On Dutch Babies, Failure and Butter

Let's talk about pancakes. I can't make one to save my own life. I just wanted to let you know that there are other options out there. My favorite of which is called a Dutch Baby.

You're probably sick of hearing my "love child" analogies by now. Too bad. A Dutch Baby is the love child of a pancake and a popover, baked in one pan with lots of butter.* It requires little time and effort, aka, two of the things I dislike most about making pancakes. The thing I dislike the very most about making pancakes is failure. I always fail at making pancakes.

In fact, I fail quite a lot in general. And that's okay. So it's okay if you fail, too.
Good, now we both feel better about it.

Pictured above is my first Dutch Baby, a complete failure. Looks pretty, tastes like what I imagine flan's poop might be like, if flan could make a poop. One big mistake: not reading/following directions.

My second Dutch Baby: light, crispy, buttery success! The instructions mean it when they say "make sure the butter is hot" and "use a blender or food processor." Melted butter and a hand mixer just won't do.

To make a Dutch Baby, follow this recipe.

Tips:
1. Sift your flour (All-Purpose, please).
2. Make sure you use a dry measuring cup for the flour and a liquid measuring cup for the milk.
3. Use large eggs.

I topped mine with Greek yogurt (1T cane sugar for every 7oz of plain yogurt, also whirled through my food processor), Trader Joe's salted caramel sauce, and strawberries. You can also go minimalist and use only a dusting of powdered sugar. BUT if you discard the browned butter at the bottom of the pan, you bring shame to me and your entire family!

*Every time I use the word "butter," I would appreciate it if you inferred that I mean "glorious butter." Because it is what it is.

Tomatoes are Delicious: Poached Eggs

You thought I was done writing about tomatoes back in August, didn't you? Well you were quite wrong. I'm a tomato hoarder. Back when I made tomato soup, I froze two cups of it so that I could warm it up with the perfect grilled cheese during the first snowfall of the year. In the sticky, sweaty heat of August, I imagined myself curled up on my yellow chase lounge, my favorite blanket wrapped tightly around me as I stared out the window at the streets of Nashville becoming smooth and white, all the while carefully spooning a piping hot cup of tomato soup from the bowl to my mouth. (And naturally, in this fantasy, the bowl matches the chase lounge perfectly and I do not spill tomato soup on myself.) In my mind, the tomato soup would taste even sweeter and creamier during the winter than it had in the summer. Unfortunately snow has not come to Nashville yet and the tomato soup waits patiently in my freezer. In the meantime, I will make tomato poached eggs to get my tomato fix.

I can't get over how fast, how good and how easy tomato poached eggs are to make and more importantly, to eat. On holidays like New Years Day, I like to make the tomato sauce the night before and store it in the fridge. When I wake up, inevitably regretting the copious amounts of champagne I consumed the night before, all I have to do is heat the sauce up, crack a few eggs and voilà! breakfast for six in under 20 minutes. 

As with many egg dishes, the best part of this one is the contrast of flavors and textures. The tomatoes are tangy, sweet and juicy, the eggs firm but soft, their sumptuous yolks just liquid enough to run all over the dish when broken. I like to serve tomato poached eggs over a starch that is up to some serious sopping. Because what's the point of cooking an egg yolk to the perfect consistency if you can't get it off of the plate and into your mouth? Polenta, grits or a toasted piece of bread will do the trick. I made my baked goat cheese polenta, a recipe that I hesitate to share with you due to large instances of addiction. Maybe one day. 

And here's the best part, my friends: tomato poached eggs can be dressed up by other canned ingredients such as artichoke hearts or pickled peppers. Maybe you'll even get a little crazy and experiment with some curry paste. You were going to clean out your pantry for the new year anyway, right?? Pictured here is the Bloody Mary version of tomato poached eggs, which I assume is the most appropriate for tomorrow, New Years Day. Which reminds me: I hope you all stay safe tonight, eat delicious food and have magical midnight kisses! 

Special thanks to Red Gold Tomatoes for providing... the tomatoes! And to my Mom, who helped me set up this shoot, even though she has a torn meniscus. 

Tomato Poached Eggs
-serves six
this is the base recipe. all other "styles" are what I refer to as "add-ins." 
1T olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
1t red pepper flakes (more if you like it spicy) 
1/2 cup dry white wine
salt and pepper
one can tomato sauce (preferably no salt added)
one can crushed tomatoes (preferably no salt added)
6 large eggs


suggested styles:

Bloody Mary
celery salt
1/2 cup chopped pickled peppers
2T capers
1T Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco to taste
top with horseradish sauce and parsley
serve over polenta

Greek
1T dried oregano
1/2 cup chopped artichoke hearts
2T chopped kalamata olives
top with feta cheese
serve over toasted pita bread

Caprese
one large handful roughly torn fresh basil
2 garlic cloves, diced
top with shredded mozzarella and balsamic vinegar
serve over polenta

Mexican
taco seasoning (I like the one at Trader Joe's) to taste
top with black bean salsa and queso blanco 
serve over warm flour tortillas 

Italian 
3 garlic cloves, diced
1T dried oregano
1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
top with parmesan 
serve over grilled ciabatta 

Instructions
In a large pan with high sides, sauté onion in olive oil with a pinch of salt and red pepper flakes over medium heat until golden brown. Pour in wine and cook down for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes and other add-ins. Let simmer for 20 minutes. Taste it! Adjust salt accordingly. (Place in fridge after simmering if you're making ahead. If your mixture looks dry when you heat it back up, add a splash of vegetable stock. Be sure to heat it back to a steady simmer before cracking the eggs.) With the back of a large spoon, make six small wells. Crack eggs into wells, cover (a piece of tin foil will do) and cook for 7 minutes or until eggs are the firmness you like them.