Kristen's Recipes – Page 333 – (Sometimes) Healthy Recipes

Healthy Chicken Salad Pinwheels

February 4, 1986 Kristen

Healthy Chicken Salad Pinwheels

3 C. (420 g) coarsely cubed cooked chicken

1/2 C. (110 g) mayonnaise of choice

1 to 2 green onions, coarsely chopped

1/2 C. (60 g) pecans

1/2 C. (50 g) purple grapes

1/2 tsp. sea salt, or as needed

Black pepper, as needed

4 gluten-free tortilla wraps of choice (such as Food for Life brand brown rice tortillas or Sami’s Bakery Millet and Flax Lavash)

In a food processor or blender, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, green onions, pecans, grapes, sea salt, and black pepper. Pulse 5 to 7 times to combine the ingredients. You don’t want big chunks; the mixture needs to be spreadable. You can process the ingredients until they are completely smooth, or you can leave a chunkier texture for visual appeal. Spread a thin layer of the chicken salad on a tortilla wrap and, starting at one end, tightly roll the tortilla wrap all the way up. (If your tortilla wrap does not roll well without cracking, moisten it slightly and heat it up a bit in a warm skillet or in the microwave for 10 seconds to soften it.) Set the wrapped tortilla on a plate and continue this process with the rest of the chicken salad and tortilla wraps. Tightly cover the plate of chicken wraps with plastic wrap (or put the wraps in an airtight container), and transfer the plate to the refrigerator to chill and firm up for at least 30 minutes. You can do this the night before or 1 to 2 days in advance. After the wraps have chilled, use a serrated knife to cut the wraps into 1- to 2-inch (2.5- to 5-cm)-long pinwheels.

Champagne Chicken

February 2, 1986 Kristen

Champagne Chicken

1 C. champagne

12 sprigs fresh thyme, minced

3 T. fresh lime juice

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 large sprigs fresh rosemary, minced

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper

Fresh rosemary sprigs

Combine champagne, thyme, lime juice, garlic, and rosemary in a large bowl. Add chicken breasts. Season with salt and pepper. Cover bowl and refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove chicken from marinade and place in a small roasting pan. Reserve marinade. Roast chicken 20 to 30 minutes, basting occasionally with marinade. Place chicken on a platter and cover to keep warm. Pour pan juices into a saucepan. Add remaining marinade. Cook mixture over medium-high heat until reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs. Serves 2.

Scallops with Bacon and Cream on Toast

February 1, 1986 Kristen

Scallops with Bacon and Cream on Toast

3 slices bacon, chopped

1 pound sea scallops, tough muscle removed

1/2 C. chilled cream or half-and-half

2 T. chopped fresh chives

1/4 tsp. salt

6 slices firm white sandwich bread, toasted,

crusts discarded and halved diagonally

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Crumble when cool. Reserve skillet drippings. Heat drippings over high heat until hot but not smoking. Sear scallops, turning once, until cooked through, about 5 minutes total. Transfer to platter and keep warm. (We poured some of the drippings out of the skillet at this point.) Add cream, 1 T. chives and salt (we also threw in a handful of tiny frozen peas for color) and boil until slightly thickened, about 1 or 2 minutes. Divide scallops among 4 plates. Pour sauce over scallops and sprinkle with bacon and remaining chives. Serve with toast points. Alternatively put scallops in the cream sauce and stir to coat. Serve over rice or angel-hair pasta.

White Peach Sangria

January 31, 1986 Kristen

White Peach Sangria

1 bottle Pinot Grigio or other dry white wine (750ml)

2 1/2 C. peach nectar or concentrate

2 C. club soda or other unsweetened carbonated water

1/4 C. brandy

1/4 C. granulated sugar more if needed

1/4 C. water

2-3 peaches sliced

3-4 strawberries sliced

a few mint leaves optional

Refrigerate Pinot Grigio, peach nectar, club soda and fruits the day before. In a large pitcher, combine Pinot Grigio, peach nectar, club soda, and brandy. Stir to mix well. In a small glass combine 1/4 C. sugar and 1/4 C. hot water to make syrup. Add syrup to pitcher. Optional: make more syrup and add more to pitcher if drink is not sweet enough. Stir to mix well Slice fruits and add to pitcher. Optional: garnish with mint leaves. Serve and enjoy!

All About Steaks

January 30, 1986 Kristen

All About Steaks

The Best Cuts

For grilling, broiling, and pan frying, the best cuts of meat are rib eye steaks, strip or shell steaks, and tsp. bone, which contains both the strip and tenderloin steaks. Sirloin and round steaks are generally going to be tough and dry. Flank steaks are good when quickly cooked and sliced across the grain, as described above.

For roasting, top sirloin, tenderloin, standing rib roasts, and top rump roast are good candidates.

For stir frying, flank, top round, and sirloin steak are good. These cuts are best cooked quickly, and since elastin is broken because the meat is cubed, they are more tender.

For kebabs, tenderloin is the best bet. This mild cut absorbs flavors easily and it is very tender.

For pot roasting and braising, chuck and rump are the best cuts. These cuts have more collagen and need long, slow cooking in a wet environment to reach their optimum tenderness. Chuck has the most flavor and is the most tender.

For ground beef, chuck is the way to go. It has optimal amounts of fat and is tenderized mechanically by the grinding action. Most lean ground beef is chuck, but if you’re not sure, ask!

How to Buy Steak

Before you begin cooking, pick the cut of meat that best suits your dinner plan. Tender, less lean cuts are perfect for the grill and are delicious plain or dressed up with sauces. Leaner, chewier cuts become more tender and delicious when marinated, thinly sliced, and grilled quickly or braised.

For any cut of steak, look for red meat with white fat that is marbled evenly across the grain.

Prime grade meat (the highest grade) is tender and highly marbled. Unfortunately, prime grade is expensive and difficult to find. The average supermarket carries choice grade meat as well as the less flavorful, and less tender, select grade. The best steak you can buy is dry-aged in special meat coolers to develop the flavor and tenderize the meat. Most beef, however, is wet-aged, if aged at all, in vacuum-packed bags for one to four weeks. This process improves the tenderness of the beef, but does not improve the flavor.

Testing for Doneness

The best way to tell if a steak is done is to (carefully!) touch or squeeze the meat itself.

Rare meat feels a bit like the texture of the flesh between your thumb and index finger; medium meat has a slight spring to it; well-done meat is firm.

You also can check by cutting a small slice into your meat with a thin knife.

If you have an instant-read thermometer, the internal temperature for rare steak is 125 to 130 degrees, medium-rare is 130 to 140 degrees, medium is 140 to 150 degrees, and well done is 165 degrees.

Carrot and Daikon Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

January 29, 1986 Kristen

Carrot and Daikon Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

2 medium carrots

1 daikon radish (use about a 1:1 ratio of carrot to daikon)

1 T. toasted sesame oil

1 T. rice vinegar (see notes)

1 large garlic clove grated or minced

1 1 inch piece of ginger peeled and grated

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 T. sesame seeds

Prep the veggies: Clean and peel the daikon radishes and carrots. Using a vegetable peeler, ‘shave’ slices of the radish and the carrots. This is easiest to do by pressing the vegetable against a cutting board and using the peeler to slice away from your body. Place these in a large bowl. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine the sesame oil, vinegar, minced garlic clove, and grated ginger. Add some salt (1/4 – 1/2 tsp.) and pepper to taste. Combine the dressing with the sliced daikon and carrots, add the sesame seeds, and mix well. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Sausages & Plums Braised in Red Wine

January 28, 1986 Kristen

Sausages & Plums Braised in Red Wine

1 pound ripe purple or red plums

2 pounds sweet or hot Italian sausages

2 T. olive oil

1 large shallot, thinly sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. minced fresh sage or 1/2 tsp. dried sage

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Pinch of sugar

1 C. light, fruity dry red wine, such as Beaujolais or Pinot Noir

Cut the plums into 1/2-inch slices, removing the pits and toss them with a few pinches of sugar, if needed. Set aside. Pierce each sausage in several places with the tip of a sharp knife (this will prevent the sausages from exploding). Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and sauté, turning often, until a golden brown all over, about 10 minutes. Remove the sausages to a plate. Pour off all but 1 T. of the fat in the pan and return the pan to the stove, over medium heat. Add the sliced shallot, and until tender, about 1 minute. Add the garlic and sage and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add the plums with all of their juices and season with salt, and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add the wine, increase the heat to medium-high, and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 3 minutes to meld the flavors. Return the sausages to the pan, cover the pan, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes or until the sausages are cooked through. To serve, remove the sausages and plums from the pan, using a tongs or a slotted spoon, placing them on a serving platter. Simmer the wine sauce in the pan over medium-high heat, about 2 minutes, or until the sauce is reduced and thickened slightly. Pour the sauce over the sausages and plums and serve.

Pixie Tangerine Mint Spritzers

January 27, 1986 Kristen

Pixie Tangerine Mint Spritzers

Pixie tangerines are pale orange colored, moderately juicy, with lower acidity, and always seedless. Individual Pixie tangerines vary in shape, size and peel texture. In general, Pixies are small (1-3 inches in diameter), have a pebbly skin and are easy to peel with segments that separate easily from one another. Typically available in April

3 Ojai Pixie Tangerines

8 fresh mint leaves

1 tsp. agave nectar

3 ounces Vodka or Tequila

Club Soda

Ice

Peel the tangerines and split each tangerine in half. Please the tangerines mint and agave in a cocktail shaker or cocktail glass and use a muddler or the long end of a wooden spoon to muddle the ingredients together. Add the Vodka or Tequila and fill the shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain the cocktails over a fresh glass of ice and top with a float of club soda.

Garlic Confit in Olive Oil

January 26, 1986 Kristen

Garlic Confit in Olive Oil

1 C. garlic cloves, peeled

1 dried bay leaf

2 sprigs fresh mint

1/8 tsp. kosher salt

3 peppercorns

1 C. extra virgin olive oil

Place a small saucepan on low heat and add peeled garlic, bay leaf, mint, salt, and peppercorns. Cover garlic with olive oil and simmer. Cook on low until garlic is soft and golden, but not browned, approximately 30 to 45 minutes. If garlic burns, you must discard entire batch of garlic and oil and start again. Once golden, remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Transfer garlic and olive oil into a sterilized jar, and seal tightly with the lid. Refrigerate up to one week.

Compressed Italian Sandwich

January 25, 1986 Kristen

Compressed Italian Sandwich

1 Ciabatta loaf

3 T. Pesto Sauce

1/4 pound Turkey, sliced thin

1/4 pound Ham, sliced thin

1/4 pound Pepperoni, sliced thin

1/4 pound Provolone, Swiss or Havarti

1/2 C. Pepperoncini, Deli-sliced

3 Roasted red peppers, (or One 8-oz. Jar)

1 C. Fresh basil leaves

Slice the Ciabatta in half lengthwise. If your Ciabatta is thick, remove some of the bread from the center. Layer sliced deli meats and cheese followed by the pepperoncini and roasted peppers. Top with the basil leaves. Cover with top layer of Ciabatta. Place the entire loaf on a small cutting board and wrap with plastic wrap around the loaf and cutting board. Place two foil wrapped bricks or a cast iron pan on top of the wrapped loaf. This will weight down the sandwich and compress the ingredients together. Refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator. Cut away the plastic wrap and cut into individual sandwiches. (If the sandwich is going to be wrapped up longer than 24 hours, I add the basil right before I slice it, as it has a tendency to wilt.)

Browned Butter

January 24, 1986 Kristen

Browned Butter

To make brown butter (also called beurre noisette), simply start by melting unsalted butter over medium heat. Use a pan with a light-colored bottom so you can keep track of the color as the butter begins to brown. Swirl the pan occasionally to be sure the butter is cooking evenly. As the butter melts, it will begin to foam. The color will progress from yellow to tan to a toasty-brown. Once you smell a nutty aroma, take the pan off the heat and transfer the browned butter to a heat-proof bowl to cool. The milk solids cook fast and you’ll see them settle on the bottom of the pan like the dregs in a bottle of wine. When you transfer the brown butter to a new container, you can leave as much of this sediment in the pan as possible. You can also strain the butter through a fine meshed strainer or cheese cloth to remove all the particles. Now, I like the slightly burnt taste that these solids give to the butter…so try it both ways to see what you like. It’s easy enough to brown just what you need for your recipe, but you can also brown large batches of butter at a single time. It keeps for quite a while in the fridge, or you can freeze it in ice cube trays. You can use brown butter in just about any recipe that calls for butter, including cookies, cakes, or sauces. I love spooning a little bit over pasta, fish dishes, or even steamed vegetables. It also makes an excellent spread for dinner rolls when whipped together with regular butter.

Tomato, Camembert & Gruyere Tart

January 23, 1986 Kristen

Tomato, Camembert & Gruyere Tart

1 1/2 C. all purpose flour

6 T. cold unsalted butter (3/4 stick), cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper

2–3 T. extra virgin olive oil

1 T. water

1 T. Dijon mustard

1/2 C. Gruyere, grated

4 plum tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch slices and seeds removed

6 ounces Camembert, sliced into 1/8-inch strips

1/3 C. extra virgin olive oil

1/4 C. fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 C. fresh basil, chopped

1 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped

1 T. fresh thyme leaves

1 clove garlic, minced

Make the tart dough: Using a pastry blender or 2 knives, combine the flour, butter, salt, and pepper until mixture resembles coarse meal. Using a fork, mix in 2 T. of the oil and the water just until the bottom of the mixture begins to cling together. If necessary, add an additional T. of oil. Gather into a ball, flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Roll out the chilled dough into a 14-inch circle and place it into a tart pan. Spread the mustard over the bottom of the tart shell. Sprinkle the Gruyere evenly over the mustard and alternately place the tomato slices and the Camembert over the Gruyere. In a small bowl, mix the extra virgin olive oil, all of the herbs and the garlic together and brush two-thirds of the mixture over the tart. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 35 minutes. Remove the tart and brush it with the remaining oil. Serve warm.

One Pan Lasagna

January 22, 1986 Kristen

One Pan Lasagna

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound lean ground grass-fed beef

1 can (28 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, preferably San Marzano

4 baby carrots, scrubbed

1 small yellow onion, cut into wedges

1 garlic clove, thinly sliced

1 C. organic chicken stock

1/2 C. part-skim ricotta cheese

3 ounces fresh spinach leaves, stems removed and coarsely chopped

4 lasagna noodles, broken into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cubed

Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spatula, until the meat has browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic in a food processor and chop until coarsely ground but not completely smooth. When the meat is browned, pour off any accumulated fat. Add the tomato mixture, stock, ricotta, and spinach and combine thoroughly. Bury the lasagna noodles in the sauce, and sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over all. Bake the lasagna uncovered until the cheese is melted and bubbling, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let stand uncovered for 10 minutes. Serve warm.

Mini Lulu Kebabs on Lemongrass Sticks

January 21, 1986 Kristen

Mini Lulu Kebabs on Lemongrass Sticks

1 ½ pound ground beef

1 T. minced garlic

¼ C. minced fresh cilantro

2 T. grated peeled ginger

2 T. soy sauce

½ tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

4 stalks lemongrass, cut into twelve 4-inch sticks

Preheat the broiler. Lightly mix the ground beef, garlic, cilantro, ginger, and soy sauce in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Dampen your hands. Form the meat into 12 balls. Thread a piece of lemongrass halfway through each ball; press the meat mixture down the stalk to form a sausage-like shape, leaving some of the stalk uncovered for the handle. Put the pops on a foil-lined broiler pan and broil until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Pistachio Pastry Twists

January 20, 1986 Kristen

Pistachio Pastry Twists

1 (17.5oz.) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed

1 large egg, lightly beaten with 2 tsp. water

Coarse Salt, for Sprinkling

1 C. unshelled pistachios, toasted and finely chopped

Preheat oven to 425. Roll out 1 pastry sheet on lightly floured surface (keep other sheet cold and covered) to a 18×12” rectangle. Bush with egg wash and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle nuts over half pastry (on short side) and then fold up to form a 9×12” rectangle, and roll firmly to remove any air bubbles and make layers adhere. Brush with more egg wash and sprinkle with salt again. Cut into ½” strips. Transfer one at a time to a greased baking sheet, one inch apart, twisting 3 or 4 times and pressing ends into sheet to adhere. Bake in batches in center of oven until golden, 12-15 minutes. Repeat with remaining pastry sheet. Makes 40.

Easy Ranch Quick Bread

January 19, 1986 Kristen

Easy Ranch Quick Bread

Cooking spray or butter, for coating the pan

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/4 tsp. fine salt

1 tsp. no-salt onion powder

3/4 tsp. no-salt garlic powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 large eggs

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

4 T. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives (about 1 large bunch)

1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, preferably large curd

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Generously coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter; set aside. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, baking soda, and pepper in a large bowl; set aside. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, butter, dill, and chives in a medium bowl until combined. Add the cottage cheese and stir to combine. Pour this mixture into the flour mixture and stir and fold with a rubber spatula just until the flour is incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, push it into the corners, and smooth the top. Bake until golden-brown and a tester inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, about 50 minutes. (Test in several places, as you may hit a piece of cottage cheese.) Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. Flip the bread out of the pan onto the rack (run a knife around the edges first if needed) and let cool for at least another 15 minutes before serving.

Honey Ricotta Toast with Roasted Blackberries

January 18, 1986 Kristen

Honey Ricotta Toast with Roasted Blackberries

4 slices bread of choice I used a whole wheat sourdough, but use what you like!

1 cup ricotta, room temp I used lowfat, but use whatever type you like.

3 cups blackberries fresh

4-6 leaves fresh mint

½ cup honey maybe more for drizzling

microgreens if using for topping

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread blackberries over baking sheet and drizzle with about ¼ cup honey. I used parchment paper for easy cleanup. Place in oven and roast for about 5-10 minutes. The berries will start to soften and the juices will run out. While they are roasting, toast your toast. I used an electric griddle and toasted it with a touch of butter. This isn’t necessary, but I like it this way. Thinly slice your mint too while it is toasting. Once the blackberries are done and toast toasted, start assembling.

Spread each piece of bread with about ¼ cup ricotta. Top with ¼ of the roasted blackberries, sliced mint, and microgreens if using. Finish them off with a light drizzle of honey.

Fig Chutney

January 17, 1986 Kristen

Fig Chutney

Yields approximately 3 C.

1 T. olive oil

1/2 cup onion, diced small

1/4 cup red wine

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup sugar

2 C. fresh figs, roughly chopped

1 sprig fresh thyme, leaves picked off stems

Water to cover

Salt

Pepper

Heat olive oil in a sauté pan and add the sliced onion, sweating them until softened. Deglaze with red wine, then add balsamic vinegar, sugar, and figs. Simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes. Fold in thyme leaves about 2 minutes before finished cooking. Cool. Process in food processor until smooth. Adjust with balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and water if needed. Store in refrigerator, but let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving. Will keep for 2 weeks.

Guacamole with Preserved Lemon

January 16, 1986 Kristen

Guacamole with Preserved Lemon

2 avocados

1 preserved lemon, finely chopped

1 T. brine from preserved lemons

1 T. diced onion (if desired)

2 T. chopped fresh cilantro

1 pinch smoked paprika

1 pinch cayenne pepper (if desired)

Blend all ingredients by hand or in a food processor until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips or with toasted pita wedges

Peach Upside-Down Cake with Vanilla Caramel Sauce

January 15, 1986 Kristen

Peach Upside-Down Cake with Vanilla Caramel Sauce

Peach Topping

2 Peaches, sliced thinly into half-moons

1 tsp. Butter

1 tsp. Honey

Squeeze of Lemon

Cake Layer

1.5 C. + 2 T. Almond Flour

¼ cup Melted Butter (measure after melting)

¼ cup Honey

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 tsp. Lemon Juice

1 tsp. Coconut Milk

2 Eggs

¾ tsp. Baking Soda

Vanilla Caramel Sauce

3 T. Full Fat Coconut Milk (or Cream)

1 T. Maple Syrup

1 T. Sugar

1 T. Butter

¼-1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. To make the peach topping, melt the butter and honey in a small skillet, then add the peach slices. Toss the peach slices in butter/honey mixture and add a squeeze of lemon. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until peaches begin to soften. Shut off heat and set aside until they cool. Lightly grease a 7-inch pan with a small amount of butter. Trace the bottom of the pan with a pencil on parchment paper and cut out circle. Place parchment circle on the bottom of the inside of the pan. Arrange peach slices in desired pattern on the bottom of the pan. I arranged mine in a wheel pattern. In a large mixing bowl, mix almond flour, butter, honey, vanilla, lemon juice and coconut milk until well combined. Whisk eggs in a small bowl and add to large mixing bowl, then add baking soda and mix until combined. Pour batter into pan over the peach slices. Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes, or until top of cake is golden and slightly firm. Remove and let fully cool. While the cake is cooling, make the sauce. In a small saucepan, heat butter, maple syrup and sugar on medium heat until melted. Add coconut milk. Stir or whisk until sauce begins to bubble. Let the sauce bubble for around 30 seconds, stir, and lower the heat to medium low. Add ¼ tsp. vanilla. Taste and add the additional ¼ tsp. vanilla for a stronger vanilla flavor, if desired. Allow the sauce to bubble and slowly boil again while stirring until sauce thickens and coats a spoon (this will take a few minutes, but it starts to thicken quickly so try not to walk away from it). Turn the heat off but keep the pan on the burner to keep the sauce warm. Once the cake is cool, carefully loosen the cake from the pan and flip it upside down onto a plate. Drizzle the warmed sauce over the cake or pour and spread the caramel over the top. Enjoy!

PBJ Smoothie for Two

January 14, 1986 Kristen

PBJ Smoothie for Two

1 ½ C. frozen berries (single types or a mix. Also can try mango or peach)

1 1/2 c low-fat Milk

1 banana

2 T peanut butter

2 T. Honey

1 Scoop Protein Powder, If desired.

Optional Toppings

granola

fresh strawberries

peanut butter drizzle

Place all ingredients in blender and combine until smooth.

DiSpirito’s Seared Salmon with Onions and Rhubarb

January 13, 1986 Kristen

DiSpirito’s Seared Salmon with Onions and Rhubarb

1 1/2 cups dry fino sherry

1/4 cup turbinado sugar or palm sugar (See Note)

1/2 pound rhubarb, trimmed and sliced diagonally 1/3 inch thick

3 T. unsalted butter

1 pound bulb onions or sweet white onions, thinly sliced

1/2 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth

1 thyme sprig

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 pound fava beans, shelled

Four 6-ounce salmon fillets, skin on

Vegetable oil

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

In a medium saucepan, combine the sherry with the sugar and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Add the rhubarb and cook until just tender, about 1 minute. Strain the rhubarb in a colander set over a bowl to catch the cooking liquid. Return the liquid to the saucepan and boil over high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup, about 8 minutes. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Add the onions and cook over low heat, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Add the chicken stock and thyme sprig and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat until the onions are tender, about 8 minutes. In a medium saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the fava beans for 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beans to a bowl and refresh under cool running water. Peel off the tough bean skins and add the favas to the onions. Heat a cast-iron skillet. Lightly coat the salmon fillets with some vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook the salmon, skin side down, over moderately high heat until the skin is very crisp, about 4 minutes. Turn the salmon and cook over moderate heat until barely cooked through, about 4 minutes more, depending on the thickness of the fillets. To serve, discard the thyme sprig and rewarm the onions; add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Bring the sherry-rhubarb liquid to a boil and add the cooked rhubarb. Spoon the rhubarb onto 4 large plates and set the onions alongside. Top with the salmon and serve at once.

Brown Sugar Glazed Onions

January 12, 1986 Kristen

Brown Sugar Glazed Onions

2 cups pearl onions fresh peeled or frozen

1/4 cup salted butter

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 T. apple cider vinegar

In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium low heat until it just sizzles. Pour in onions, add thyme and sauté about 4-5 minutes until they begin to brown. Add chicken stock and let simmer until about half. It should be a bit syrupy. Add brown sugar, and apple cider. stir and mix to coat well. Pour into small casserole dish and serve immediately, or cover with foil and set aside for later. To reheat place in a 350 oven, covered with foil for about 20-25 minutes. NOTES: To peel fresh pearl onions, trim off root end and place onions in a large heat proof mixing bowl. Bring enough water to cover onions to a boil. Pour over onions, and let blanch for about 30 seconds, using a slotted spoon transfer onions to a bowl filled with ice. With your fingers, pinch the root end of the onion, which should slip off the outer peel. If not, use a paring knife to remove it.

Garlic Miso Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

January 11, 1986 Kristen

Garlic Miso Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

30 oz cauliflower florets, approximately 1 large head

3 T. sesame oil

2 T. Everything-but-the-Bagel Spice (see notes for substitution)

15 oz long or medium-size pasta noodles (use gluten-free if necessary)

½ cup neutral tasting vegetable oil (e.g. grapeseed, avocado, etc)

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups reserved water from cooking the pasta

¼ cup miso paste (I use a lighter miso. Red or brown miso will be saltier and stronger tasting.) (use gluten-free if necessary)

½ cup nutritional yeast

1 T. rice wine vinegar

ground black pepper, to taste

sliced green onion and red chili flakes to garnish, optional

Defrost the cauliflower overnight in the fridge or a few hours at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet, or line it with parchment paper. Cut up any larger pieces of cauliflower so that the florets are all roughly the same size for even cooking. Drain the cauliflower and dry it on paper towel or a clean tea towel if necessary, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Toss the cauliflower with the sesame oil and Everything-but-the-Bagel spice. Spread the cauliflower out on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring there’s space between each floret so they can crisp on the edges. If they are all together, they will steam and remain soft. Once the oven has preheated completely, place the cauliflower on a middle rack and roast for 25-30 minutes, tossing once half way through. For the Garlic Miso Pasta: Prepare your pasta noodles according to package instructions except reduce the cooking time by 2 minutes. When the time is up, reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta in a colander. While the pasta drains, place the pot back on the stove over medium heat. Add the oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic and cook it for 30 seconds. Add the water and miso – whisk well until the miso is dissolved. Whisk in the nutritional yeast, rice wine vinegar and black pepper to taste. Add the pasta back to the pot, stirring to coat and bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until the noodles are al dente. The sauce will look thin at first but it will thicken as the noodles finish cooking. Serve the pasta immediately with roasted cauliflower over the top, and garnish with green onions and chili flakes if desired. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Like any pasta, the noodles will soak up any excess sauce – add a splash of water to leftovers when reheating to loosen them up.

Sunbutter Oatmeal Cookies

January 11, 1986 Kristen

Sunbutter Oatmeal Cookies

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

½ cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup and 2 T. white sugar

½ cup Sunbutter or creamy peanut butter

1 egg

¾ cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. kosher salt

⅔ cup old-fashioned oats

⅔ cup chocolate-covered sunflower seeds or chocolate chips

In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, white sugar, and Sunbutter until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, oatmeal, and chocolate-covered sunflower seeds; stir into the creamed mixture. Refrigerate for at least two hours or up to five days in a bowl covered in plastic wrap. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Use a cookie scoop to form cookies and place, evenly spaced about 2-inches apart, on a parchment-lined baking sheet; press down slightly. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the outsides are set and the middle is just beginning to set. Don’t over-bake. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. They should be soft. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Cinnamon Vanilla Sunflower Butter

January 10, 1986 Kristen

Cinnamon Vanilla Sunflower Butter

2 cups / 225 g raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup / 60 ml sunflower oil, divided
1/2 tsp. fine grain sea salt, plus more as needed

2 T. vanilla bean paste (or seeds scraped from 2 plump vanilla beans)

3 tsp. ground cinnamon
zest of 1/2 a lemon, or to taste

Toast the sunflower seeds in a 325F / 165C oven, on a rimmed baking sheet, until fragrant and golden. You’ll want to stir them once or twice along the way to ensure even roasting. Let cool for ten minutes. Puree the seeds in a food processor along with 1 T. sunflower oil, and the sea salt (if using). As the motor runs drizzle in another 2 T. of sunflower oil. Scrape down the sides once or twice along the way, you’re aiming for an even, creamy consistency, and it may take some time. Once the mixture starts to look smooth, add the vanilla paste and cinnamon, and pulse to incorporate. At this point, evaluate the consistency, if your sunflower seed butter is on the thick side, drizzle in the remaining T. of oil while the processor is running. Taste, and add more salt if needed (and the lemon zest. if using), as well. Makes about 1 1/2 cup

Picadillo with Bell Pepper Noodles

January 9, 1986 Kristen

Picadillo with Bell Pepper Noodles

1 T. extra virgin olive oil

2 bell peppers (Spiralized with Blade A)

3/4 pound ground beef lean

1/2 cup chopped white onions

2 cloves of garlic minced

1/2 cup canned tomato sauce

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

salt and pepper to taste

3 T. golden raisins

1/4 cup quartered pitted green olives

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add in the olive oil. Once heated, add the bell peppers and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes or until al dente (cook longer if you want them softer.) Remove the peppers from the skillet with tongs and transfer to a bowl and set aside. Immediately place in the onions and garlic to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes or until onions soften. Add in the ground beef and cook for 10 minutes or until it browns, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon. Add in the tomato sauce, cinnamon, cumin, and oregano, season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Lower the heat, cover and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. Uncover the pan and fold in the raisins and olives, cover and cook for another 5 minutes. Divide the bell pepper noodles into bowls and top with picadillo.

Crabless Crab Cakes

January 8, 1986 Kristen

Crabless Crab Cakes

Kernels from 4 medium ears of corn (about 2 cups)

¼ cup minced onion

¼ cup minced green bell pepper

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 (15-ounce) can whole hearts of palm or artichoke hearts, drained, diced, and lightly smashed

2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning

2 T. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/3 cup gluten-free bread crumbs, plus more as needed, or 1/2 cup almond meal

Salt and pepper

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. When water flicked onto the skillet sizzles, add the corn, onion, and bell pepper and cook until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer 1 cup of the mixture to a food processor and pulse until coarse-smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl and add the mayonnaise, hearts of palm, Old Bay, parsley, mustard, and bread crumbs. Season with salt and pepper and stir well. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using your hands, form the mixture into twelve cakes, 2 inches in diameter, and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes to bind. Heat 1 T. of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add six cakes and cook for about 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Transfer to a platter. Wipe down the skillet, add another 1 T. of the olive oil, and cook the remaining cakes.

Seared Wild Salmon with Minted Mango Salsa

January 7, 1986 Kristen

Seared Wild Salmon with Minted Mango Salsa

1 medium, ripe mango, peeled and diced

1 cup diced English hothouse cucumber

2 green onions, sliced

1 medium tomato, seeds removed and diced

1 small jalapeño, seeded, finely minced, optional

1 clove garlic, fi nely minced

1 T. coarsely chopped mint

2 T. fresh lime juice

Sea salt

2 T. coconut or olive oil

4 (4- to 5-ounce) wild salmon fi llets

Freshly ground black pepper

Combine mango, cucumber, green onions, tomato, jalapeño, garlic, mint, and lime juice in a medium bowl, stirring gently to combine. Add salt to taste. Cover and set aside. If not using right away, salsa can be chilled for up to 6 hours. Season salmon fillets on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. Sear salmon on both sides until golden brown and flakey, about 3 minutes each side. Spoon salsa on top and serve immediately.

Breakfast Tostadas

January 6, 1986 Kristen

Breakfast Tostadas

4 (6-inch) corn tortillas, (I use Mission Extra Thin Yellow Corn Tortillas)

2 large eggs

salt and pepper, to taste

1 cup fat free refried beans

1/8 tsp. chili powder

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1/8 tsp. cumin

2 oz peeled and sliced avocado

4-6 cherry tomatoes, sliced or chopped

4 T. salsa

4 lime wedges

2 tsp. chopped cilantro

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the tortillas on it in a single layer. Mist the tortillas with cooking spray and then flip each tortilla over and mist the other side. Place the tortillas in the preheated oven for 5 minutes*. When the 5 minutes is up, flip each tortilla over and put them back in for another 5 minutes until firm and crispy. *During the first 5 minutes the tortillas are cooking, I like to use the time to slice up my avocado, cherry tomatoes and cilantro so that the topping are ready to go. Once the tortillas are flipped and go back in the oven for the second five minutes, I prep the eggs and refried beans as follows. Crack the eggs into a bowl and add a splash of water (I turn on my faucet and run the bowl under real quick). Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper as desired and then beat the eggs with a whisk. Mist a small skillet with cooking spray and bring over medium heat on the stovetop. Once hot, add the eggs and cook, pushing them around with a spatula, for a minute or two until fully cooked/scrambled. Place the refried beans into a microwavable bowl and microwave on high for about a minute until hot. Add the chili powder, garlic powder and cumin and stir to combine. When the tortillas come out of the oven, spread ¼ cup of the warm refried beans over the surface of each tortilla. Top the beans on each tostada with ¼ of the scrambled eggs and ½ ounce of the sliced avocado. Add the tomatoes and a T. of salsa and then squeeze a lime wedge over the top. Sprinkle with cilantro if using and serve warm.

Grandma’s Long-Cooked Tomato Gravy

January 5, 1986 Kristen

Grandma’s Long-Cooked Tomato Gravy

1/2 cup olive oil

12 cup finely minced garlic

3 pounds onions, peeled and finely minced

3 medium-large carrots, peeled and finely minced

3 large stalks celery, finely minced

5 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes

4 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste

1 cup shredded fresh basil leaves, firmly packed

2 T. dried oregano

Sugar

12 cups water

5 pounds beef bones (I like to use some marrow bones)

5 pounds meaty pork bones (I like to use about a pound of pig’s feet as part of the mix)

1/2 pound piece of rind from pecorino Romano cheese

Place the olive oil in a very large stockpot over high heat. Add the garlic and onions and saute, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and saute, stirring occasionally, for another 5 minutes. Pour the tomatoes and their juices into the stockpot. Add the tomato paste, basil, and oregano. Taste for sweetness; if the sauce seems a little tart, adjust with sugar (I usually add about 1 T.). Add water. Bring sauce to a simmer. Add the beef bones, pork bones, and pecorino Romano rind. Stir well. Keep sauce at an active simmer for 3¥2 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. The sauce is done when it’s medium-thick but runny, and when you like the balance of tomato and meat flavors. If it’s too thin at 4 hours, raise the heat and reduce the sauce a bit. When the sauce is done, let it rest in the pot until it cools off slightly. Then remove most of the dark red oil swimming on top. Discard. Place the sauce in a large roasting pan. You may need several roasting pans, or you may need to do this in a few batches. When the sauce is cool enough, run your hands through the sauce, picking out and discarding any bones that you find. Use the sauce immediately, or freeze for future use.

Postlapsarian Bruschetta with Parsley, Red Pepper, Olive, and Caper Topping

January 4, 1986 Kristen

Postlapsarian Bruschetta with Parsley, Red Pepper, Olive, and Caper Topping

6 smashed and 3 whole garlic cloves

1 cup packed parsley leaves (washed and plucked from the stems)

2 cups roasted red bell pepper (home roasted or from a jar)

1/4 cup capers, drained

1 cup kalamata olives, pitted

1 round loaf country bread, not too dense, about 8 to 10 inches in diameter

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil (preferably young Tuscan)

Coarse salt

Prepare a medium-hot charcoal fire. In a food processor combine the 3 whole garlic cloves (peeled) and the parsley. Process until they are fine. Add the roasted red peppers, capers, and olives and pulse the mixture a few times until it is chunky. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reserve at room temperature. Cut the middle portion of the round loaf into 6 long slices, each one almost an inch thick. Cut these slices in half, making 12 half slices that are roughly 4 by 3 by 1 inch. When the fire is ready, place the 12 slices over it in a single layer. Cook, turning once, until the outsides of the bread are golden brown (with grill marks, if possible). This should take about 2 minutes per side; check frequently to make sure the bread isn’t burning. When the bread slices are done, rub them along the edges with the smashed garlic cloves. You can rub lightly or heavily, depending on your garlic preference — but you will need about 6 smashed cloves to reach all spots. Place the bread slices on a large platter in a single layer. Sprinkle each slice with 2 tsp. of the olive oil, breaking the surface of the bread lightly with the tip of a spoon to let the oil soak in. Season with coarse salt. Turn the slices over and repeat the oil-and-salt procedure. Top with the parsley-red pepper mixture and serve.

Lemon Crunch Cake

January 3, 1986 Kristen

Lemon Crunch Cake

1 cup granulated sugar

zest of 1 lemon, peeled with a vegetable peeler into strips. You want the yellow part, with as little of the bitter white as possible. Note: you don’t want the peel of the lemon, just the outer zest. Use a serrated vegetable peeler for best results and just peel off the yellow part, leaving the bitter white behind.

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp lemon extract

topping

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly spray and line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper. The paper is optional but helps lift the cake out for easy slicing. Put the sugar and zest in a food processor and process until the zest is completely incorporated, and the sugar is moist and pale yellow. Note: if you don’t have a processor then grate the zest of 1 lemon and mix with sugar by hand. Cream the butter and sugar together in a stand mixer, or in a bowl with a hand held mixer. Beat in the eggs, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Add the lemon juice and extract to the buttermilk. Alternately add the flour and buttermilk to the creamed sugar and eggs. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Blend until everything is well combined, but don’t over mix. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out evenly. Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the entire surface. Note: I know, it seems like a lot, but go with it, it makes a nice crust. Bake on the middle rack for about 30 minutes, or until golden.

Sheet Pan Breakfast Sandwich

January 2, 1986 Kristen

Sheet Pan Breakfast Sandwich

for 24 sandwiches

6 cups pancake mix

6 eggs

3 cups milk

3 lb breakfast sausage

12 eggs

½ cup milk

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

1 cup shredded mexican cheese blend

Preheat oven to 425˚F (220˚C). In a large bowl, combine pancake mix, eggs and milk being careful not to over-mix. Divide batter evenly onto two parchment paper-lined 17×11 inch baking sheets. Spread evenly and bake for 15 minutes. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour the eggs onto a parchment paper-lined 17×11 inch baking sheet. Spread evenly and bake for 15-17 minutes. Line another 18×13 inch baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out the sausage from corner to corner. Decrease oven temperature to 350˚F (180˚C) and bake for 20 minutes. Drain fat, and sprinkle cheese on top of the sausage. Bake for another 5 minutes at the same temperature. On a cutting board, layer the sandwich starting with a pancake, followed by sausage, egg, and the second pancake. Slice into breakfast size sandwiches and serve immediately, or wrap in parchment and freeze in a container for up to 1 month. Enjoy!

Variation for fillings

Canadian Bacon, Spinach, Hollandaise

6 slices canadian bacon

fresh spinach, to taste

hollandaise sauce, to taste

Chicken Sausage & Cheese

6 small chicken sausage breakfast patties

3 slices american cheese, halved

Bacon

6 bacon, cooked

Recipe for a Happy Home

January 1, 1986 Kristen

1 cup of Love
1 cup of Thoughtfulness
Blend with a pinch of Tenderness
1 big dash of Loyalty
Blend in Faith, Hope and Charity
Add a spoon of Compassion
Add a spoon of Ability to laugh at little things
Moisten with Tears of Joy, Sorrow and Sympathy
Bake in a pan of Good Nature and serve repeatedly

This recipe is important to me because my grandmother gave me a hand-written recipe book of all her favorite recipes that my family has enjoyed over and over throughout of lives…it just so happens the first entry/recipe in the book she gave to me was the one above. We all should remember the recipe above. I don’t know if this was an original recipe of my grandmother’s, but I do know that every time I get this particular recipe book out to search for something wonderful to make for my friends and family, I always read the first recipe in the book which is above.