This is another great recipe from the June Bon Appetit. It was super fast and easy and beautiful enough to serve for company. Trader Joe's carries "french green beans" (haricots verts) which are ready to go including being trimmed and cleaned. I had dinner on the table in 20 minutes and it really was one of the best ones we've had in a while. I served with couscous but brown rice or orzo would have been really nice too.
Chicken with Haricots Verts and Lemon Butter (Bon Appetit)
Timing - 20 minutes
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (with or without skin)
All purpose or whole wheat flour
2 T olive oil
8 shallots, peeled, halved
2 T butter
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about one whole lemon)
1.5 t freshly grated lemon zest
1 lb haricots verts, trimmed (I used a little less)
2 T minced fresh chives
How to Make
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; lightly dust with flour to coat. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and shallots; saute until chicken is golden and just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate.
Melt butter in skillet with shallots over medium heat. Add lemon juice and zest and haricots verts and toss to coat. Cover and cook until beans are crisp-tender and shallots are cooked through, about 3 minutes.
Return chicken and any juices to skillet; sprinkle with chives. Simmer until sauce thickens enough to coat, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serves 4
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Pasta with Caramelized Onions, Sugar Snap Peas, and Ricotta Cheese (Bon Appetit)
Spring has sprung which for me means lots of amazing produce and simple fresh recipes in all of the May/June issues of my favorite magazines. This week, I made to winners from the June edition of Bon Appetit. The kids loved this pasta. They didn't complain at all about the onions - it's amazing what the sweetness of caramelization does to about anything. They also liked the sugar snap peas, which was a nice change from our usual broccoli and green beans. I made the recipe almost exactly as written in the magazine, but I didn't have orecchiette pasta, as called for, so I just used farfalle.
Pasta with Caramelized Onions, Sugar Snap Peas, and Ricotta Cheese (Bon Appetit)
Timing - 25 minutes
Ingredients
2 T extra virgin olive oil
3 cups chopped onions
1 8-oz package trimmed sugar snap peas, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 lb pasta (short pasta like farfalle or shells or orecchiette)
1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1/4 cup torn fresh basil
1.5 t fresh lemon zest
How to Make
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and saute until onions are pale golden, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; saute onions until tender and deep golden, about 15 minutes longer.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Reserve one cup cooking liquid.
Add peas to onions in skillet. Saute until peas are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add pasta and 1/2 cup cooking liquid to onion mixture and sir over medium-high heat for 30 seconds. Mix in ricotta, basil, and lemon peel, adding more cooking liquid to moisten as needed. Season with salt and pepper.
Serves 4
Pasta with Caramelized Onions, Sugar Snap Peas, and Ricotta Cheese (Bon Appetit)
Timing - 25 minutes
Ingredients
2 T extra virgin olive oil
3 cups chopped onions
1 8-oz package trimmed sugar snap peas, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 lb pasta (short pasta like farfalle or shells or orecchiette)
1/2 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1/4 cup torn fresh basil
1.5 t fresh lemon zest
How to Make
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and saute until onions are pale golden, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; saute onions until tender and deep golden, about 15 minutes longer.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Reserve one cup cooking liquid.
Add peas to onions in skillet. Saute until peas are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add pasta and 1/2 cup cooking liquid to onion mixture and sir over medium-high heat for 30 seconds. Mix in ricotta, basil, and lemon peel, adding more cooking liquid to moisten as needed. Season with salt and pepper.
Serves 4
Monday, May 4, 2009
Tortilla Chicken Drumsticks (Gourmet)
I made this recipe last week and it was a hit with the kids. It's like any other oven-fried chicken, but it has a twist by being coated with tortilla chips instead of bread crumbs. I made the recipe exactly as written (as below) and served it with some oven fries that roast at the same temperature and for the same time. For the fries, simply cut Yukon or russet potatoes into wedge shapes, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and bake on a preheated cooking sheet, turning once.
Tortilla Chicken Drumsticks (Gourmet)
Timing - 20 minutes prep and 40-45 minutes to cook
Ingredients
8 oz lightly salted corn tortilla chips
4 teaspoons chili powder, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large egg
2 1/2 lb chicken drumsticks (about 10)
How to Make
Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle. Oil a large 4-sided sheet pan.
Pulse chips, 2 tsp chili powder, cumin, and 1/4 tsp salt in a food processor until coarsely ground, then transfer to a shallow dish.
Whisk egg and remaining 2 tsp chili powder in a bowl.
Season chicken with 1/2 tsp salt. Dip drumsticks in egg, letting excess drip off, then coat with crumbs, pressing to help them adhere. Transfer to sheet pan.
Bake, without turning, until cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes. Let stand, uncovered, 5 minutes.
Serves 4
Tortilla Chicken Drumsticks (Gourmet)
Timing - 20 minutes prep and 40-45 minutes to cook
Ingredients
8 oz lightly salted corn tortilla chips
4 teaspoons chili powder, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large egg
2 1/2 lb chicken drumsticks (about 10)
How to Make
Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in middle. Oil a large 4-sided sheet pan.
Pulse chips, 2 tsp chili powder, cumin, and 1/4 tsp salt in a food processor until coarsely ground, then transfer to a shallow dish.
Whisk egg and remaining 2 tsp chili powder in a bowl.
Season chicken with 1/2 tsp salt. Dip drumsticks in egg, letting excess drip off, then coat with crumbs, pressing to help them adhere. Transfer to sheet pan.
Bake, without turning, until cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes. Let stand, uncovered, 5 minutes.
Serves 4
Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells
I know - some of you got to spinach and thought, "my kids will not eat it." But seriously - my kids are not fans of most things green and they both devour this every time. The key is that it's buried in a bunch of cheesy goodness with pasta. The other thing I love about this dish is that you can make it the day before and then bake it off the next day. It's a perfect Sunday prep for an easy Monday. The recipe really is easy and it makes a lot, so can even be reheated for lunch during the week. It's the first real thing I learned to make and it doesn't have a lot of ingredients.
Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells
Timing - about 30 minutes prep and then an hour to bake
Ingredients
1 lb large shell pasta
1 10-oz package frozen spinach, defrosted
1.5 jars marinara sauce (maybe a little less)
2 16-oz containers whole milk cottage cheese
2 eggs
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3/4 lb ground beef or sausage (optional)
How to Make
Cook the pasta according to package directions and then drain and spread out on a baking sheet line with foil to cool it and to keep it from sticking. Squeeze as much water as possible out of the defrosted spinach. This is very important. If using meat, brown it and drain it and set it aside.
Mix the cottage cheese, eggs, three and a half cups of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and spinach in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Pour a little sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan to keep the pasta from sticking. Stuff the shells and place them on the bottom of the pan. You may need 2 layers. If you do, put a layer of sauce in between them. If using ground meat, put it on top of the shells and then pour sauce over the top of the last layer to cover the pasta. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray (to prevent the cheese from sticking). Bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the shells are hot. Bake uncovered for another 5 minutes to slightly brown the cheese. NOTE: if you make ahead and are baking from cold, you will need to cook the dish another 20-30 minutes.
Serves 6 (or 4 with leftovers for a few lunches)
Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Shells
Timing - about 30 minutes prep and then an hour to bake
Ingredients
1 lb large shell pasta
1 10-oz package frozen spinach, defrosted
1.5 jars marinara sauce (maybe a little less)
2 16-oz containers whole milk cottage cheese
2 eggs
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
3/4 lb ground beef or sausage (optional)
How to Make
Cook the pasta according to package directions and then drain and spread out on a baking sheet line with foil to cool it and to keep it from sticking. Squeeze as much water as possible out of the defrosted spinach. This is very important. If using meat, brown it and drain it and set it aside.
Mix the cottage cheese, eggs, three and a half cups of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and spinach in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Pour a little sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan to keep the pasta from sticking. Stuff the shells and place them on the bottom of the pan. You may need 2 layers. If you do, put a layer of sauce in between them. If using ground meat, put it on top of the shells and then pour sauce over the top of the last layer to cover the pasta. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Cover tightly with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray (to prevent the cheese from sticking). Bake at 350 for about 30-40 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the shells are hot. Bake uncovered for another 5 minutes to slightly brown the cheese. NOTE: if you make ahead and are baking from cold, you will need to cook the dish another 20-30 minutes.
Serves 6 (or 4 with leftovers for a few lunches)
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Walnut-Pesto-Crusted Turkey (Rachel Ray)
I make a lot of chicken because it's healthy and the kids like it. Last week, I was reading Rachel Ray Everyday and saw this recipe made with turkey cutlets. It was a nice change and I found the turkey already sliced into cutlets at Trader Joe's. I served the turkey with a mixed green salad and some Trader Joe's Lemon Papardelle with butter, salt and lemon juice. The meal was impressive enough for company and the kids loved it too.
Walnut-Pesto-Crusted Turkey (Rachel Ray)
Timing - 20 minutes
Ingredients
2 large eggs
1/2 cup store bought pesto
1 cup walnuts, finely ground
3/4 cup bread crumbs
4 turkey breast cutlets
3 T extra virgin olive oil
Lemon wedges, for serving
How to Make
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs. Add the pesto to a second medium bowl. In a third bowl, mix the walnuts and breadcrumbs. Add the turkey cutlets to the pesto, turning to coat. Working one at a time, dip the cutlets into the walnut mixture, then the eggs, then the walnut mixture again to coat.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the cutlets, lower the heat to low and cook, turning once, until golden-brown, 5-6 minutes on each side; serve with the lemon wedges.
Serves 4
Walnut-Pesto-Crusted Turkey (Rachel Ray)
Timing - 20 minutes
Ingredients
2 large eggs
1/2 cup store bought pesto
1 cup walnuts, finely ground
3/4 cup bread crumbs
4 turkey breast cutlets
3 T extra virgin olive oil
Lemon wedges, for serving
How to Make
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs. Add the pesto to a second medium bowl. In a third bowl, mix the walnuts and breadcrumbs. Add the turkey cutlets to the pesto, turning to coat. Working one at a time, dip the cutlets into the walnut mixture, then the eggs, then the walnut mixture again to coat.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the cutlets, lower the heat to low and cook, turning once, until golden-brown, 5-6 minutes on each side; serve with the lemon wedges.
Serves 4
Friday, April 17, 2009
Asian marinated Grilled Tuna and Summer Squash
Tuna steaks are a great fish for the grill because they hold together nicely. I like to make mine with an Asian marinade. Last week, I also reserved some of the marinade and then made it really spicy to marinate some yellow summer squash, which I also grilled. I didn't serve the spicy squash to the kids, but it was a really nice accompaniment to the fish. I rounded out the meal with some brown rice cooked in chicken stock.
Asian marinated Grilled Tuna and Summer Squash
Timing - 15 minutes, plus time to marinade the fish
Ingredients
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
2 t Miran (rice wine - found in the Asian section of your grocery store)
2 t sesame oil
3 yellow summer squash, sliced lengthwise into about 1/2 inch slices
1 t minced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
Asian hot chili sauce, such as Siracha, to taste
How to Make
Mix ingredients, soy sauce through sesame oil to make the fish marinade. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the marinade for the vegetables. Marinate the fish for about 30 minutes to an hour.
To the remaining marinade, add the ginger, garlic and hot sauce. Marinate the squash for about 30 minutes and then brush with more marinade while grilling.
Grill the tuna steaks on a medium-high outdoor grill for about 2 minutes on the first side and another 3-7 on the other side, until it is cooked how you like it. At the same time, grill the squash on each side until it is slightly tender and has nice grill marks.
Serves 4
Asian marinated Grilled Tuna and Summer Squash
Timing - 15 minutes, plus time to marinade the fish
Ingredients
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
2 t Miran (rice wine - found in the Asian section of your grocery store)
2 t sesame oil
3 yellow summer squash, sliced lengthwise into about 1/2 inch slices
1 t minced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
Asian hot chili sauce, such as Siracha, to taste
How to Make
Mix ingredients, soy sauce through sesame oil to make the fish marinade. Reserve about 1/4 cup of the marinade for the vegetables. Marinate the fish for about 30 minutes to an hour.
To the remaining marinade, add the ginger, garlic and hot sauce. Marinate the squash for about 30 minutes and then brush with more marinade while grilling.
Grill the tuna steaks on a medium-high outdoor grill for about 2 minutes on the first side and another 3-7 on the other side, until it is cooked how you like it. At the same time, grill the squash on each side until it is slightly tender and has nice grill marks.
Serves 4
Curry-Lime Pork Tenderloin with Mango Salsa
Pork tenderloin is a great lean meat that really doesn't get enough credit. It can take just about any kind of flavor combination and it's relatively cheap. It's also very tender, when cooked correctly, so it's a great choice for kids. I learned a recipe a few years back for how to perfectly grill a pork tenderloin on a gas grill. Over the years, I've tried many marinades and glazes which all work well with this recipe and it really does cook the meat through perfectly.
Last week, I made a marinade from the Six O'clock Scramble cookbook and then I added my fresh mango salsa to top it off. Using the 8-7-6 method for grilling will yield a perfectly cooked, 'slightly pink' tenderloin.
Curry-Lime Pork Tenderloin with Mango Salsa
Timing - about 30 minutes (plus time to marinate the meat overnight)
Ingredients for Pork
1 whole pork tenderloin (or 2 halves) - 1.5-2 lbs
1/2 t grated lime zest
3 T fresh lime juice (1 lime)
2 T chopped fresh cilantro
1.5 T brown sugar
1.5 T vegetable oil
2 t curry powder
salt and pepper
Ingredients for Salsa
1 ripe mango, chopped*
15 grapes, halved
2 T finely minced red onion
1 T chopped cilantro
1 t chili powder
1/2 lime, juiced
a dash of chili oil or hot sauce or a little chopped jalapeno (depending on how spicy you like it)
salt and pepper to taste
*honey, to taste, if the mango isn't very sweet
How to Make
Mix all ingredients for pork to make a marinade and marinate over night (or at least 30 minutes). Turn on the gas grill to high and let heat for at least 10 minutes. Cook the pork on one side for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 7 minutes, then turn the heat off and leave on grill another 6 minutes. Do NOT open the grill after you turn it off. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes before slicing into medallions.
For the salsa, mix all ingredients in a bowl and let sit for about 20 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend.
Serve the meat topped with the mango salsa.
Serves 6
Last week, I made a marinade from the Six O'clock Scramble cookbook and then I added my fresh mango salsa to top it off. Using the 8-7-6 method for grilling will yield a perfectly cooked, 'slightly pink' tenderloin.
Curry-Lime Pork Tenderloin with Mango Salsa
Timing - about 30 minutes (plus time to marinate the meat overnight)
Ingredients for Pork
1 whole pork tenderloin (or 2 halves) - 1.5-2 lbs
1/2 t grated lime zest
3 T fresh lime juice (1 lime)
2 T chopped fresh cilantro
1.5 T brown sugar
1.5 T vegetable oil
2 t curry powder
salt and pepper
Ingredients for Salsa
1 ripe mango, chopped*
15 grapes, halved
2 T finely minced red onion
1 T chopped cilantro
1 t chili powder
1/2 lime, juiced
a dash of chili oil or hot sauce or a little chopped jalapeno (depending on how spicy you like it)
salt and pepper to taste
*honey, to taste, if the mango isn't very sweet
How to Make
Mix all ingredients for pork to make a marinade and marinate over night (or at least 30 minutes). Turn on the gas grill to high and let heat for at least 10 minutes. Cook the pork on one side for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 7 minutes, then turn the heat off and leave on grill another 6 minutes. Do NOT open the grill after you turn it off. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes before slicing into medallions.
For the salsa, mix all ingredients in a bowl and let sit for about 20 minutes before serving to let the flavors blend.
Serve the meat topped with the mango salsa.
Serves 6
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