Category Archives: Holiday Menus

Valentine’s Day Overnight Oats with Raspberry Chia Jam

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INGREDIENTS (Jam):

1 cup          Raspberries, fresh or frozen

1 tsp           Coconut Oil

1 Tbs          Chia Seeds

1 Tbs          Honey or Maple Syrup

INGREDIENTS (Overnight Oats):

1 cup           Steelcut Oats

2 Tbs           Chia Seeds

3/4 cup        Almond Mild

1 Tbs            Honey or Other Sweetener

DIRECTIONS (Jam):

For the jam, place your raspberries and coconut oil in a saucepan on medium heat. Stir until the berries have turned mushy and the juices are coming out, about 4-5 minutes. Add the honey/syrup and chia seeds. Keep stirring until it reaches your desired consistency (about 5-10 minutes) and then remove from the heat. Allow to cool down and then scoop into a container/jar and place in the fridge.

DIRECTIONS (Overnight Oats):

In a slow cooker, combine the oats, chia seeds, almond mild and sweetener in a bowl. Mix together until everything is interspersed (especially the chia seeds). Slow cook for one hour and then place on cancel/warm overnight.

In the morning place in a serving dish (ramekin etc) and add more milk if more moisture is needed. Top with raspberry jam, fresh berries or whatever else you desire.

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Filed under Breakfast Bests, Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus

Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Thyme, Pecans and Parmesan

0D7AF02F-9064-4866-8EB1-65E6B3FD3817.jpegINGREDIENTS:

3 Tbs          Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, plus more for drizzling

1/4 cup      Light Brown Sugar, firmly packed

1 clove       Garlic, grated

3/4 cup      Pecans, chopped

2 tsp          Fresh Thyme, chopped

tt                Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper

1 cup         Parmesan Cheese, grated

4 sm         Sweet Potatoes

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Line a square baking pan with aluminum foil.

In a bowl, stir together the olive oil and brown sugar until combined. Stir in the garlic, pecans, thyme, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Fold in 1/2 cup of the cheese. Set the topping mixture aside.

Using a sharp knife, cut each sweet potato crosswise into 1/8-inch slices, cutting only three-fourth of the way through the potatoes so that stay intact. Place the potatoes, sliced side up, in the prepared baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.

Roast until the potatoes are browned on the outside and tender in the center, 50 to 60 minutes, sprinkling the topping over the potatoes during the last 10 minutes of roasting. Remove from the oven and sprinkle evenly with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Let cool slightly before serving. Serves 4.

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Filed under Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus

Portuguese Baked Eggs

5FF2255A-2E16-4B11-B8FF-BD98F36D664AINGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup           Olive Oil

3 ea                  Bell Peppers, any color thinly sliced

1 md                Red Onion, thinly sliced

2 ea                  Beefsteak Tomatoes, cut into wedges

8 cloves          Garlic, thinly sliced

1 ea                   Jalapeno, with seeds (we prefer without), halved lengthwise

1/4 cup            Basil Leaves, fresh

2 Tbs                Oregano Leaves, fresh

1 1/2 tsp           Chili Powder

1 tsp                  Paprika

tt                       Salt and Black Pepper, freshly ground

1 cup                 Ricotta

6 lg                    Eggs

1 cup                  Sharp White Cheddar, grated

1/4 cup              Parmesan, grated

For Serving     Country-Style Bread

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and just beginning to brown, 10-12 minutes.

Add tomatoes, garlic, jalapeno, basil, oregano, chili powder and paprika to pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very soft and liquid is thickened, 20-30 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Discard jalapeno.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Transfer bell pepper mixture to a 13 x 9″ baking dish. Using the back of a spoon, make 6 evenly spaced divots in the mixture. Spoon a dollop of ricotta into each divot, then crack 1 egg into each. Top with cheddar and Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Bake, rotating dish halfway though until Parmesan is melted and egg whites are almost set but yolks are still runny, 15-18 minutes.

Serve baked eggs with toast. (Yolks will continue to cook as dish sits, so serve right away if you prefer for eggs soft.)

DO AHEAD: Bell pepper mixture can be cooked one day ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

 

 

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Filed under Breakfast Bests, Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus, International Inspirations, What's for Dinner?

Quacamole Nirvana

FC9A8E3C-B636-4552-9B5F-56322EE09A37.jpegINGREDIENTS:

3 ea            Hass Avocados

1 clove       Garlic, finely grated

1 ea             Serrano Pepper, finely chopped

1 qtr           White Onion, finely chopped

1-2 Tbs      Lime juice, freshly squeezed

tt                 Kosher Salt

DIRECTIONS:

Smash three ripe avocados with a potato masher, fork or molcajete (Mexican mortar and pestle) until very coarsely mashed. It’s okay if there are some chunks of avocado as it will continue to break down as you mix in the other ingredients. Stir in the other ingredients and season liberally with about a teaspoon of kosher salt.

A word on cilantro: while it’s traditional to add it to quac, there are some times when it is best not used. If served as an appetizer with corn chips or corn fried tortillas, definitely throw some in. If putting out as a condiment with a taco, put it on the side so guests can build the tacos to their own tastes.

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Filed under Blender Bests, Holiday Menus, International Inspirations, Party Picks, Starters, Summer Favorites, Vegetarian Fare

Butternut Squash Black Bean Chili

INGREDIENTS:

2 lg                   Onions

3 lg                    Bell Peppers

4-6 cloves       Garlic, minced

1-4 ea               Jalapeños, minced

4 cups             Butternut Squash, cubed

2 cans             Diced Tomatoes (14 oz), undrained petite

2 cups             Vegetable or Chicken Broth

4 Tbs               Chili Powder

1 tsp                Cumin

1 tsp                Paprika

1 tsp               Cocoa Powder

3 cups            Black Beans, drained and rinsed

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot coated with cooking spray, sauté the onions, bell peppers, garlic and jalapeños until softened, about 7 minutes. Add butternut squash, tomatoes, broth and spices. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes and when it is the desired thickness, use a potato masher to break down some of the butternut squash, so that it becomes part of the body of the chili (optional.) Add three cups of black beans. Simmer for ten more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as well as salt and pepper. Add browned ground beef if a non-vegetarian option is desired.

Serve with avocado, radish, Greek yogurt, cheese, lime, cilantro and jalapeño.

The chili is even better the following days, so make ahead if possible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed under Comfort Cuisine, Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus, Vegetarian Fare, What's for Dinner?

Pumpkin Cornbread Mini Muffins

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup              Cornmeal

1/4 cup               Flour

1 Tbs                  Sugar

1 1/2 tsp            Baking Powder

1/2 tsp               Baking Soda

1/2 tsp               Salt

1/2 cup              Pumpkin Puree

1 ea                    Egg

1 Tbs                 Oil

1/3 cup              Fat Free Milk or Buttermilk

DIRECTIONS:

I double the recipe to get 20 nicely sized mini muffins. I use the Williams – Sonoma mini muffin tin (24.)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

In a medium bowl combine all of the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl combine all of the wet ingredients and stir. Pour wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. DO NOT OVERMIX. Spray muffin tin with cooking spray and spoon mix into muffin tin. They will rise slightly when baking.

Bake for 12 minutes until golden brown. Let rest for 2 minutes before removing from tin.

Serve with honey, maple syrup or preserves.

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Filed under Comfort Cuisine, Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus, What's for Dinner?

Cranberry-Almond Shortbread Tart

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INGREDIENTS FOR THE FILLING:

1 cup                     Sugar, granulated

2 Tbs                     Lemon Juice

12 oz                     Cranberries, fresh or thawed

3 Tbs                     Apricot Jam

INGREDIENTS FOR THE SHORTBREAD:

1 cup                     Sliced Almonds

9 oz                       All-Purpose Flour, unbleached

1/4 cup + 2 Tbs   Cornmeal, fine yellow

3/4 tsp                  Kosher Salt

8 oz                      Butter, cut into 16 pieces and softened

1 cup                    Sugar, granulated

1/2 Tbs                 Lemon zest, finely grated and packed

3/4 tsp                  Pure Vanilla Extract

1 lg                         Egg Yolk

a/n                        Cooking Spray

a/n                        Confectioners Sugar for garnish

DIRECTIONS FOR THE FILLING:

Combine da sugar, lemon juice and 1/2 cup water in a 3-qt saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve da sugar, about 2 minutes. Add thee cranberries and lower the heat to medium low. Simmer until the cranberries have popped and the liquid is syrupy, 10-12 minutes. Stir in the apricot jam and simmer until the jam melts, about 1 minute more. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE SHORTBREAD:

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F. Spread the almonds on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until warm and fragrant but not yet brown, about 5 minutes; let cool completely.

In a food processor (with at least a 10-cup capacity), combine the nuts with 2 Tbs. of the flour. Pulse until very fine but not powdery, 20 to 25 short pulses. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the remaining flour, the cornmeal, and salt.

In the food processor, combine the butter, sugar, lemon zest, vanilla, and almond extract.

Pulse until creamy, 10 to 20 short pulses. Add the egg yolk and pulse a few times to combine. Add the dry ingredients and pulse, scraping down the sides as necessary, just until a soft dough forms, 30 to 40 short pulses. Turn the dough out onto a piece of plastic and divide.

Lightly coat a round 91/2 x1-inch fluted metal tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Press half of the dough evenly onto the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Cover with plastic wrap. Form the remaining dough into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate the dough and the tart shell until very firm, at least 30 minutes.

Prick the bottom of the tart shell all over with a fork and bake on a heavy-duty baking sheet until firm, dry, and just starting to turn golden brown around the edges, 30 to 35 minutes. The shortbread will have puffed up during baking, so use the back of a spoon to gently press down the bottom of the crust to create enough space for the cranberry filling. Spoon the filling into the tart and spread evenly.

Crumble the remaining shortbread dough over the cranberries in pebble-like pieces, covering the filling. Bake until the topping is firm and golden-brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Carefully remove the tart rim. Slide a long, flat spatula between the pastry and the pan bottom and transfer the tart to a serving platter. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, if using, just before serving.

MAKE AHEAD TIPS:

The dough disks can be refrigerated up to 2 days, wrapped tightly in 2 layers of plastic wrap.

The dough can be frozen for up to 2 weeks: Put the plastic-wrapped dough in a zip-top bag, seal, and freeze. Thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator before proceeding with the recipe.

The finished tart can be wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and stored for up to 2 days at room temperature.

The finished tart can be frozen for up to 2 weeks: Transfer it to a 10-inch cardboard cake round, wrap tightly in 2 layers of plastic wrap and then in foil, and freeze. Up to 10 hours before serving, remove the foil but not the plastic wrap from the tart and thaw at room temperature. When completely thawed, remove the plastic wrap. For freshly baked flavor, warm the tart in a 300°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.

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Filed under Decadent Desserts, Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus

Roasted Butternut Squash with Maple Glaze

 

INGREDIENTS:

1.5lb          Butternut Squash, peeled and cleaned

4 oz           Maple Syrup

2 oz            Jus Lie

1 oz            Thyme, fresh chopped

A.N.           Olive Oil

A.N.           Salt and Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees.  Line a sheet pan with foil lightly oil it or spray it with cooking spray.

Cut the squash into 2′ long wedges and place in a bowl.  Season with salt and pepper and add enough olive oil to coat the vegetables.

Spread the squash in a single layer on a sheet pan and roast in a hot oven until the squash is tender, about 35-45 minutes.

While the squash is roasting, place the syrup in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.  Reduce the syrup slightly, adding the jus only if necessary.  Season with thyme, salt and pepper.

To serve, place the hot squash on a plate and drizzle with the syrup.

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Filed under Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus

Butternut Squash Lasagne with Goat Cheese, Sage and Breadcrumbs

INGREDIENTS:

1 lg                   Butternut Squash, (about 3 lbs) halved lengthwise and seeded

2 clvs                Garlic, unpeeled

2 sprigs              Thyme plus 2 tsp chopped

2 tsp                  Olive Oil, extra virgin

tt                      Kosher Salt and Black Pepper, freshly ground

5 tbs                  Butter, unsalted

2 sprigs              Fresh Sage, plus 1 tsp chopped

1/4  cup             All-Purpose Flour

3 cups                Whole Milk

1 1/4 cup            Fresh Goat Cheese

1 cup                 Pecorino Romano, finely grated

1/4 tsp               Nutmeg, freshly grated

1/4 cup              Breadcrumbs, coarse dry or Panko

AN                     Fresh Lasagne

INSTRUCTIONS TO ROAST THE SQUASH:

Position the rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 425 degrees.

Put the squash cut side up on a large, heavy duty rimmed baking sheet.  Put 1 clove of garlic and 1 sprig of thyme in each cavity.  Drizzle each half with 1 tsp of olive oil and then season each with 1/4  tsp salt and a few grinds of pepper.  Roast the squash until it is browned in spots and very tender when pierced with a skewer, 45 to 50 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Discard the thyme sprigs.  Peel the garlic and put in a large bowl.  Scoop the squash fresh from the skins and add it to the garlic.  Mash with a fork until smooth.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE GOAT CHEESE AND SAGE SAUCE:

Melt 4 tbs. of butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat.  Add the sage sprigs and cook until the butter is fragrant, 2-3 minutes.  Discard the sage.  Add the flour and whisk until smooth and golden, about 2 minutes.  Gradually whisk in the milk and cook, whisking occassionally, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 15 minutes.  Stir in the goat cheese, 1/2 cup of the pecorino, the nutmeg, 1 tsp of salt, and a few grinds of pepper.  Season to taste with more salt and pepper.  Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the sauce and mix the rest with mashed squash.

INSTRUCTIONS TO SEASON THE BREADCRUMBS:

Melt the remaining 1 tbs. butter in a small skillet over medium heat.  In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, chopped sage, chopped thyme, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper.  Add the melted butter and mix well.

INSTRUCTIONS TO ASSEMBLE THE LASAGNE:

Spread 1/2 cup of the reserved cheese sauce over the bottom of a 9x13x13-inch baking dish.  Cover the sauce with a slightly overlapping layer of cooked noodles, cutting them as needed to fill any gaps.  Spread 1 cup of the squash mixture evenly over the noodles.  Add another layer of noodles and repeat the layers as instructed above, to make a total of 4 squash layers and 5 pasta layers.  Spread the remaining 1 cup cheese sauce evenly over the top.  Sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture and the remaining 1/4 cup pecorino.

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes.  Remove the foil and bake until the top is browned and bubbly, 15-20 minutes.  Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

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Filed under Comfort Cuisine, Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus, Uncategorized, What's for Dinner?

Kabacha Squash Soup

INGREDIENTS:

2#                 Kabacha, Butternut Squash or Pumpkin, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks

12 ea             Squash, medium dice or Shrimp, jumbo and peeled

2 t                 Red Thai, curry paste

4T                 Butter

3 cups            Chicken Stock (homemade preferred)

14 oz             Coconut milk, unsweetened

tt                  Fish Sauce

1 ea               Lime Juice

4 ea               Lime Wedges

1 sm bnch       Cilantro, minced for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place 3 Tbs of butter in a medium saucepan and turn the heat to medium-high.  When it melts, add the curry paste and cook, stirring for 1 minute.  Add the squash and cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring just until it begins to brown.

Add the stock and cover.  Cook until the squash is tender, 15 minutes.  Stir in the coconut milk and cook for about 5 minutes more, until the squash is very tender.  Carefully puree the squash in a blender with enough of the stock to allow the machine to do its work.  The mixture should be very smooth.  Season with the nam pla (fish sauce) and lime juice.  Keep warm.

Place the dices on the parchment lined pan.  Coat with oil, season and roast or sautee them until tender.  Can use sauteed shrimp as well.

Put 3 diced squash in each of the four bowls.  Cover each with a portion of the soup, then garnish with some minced cilantro.  Serve with the lime wedges.

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Filed under Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus, Super Soups, Vegetarian Fare, What's for Dinner?