Friday, August 26, 2011

Week of August 28 - After Hurricane Irene Passes

Mussels with Chorizo
I'm going to try a recipe by Patricia Wells in her Vegetable Harvest book.  I also found the recipe on The Chicago Tribune's website.  You'll find it below.

Tuna, Chive, and Shallot Tartare
This is another Patricia Wells recipe from Vegetable Harvest.  The book is great during the summer.  You can find this recipe by typing "Tuna, Chive, and Shallot Tartare" once you are in http://books.google.com/.

Penne with Fava Beans, Basil Puree and Parmesan
One more Patricia Wells recipe from Vegetable Harvest to add to the list.  Find the recipe using the same method as above.  I found peeled fava beans in the produce section of Whole Foods.

Mortadella and Fig Focaccianini (Fig sandwich with cheese and mortadella)
This recipe is from the "Sandwich King" on Food Network.  I used ciabatta bread and fresh figs.  It's very tasty.  Find it at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jeff-mauro/mortadella-and-fig-focaccianini-recipe/index.html

Masoor Dal and Sag Paneer
An Indian specialty grocery store recently opened near us in Norwalk, CT.  Ever since my husband went to India for business a few years ago, he has been asking me to make Indian food.  Now that I can find the ingredients I need, I am going to try this dish.  I've already made my own paneer cheese (not hard at all).   Find Aarti's recipes from Foot Network at:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aarti-sequeira/mums-everyday-red-lentils-recipe/index.html AND http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aarti-sequeira/saag-paneer-spinach-with-indian-cheese-recipe/index.html


Chorizo and cilantro flavor mussel memories

January 30, 2008|By Chicago Tribune
Farm-raised mussels are usually inexpensive and always delicious. This recipe, from "Vegetable Harvest," by Patricia Wells, calls for Spanish-style chorizo, a hard, cured sausage somewhat similar to pepperoni.
Mussels with chorizo and cilantro
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 13 minutes


Yield: 4 servings
2 pounds fresh mussels, cleaned, debearded, see note
2 onions, peeled, halved, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 ounces thinly sliced cured chorizo sausage, cut into julienne strips
Freshly ground pepper
1 cup cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
1. Scrub the mussels; rinse with several changes of water. Discard any mussels that remain open when pressed; set aside.
2. Combine the onions, oil and salt in a large saucepan, stirring to blend. Cover; cook over low heat until onions are softened but not brown, about 3 minutes. Uncover; add the wine. Raise heat to medium-high; heat to a boil. Cook until wine reduces by half, about 5 minutes. Add the mussels, cover. Cook just until the mussels open, about 5 minutes. (Do not overcook.) Discard any mussels that do not open. Transfer the mussels to a large bowl; add the chorizo.
3. Place a strainer over a bowl; line with several thicknesses of dampened cheesecloth. Carefully pour the cooking liquid into the strainer; transfer the liquid into the bowl with the mussels. Season with pepper; top with cilantro.
Note: Do not pull the small black beard that hangs from the mussels more than a few minutes in advance of cooking or they will die.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Lemon-Chive Dressing (Patricia Wells)

I neglected to include this in my last post.  It's tasty!


Creamy Lemon-Chive Dressing
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup light cream
1/3 cup finely minced fresh chives
Lemon zest
In a jar with a lid, combine the lemon juice and salt. Cover with the lid and shake to dissolve the salt. Add the cream, chives and lemon zest. Shake to blend. Taste for seasoning.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Week of August 21 - A bit of Italian

Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli in Brown Butter
I have made homemade pasta before but never ravioli.  I'm excited to try this as it's my favorite kind of ravioli.  I found a recipe at: www.grouprecipes.com (there are a few to choose from).

Avocado & Crab "Ravioli"
This is a recipe from Patricia Wells' book Vegetable Harvest.  You can find it on-line at:
http://www.corksavvy.com/wine-food-pairings/articles/patricial-wells-avocado-and-crab-ravioli

Baked Eggplant and Tomato-Basil Bruschetta (Julia Child)
I found the baked eggplant recipe in my Frame by Frame Italian cookbook.  A similar recipe can be found at: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/eggplant-parmesan-ii/detail.aspx

Pork with Borlotti Beans
I also found this in Frame by Frame Italian.  Here's another similar recipe:
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/braised_pork_shoulder_and_white_beans.php

Spinach, Radish & Mint Salad
This too is from Patricia Wells' book Vegetable Harvest.  Here's the super easy recipe:


1 pound (20 to 25) radishes, washed and trimmed

4 cups (about 8 ounces) baby spinach leaves, washed and dried

1/2 cup fresh mint, rinsed and cut into thin strips

About 2 tablespoons Creamy Lemon-Chive Dressing (see recipe)

Fleur de sel (French sea salt) or another large-crystal salt

Cut radishes crosswise into thin slices. Place in a large bowl; add spinach and mint. At serving time, add just enough dressing to coat the ingredients lightly. Season with salt, arrange on 4 salad plates and serve.

Per serving: 45 calories; 1g fat (20 percent calories from fat); 0.5g saturated fat; 2mg cholesterol; 2.5g protein; 6.5g carbohydrate; 2g sugar; 4g fiber; 119mg sodium; 108mg calcium; 300mg potassium.

Adapted from "Vegetable Harvest," by Patricia Wells (2007, William Morrow, 336 pages, $34.95).
Looking for more great recipes?
Check out the Recipe Exchange, Food Editor Judith Evans' blog
http://www.stltoday.com/recipeexchange
stltoday



Thursday, August 18, 2011

Best of the Week of Aug 14

The Rocco meatballs were fantastic!!  We are really enjoying them.  There were so many meatballs that we've been eating them for leftovers all week.  I also squeezed in a Lemon Meringue Pie where I combined two recipes I found on-line.  I just pulled it out of the oven and it looks beautiful.  I hope you all had a great week!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Week of August 14

This week includes fish and seafood most nights.

Lemon-Stuffed Grilled Branzino with Arugula and Watercress
Branzino is a European sea bass that is available whole at our local Whole Foods.  I found a simple, nice-looking recipe at www.foodandwine.com.   I plan to mix the arugula and watercress, then toss with olive oil and lemon juice.

Chicken Fricassee with Vinegar & Herbs
I have never made this, but I found a recipe on Raymond Blanc's website (www.raymondblanc.com) that looks good.  I'm excited to try it!

Salmon with Baby Bok Choy and Shiitake Mushrooms
This is an old standby at our house.  I found a recipe by Nigella Lawson years ago and make it at least once a month.  You can find the same recipe at www.nigella.com.

Meatballs and Spaghetti
It's hard to believe, but I've never made this dish before.  I'm going to try Rocco Dispiritos' recipe available at www.foodnetwork.com (it includes a recipe for marinara sauce).  Yum!

Tomato and Crab Soup
Costco sells crabmeat for a reasonable price and I thought this would be tasty.  Bon Appetit has a recipe by Ian Knauer available at www.epicurious.com.  We'll see how it goes.

Have a great week everyone!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Week of August 7 - Mix it up!

This week includes a variety of flavors and ingredients.  Please let me know what you think!

Endive Salad
I like Raymond Blanc's which includes roquefort and walnuts.  You can find it at this website:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1358286/Recipe-Chicory-walnut-roquefort-salad.html

Grilled Fish Tacos with Chipotle Cream
This is a really tasty, healthy, and filling meal.  Elie Krieger's recipe is available on the Food Network website:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/fish-tacos-with-chipotle-cream-recipe/index.html

Veal Milanese
This is one of my husband's favorite meals.  It's not hard to make and his fairly quick.  You can substitute chicken for the veal if you prefer.  We like this recipe:  http://www.go-at-home.com/recipeDetail.asp?RecipeID=314

Fig Tart with Carmelized Onions, Rosemary and Stilton
I've never tried this one but it sounds amazing.  I found it a while back in the NY Times.  Please let me know if you try it.  It can be found at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/dining/301arex.html

Stuffed Zucchini Flowers
We are growing zucchinis in our garden and that made me think of this recipe because the yellow flowers are big and beautiful right now.  I've never tried this one, but it sounds good.  This recipe is from Jamie Oliver and can be found at:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-oliver/crispy-zucchini-flowers-stuffed-with-ricotta-and-mint-recipe/index.html

I hope you all are enjoying your summer!  Have a great weekend and next week.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Favorites of the Week ending August 5

We squeezed all five meals in already this week.  We had the Panzanella for lunch yesterday.  You really can't beat the Baked Pancakes with Spinach, Mushrooms and Gruyere by Raymond Blanc!  I also made a berry jam I saw Giada De Laurentis make on the Today show.  It is great.  The recipe is available at today.msnbc.msn.com...search on "Mixed berry and thyme jam".  These were our two favorites for the week.