Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Shrimp & Tomato Pasta


Ingredients:
  • 1 pound fettuccine pasta
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 flat fillets anchovies
  • 1 hot red or green chile, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine 
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • One 28-ounce can Italian tomatoes in puree
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3/4 pound large shrimp—deveined, tails discarded, and halved lengthwise
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 10 basil leaves, chopped roughly


Directions:
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. 
  2. Heat the olive oil in a pan. Stir in the anchovies, chile, and garlic then cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, the tomatoes, and crush the tomatoes with a masher. Season with oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer over medium heat until reduced which is about 20 minutes. 
  3. Season the shrimps with salt and the lemon juice. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat then add the shrimps and cook until pink which is about 2 minutes. Add to the sauce. Stir in the pasta, reserved pasta cooking water, basil, and toss to combine. Serve immediately!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookies


Ingredient:
  • 2 sticks of butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups oatmeal
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract


Directions:
 1. Preheat oven to 375º.
 2. Mix butter, sugar, and eggs together. In another bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and oatmeal. Cream both mixtures together. Add the raisins and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
Drop dough by round teaspoonfuls or mini ice cream scoop on to baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Let cool and serve!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Corn Bisque


Ingredients:

  • 1 (16 ounce) package Smoked Sausage
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained
  • 4 cups milk
  • 2 cups cubed potatoes, cooked, drained





Directions:
  1. Cut sausage into 1/2 inch cubes. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat then add onion. Cook until tender. Add flour, salt and pepper. Add milk and increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Add corn and sausage and return to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in potatoes and cook for 5 minutes. Serve. 


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Baked Rice Cake


Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • Japanese pre-sliced round rice cake (6 pieces)
  • Japanese seaweed (6 pieces)
  • 3/4 cup Chicken broth
  • 2 slices Cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fried onion pieces



Directions:
  1. In a large skillet, heat the oil then add the rice cakes. Pan-fry the rice cakes with low heat until soft. 
  2. Combine the soy sauce and sugar then brush the sauce on the rice cakes. Wrap each rice cake with a piece of seaweed and place in a baking dish. Set aside. Preheat oven to 250º.
  3. In a saucepan, boil the chicken broth and add cheddar cheese. Stir until combined. Pour the cheese sauce over the rice cakes.
  4. Bake the rice cakes for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately. 


Monday, January 21, 2013

Garlic Mushroom Risotto


Ingredients:

  • 6 cups chicken broth, divided
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 pound portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 1 pound white mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 2 shallots, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped chives
  • 4 tablespoons butter


Directions:

  1. In a saucepan, warm the broth over low heat.
  2. In a large saucepan, warm the olive oil and stir in the mushrooms, and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove mushrooms and its liquid. Set aside.
  3. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet and stir in the shallots and garlic. Add rice, stirring to coat with oil, about 2 minutes. When the rice has taken on a pale, golden color, pour in wine, stirring constantly until the wine is fully absorbed. Add 1/2 cup broth to the rice and stir until the broth is absorbed. Continue adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 15 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat, and stir in mushrooms, butter, and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste.


Friday, January 18, 2013

Strawberry Spinach Salad


Ingredients:

 • 1 bag of spinach, dried and chopped
 • 1 bag of romaine lettuce, dried and chopped
 • 1 pint of fresh strawberries, sliced
 • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
 • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
 • 1 tablespoon of sugar
 • 1/4 cup milk
 • handful of raisins


Directions:

 1. In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine, spinach, and strawberries.
In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and milk. Shake well and pour the dressing over salad. Sprinkle with a handful of raisins!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Almond Blueberry Cookies


Ingredients:
 • 2 cups all-purpose flour
 • 2 teaspoons baking powder
 • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
 • 1 stick butter
 • 1 1/2 cup sugar
 • 1 egg
 • 1/4 cup milk
 • 1 teaspoon almond extract
 • 1/2 cup chopped almonds
 • 1 cup fresh blueberries


Directions:
 1. Combine flour, baking powder, and sea salt in a medium bowl.
 2. In another medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat egg into mixture then add milk and almond extract.
 3. Combine and stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Fold in the almonds and blueberries. Put the dough into the fridge for 30 minutes.
 4. Preheat oven to 375º. Drop cookies on to baking sheet and bake until golden brown around the edges which is approximately 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Monday, January 14, 2013

Shrimp on Garlic Toasts


Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped
  • Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 8 slices of crusty french bread
  • 1 1/4 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh chives


Directions:


  1. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat then add the garlic, salt and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes and remove from the heat. Brush both sides of the bread with some of the garlic mixture and arrange on a baking sheet. Broil the bread until toasted about 1 minute per side. Divide the bread among 4 bowls.
  2. Place the skillet with the remaining garlic mixture over high heat. Add the shrimp and toss to coat then stir in the wine and lemon juice. Transfer to the broiler and cook until the shrimp are pink which is about 5 minutes then transfer to the bowls.
  3. Return the skillet to high heat and boil the cooking liquid until slightly thickened then stir in the chives. Whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and pour over the shrimps. Serve immediately. 


Friday, January 11, 2013

Conghilie Pasta with Clams


Ingredients:

  • 1 pound conghilie/small shells pasta
  • 1 pound broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and ground black pepper
  • 1 pound small littleneck clams, scrubbed
  • 1 pound mussels, debearded
  • 1 1/2 cup white wine



Directions:


  1. Add the pasta to a large pot of salted boiling water and cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the broccoli into the pasta water and continue cooking until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, and the broccoli is blanched, about 3 minutes. Drain pasta and broccoli. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add the garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper and saute for 3 minutes then add the clams, mussels, and wine. Cook for 5 minutes, making sure all the shells have opened. Discard any shells that remain closed.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, broccoli, and clams. Season with more salt and pepper if desired. 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Asparagus with Scrambled Eggs


Ingredients:

  • 1 pound fresh asparagus
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • 6 extra-large eggs
  • 3 tablespoons half-and-half
  • 1 tablespoon butter, divided
  • 2 slices of bread




Directions:


  1. Preheat the oven to 400º. Trim the ends of asparagus then place on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast asparagus for 20 minutes.
  2. While the asparagus is roasting, mix the eggs in a bowl with the half-and-half. Season with salt and pepper. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet and cook the eggs on low heat until done. Serve with the roasted asparagus and bread.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Berry Strata


Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons honey
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 slices of bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced



Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and add in the honey. Turn off heat and set aside.
  2. In a bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta, and sugar. Mix to combine and beat the eggs. Add the milk, butter and honey mixture, and bread. Gently fold in the blueberries and strawberries.
  3. Transfer into a baking dish and place in the refrigerator for 3 hours and up to 12 hours if you are preparing this dish ahead of time.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350º. Bake the berry strata until golden on top, about 45 minutes.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Chicken and Cauliflower Curry


Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup prepared curry paste
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups plain yogurt
  • 6 bone-in skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cups fresh mushrooms, roughly sliced
  • 1 head cauliflower, broken into large florets
  • 1 bunch fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 lemon, cut in wedges



Directions:

Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the garlic. Add the curry paste and continue to cook for about 3 minutes. Add chicken broth into the pan then pour into a slow cooker. Whisk the yogurt into the broth. 
Season the chicken with salt and pepper then add the chicken with mushroom into the slow cooker. Cook on the high setting for 6 hours. Add the cauliflower after 3 hours. 
Transfer the delicious curry into serving bowl and sprinkle with fresh mint leaves. Serve with lemon wedges. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Salmon & Egg Salad

Ingredients:


2 cups cooked, flaked salmon
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper
1/2 lemon, juiced



Directions:

In a large bowl, combine bell pepper, cucumber, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Gently stir in salmon and eggs. Drizzle lemon juice into the salad and serve over lettuce.