Ditch Dogs Recipes

GRILLED FLATBREAD WITH WILD MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• For the dough: Stir together the sugar in 2 cups warm water in a medium bowl until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the water, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let sit until the mixture becomes slightly foamy, about 5 minutes. If the mixture doesn't become foamy, it means the yeast is dead; throw the mixture out and start over with a new packet of yeast.
• Add the flour and salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and mix on low speed until combined. Add the yeast mixture and the olive oil and knead on low speed for 4 minutes. Raise the mixer speed to medium-low and knead until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, about 6 minutes. Raise the mixer speed to medium and mix until the dough is smooth, pliable, and elastic, 5 minutes more. Lightly oil a large, clean bowl and transfer the dough to the bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• For the mushrooms: Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add half of the portobello mushrooms, half of the oyster mushrooms, 3 sprigs thyme and half of the bay leaf to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms no longer give off liquid and are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add a pinch of salt, stir and transfer the mushrooms to a large bowl. Return the pan to the stovetop over medium-high heat and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. When it has melted, add the remaining mushrooms, thyme and bay leaf. Cook the second batch in the same manner as above. Add a pinch of salt, stir and transfer the mushrooms to the bowl with the first batch. Set aside.
• To assemble: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. If you'd like to grill your crust first, preheat a grill for cooking over medium heat.
• Dust your work surface with flour and cut the dough in half. Using your fingertips, press out each piece into an oval roughly 12 inches long and 4 inches wide. If grilling crust first, brush the dough with olive oil and place on the grill. Grill until cooked through and well-marked on each side, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove from the heat and transfer the flatbreads to the prepared pans. If not grilling, simply transfer one piece of dough to each of the prepared pans and brush with olive oil.
• Divide the mushrooms evenly between the two crusts and top with the truffled Pecorino and the Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake until the cheese has melted and the flatbreads are golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes if the crusts were grilled and 17 to 20 minutes if not (if your oven can't accommodate both flatbreads on the center rack, use the upper and lower racks and rotate and switch their positions halfway through). Garnish with chives and serve immediately.

DITCH DOGS

Steps:

• Make the mac and cheese: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs until al dente. Drain the pasta well and let cool.
• In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and 2 cups heavy cream over medium heat until warm (do not boil). In a separate medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour to the butter and stir until incorporated, about 5 minutes, making sure it doesn't brown. Add the warm milk and heavy cream, in batches, and whisk until incorporated. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking, about 15 minutes.
• Add the American, gruyere and parmesan cheeses to the milk mixture and whisk until melted, 2 to 3 minutes (do not boil). Remove from the heat. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth (or transfer to a regular blender in batches and puree). Let cool to room temperature and mix with the pasta.
• Make the hot dogs: Lightly oil a grill pan and preheat over medium-high heat. Grill the hot dogs until slightly charred, 5 to 7 minutes. Reheat the mac and cheese in a saucepan with the remaining 1/4 cup heavy cream; season with salt and pepper. Place the hot dogs on the buns and top with the mac and cheese. Season with pepper.

SUMMER SALAD WITH SCALLION PESTO AND SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium heat.
• For the farro: Bring 4 cups water to a boil and add the farro and salt. Bring to a simmer and simmer until cooked, about 15 minutes. Drain and let cool.
• For the scallion pesto: Grill the scallions until charred, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the scallions to a blender with the basil, vinegar, salt and pepper and process. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and mix until the consistency of pesto.
• For the vegetables: Drizzle the zucchini and squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill on medium heat, about 5 minutes each side. Set aside to cool, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Grill the red peppers on medium heat, about 5 minutes each side. Place in a bowl and cover in plastic wrap to steam for about 8 minutes. Peel off the skins, remove the seeds and cut into 1/2-inch strips.
• Combine the farro, zucchini, squash, peppers and basil in a large bowl. Toss with the scallion pesto and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• For the scallops: Drizzle the scallops with olive oil and sprinkle with herbes de Provence, salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Portion the salad and serve with the scallops.

LASAGNA

Steps:

• For the meat mixture: In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the olive oil. Add the celery, carrots, onions, and rosemary and season with a little salt and pepper. Stir, then cook for about 5 minutes.
• Add the ground beef and cook, stirring often, until thoroughly cooked, about 15 minutes.
• Add the red wine and cook about 10 minutes. Lower the heat to medium, then add the tomatoes and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Check the seasoning. Set aside and let it cool.
• For the bechamel: Heat the milk in a small saucepan, but keep it from boiling. In another deep saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt and nutmeg and whisk until smooth and light gold. Add the heated milk, 1 cup at a time, whisking constantly. Cook, constantly whisking, until it thickens, for another 10 minutes. Set aside and let it cool.
• For the lasagna layers: Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Set up an ice bath and set aside. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Generously butter a 12-by-20-by-2 1/2-inch baking dish.
• Drop the lasagna sheets in the boiling water a few at a time, then cook for 1 minute. Transfer the lasagna sheets to the ice bath, then drain and lay the pasta flat.
• To the prepared baking dish, add a layer of lasagna sheets, a layer of bechamel, a layer of freshly grated Parmesan and a layer of meat sauce. Repeat twice, using all the ingredients.
• Bake until golden brown and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes prior to slicing and serving.

LOBSTER THERMIDOR

Steps:

• For the pickled mustard seeds: In a small pot over high heat, bring the white vinegar to a boil. Add the mustard seeds, then immediately remove from the heat and let rest for about 30 minutes. Strain seeds, reserving vinegar for another use. Set aside.
• For the lobster: Bring a very large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Place the lobsters head first into the water and cook at a rapid boil until bright red, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the lobsters from the water and set them aside to cool.
• For the leek stuffing: Slice the leeks into 1-inch pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Fill the bowl with cold water and, with your hands, agitate the water to dislodge any dirt and grit from the leeks. Let the grit settle to the bottom of the bowl, then use a spider or slotted spoon to gently lift the leeks out of the water and place in a colander set in the sink to drain.
• Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the butter, leeks, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the leeks are tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the mustard and red wine vinegar. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• For the assembly: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Once the lobsters have cooled, cut them in half and take the tail and claw meat out. Cut the meat into bite-size pieces. Set aside.
• Clean out the entire inside of the lobster shells, discarding the innards and the claw shells. Divide the leeks among the empty lobster shells, then top with the lobster meat. Brush the lobster with the melted butter and finish with some pickled mustard seeds. Bake until heated through, approximately 10 minutes.

THE DITCH DOG

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat; generously salt water and return to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, heat milk and heavy cream over medium-low heat until warmed through.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir until well combined, 5 to 6 minutes, taking care not to let the mixture brown. Slowly add milk mixture, whisking until well combined. Bring to a simmer and let cook 15 minutes.
• Whisk in cheese until melted and sauce has thickened; remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, blend mixture until smooth; season with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Stir in pasta until fully coated; set macaroni and cheese aside.
• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Grill hot dogs until cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer hot dogs to buns, and top each with about 1/3 cup reserved macaroni and cheese. Serve immediately.