Are you using your state’s shelter-in-place order to improve your culinary game? More time at home means more opportunity to start new culinary traditions and master challenging, time-intensive recipes.
Whether you’re looking to cook an incredible brunch or a flavorful dinner, the following gourmet recipes create meals that are beautiful, complex, and of course, delicious.
#1 Get Started with Sourdough
Make your own sourdough starter with two ingredients: all-purpose flour and water (or, if you’re gluten free, millet flour and water).
Over the course of 7-8 days, you’ll harness the wild yeast already present in your environment to create the perfect tangy base for sandwich loaves, focaccia and more.
Although it can take up to a week to create a starter that’s active enough for baking bread, you can start using some of your starter this weekend (if you get it going on Friday). On the third day of creating your starter from scratch, you’ll discard 4 ounces.
Discarded starter can be used to make pancakes, crackers and more.
While it’s still maturing, give your starter a helping yand (that’s yeast + hand) and make English muffins. If you’re making gluten free starter, try out English muffins or focaccia using a blend of gluten free flours.
#2 Up Your Bread-Making Game
If you’re already a consummate bread-maker, use this weekend to take your skills to the next level with a filled bread. For a savory option, try out our recipe for Adjaruli Khachapuri Cheese Curd Bread. You’ll start out making a basic dough before shaping it into a bowl. Fill it with mozzarella, feta, spices and a perfectly cooked egg for a perfect dinner entree.
Craving something sweet? We think you’ll love our bright, zesty Blueberry Lemon Curd Sweet Rolls. For an added challenge, practice making the perfect lemon curd to fill these decadent breakfast rolls.
#3 Try a Tart
If you've watched The Great British Bake Off, you know that even the most gorgeous tart may be hiding a soggy bottom. This weekend, practice your crust-making skills and create a dish that’s Instagram-worthy, all in one tart pan.
This Smoked Salmon, Spelt and Spring Greens Tart is a great way to take advantage of seasonal ingredients like asparagus, shallots and baby spinach that are starting to pop up at grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
With its orange, green and yellow hues, it’s a celebration of spring.
If you’d prefer a sweeter option, this Rosemary Lemon Meringue Tart is a fun twist on a classic—and a chance to pull out your blow torch for a beautifully browned meringue. This is another opportunity to try making lemon curd from scratch.
Looking for a gluten free option? Consider a Chocolate Caramel Tart with a macadamia nut crust. We think you’ll love the pairing of nutty macadamia with sweet chocolate and caramel—this tart is like the classiest candy bar you’ve ever had.
#4 Master a Traditional French Dessert
When it comes to baking, French pastries are the holy grail. The perfect macaron is soft and chewy with a silky smooth filling—and it’s cute as a button, too. Whether you’re craving chamomile and honey, malted milk, coconut cream or a vegan raspberry version, check out our guide on how to make macarons like a pro so you nail the execution.
Looking for something a little less fussy? The French cream puff is another classic French dessert, but its appearance is a little more rustic. Pate a Choux is a unique dough, since it’s cooked over the stovetop rather than mixed dry. Practice your piping skills with Pumpkin Spice Cream Puffs or Gluten Free Cream Puffs. Master these recipes and before you know it, you’ll be on your way to eclairs or even a towering croquembouche.
#5 Take a Culinary Trip for Dinner
You may not be able to travel right now, but you can take your senses on an adventure with a gourmet dinner inspired by another culture. The following four recipes feature different kinds of dough with flavorful fillings. Whether you’re gluten free, vegetarian or vegan, there’s a recipe to challenge you this weekend.
For an easy intro to filled pastry, try out Latin American Beef Empanadas. This gluten free recipe features flakey corn-based pastry made of Masa Harina and our Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix. The shells are then filled with succulent, slow-cooked beef brightened by cumin and lime.
As another option, take a trip to Italy and celebrate the taste of spring with Gluten Free Pea Ravioli made with our Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. The creamy pea and ricotta filling pairs perfectly with spring herbs like mint and chives. Once you get the hang of making pasta, you may start drumming up ideas for next weekend, too.
Lasagna, anyone?
For another variation on the filled pasta theme, celebrate a Chinese tradition with Cassava Potstickers. Tamari and ginger help the umami filling sing.
If you’re looking to warm your belly, another great option are Chicken & Cheese Enmoladas. Master the art of a spicy, chocolatey Mexican mole this weekend. For an added challenge, try making your tortillas from scratch with Masa Harina.
A Gourmet Weekend
We hope you have a blast trying out a few of these recipes this weekend to make a meal to remember. We’re here for you—post below with any questions!
