14 November 2010 Cream of Leek and Celery Soup

Cream of Leek and Celery Soup

November 14, 2010 By

Simple to prepare and tastes like a million bucks – this soup has it all.  Perfect first course on a cold winter night or when hosting guests who are vegetarians.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 medium Spanish onion, finely chopped
  • 3 celery ribs, finely chopped
  • 3 leeks, white and light green parts chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
  • 2 tbsp dry vermouth (optional)
  • 32 ounce container vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Directions:

  1. In a heavy saucepan, sauté the onion, celery and leek in the oil for 5 minutes over medium heat.
  2. Add oregano, salt and pepper and cook for 2 additional minutes – vegetables should be soft a lightly browned.
  3. Add the vermouth and the vegetable broth and simmer partially covered for 45 minutes over medium-low heat.
  4. Add the cream and warm for 2 minutes.
  5. Working in 2 batches, add the soup to a blender and puree until smooth, about 1 minute.  ***Be sure to remove the small venting cap from the blender to allow steam to come out and place a kitchen towel to cover the opening.  Return the pureed soup to a clean saucepan and gently heat for 2 minutes.
  6. To serve, ladle soup into bowls.

Serves 6 as a starter or 4 as a main course.

Note: Dress the soup with a light drizzle of heavy cream for an elegant touch.

Filed Under: American, Soups, Starters, Vegetables Tagged With: , , , , ,
12 November 2010 There’s Nothing to Eat in This House Part 4

There’s Nothing to Eat in This House Part 4

November 12, 2010 By

Paprika and Tarragon Chicken and Egg Salad Mini Sandwiches

Mini Chicken & Egg Salad Sandwiches

It’s Friday, the day before my weekly trip to the grocery store, so here we go with the typical “There’s nothing to eat in this house” complaints from my guy.  As you’ll see from the picture of this dish, these small sandwiches could be great at a holiday party or for a luncheon.

Ingredients:

  • 1 chicken breast, either from leftovers or poached, then cut into bit-size pieces
  • Pinch of salt & pepper
  • ½ tsp dried tarragon
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 1 celery rib, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped onion
  • 2 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lightly toasted pine nuts
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 Pepperidge Farm Stone Baked Artisan Rolls, baked and sliced in halves horizontally

Directions:

  1. In a medium bowl, carefully combine the chicken, spices, celery, onion, mayo and pine nuts.  Gently fold in the egg ensuring not to over stir resulting in mushy egg.
  2. Scoop ½ of the mixture onto each roll.

Serves 2.

This is the 4th installment in the “There’s Nothing to Eat in this House” series (see part 1 here: http://bit.ly/dbucAf part 2 here: http://bit.ly/cJX6t2 and part 3 here: http://bit.ly/aTfRKI).

Filed Under: American, Chicken, Eggs, Entrees, Other Neat Things, Sandwiches Tagged With: , , ,
6 November 2010 Cremini Mushroom Velouté Soup

Cremini Mushroom Velouté Soup

November 6, 2010 By

Cremini Mushroom Veloute Soup

This soup is super simple to make and looks like it took all day to prepare.  Dress the soup with a light drizzle of heavy cream for an elegant touch.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 medium Spanish onion, finely chopped
  • 3 celery ribs, finely chopped
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp each salt & pepper
  • 2 tbsp dry sherry or Marsala
  • 16 ounce can of beef broth
  • 32 ounce can vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream + 6 tsp of heavy cream for garnish (optional)

Directions:

  1. In a heavy saucepan, sauté the onion and celery in the oil for 5 minutes over medium heat.
  2. Add the mushrooms to the vegetables and stir mixture.  Add thyme, salt and pepper and cook for 5 minutes until all the vegetables are softened.
  3. Add the sherry or Marsala, the beef and vegetable broth and simmer for 45 minutes.
  4. Add the 1/2 cup cream and heat up for 2 minutes.
  5. Working in 2 batches, add the soup to a blender and puree until smooth, about 1 minute.  ***Be sure to remove the small venting cap from the blender to allow steam to come out and place a kitchen towel to cover the opening.   Return the pureed soup to a clean saucepan and gently heat for 2 minutes.
  6. To serve, warm 6 tsp cream in a small bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Ladle soup into bowls then drizzle 1 tsp warmed cream onto the soup in each bowl (optional).

Serves 6 as a starter or 4 as a main course.

Note: Can’t find cremini?  Replace with chopped portabella or white mushrooms.  For extra richness, add 3-4 veal neck bones to the onion and celery when sauteeing.

Filed Under: American, Mushrooms, Soups, Vegetables Tagged With: , , , ,
26 October 2010 Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs for the Non-Cook

Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs for the Non-Cook

October 26, 2010 By
Beef Short Ribs

Beef Short Ribs

This comforting dish is one that even self-proclaimed non-cooks can whip up for company.   The tender beef with its rich sauce are best served over mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large Spanish onion, sliced into medium rings
  • 4lb boneless beef short ribs
  • 1 pound button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 tsp each – salt, pepper
  • 1/2 tsp each – onion powder, garlic powder, ground thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup red wine, preferably Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 1 14-ounce can low sodium beef broth
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbs flour
  • 1 tbs butter, softened

Instructions:

  1. Place the onion rings in an even layer in a 7-quart slow cooker (crock pot).
  2. Place short ribs over the onions, ideally in a single layer.
  3. Add the mushrooms to the slow cooker, over the beef.
  4. In a small bowl, combine the salt and pepper and all the spices.  Sprinkle over the meat.
  5. Pour the wine, broth and Worcestershire sauce around the beef.
  6. Cook on LOW for 9-10 hours, then carefully remove the beef from slow cooker onto a platter.
  7. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH and bring cooking liquid to a simmer.  Using a ladle, remove the oily layer of fat from the cooking liquid and discard.
  8. Combine softened butter and flour to form a paste in a small bowl.  Add to liquid in the slow cooker and whisk to form a slightly thickened sauce, about 5 minutes.  Return the beef to the slow cooker to warm up, then serve making sure to discard of the bay leaves.

6 Servings.

Notes: For maximum flavor, sprinkle 1/2 cup all-purpose flour over the uncooked beef then brown the beef in batches in vegetable oil in a sauté pan prior to adding to the slow cooker.  For an interesting twist, add a cup of baby carrots over the onions before cooking.

Filed Under: American, Beef, Entrees, Slow Cooker Tagged With: , , ,
10 October 2010 Biscuits Frigidaire (Icebox Cookies)

Biscuits Frigidaire (Icebox Cookies)

October 10, 2010 By

Growing up, my mom made the most succulent food one could ever want, but she wasn’t a baker.  In her short baked goods repertoire, is what we French Canadians call “Biscuits Frigidaire”.  Each time I make these icebox cookies, it brings back memories of getting the wax paper-wrapped cookie dough log out of the freezer so we could enjoy fresh baked treats within minutes.  This is truly one of the easiest cookie recipes, but one that yields crisps-chewy golden cookies on a moment’s notice.  Perfect for when unexpected guests stop by for coffee and you need a quick treat to serve.

Icebox Cookies

Icebox Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Cookie Dough Directions:

  1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and the two sugars until light and fluffy – 4 minutes.
  2. Add the egg and the vanilla extract and beat to incorporate.
  3. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, the baking soda and the salt.
  4. Add the flour mixture to the butter-sugar mixture in half cup additions, beating to just incorporate between additions, then finally beat until dough begins to come together – no more than 2 minutes total.
  5. Divide the dough in half and place each half on a large sheet of wax paper (dough should be at the top of the sheet – think top of a sheet of paper).  Shape the dough into a log using the wax paper to help smooth the dough (think sushi roll), then wrap each dough log completely with the wax paper and twist each end to seal the logs.  Place logs in the refrigerator for several hours and up to three days (logs can be frozen for up to a month).

Baking Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or lightly spray with cooking spray.
  2. Cut the logs into 1/4 inch thick slices using a sharp, thin-blade knife.  Place the cookies on the cookie sheets approximately two inches apart.
  3. Bake 10-11 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack (waiting for the cookies to cool completely will be extremely difficult).

Makes about three dozen cookies.

Notes:  Cooled, baked cookies can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for a week (you’ll never have these cookies on hand for a week – trust me).  Thaw frozen cookie dough in the refrigerator before slicing.  Want to vary the recipe a bit?  Add mini chocolate chips to one of the dough logs!

Filed Under: American, Canadian, Desserts Tagged With: , , , ,
6 October 2010 5 Fall Recipes to Warm Up To

5 Fall Recipes to Warm Up To

October 6, 2010 By

Autumn is here whether we were ready for summer to end or not.  Embrace the new season with these five comfy recipes:

What are some of your favorite fall recipes?  Please share links, photos or general instructions!

Filed Under: American, Canadian, Italian, Other Neat Things Tagged With: ,
20 September 2010 Gnocchi with Butternut Squash and Bacon in Sage and Danish Blue Cheese Sauce

Gnocchi with Butternut Squash and Bacon in Sage and Danish Blue Cheese Sauce

September 20, 2010 By

Gnocchi with Butternut Squash

No, this recipe isn’t for the faint of heart (literally and figuratively) – it’s rich, decadent and perfect on a cool evening.  This recipe came about because I was looking for ways to use up my huge harvest of sage.  Serve this as a side dish or starter as a little goes a long way.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups diced butternut squash
  • 3 tbs vegetable oil
  • 4 strips bacon
  • 1 cup potato gnocchi, homemade or store-bought
  • 3 tbs butter
  • 2 tsp chopped fresh sage
  • 1 cup light cream
  • 2 ounces Danish Blue cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Directions:

  1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Place diced butternut squash on a cookie sheet and drizzle with oil to coat.  Roast in the oven for 20 minutes or until tender, set roasted butternut squash aside in a small dish.  Keep oven at 400 degrees.
  2. Place bacon strips on two layers of paper towel and cover with an additional layer or paper towel.  Cook in the microwave for 4 minutes, or until bacon is soft-crispy.  Cut bacon in thin strips with scissors, set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil.  Add gnocchi and cook for 2 minutes.  Drain well and set aside.
  4. In the saucepan the gnocchi cooked in (why dirty two pots?!), melt butter over medium-high heat.  Once butter is beginning to brown, add the sage and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Add cream to the sage butter and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat to medium-low and add blue cheese.  Stir for 1 minutes.  Add the gnocchi, the roasted butternut squash, the chopped bacon and the black pepper and gently stir to combine.
  6. Spoon the gnocchi mixture into two 8-ounce ramekins or other small, oven-proof dishes, and bake in the oven for 5 minutes.

Serves 2.

Notes:  I’d skip this recipe if you don’t have fresh sage as you truly won’t get the same flavor from dried sage.  This recipe can easily be doubled to serve 4.  Don’t have Danish Blue cheese?  Use another type of blue cheese!

Filed Under: American, Cheese, Italian, Pasta, Sides, Starters, Vegetables Tagged With: , , , , ,
16 August 2010 No-Share Blueberry Buckle

No-Share Blueberry Buckle

August 16, 2010 By

Blueberry Buckle

The origin of the name ‘buckle’ in a dessert is thought to be from the ‘buckling’ of the cake as it bakes under the fruit from the addition of baking soda to the batter.  Whatever the provenance of the word, this dessert is a perfect ending to a Summer dinner.  Think steamed, soft cake, gooey blueberry and crusty, buttery topping.

Blueberry Filling Ingredients:

  • 3 cups blueberries (if frozen, thawed)
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar

Streusel Topping Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, chilled then cut into small dice

Cake Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whole milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter six – 6 ounce ramekins or oven-proof dishes.  Set aside.

Blueberry Filling Directions:

  1. Mix the blueberries, lemon juice, flour, and sugar in a large bowl.  Allow to macerate for 30 minutes.

Streusel Topping Directions:

  1. Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
  2. Cut in the butter with two knives or a pastry blender until the mixture is the consistency of coarse meal.  Refrigerate until ready to assemble.

Cake Directions:

  1. Combine the flour, salt and baking powder in a small bowl.
  2. Cream the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer for 1 minute.  Add the sugar and beat for 2 minutes.  Add the egg and vanilla to the mixture to combine.
  3. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture, beat for 10 seconds.  Add 1/4 cup of milk, beat for 10 seconds.  Continue alternating flour and milk until just combined.

Final Assembly:

  1. Add 1/4 cup of cake batter to each ramekin, smoothing the surface.
  2. Spoon the blueberry mixture over the cake batter.
  3. Top the blueberry layer with an even amount of streusel mixture.  Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake until streusel is browned, about 25 minutes.
  4. Allow buckles to cool for 15 minutes.  Serve with vanilla bean ice cream.

Makes 6 servings.

Filed Under: American, Desserts, Fruits Tagged With: , , , , , ,
12 August 2010 Getting Corny in New Jersey

Getting Corny in New Jersey

August 12, 2010 By

Since moving to New Jersey five years ago, I’ve been enjoying some of the best produce I’ve ever had. New Jersey, the Garden State, is specially famous for its corn, tomatoes and blueberries. Lucky for me, I’m partial to all three!

Something new I’ve been enjoying this season is corn on the cob grilled without its husks. Wow, I was so wrong about not being able to improve on an all-time favorite, but grilling the cobs truly enhances the corny flavor and the sweetness of this vegetable. Simply peel the husks away, drizzle cobs with oil, salt, pepper and a light sprinkling of chili powder then grill on medium heat for eight minutes (rotate cobs for even grilling) and you’re in business!

Two of my new favorite variations are as follow:

• Combine softened butter with roasted garlic cloves, chopped fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese then slather on the hot cobs.
• Combine sour cream, mayo, chopped fresh cilantro and crumbled Mexican Queso Fresco then coat the cob with the mixture.

I urge you to try one or both of these variations for an extraordinary corny experience. Enjoy!

Filed Under: American, Sides, Vegetables Tagged With: , ,
9 August 2010 St Louis Gooey Butter Cookies

St Louis Gooey Butter Cookies

August 9, 2010 By

I recently spent the weekend with dear friends in St Louis and was fortunate that I was introduced to tons of St Louis local favorites.  Gooey Butter Cake is a true dessert staple to locals and here’s a cookie version kindly provided by St Louis cooking maven, Chris Absheer (here with cutie grandson, Mikey).  Seriously, with that name, who can resist these cookies – plus, they’re super simple to prepare!

Ingredients:

  • 1 -8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 -18.5 ounce package yellow cake mix
  • 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a medium bowl cream together the cream cheese and the butter. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Add cake mix, stir until well blended.
  3. Form dough into 1-inch balls (should yield 24 balls).  Place the confectioners’ sugar in a shallow dish then roll the balls to coat them in sugar.
  4. Place balls 1-inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 10-13 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove cookies from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then cool completely on wire rack.

Makes 24 cookies.

Filed Under: American, Desserts Tagged With: , , , ,
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