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Zucchini & Carrot Ribbons with Miso Dressing

Zucchini & Carrot Ribbons with Miso Dressing

Zucchini & Carrot Ribbons with Miso Dressing

1 small zucchini (4 to 6 ounces)

Salt

1 small carrot

1/4 bell pepper (any color), stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced lengthwise

2 scallions (white and pale green parts only), thinly sliced

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce or chili sauce (optional)

3 tablespoons Lemony Miso Dressing or store-bought miso, sesame, or peanut salad dressing

 

Trim and peel the zucchini. Use a vegetable peeler to shred it lengthwise into ribbons. (You will end up with a nubbin of zucchini that is too small for the peeler. Set it aside or use a knife to slice it thinly.) Place the zucchini ribbons on a kitchen towel or paper towels and sprinkle them lightly with salt. Set them aside to drain while you peel the carrot. Trim and peel the carrot, repeating the above technique in Step l to create narrow ribbons. Place them in a medium-size bowl. Squeeze the liquid out of the zucchini ribbons and add them to the carrots. Add the bell pepper, scallions, sesame seeds, sriracha, and dressing and toss to combine.

 

Lemony Miso Dressing

 

1/3 cup white or yellow miso

1 tablespoon hot water

Juice and minced zest of 1 lemon

1 or 2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 cup vegetable oil (not olive oil)

 

Whisk together the miso and water in a small bowl until smooth. (Strain it if you prefer it completely smooth, as miso can be a bit grainy.) Whisk in the lemon juice and zest and the garlic. Drizzle in the oil and whisk to combine.

Campfire Slow Roasted Root Vegetables

Campfire Slow Roasted Root Vegetables

Campfire Slow Roasted Root Vegetables

1 bag baby carrots

2 onions peeled and cut in wedges

3 parsnips, peeled and cut into thick slices

1 lb. baby red potatoes, washed (or sweet potatoes, cut into smaller chunks)

6 cloves whole garlic, peeled

3 T. olive oil

½ tsp. sea salt

½ tsp. ground black pepper

¼ tsp. dried rosemary

In a 12” cast iron Dutch oven with feet, combine vegetables and garlic cloves. Drizzle with olive oil and mix to coat evenly. Add salt, pepper and rosemary. Gently mix together. Arrange 4 hot coals in a circle and place Dutch oven over coals. Cover with flat lid and top with 6 more hot coals. Let roast for 75-90 minutes, adding fresh coals as needed. Serve hot.

Marinated Mushrooms

Marinated Mushrooms

Marinated Mushrooms

 

Cooking the mushrooms over relatively high heat encourages them to quickly

release liquid, which can then be reduced to a concentrated, flavorful glaze.

 

1/4 C. extra-virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper

1 lb. cremini or white mushrooms, trimmed, left whole if small, halved if medium, quartered if large

3 tsp. lemon juice
1 garlic clove, sliced very thin
1 large shallot, minced
1/4 small red bell pepper, chopped fine

1 tsp. minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley or basil

 

Heat 3 tsp. oil, pepper flakes, and ‘h tsp. salt in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add mushrooms and 2 tsp. lemon juice. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms release moisture, moisture evaporates, and mushrooms have browned around edges, about 10 minutes. Spread mushrooms in single layer on large plate or rimmed baking sheet; cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. When cooled, transfer mushrooms to medium bowl, leaving behind any juices. Stir garlic, shallot, and bell pepper into mushrooms, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 6 or up to 24 hours. Allow mushrooms to stand at room temperature about 1 hour. Stir in remaining 1 tsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. lemon juice, and thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Tomatoes Jarra Marra

Tomatoes Jarra Marra

Tomatoes Jarra Marra

One or two tomatoes per person, sliced or quartered. For cherry tomatoes, use a small handful per person, cut in half.

Olive oil

Sherry vinegar

ground cumin

oregano (fresh or dried)

salt and pepper

black olives for garnish

parsley (fresh or dried) for garnish

 

Arrange the tomatoes on a platter. Drizzle with olive oil and sherry vinegar. Season with ground cumin, oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with black olives and parsley. Serve with crusty bread for sopping up the juices and dressing.

Baked Honey Tomatoes

Baked Honey Tomatoes

Baked Honey Tomatoes

 

8 medium tomatoes

1/2 C. bread crumbs, fresh, coarse

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. Tarragon, dried

4 tsp. Honey

4 tsp. Butter

 

Preheat oven to 350F. Slice off stem ends of tomatoes and carefully scrape out seeds. Place open side up in buttered baking dish. Mix breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and tarragon. Drizzle honey over tomatoes, rubbing it down into cavities. Sprinkle tomatoes with crumb mixture and dot with butter. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, till tomato skins begin to wrinkle. Place under broiler for another 5 minutes or till crumbs begin to brown. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Roman Cauliflower with Crispy Bacon and a Caper-Raisin Vinaigrette

Roman Cauliflower with Crispy Bacon and a Caper-Raisin Vinaigrette

Roman Cauliflower with Crispy Bacon and a Caper-Raisin Vinaigrette

6 slices of bacon

1 head cauliflower, roman or white

sea salt and pepper to taste

 

1/4 C capers, rinsed and chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 C golden raisins

1/2 shallot, minced

1 T. honey

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/4 C olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

chopped parsley for garnish

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Slice the bacon into lardons and cook in a cast-iron or oven-proof skillet over medium heat until brown and crispy. Set bacon aside to drain on paper towels and reserve 2 T. of bacon fat to cook the cauliflower. Meanwhile prepare the cauliflower by removing the outer leaves and cutting into quarters. Place cauliflower flat side down onto a hot pan with the hot bacon fat and transfer to the oven for 10 minutes. Rotate each cauliflower piece to its other flat side and continue cooking for another 10 minutes or until tender when pierced with a knife.  Combine all of the vinaigrette ingredients in a bowl. Serve the cauliflower with the bacon, vinaigrette and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Tee’s Corn Pudding

Tee’s Corn Pudding

Tee’s Corn Pudding

 

1/4 C. sugar

3 T. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. table salt

6 large eggs

2 C. heavy cream

1/2 C. butter, melted

6 C. fresh corn kernels (or thawed frozen)

Vegetable cooking spray

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Stir together sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk eggs together in a large bowl; whisk in cream and melted butter. Gradually add sugar mixture, whisking until smooth; stir in corn. Pour mixture into a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350° for 40 to 45 minutes or until mixture is deep golden and set. Let stand 5 minutes.

 

Oven-Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Oven-Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Oven-Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

6 C. Cauliflower Florets

¼ C. nonfat Greek Yogurt

2 T. Franks Buffalo Wing Sauce

2 T. Olive Oil Mayo

2/3 C. Panko Breadcrumbs

1/3 dry Breadcrumbs

2 tsp. Canola Oil

¼ tsp. Garlic Salt with Parsley

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside. In a large skillet, place the cauliflower and 1 cup of water over medium high heat. Cover and steam for 5 minutes, then transfer the cauliflower onto a paper-towel-lined plate. In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, wing sauce, mayonnaise, and 2 tablespoons water. In a separate shallow bowl or pie plate, combine remaining ingredients and toss to mix. Hold a cauliflower floret by the stem, dip and twist the floret top through the Buffalo sauce, lightly wipe off excess sauce, roll into the crumbs, and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining florets. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. If you would like your Buffalo Bites crispier or more browned, place them under the broiler for 1 minute before serving.

 

Yield: 6 servings (about ¾ cup)

Calories: 90

Fat: 3g

Fiber: 4g

Wine and Thyme Mushrooms

Wine and Thyme Mushrooms

Wine and Thyme Mushrooms

 

2 containers Button Mushrooms

1 T. minced Garlic

4 sprigs Fresh Thyme

Couple splashes White Wine

1 T. Olive oil

1 T. Butter

Salt

Pepper

 

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large flat non stick pan. Arrange the mushrooms in the pan, cap side down. Cook on medium-high till the mushrooms caps are golden, about 5 minutes. Don’t move the mushrooms around; if you do they won’t caramelize. When the mushroom caps are golden add the garlic and thyme. Toss and let it cook 30 seconds. Then add the wine and cook on high till the wine evaporates. Turn off heat and add salt and pepper.

Brussels Sprout Mezze

Brussels Sprout Mezze

Brussels Sprout Mezze

2 T. EVOO

4 cloves Garlic, sliced

1 small Onion, chopped

1 oz. Sun-Dried Tomatoes, cut into fine strips

2 ½ C. chopped Tomatoes

1 lb. Brussels Sprouts, outer leaves removed and stems trimmed

Salt, Sugar, and Pepper to taste

1 T. Pesto

Parmesan for serving

 

Heat oil in saucepan with a close-fitting lid over moderate heat. Slowly fry garlic, onion and sun-dried tomato. When softened, add chopped tomatoes. Cook 5 minutes, and then add the sprouts. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of sugar.  Cover and cook slowly for 20 minutes, until sprouts are tender. Stir in pesto and scatter with parmesan to serve.

Potluck Stuffed Zucchini

Potluck Stuffed Zucchini

Stuffed Zucchini

10 small / medium Zucchini, uniform in size, about 3 lb. total

Salt and Pepper

3 Eggs, lightly beaten

2 C. freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

½ – 2 C. Dry Bread Crumbs

Parsley, to garnish, if desired

Preheat oven to 425.  Spray baking sheet with oil.  In large pot of boiling water cook zucchini until fork tender, about 7 minutes.  With slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking.  Leave in water a few minutes.  Remove and pat dry with paper towels.  Halve the zucchini lengthwise and scoop out pulp, leaving 1/3 inch shell.  Sprinkle shells with salt and pepper and turn them upside down on paper towels to drain.    Squeeze pulp dry and place in food processor.  Add eggs, cheese and bread crumbs and pulse a few times to combine.  Do not turn it to paste.  Wipe zucchini shells dry, turn them cut side up and fill with bread crumb mixture.  (You can use a pastry bag for a decorative finish.)  Place zucchini on prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown and a bit puffed, about 15-18 minutes.  Serve warm or room temperature.

 

 

From Crowd Pleasing Potlucks

Grilled Broccoli with Parsley, Garlic, and Anchovies

Grilled Broccoli with Parsley, Garlic, and Anchovies

2 small bunches of tender broccoli

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for serving

6 anchovy fillets, minced

2 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste

Grated zest of l lemon

1/3 C. finely chopped Flat Leaf Parsley

2 tsp. Chile Flakes

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill. Cut the broccoli lengthwise to make long florets with all of the tender stem attached. Blanch in well-salted boiling water for just 15 to 20 seconds, a little longer if the broccoli is very mature. Drain well, transfer to a medium bowl, and toss with 1 tablespoon of the oil. When the flame has died down and the coals are completely covered with ash, grill the broccoli to slightly char it all over.  Mix the anchovies, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and chile flakes in a bowl. Add the grilled broccoli, toss well, and serve with olive oil at the table for drizzling.

 

Parmesan Carrot Fries Recipe

Parmesan Carrot Fries Recipe

Parmesan Carrot Fries Recipe

1 pound fresh carrots
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
Cracked black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
2-3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

Preheat oven to 450°F. Peel carrots and cut into thin matchstick slices. In a medium bowl, toss slices in olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread out carrots on a baking sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the carrots are browned slightly. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese before serving.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 83
Fat: 3g
Fiber: 3g

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Chips

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Chips

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Chips

Parchment paper
2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
1/2 cup egg whites
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Freshly ground black pepper
Red pepper flakes, if desired

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cover baking sheet with Parchment paper. Place egg whites in small bowl. In separate small bowl, combine the Parmesan, bread crumbs, salt, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and a little black pepper (add or subtract spices to suit personal taste). Dip each zucchini slice in egg whites then dip each round into the Parmesan bread crumb mixture, making sure to coat it evenly on boat sides. Place slices evenly on prepared baking sheet and bake 15 minutes. Flip and bake another 5-10 minutes or until zucchini chips are golden brown and crisp. Serve immediately. Serve with Marinara for dipping.

Cook’s Illustrated Marinated Mushrooms

Cook’s Illustrated Marinated Mushrooms

Cook’s Illustrated Marinated Mushrooms

Cooking the mushrooms over relatively high heat encourages them to quickly release liquid, which can then be reduced to a concentrated, flavorful glaze.


1/4 C. extra-virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
1 pound cremini or white mushrooms, trimmed, left whole if small, halved if medium, quartered if large
3 tsp. lemon juice
1 garlic clove, sliced very thin
1 large shallot, minced
1/4 small red bell pepper, chopped fine
1 tsp. minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley or basil

Heat 3 tsp. oil, pepper flakes, and ‘h tsp. salt in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add mushrooms and 2 tsp. lemon juice. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms release moisture, moisture evaporates, and mushrooms have browned around edges, about 10 minutes. Spread mushrooms in single layer on large plate or
rimmed baking sheet; cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. When cooled, transfer mushrooms to medium bowl, leaving behind any juices. Stir garlic, shallot, and bell pepper into mushrooms, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 6 or up to 24 hours. Allow mushrooms to stand at room temperature about 1 hour. Stir in remaining 1 tsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. lemon juice, and thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Pepper and Herb Stir-Fry

Pepper and Herb Stir-Fry

Pepper and Herb Stir-Fry

4 each of red, yellow, and light green peppers (about 2 lb. total)
1 bunch flat-leaf parsley
1 bunch fresh basil
1 bunch fresh chives
2 cloves garlic
2 T. olive oil, or more to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Stem and seed peppers, cutting them into large 1- or 2-inch pieces. Make a rough chop of the parsley, basil, and chives. Mince garlic. Over high heat, add oil to a sauté pan. Put in all the peppers at once and stir every minute or so as they cook for about 5 minutes. When they wilt slightly, add garlic, cooking 1 minute more. Toss in all herbs, salt and pepper to taste, and turn off heat. Let herbs cook from the pan heat and add the lemon juice to finish.

Simple Ways to Enjoy Fresh Asparagus

Simple Ways to Enjoy Fresh Asparagus

Grilled: Mix asparagus with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill until tender and starting to brown (a grill basket is helpful), 3 to 4 minutes.

In salads: Slice tips and tender stalks very thinly on the diagonal and add, row, to tossed salads.

Steamed: Cook asparagus in a basket or bamboo steamer over boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes. Drizzle with a vinaigrette of lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped fresh mint for an easy side dish.

In a gratin: Lay asparagus stalks in a shallow baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and top with grated parmesan cheese. Bake in a 400[degrees] oven until asparagus is tender and cheese is melted and browning, about 10 minutes. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Stir-fried: Cut asparagus into bite-size lengths and stir over high heat in a little hot chile oil with minced garlic and ginger until tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Splash on a touch of rice wine or dry sherry at the end.

Marrow Beans with Swiss Chard and Zesty Lemon

Marrow Beans with Swiss Chard and Zesty Lemon

This is a plump white bean with a creamy texture, it was popular in the U.S. in the 1850’s as a baking bean. They have the flavor of bacon and work well pureed for soup. Great Northern Beans can be substituted.

1 1/2 C. marrow beans
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 large bunch Swiss chard (about 12 oz.)
1 T. extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 C. chicken or vegetable broth, preferably homemade
Unrefined sea salt, finely ground

Pour the beans into a large mixing bowl, cover with hot water by 2 inches and stir in the baking soda. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow it to sit on the kitchen counter for at least 18 and up to 24 hours. Drain the beans and rinse them well. Put the soaked beans in a large stockpot and pour in enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches. Bring them to a boil over medium‑high heat, cover and simmer until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain the beans and set aside. Using a sharp paring knife, separate the chard stems from the greens. Finely chop the stems and set them in a small bowl. Stack the leaves on top of one another, roll them into a cigar, and slice crosswise into strips 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the garlic and chopped chard stems and sauté until the garlic softens and the color of the chard stems turns ever so slightly more vibrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes and lemon zest and cook for a minute or two, then add the beans to the skillet. Sauté the beans for 3 to 5 minutes, until they acquire the flavor of the garlic and lemon. Grab chard leaves by the handful and drop them into the hot pan. Stir once or twice to mix them with the beans, then add the broth. Cover and simmer until the chard leaves wilt, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the lemon juice and season with salt. Serve hot.

Spicy Dilly Beans

Spicy Dilly Beans

3 pounds green beans
2 1/2 C. white vinegar
2 1/2 C. water
4 T. pickling salt
5 medium cloves garlic
5 tsp. dill seed (not dill weed)
5 tsp. red chili flakes
1-2 dried hot red chiles per jar, optional

Prepare a boiling water bath and 5 regular mouth pint jars. Place lids in a small saucepan over very low heat to simmer while you prepare the pickles. Wash and trim beans so that they fit in jar. If you have particularly long beans, cut them in half. Combine vinegar, water and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. While the pickling liquid heats, pack your beans into the jars, leaving 1/2 inch for headspace. To each jar, add 1 clove of garlic, 1 tsp. dill seeds, and 1 tsp. red chili flakes. Slowly pour the hot brine over the beans, leaving 1/2 inch for headspace. After all the jars are full, use a wooden chopstick to work the air bubbles out of the jars. Check the headspace again and add more brine if necessary. Wipe the rims, apply lids and rings and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Let pickles sit for at least one week before eating.

Warm Brussel Sprout Salad with Bacon and Candied Pecans

Warm Brussel Sprout Salad with Bacon and Candied Pecans

2 lb. Brussel sprouts, cut in half
8 strips bacon, cooked until crispy, with fat reserved
1/4 C. reserved bacon fat, or olive oil
1/2 C. candied pecans
1/4lb ricotta salata
2 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. vinegar
salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the brussel sprouts in the reserved bacon fat, or olive oil (if using), and season with a big pinch of salt. Spread onto a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes until golden brown and tender. Toss the warm brussel sprouts with the candied pecans, ricotta salata, bacon, olive oil, and vinegar, and serve warm. Enjoy!

Rick Bayless Pickled Red Onions (Escabeche de Cebolla)

Rick Bayless Pickled Red Onions (Escabeche de Cebolla)

1 small (6-oz.) red onion, sliced 1/8 inch thick
1/4 tsp. black peppercorns
1/4 tsp. cumin seeds
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 C. cider vinegar

Parboiling the onion. Place the thinly sliced red onion in a saucepan with salted water to cover, bring to a boil, time 1 minute, then remove from the heat and drain. The pickling. Coarsely grind the peppercorns and cumin in a mortar or spice grinder, then add to the saucepan, along with the remaining ingredients. Pour in just enough water to barely cover the onions, bring to a boil over medium heat, time 3 minutes, then remove from the heat and pour into a small, noncorrosive bowl. Let stand several hours before using.

Grilled Corn Salad with Fresh Herbs

Grilled Corn Salad with Fresh Herbs

¼ C. white lemon balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice and honey)
½ C. olive oil
Salt and pepper
½ C. fresh herbs (I used basil, parsley, chive, and dill)
6 Red and orange mini peppers, diced
3 green onions, sliced

Brush the corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat until charred. Let cool and cut the corn off the cob. In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Add the herbs, peppers, and green onion to a large bowl. Add corn. Add dressing and toss to combine. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper as needed. Chill until ready to serve.

Scorched Sweet Peppers & Onions

Scorched Sweet Peppers & Onions

Here is a technique you don’t hear much about. The idea is to cook peppers and onions in a hot dry pan, relying on the moisture in the vegetables to keep them from burning (though they do char in a pleasant way). Since both the vegetables are high in water content, they begin to steam, but the high heat evaporates the steam immediately. As they are stirred, they start to take on a bit of color and soften. Once they are half-cooked, add salt and a small amount of oil, which allows them to caramelize, intensifying their natural sweetness. Eat them hot or cold. They’re good plain, but I usually add garlic, hot pepper, parsley or basil, and a little vinegar too. serves 4

1 large onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices
3 medium red or yellow sweet peppers (about 1 pound), sliced into
1/4-inch-wide strips
Salt and pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Red pepper flakes
1 tsp. red wine vinegar
Chopped parsley or basil

Heat a wide cast-iron skillet over high heat, without adding any oil or fat, until the pan is nearly smoking, usually 4 to 5 minutes. Throw in the onion and peppers and stir briskly, then continue stirring until the vegetables begin to soften and char slightly, about 2 minutes. Adjust the heat if they seem to be cooking too quickly. Season with salt and pepper, add the olive oil, and stir-fry until nicely caramelized, another minute or so. Add the garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes and turn off the heat, then transfer to a serving bowl and add the vinegar and chopped parsley or basil.

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon, Apple & Gorgonzola

Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad with Bacon, Apple & Gorgonzola

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed (about 4 C.)
4 slices bacon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and finely chopped (about 1 C.)
2 oz. Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled (1/2 C.)

Halve the sprouts and thinly slice them into ribbons length-wise. Rub the slices gently between your fingers to separate the layers and put them into a large bowl. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off all but l tsp. the rendered bacon fat from the pan and return the pan to medium-high heat. Add the sprouts, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the sprouts to a large bowl, crumble the bacon on top, and add the apple pieces and cheese. Toss to combine, divide among 4 plates, and serve.

Roasted Green Beans with Beets, Feta, and Walnuts

Roasted Green Beans with Beets, Feta, and Walnuts

2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
1 pound fresh beets, trimmed, peeled, and cut into thin wedges
1/2 C. sliced shallots (4 medium)
1/4 C. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 C. broken walnuts (or almonds or filberts)
1/2 C. crumbled feta cheese (2 oz.) (or chevre)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. In a large roasting pan combine green beans, beets, and shallots. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Roast, uncovered, for 45 to 50 minutes or until beans and beets are tender, stirring once or twice and adding walnuts during the last 10 to 15 minutes of roasting. To serve, transfer roasted vegetables to a serving platter. Sprinkle with cheese.

Pickled Three Bean Salad

Pickled Three Bean Salad

1 ½ Lb. Fresh Green Beans — 4 1/2 C.
1 ½ Lb. Fresh Wax Beans — 4 1/2 C.
1 Lb. Canned Kidney Beans — or Shelled Lima Beans, rinsed and drained
2 C. Celery — sliced
1 Large Onion — peeled and sliced
1 C. Sweet Pepper — diced
2 ½ C. Sugar
3 C. White Vinegar
1 T. Mustard Seed
1 tsp. Celery Seed
4 tsp. Pickling Salt
1 ¼ C. Water

Rinse beans, trim ends and cut into 1 1/2″ pieces. Mix in large pot with celery, onion and pepper. Cover with boiling water and simmer 10-12 minutes (the recipe calls for 8 minutes, but that wasn’t enough). Drain. Bring sugar, vinegar, spices, and water to a boil. Simmer, covered, 15 minutes. (The amounts are just right, only a little brine left over. Don’t boil the brine away!) Add drained vegetables and kidney beans. Return to a boil. Pack hot vegetables into hot jars, leaving 1/2″ headspace. Ladle hot spiced vinegar over vegetables, leaving 1/2″ headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe rim of jar clean; place hot, previously simmered lid on jar and screw down ring firmly tight. Process 15 minutes in a boiling water bath canner. Do not change the ratio of vinegar, water and vegetables. This is a tested recipe for water bath canning.

Mexican Corn

Mexican Corn

1/4 C. butter or margarine
1/4 C. finely chopped onion
1/4 C. chopped green pepper
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen corn or 1 can whole kernel corn
1/4 C. diced pimiento
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
sweet pepper slices, to garnish

Heat butter or margarine over low heat. Add and cook until onion is transparent. Add green pepper. Add corn. Cook corn covered, over low heat, about 10 minutes, or until tender. During the last few minutes of cooking, mix in diced pimento. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix gently. Garnish with sweet red pepper slices. Serves 4.

Butternut Squash Chips with Cranberry Toppings

Butternut Squash Chips with Cranberry Toppings

1 ½ lb (1 medium) butternut squash
2/3 T. oil – walnut oil would be nice
2 tsp. finely chopped fresh sage leaves (6–7 leaves)
½ tsp. ground black pepper
½ tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
½ tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. ground white pepper
2 T. finely chopped dried cranberries
1 T. honey
½ tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Coarse salt, such as Celtic or Maldon sea salt
Fresh rosemary for garnish

Preheat your oven to 350°F, with the racks positioned in the upper and lower thirds. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and spray or lightly brush them with some of the oil. To prepare the squash, remove about ½ inch from the top and bottom. Divide it into two sections where the neck meets the seed bulb, then remove the skin with a sturdy vegetable peeler or a paring knife. If you plan to use the seed bulb, scoop out the seeds. Cut each section into even, â…› inch slices, about as thick as two stacked quarters. A Mandoline or food processer would be helpful here. If the flesh around the seed bulb is less than ½ inch thick, save it for another use. In a wide pot or deep skillet, bring about 2 quarts of water to a boil. Place a bowl of ice water near your cooktop. Cook the squash in 2 batches, boiling each for 1½ to 2 minutes. Don’t overcook them or they’ll break apart. Carefully scoop the slices into the ice water. Lay the slices on a kitchen towel and pat them completely dry.
In a mixing bowl combine the sage, black pepper, rosemary, salt, and white pepper. Pour the oil into another bowl for brushing. Combine the cranberries, honey, and lemon juice and set the mixture aside. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets so that they’re close but not touching. Brush them generously with the oil, flip and brush the other side, and then sprinkle them with some of the herb mixture. Bake the slices for 15 minutes, flip them and sprinkle them with more of the seasoning, then rotate the baking pans and return them to the oven on opposite racks. Continue cooking the chips until they’re a deep amber-brown and crisp—10 to 15 minutes longer, depending on thickness. Check the chips frequentl – they can burn quickly – and remove the ones that finish early. Note: The chips will get crisper as they cool. To serve, spread the chips on a platter and drizzle them with the cranberry topping, coarse salt, and fresh rosemary.

You can use other winter squash for this recipe – kabocha, delicata, acorn – but I think the butternut squash was custom-designed for chip-making. Its neck section yields perfect rounds, and its sturdy, dense flesh makes it easy to handle. Look for a squash that has a long, straight neck and a small seed bulb on its end.

Fry. Butternut squash chips fry up nicely in a couple of minutes in hot oil! Par-boil and dry the slices as described above, then follow a basic frying technique

Baked Butternut Squash Chips

Baked Butternut Squash Chips

1 small and skinny butternut squash
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, chopped (or another herb if you prefer)
kosher salt
pepper
extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Peel squash and slice in half lengthwise. Scoop out any seeds in the base of the squash.Using a very sharp knife (or a mandolin if you have it) thinly slice the squash. The thinner, the better. Mine were probably about 1/8 of an inch thick. Once sliced, boil (in batches) for 1-2 minutes. Remove from water and lay flat in a single layer on a paper towel to dry. Pat completely dry and then transfer to baking sheet, making sure the slices don’t overlap at all. Brush with olive oil to coat and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle chopped rosemary on top and bake for 20 minutes, checking frequently after 10 minutes to make sure they don’t burn. If your slices are thinner than 1/8 of an inch, they won’t need to bake as long. Remove from oven once they start to brown and crisp up and immediately sprinkle with more salt.

Dilly Beans with Garlic and Hot Chiles

Dilly Beans with Garlic and Hot Chiles

4 C. apple cider vinegar
4 C. water
3T.kosher salt
5 fresh dill sprigs
5 cloves garlic, left whole
5 dried hot red chiles
2 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed to fit in pint jars

Prepare a water bath canner along with five pint jars, lids, and rings. In a medium nonreactive saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, and salt and bring to a boil. Place one dill sprig, one garlic clove, one chile, and 1/2 tsp. pepper flakes into each pint jar. Pack the beans into each jar. Ladle the vinegar mixture into the jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove the air bubbles from the jars and adjust the headspace accordingly. Wipe the rims of the jars and top with sterilized lids and rings. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Remove to a towel to rest for 24 hours before checking seals, labeling, and storing. Allow the pickles to cure at least one week before opening.

Pickled Radishes (makes about 2 pints)

Pickled Radishes (makes about 2 pints)

2 lb. radishes (about 2 bunches), tops and roots removed, scrubbed and cut into 1/8 in rounds
1/4 C. plus 1/4 tsp. pure kosher salt
1 1/2 C. 5% white vinegar
1 T. salt
1 tsp. black peppercorns
1 tsp. fennel seeds
1 tsp. mustard seeds

Combine 1/4 C. salt with 2 1/2 C. water. Stir to dissolve (warm water helps). Put radish rounds into a bowl and pour salt water over. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse. In a large 6-8 quart pot, combine vinegar, sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt and spices. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar. Add radishes and return to a boil. Remove from heat. Pack hot canning jars loosely with radishes and brine. Leave 1/2 in headspace. Process jars in water bath for 10 minutes. Remove from water bath and leave jars undisturbed for at least 12 hours. Check if jars are sealed. Label sealed jars and store.

Garlic Sauteed Mushrooms

Garlic Sauteed Mushrooms

Choose mushrooms that you like. I used 1 pound plain white mushrooms, but others are fine too. Wipe them with a damp paper towel and slice or quarter them. Put about 2-3 T. olive oil in a skillet and heat until hot, add a lot of minced garlic. I used 9 big cloves of a very peppery garlic, and added a pinch of crushed red pepper and freshly ground black pepper. Cook the garlic for about 1 minute and then add the mushrooms and stir them around with the garlic until the mushrooms have cooked the way you like them (5 to 10 minutes usually). Part of the fun is to pull out a mushroom occasionally and eat it. When it’s ready, toss in some chopped herbs (I used parsley) and serve as a side dish or add it to couscous or pasta. Kiss a lot of people, to share the wonderful garlic aroma.

Tangy Grilled Acorn Squash

Tangy Grilled Acorn Squash

1 medium sized acorn squash
1/4 C. pomegranate molasses
3 T. olive oil
2 T. maple syrup
1/4 tsp. white balsamic vinegar powder
2 tsp. Urfa crushed red pepper
pinch of kosher salt
1/2 tsp. fumee de sel sea salt

Cut off both ends of the squash then rest it on a flat end and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and cut squash crosswise into 1-inch slices. Place slices in a steamer basket and steam, covered, over high heat for 5 to 10 min. until slices are just tender. Meanwhile, prepare marinade by whisking together all remaining ingredients except the chardonnay sea salt. Remove steamer pan from heat. Drain water from pan and place steamed squash pieces in the pan. Pour 2/3 of the marinade over the squash, reserving remaining 1/3 of the mixture. Toss squash and marinade gently with a rubber spatula. Cover and let cool in pan for 10 min. Pour marinade and squash into a large bowl, toss again, cover and place in refrigerator for at least an hour, gently tossing mixture every 20 min. or so. To finish, heat a well-oiled grill to medium. Place squash slices on the grill; use a grill pan if desired. When slices begin to brown, turn over and brush reserved marinade on cooked sides. Cook until both sides are golden brown and squash feels firm but cooked when inserted with knife. Brush again with any remaining marinade and sprinkle with chardonnay sea salt just before serving.

Home-Canned Artichoke Hearts

Home-Canned Artichoke Hearts

You’ll need 3 sanitized pint jars with new lids and rings

Make Ahead: The artichokes need 1 month to cure, during which time their texture changes from firm to velvety while their structure is retained. If you choose to skip the water-bath canning called for here, refrigerate the sealed jars of artichokes for 1 month before serving. (Artichokes that are not water-bath-canned will not achieve the same silky texture as those that are.) The water-bath-canned jars of artichokes need to cool for 12 hours. They are shelf stable for 1 year. Once opened, the jars should be refrigerated and used within a month.

4 lemons
9 medium or 15 baby artichokes
1/4 C. plus 3 tsp. kosher salt or sea salt
1 C. distilled white vinegar, plus more as needed
1/4 C. white wine vinegar
1/4 C. mild olive oil, or more as needed
1 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, root ends trimmed
Three 1-inch strips lemon zest

Halve and juice the lemons. Place the spent lemon halves in a 5-quart nonreactive (not aluminum or copper) pot; fill it with cold water. Strain and reserve the juice for the marinade. To trim the artichokes, pull the leaves from each one, snapping them where they naturally break. Use a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to peel the choke, then make a clean cut across the end of the stem, retaining the tender portion. Use a grapefruit spoon, melon baller or side of a tsp. to scrape away the fuzzy choke, revealing the meaty part of it, then quarter the entire choke. (For baby artichokes, trim only to any inner leaves without a thorn.) As each choke is trimmed, drop it into the pot. Add 1/4 C. salt. Bring the pot filled with lemon water and artichokes to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium or medium-low so the water is barely bubbling. Cook, uncovered, until fork-tender, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the marinade: Combine the reserved lemon juice, vinegars, oil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes and garlic cloves in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil; cook for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the artichokes to the sanitized jars, dividing evenly and stacking the small ones and first cutting the medium ones into quarters. Tuck them in as tightly as possible without breaking or bruising. Whisk the marinade well and divide among the jars. If there is not enough marinade to cover, add oil as needed to leave 1/2 inch headspace at the top of each jar. Make sure 1 garlic clove, 1 strip of lemon zest and 1 tsp. salt goes into each jar. Run a chopstick or flat plastic knife along the inside of the jar to remove any air bubbles. Clean the rim of each jar with distilled white vinegar to cut residual oils, place the warmed lids on and finger-tighten the rings (not too tight). Process in the boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the jars rest in the pot for 10 minutes. Use tongs to transfer the jars to a clean, folded dish towel to cool over several hours. Store the water-bath-canned jars in a cool space to cure for 1 month.

Smoked Beets with Balsamic Glaze & Herbed Chevre

Smoked Beets with Balsamic Glaze & Herbed Chevre

I got a sample of this bajan seasoning when I placed an order with the spice shop.  I’ve tried a couple of their recipes and I quite enjoy this blend.

Smoked Beets with Balsamic Glaze & Herbed Chevre

6 large beets
1 T. Kosher Salt
Smoker or smoker box for grill
Wood chips

1 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. Kosher Salt

4 oz. chevre or goat cheese
2 tsp. Bajan Seasoning
1 to 2 T. chopped fresh herbs, like chives or tarragon (optional)

For beets: Scrub beets well, slice in half, and place in a large saucepan. Add salt and cover with water by at least an inch. Bring to a boil and cook until beets are easily pierced with a knife, 25 to 35 min. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Once cool, peel beets. Meanwhile, soak wood chips and prepare smoker or smoker box for grill. Once smoker is going, smoke beets over indirect heat for 15 to 30 min. depending on how smoky you want them. Remove beets from smoker and cut into bite-size pieces.

For glaze: Stir ingredients together in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Keep mixture at a simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick and syrupy and reduced by about half, 20 to 30 min. Remove from heat and allow to cool; glaze will thicken as it cools. Cover and store at room temperature until ready to use.

For chevre: Mix chevre and seasoning together until well combined. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

To serve: Serve beets drizzled with balsamic glaze and topped with a generous dollop of herbed chevre and fresh chopped herbs if using.

Leek and Lemon Thyme Tarts with Black Trumpet Mushrooms

Leek and Lemon Thyme Tarts with Black Trumpet Mushrooms

1/4 lb. black trumpets
1 T Oregano
1/2 C. Chèvre
1/4 C. Shallots
1 Leek
2 T. Parsley
1 slice bacon
White wine
Lemon
2 bulb garlic, minced
2 T. thyme
2 tart shells
Juice from 3 Lemons
1 bunch chives

First pre-heat your oven to 400, then cut off dirty ends of mushrooms and wash in several changes of water, lifting the mushrooms out of the water to let the grit fall to the bottom. I’ve found it impossible to get these mushrooms clean without washing. Now dry sauté your mushrooms. Cook them in a pan without any oil on medium heat to get rid of all that moisture. When the water is mostly gone, and before they start to burn, take them off the heat. Chop and start cooking your bacon (add a bit of extra fat if it needs it) while you slice your shallots and leeks thin and pick your herbs. Cut mushrooms into ½ inch pieces. Now sauté your veggies, mushrooms, and herbs until soft, add wine, lemon, salt and pepper to taste then remove to mixing bowl. Mix veggies with chèvre, taste again for seasoning (this recipe wants a good amount of lemon to counter the heavy bacon and cheese). Use a tablespoon to fill tart shells on wax paper lined sheet tray and cook for 15 minutes or until cheese and tarts begin to brown. Take out to cool, chop some chives for garnish, and you’re done!

Dried Mushrooms

Dried Mushrooms

Mushrooms are good for you, and when dehydrated they get an intense mushroom flavor, so you can use less.

Rinse or brush mushrooms clean. If rinsing, pat dry with a towel to get them as dry as possible so they take less time in the dehydrator. Slice them uniformly so they will dry at the same rate. A mandolin or even an egg slicer can help with this. Spread on your dehydrator racks in a single even layer. They can touch a little bit (since they shrink) but should not be stacked. Mushrooms should be dried until they are no longer spongy, but not completely brittle. Time and temperature vary, depending on your dehydrator. Try around 100 overnight, or if hotter, they will need less time. Store in airtight containers in dark place.

Air Dry: Clean shrooms with wiping method. Place clean mushrooms on a metal rack in a warm spot. Make sure they don’t touch. Walk away. Leave them be until they’re dry and brittle, two to five days, and store in a clean, airtight Mason jar on a shelf.

Mushroom Powder: You can process dried mushrooms in a blender to render them down to a fine powder. Carefully open the lid so it doesn’t whoosh up into your face. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a funnel and into a jar. Re-process any larger mushroom pieces and repeat. This can be added to ground meats for meatloaves or patties, stirred into a soup or stew shortly before serving, sprinkled over salads or steamed vegetables. Use this to encrust steaks along with some salt and pepper. Major umami flavor!

Dehydrated Green or Yellow Beans

Dehydrated Green or Yellow Beans

4-5 lb. Green and/or Yellow Beans

Beans with edible shells are dense and best dried in a dehydrator. They are easily rehydrated and an interesting ingredient to add to stews or rice as it cooks, as they will absorb liquid while also infusing their flavors across the dish. This will also work with shelled peas.

Dehydrator: Fill a large pot with salted water, leaving enough room to add the beans without overflow. I recommend using a pasta pot with a matching colander that will make it easy to remove the beans at one time. Bring the water to a hard boil over high heat. Place the beans in the pot, cover with a lid, and blanch for 4 minutes, filling the sink with cold water as they boil. Remove the beans from the pot and transfer to the cold water. Chop into 1/2-inch pieces and spread on drying racks. Dehydrate at 125°F for 8-10 hours, until brittle. Store in a jar with a lid that will prevent moisture from entering.

Air-Dried: Air circulation is the key to dehydrating food. Spread the shelled peas or beans on drying racks. Thin-shelled beans can be tied into strands, like you would with hot peppers. Place the veggies out of direct sunlight in a dry spot in your kitchen (I often use the top of a cabinet). They are done when bone dry.