Bretzels: Soft Pretzels

By Sylvie Ryan, our Culinary Educator

These soft pretzels are my favorite snacks! They remind me so much of my childhood and were always such a special treat. This dough is perfect for about 12 large to medium size pretzels, but as you get better at rolling them they can make as many as 20. You may also shape them into small hoagies, just bake them for an additional 5 minutes. These hoagies make great little sandwiches for party appetizers. They also are a great new and unique way to serve hot dogs. Give it a try, I guarantee you will love them!


Makes 12

4 Tbsp Active Dry Yeast

1 tsp Sugar

1 ¼ warm Water (110 degrees)

5 cups Flour

½ cup Sugar

1 ½ tsp Salt

2 Tbsp Butter

½ cup Baking Soda

4 cups Hot Water

1 Egg beaten, mixed with a splash of water for brushing

¼ Kosher Salt, for topping


In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10-15 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center; add the butter and yeast mixture. Mix and form a dough. If the mixture is too dry add water, a tablespoon at a time.. Knead the dough until smooth, it will take about 5-8 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat the dough with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In large bowl, dissolve baking soda in hot water.

When risen turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal balls. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape. Once all of the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda solution and place on a greased baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes or until golden brown.


***I like to top the pretzels with grated Swiss cheese 5 minutes before the baking is done.***

Serve with your favorite mustard.

RAW Linguine Zucchini in Nutty Pesto Sauce

By Liz Allred
Serves: 4

Pesto Ingredients:
¼ cup pine nuts
2 tablespoons flax or olive oil
½ cup fresh basil
1 clove of garlic
lemon juice (as needed)

Blend all ingredients together, adding a bit of lemon juice as needed to achieve consistency desired.


Pasta Ingredients:
2 zucchini, seeds removed
1 avocado, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped

Using a knife, cut the zucchini into thirds crosswise, but don't cut all the way through. With a vegetable peeler, peel thin slices of the zucchini- because it is cut into thirds, the pieces will be thinner and more like linguine.


Assembly:
In a bowl, toss the zucchini linguine with the pesto sauce until well coated. Then add the chopped avocado and tomato and toss until mixed well.

Gluten-Free Croque Monsieur

By Sylvie Ryan, the Boise Co-op's Culinary Educator

1 cup hot Coconut Milk
1 Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp Gluten-Free Baking Flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper
Pinch Nutmeg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2-1/2 cups grated Gruyere Cheese
10 slices Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread
Dijon Mustard
5 slices Prosciutto or Ham, nitrate-free

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat coconut milk in a small saucepan, but turn off heat before milk gets foamy.

In separate saucepan, melt the butter over low heat and add the flour, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes to make a roux. Slowly add in the hot coconut milk, whisking constantly until the sauce is thickened. Remove from heat and whisk in the salt, pepper, nutmeg, the parmesan, and 1/2 cup of the Gruyere. Mix the cheese sauce well and set aside.

Toast the bread slices in the oven for 5 minutes on a baking sheet. Turn over the slices and toast in the oven for another 2-3 minutes, or as preferred.

Lightly spread half the toasted bread slices with the mustard and add a slice of ham to each. Top with half of the remaining Gruyere. Top with the other slice of toasted bread and slather the tops of the sandwiches with the cheese sauce. Sprinkle the remaining Gruyere on top and bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Turn on the broiler and broil the sandwiches for 3-5 minutes, until the top of the sandwich is bubbly and lightly browned.

Makes 5 sandwiches.

Sylvie's Roasted Vegetable Gazpacho

An Original Recipe by Sylvie Ryan, the Boise Co-op's Culinary Educator

Serves 10

5 Red Bell Peppers, halved and seeded

4 lbs. Plum or Roma Tomatoes, whole and washed

4 medium Red Onions, peeled and roughly sliced

6 Garlic Cloves, peeled and crushed

1 Tbsp. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

½ cup Water

3-4 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar

1 Tsp Hot Sauce (you may use Tabasco)

Salt and Pepper to taste


Turn on the broiler. Cut the peppers in half, discard the seeds. Place them on a baking sheet open side turned down. Place the baking sheet as low as possible. When they are ready, they will look quite dark, place in a bowl and cover. Let rest for a few minutes. The skin will separate from the flesh, this will help the peeling process. Carefully peel the peppers. Set aside.

Set the oven to 425 degrees and move the rack to the middle position. Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and roast them for about 15 minutes. You will know they are ready when the skin has started to crack. In a large bowl mix the onions and garlic together, season with salt and pepper and drizzle with about 1 Tbsp of olive oil. Place in the oven along with the tomatoes and roast for about 15-20 minutes. Put in a bowl and cover. When the skin has separated from the flesh, peel the tomatoes.

Purée the red peppers, tomatoes, onion and garlic mixture together in a food processor, adding a little bit of water at the time. You want to obtain a fairly chunky soup, but make sure that it does not become too liquid. You may need to this in sections so to not overflow the food processor. Place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. I suggest that you wait for the soup to be thoroughly chilled before adding the vinegar, hot sauce and adjust the seasoning. You may garnish the soup with fresh herbs, olive oil, or cubed cucumber. Bon appétit!

Grandma Hélène's Green Beans

From Sylvie Ryan, the Boise Co-op's Culinary Educator


My grand mother made this recipe for larger family gatherings. It accompanies roasted chicken very well, but would be a good plate companion for any roasted meat dish. It is so quick and easy to make and the flavors of slowly cooked onions with garlic and tomatoes are delicious and very fresh.

Serves 8-10

2 Lbs. String Beans (You may use Green Beans cut in half)

1- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 Large Yellow Onion, minced

4-5 Garlic Cloves, crushed and minced

1 Large Tomato, cubed

½ cup Vegetable Broth

Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper to taste



Wash and trim the beans. Set aside.

In a large skillet heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions. Sauté the onions until tender, but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook for an additional 5 minutes, lower the heat if needed, the mixture has to simmer. Add the vegetable broth, the beans, salt and pepper, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust the seasoning and serve. Bon appétit!