Cooking Challenges: A Beginner's Guide

Cooking Challenges: A Beginner's Guide

Looking for one of two challenging recipes to try? These three gratifying yet challenging recipes are sure to put your baking skills to the test. Though each of these recipes requires time and expertise to make, the result is a delicious dish that is definitely worth the wait!

How to Make Coconut Hazelnut Shrimp with Grilled Peach Salsa

Cooking Challenges: A Beginner's Guide | Bob's Red Mill Bog If you're looking to boost your seafood game and take on a challenge in the kitchen, why not start with a tasty shrimp recipe? When cooked properly, crusted shrimp is a delicious treat that tastes even better homemade. Now that you're spending more time in the house and indulging in an abundance of homemade meals, it's the perfect opportunity to improve your cooking skills. This recipe will not only help you step up your seafood game, but you'll also learn a few essential cooking skills in the process. Wondering where to start? Don't worry. We'll walk you through each step of the recipe to help you create the perfect at-home meal! Up until now, you might have believed that coconut shrimp was a special dish reserved for restaurants. However, with many of our favorite restaurants temporarily closed, it's time to take matters into our own hands and learn how to make our favorite dishes at home. The first step in making this Coconut Hazlenut Shrimp with Grilled Peach Salsa is to read the recipe thoroughly. Reviewing the recipe once or twice will help you determine the ingredients and baking tools needed to ensure that this shrimp dish is a success.

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Once you determine that you have all the ingredients and tools needed, it's time to preheat the grill to medium heat. While the grill is heating, cut your peaches into halves and mist each side with cooking spray. Then, sprinkle the flesh sides with cinnamon to add a boost of flavor. After the grill has reached the optimum heat, place each peach half (flesh side down) on the grill for about 5 minutes. Next, flip the peach and cook for another 5 minutes or until it has fully softened and charred. Remove the cooked peaches from the grill and set aside to cool.
  2. While the peaches are cooling, grab a medium-sized bowl, and combine the remaining salsa ingredients. Then, once peaches are cool enough to work with, peel the skins off and chop them. Stir the chopped peaches into the salsa and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. While the salsa is cooling in the fridge, it's now time to prepare the star ingredient: the shrimp! To make the shrimp, first, preheat the oven to 400F. Next, place a wire rack atop a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
  4. After the oven has been set to preheat, begin making the shrimp batter. To do so, first, place the arrowroot starch in a baking dish. Next, add an egg to a small-sized bowl and beat it with a fork or mixer. Then, in a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: hazelnut meal, coconut and ginger.
To properly batter the shrimp, begin working with a few at a time. Dip each shrimp in the arrowroot powder and shake off any excess powder. Then dip the shrimp into the egg and then the dry hazelnut mixture, making sure to turn the shrimp and coat it on all sides. Once fully covered, place the shrimp atop the wire rack and repeat with the rest of the shrimp. Lightly drizzle the tops of the coated shrimp with cooking spray.
  1. Once each piece of shrimp has been fully coated, bake them in the oven for 10 minutes. After they're done, turn on the broiler and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Or, until you notice that the tips of the shrimp are lightly browned.
  2. Serve hot with peach salsa and enjoy!
For even more flavor, try mixing up the traditional coconut-breadcrumb topping with nut flour. Buttery, sweet hazelnut flour complements the flavors of coconut perfectly and makes for a delicious toasted treat.

How to Make Lamb Chard Ragu

Cooking Challenges: A Beginner's Guide | Bob's Red Mill Bog Interested in making your own ragu? We'll take you through the steps to make a delicious ragu that will taste just as great as your favorite restaurant. While both ragu and bolognese are meat-based Italian favorites, it's important to note that they are not that same thing. Most people think of ragu as a type of tomato sauce, but it's actually a meat-based (veal, beef, lamb or pork) sauce with just a small amount of tomato added. When compared to tomato sauce, ragu has much more meat and minced ingredients added to it. Carrot, pancetta and celery are just a few of the minced elements commonly added to ragu sauce. Wine, heavy cream and beef broth are also frequently added to ragu to enhance the flavor and color. Ragu can be used on a variety of dishes ranging from garlic bread to polenta. However, it's most commonly added to thin noodles like spaghetti. Its rich taste and pleasant texture make it a versatile sauce that tastes great on just about anything! Ready to try making ragu at home? This Lamb and Chard Ragu is the perfect recipe to start with! Hearty and full of flavor, it's a fantastic sauce to make any time of the year. When making this sauce, if you're unable to find chard, simply swap in beet greens or lacinato kale for an excellent alternative. If you're cooking this ragu for a vegetarian, then we recommend substituting the lamb with an equal amount of carrots.

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Heat a large pot over high heat and add canola oil. Once the oil begins to smoke, add the lamb and season it with salt and pepper. After the lamb is evenly seared on both sides, remove it from the pot and set it to the side.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium and add onion, garlic and red chili flakes to the pot. Stir the ingredients occasionally until onion and garlic begin to carmelize. Add the lamb back into the pan and season with red wine, herbs and tomatoes. Once all ingredients have been added, reduce the heat to a simmer and frequently stir until the lamb is tender. This will take about 60-90 minutes.
  3. Lastly, add the chard leaves to the lamb ragu and stir until they are soft. Serve your completed ragu atop a pasta or polenta dish and enjoy!

How to Make Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Tart

Cooking Challenges: A Beginner's Guide | Bob's Red Mill Bog Making a tart might seem like an obstacle to many at-home bakers. It's delicate, crumbly shell and open-faced organization prove to be a technique-oriented task. However, with the right recipe, making a tart doesn't have to be hard. And, after you've made it once, this challenging recipe becomes quite easy! If you'd like to try your hand at making a tart, then we recommend starting with this savory Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Tart. A fantastic vegetarian dish, this whole wheat tart is packed with flavorful foods like onions, mushrooms and gorgonzola cheese. Made with our Whole Wheat Flour it's a high protein meal that will leave the entire family full and satisfied.

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Combine flour, thyme and salt into a large bowl and mix the oil in. Add cold water and mix again until all of the liquid is fully absorbed. Once absorbed, knead the dough into a ball. Turn the dough on a cutting board and continue to press until the dough bands together. Next, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  2. Heat a large saucepan at medium heat. Add onions and salt and stir often, until the onions begin to brown. (About 20 minutes)
  3. Remove onions from the pan and replace them with mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms until they are evenly browned on each side. Add a dash of pepper.
  4. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll into a large circle, about inch thick. Next, press the dough into a pre-greased tart pan. Remove any excess dough around the edges. Evenly add the cheese and then layer in the cooked onions and mushrooms.
  5. Cover the tart with the remaining cheese and bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes. Once finished, the tart will begin to golden and bubble.
  6. Serve warm and enjoy!
Now that you've read up on these delicious cooking challenges, it's time to hit the kitchen and put your skills to the test! Whether you choose to create a flavorful ragu or try your hand at making coconut hazelnut shrimp, we're confident that you have the skills it takes to make the recipe a success!
Bob's Red Mill
June 14 2020

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