Sensual Shallot Bruschetta

This is a most fabulous bruschetta, I’m addicted to it. It does work best if you prepared the tomato mixture ahead and chill for a day.

Ingredients:

12 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons shallots, minced
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
S & P to taste
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, slivered
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 pd Italian bread
2 tablespoons Parmesan
2 tablespoons Romano
What’s Next:

Set oven to broil.

In a large bowl- toss together roma tomatoes, minced garlic, shallots, basil, lemon juice, S & P and 1/3 cup olive oil. Chill overnight if possible.

In a small saucepan- add 1/4 cup olive oil and slivered garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes on medium heat. Toss garlic in trash, keep olive oil.

Slice Italian bread in small to medium size slices. Brush pieces with garlic-based olive oil. Add roma tomato mix. Sprinkle Parmesan & Romano cheese on top. Place in oven until browned and bubbling, about 2-3 minutes.

Enjoy!

Beef Bourguignon

1/2 lb bacon
8 green onions, chopped
2 onions, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups flour
1 tsp nutmeg
salt and pepper
3 lbs cubed stewing beef
olive oil
1/4 cup Cognac
2 cups beef stock
2 fresh thyme sprigs
3 cups dry red wine
1 bay leaf
24 pearl onions
5 tbsp butter
2 tbsp sugar
1 lb mushrooms
chopped fresh parsley for garnish

1. Chop raw bacon into small pieces. Cook in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

2. Add enough oil to the bacon fat to make 1/4 cup and add diced onions, carrots, green onions and garlic. Saute until soft. Transfer to a large oven proof pot.

3. In a large dish mix the flour, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Toss the cubed beef in flour to coat. Add to frying pan with enough oil to prevent sticking (I had to do 2 batches). Brown well and transfer meat to the large pot with the veggies.

4. Use the 1/4 cup cognac and some of the beef stock to deglaze the frying pan over high heat. Scrap all the bits of good stuff off the bottom and then pour into pot.

5. Add remaining beef stock, wine, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, transfer covered pot to oven and bake at 325F for 3 hours.

6. In the meantime, peel the pearl onions (easier if you blanche them for 30 seconds or so). Saute them in 2 tbsp butter with 2 tbsp of sugar until browned. Remove to a dish, in the same pan saute mushroom with remaining butter. Transfer to dish with onions.

7. 30 minutes before ready to serve, add onions and mushrooms to the stew. Continue baking.

8. Serve and garnish with bacon bits and chopped parsley.

Pumpernickel Bread Dip

1 cup mayo
2 cups sour cream
1 envelope vegetable soup mix
1 can water chestnuts, chopped
1 1/2 packages of frozen spinach (drained and chopped)
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red peppers
2 loaves pumpernickel bread

1. Mix mayo, sour cream, and soup mix.

2. Stir in water chestnuts, onions and red peppers.

3. Squeeze extra water out of spinach (note: since the recipe calls for 1 1/2 packages of frozen spinach, cut through the second package while still frozen with a serrated knife, so you can put it back in the freezer to save for something else). Stir spinach into mixture.

4. Cut the top off one loaf of bread, and slice down around the edge (almost to the bottom) scoop out the middle to form a big bowl. Place the dip in the bowl and cut the remaining bread into cubes for dipping.

From: http://janetishungry.blogspot.com/search/label/Appetizers

Filet Mignon with Rosemary and Port Reduction

4 beef tenderloin steaks
2 cloves garlic, halved
salt and pepper
1/2 cup Port
1/2 cup beef broth
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp butter

1. Rub cut garlic over both sides of steaks and season with salt and pepper.

2. Grill steak over direct heat until desired doneness.

3. While steak is grilling, bring Port, broth and rosemary to a boil in a small saucepan. Boil until reduced to about 1/3 cup. (You can make the sauce ahead and reheat it just before the steaks are ready).

4. Stir butter into sauce and serve over steaks.

From: http://janetishungry.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies

Adapted from Jacques Torres

Time: 45 minutes (for 1 6-cookie batch), plus at least 24 hours’ chilling


2 cups minus 2 tablespoons

(8 1/2 ounces) cake flour

1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt

2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract

1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note)

Sea salt.


1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.

2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.

3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.

4. Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.

Yield: 1 1/2 dozen 5-inch cookies.

Note: Disks are sold at Jacques Torres Chocolate; Valrhona fèves, oval-shaped chocolate pieces, are at Whole Foods.

Pork Medallions with Fig & Port Wine Sauce

This dish showcases how deliciously pork complements the sweet and tart tastes of fruit.

Makes 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 45 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

16 small dried Mission figs, stemmed
1 cup tawny port (see Note)
2 teaspoons plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup thinly sliced onion
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 pork tenderloin (1-1 1/4 pounds), trimmed and sliced into 1-inch-thick medallions
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1. Place figs in a small microwavable bowl and cover with port. Cover the bowl and microwave on High for 3 minutes.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add broth, thyme, bay leaf and the fig-port mixture. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Sprinkle both sides of pork medallions with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper and dredge lightly with flour, shaking off the excess.
4. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the medallions and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Add the reserved fig-port sauce; bring to a simmer and cook until the pork is cooked, but still a little pink in the center, about 2 minutes. The sauce should be syrupy. If not, remove the medallions with a slotted spoon to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm. Boil the sauce until it’s reduced and syrupy. Discard the bay leaf. Serve the sauce over the medallions.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 394 calories; 10 g fat (2 g sat, 6 g mono); 64 mg cholesterol; 34 g carbohydrate; 26 g protein; 4 g fiber; 229 mg sodium; 618 mg potassium.

Nutrition bonus: Selenium (58% daily value), Potassium (18% dv), Zinc (16% dv), Iron (15% dv).

2 Carbohydrate Servings

Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 other carbohydrate, 3 1/2 lean meat

TIP: Note: What differentiates tawny from ruby port is that tawny is aged in oak, turning its ruby color toward brown.

Cuban-Style Pork & Rice

Full of spice and exotic flavors, this Cuban take on the classic Spanish paella is an easy way to feed a hungry crowd. Don’t worry if you have leftovers. They can easily be rewarmed in a microwave or combined with eggs to make a Spanish tortilla (omelet); or for a great cold dish, toss the leftover rice with cooked vegetables and a vinaigrette made with lime juice instead of vinegar.

Makes 10 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each

ACTIVE TIME: 1 hour

TOTAL TIME: 1 3/4 hours

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

1/4 cup paprika
1/4 cup lime juice
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons rum (optional)
2 teaspoons minced garlic plus 2 tablespoons chopped garlic, divided
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork chops (3/4-1 inch thick), trimmed, cut into cubes
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups arborio rice or short-grain brown rice
2 14-ounce cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup canned diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads (see Note) [missing note]
16 large raw shrimp (21-25 per pound), peeled and deveined (optional)
2 cups frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, or cooked green beans, fresh or frozen, thawed
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, cut into strips

1. Combine paprika, lime juice, 2 tablespoons oil, rum (if using), 2 teaspoons minced garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and cumin in a medium bowl, stirring to make a homogeneous paste. Add pork and stir to coat.
2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork, leaving any excess spice mixture in the bowl to add later. Cook the pork, stirring, until just cooked on the outside and the spices are very fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the pork to a plate.
3. Add onion and the remaining 2 tablespoons garlic to the pan and cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until well coated with the onion mixture. Stir in broth, tomatoes, capers, saffron and any remaining spice mixture. (If using brown rice, also add 3/4 cup water now.) Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes for arborio, 30 minutes for brown rice.
4. Preheat oven to 350°F.
5. Stir shrimp (if using) and artichokes (or green beans) into the rice. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Stir in the pork and any accumulated juices from the plate; scatter roasted peppers on top. Cover and continue baking until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed (if you’ve added shrimp, they should be opaque and pink), 10 to 15 minutes more.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 257 calories; 9 g fat (2 g sat, 5 g mono); 40 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 19 g protein; 5 g fiber; 249 mg sodium; 414 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (40% daily value), Vitamin C (35% dv), Selenium (32% dv), Folate (17% dv).

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1 fat

TIP: Note: Saffron is the dried stigma of a saffron crocus. It contributes a pungent flavor and intense yellow color to classic dishes like paella. Saffron is sold in threads and powdered form.

Mango Margarita

Ingredients:


180 ml Tequila
180 ml Sour Mix
Ice Cubes
60 ml Triple sec
11/4 cup cubed, peeled Mango



How to make mango margarita:
Pour liquids into blender, then sliced mango and mix for 10-15 seconds.
Top with ice to fill blender and mix for another 30 seconds or until desired consistency.

Crockpot Moroccan Lentil Stew

Lentils, potatoes, and squash simmer in your crockpot for a delicious meatless stew.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 9 hours,

Ingredients:
1 cup dried lentils, sorted and rinsed
1 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cubed
10 small new red potatoes, cubed
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 Tbsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. white pepper
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 cups water
8 oz. pkg. frozen cut green beans, thawed

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients except green beans in a 3-4 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours until lentils, squash, and potatoes are tender when tested with knife. Increase heat to high setting. Stir in thawed green beans, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes until mixture is thoroughly heated and beans are tender. 6 servings

Crockpot Chicken and Apples

Try this easy and delicious low fat, low sodium recipe for chicken, cooked in the crockpot.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours, 10 minutes

Ingredients:
6 ounce can frozen orange juice concentrate
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, chopped
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 Granny smith apples, cored and sliced
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoons cornstarch

Preparation:
In small bowl, combine thawed orange juice concentrate (do not use regular orange juice!), marjoram, and nutmeg. Place onions and garlic in bottom of 3-4 quart slow cooker. Dip each chicken breast into the orange mixture to coat and place in crockpot over onions. Pour any remaining orange juice mixture over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours until chicken is almost cooked. Add apples and cook 40-50 minutes longer on low until apples are tender and chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Mix together water and cornstarch in a small bowl and stir into the juices in saucepan. Cover and cook on high heat, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick and bubbly, 10-15 minutes. Serve the sauce over the chicken and apples. Makes 6 servings

Pork Chops with Apricot-Tomato Chutney

Roasted tomatoes have a bright taste that's perfect with apricots - which are themselves a traditional bistro pairing with pork. Altogether, here's a meal that only needs couscous and some steamed cauliflower or green beans on the side.

Makes 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

4 boneless, center-cut pork loin chops (1-1 1/4 pounds), trimmed of fat
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 14-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pork chops and cook until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to an 8-inch-square glass baking dish. Add tomatoes, apricots, lemon juice and crushed red pepper to the skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the sauce thickens into chutney, 4 to 5 minutes. Pour the chutney over the pork chops.
3. Bake the pork chops until just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes. Divide the chops and chutney among 4 plates and sprinkle with thyme.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 242 calories; 10 g fat (3 g sat, 6 g mono); 65 mg cholesterol; 11 g carbohydrate; 25 g protein; 2 g fiber; 414 mg sodium.
Nutrition bonus: Selenium (55% daily value), Vitamin C (25% dv), Vitamin A (20% dv).

RELATED RECIPES: Mustard-Maple Pork Tenderloin Tuscan Pork Loin Adobo Pork & Potato Packets Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Peach-Ginger Chutney Pork Chops with Apples & Thyme Quick Pork Saute with Blackberries

Zuppa Toscana

This is a much requested recipe on this site, given its name! Someone who used to work at the Olive Garden sent in the original recipe, which I've adapted to serve 6-8. Try it, it is really yummy!

P.S. To be honest, this recipe isn't very "Tuscan". It is a very good soup and hits the spot on cold winter days. I've included this and a few other Olive Garden-inspired recipes on the site for all of our visitors that enjoy eating at this restaurant chain, I think making these recipes at home make them even better! :)

Makes: 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced white onion
4 Tbsp bacon pieces
2 tsp garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes
¼ of a bunch of kale

Sautee Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
In the same pan, sautee bacon, onions and garlic for approxiamtly 15 mins. or until the onions are soft.
Mix together the chicken bouillon and water, then add it to the onions, bacon and garlic. Cook until boiling.
Add potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
Add heavy cream and cook until thoughouly heated.
Stir in the sausage.
Add kale just before serving. Delicious!

Buon appetito!

From: http://www.tuscanrecipes.com/recipes/olive-garden-zuppa-toscana.html