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Category: Starches

Bacon, Cheddar, & Scallion Bread

Bacon, Cheddar, & Scallion Bread

3 C. All-purpose flour
2 tsp. Double-acting baking powder
1 tsp. Baking Soda
2 T. Sugar

1 C. Finely chopped scallion

1 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper

1 1/4 tsp. Salt

1 1/2 tsp. Caraway seeds

1 lb. Lean bacon, cooked, drained, reserving 2 tablespoons of the fat, and crumbled

2 lg. Eggs

1 1/2 C. Milk

3 T. Dijon-style mustard

3 T. Vegetable shortening, melted and cooled

2 C. Coarsely grated extra-sharp Cheddar (about 1/2 pound)

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Into a bowl sift together the flour, the baking powder, the baking soda, and the sugar. In a skillet cook the scallion with the pepper, the salt, and the caraway seeds in reserved bacon fat over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is soft and let the mixture cool. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, the milk, the mustard, the shortening, and the scallion mixture, add the flour mixture, and stir the batter until it is just combined. Stir in the Cheddar, divide the batter among 4 buttered and floured loaf pans, each 5 3/4 by 3 1/4 by 2 inches, and bake the breads in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Remove the breads from the pans and let them cool, right sides up, on a rack. The breads keep, wrapped well in plastic wrap and foil, chilled for 1 week or frozen for 1 month.

 

Asparagus Fritters

Asparagus Fritters

2 lb. asparagus, cut in 1″ pieces blanched

1-1/2 C. flour

2 tsp. fresh grated parmesan cheese

1 pinch salt

1 pinch dried basil, oregano or thyme

4 eggs beaten

1 C. milk

 

Combine flour with freshly grated parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt, and a little pinch of an herb; beat the eggs and whisk in the milk. Combine wet ingredients with the dry and mix thoroughly. Fold the asparagus into the batter completely. In a frying pan, melt 1 tsp. butter with 1 tsp. vegetable oil. With a spoon, drop enough asparagus and batter into the pan to make fritters about 3″ in diameter. Cook a couple of minutes, or until the edges start to brown. Flip over and continue to cook for a couple minutes more, until done.

 

 

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Bacon Cheddar Popovers

Bacon Cheddar Popovers

popovers1 2/3 cups fat-free milk

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 large eggs

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne

1 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup finely chopped scallions (about 4 scallions)

2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped

6 bacon strips, cooked crisp and coarsely chopped

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly spray a 12 cup popover or jumbo muffin pan with nonstick spray.

Combine milk, flour, eggs, salt, and cayenne in a bowl, beat well until smooth.  Stir 1 cup Cheddar, 2/3 of the chopped bacon, rosemary, and the scallions into batter. Spoon 1/3 cupfuls of batter into prepared cups. Sprinkle evenly with remaining Cheddar and bacon.  Bake popovers 15 minutes. Reduce oven to 375 degrees and bake until golden brown, an additional 10 minutes or so. Serve hot.  To prevent the popovers from deflating after coming out of the oven, bake them a little longer than you would think to, until they are starting to brown. To prevent the inside from getting soggy, stick a knife in the top of them as soon as they come out of the oven, to let steam escape.

 

 

 

 

Pasta with Red Wine, Shallots and Zucchini Sauce

Pasta with Red Wine, Shallots and Zucchini Sauce

For Pasta:

3 1/4 C. all-purpose flour

4 eggs

For Sauce:

2 small zucchini

2 1/2 oz butter

2 shallots, chopped

1/2 C. juices from a roast or beef stock

3/4 C. dry red wine

1/3 C. freshly grated parmesan cheese

Salt

 

FOR PASTA: Work the flour with the eggs to form a dough and roll out into a thin sheet. Cut the pasta into 2 in squares; roll each square around a pencil-shaped stick and then roll it over the comb (a rectangular wooden frame about 8×4 in with fine wooden strips across it positioned very close together). This gives the classic ridged macaroni. If you do not have a pasta comb you can roll the pasta over a cylindrical grater.  FOR SAUCE: Finely slice the zucchini, salt them and let them sweat for at least 30 minutes and then dry them. Melt 3 T. of the butter in a saucepan. Add half the shallots, the meat juices and wine; stir and cook over low heat. In a skillet, gently fry the remaining shallots and the zucchini for a few seconds in the remaining butter.  TO SERVE: Cook the garganelli for about 5 minutes and drain them when al dente. Add to the shallot and wine sauce and add the Parmesan. Serve. Garnished with the zucchini and shallots.

 

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Sourdough Bread, Fennel and Sweet Sausage Stuffing

Sourdough Bread, Fennel and Sweet Sausage Stuffing

1 1-lb. loaf sourdough bread, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes (about 16 C.)

1 3/4 lb. sweet Italian sausages, casings removed

5 to 6 T. butter

2 1/2 fennel bulbs, chopped

1 1/4 lb. onions, chopped

1 T. fennel seeds

1 1/4 lb. firm but ripe Bosc pears, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 large red bell peppers, chopped

2 tsp. dried thyme

2 tsp. dried marjoram

2 tsp. dried rubbed sage

3/4 C. dry white wine

3/4 C. (about) canned low-salt chicken broth

Chopped fennel fronds (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread bread on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Bake until just golden, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer to very large bowl. Cook Italian sausage in large pot over medium-high heat until browned, breaking up pieces with back of fork, about 12 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to small bowl. Melt 4 T. butter in same large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped fennel, onions and fennel seeds. Sauté until fennel and onions are tender and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add pears, bell peppers and herbs. Sauté until pears and peppers are just tender, about 10 minutes. Add wine and boil until most liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. (Toasted bread cubes, sausage and fennel mixture can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately. Store bread at room temperature; refrigerate sausage and fennel mixture.) Add sausage and fennel mixture to bread cubes. Season stuffing to taste with salt and pepper.

 

To bake stuffing in turkey:

Loosely fill main turkey cavity with stuffing. Add enough broth to remaining stuffing to moisten lightly (about 1/4 to 1/2 C., depending on amount of remaining stuffing). Generously butter glass or ceramic baking dish. Spoon remaining stuffing into dish and dot remaining stuffing with 1 T. butter before baking in dish. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down. Bake stuffing in dish alongside turkey until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover stuffing. Bake until top is just crisp and golden, about 15 minutes.

 

To bake all of stuffing in baking dish:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter 13x9x2-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish. Add enough broth to stuffing to moisten (about 3/4 C. to 1 1/2 C..) Transfer stuffing to prepared dish and dot stuffing with 2 T. butter before baking. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down; bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is crisp and golden, about 20 minutes longer. Top with fennel fronds, if desired, and serve.

 

 

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Whole Roasted Shallots and Potatoes with Rosemary

Whole Roasted Shallots and Potatoes with Rosemary

11 oz. shallots, peeled

1 1/2 lb. baby potatoes, washed and cut in half

3 T. extra virgin olive oil

2 T. balsamic vinegar

4 sprigs rosemary

Salt, to taste

Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

shallot

Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. In a large baking tray mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and add the whole twigs of rosemary. Add the shallots and potatoes, stir so everything gets coated well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Roast, uncovered, for approximately 1 hour or until the potatoes are tender. Depending on the size of the vegetables and your oven, they might take a little less or longer, according to some reviews it might be worth checking after about 45 minutes. Stir once or twice while roasting.

 

 

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Confetti Salad

Confetti Salad

2 C. Brown Rice, cooked

1 Can Whole Kernel Corn

1/2 C. Diced Green Pepper

1/2 C. Diced Red Bell Pepper

4 Green onions, chopped

1 tsp. Dried Thyme

1/3 C. Italian Dressing

 

Mix all the ingredients together except dressing.  Just before serving, drizzle with Italian dressing and toss well.

 

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Cornbread/Sausage Dressing With Dried Cranberries

Cornbread/Sausage Dressing With Dried Cranberries

stuffing12 C. of day-old cornbread (make 3 packages of cornbread mix and allow to cool overnight)

4 T. olive oil

4 T. fresh thyme leaves or 1 T. dried thyme

2 lb. bulk pork sausage

2 T. unsalted butter

3 C. chopped onions

6 stalks celery, chopped

1-2 C. dried cranberries or dried cherries

4 T. chopped fresh sage leaves or 2 tsp. dried sage

1/4 C. chopped parsley

2 C. chicken broth

Salt and pepper

 

Preheat oven to 350. Cut cornbread into 1-inch cubes and place in large mixing bowl with 2 T. of olive oil. Add 2 T. of fresh thyme (1/2 T. dried) to mixing bowl and toss cornbread to coat. Spread the cornbread out on baking sheets and bake at 350 until slightly toasted (about 15 minutes). Allow toasted cornbread to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then return to bowl. While cornbread is cooling, brown bulk sausage over medium heat until cooked through/lightly browned. Use a slotted spoon to remove sausage from frying pan (or drain grease) and add sausage to mixing bowl. Heat remaining 2 T. of olive oil and butter over medium heat and add onion and celery. Sauté onions and celery for about 10 minutes. 0Add dried cranberries or cherries to onion/celery and sauté for about 5 minutes. Fold the mixture into the bowl with cornbread and sausage. Add the remaining thyme, sage, parsley to the mixing bowl and toss well with spatula. Drizzle the mixture with chicken broth to moisten and add salt and pepper to taste. Place into baking pan (s), cover with foil and cook for 25-30 minutes.

 

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Fat Free Crispy Potatoes

Fat Free Crispy Potatoes

potato4 pounds russet potatoes 

2 T. all-purpose flour 

Salt 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.  Fill up a big pot (I use my pasta pot) about 1/2 full with cool water. Peel the skin off the potatoes, and cut them into evenly sized bite-size chunks (you want them sized slightly larger than the dice you find in board games). Place the potatoes in the water and season the water with several T. of salt, the same amount that you would add to pasta water. It’s important for the water to be salty so the potatoes are seasoned inside.  Bring the whole pot to a boil on high heat, with the lid on. Once the water is boiling, cook for an additional 4 minutes, with the lid off. Drain the potatoes, return the potato pieces to the pot (don’t put the pot back on the heat), and sprinkle over the flour. Put the lid back on the pan, and shake it up like crazy until the potato edges are banged up and the flour is nicely distributed.  Dump the potatoes onto a sheet pan and make sure they are in a single layer (don’t crowd the potatoes, or the edges won’t get crispy). Give it a good sprinkling of sea salt and whatever other seasoning you like, and they are ready to go into the oven. Roast for 30-45 minutes at 450 degrees F, but watch them carefully because the roasting time will vary depending on the size of your chunks. Enjoy

Wild Leek Biscuits with Cracked Coriander Seeds

Wild Leek Biscuits with Cracked Coriander Seeds

biscuit3/4 cup chilled buttermilk

3/4 cup thinly sliced ramps (approx. 25 grams)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

6 T. (3/4 stick or 85 grams) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 large egg, beaten (for glaze)

1/2 tsp. coriander seeds, cracked

 

Preheat oven to 425°F/215°C.  Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add butter and break down the butter with your fingers, until a fine meal forms. You can also use a food processor for this if you wish. Add buttermilk/ramps stirring until dough forms. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and press out to 7-inch round, about 1/2 inch thick.  Using 2-inch diameter biscuit cutter dipped in flour, or a glass, cut out rounds. Gather dough scraps; press out to 1/2-inch thickness and cut out additional rounds. Transfer rounds to baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush biscuit tops with some of egg and sprinkle with cracked coriander seeds. Bake biscuits until golden brown (between 15-20 minutes). Serve warm with butter.

 

 

 

Orzo Salad with Marinated Mushrooms and Edamame

Orzo Salad with Marinated Mushrooms and Edamame

orzo1/2 C. white wine vinegar

1 T. brown sugar

1 T. fresh thyme leaves

2 1/2 T. olive oil

1 T. dry sherry

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 bay leaf

7 C. quartered mushrooms (about 1 lb.)

2 C. frozen blanched shelled edamame (green soybeans), thawed

1 C. chopped red bell pepper

2 C. cooked orzo (about 1 C. uncooked rice-shaped pasta)

 

Combine the first 10 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, edamame, and bell pepper; cook 1 minute. Place mushroom mixture in a large bowl; cool to room temperature. Discard bay leaf. Add pasta, and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

 

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Ramp-Sesame Pancakes with Miso Dipping Sauce

Ramp-Sesame Pancakes with Miso Dipping Sauce

leek_pancakes_jpg_492x0_q85_crop-smart1/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling out

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup boiling water

About 20 ramps, white and pink parts finely chopped to yield about 1/3 cup

Bacon fat, peanut oil, or canola oil

 

For Miso Dipping Sauce

 

3 tablespoons yellow or brown miso paste

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or lemon juice

2 teaspoons honey

3 dashes toasted sesame oil

Freshly ground black pepper

Ground cayenne pepper (optional)

 

For the pancakes, combine the flour, sesame seeds, and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly pour in the boiling water, stirring with a fork to combine. The mixture will be thick and hard to work, but keep at it until its cool enough to start kneading by hand. If it’s too tacky, add in another tablespoon or two of flour until the dough is workable. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until smooth. Shape the dough into a ball and let it rest, covered with damp towel in the bowl, for 30 minutes. In the meantime, combine the ingredients for the miso sauce, adding in ground black pepper and cayenne to taste. Mix well. Keep covered and refrigerated until ready to use. When the dough has rested, divide it equally into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. On a lightly floured board, roll a dough ball out to a flat circle about 1/4-inch thick. Spread a heaping teaspoon of the ramps all over the dough. Starting at the edge of the circle, roll the dough up into a tight cigar. Coil the cigar into a snail or a cinnamon roll shape. Flatten the snail/roll and roll it out again to about 1/4-inch thick. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. When the pan is hot, add in a half teaspoon of bacon fat, peanut oil, or canola oil. Cook the pancake for 60-90 seconds on each side or until golden brown, adjusting the heat as necessary. Move the finished pancake into a warm oven until the rest of the pancakes are done. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Slice the pancakes into quarters and serve with the miso sauce.

Quick Cheese Bread with Bacon, Onion and Gruyere

Quick Cheese Bread with Bacon, Onion and Gruyere

5 slices Bacon

1/2 C. minced Onion

3 oz. Parmesan cheese, shredded on the large holes of box grater (about 1 C.)

3 C. (15 oz.) unbleached all-purpose flour

1 T. baking powder

1/4 tsp. cayenne

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

4 oz. Gruyere cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 large egg, beaten lightly

3/4 C. sour cream

 

Chop 5 oz. (5 slices) bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and fry in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and pour off all but 3 T. fat from the skillet. Add 1/2 C. minced onion to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes; set skillet with onion aside. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray, then sprinkle 1/2 C. of the Parmesan evenly over the bottom of the pan. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper to combine. Using a rubber spatula, mix in the gruyere, breaking up clumps; stir in bacon and onion. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and sour cream. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined (the batter will be heavy and thick). Do not overmix. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan; level the surface with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 C. Parmesan evenly over the surface. Bake until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf conies out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack 5 minutes; invert the loaf onto the rack, turn right-side up, and continue to cool until warm, about 45 minutes. Cut into slices and serve.

 

 

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Smashed Potato-Cheddar Cakes with Warm Cran-Apple Sauce

Smashed Potato-Cheddar Cakes with Warm Cran-Apple Sauce

smashed3 Golden or Red Delicious apples, peeled and chopped

2 tsp. lemon juice

1 C. apple cider

3 T. brown sugar

1/2 tsp.  ground cinnamon

1 C.  prepared whole berry cranberry sauce, store bought or homemade

3 C. smashed or leftover mashed potatoes*

Water or milk, as needed to thin potatoes

2 C. grated Cheddar

2 scallions, finely chopped

1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg, eyeball it

Coarse salt and pepper

Drizzle vegetable oil

Butter pats

Paprika, to garnish, optional

 

Place apples, lemon juice, cider, sugar and cinnamon in a medium pot over medium high heat and cook down into a thick sauce, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cranberry sauce to warm through and combine.   Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place potatoes and water or milk in a bowl and cover with plastic. Microwave 2 minutes on high to slightly reheat and loosen potatoes. Stir them up with the liquid to make them workable again. Combine cheese, scallions and nutmeg with potatoes and adjust salt and pepper.  Add a drizzle of vegetable oil and a pat of butter to your preheated skillet then score the potatoes and cheese mixture in half. Using the first half of the potatoes, make 6 (3-inch across and 1/2-inch thick) potato cakes and space them evenly around the pan. Cook the cakes until golden all over, 3 minutes per side, then remove and garnish with paprika, if using, and repeat with remaining ingredients.  Serve potato-cheddar cakes with warm cran-apple sauce for topping. * To make fresh smashed potatoes, cook off 2 1/2 lb. of small new skin potatoes until tender and smash them up with some milk or stock and butter, salt and pepper to taste.

 

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Celery Root French Fries with Remoulade Dipping Sauce

Celery Root French Fries with Remoulade Dipping Sauce

2 lb. whole celery root, peeled, and cut into 2-inch by 1-inch batons

1/2 C. flour, seasoned with 1 tsp. Essence, recipe follows

1 egg, beaten

1/2 C. bread crumbs, seasoned with 1 tsp. Essence, recipe follows

Salt and pepper

Oil, for frying

1/4 C. Parmesan

1/4 C. snipped chives

Remoulade Dipping Sauce:

1 C. prepared or homemade mayonnaise

2 T. minced celery

2 T. minced green onions

1 tsp. minced shallots

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 T. Creole mustard

2 T. ketchup

Salt and pepper

 

For remoulade: Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.  For the celery root French-fries: Lightly toss the celery root in the flour. Dip into the egg mixture, removing any excess. Turn into the bread crumbs, coating both sides completely. In a large sauté pan, heat the vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the celery root fries, carefully not to over- crowd the fries. Fry on one side until golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn over and continue frying until done, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper-lined plate. Spoon a small amount of the remoulade onto the plate and pile the fries in the center. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper. Garnish with the Parmesan and chives.

 

Essence (Emeril’s Creole Seasoning):

 

2 1/2 T. paprika

2 T. salt

2 T. garlic powder

1 T. black pepper

1 T. onion powder

1 T. cayenne pepper

1 T. dried leaf oregano

1 T. dried thyme

 

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

 

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Brussels Sprout and Mushroom Ragout with Herb Dumplings

Brussels Sprout and Mushroom Ragout with Herb Dumplings

ragoutMushroom stock (about three C.)

4 tsp. olive oil

2 medium to large onions, sliced about 1/2 inch thick

3/4 lb. white, cremini, shiitake or a mixture of mushrooms, rinsed and sliced thickly on a diagonal

3 T. chopped parsley

1 T. chopped tarragon

1 plump garlic clove, minced

1/2 large lemon

1 lb. brussels sprouts, halved or quartered

 

Herb Dumplings:

1 C. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 C. milk, heated with 3 T. butter or oil

3 T. mixed chopped parsley and tarragon

1 egg

 

As mushroom stock simmers, bring a pot of water to boil for the Brussels sprouts.  Heat oil in a wide, nonstick skillet. Add onions and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until aromatic and nicely colored (about 12 minutes). Raise heat to high and add mushrooms, herbs and garlic to pan. Squeeze lemon juice over mushrooms and sauté until mushrooms are browned, 5-7 minutes, then reduce heat to low. To the pan of boiling water, add salt, then Brussels sprouts and boil until nearly tender, about 4-6 minutes. Drain. Add to pan of onions and mushrooms, and then add mushroom stock. At this point, you can turn off the heat until the dumplings are ready. Mix flour with baking powder and salt. Pour in milk, herbs and egg, and stir quickly together with a fork. Add the dumpling batter in spoonfuls to the ragout, making 12 small dumplings in all (you’ll have batter left over). Cover pan with tented foil, bring everything to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Serve in soup plates, with three dumplings in each bowl.

 

 

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Beer-Cheese Triangles with Zesty Cheese Sauce

Beer-Cheese Triangles with Zesty Cheese Sauce

triangles2 C. Original Bisquick® mix

1/2 C. shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz.)

1/2 C. beer

2 T. butter or margarine, melted

Sesame seed or poppy seed

Zesty Cheese Sauce (See Below)

 

Mix Bisquick mix, cheese and beer until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 20 strokes. Turn onto surface dusted with Bisquick mix; knead 5 times.    Roll dough into rectangle, 16×10 inches. Cut into 2-inch squares; cut squares diagonally in half. Spread with melted butter; sprinkle with sesame seed. Separate and place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Freeze about 1 hour or until firm. Place frozen triangles in airtight container. Freeze up to 1 month.    To bake, heat oven to 450ºF. Place triangles on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. To cut the triangles easily, use a sharp knife or dough cutter and press down through the dough rather than using a back-and-forth motion. Serve with Zesty Cheese Sauce.

 

Zesty Cheese Sauce

8 oz. process cheese spread loaf, cut into cubes

1/4 C.  salsa (any variety)

1/4 C. refried beans

 

Heat all ingredients over low heat in 1 1/2-quart saucepan, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted and sauce is hot.

 

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Flatbread with Arugula, Asparagus, and Fried Eggs

Flatbread with Arugula, Asparagus, and Fried Eggs

mare_flatbread_with_arugula_asparagus_and_fried_eggs_h1 cup (packed) fresh spinach (about 2 ounces)

1 cup (packed) arugula leaves (about 2 ounces) plus additional (for garnish)

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional (for brushing)

4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

1 cup (or more) warm water (110°F to 115°F), divided

1 tablespoon honey

2 1/4-ounce packets active dry yeast

3 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

Cornmeal (for sprinkling)

8 ounces fingerling potatoes, cooked, cooled, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch slices

8 ounces asparagus; thin stalks cut into 1/2-inch pieces, thick stalks cut into 1/4- to 1/3-inch pieces

2 large ears of corn, husked, kernels cut from cobs

2/3 cup fresh peas or frozen peas, thawed

3/4 cup ricotta cheese (not drained)

8 large eggs

Parmesan cheese shavings

 

Place spinach in microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle with water. Microwave until wilted, about 20 seconds. Drain, pressing on spinach to release liquid. Place spinach, 1 cup arugula, 1/2 cup oil, and garlic in blender. Blend until coarse puree forms. Transfer pesto to small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Stir 1/4 cup warm water and honey in small bowl. Stir in yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Place flour and coarse salt in stand mixer fitted with dough hook attachment. Add 3/4 cup warm water and yeast mixture. Mix on medium speed until dough comes together and pulls away from sides of bowl, adding more water by tablespoonfuls if too dry, about 2 to 3 minutes. Brush large bowl with oil. Form dough into ball. Place in bowl; turn to coat. Cover with plastic; place in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour. Place pizza stone or baking sheet in oven (if using rimmed baking sheet, invert sheet, rim side down). Preheat oven to 500°F. Knead dough in bowl. Cover and let rise again until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes. Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Form each portion into ball. Place on floured work surface; cover with plastic wrap and let rest 10 minutes. Sprinkle rimless baking sheet with cornmeal. Working with 1 ball at a time, roll out dough on floured surface to 12×7-inch oval. Transfer to sheet. Spread 2 tablespoons pesto over dough, leaving 1/2-inch plain border. Sprinkle 1/4 of potatoes, 1/4 of asparagus, 1/4 of corn, and 1/4 of peas over pesto. Spoon three 1-tablespoon dollops ricotta over vegetables. Slide pizza onto stone; bake until crust is golden brown on bottom and around edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, brush nonstick skillet with oil; heat over medium heat. Crack 2 eggs into skillet; cook just until whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes. Transfer pizza to work surface. Place 2 fried eggs atop pizza. Scatter shaved Parmesan and arugula leaves over. Cut pizza into wedges and serve. Repeat with remaining dough, pesto, potatoes, asparagus, corn, peas, ricotta, and eggs.

 

 

 

 

 

Savory Bread Pudding with Asparagus, Gruyère, and Fines Herbes

Savory Bread Pudding with Asparagus, Gruyère, and Fines Herbes

1 1-lb. loaf French bread, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

1 lb. asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths

6 large eggs

2 C. whole milk

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground black pepper

2 C. grated Gruyère cheese

2 C. grated Swiss cheese

1 C. grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 C. chopped fresh chives

1/3 C. chopped fresh parsley

1/3 C. chopped fresh marjoram

 

Place bread on 2 large baking sheets. Let stand uncovered overnight to dry out. Cook asparagus in medium pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold running water to cool. Drain well. Whisk eggs, milk, salt, and pepper in large bowl. Mix cheeses and herbs in medium bowl. Place half of bread in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle with half of asparagus, then half of cheese mixture. Pour half of egg mixture over. Repeat with remaining bread, asparagus, cheese mixture, and egg mixture. Let stand 20 minutes, pressing with spatula to submerge bread pieces. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake bread pudding until brown and puffed, about 45 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.

 

 

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Double-Cheese Penne with Sausage & Hot Cherry Peppers

Double-Cheese Penne with Sausage & Hot Cherry Peppers

penneKosher salt

2 T. plus 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 lb. dried penne or ziti

1 lb. sweet Italian sausage (4 or 5 links), casings removed

2 large cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)

1 can (28 oz.) whole peeled tomatoes

2 or 3 pickled Italian hot cherry peppers (from the jar), cored, seeded, and diced (about 1-1/2 Tbs.)

2/3 C. freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 2-1/2 oz.); more for sprinkling

Freshly ground black pepper

8 oz. shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella (about 2 C.)

 

In a large covered pot, bring 4 quarts salted water to a boil. Lightly grease an 8×11-inch baking dish or 6 individual (1-1/2 C.) gratin dishes with 1 tsp. of the olive oil. Add the penne or ziti to the boiling water and cook until it’s just tender but still firm to the tooth, about 11 minutes. Drain the pasta well and return it to its cooking pot. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 Tbs. oil in a large straightsided skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the sausage, let it sit for a minute, and then start stirring and breaking it into bite-size pieces with the side of a slotted metal spoon. Cook until lightly browned, another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate using the slotted spoon. Add the garlic to the pan, season with salt, and cook, stirring constantly, until it colors slightly, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and their juices and cook at a rapid simmer, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tomatoes with the spoon, for 5 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly. Meanwhile, position an oven rack about 6 inches from the broiler element and heat the broiler on high. Stir the sausage and its juices, the diced peppers, and 1/3 C. of the Parmigiano into the sauce. Cook, stirring, until the sausage is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Taste for salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta in the pot and stir well. Spread the pasta and sauce evenly in the baking dish or gratin dishes. Sprinkle with the mozzarella and the remaining 1/3 C. Parmigiano. Put the baking dish or gratin dishes on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese melts and browns in places, 2 to 4 minutes. (check often to be sure they don’t burn). Serve immediately with more Parmigiano, if you like.

 

 

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Whole Wheat Fusilli with Swiss Chard and Balsamic-Roasted Onions

Whole Wheat Fusilli with Swiss Chard and Balsamic-Roasted Onions

2 red onions, sliced lengthwise into thin wedges

2 T. balsamic vinegar, plus more later for serving, according to taste. (Use the best vinegar you can afford.)

Coarse sea or river salt

4 T. extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tsp. dry thyme

1 pound Swiss chard, trimmed (i.e. only use the leafy parts)

1 pound whole wheat fusilli

4 large garlic cloves, minced

2 T. pine nuts

fusiliHeat your oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss the onion slices with the thyme, 2 T. olive oil, 1/4 tsp. salt and 2 T. balsamic vinegar. Spread the oven on a baking pan and roast them for 30 to 40 minutes, until they’re soft and caramelized. Stir them after 20 minutes of roasting. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add 1 T. salt. When the water returns to a boil add the chard and cook for 2 minutes, or until wilted and tender. Using tongs, remove the chard from the water and drain in a colander. Bring the water to a boil again and cook the pasta according to the package instructions.  While the pasta cooks, heat the remaining 2 T. of olive oil in a large pan. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute over medium heat, just until it’s fragrant. Add the pine nuts and cook for 1 more minute. Add the swiss chard and 1/4 C. of the pasta water, then cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the roasted onion slices and cook until they are heated through. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large serving bowl. Add the vegetable mixture and toss. Season with extra balsamic vinegar, if you like. Serve immediately.

 

 

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Bread Stuffing with Ham, Pine Nuts, Mushrooms and Fennel

Bread Stuffing with Ham, Pine Nuts, Mushrooms and Fennel

 6 T. unsalted butter

1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 C.)

1 large fennel bulb, fronds and stems removed, bulb chopped (about 1 1/2 C.)

10  ounces cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced thin

1 1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1 C. pine nuts, toasted

1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into thin strips

1/4 pound thinly sliced smoked ham, cut in half and then crosswise into thin strips

1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 C. fresh parsley leaves, chopped fine

1/2 tsp. salt

12  C. dried French or other white bread cubes

1 C. homemade turkey or chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

 

Melt the butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add the onion and fennel and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until soft and translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until the liquid they release has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add the basil and pepper and cook for another minute. Transfer the contents of the pan to a large bowl.  Add the pine nuts, prosciutto, smoked ham, Parmesan, parsley, and salt to the bowl and mix to combine. Add the bread cubes.  Whisk the stock and eggs together in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes. Gently toss to evenly distribute the ingredients. Stuffing may be stored covered and refrigerated for up to one day. Reheat in a microwave safe pan or in a 325 degree oven before stuffing turkey. Place any stuffing that won’t fit in the bird in a greased 8 inch square baking dish. Drizzle 1/4 C. stock over the stuffing, dot with pats of butter, and cover with foil smeared with butter. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes, remove the foil, and continue to bake until the stuffing forms a golden brown crust, about 15 minutes longer.

 

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Mario Batali’s Chickpea Fries

Mario Batali’s Chickpea Fries

chickpea fries4 cups water

3 cups Chickpea Flour

4 cups Zucchini (grated; or 2 large Zucchini)

Olive Oil for deep frying

1 Lemon (cut into wedges)

Salt to taste

 

Place the zucchini in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 15 minutes. Put the zucchini in a towel and wring out the liquid. Grease a baking sheet and place a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper on the bottom. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Gradually pour in the chickpea flour while whisking constantly. Season with salt and pepper. Once all the flour is in, whisk rapidly until the mixture is thick and most of the lumps have been worked out, like a thick pancake batter, about 1 minute. Take care to adjust the heat to so the batter doesn’t boil or it will become too thick. Stir in the zucchini. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out with a small spatula. Refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour. In a heavy bottomed pot, add olive oil to the pan for deep frying. Heat to 370 degrees F. Flip the set chickpea mixture on to a cutting boards, peel off the paper and cut into fries (approximately 3 x 1/2 inches).  Working in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan, add the fries. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted utensil to a paper towel lined plate and season immediately with salt. Squeeze a few lemon halves over the fries and season with salt just before serving.

Tomato Pasta Salad with Sun-dried Tomato Dressing

Tomato Pasta Salad with Sun-dried Tomato Dressing

1/2 C. tomato juice

3 T. olive oil

1/4 C. red wine vinegar

1 1/2 tsp. cracked pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

2 T. each minced basil leaves and sun-dried tomatoes

Salt to taste.

 

Put all ingredients in a shaker bottle, and shake well. Drizzle over salad.

 

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Green Chile Cheddar Braid Bread

Green Chile Cheddar Braid Bread

1 envelope active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup soft butter or margarine
3 T. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Green Chile Filling (recipe below)
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 large onion, chopped
8 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
1 T. butter
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 can diced green chile

In a large bowl of electric mixer, dissolve yeast in warm water. Blend in milk, eggs, butter, sugar, salt, and cumin. Blend in 2 cups flour, 1 cup at a time. Beat on medium speed of mixer 3 minutes, scraping bowl often. With heavy duty mixer (Kitchen Aid with Dough Hook or wooden spoon) blend in remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto floured board, and knead until smooth, 5 to 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn over, and cover. Let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hrs. Meanwhile, prepare Green Chile Filling. When dough has risen, punch down and turn out onto floured board. Roll to a 9 X 30-inch rectangle. Crumble filling over dough to within 1 inch of edges. Starting from long side, roll up tightly. Moisten edge with water and pinch together firmly to seal. Using a floured sharp knife, cut roll lengthwise in halves. Carefully turn cut sides up. Loosely twist the two strips together, keeping cut sides up. Transfer to greased and floured baking sheet, and shape to a 10-inch circle. Pinch ends firmly together. Let rise in warm place, uncovered, until puffy looking, about 45-60 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and bake 5 minutes longer, until browned. Makes 1 10-inch twist. Green Chile Filling: Sauté onion and garlic in butter until soft but not browned. Cool. Mix in cheddar and chiles. Cover and chill.

Garlic Clove Bread

Garlic Clove Bread

This savory garlic bread is made with thawed frozen white bread dough. If you prefer, you can make it in two 9 X 6 inch loaf pans rather than the Bundt pan.

2 loaves frozen white bread dough, thawedpicPsHOxe
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled to lukewarm
1/4 T. basil, chopped
2 T. parsley, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
5 fresh garlic cloves, minced

Cut or snip off pieces of dough about the size of an English walnut. Place into a greased 10″ Bundt pan. Combine the melted butter, basil, chopped parsley, onions and minced garlic and pour over dough. Cover and let rise until double in size (about 1 1/2 hours). Bake in 375 degree oven until golden brown approximately 30-35 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes and then remove from pan and serve.

Mock Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)

Mock Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)

brazilian_cheese_bread31 egg, at room temperature
1/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup milk
Scant 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) tapioca flour (tapioca starch)
1/2 cup packed (about 100 grams) grated cheese of your choice (I like the combination of cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese)
1 heaping teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a mini muffin tin generously. Put all of the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the blender so that everything gets blended well, it will yield about 2 cups batter. Transfer the batter into the mini muffin tins. Fill up about 3/4 full. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, until all puffy and just lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool on a rack for a few minutes. Eat while warm or save to reheat later.

One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta

IMG_0715edit1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk, or more, as needed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, milk, butter and fettuccine; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked through, about 18-20 minutes. Stir in Parmesan. If the mixture is too thick, add more milk as needed until desired consistency is reached. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Scallion Pancakes with Korean Dipping Sauce

Scallion Pancakes with Korean Dipping Sauce

scallion-pancakes-1

For the Korean Dipping Sauce:
¼ c. soy sauce
3 T. water
1 T. rice vinegar
1 t. sugar
1 t. sesame oil
½ t. sesame seeds
¼ t. red pepper flakes
2 T. thinly sliced green onions
1 jalapeno pepper, minced (optional)

For the Scallion Pancakes:
6 green onions, trimmed into 3 inch pieces and halved
¾ c. flour
1 t. sugar
½ t. salt
1 t. black pepper
½ c. ice cold water
2 T. vegetable oil, divided

Combine all the ingredients for the Korean dipping sauce in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate. In a medium bowl combine the flour, sugar, salt, and pepper for the pancakes. Add the ice water and whisk until smooth. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Take 6-8 green onion pieces and arranged them in a row in the pan. On the other side of the pan do the same thing so you have two rows of green onions. Spoon ¼ cup of batter over each onion pile and gently spread over top of the onions. Cook for 3-4 minutes or each side and gently flip over. Cook on the other side for 3-4 minutes. Remove from skillet and repeat with remaining onions and batter, making 2 more pancakes. Serve immediately with dipping sauce

Savory Bacon Cheese Monkey Bread

Savory Bacon Cheese Monkey Bread

2affc7fc-0c27-4cfb-ac6e-71fdf6e8afc11 egg
2 T. milk
1 (16.3-oz.) can Pillsbury® Grands!® Flaky Layers Refrigerated Original Biscuits
1 pkg. precooked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions (4 medium)

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 11×7- or 12×8-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat egg and milk with wire whisk until smooth. Separate dough into 8 biscuits; cut each into quarters. Gently stir biscuit pieces into egg mixture to coat evenly. Fold in bacon, cheese and onions. Spoon mixture into sprayed dish; arrange biscuit pieces in single layer. Bake at 350°F. for 23 to 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into squares.

Chestnut Mushroom Stuffing

Chestnut Mushroom Stuffing

1-2600x400_mushroom-stuffing1378827168 lb. chestnuts, the more the better, boiled and peeled
1 lb. white mushrooms (do not used canned) sliced
6 stalks of celery sliced
2-3 onions sliced finely
2 cloves of garlic chopped very fine or preferably run through a press
Bag of bread croutons or make you own
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. dried sage
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
Vegetable oil
The method

First wash the chestnuts and add to boiling water. Boil for about 15-20 minutes, take one out to test after 15 minutes. After boiling, allow to cool until you can handle the chestnuts. While their cooling, heat up a heavy pan with about 3 T. oil and place the onions, garlic, mushrooms, celery and spices in the pan. Cook gently while you peel the chestnuts-do not fry, you want soft ingredients. When the vegetable are cooked well, crumble the chestnuts into the pan. Sauté for a few minutes, making sure not to burn the stuffing. Finally, add the croutons and continue sautéing briefly, then add about one cup of boiling water. Mix and check if you need more water then taste and add more spice if necessary. The stuffing will be more dry now so again, be careful not to burn it. Now stuff your turkey with your chestnut mushroom stuffing or serve as is as a delicious side dish with your Thanksgiving dinner. The stuffing refrigerates well so if you actually have some left-which is very unlikely since it’s so good, keep it in the fridge for up to a few days and microwave or heat in the oven as needed.

Garlic Squares

Garlic Squares

1 C. fresh Garlic, coarsely chopped
1 C. Onions, thinly sliced
¼ C. plus 2 T. Butter
2 C. Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Salt
2 T. chopped Parsley
1 tsp. Dill
1 C. Milk
½ C. sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 450. Gently sauté garlic and onions in 2 T. butter about 10 minutes until tender, but not brown. Sift flour, baking powder and salt into mixing bowl. Cut in ¼ C. butter until mixture is crumbly like cornmeal. Add herbs and milk; stir until just evenly moist. Pour into a well greased 8×8 pan. Spread garlic and onion on top, then cover with cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool slightly and cut into squares.

Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Straws

Sweet and Savory Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Puff Pastry Straws

Sweet-and-Savory-Cheesy-Bacon-Wrapped-Puff-Pastry-Twist-1511 package frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg, beaten
1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded (or a mix of your favorite cheeses)
26-30 pieces thin cut bacon (or 18 pieces of thin cut bacon sliced in half lengthwise)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced (may sub sage or thyme)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degree F. Line two baking sheets with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick spray. Open one sheet of puff pastry on a cutting board. Brush the surface lightly with some of the beaten egg. Sprinkle with your desired amount of cayenne pepper (I did 1 teaspoon per sheet of puff pastry). Sprinkle surface with 1/2 cup of cheese to evenly cover entire surface. Dust a rolling pin lightly with flour and then roll the rolling pin over the cheese to gently press the cheese into the puff pastry. Cut the puff pastry into long 1/2-inch-wide strips and then take each strip, fold in half and pinch the ends together. Now gently twist each strip several times. Take a piece of bacon and wrap it around the twisted pastry and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining puff pastry and bacon until everything has been used. Add the brown sugar, rosemary, salt and pepper to a shallow bowl or pie plate and toss well. Now carefully take each bacon wrapped pastry one at a time and dip it through the brown sugar mixture, using your hands to coat all over the twist. Place each twist back on the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining twists. Bake the twist for 30 to 50 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. My bacon took 50 minutes to cook, but it was on the thicker side. I would start checking them at around 30 minutes and then every 5 to 10 minutes after that to make sure they are not burning. Once the bacon is cooked remove from the oven and allow to cool 5 minutes. Then use a spatula to carefully lift the twists off the baking sheet. Serve!

Chickpea Pancakes

Chickpea Pancakes

6a00d8341c63d853ef00e5523b15108834-800wi1 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
About 1/3 C. very thick tomato sauce
1 egg
A few T. heavy cream, but you could use bean broth or stock
Cumin to taste (I used quite a bit, a T. probably)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 C. all-purpose flour
Oil to cook the garlic and to fry the patties. I used olive oil

Heat 1 T. oil in a small pan and sauté the garlic for a few minutes. Add the tomato sauce and cook a few minutes more. Add the sauce mix, the chickpeas, egg, cumin, flour, and cream to a food processor. Process until the chickpeas are pureed with the other ingredients. Add salt and pepper if you wish. I didn’t. Wet your hands and form the puree into rough patties and drop them gently into a non-stick skillet with about an inch of hot oil. It took me about 2 minutes per side to cook the pancakes. Drain them on paper towels and serve with whatever you like–cheese, sour cream, tomato sauce, etc.

Chickpea Patties with Mixed Vegetables and Dried Cherry and Tomato “Jam”

Chickpea Patties with Mixed Vegetables and Dried Cherry and Tomato “Jam”

6a00d8341c63d853ef00e5533b51578833-800wi1 15 ounce can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed well.
1/2 C. finely diced onions
1/2 C. finely chopped carrots
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 C. frozen or fresh green peas
1/2 heaping C. chopped cilantro
1 tsp. cumin (or more or less)
1 T. olive oil
1 egg
About 1/2 tsp. salt (check to see if you need more before you add the egg)

Heat the oil in a small skillet and sauté the onions, garlic, and carrots until they are soft. Add the peas when the onions are almost done. Salt them to taste. Add the cumin and cook one minute more. Put the chickpeas, into a food processor and chop until they are a rough texture. Combine the chickpeas and onion mixture in a bowl, add salt and pepper to taste. Add the egg and cilantro and mix together until fully incorporated.

Heat a non-stick skillet with a thin film of oil until hot. Wet your hands and scoop up handfuls of the mixture. (Smaller patties are easier to cook), and flatten them into patties. Slip them gently into the skillet. If they break apart, just use a spatula to push them into shape. Press down gently with spatula to compress the patty. Cook over a medium high heat for about 4 minutes, then slip a spatula under the bottom to see if they are set enough to lift up. If they are, lift and look at the bottom. If they have browned some, gently flip them over and cook that side for 4 or however many minutes until they are done. If they beak a little when you flip them–just push them together and press down and cook them until they are browned. Serve with the dried cherry and tomato jam.

Dried Cherry and Tomato “Jam”

1 15 ounce can of petite cut tomatoes, drained
1/2 C. dried cherries or raisins or dried cranberries
2-3 T. lemon juice
1 T. honey

Put the tomatoes into a sauce pan and heat until it simmers. Reduce the heat and cook the tomatoes at a gently simmer until it has thickened and is not too juicy. Stir occasionally. Add the lemon juice and honey and cook gently for a few minutes more, stirring. Taste it to see if it needs more lemon juice or salt and pepper.

Clam Stuffing Casserole

Clam Stuffing Casserole

1/4 lb. margarine
1 onion, minced
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
4 (6 1/2 ounce) cans minced clams, reserving juice
1 cup clam juice, use reserved and add more if needed for a total of 1 cup
1 T. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 pinch parsley flakes
1 dash Tabasco sauce
8 ounces seasoned stuffing mix, Pepperidge Farm is good
Parmesan cheese, for the top

Sauté first 4 ingredients in a large skillet, simmering for a few minutes. Combine and add the next 7 ingredients and then add the stuffing slowly until you have an oatmeal consistency. Place in a casserole dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 325 degrees F. for 20-30 minutes.

Oriental Rice

Oriental Rice

11/2 C. water
1 C. chicken stock or broth, fat skimmed from top
11/3 C. long grain white rice, uncooked
2 tsp. vegetable oil
2 T. onion, finely chopped
1 C. celery, finely chopped
2 T. green pepper, finely chopped
1/2 C. pecans, chopped
1/4 tsp. ground sage
1/2 C. water chestnuts, sliced
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
To taste black pepper

Bring water and stock to boil in medium-size saucepan. Add rice and stir. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Reserve. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet. Sauté onion and celery over moderate heat for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients, including reserved cooked rice. Fluff with fork before serving.

15 Ways to Doctor (2 C.) Cooked Rice

15 Ways to Doctor (2 C.) Cooked Rice

1. Sfc31tc016-03_xlgtir in a handful of finely chopped fresh parsley into the rice
2. Add 1 T. lemon juice and 1 tsp. finely grated zest
3. Pour in a quarter C. of heavy cream and stir in a half C. of grated parmesan. Heat over low heat, stirring, for a time-pressed version of risotto
4. Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter and add to rice
5. Stir in some melted butter, a squeeze of lemon juice and some drained capers
6. Stir in a little chicken stock, add currants and toasted almonds. Re-heat before serving.
7. Add sautéed minced onions and cooked peas
8. Thinly slice garlic, brown in butter, then add to rice.
9. Fold in minced scallion and parsley
10. Toss with a can of drained “confetti” corn
11. Warn 2 tsp. of curry powder in 1 T. butter for a minute. Add rice to skillet; toss until rice is heated through.
12. Fold in toasted sesame seeds, a dash each of soy sauce and sesame oil, and minced scallion
13. Sauté minced onions and chopped tomato in EVOO. Season with a pinch of saffron or turmeric, then fold into rice
14. Brown some mild Italian sausage with a few fennel seeds and add to rice
15. Sauté a quarter C. each of onion and bell pepper in EVOO and stir in a C. of rice. Pour in 4 slightly beaten eggs. Stir and cook. Add ½ C. of shredded Monterey jack cheese in the last minute of cooking
16. Basmati Rice + scallions + ginger + rice vinegar
17. Brown rice + finely chopped pecans + soy sauce

Green Onion Sesame Rolls

Green Onion Sesame Rolls

scallionbunsFor the Dough:
1/2 cup warm water
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons yeast
1 egg
2 cups bread flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter

For the Filling:
Several stalks of green onion
1-2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil

Egg wash (1 egg beaten with water)
Black and white sesame seeds to garnish

Dissolve the sugar in warm water and sprinkle yeast on top. Let rest for 10 minutes or until foamy. Combine and mix the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture, egg, and butter to the dry mixture. Mix the dough until it comes together. Move the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead for several minutes until dough is smooth. Add additional flour as needed. Transfer dough to a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a towel or plastic wrap and allow it to double in size, roughly one hour. (You can also refrigerate the dough overnight, but make sure to let dough sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes to warm up before rolling). Punch the dough with your fist. Roll the dough into a rectangle of approximately 1/3 inch thick. Spread the olive oil and sesame oil onto the dough. Sprinkle the salt and green onion evenly over the dough. Roll and cut the dough into 16 pieces. Line two loaf pans with parchment paper and place 8 rolls into each pan. Cover the pans with a damp cloth and let the rolls rise in a warm place for approximately 30 minutes. Brush the rolls with the egg wash and sprinkle the tops with black and white sesame seeds. Bake at 400F for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a roll comes out clean. Serve with dinner or enjoy as a snack!

No-Knead Olive Bread

No-Knead Olive Bread

Basic No-Knead Bread

5 cups flour (or flours) of your choice
1 T. yeast
1 T. salt
1 to 2 cups water

Roasted Garlic and Black Olive Bread
to the basic recipe add:

1 cup pitted black olives
1/3 cup peeled roasted garlic cloves; about 1 head roasted garlic

Combine all ingredients except water in a large bowl. Add water and mix with one hand, adding water until the dough just barely forms a ball and there are no little dry bits hanging out in the bowl. Depending on how moist the olives and garlic are, the amount of water can vary from 1 cup to 2 cups. This dough should feel too wet to knead and like biscuit dough in moisture content. Cover the bowl with a layer of plastic wrap; and let the dough rise at room temperature overnight, until the surface of the dough has risen and is flat, not rounded. For those who have worked with traditional kneaded dough, this will look like a disaster. Just wait, it will be fine. Place a Dutch oven (an oven proof pan with a lid) into the oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Shape the dough into a round boule by tucking the dough loosely under itself; place the loaf in a bowl lined with parchment paper. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise again until doubled, another 45 minutes to 1 hour. Slash the tops of the loaf with a sharp knife and transfer the parchment paper and dough to the hot Dutch oven and cover with the hot lid. Bake until the exterior is golden brown and the bottom is firm; about 50 to 70 minutes (no peeking for at least the first half hour). Remove from both the oven and the Dutch oven and let cool before slicing.