Coronado Breeze Cocktail (Lakeshore Punch)

Coronado Breeze Cocktail (Lakeshore Punch)

2 ½ C. pear vodka (Grey Goose or Absolut)lakeshore-punch
2 C. pear nectar (such as Kerns)
1 ½ C. St. Germain Elderflower liqueur
1 C. freshly squeezed lime juice
½ large cucumber
½ bunch fresh mint (plus more for garnish)
1 C. water
1 lime to make twists
Ice
Garnish: Mint sprigs and lime twists

Mint Water: Combine 1 C. water with ½ bunch fresh mint in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Turn off heat and let macerate for 10 minutes. Strain and allow strained mint water to cool. Cocktail: Cut the cucumber into thin slices and place in pitcher. Add vodka, pear nectar, Elderflower liqueur, lime juice and mint water. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Pour into lowball glasses filled with ice. Garnish with cucumber slices from the pitcher, fresh mint and a lime twist.

Jack-O-Lantern Pie

Jack-O-Lantern Pie

Crexps159642_UH2464847C03_16_2bust:
1 3/4 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Pumpkin spice
2/3 c. butter
4 – 6 T. Cold water

Filling:
1 c. cooked pumpkin
3/4 c. sugar
Pinch of salt
2 eggs
1 c. milk
1 T. Flour

Stir flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and pumpkin spice in a bowl together using a fork. Cut butter into mixture until a crumbly texture. Add water, 1 T. at a time until moistened. Form dough ball in your hands. Place in a slightly floured surface and roll into a circle. Place on a pie plate, removing excess from rim using a knife. Save excess. Crimp piecrust around the edge.

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend thoroughly. Pour into piecrust. Sprinkle with cinnamon if you wish. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 – 35 minutes or until set (middle will shake just slightly). Decorate pie with baked cut outs when first taken out of the oven. Cool on wire rack.

Decoration: Using the remaining piecrust, form a small dough ball. Roll out on slightly floured surface, into a circle. Cut shapes to decorate your pie. Brush pieces with egg wash. If you wish, brush on yellow food coloring and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Prick shapes with tip of fork. Place cut outs on a piece of foil and bake beside pie until golden brown. When pie is finished baking, gently press the baked shapes onto pie.

Fig Preserves with Root 80 Proof Spirits

Fig Preserves with Root 80 Proof Spirits

8 cups fresh figsfigpreserves1edited
3 cups water
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups sugar
Zest 1 lemon
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup ROOT 80 Proof Spirits (optional)

Put figs in a large bowl, mix 2 cups water with baking soda in a large measuring cup. Pour soda water mixture over figs, press figs into water to remove debris then rinse with cold water. Cut figs into small pieces. In a large stockpot add figs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1 cup remaining water. Cook over medium high heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove pot from heat, puree mixture with an immersion blender until smooth. Return to heat, bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat and process hot mixture again with immersion blender until thick and creamy (resembles very thick applesauce). Add 1/2 cup ROOT 80 Proof Spirits, stir to blend. Return to heat and cook additional 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Ladle hot preserves into sterilized jars, cover jars with cleaned lids and rims, process in a hot water bath for 15 minutes. Allow preserves to cool, store in a dry dark place.

Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Basil Chutney

Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Basil Chutney

Can060315_GrilledPorkChops_PeachBasilChutney_Recipe_Hero_Dola Cooking Spray
3 ripe peaches, peeled, halved
¼ cup bourbon or other whiskey
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
1 ½ teaspoons Salt, divided
1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper, divided
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
4 Center Cut Pork Chops

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Coat grill with cooking spray. Place peaches cut side down and cook until lightly charred, approximately 2 minutes per side. Remove from heat, allow to cool slightly, coarsely chop. In a small pot over medium heat, add the peaches, bourbon, brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper and lemon juice. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer until thickened, about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in basil. Meanwhile, sprinkle pork chops with remaining salt and pepper. Grill until internal temperature reaches 145°, approximately 6-7 minutes per side. Top with peach chutney

Pork Chops Veracruz II

Pork Chops Veracruz II

1/4 C. bacon fat
1 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
6 thick pork chops
2 tsp. dry mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 C. dry white wine
3/4 C. freshly squeezed orange juice
1 1/2 C. thinly sliced onions
2 green peppers, cored, seeded, and cut into strips

Heat the bacon fat and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, but do not brown. Smear the pork chops with the mustard and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brown on both sides in the bacon fat and add the wine and orange juice. Cook over low heat until the sauce is slightly reduced. Add the onion slices and green pepper. Cover the pan. Continue cooking over low heat until the chops are tender, for one to one and a half hours. If desired add more salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, with rice.

Cuban Picadillo with Chiles and Raisins

Cuban Picadillo with Chiles and Raisins

Picadillo-Stuffed-Chiles-Rellenos31 T. olive oil
1 pound ground beef round
1/2 C. chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, sliced
2 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1/4 C. dry red wine or water
1/4 C. raisins
2 tsp. dried oregano
Salt and black pepper
1/4 C. sliced pimiento-stuffed green olives, optional (see note)
2 tsp. drained capers, optional (see note)

Pour olive oil into a large deep skillet or 4-quart saucepan and heat it over medium-high heat. Crumble in the ground beef and add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring and breaking up the lumps of beef, until beef browns all over, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, wine or water, raisins and oregano. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover pan, and let the picadillo simmer until it thickens, 15 to 20 minutes. Spoon picadillo onto plates (or over yellow rice) and garnish it with green olives and capers, if desired. The green olives and capers can be cooked with the beef and tomatoes, but the Dinner Doctor finds that children don’t care for them and use them as a garnish instead. You can also serve this Cuban equivalent of sloppy Joes in pitas.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 432
Fat: 23g
Fiber: 3g

Ways to Doctor a Can of Tuna

Ways to Doctor a Can of Tuna

tumblr_lz7pg8dRX81qdei8m1. Combine tuna with a drained can of cannellini bean; chopped onion, celery and fresh parsley; olive oil; and fresh lemon juice. Serve with crusty bread.
2. Flake the tuna with a little olive oil to make it moist. Serve it over salad greens with steamed green beans, hard-cooked egg, anchovies and an oil and vinegar dressing.
3. Make a fast tuna spread by pureeing the tuna with black olives, salt, pepper, and an oil and vinegar dressing.
4. Add chopped hard-cooked egg and fresh tarragon to tuna, using mayonnaise to bind it.
5. Fold in sweet or dill pickle relish into tuna, add a dab of mayonnaise, and serve it on sturdy white bread.
6. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice – my mother’s surefire trick for freshening up canned tuna.
7. Add a handful of any chopped fresh herb—basil or chervil, for example—and enough mayonnaise to make the tuna moist.


8. Turn leftover tuna salad into an easy tuna melt by spooning it onto slices of bread and topping it with shredded cheese. Broil until bubbling.
9. Put the tuna on slices of bread and top it with roasted red bell pepper strips. For a stupendous tuna melt, blanket everything with Monterrey Jack cheese before broiling
10. Add olives—any olives, such as stuffed green olives, chopped kalamata, or oil-cured French olives.
11. Mix in diced pickled jalapeno peppers and a dollop of mayonnaise. Sprinkle the tuna with a little cumin before serving.
12. Stir chunks of mango, mayonnaise, and a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice into the tuna.
13. Heat marinara sauce in a medium-size saucepan, stir in the tuna, then serve it on top of pasta with drained capers.
14. Add chopped water chestnuts or diced jicama to tuna for maximum crunch. Use mayonnaise to moisten it.
15. Blend drained tuna with a little softened cream cheese, fresh lemon juice, and chopped scallions for an easy sandwich spread
16. Make Tuna Croquettes. Mix 7oz. tuna with 2 diced scallions, 2 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1 tsp. lemon juice, 2 large eggs (beaten), ¼ C. panko bread crumbs and salt and pepper to taste. Divide into 8 portions on a sheet pan and rest 15 minutes. Coat each round with additional panko bread crumbs and cook in EVOO, 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden. Remove to wire rack set over paper towels; cool a few minutes and serve.
17. Heat in a pan with a little lemon pepper
18. Open a can of high-quality tuna and heat its oil in a skillet over medium heat. Mix in garlic, parsley, and lemon peel. Add tuna, gently breaking it up, and add a pinch of dried crushed red pepper. Toss the tuna with al dente spaghetti and enough pasta cooking liquid to moisten. Top with toasted breadcrumbs and herbs. No cheese necessary.
19. Add a can of tuna to cooked elbow macaroni, fresh grated carrot, chopped green onion, and mayonnaise. Add thawed frozen peas, if desired. Mix everything together and keep it in the fridge for all day and night snacking.
20. Take eight canned piquillo peppers and trim off the last quarter inch to even them out, reserving the trim and juices from the tin. In a sauté pan, sweat minced carrot and leek (about 2 T. each) in olive oil with salt until tender. Dice the piquillo trim and add to the warm carrot and leek mixture. Add reserved Piquillo juices. Add sliced scallion and pinch of dry marjoram or fresh thyme. Add 2 tsp. Sherry vinegar and fold in a can of good quality tuna with its packing oil. Bring to a simmer and pour mixture into a fine mesh colander fitted over a container to catch the vinaigrette. Stuff previously trimmed peppers with the tuna mixture and serve warm or chilled with reserved vinaigrette spooned over top.
21. Hard cook 6 eggs, cool and cut in half. Flip the yolks out into a small bowl. Add 1/4 C. mashed or flaked tuna, 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, 2 T. butter at room temperature, minced garlic ( 1/2 garlic clove pushed through a press and minced), 1 T. mayonnaise. Mix well. Season with fresh lemon juice and a few drops of red pepper sauce. Spoon back into the egg white halves, mounding the stuffing. Top each egg half with a caper.

Lemon Fluff

Lemon Fluff

e718bce3bbae6bd5aaa49c16a9704b761 box Lemon Jell-o (3 Ounces)
1-¾ cup Very Hot Water
¼ cups Lemon Juice
1 cup Sugar
1 can Evaporated Milk (12 Ounces), Chilled
2-½ cups Vanilla Wafers, Crushed

Combine the Jell-o, hot water, lemon juice, and sugar in a mixing bowl and stir until Jell-o is dissolved. Chill till partially set, about 1 hour. Just before Jell-o is set, pour the chilled evaporated milk into a large mixing bowl and whip until stiff peaks form. Fold together with Jell-o mixture. Pour 2 cups of vanilla wafer crumbs into the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch pan. Top with Jell-o mixture, then sprinkle with remaining vanilla wafer crumbs. Chill until set; a minimum of two hours, but best if allowed to chill at least 4 hours.

Blueberry-Pumpkin Seed Energy Bars

Blueberry-Pumpkin Seed Energy Bars

BlueberryEnergyBarsPlatedsquare1 C. sliced almonds
1 C. rolled oats
1/3 C. pumpkin seeds
¼ C. flaxseeds
2/3 C. muscovado or dark brown sugar
½ C. honey
4 T. unsalted butter
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
½ tsp. cinnamon
2 C. puffed rice cereal (I used Kashi 7 Whole Grain Honey Puffs)
½ C. dried blueberries
½ tsp. lemon zest

Preheat the oven to 350° F and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Spread the almonds, oats, pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds on the sheet and bake until fragrant, about 8 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, honey, butter and salt to a boil over moderate heat. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved and a light brown caramel forms, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and cinnamon. Drizzle the caramel all over the nut-and-oat mixture. Stir in the puffed rice, blueberries and lemon zest until evenly coated. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, extending the paper over the side. Scrape the cereal mixture into the dish and spread into an even layer. Cover the mixture with a second sheet of parchment and press down to compress it. Let stand until firm, about 2 hours. Discard the top piece of parchment. Using the overhanging paper, lift out the cereal square and transfer it to a work surface. Cut into 12 bars and serve. To store, wrap bars individually in plastic wrap and eat within a few days or freeze.

Chicken Khao Soi

Chicken Khao Soi

Chicken-Khao-Soi-1024x768Khao Soi Paste

4 large dried New Mexico or guajillo chiles, stemmed, halved, seeded
2 medium shallots, halved
8 garlic cloves
1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled, sliced
1/4 C. chopped cilantro stems
1 T. ground coriander
1 T. ground turmeric
1 tsp. curry powder

Soup

2 T. vegetable oil
2 14-ounce cans unsweetened coconut milk
2 C. low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, halved lengthwise
1 pound Chinese egg noodles
3 T. (or more) fish sauce (such as nam pla or nuoc nam)
1 T. (packed) palm sugar or light brown sugar
Kosher salt
Sliced red onion, bean sprouts, cilantro sprigs, crispy fried onions or shallots, chili oil, and lime wedges (for serving)

Place chiles in a small heatproof bowl, add boiling water to cover, and let soak until softened, 25-30 minutes. Drain chiles, reserving soaking liquid. Purée chiles, shallots, garlic, ginger, cilantro stems, coriander, turmeric, curry powder, and 2 T. soaking liquid in a food processor (I used a Vita-Mix), adding more soaking liquid by tablespoonfuls, if needed (I needed about 6 T. total), until smooth. Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add khao soi paste; cook, stirring constantly, until slightly darkened, 4-6 minutes. Add coconut milk and broth. Bring to a boil; add chicken. Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is fork-tender, 20-25 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate. Let cool slightly; shred meat. Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions. Add chicken, 3 T. fish sauce, and sugar to soup. Season with salt or more fish sauce, if needed. Divide soup and noodles among bowls and serve with toppings.

Pressed Coppa Sandwiches with Broccoli Rabe Pesto

Pressed Coppa Sandwiches with Broccoli Rabe Pesto

1 po51154940und broccoli rabe (rapini)
Kosher salt
6 garlic cloves, smashed
1/4 C. olive oil
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 C. finely grated Pecorino
2 tsp. honey
8 slices country-style bread
8 ounces thinly sliced provolone cheese
4 ounces thinly sliced sweet coppa or prosciutto
Olive oil (for skillet)

Cook broccoli rabe in a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green, about 30 seconds; drain; transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool. Drain; squeeze out water; cut into 1-inch pieces. Combine broccoli rabe, garlic, oil, and red pepper flakes a large skillet. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until broccoli rabe is very soft, 40-50 minutes. Let pesto cool slightly. Mix in Pecorino and honey. Build sandwiches with bread, provolone, coppa, and broccoli rabe pesto. Brush a large skillet with oil and heat over medium-low heat. Working in batches and brushing skillet with oil as needed, add sandwiches to pan, cover with foil, and place a heavy skillet on top. Cook until bread is toasted and cheese melts, 4-5 minutes per side (you can also use a lightly oiled panini press).

Fat Smash Turkey Tacos

Fat Smash Turkey Tacos

2 whole wheat tortillas
1 T. shredded low fat cheddar cheese
1 T. light sour cream
1/4 C. dark red kidney beans
1 T. diced jalapeno peppers
1/2 C. shredded iceberg lettuce or cabbage
1/4 C. chopped onion
1/2 C. diced tomatoes
1 T. taco seasoning mix
1 T. olive oil

Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and ground turkey and cook until brown. (If you’re using leftover white meat, cook onions until translucent then add the chopped up turkey meat to heat up.) Add tomatoes, chilis, taco seasoning and undrained kidney beans. (I’ve been told that the “juice” in canned beans can give you gas, so you may want to drain and rinse the beans, then add about 1/4 to 1/2 C. of water.) Cover pan and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Warm the tortillas in oven or zap them for 15 seconds in the microwave. If you’re using corn tortillas you can gently warm them up in a pan or right on top of the burner. Fill tortillas with meat mixture. Top with shredded lettuce, shredded cheese and sour cream before serving.

Yield: 1 serving
Calories: 546
Fat: 18.2g
Fiber: 7.7g

Mock Chicken Marbella

Mock Chicken Marbella

1/2 C. bottled bIMG_3505-e1290141282523alsamic or red wine vinaigrette
1/4 C. store-bought olive tapenade
2 cloves garlic, crushed in a garlic press
1 tsp. dried oregano
3 bay leaves
1/2 C. pitted prunes
1¼ lbs. chicken tenders (about 16), rinsed and patted dry
1/4 C. packed light brown sugar
1/4 C. white wine
6 C. cooked rice or couscous, for serving

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400°F. Place the balsamic vinaigrette, tapenade, garlic, oregano, bay leaves, and prunes in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Fold in the chicken tenders. Transfer the mixture to a glass 13- by 9-inch baking dish and arrange the tenders so they are in one layer. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the tenders and pour the wine around them. Bake the chicken until the juices bubble and the chicken has caramelized on top, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Serve the chicken warm with rice or couscous or chill it and serve it cold.

15 Ways to Doctor a Caesar Salad Kit

15 Ways to Doctor a Caesar Salad Kit

00221. Add canned anchovies and a poached egg to each serving.
2. Bake frozen popcorn chicken and scatter over the salad while it’s still hot.
3. Top each serving with a portion of grilled salmon.
4. Surround salad with halved cherry tomatoes and top with fresh basil.
5. Marinate chicken pieces in bottled Caesar dressing. Grill chicken and add to salad (use separate dressing, discard marinade).
6. Serve salad with pre-cooked shrimp and fresh mango.
7. Add grated lemon zest and 1 T. drained capers to the dressing.
8. Top with roasted asparagus and roasted red pepper strips.
9. Wrap raw shrimp with prosciutto; grill and arrange on top of salad.
10. Toss salad with diced cucumbers and pickled pepper strips; top with cleaned crabmeat.
11. Stir olive tapenade into the dressing.
12. Add 1 T. Dijon mustard to the dressing.
13. Fold a drained flaked can of tuna into the salad and garnish with oil-marinated green olives.
14. Toss salad with 3 C. of hot cooked penne pasta and pass extra grated Parmesan at the table.
15. Fold cubed avocado into the salad and season the dressing with a little chili powder and fresh lime juice.

BBQ Apricot Pork with Cheddar and Scallion Grits

BBQ Apricot Pork with Cheddar and Scallion Grits

BBQ Apricot Pork with Cheddar and Scallion GritsFor the pork:
1 tsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 28-oz can chopped tomatoes, drained
1/3 C. apricot jam or preserves
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
kosher salt
black pepper
pork rib ends (I don’t remember exactly how much I used, it was one package with four pieces in it. That was enough for two servings.)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes, jam, vinegar, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly. Arrange the pork in a baking dish and season lightly with salt and pepper. Pour the BBQ sauce over the pork and roast until it is cooked through, about 1 hour.

For the grits:
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 c grits (not instant or quick cooking)
1 c (4 oz) grated white cheddar
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. unsalted butter

In a medium saucepan, bring 4 1/4 C. water and the salt to a boil. Whisking constantly, slowly add the grits in a steady stream. Reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring frequently, until the grits are thick and creamy, 15 – 20 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until it melts. Add the scallions, pepper and butter and stir.

Watermelon Jelly

Watermelon Jelly

03e9c685b9da28696767e63a9cc092c62 cups watermelon juice (from about 1 small or 1/2 large watermelon)
3 tablespoons fresh or bottle lemon juice
3 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 pouch Certo liquid pectin

To make watermelon juice, roughly chop watermelon. You’ll need about 6 cups of chopped melon to produce about two cups of juice. Run melon through a food mill (if you have one), or crush and then strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds or pulp. Prepare canner and wash/sterilize 8 4-ounce canning jars. Keep jars in hot (not boiling) water until ready to use. Combine watermelon juice, lemon juice, and sugar in a 6 to 8-quart nonreactive saucepan. Bring to a full roiling boil (a boil that doesn’t stop bubbling when stirred) over high heat, stirring constantly. Quickly stir in pectin. Return to a full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with a metal spoon. Ladle hot jam into jars, leaving 1/4-inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean and top with lid; screw on ring until finger tight. Process in a boiling water bath for 7 minutes. Remove from water and let cool completely, 12 to 24 hours. Check seals. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and used within 1 month. 6-7 4oz. Jars

Tortellini with Bacon, Greens and Brown Butter

Tortellini with Bacon, Greens and Brown Butter

1 lbtortellini_300. tortellini (any kind, I used whole wheat with cheese filling)
6 slices bacon, diced
6 tsp. unsalted butter
2 C. arugula (I substituted baby spinach)
kosher salt
black pepper

Cook the tortellini according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet, over medium heat until crisp. Reserve the bacon and discard the drippings. Wipe out the skillet and return to medium heat. Add the butter and brown (see how to brown butter below). Remove from heat and add the bacon, arugula (or spinach), salt, pepper and cooked tortellini. Toss well and serve.

How to brown butter: Melt the butter in a skillet or small saucepan over medium heat (preferably a light colored one, this helps to see the color develop). Stir the butter as it starts to foam. Remove from heat as soon as it starts to turn golden brown and smells nutty (about 1 minute).

Nola’s Shrimp Creole

Nola’s Shrimp Creole

2 lbs. Peel5c2008e1e4b2af5759d507abe6136264ed and Deveined Shrimp, save shells to make Shrimp Stock
2 T. Butter
1 T. Vegetable Oil
1 Large Onion, finely chopped
2 Ribs Celery, finely chopped
1 small Green Pepper, finely Chopped
2 T. Creole Seasoning
2 T. Tomato Paste
2-1/2 C. Very Ripe Fresh Tomatoes, Diced
1/2 C. Dry White Wine
2 C. Shrimp Stock
2 T. Garlic, minced
2 Bay leaves
Cayenne to taste
Kosher Salt to taste
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp White Pepper
1 bunch Fresh Thyme
2 T. Tabasco
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 C. Green Onions, green tops thinly sliced, white part sliced into 1/4″ thickness
1/8 C. Flat Leaf Parsley, minced
1 Recipe Creole Boiled Rice

Melt the butter in a large sauce pan with the vegetable oil over medium high heat. When the butter begins to froth add 1/2 C. of the onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown. Add the remaining onions, celery, and bell pepper, reduce the heat to medium and season with 1 T. Creole Seasoning and a healthy pinch of salt. Sweat the vegetables until soft. Add the tomato paste mixing well, and cook, stirring constantly, until the paste begins to brown, then add the fresh tomatoes and another healthy pinch of Kosher salt, this will help the tomatoes break down. Stir well. When the tomatoes start to break down into liquid add the white wine, and turn the heat to high until most of the alcohol burns off. Add the Shrimp Stock, remaining Creole seasoning, garlic, bay leaves, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne (to taste), and Thyme. Bring to a boil then reduce to a low simmer. Simmer for 30-45 minutes. (If necessary at this point thicken the sauce with 1 T. Cornstarch/ 2T. water. Bring to a boil to maximize the thickening power of the cornstarch.) Add the hot sauce, Worcestershire, and season to taste with Kosher salt. Last chance to re-season your sauce, remember that good cooking is all about proper seasoning. Make your Boiled Rice, and season your shrimp with 1 T. Kosher salt and a pinch of Cayenne. Bring the sauce to a boil, reduce the heat to low and add the shrimp. The key is to not overcook your shrimp. Let them slowly simmer in the sauce until just cooked through. Serve with boiled rice and garnish with the remaining green onions and parsley. Serve immediately.

Southern Cranberry Salad

Southern Cranberry Salad

1 (3-o355275-cooked-cranberry-saladunce) package strawberry or cherry gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 (16-ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce
2 (11-ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

Place the gelatin in a large bowl and pour in boiling water. Stir with a fork until gelatin is dissolved. Add the cranberry sauce, mandarin oranges and pineapple; stir until well blended. Pour into bowl or mold; cover with plastic wrap. Chill at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. If molded, sit mold in 1 inch of hot water briefly. Run a sharp knife around the edges, and then shake to loosen the salad. Invert onto platter

Strawberry Field Salad

Strawberry Field Salad

1/4Strawberry-Fields-Salad cup bottled Italian salad dressing
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon Asian (dark) sesame oil
1 (5-ounce) bag spring mix salad greens
1 1/2 cups strawberries, halved (about 1 pint)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

Pour salad dressing into a small mixing bowl and whisk in honey, soy sauce and sesame oil. Set vinaigrette aside until ready to use. Place spring mix in a large serving bowl and top with strawberries, nuts and blue cheese. Pour vinaigrette over salad, toss to coat ingredients well and serve.

broccoli and cheese

broccoli and cheese

broccheese6 C. Fresh Broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
For sauce:
1 C. fat-free evaporated milk
1 T. cornstarch
½ C. shredded cheddar cheese
¼ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp. hot sauce
1 slice whole-wheat bread, diced and toasted (for croutons)

Bring a large pot of water to boil over high heat. Add fresh broccoli, and cook until easily pierced by a fork, about 7–10 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a separate saucepan, combine evaporated milk and cornstarch. Slowly bring to a boil while stirring often. When the milk comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and add the cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and evenly mixed. Add the Worcestershire and hot sauces, and stir. Pour cheese over hot broccoli. Sprinkle whole-wheat croutons over broccoli and cheese mixture, and serve.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 162
Fat: 5g
Fiber: 4g

dunkin’ veggies and dips

dunkin’ veggies and dips

Keep the Beat Recipes: Deliciously Healthy Family MealsLow-fat blue cheese dip:

¼ C. reduced-fat blue cheese crumbles
¼ C. fat-free sour cream
2 T. light mayonnaise

Honey mustard dip:
¼ C. honey
2 T. brown mustard
2 T. fat-free evaporated milk
1 T. fresh parsley, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp. dried)
1 T. fresh chives, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp. dried)

Tuscan white bean dip:
1 T. olive oil
1 T. garlic, chopped (about 3 cloves)
2 T. onions, chopped
1 C. low-sodium cannellini beans, rinsed
¼ C. low-sodium chicken broth
1 T. fresh parsley, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp. dried)
1 tsp. fresh oregano, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or ¼ tsp. dried)

Vegetables:
5 C. assorted raw vegetables, rinsed and cut into bite-sized pieces as needed, such as baby carrots, celery sticks, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, or cherry tomatoes

Combine ingredients for any (or all) of these three dips separately, and set aside (see note below). Arrange vegetables on a platter, and serve with choice of dip.

Red, White, and Green Grilled Cheese

Red, White, and Green Grilled Cheese

1 tsp. garRed-White-Green Grilled Cheese_Page_1lic, minced (about ½ clove)
1 small onion, minced (about½ cup)
2 C. frozen cut spinach, thawed and drained (or substitute 2 bags (10 oz. each) fresh leaf spinach, rinsed)
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
8 slices whole-wheat bread
1 medium tomato, rinsed, cut into 4 slices
1 C. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 ºF. Place a large baking sheet in the oven to preheat for about 10 minutes. Heat garlic with cooking spray in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Cook until soft, but not browned. Add onions, and continue to cook until the onions are soft, but not browned. Add spinach, and toss gently. Cook until the spinach is heated throughout. Season with pepper, and set aside to cool. When the spinach and onions are cool, assemble each sandwich with one slice of bread on the bottom, one tomato slice, ½ cup of spinach mixture, ¼ cup of cheese, and a second slice of bread on the top. Spray the preheated nonstick baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the sandwiches on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the bottom of each sandwich is browned. Carefully flip sandwiches, and bake for an additional
5 minutes, or until both sides are browned. Serve immediately

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 254
Fat: 8g
Fiber: 6g

Hawaiian Huli Huli chicken

Hawaiian Huli Huli chicken

12 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes (24 cubes) (about 2 large breasts)
1 C. fresh pineapple, diced (24 pieces) (or canned pineapple chunks in juice)
8 6-inch wooden skewers

Fhawaii-chicken-kabob1or sauce:
2 T. ketchup
2 T. lite soy sauce
2 T. honey
2 tsp. orange juice
1 tsp. garlic, minced (about 1 clove)
1 tsp. ginger, minced

Preheat a broiler or grill on medium-high heat. Thread three chicken cubes and three pineapple chunks alternately on each skewer. Combine ingredients for sauce and mix well; separate into two bowls and set one aside for later. Grill skewers for 3–5 minutes on each side. Brush or spoon sauce (from the bowl that wasn’t set aside) onto chicken and pineapple about every other minute. Discard the sauce when done with this step. To prevent chicken from drying out, finish cooking skewers in a 350 ºF oven immediately after grilling (to a minimum internal temperature of 165 °F). Using a clean brush or spoon, coat with sauce from the set-aside bowl before serving.

Cuban Okra and Chicken Stew (Quimbombó Guisado con Pollo)

Cuban Okra and Chicken Stew (Quimbombó Guisado con Pollo)

Chicken:DSCN64201
4 large garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch of allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/3 cup bitter orange juice or a 50/50 mixture of orange juice and lime juice
8 chicken thighs, skin removed
2 pounds small okra

Sofrito:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 Spanish chorizos, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1/2 habanero or Scotch bonnet, finely chopped
1 pound plum tomatoes, fresh or canned, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup tomato sauce (optional)
1 cup beer
3 cups chicken broth

Plantain dumplings:
2 green plantains, peeled and cut into thirds
1 yellow plantain, peeled and cut into thirds
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and mashed into a paste using a mortar and pestle
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the chicken: Crush the garlic, cumin, allspice and salt to a paste with a mortar and pestle. Mix in the orange juice. Rub this marinade over the chicken and refrigerate, covered, 3 to 4 hours. For the okra: Trim the okra and cut into 1/2-inch slices (yields about 6 cups) and place in a large bowl. (Some people find the mucilaginous juice exuded by okra unappealing. To remove, place okra into a large bowl and run cold water over it while swishing around with your hand. Drain and return okra to the original bowl.) Add 8 cups of hot water and some citrus juice. Set aside. For the chicken: Scrape the marinade from the chicken and reserve. Heat the 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, if necessary, to avoid crowding, sauté the chicken to golden brown, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate. For the sofrito: Add the chorizo to the pot used for the chicken and cook until lightly browned. Add the remaining marinade and cook briefly, stirring to get up the brown bits. Add the onion and habanero and sauté until the onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce, if using, and beer. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add the chicken to the sofrito and reduce the heat to low. Cover and let simmer until the chicken is tender, about 35 minutes. Drain the water from the okra and add okra to the pot. Cook until tender, about 15 more minutes. For the dumplings: While the stew simmers, place plantains and 8 cups of water into a medium pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain. While still hot, mash the plantains to a coarse purée with a mortar and pestle or a potato masher. Mix in the mashed garlic, broth, olive oil and salt. Divide into 16 equal portions and roll into balls. Set aside. Add the dumplings to the stew a few minutes before serving and them heat through. Serve in a deep soup bowl over rice. Note: The okra in this stew will turn an olive green after simmering. If you want bright green okra to color your dish, then add blanched okra at the last minute.

Mini Pear Galettes

Mini Pear Galettes

3 cups4320-Apple-Pear-Galette-PM all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
1/3 cup ice water, strained
1 cup pear preserves
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 T. sugar
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor, and pulse to mix. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. With machine running on medium speed, slowly add water until dough comes together and forms a ball. Remove dough and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours. Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured work surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using a 4-inch cutter, cut rounds from dough. Gather scraps and roll once more, cutting more rounds. Place about 1 T. of pear preserves onto the center of each round. Using your hands, roll the edge of the dough inward, overlapping in a circular pattern. Whisk together egg yolks and heavy cream in a small bowl. Place galettes on prepared baking sheet. Brush each galette with egg mixture. Evenly sprinkle with sugar and almonds. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

Millet Chili

Millet Chili

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large white onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 (15 ounce) can of corn kernels
1 (15 ounce) can dark kidney beans
1 (15 ounce) can light kidney beans
2 (15 ounce) cans of vegetable broth
1 cup millet
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream as garnish

Warm olive oil in large saucepan. Sauté onions, peppers, garlic, salt, and pepper for 4-5 minutes until the onions become translucent. Add in corn, beans, broth, spices, and bring to a low boil. Add millet and stir. Cover, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove lid, add diced tomatoes and tomato paste, and stir. Chili is ready to serve, but additional simmering will improve flavor. Serve with shredded cheddar or sour cream on top.

Yield: 8 servings
Calories: 210
Fat: 2.5g
Fiber: 7g

Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Tartlet

Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Tartlet

HeirloomTomatoBlack-Pepper Crusts (recipe follows)
Pesto (recipe follows, or use your favorite)
3 cups heirloom tomatoes, cut in half
1 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 (4-ounce) package goat-cheese crumbles
Garnish: fresh oregano and micro basil

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place prepared Black-Pepper Tartlet Crusts on baking sheet. Spoon about 3 T. Pesto into bottom of each crust. Fill each tartlet with tomatoes, and season evenly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese over tomatoes, and bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is slightly browned. Garnish with oregano and micro basil, if desired. Serve immediately.

Black Pepper Tartlet Crusts

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup sour cream

In the work bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and pepper; pulse to combine. Add butter, and pulse until crumbled. Add sour cream, and pulse until mixture comes together. Remove mixture and form into a disk; wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut 6 (5-inch) rounds from dough. Place a round in bottom and up sides of each of 6 (4-inch) tartlet pans. Line tartlet crusts with parchment paper to cover bottoms and sides, and top with pie weights. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly. Remove pie weights and parchment paper. Return to oven, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from oven, and cool.

Pesto

3 cups fresh basil leaves
3 T. fresh oregano leaves
3 T. fresh lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup grated fresh Asiago cheese
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil

In the work bowl of a food processor, combine basil, oregano, lemon juice, garlic, cheese, and pine nuts; pulse until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary. Add salt, pepper, and olive oil; pulse until smooth. Prepared pesto can be stored, refrigerated in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.

Lemon Butter Cookies

Lemon Butter Cookies

1 1/4 sticks sofLemonButterCookiestened unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg at room temperature
1 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 T. toasted almond flour
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
3 T. ground freeze-dried raspberries (optional)

In a large bowl and using an electric mixer at medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in egg, lemon zest, and vanilla extract; scrape down sides of bowl. In a small bowl, combine all-purpose flour and almond flour. Slowly add flours to butter mixture, beating until dough just comes together. Remove dough from bowl, shape into a disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to just thinner than 1/4 inch. Using various sizes of heart-shaped cutters, cut about 3 dozen cookies, rerolling dough only once, if necessary. Carefully transfer cookies to baking sheets; bake for 7 to 10 minutes, or until edges just turn golden. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. In a small bowl, sift together confectioners’ sugar and ground raspberries, if desired. Dust cookies lightly with sugar.

Baked Apple Chips

Baked Apple Chips

2 cupAppleChips1s sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup plus 4 T. fresh lemon juice, divided
1 medium red apple
1 medium Granny Smith apple
1 medium yellow apple

Preheat oven to 200˚. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper; set aside. In a large non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, water, honey, and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Bring mixture to a boil, and cook until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat, and cool mixture to room temperature. Fill a large bowl with cool water, and add the remaining 2 T. lemon juice. Cut the apples crosswise into very thin round slices (about 1/16-inch thick) with a manual V-slicer; after slicing each apple, place slices in the water-lemon juice mixture. Remove apple slices from water, and dry with a clean kitchen towel. Dip apple slices, a few at a time, in the cooled syrup, and let sit for 10 minutes. Remove, letting excess syrup drip off, then place slices on the prepared baking sheets; repeat with remaining apples. Bake for 1 hour, or until apples are dry. Turn oven off, and leave apples in the oven for an additional hour. Carefully remove apple slices from the baking sheets, and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Reimagined Waldorf Salad

Reimagined Waldorf Salad

2 Reimagined-Waldorf-Salad-Recipemedium, firm apples (such as honey crisp), cored and sliced
1 small celery root, peeled and julienned
1 small head frisée lettuce, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup red grapes, sliced in half
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/2 cups shaved Asiago cheese
1 cup toasted pecans
1/4 cup torn fresh dill
1 recipe Creamy Honey-Dill Vinaigrette
Garnish: microgreens

In a small bowl, combine the apple slices, celery root, frisée, grapes, lemon juice, pepper, and salt; toss to combine. On salad plates, create layers of the apple mixture, Asiago, pecans, and dill. Drizzle each salad lightly with Creamy Honey-Dill Vinaigrette. Garnish with microgreens, if desired, and serve immediately.

Creamy Honey-Dill Vinaigrette

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 T. honey
1 T. chopped fresh dill
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

In a medium bowl, combine the vinegar, mayonnaise, honey, dill, salt, and pepper; whisk to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Remaining dressing can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Cranberry Compote

Cranberry Compote

orange-cranberry-compote_400x4001 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
1 1/2 cups plus 2 T. water, divided
1/2 cup plus 2 T. sugar
1 tsp. orange zest
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 T. cornstarch

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cranberries, 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, orange zest, and orange juice. Cook until cranberry skins begin to split, about 5 to 10 minutes. Using a potato masher, crush cranberries until no whole berries remain. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine remaining 2 T. water and cornstarch, and stir until smooth. Pour into the cranberry mixture and cook for 6 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Pear Tarte Tartin

Pear Tarte Tartin

1/2Pear-Tarte-Tatin-1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 T. unsalted butter
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped, seeds reserved
1/2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground cardamom
1/8 tsp. salt
16 Forelle pears, halved, stems and seeds removed
1/2 (17.3-ounce) package puff pastry, thawed
2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Preheat oven to 375˚. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar and water. Cook until mixture turns dark amber in color, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in the butter, vanilla-bean seeds, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Place 4 pear halves into each of 4 (4-inch) square tart pans, cut side down; pour syrup over pears. Bake for 10 to 18 minutes, or until pears are soft and syrup is thick. Let cool for 10 minutes. On a lightly floured surface, roll out puff pastry sheet, and cut into quarters. Place each pastry square atop pears, tucking edges of dough between pears and sides of pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream and confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside. Invert a plate over each tart pan. Using a potholder to protect your hands, carefully invert the tarts onto the plates. Serve warm with whipped cream.

Garlic & Herb Popovers

Garlic & Herb Popovers

3 DSCN2336-300x225T. unsalted butter, melted and divided
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup water
2 large eggs
3/4 cup plus 2 T. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. roasted garlic
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375Ëš. Divide 2 T. melted butter evenly among the wells of a 6-cup popover pan, brushing each to coat. Place popover pan in oven to preheat. In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, water, and eggs. Gradually whisk in remaining 1 T. butter. Add the flour, salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, and thyme, and whisk until batter is well combined (batter will be slightly lumpy). Carefully remove hot popover pan from oven, and ladle the batter evenly among popover cups; sprinkle each evenly with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until puffed and golden. Do not open the oven during baking time. Remove popovers from pan. Using a small, sharp knife, make a small slit in the side of each popover to release steam. Serve immediately.

Apple Crumb Cakes with Calvados Crème Anglaise

Apple Crumb Cakes with Calvados Crème Anglaise

3Apple-Crumb-Cake-Recipe 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 2/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar, divided
2 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and divided
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
2/3 cup sliced almonds
2/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1 recipe Calvados Crème Anglaise

Preheat oven to 350Ëš. Line the wells of a 12-well square muffin pan with paper liners, or spray with nonstick cooking spray with flour. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg; whisk to combine. In a medium bowl, combine the buttermilk, vanilla extract, applesauce, 2 T. melted butter, eggs, and egg whites. Whisk to blend. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, then pour the milk mixture into the well. Stir until dry ingredients are just moist. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. In a separate medium bowl, combine the almonds, oats, remaining 2/3 cup flour, remaining 2/3 cup brown sugar, remaining 1 tsp. cinnamon, and remaining 2 T. melted butter. Stir with a fork until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle mixture evenly over top of batter in pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pan for 15 minutes; transfer to wire racks to cool completely or serve warm. Remove paper liners before serving; serve with Calvados Crème Anglaise.

Calvados Crème Anglaise

2 cups half-and-half
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup Calvados
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and split, seeds removed and reserved
1/8 tsp. salt
6 large egg yolks, lightly beaten

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the half-and-half, sugar, Calvados, vanilla bean, and salt. Cook, whisking often, until mixture just begins to boil; immediately remove from heat. In a medium bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks. Using a ladle, slowly stream about 1 cup of the hot half-and-half mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly; repeat. Return the yolk-half-and-half mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, or until mixture registers 170 on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat; using a fine-mesh sieve, strain the mixture into a stainless steel bowl set in an ice bath. Discard vanilla bean and any solids. Stir until mixture comes to room temperature. Cover the surface of the crème anglaise with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Italian Herb Baked Spinach Chips

Italian Herb Baked Spinach Chips

IMG_9342_22 cups fresh spinach (choose the big, healthy-looking leaves)
Few drop of extra virgin olive oil
McCormicks Italian Blend Seasoning
Salt

Preheat oven to 325. Place spinach in a large bowl. Add a few drops of olive oil and mix with your hands until each leaf is lightly coated in oil. Be careful not to use too much oil or the spinach will not crisp up in the oven. Sprinkle the spinach with Italian herb seasoning and salt. Taste one of the leaves to make sure you are using enough seasoning. (You won’t need a lot of seasoning). Arrange the spinach in a single layer (don’t let them overlap) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly oil nonstick foil. Bake for 8 minutes. Watch them carefully after the 8 minute mark if they are not done. Let sit on the baking sheet for about 2-3 minutes. Remove from baking sheet and enjoy! TIPS: Be SUPER careful not to use too much olive oil. Only a few drops. Spinach will shrink A LOT in the oven so don’t be alarmed.

Leeky Linguine with Shrimp

Leeky Linguine with Shrimp

picRotwfB1 pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined (after trying this, I think it would work well with chicken as well!)
1/4 C. EVOO
1 T. grated lemon peel
2 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
Salt and black pepper
1 pound fresh linguine
4 leeks – trimmed, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise and washed
1/2 C. dry white wine or vermouth
1/3 C. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (a generous handful)

In a bowl, toss the shrimp with 2 T. EVOO, the lemon peel, garlic and crushed red pepper; season with salt and black pepper. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 5 minutes. While the pasta is working, in a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 T. EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, season with salt and black pepper and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Push the leeks to the side of the pan, add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and firm. Pour in the wine and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the pasta to the skillet; season with salt and black pepper. Add the parsley and toss.

Sopa de Garbanzo (Chickpea Soup)

Sopa de Garbanzo (Chickpea Soup)

2314324979_2c56bb40dd_o3 T. oil
1⁄2 small onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped fine
1⁄2 T. fresh mint leaves or 1⁄2 teaspoon dried
11⁄2 cups chicken broth
1 cup cooked garbanzos (canned or cook ½ cup dry) save liquid
salt and pepper to taste
3 eggs

Heat half of oil in a skillet and sauté onion and garlic until soft. Put them in a blender or processor with about 1⁄2 cup of cooking liquid from beans. Puree and add to saucepan. Mix in remaining broth and simmer about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat remaining oil in skillet and fry eggs to your preferred degree of doneness. Put an egg into each of 3 soup bowls and pour soup over. 3 servings.

20 Minute Ham and Cheese Tarts

20 Minute Ham and Cheese Tarts

2 Shee045e32c2b2bafed3057ccc406fad9369ts Puff Pastry, thawed
1/2 cup Flour, for dusting
1 Egg
2 T. Water
2 cups Shredded Cheese
1/2 pound Black Forest Ham Deli Meat, thinly sliced
2 Tomato’s, thinly sliced (optional)
1/2 cup Wilted Spinach (optional)
Tomato Soup, Accompaniment

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet. On a lightly floured surface roll out thawed puff pastry into a 12×9″ rectangle. Cut in half lengthwise, yielding 2 4-½” strips. Cut those two strips crosswise into thirds, to yield six 4×4 ½” pieces. Repeat with second puff pastry sheet. With a knife, score ½” border around the edge of each piece of puff pastry. Use a fork to make five or six pricks into the dough within the border of each piece. This will help keep the middle of each piece from rising. Sprinkle shredded cheese in the middle of each tart. Sprinkle ham over the top of the cheese. If using tomato and spinach, add those on prior to topping with ham. In a small dish or cup, whisk together the egg and water. Using a pastry brush – brush the edges of the puff pastry with the mixture. This will help the edges turn golden brown and crispy. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown, on the middle rack and rotate the baking sheet half way through baking. Remove from baking sheet and cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or room temperature.

Butternut Squash Risotto with Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts

Butternut Squash Risotto with Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts

bnq1 head of cauliflower
2 pints of brussels sprouts
4 T. balsamic vinegar
1 T. olive oil
salt and pepper

4 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 medium butternut squash, chopped into cubes
2 T. olive oil
3 T. butter (cut in two pieces)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
1 cup dry white wine
Salt and pepper
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut cauliflower into bite sized florets and cut trimmed brussels sprouts in half. In a mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower and brussels sprouts with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast on a foil-lined sheet pan for 20 minutes, stir the mixture, and then roast for another 10 minutes. While vegetables are roasting, bring 2 cups of broth to a boil in a large sauce pan. When boiling, put a steamer basket in the bottom and layer in the butternut squash cubes, cover and steam until fork tender, about five minutes. Mash or puree the butternut squash (I mashed this time and left some bite sized pieces but decided I prefer the smoother texture when I pureed the squash in the past). To the saucepan with the steaming liquid, add the remaining 2 1/2 cups of broth and squash. Simmer to warm on low heat. Meanwhile, in a large dutch oven or pot, heat olive oil and melt in half of the butter. When butter is melted, sauté chopped onion and garlic, until the onions are translucent. Add the rice and stir until rice is translucent. Add the white wine and stir until evaporated. One cup at a time, add warm stock to rice pot. Deep stir until most recent cup of stock is absorbed, follow up with another ladleful until the rice is tender. Stir in remaining butter and half of the parmesan cheese before enjoying.