º. Remove cover from bowl, place dough on floured surface. Take a small piece of dough (~size of an egg), double wrap in plastic wrap & say the prayer over separating the challah (technically only say if more than 5 lbs of flour used, but more on that later)*. Discard this piece of wrapped dough & cont.
    Punch out dough one more time. Cut dough in half, one for each challah. Then divide each half into 3 equal pcs. Roll out each piece, crimp together at the top and braid into a loaf. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Repeat with second ball of dough. May let rise again at this step.
    Paint each challah with a mixture made of egg yolk plus a little water.
    Bake ~ 25 – 30 mins, or until bread rises & is golden brown. Remove, cool.
    Place challah on platter, cover and wait for Shabbas dinner. Eat and enjoy!
    *Baruch Ata A-Do-Nay Elo-haynu Melech Ha-Olam Asher Kidishanu B’Mitzvotav V’Tziyvanu L”Hafrish Challah. (Blessed are You, Lord, our G-d, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to separate the Challah.)