Disappearing Crunch Bars

Ingredients:

1 pkg (sleeve) saltine crackers
1/2 lb unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
12 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips
optional: 1 cup toasted nuts, chopped (preferably pecans)


1.  Preheat oven to 400 deg F
2.  Line a 1/2 sheet (jelly roll pan) with non-stick aluminum foil.  Place crackers on foil in a single layer.
3.  In a saucepan, bring the brown sugar and butter to a boil; boil for 3 minutes, then pour the mixture over the saltines.
4.  Bake for 7 minutes, then remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the pan.  Shut the oven off and place the pan in the oven for 30 seconds.
5. With an icing spatula, smooth the chocolate chips over the pan, then sprinkle with the nuts (and any other toppings).  Place the pan in the freezer for a minimum of one hour.
6.  Invert onto cutting board, remove the aluminum foil and break the mass into small pieces.

From the Cambridge Culinary Institute,  Basic Baking Class

SPANISH TORTILLA WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND PEAS

Published July 1, 2009.   From Cook's Illustrated.

Serves 4 as light entrée; 6 as an appetizer.  

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

We wanted an intensely rich, velvety, melt-in-your-mouth egg-and-potato omelet recipe that didn’t require using a quart of oil. We were able to cut the oil to a mere 6 tablespoons by substituting less starchy Yukon Gold potatoes for russets, which tended to fall apart when flipped in the pan. To flip the omelet easily, we slid it out of the pan and onto a plate, placed another plate on top of the omelet before inverting it, and then slid the flipped omelet back into the pan.

Spanish tortillas are often served warm or at room temperature with olives, pickles, and Garlic Mayonnaise (see related recipe) as an appetizer. They may also be served with a salad as a light entrée. For the most traditional tortilla, omit the roasted red peppers and peas. We recommend using our winning brand of extra-virgin olive oil, Columela.

INGREDIENTS

• 6tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (3 to 4 medium), peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices
• 1small onion , halved and sliced thin
• 1teaspoon table salt
• 1/4teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8large eggs
• 1/2cup jarred roasted red peppers , rinsed, dried, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2cup frozen peas , thawed
• Garlic Mayonnaise (see note) (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. Toss 4 tablespoons oil, potatoes, onion, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper in large bowl until potato slices are thoroughly separated and coated in oil. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Reduce heat to medium-low, add potato mixture to skillet, and set bowl aside without washing. Cover and cook, stirring with rubber spatula every 5 minutes, until potatoes offer no resistance when poked with tip of paring knife, 22 to 28 minutes (it’s OK if some potato slices break into smaller pieces).
2. 2. Meanwhile, whisk eggs and remaining ½ teaspoon salt in reserved bowl until just combined. Using rubber spatula, fold hot potato mixture, red peppers, and peas into eggs until combined, making sure to scrape all potato mixture out of skillet. Return skillet to medium-high heat, add remaining teaspoon oil, and heat until just beginning to smoke. Add egg-potato mixture and cook, shaking pan and folding mixture constantly for 15 seconds. Smooth top of mixture with rubber spatula. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook, gently shaking pan every 30 seconds until bottom is golden brown and top is lightly set, about 2 minutes.
3. 3. Using rubber spatula, loosen tortilla from pan, shaking back and forth until tortilla slides around freely in pan. Following photos below, slide tortilla onto large plate. Invert tortilla onto second large plate and slide it browned-side up back into skillet. Tuck edges of tortilla into skillet with rubber spatula. Return pan to medium heat and continue to cook, gently shaking pan every 30 seconds, until second side is golden brown, about 2 minutes longer. Slide tortilla onto cutting board or serving plate and allow to cool at least 15 minutes. Cut tortilla into cubes or wedges and serve with Garlic Mayonnaise, if desired.

STEP-BY-STEP

How to Flip a Spanish Tortilla

1. SLIDE After browning first side, loosen tortilla with rubber spatula and slide onto large plate.

2. FLIP Place second plate face-down over tortilla; invert browned-site up on second plate.

3. SLIDE Slide tortilla back into pan, browned side-up, and tuck edges into pan with rubber spatula.