Archive for March, 2009

Filed Under (Pasta) by caroladmin on 31-03-2009


Creamy and Delicious

On the table in 30 minutes

 

Penne Pasta with Goat Cheese, Canadian Bacon and Basil with Toasted Walnuts

Yield:  4-6 Servings

 

INGREDIENTS

 

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 ounces mini penne pasta

3 ounces Canadian bacon, rind removed and cut into small pieces

2 gloves garlic, finely chopped

½ - ¾ cup heavy cream

4-6 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped for garnish

Salt and fresh grated black pepper

 

PREPARATION

 

Cook pasta as directed, drain and set aside in a large bowl.

In a large skillet, melt butter and then add garlic and chopped Canadian bacon.  Sauté for 3-4 minutes to soften garlic and lightly brown the bacon.  Stir frequently and make sure that the garlic does not burn.  Lower the heat and add heavy cream to garlic and bacon mixture.  Gently bring it to a simmer, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and pour sauce over the pasta.  Add goat cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil and toss gently.  Season with salt and black pepper.

 

To serve, plate and sprinkle with toasted walnuts and fresh chopped basil.

 

 



Filed Under (Sauces, Dressings & Specials) by caroladmin on 28-03-2009



Yield: ½ cup

 

INGREDIENTS

 

½ cup good mayonnaise

¾ teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika

1 teaspoon lemon juice

 

PREPARATION

 

In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, paprika and lemon juice.  Refrigerate and use on all kinds of fish, chicken, burgers and sandwiches. 



Filed Under (Appetizers, International) by caroladmin on 28-03-2009

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Manchego Cheese

 

Manchego cheese is produced in the La Mancha region of Spain and is made from the whole milk of Manchega sheep.  The cheese is rich, semi-firm and aged in natural caves for 3-6 months.  It has a distinctive herringbone design embossed in the rind.  The taste is slightly salty, but not too strong.  The texture is creamy and a slight bit piquant – similar in taste to feta cheese, but less salty and a more chewy texture. 

 

As with wine, Serrano ham and olive oil, Manchego cheese is protected by the government.  It controls its production, ensures the exclusive use of milk from Monchega sheep and dictates an aging period (in natural caves) of a minimum of two months. 


Warm Almond Crusted Monchego Cheese with Hot Garlic Vinaigrette and Toasted Almonds

 

Yield:  2 Appetizer Servings

 

INGREDIENTS

 

¼ cup all-purpose flour

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 large egg

1 tablespoon water

¼ cup panko bread crumbs

2 tablespoons ground almonds

1 (8-ounce) slice Manchego cheese, about 1-inch thick

2 tablespoons olive oil

Hot Garlic Vinaigrette, recipe follows

¼ cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat leaf parsley


PREPARATION

 

Set up three bowls:  1 with flour, seasoned with salt and pepper; 1 with egg and 1 tablespoon of water and seasoned with salt and pepper and 1 with bread crumbs and ground almonds. 

 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

 

Cut cheese into 2 equal pieces.  Dredge the cheese first in the flour, then the egg wash and finally in the bread crumbs.  Place the cheese in a small cazuela, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is soft.  Immediately drizzle with the Hot Garlic Vinaigrette and sprinkle with slivered almonds and parsley.  Serve with warm crusty bread.

 

Hot Garlic Vinaigrette

 

INGREDIENTS

 

¼ cup olive oil

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tablespoons aged sherry vinegar

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

PREPARATION

 

Heat oil over low heat in sauté pan.  Add garlic and cook until light golden brown.  Remove from heat and whisk in the vinegar.  Season with salt and pepper.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:  Bobby Flay - Boy Meets Grill - Episode - Tapas

 



Filed Under (Desserts, Pudding) by caroladmin on 28-03-2009

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Meyer Lemon Buttermilk Pudding with Fresh Berries

Yield:  6-8 Servings

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1-½ cups buttermilk

1 cup granulated sugar – divided

4 large egg yolks

1/3 cup fresh Meyers lemon juice

Zest of one lemon

¼ cup all purpose flour

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 large egg whites

 

Assorted fresh berries

 

PREPARATION

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter 8×8x2 inch glass baking dish.  Blend buttermilk, ½ cup sugar, egg yolks, lemon juice, lemon zest, flour, butter and salt in blender and blend until smooth.  Transfer buttermilk to medium bowl.  Using electric mixer, beat egg whites in large bowl until soft peaks form.  Gradually add remaining ½ cup sugar and beat until stiff, but not dry.  Gently fold buttermilk mixture into whites in 3 additions (batter will be runny).

 

Pour batter into prepared dish.  Place dish in roasting pan.  Pour enough hot water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of dish.  Bake until entire top is evenly browned and cakes moves slightly in center, but feels slightly springy to touch, about 45 minutes.  Remove dish from roasting pan.

 

Cool cake completely in baking dish on rack.  Refrigerate until cold, at least 3 hours and up to 6 hours.  Spoon the pudding cake into shallow bowls.  Top with assorted berries. 

 

 

 

Adapted:  Bon Appetit – January 2005

 



Filed Under (Features and Tips) by caroladmin on 26-03-2009


Confused about the terms that are cropping up in the produce section of your local supermarket or when you wander around a farmer’s market?  I sure have been – sustainable, local, and organic.  What is the difference?  I found this simple explanation in the April 2009 issue of Better Homes & Gardens.

 

Sustainable – The goal of sustainable agriculture is to be profitable and meet the needs of the human consumer while maintaining environmentally sound practices.  Sustainable agriculture also addresses quality of life issues of the farm worker and their communities.

 

Organic – The USDA has defined organic foods as those produced using sustainable agricultural practices with no synthetic fertilizers, conventional pesticides or bioengineering.   The USDA “Certified Organic” seal signifies that a product is made with at least 95% organic ingredients.

 

Natural – The FDA has not established formal guidelines for the use of the term “natural”.  Generally, to use the term natural on product labels the product must not contain any added color, artificial flavor or synthetic substances.  The use of “natural” does not speak to how the products ingredients are grown or produced.

 

Local – This is a unregulated term that generally indicates that the product was produced locally (within a 100 mile radius).  The advantage of buying locally is that it supports your local economy and given the close proximity, the foods should be fresher.

 

To learn more about sustainable agriculture visit these sites:

 

·        www.farmtotable.org

·        www.localharvest.org – (includes listing of organic restaurants throughout the country - my favorite is Farm255 in Athens, GA)

·        www.cityharvest.org

·        www.chefscollaborative.org

 

 

 

 



Filed Under (Sandwiches) by caroladmin on 25-03-2009


Yield:  8 Sandwiches

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups hot milk

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon freshly grated black pepper

Pinch of nutmeg

5 ounces freshly grated Gruyere cheese

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

16 slices white bread, crusts removed

Dijon mustard

8 ounces baked ham, sliced but not paper thin

 

PREPARATION

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

Melt the butter over a low heat in a small saucepan and add the flour all at once, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes.  Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter-flour mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is thickened.  Remove from heat and add the salt, pepper, nutmeg and ½ cup grated Gruyere cheese and the Parmesan cheese.  Stir until fully blended and set aside.

 

To toast the bread, place the slices on 2 baking sheets and bake for 5 minutes.  Turn each slice and bake for another 2 minutes, until toasted.  Lightly brush half the toasted breads with mustard, add a slice of ham to each and sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere and bake sandwiches for 5 minutes.  Turn on the broiler and broil for 3-5 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned.  Serve hot.

 

 

 

Source:  Ina Garten – Barefoot in Paris - 2004

 

 



Filed Under (Cookies & Bars) by caroladmin on 24-03-2009


INGREDIENTS

 

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

½ cup toasted wheat germ

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon coarse salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup light brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1-½ cups raisins

 

PREPARATION

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Stir together oats, flour, wheat germ, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.  Put butter and sugars in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.  Mix in eggs and vanilla.  Reduce speed to low.  Add oat mixture; mix until just combined.  Mix in raisins.

 

Using a 1-½ inch ice cream scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or use a Silpat, spacing 2 inches apart.  Flatten slightly.

Bake until golden and just set, about 14 minutes, rotating halfway through.  Let cool on sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes.  Transfer cookies to wire racks and let cool completely.  Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature up to 3 days.

 

 

 

 

 

Source:  Martha Stewart – Martha Stewart’s Cookie - 2008



Filed Under (On the Side) by caroladmin on 21-03-2009


Yield: 4-6 Servings

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 lbs fingerling potatoes

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 fresh rosemary sprigs, leaves only

2 fresh thyme sprigs, leaves only

1-2 Meyer lemons, cut into quarters

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

 

PREPARATION

 

Wash potatoes and cut lengthwise.  Toss potatoes with oil and then toss with rosemary, thyme and lemon wedges in a roasting pan.  Season with salt and pepper and then roast the potatoes for approximately 25-30 minutes or until fork tender and golden brown.  Stir the potatoes occasionally while roasting.  Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste.    Serve immediately with roasted chicken.

 

 

 

Source:  Tyler Florence – Dinner At My Place - 2008





Yield:  4 Servings

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

¼ cup all-purpose flour, divided

2 ½ cups reduced sodium chicken broth

2 ounces deli ham, chopped

2 ounces Swiss cheese, grated

 

PREPARATION

 

Toss chicken pieces in about 2 tablespoons of flour, until well-coated, adding more if necessary.

In a well-oiled skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken for 6-8 minutes, turning once, or until just cooked through.  Remove and set aside tenting with foil to keep warm. 

Reduce heat and whisk remaining 2 tablespoons flour into remaining oil in the pan, adding a little more if the pan is particularly dry, until the flour is absorbed.  Add chicken broth, increase heat and bring to a simmer, scraping up any bits of flour stuck to the pan.  Cook until the sauce begins to thicken, stirring frequently.  Add chicken and ham to pan and stir to coat.  Sprinkle Swiss cheese on top and cover.  Reduce heat to low and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese melts. 

 

 

Source:  Atlanta Journal Constitution - March 12, 2009

 

 



Filed Under (Recipe Index) by caroladmin on 14-03-2009


                                                                                                                              

Apple Fritters

Apple Coffeecake

Apple Crisp

Apple Bars

Apple Crostata

Amish Apple Pie

Apple Tart

Applesauce Cake with Brown Sugar Sauce

Applesauce

Asparagus

Almond Hot Chocolate

 

B                                                                                                                               

BLT Dip

Benedictine Spread

Buttermilk Biscuits with Goat Cheese and Chives

Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry Cream Muffins

Buttermilk Waffles

Buttermilk-Sour Cream Pancakes

Bellini

Brownies

Banana Pudding

Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Buttermilk Cake with Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting

Beefy Shepherd’s Pie

Beef and Bean Chili

Baked Beans

Broccoli and Corn Calzones

Baked Ziti

Beef Chili

Beef Stew

Veggie and Black Bean Burrito

Blue Cheese, Bacon and Toasted Walnut Salad

Blue Cheese Potato Salad

Basil Tomato Soup

Baked Potato Soup

Houston’s Baked Potato Soup

 

C                                                                                                                               

Chili Cheese Dip

Cherry Tomatoes with Spanish Olive Tapenade

Crabmeat Casserole

Cream Cheese Dumplings with Tomato Basil Vinaigrette

Cheddar Cheese Ball

Cranberry Bread

Cheese and Scallion Scones

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Crumb Coffeecake

Cheese Biscuits

Cinnamon Crumb Surprise

Cinnamon Bread Custard with Fresh Berries

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cheesy Burger Mac

Crockpot Beef Stew

Crockpot Pot Roast

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies

Coconut Custard Cake

Chocolate Fudge Sauce

Coconut Macaroon Cookies

Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Chantilly Cream

Chocolate Pudding Tartlets

Crunchy Fudgy Sandwiches

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Classic Cheesecake

Coconut Cake

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cupcakes – Kahlua - Vegan/Fat Free

Cupcakes – Be My Valentine

Carrot Cake – Vegan/Fat Free

Cupcakes – Vegan/Fat Free

Cake Brownies with Chocolate Sauce

Crème Brulee

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dressing Casserole

Crushed Heirloom Potatoes

Rosemary Garlic Chicken

Crab Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes

Stuffed Chicken with Garlic, Basil and Cheese

Pulled Chicken with Penne, Roasted Red Peppers, Basil and Garlic

Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Homey Drizzle

Chicken Salad

Chicken with Linguine with Basil Cream Sauce

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Cranberry Conserve

Crunchy Coleslaw

Roasted Carrots with Dill

Caramelized Onions

Corn Fritters

Corn Souffle

Cheese Biscuits

Chicken and Broccoli Salad Wraps

Cucumber-Tomato Salad

Cinnamon Butter

Crème Fraiche

Corn Chowder

Cream of Broccoli Soup

 

                                                                                                                              

Dulce De Leche Ice Cream Pie with Mocha Fudge Sauce

Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs with Bacon

Dilled Salmon Pasta Salad

 

E                                                                                                                               

Egg Salad Crostini with Chives

Eggs Benedict with Easy Hollandaise Sauce

Eggs-in-a-Poke

Ecuadorian Potato Soup

 

F                                                                                                                               

Four Cheese Crostini

Fresh Herb Dip

French Toast Casserole

French Toast

Fudge

Fried Corn

Fettuccine Alfredo

Fries – Oven

Fresh Fruit Salad with Honey Vanilla Yogurt

French Onion Soup with Cheese Toast

 

G                                                                                                                               

Game Day Nachos with Chorizo Sausage

Garlic Croutons

German Apple Pancake

Gin Fizz

Gin and Tonic

Grand Marnier Souffles

German Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce

Green Beans with Tomatoes and Basil

Glazed Popcorn

 

                                                                                                                              

Holiday Cookie Bars

Hot Brown Casserole

Heirloom Tomato Basil Mozzarella Salad

 

                                                                                                                               

Irish Coffee

Ice Cream Cake

Italian Sausage Casserole

Italian Pasta Bake

 

J

 

K                                                                                                                               

Kentucky Derby Pie

Key Lime Pie

Kugela

 

L                                                                                                                                

Lemon Loaf Cake

Long Island Ice Tea

Lemon Ice Box Pie

Lemon Squares

Lemon Curd Layer Cake

Linguine with Gorgonzola

 

M                                                                                                                               

Mediterranean Brushetta

Mojito

Mint Julep

Meyers Lemon Tart

Mocha Cheesecake

Martha Stewart’s Macaroni and Cheese

5 Star Mac and Cheese

Mini Meatloaves

“French Onion” Mac and Cheese

Over the Top Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese Carbonara

Baked Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Mashed Potato Casserole with Smoked Gouda and Bacon

Fried Mashed Potatoes

Mayonnaise – Homemade

 

                                                                                                                              

Navy Bean and Ham Soup

 

O                                                                                                                               

Onion and Goat Cheese Tartlets

Oatmeal Shortbread

Oatmeal Cookies with Walnuts and Chocolate Chips

Orecchiette Carbonara with Green Onions

Orzo with Chicken and Basil

 

P                                                                                                                                

Pepperoni and Cheese Crescents

Pinecone Dip

Pan Fried Onion Dip

Pizza Dough

Pecan Oatmeal Cookies

Pecan Tarts

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pastry Cream

Pecan Crescent Cookies

Pecan Pie

Profiteroles

Peanut Butter Temptations

Potato Salad

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Sweet Potato Souffle with Walnuts

Holiday Mashed Potatoes

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Pork Tenderloin

Primavera Orzo

Pot Roast

Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Potato, Onion and Cheddar Gratin

 

Q                                                                                                                                

Quiche Lorraine

 

R                                                                                                                                

Roasted Red Pepper Tartines

Ricotta Eggs on Toasted French Bread

Root Beer Float

Red Velvet Cake

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

Rice Pudding

Raspberry Banana Yogurt Freezer Pops

Roast Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Balsamic Vinegar

Roast Pork with Gorgonzola Sauce

Rise e Bisi (Rice and Peas)

 

S                                                                                                                                 

Stuffed Mushrooms with Spinach, Walnuts and Cheese

Savory Blue Cheese Tart

Sopa Paraguaya

Sour Dough Biscuits

Sourdough Starter

Scrambled Eggs with Green Onions, Ham and Cream Cheese

Sweet Southern Ice Tea

Shirley Temple

Sloppy Joe Squares

Sugar Cookies

Sweet Potato Pie with White Chocolate and Bourbon Sauce

Sour Cream Chocolate Walnut Cookies

Scalloped Potato Gratin

Spicy Tomato Soup

String Beans with Red Skinned Potatoes and Bacon

Steak Sandwiches with Herbed Balsamic Vinaigrette

Skillet Chili Mac

Salmon Burgers

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Squash Casserole

Seasoned Crackers

 

T                                                                                                                                 

Tomato, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella Pizza

Thyme Biscuits

Toffee Bars

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Toasted Walnut Salad with Green Apples and Gorgonzola Sauce

Tuscan White Bean and Ham Soup

 

                                                                                                                                

 

V                                                                                                                                 

Vegetarian Pide

Virgin Bellini

Vermond Maple Bread Pudding with Walnut Praline

Vegetable Lasagne

Vegetable Beef Soup

Vermont Cheddar Cheese Soup

 

WXY                                                                                                                        

 

 

Z

Zesty Blue Cheese Dip

 

 

 



Filed Under (On the Side) by caroladmin on 05-03-2009


I’m always on the lookout for different mashed potato recipes.  This one appeared in the March, 2009 edition of Bon Appetit.  It has layers of flavors with the smoked Gouda cheese, bacon and tang of sour cream.

 

Yield: 6-8 Servings

 

INGREDIENTS

 

6 slices thick-cut bacon

3 large green onions (white and pale green parts only), finely chopped

3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-½ inch cubes

¾ cup sour cream

½ cup whole milk

½ stick butter

2 cups coarsely grated smoked Gouda cheese

 

PREPARATION

 

Butter a 13×9x2 inch baking dish.  Cook bacon in heavy large skillet until golden brown and crisp.  Transfer to a paper towel to drain.  Chop bacon.  Place in medium bowl.  Add green onions, toss to distribute evenly.

 

Place potatoes in large pot and add enough cold water to cover.  Sprinkle with salt.  Cover and boil with lid slightly ajar until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes.  Drain well. 

 

Return potatoes to pot.  Cook over low heat, stirring often, until potatoes are dry and light film forms on the bottom, about 2 minutes.  Add sour cream, milk and butter.  Using a potato masher, mash potatoes until smooth.  Stir in 1-½ cups smoked Gouda and 1 cup of the bacon mixture.  Season with salt and pepper.  Spread the potato mixture in prepared baking dish.  Sprinkle remain ½ cup of Gouda over the top. 

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Bake potatoes until the cheese melts and the edges of the potatoes are bubbling, about 30 minutes.  Sprinkle reserved bacon mixture over the top and serve.

 

 

 

 

 



Filed Under (Breakfast) by caroladmin on 05-03-2009


The buttermilk in the batter really makes the waffles light and tender.

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups buttermilk

9 tablespoons butter, melted and divided

Pure maple syrup or another favorite syrup

 

PREPARATION

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl and blend.  Whisk in the buttermilk and then add in 6 tablespoons of the melted butter.  Heat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Brush the waffle iron grids lightly on both sides with some of the melted butter.  Pour ½ cup or more (depending on the size of the waffle iron grids) over each grid.  Close the waffle iron and cook until the waffles are crisp and golden brown on both sides.  Transfer the waffles to rack set over baking sheet and keep warm in the oven.  Repeat cooking the remaining batter, brushing the grids with the melted butter between batches, as needed.

 

Place waffles on plates and serve with whipped butter and warm maple syrup or another favorite syrup.   



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