Herb Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds small white boiling potatoes
• Sea salt
• 2 tablespoons good dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2/3 cup good olive oil
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

Directions:

1. Place the potatoes and 2 tablespoons salt in a large pot of water. Bring the water to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are barely tender when pierced with a knife. Drain the potatoes in a colander then place the colander with the potatoes over the empty pot off the heat. Leave the potatoes to steam for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender but firm. 
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the wine, chicken stock, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, 2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Set aside.
3. Cut potatoes into quarters or halves. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl and pour enough dressing over them to moisten. Add the onion and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss well and refrigerate for couple hours to allow the flavors to blend.

Banana Cream Pie

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups half-n-half
• 3 egg yolks, beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
• 4 bananas, sliced
• Whip cream
• Silvered almonds

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, flour, and salt. Add milk in gradually while stirring gently. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is bubbly. Keep stirring and cook for about 2 more minutes, and then remove from the burner.
2. Add egg yolk mixture to the rest of the hot mixture. Keep stirring and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove the mixture from the stove then add butter and vanilla. Stir until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
3. Slice bananas into the cooled baked pastry shell. Top with pudding mixture.
4. Bake at 350º for 12 to 15 minutes. Chill for an hour. Top with whip cream and sprinkle with silvered almonds when ready to serve.

Oatmeal Cranberry Walnut Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks of butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375º.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs and mix well. In another bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, and salt then add to butter mixture. Mix well. Stir in vanilla extract, cranberries, and walnuts until well blended.
3. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Classic Date Nut Bread

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks of butter, melted
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cup dates, chopped
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Grease a loaf pan with butter.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sugar. Pour in melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well. Stir in dates and walnuts. 
3. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes.

Tomato Sauce with Pancetta Pasta

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces of pancetta, diced
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 can tomato puree
• 1 pound linguine
• 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano
• Sea Salt
• Pinch of dried crushed red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, saute pancetta with butter over medium heat until golden brown which is about 8 minutes then add the onions and saute for 5 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes then season with salt. Stir in tomato puree and simmer uncovered over medium-low heat until sauce thickens which is about 15 minutes. Season the sauce with salt, to taste.
2. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the linguine until tender but still firm to the bite which is about 8 minutes. Drain.
3. Toss the linguine with the sauce and sprinkle Pecorino Romano cheese on top. Blend well and season with salt if necessary.

Broccoli & Cheese Bake

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds fresh broccoli, trimmed and cut into large florets
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 can sliced water chestnuts
• 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 pound cheese
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• Sea salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º. Butter a casserole.
2. Steam the broccoli until tender which is about 10 minutes. Melt the butter in a medium skillet and saute the celery, mushrooms, and onions until soft which is about 10 minutes. Combine the broccoli and vegetables in a bowl.
3. In a saucepan, combine mushroom soup and cheese until the cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Combine the vegetables and cheese soup into the casserole. Bake for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with grated cheddar cheese immediately and serve.

Grilled Lamb Chops

Ingredients:

• 3 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• Pink of cayenne pepper
• Sea salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 6 lamb chops

Directions:

1. In a food processor, combine garlic, rosemary, thyme, cayenne, salt, and pepper then pulse for half a minute. Pour in butter and pulse until mixture turns into a paste. Rub the paste on both sides of the lamb chops and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. After 1 hour, remove lamb chops from refrigerator and let it come to room temperature which is about 30 minutes.
2. Heat a grill pan over high heat then add the chops and sear for about 2 minutes. Cook for another 3 minutes on the other side for medium rare. If you want medium then add another 30 seconds. 

Panino di Prosciutto e Fontina

Ingredients:

• 4 slices fontina cheese
• 2 slices rustic white bread or french bread
• Butter
• Sea salt and pepper
• 5 fresh baby spinach leaves
• 3 paper-thin slices prosciutto

Directions:

1. Spread butter on bread slices. Place 2 slices of fontina cheese on top of each bread slice. Season with salt and pepper then add spinach and prosciutto. Add remaining slices of fontina cheese. Top with the second bread slice. Brush both sides of the sandwich with melted butter.
2. Heat a grill pan and grill the sandwich until the bread is golden brown and cheese melts which is about 4 minutes per side.

Broccoli & Tortellini Salad

Ingredients:

• 5 slices bacon
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 20 ounces fresh cheese-filled tortellini
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 3 heads fresh broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 cup raisins

Directions:

1. Saute bacon and onion with butter over medium heat until evenly brown. Set aside.
2. Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook tortellini in boiling water for 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
3. Prepare salad dressing in a small bowl by combining mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar.
4. In a serving bowl, combine broccoli, tortellini, bacon, and raisins. Pour dressing over salad and serve!

Italian Seafood Boil

Ingredients:

• 2 bay leaves
• 1 large fresh rosemary sprig
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 fennel bulb, chopped
• 3 large shallots, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3 cups fish broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 10 small littleneck clams, scrubbed
• 1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
• 1 russet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/2 pound fresh fish filets
• 1 pound large shrimps, peeled and deveined
• 2 corn cobs, quartered crosswise
• Sea salt

Directions:

1. Put the bay leaves, rosemary, and fennel seeds in a cheesecloth bag then set aside. Heat olive oil in a very large pot over medium heat and add chopped fennel and shallots. Saute until tender which is about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the can of tomatoes with juice, white wine, and fish broth. Stir in the tomato paste and add the sachet of herbs. Bring soup to a boil then reduce heat to simmer.
2. After 10 minutes, add the clams. Cover and cook until clams open which is about 6 minutes. Transfer clams to a bowl. Repeat the same process with the mussels and transfer to a bowl. Add the potatoes and cook until tender which is about 10 minutes. Add the fish filets, shrimp, and corn. Simmer for 5 minutes. Return the clams and mussels to the soup then season with salt and pepper.

Pecan Tarts

Ingredients:

• 1 packaged frozen store-bought tart shells
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325º. Place tart shells into tins. 
2. In a bowl, combine eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and pecans. Mix until well blended. Pour mixture into each tart shell and fill each tart until it is half full.
3. Bake for 30 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and the filling is set.

Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup oats
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 ounces English toffee candy, finely chopped
• 1 cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped
• 1 small bag of semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325º.
2. Chop the old-fashioned oats in a food processor. In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. 
3. In an electric mixer, combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture, toffee, hazelnuts, and chocolate chips.
4. Drop 1 rounded tablespoonful of dough on to lined baking sheets. Do not flatten dough. Allow 1-inch space apart from each cookie. Bake until the cookies are golden which is about 15 minutes. Cool completely then serve!

Banana Walnut Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed with a fork
• 1/2 cup toasted walnut pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º. In a medium bowl, combine sifted flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together eggs, vanilla, butter, and sugar. Prepare a loaf pan and lightly brush with butter or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a mixer, cream together the flour mixture with the eggs mixture. Mix until smooth then add in bananas and nuts slowly and mix until smooth which is about 2 minutes. 
3. Transfer the batter into a loaf pan and bake for 55 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread and if it comes out clean then the bread is ready.