Almond Biscuits | Wok Magic

Almond Biscuits Wok Magic

Basic Italian Bread

Biga:

• 1/2 Teas. Active Dry Yeast
• 1 Cup Lukewarm water
• 2 Cups Unbleached, All−purpose Flour
• Mix the yeast and water together, and then slowly start adding the flour, mixing well. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature for up to 6 hours. Refrigerate overnight.

Bread:

• 2 Cups Warm Water (about 90 degrees F.)
• 1 Pkg. Active Dry Yeast
• 5−6 Cups All−purpose, Unbleached Flour
• 2 Ts. Salt

Place the water in a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast overtop and mix well. Let sit 10 minutes until bubbly. Add the biga, flour, and salt and stir with a wooden spoon (or mix with your hands) until everything is mixed. The dough will be fairly wet and sticky at this point. Cover and let stand in a warm spot for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in volume. Punch down the dough, folding it over on itself two or three times, cover and let rise once more until doubled, about 1 hour. If you choose, you could refrigerate your dough at this time and leave it overnight to prepare the next day. Turn out your dough onto a floured baking sheet, and without overworking it too much shape into one large or two smaller round or oval shaped loaves, using as much extra flour as needed to keep it from sticking. Slash across the tops of the loaves with a serrated knife or razor just prior to baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and place a casserole dish with boiling water on the lower oven rack. Bake your bread 30 minutes, turn the baking sheet around, and reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake for another 30−45 minutes. At this point your bread should be golden brown and should sound hollow when you tap the bottom. Allow the bread to cool to room temperature and serve.

Caponata

Resdy these...

• 2 large eggplants
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 pound plum tomatoes, quartered
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 1 pound can pitted black olives
• 12 ounce jar olive salad
• 1/4 cup capers
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Wash and cube unpeeled eggplant. Salt and let stand 1 hour. Squeeze dry.Saute in oil until soft. Remove. Saute onions and garlic in same oil. Add tomatoes, olives, and celery. Cook until tender−−15 minutes. Add eggplant, capers, and pine nuts. In another pan heat vinegar and sugar. When dissolved, pour over eggplant. Season to taste and cook an additional 20 minutes. Serve hot or cold as relish with dinner or with french bread rounds as a buffet or cocktail dish.

Eggplant Parmigiana

Have these ready...

• 2 Small Eggplants; unpeeled cut into 1/4−inch rounds
• 2 Eggs; lightly beaten
• 1−1/2 Cup Bread crumbs
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/8 Teaspoon Pepper
• 1 Garlic cloves peeled and halved
• 3/4 Cup Olive oil
• 20 Ounce Tomatoes, canned
• 1/3 Cup Tomato paste
• 2 Tablespoon Minced basil
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/8 Teaspoon Pepper
• 1 Cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 Pound Mozzarella cheese; thinly sliced

Dip eggplant slices in eggs, then in bread crumbs seasoned with salt and pepper. Refrigerate 20 minutes. In a large saucepan, saute garlic in 2 tablespoons oil for 1−2 minutes. Remove garlic and add tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350F. Brown eggplant in 1/4−inch oil in a large skillet. Drain on paper towels. Put a thin layer of tomato sauce into a baking dish and layer eggplant, sauce, Parmesan and mozzarella, alternately. End with mozzarella on top. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Focaccia Versiliese

Prepare these...

• 2 Teaspoon dried yeast
• 1 Cup warm water
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon rosemary, chopped
• 4 sage leaves, torn
• 3 1/2 Ounce olives, pitted
• 2 Tablespoon garlic, minced
• 2 Cup unbleached all−purpose flour
• 1 Cup corn flour
• 2 Teaspoon salt
• 2 Teaspoon olive oil

Stir the yeast into a alrge mixing bowl with the water & let proof for 10 minutes. Stir in the olive oil, rosemary, sage, olives & garlic. Using a wooden spoon, mix in the flours & salt & stir until the dough is thick & smooth. Knead by hand for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is firm & elastic. Set the dough in a lightly oiled container, cover with plastic wrap & let rise until doubled. Turn the dough onto an oiled 10 1/2" X 15 1/2" baking pan & stretch it to fit. If it won't fit, let it rest for 10 minutes & try again. Cover with a towel & leave until it has half risen, about 30 minutes. 30 minutes before baking, preheat oven to 400F. Just before baking, dimple the top of the dough with your fingertips & sprinkle with some extra salt & 2 ts of oil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden. Slide off baking sheet onto a rack & let cool for a few minutes before eating warm or at room temperature.
VARIATION:
Focaccia Dolce. Substitute 2 oz raisins & 1 oz pine nuts for the olives, herbs & garlic. Soak the raisins in warm water for 30 minutes before using & toast the pine nuts.