Crepes (flipping video)

YouTube Link: Crepes (flipping made easy!)
More Videos: Helen's Kitchen Channel

Batter (makes 16 crepes 8.5 inches in diameter):

unbleached all-purpose flour (7.5 oz / 213g / 1.5 cups)
salt (2 tsp Diamond Crystal Kosher / 1 tsp Table)
sugar (2 tsp)
eggs (5.3 oz / 150g / 3 large) weighed without shell
water (8.3 oz / 236g / 1 cup)
whole or 2% milk (8.5 oz / 242g / 1 cup)
neutral oil (1.9 oz / 54g / 0.25 cup)

frozen butter for frying (as necessary)

Mushroom Farro Risotto (the oven method -- almost no stirring)

YouTube Link: Mushroom Farro Risotto (the oven method -- almost no stirring)
More Videos: Helen's Kitchen Channel


Buying pearled farro (farro perlato)
Several of my local stores carry pearled farro, so I don't have much experience buying it on-line.  Amazon carries many brands, so give it a shot (just don't start with Bob's Red Mill unless you want to give your jaws a serious workout -- I've tried their farro and it's too chewy).  Since farro is not always clearly labeled, Here is a picture of untreated farro on the left and pearled on the right.

For risotto:
3 cups water
25 g dry porcini (a very heaping dry cup)
1/2 cup shallots (65g)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1.5 cups farro or barley or risotto type rice (arborio or carnaroli)
1/2 cup dry white wine

For the mushrooms:
1 Lb fresh mushrooms (a mix of big meaty ones and flimsy ones)
2 Tbsp olive oil (divided)
1/4 cup dry white wine

Finishing enrichments:
2 Tbsp heavy cream
2 Tbsp finely grated parmesan (5g)
2 Tbsp butter
2 tsp truffle butter (optional)

Pork Shoulder Braised in Osso Buco Sauce ("Boston Butt" cut)

YouTube Link: Pork Shoulder Braised in Osso Buco Sauce ("Boston Butt" cut)
More Videos: Helen's Kitchen Channel

5 Lb Boston Butt (boneless pork shoulder), trussed with string
2 tsp high heat oil (such as grape seed, safflower, or canola)
2 yellow onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery ribs, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp fresh minced rosemary, sage, or thyme
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
2.5 cups dry white wine
1.5 cups salt free or low-sodium chicken stock
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper

Brown Chicken Stock Video

Affordable Dutch Oven from Tramontina

You can certainly spend $300 on an equivalent Le Creuset, but the above Tramontina pot was only $50 and served me well for 6 years now.  The bottom of the pot did discolor (as you can see in the video) and became black, but that didn't change the pot's performance in any way.

Disclaimer: The above link is an Amazon affiliate.  I get a small percentage if you buy the pot through it.  Maybe I should have linked to Le Creuset... just kidding ;)

Kale Apple Salad

YouTube Link: Kale Apple Salad
More Videos: Helen's Kitchen Channel

For the salad:
1.25 Lb Lacinato (aka Tuscan) Kale
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 apple, cut into julienne
1/4 cup dries cherries or cranberries

For the dressing:
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup Greek Yogurt (optional)
1 Tbsp whole grain Dijon mustard (optional)
1/4 cup chopped nuts or pomegranate seeds (optional)

Pomegranate Seeds without the Mess

YouTube Link: Pomegranate Without the Mess
More Videos: Helen's Kitchen Channel