• Position rack in the center of the oven and heat to 375°F. Lightly grease a 10” springform or cake pan.
• In a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat wilt the spinach in a tablespoon of olive oil adding handfuls at a time. You may need to do this in more than one batch depending on the size of your skillet. Transfer to a large bowl to cool.
• Sautee the onions until translucent, adding the garlic for the last minute. Add to bowl of spinach to cool. Once cooled, add the fresh dill and turn out on to a cutting board and finely chop.
• Press as much liquid as you can from the cooked spinach and onions using a mesh strainer and the back of a large spoon. A ricer also works very well for this.
• Return the spinach to the mixing bowl and add the cheese. Mix well and taste adding salt and pepper as needed. Once seasoned add the eggs and mix well.
• Place a sheet of phyllo dough in the bottom of the baking pan and brush with olive oil, and a second sheet and brush again.
• Lay a sheet of phyllo dough on a cutting board, long edge towards you and brush with olive oil, and another sheet and brush, add a third and brush again.
• Pipe or spoon a row of filling along the bottom edge of the dough, roll the dough into a rope. Starting in the middle of the pan, form a coil with the rope of dough, keeping it as tight as you can. The dough may crack a bit as you work.
• Repeat with more sheets and filling until the coil completely fills the pan. Brush the top of the coil with olive oil. Cover coil with a sheet of dough and brush with oil, add a second sheet and brush again. Tuck the edges of the top sheets down around the sides of the coil and sprinkle the top with sea salt.
• Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Cool in the pan for five minutes before placing on a wire rack to cool.
• Spanakopita is served warm or at room temperature.

• Position rack in the center of the oven and heat to 375°F.  Prepare a mini muffin tin by spritzing with non-stick spray
• Roll out dough on a lightly floured board and cut into 2" squares.  
• Cut the rind off of the wheel of Brie and cut into 1/2" pieces.
• Tuck dough squares into the muffin cups, followed by a chunk of Brie and about a 1/2 teaspoon of cranberry relish.  Top with bits of fresh rosemary or chopped walnuts.  
• Bake for 13 - 16 minutes or until pastry dough is golden brown.  Use a knife or small heat resistant spatula to remove cranberry brie bites from the pan and place them on a serving platter.  Garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary and fresh cranberries.

Crème

• Beat crème fraiche and cream cheese with a hand mixer until fluffy. Mix in half of the shallot and dill. Divide in two.

Mousse

• Remove the layer of skin from the salmon and discard. Place salmon in a food processor or blender with lemon juice, remaining shallot and dill, onion, and one half of the crème fraiche mixture. Process salmon until smooth, adding more lemon juice if needed.
• Season mousse to taste with salt and pepper.

Assemble

• Line a loaf pan or mold with plastic wrap. Fill the plastic wrap lined mold with hot water for a few minutes to make the plastic form to the mold. Empty water and allow to air dry. Lightly spray the lined mold with non-stick cooking spray.
• Spread remaining half of crème fraiche mixture evenly in bottom of mold. Place in freezer to firm, about 15 minutes.
• Spread salmon mousse evenly over crème layer. Cover with a layer of plastic wrap pressing the wrap directly on the mousse.
• Hold in the fridge or freezer until ready to serve.

Unmolding

• When ready to serve place mold in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Remove plastic wrap and invert on to a serving platter. Slowly lift the mold and gently peel off the plastic wrap.
• Salmon mousse freezes very well. If mousse was held in the freezer, dip mold in warm water for a few seconds. Invert frozen mousse onto serving plate. Gently remove plastic wrap and allow mousse to thaw before serving.
• Decorate the top with fronds of fresh dill and dollops of caviar.

• Thoroughly clean 2 quart jars or 1 two-quart jar. Sterilize in boiling water. Set aside to cool.
• In a sauce pan combine water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices and heat over medium heat until almost boiling. Reduce to low and allow to simmer while you prepare the sausages.
• Thinly slice the onion and any other peppers or veggies you might like to add to your pickled meat.
• Cut the sausages into about 2" pieces. With a sharp knife cut a slit into the section of meat but not all the way through. With a table knife spread a small amount of mustard in the cut followed by a few slices of onion or pepper.
• Place a layer of onion and garlic in the bottom of the jars. Using tongs carefully place the Utopenci in the jar alternating layers of sausages and onions.
• Carefully pour the brine into the jars making sure everything is covered. Be sure to spoon in the peppercorns and bay leaves.
• Allow to cool before placing a lid on the jars.
• Place in the fridge and allow to pickle for at least 6 days (longer is better). Serve with a hearty rye toast, some mustard, and of course a cold beer.

• In a medium mixing bowl mix together all ingredients.
• Store unused sauce in a sealed container in the fridge.

Serve

• Great as a dipping sauce for onion rings, fries, fried pickles, fried green tomatoes, and shrimp. Also delicious as a burger or sandwich spread.

Mushroom Strudel

• Sort through the mushrooms brushing off any dirt, remove all stems and set aside. Use a spoon to remove the gills from the caps of the Portobello. Slice the tops of the mushrooms into about 1/4″ slices. I like to vary the size a bit to add some visual texture. Large caps like the Portobello can be cubed. Remember mushroom drastically reduce in size when cooked. Finely dice the stems and place in a small bowl separate from the tops.
• Prepare the shallot by finely dicing. Strip the leaves from the fresh thyme, and finely chop.
• Add the butter and olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the mushrooms (cooking mushrooms is similar to cooking spinach, the pan may seem full, don’t worry it will dramatically reduce). Give the mushrooms a careful toss to coat with the oil.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the fresh thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Cook the mushroom, stirring occasionally. When the mushrooms have reduces by half, add the finely diced mushroom stems, and the Dijon to the skillet. Continue to cook until all of the liquid has escaped from the mushrooms, and has been reduced to a thick syrup (almost to the point of sticking). This process will probably take at least 30 minutes (Cooking time will vary depending on the type of mushrooms used at their water content).
• Add the creme sherry to the pan to deglaze the wonderful mushroom essence, and continue cooking until the liquor has reduced to a thick gravy (It is important that the filling not be “watery” or too wet or it will not work in the pastry).
• Add the remaining tablespoon of fresh thyme and stir to combine. Transfer the mushrooms from the skillet into a bowl and allow to cool. It is important that the filling be cooled to room temperature before working with the pastry dough.
• If nuts are desired, toast them in a dry skillet. Allow to cool, finely dice, and add to the filling. Nuts add another layer of flavor and texture, however they are not crucial to the outcome of this dish.
• Heat oven to 350° F, and position rack in the center of the oven.
• Once the filling is completely cooled, taste and adjust salt and pepper if desired (who am I kidding, by now you have most likely eaten two or three spoonfuls already).
• Melt the stick of butter in the microwave. Lay the sheets of phllyo dough on a piece of parchment paper. Working quickly, fold the phllyo in half like a book, but do not crease. Starting on one half, open each page of the book and brush with the melted butter. Unfold the next layer smooth out the dough with your hand, and butter (Using your hand to lightly smooth the sheet helps to make sure you have an even layer of butter between the sheets). Repeat until all the layers are buttered. Do not butter the top sheet. When you have reached the top sheet, fold over the other direction and repeat.
• The sheet of dough are slightly rectangular, so place the cooled filling down the center third of the long direction of the dough. Evenly spread the cubes of brie over the top of the filling. Using a sharp knife, cut strips about 1½ inches wide from the edge of the filling outwards in both directions. Keep the cuts in line from side to side. Begin at the bottom and fold the first strip on the right side over the dough at a slight angle upward, then repeat with the left. Continue until all the filling is covered. Brush the top with butter, evenly coating all surfaces. Be sure to do the sides as well.
• Use the parchment paper to lift the strudel onto a baking sheet. Place in the pre-heated oven and bake for 25 – 30 minutes, or until the top is golden.
• Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Berry Coulis

• Place the berries, water, lemon juice, and thyme in a small sauce pan and cover. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Allow the mixture to reduce by half.
• Using a food mill or mesh strainer and the back of a spoon, press all of the liquid from the seeds and skins.
• Return the liquid to the small sauce pan and simmer, add the brandy and pepper. Reduce to a syrup.
• Place in fridge to cool and finish thickening.

Serve

• Strudel can be served warm, or at room temperature. Either way is delicious. Serve with a stove ground mustard or a berry coulis. Enjoy!!

• Drain and rinse beans.
• Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy.

Serve

• Chill and serve with vegetables, crackers, pita chips, or naan flat bread.

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine all ingredients except for the parsley jalapeno, and paprika in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 7 to 8 times or until mixture is combined. Do not over process.
• Taste to check seasonings and adjust if desired.
• Add parsley and jalapeno and pulse 2 times to incorporate.
• Transfer into a small casserole dish or several ramekins.
• Top with a bit more Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of paprika.
• Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
• Place ramekins on a parchment lined sheet pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and a golden crust has formed.

Serve

• Serve hot with crackers or bread.

• Prepare desired amount of tater tots according to the instructions on the package. Baking them a little on the crisp side helps them hold up under the cheese.
• Place tots on a serving plate and cover with queso, giardiniera, bacon (if desired), and sprinkle with green onions.