Monday, January 30, 2012

Cauliflower Gratin

Ingredients:
  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into large florets
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups hot milk
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs
  • Sea salt and black pepper

Directions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 375º. Cook the cauliflower florets in a large pot of salted water for 5 minutes then drain.
  2. In a saucepan, melt the butter and add the flour, stirring constantly. Add the hot milk and stir until it comes to a boil. Add salt and pepper and Parmesan cheese, stir about 1 minute or until mixture thickens.
  3. Pour half of the sauce in a baking dish then add the cauliflower. Pour remaining sauce over the califlower. Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs, salt, and pepper. Bake for 25 minutes or until the top is browned. Serve and enjoy hot.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Rose Garden Salmon

Ingredients:
  • 1 pound Wild Atlantic Salmon
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Sea salt and black pepper

Directions:
  1. In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, salt, and pepper together.
  2. Place salmon in a baking dish then coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish and let the salmon marinade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Turn once after 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400º.
  3. Bake salmon for 15 minutes and serve hot.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Salami Biscuits from Italy

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 8 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup salami, diced
  • (Optional) 2 tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola


Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 425º.
  2. Combine the flour, baking powder and soda, salt, and cold butter in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl.
  3. Add buttermilk, salami, and Gorgonzola to the flour mixture. Stir until mixture forms a ball then turn mixture out on a floured surface. Roll dough to 1/2 inch thick.
  4. Cut out biscuits by using a 1-inch diameter cookie cutter and place on baking sheets. Bake until golden which is approximately 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Veronique Salad

Ingredients:
  • 4 split chicken breasts
  • Olive oil
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
  • 1 cup small-diced celery
  • 1 cup green grapes, cut in halves

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and place on a sheet pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, use generous amount. Roast for 35 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Set aside to cool.
  3. After the chicken is cool, cut the chicken into 3/4 inch dice or bite-size. In a bowl, combine chicken, mayonnaise, tarragon leaves, celery, grapes, salt and pepper. Toss well and serve.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Italian Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:
  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
  • 1 (14 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced
  • 1 (14 ounce) can great Northern beans, undrained
  • 2 small zucchini, cubed
  • 2 cups spinach, torned
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper

Directions:
  1. In a stockpot, saute the sausage and garlic until brown. Add broth, tomatoes, and carrots. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
  2. Add in beans, zucchini, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until the zucchini is tender which is about 20 minutes. Add in spinach and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy.