Ingredients:
2 cups cooked couscous, prepared according to package instructions and cooled (I cook entire box and save extra for another meal)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 lemon, zested
Juice of 1/2 of the lemon
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 Tablespoons olive oil (more if pan gets dry)
1/3 cup mild mango chutney (I like Trader Joe's Mango Chutney)
Directions:
In a medium bowl, mix together the couscous, cilantro, egg, egg yolk, coriander, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture. Mix until combined.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Form 1/4 cupfuls of the mixture into 8 patties. Add 4 of the patties to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes each side until golden. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining couscous mixture.
Serve the couscous cakes with mango chutney.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Roasted Root Vegetables
Ingredients:
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium carrots (about 3/4 pound), cut into 1 1/2-inch thick circles
1 1/2 cups Brussels sprouts (about 1/2 pound), halved
4 cups red potatoes (about 1 pound), quartered
3 medium parsnips (about1 pound), cut into 1 1/2-inch thick slices
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
4-5 springs of fresh chopped rosemary
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cover baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Place vegetables on baking sheet and add the dried herbs, rosemary, salt and pepper. Toss well, evenly coating all the vegetables with the seasonings and oil. Add more oil if the vegetables seem dry. Place on middle rack in oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Toss once during cook time.
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium carrots (about 3/4 pound), cut into 1 1/2-inch thick circles
1 1/2 cups Brussels sprouts (about 1/2 pound), halved
4 cups red potatoes (about 1 pound), quartered
3 medium parsnips (about1 pound), cut into 1 1/2-inch thick slices
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
4-5 springs of fresh chopped rosemary
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cover baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Place vegetables on baking sheet and add the dried herbs, rosemary, salt and pepper. Toss well, evenly coating all the vegetables with the seasonings and oil. Add more oil if the vegetables seem dry. Place on middle rack in oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Toss once during cook time.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Grilled Salmon with Citrus Salsa
Ingredients:
Salsa:
2 large oranges
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 scallions, finely sliced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salmon:
Vegetable or canola oil, for oiling the grill
4 (4 to 5-ounce) center cut salmon fillets, skinned, each about 3-inches square
2 tablespoons amber agave nectar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
For the salsa: Peel and trim the ends from each orange. Using a paring knife, cut along the membrane on both sides of each segment. Free the segments and add them to a medium bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, scallions, mint, capers, orange zest, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Toss lightly and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
For the salmon: Put a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Brush the grilling rack with vegetable oil to keep the salmon from sticking. Brush the salmon on both sides with the agave nectar and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill until the fish flakes easily and is cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the salmon to a platter and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
Spoon the salsa verde on top of the salmon or serve on the side as an accompaniment.
Salsa:
2 large oranges
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 scallions, finely sliced
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salmon:
Vegetable or canola oil, for oiling the grill
4 (4 to 5-ounce) center cut salmon fillets, skinned, each about 3-inches square
2 tablespoons amber agave nectar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
For the salsa: Peel and trim the ends from each orange. Using a paring knife, cut along the membrane on both sides of each segment. Free the segments and add them to a medium bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, scallions, mint, capers, orange zest, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Toss lightly and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
For the salmon: Put a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Brush the grilling rack with vegetable oil to keep the salmon from sticking. Brush the salmon on both sides with the agave nectar and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill until the fish flakes easily and is cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer the salmon to a platter and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
Spoon the salsa verde on top of the salmon or serve on the side as an accompaniment.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Mini Italian Meatloafs with Three Cheese Pasta
Ingredients:
1 1/3 pounds ground sirloin (I use turkey)
1 large egg, beaten
2/3 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano, plus 1/2 cup
1/2 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound corkscrew shaped pasta with lines (cavatappi) or small shell pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup shredded asiago cheese
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 ketchup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon mustard
Directions:
Put a large pot of water on to boil for pasta. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place meat in a bowl. Make a well in meat. Fill well with egg, bread crumbs, 1/4 cup cheese, peppers, onions, garlic, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Mix meat and breading and form 4 individual oval meat loaves, 1-inch thick. Combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Coat loaves with ketchup mixture and arrange on a baking sheet. Roast 18 to 20 minutes (I find that take longer so check doneness by cutting into one of them especially if you use turkey).
When the pasta water boils, salt water and add pasta. Cook until slightly undercooked – pasta will continue to cook when combined with cheese sauce.
Melt butter in a saucepan and add flour. Whisk in milk. Bring to a bubble. Thicken milk, 2 to 3 minutes. Add cheeses: Cheddar, asiago, 1/2 cup Parmesan and black pepper. Stir to melt cheeses. Drain pasta and combine with melted cheese sauce and transfer to a baking dish or casserole. Place bread crumbs in a bowl and add extra-virgin olive oil. Top pasta with bread crumbs. Place under a broiler and brown bread crumbs. Serve cheese and pasta alongside meat loaf.
Makes 4 loaves ... I usually double meatloaf recipe.
1 1/3 pounds ground sirloin (I use turkey)
1 large egg, beaten
2/3 cup Italian bread crumbs, a couple of handfuls
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano, plus 1/2 cup
1/2 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound corkscrew shaped pasta with lines (cavatappi) or small shell pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup shredded asiago cheese
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 ketchup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon mustard
Directions:
Put a large pot of water on to boil for pasta. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place meat in a bowl. Make a well in meat. Fill well with egg, bread crumbs, 1/4 cup cheese, peppers, onions, garlic, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Mix meat and breading and form 4 individual oval meat loaves, 1-inch thick. Combine ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Coat loaves with ketchup mixture and arrange on a baking sheet. Roast 18 to 20 minutes (I find that take longer so check doneness by cutting into one of them especially if you use turkey).
When the pasta water boils, salt water and add pasta. Cook until slightly undercooked – pasta will continue to cook when combined with cheese sauce.
Melt butter in a saucepan and add flour. Whisk in milk. Bring to a bubble. Thicken milk, 2 to 3 minutes. Add cheeses: Cheddar, asiago, 1/2 cup Parmesan and black pepper. Stir to melt cheeses. Drain pasta and combine with melted cheese sauce and transfer to a baking dish or casserole. Place bread crumbs in a bowl and add extra-virgin olive oil. Top pasta with bread crumbs. Place under a broiler and brown bread crumbs. Serve cheese and pasta alongside meat loaf.
Makes 4 loaves ... I usually double meatloaf recipe.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Mice Truffles
Ingredients:
2/3 cup chocolate chips
2 cup crushed chocolate wafers, divided (I used chocolate graham goldfish - crushed the entire bag and reserved remainder for future use)
1/3 cup sour cream (used light)
Red nonpariels
White sprinkles
Sliced almonds
Black shoestring licorice
Directions:
In microwave melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in one cup crumbs and sour cream. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
For each mouse, roll about a tablespoon of the chocolate mixture into a ball, tapering one end to resemble a mouse. Roll in remaining crumns to coat. Position nonpareils for eyes and white sprinkles of whiskers. Sliced almonds are ears and licorice piece are tails.
Makes 1 dozen.
Note: Save crumbs and extra chips for quick truffle balls. Follow above directions and role in cocoa, toasted coconut, powdered sugar or other topping of choice.
2/3 cup chocolate chips
2 cup crushed chocolate wafers, divided (I used chocolate graham goldfish - crushed the entire bag and reserved remainder for future use)
1/3 cup sour cream (used light)
Red nonpariels
White sprinkles
Sliced almonds
Black shoestring licorice
Directions:
In microwave melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in one cup crumbs and sour cream. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
For each mouse, roll about a tablespoon of the chocolate mixture into a ball, tapering one end to resemble a mouse. Roll in remaining crumns to coat. Position nonpareils for eyes and white sprinkles of whiskers. Sliced almonds are ears and licorice piece are tails.
Makes 1 dozen.
Note: Save crumbs and extra chips for quick truffle balls. Follow above directions and role in cocoa, toasted coconut, powdered sugar or other topping of choice.
Beef and Cheese Manicotti
Ingredients:
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 pound ground beef
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
14 (8-ounce package) manicotti
1 (15-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups marinara sauce
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
Directions:
Heat a heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, onion and ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until the meat browns and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and cool.
Brush 1 teaspoon of oil over a large baking sheet. Cook the manicotti in a large pot of boiling salted water until slightly softened, but still very firm to the bite, about 4 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the manicotti from the pot to the oiled baking sheet and cool.
Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, 1 1/2 to 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and parsley. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper to taste, and mix. Stir the cooled meat mixture into the cheese mixture.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Brush the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. Fill the manicotti with the cheese-meat mixture. Arrange the stuffed pasta in a single layer in the prepared dish and spoon the remaining sauce over.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, then the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan over the stuffed pasta. Dot entire dish with the butter pieces. Bake the manicotti uncovered until heated through and the sauce bubbles on the sides of the dish, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let the manicotti stand 5 minutes and serve.
4 teaspoons olive oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 pound ground beef
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
14 (8-ounce package) manicotti
1 (15-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups marinara sauce
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
Directions:
Heat a heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, onion and ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until the meat browns and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and cool.
Brush 1 teaspoon of oil over a large baking sheet. Cook the manicotti in a large pot of boiling salted water until slightly softened, but still very firm to the bite, about 4 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the manicotti from the pot to the oiled baking sheet and cool.
Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, 1 1/2 to 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and parsley. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper to taste, and mix. Stir the cooled meat mixture into the cheese mixture.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Brush the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. Fill the manicotti with the cheese-meat mixture. Arrange the stuffed pasta in a single layer in the prepared dish and spoon the remaining sauce over.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, then the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan over the stuffed pasta. Dot entire dish with the butter pieces. Bake the manicotti uncovered until heated through and the sauce bubbles on the sides of the dish, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let the manicotti stand 5 minutes and serve.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
Ingredients:
1 (1 1/2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and 3/4-inch) diced (buy it peeled and chopped from Trader Joe's to make this easier)
Good olive oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 sliced shallots
4 ounces baby arugula, washed and spun dry
1/2 cup candied walnuts
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Pear Vinegarette (from Straub's or Trader Joe's)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the butternut squash and shallots on a sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss. Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender. Add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes.
Place the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts, and the grated Parmesan. Spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten and toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
1 (1 1/2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and 3/4-inch) diced (buy it peeled and chopped from Trader Joe's to make this easier)
Good olive oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 sliced shallots
4 ounces baby arugula, washed and spun dry
1/2 cup candied walnuts
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Pear Vinegarette (from Straub's or Trader Joe's)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the butternut squash and shallots on a sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss. Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender. Add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes.
Place the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts, and the grated Parmesan. Spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten and toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Easy Pumpkin Chili
Ingredients:
1 bag frozen fire roasted peppers/onions (Trader Joe's)
1/2 frozen fire roasted corn (Trader Joe's)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound lean ground beef (or turkey)
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their liquid
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
1 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (15-ounce) can chili beans
Directions:
Brown meat in large pot and pour off any excess oil. Add frozen peppers/onions and corn. Add tomatoes, pumpkin, water, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and add beans. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes more. Ladle chili into bowls and serve. Garish with cilantro, shreaded cheese and sour cream if desired.
1 bag frozen fire roasted peppers/onions (Trader Joe's)
1/2 frozen fire roasted corn (Trader Joe's)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound lean ground beef (or turkey)
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their liquid
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
1 cup water
1 tablespoon chili powder (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
1 (15-ounce) can chili beans
Directions:
Brown meat in large pot and pour off any excess oil. Add frozen peppers/onions and corn. Add tomatoes, pumpkin, water, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and add beans. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes more. Ladle chili into bowls and serve. Garish with cilantro, shreaded cheese and sour cream if desired.
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