Tag Archives: gluten-free

Thai-Style Braised Duck with Green Beans

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If you are a duck fan, then you must put this fabulous recipe on your shortlist. Never tried duck? Then this recipe is a great jumping off point. Keep in mind, the duck anatomy has quite a different bone structure than that of chicken or turkey. If you are unsure how to break one down, watch on a video, ask the butcher, or simply buy 4 duck legs.

On another note, all of the meat on a duck is dark meat, even the breast. But with this method all of the meat comes out juicy and tender—not greasy at all! Duck and goose are poultry and considered “white” meat. Because they are birds of flight, however, the breast meat is darker than chicken and turkey breast.

On the plus side, duck meat’s rich flavor and color provides a red meat eating experience with the health benefits of poultry. Duck meat is rich in iron and protein like beef but is leaner and has fewer calories like its poultry counterparts. Plus, duck fat is healthier with less saturated fat and more omega-3 fat than beef.

Speaking of the fat on a duck, you want to make sure it gets rendered down. The Hubs decided to render the extra pieces of fat and skin in another skillet, and when crisp he removed them from the hot oil on a paper towel-lined plate, sprinkled with salt and ate as a snack once cooled. With the remaining leftover oil (we had 3 cups!), he will freeze the fat and save it to make duck confit sometime in the future.

Once bottom browns, turn the pieces. Eventually liquid will evaporate and duck will cook in its fat only. At this point lower heat and continue to cook duck, turning occasionally, until it becomes tender, about 1 hour. While the skin does look nice and brown, it will not be crispy once it steams with the beans in a covered dish.

Rice would make a fine accompaniment, but we paired ours this time with Roasted Parmesan Potatoes, which were wonderfully crispy on the outside, meltingly tender on the inside. Stock will be made from the unused pieces of the duck, such as the back and wings.

Thai-Style Braised Duck with Green Beans

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: moderate
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Ingredients

  • 1 duck, quartered, or 4 legs
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 1 Tbsp. ginger, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. garlic, minced
  • 2 small chiles, seeded and minced
  • 1 1/2 lbs. green beans, trimmed
  • 1 Tbsp. sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. nam pla (fish sauce) or soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. lime juice
  • Cilantro for garnish, coarsely chopped

Directions

  1. Remove excess fat from duck. Season with salt and pepper and put in a skillet or saute pan that will fit it comfortably. Turn heat to medium and cover. Check once you hear sizzling; duck should be simmering in its own fat and exuding liquid. Adjust heat to create a steady simmer.
  2. Once bottom browns, turn. Eventually liquid will evaporate and duck will cook in its fat only. At this point lower heat and continue to cook duck, turning occasionally, until it becomes tender, about 1 hour.
  3. Transfer duck when tender to a plate. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of fat. Turn heat to medium and add onion; cook until it softens, about 5 minutes. Add ginger, garlic and chilies and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add beans and sugar and turn heat to high; cook, stirring occasionally, until beans begin to brown, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add 2 tablespoons water and nam pla (fish sauce) or soy sauce. Put duck on top of bean mixture and bring to a simmer, Cover and cook until both beans and duck are very tender, 15 to 30 more minutes, adding a little more water if necessary to keep mixture moist. Uncover and stir in lime juice; taste and adjust seasoning, then sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe by Mark Bittman for NYTimes Cooking

Adobo Chicken & Kale Enchiladas

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Not your typical enchilada, this fun meal utilizes rotisserie, or leftover chicken, and is sure to please. Some favorite toppings include cilantro, sour cream, guacamole and pickled jalapeños. The fact that only one pan is used, makes the meal even more appealing.

Not sure I’d go as far as “healthy” enchiladas but with the addition of kale, they are at least moving in the right direction.

We made numerous changes starting with sautéeing the chopped onions in olive oil until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Removed the onions to a side dish then sautéed the kale in olive oil for a few minutes and added the water. Because we are “saucy” eaters, and to suit our own preferences, we doubled the enchilada sauce and included two cups of Mexican cheese blend. All noted in the list below.

Speaking of the sauce, we highly recommend doubling the three ingredients (enchilada sauce, sour cream and chipotles in adobo) because most of it gets sucked up into the tortillas. Those doubled amounts are indicated in the ingredients list below. If for some reason you’d rather stick to the original recipe, just cut those three ingredients in half; and use only 1 1/2 cups of cheese.

Adobo Chicken & Kale Enchiladas

  • Servings: 5-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 
  • 8 cups chopped kale
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 cups shredded or diced cooked chicken
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. ground pepper
  • 2 10 oz. cans red enchilada sauce
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 4-6 Tbsp. minced chipotles in adobo
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • ¾ cup diced white onion, divided
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large cast-iron skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the onions and set aside.
  3. Add additional tablespoon of olive oil; when hot add kale and water; cook, stirring, until bright green and wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in chicken, cumin, salt and pepper; cook for 1 minute more. Transfer to a large bowl.
  4. Combine enchilada sauce, sour cream and chipotles to taste in a small bowl. Spread 1 cup of the mixture in the pan. Place 4 tortillas over the sauce, overlapping them to cover the bottom. Top with half the chicken mixture, 1/4 cup onion and 3/4 cup cheese. Layer on half the remaining sauce, 4 tortillas, the remaining chicken, 1/4 cup onion and 3/4 cup cheese. Top with the remaining tortillas, sauce and cheese.
  5. Bake the enchiladas until bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup onion before serving.
  6. Garnish with desired toppings such as cilantro, sour cream, guacamole and pickled jalapeños.

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Recipe sourced from Eating Well Magazine

Chicken Escabeche

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This Peruvian chicken escabeche is seasoned with aji amarillo, an orange-yellow chili ubiquitous to that country’s cuisine. In the U.S., the chilies are difficult to find fresh, but aji amarillo paste, sold in jars, is available in some well-stocked markets, specialty stores, or easily online. We purchased it online as a 3-pack with two other Peruvian pastes.

Escabeche is made by soaking meat or seafood in an acidic marinade after cooking, allowing the addition of bright flavors without altering the texture of the meat. The fruity, yet earthy flavor of aji amarillo is an important part of this dish, but if you cannot find the paste, use 1 or 2 seeded and finely minced jalapeños.

FYI–Don’t use regular chili powder instead of pure ancho chili powder. Regular chili powder is a spice blend, whereas ancho chili powder contains only ancho chilies. If you can’t find the powdered, grind some dried ancho chilies in a spice grinder, as shown above.

Because the skin was removed, you might encounter the chicken meat sticking to the pan. Try to pry most of it off the pan, but it is OK to leave some of the meat because it will make a nice fond and release itself once the liquids are added in. It was delicious served with the onion mixture on top of the thighs over a bed of garlic rice.

Chicken Escabeche

  • Servings: 2-4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. bone-in chicken thighs (4 thighs), skin removed, trimmed and patted dry
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided
  • 2 cups chicken broth, preferably homemade
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, minced (1 Tbsp.)
  • 2 Tbsp. aji amarillo paste
  • 1 Tbsp. ancho chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
  • 3 medium red onions, halved and sliced ¾-inch thick
  • 1 large orange bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and sliced into ¼-inch strips
  • 1/3 cup white wine vinegar

Directions

  1. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon of oil until barely smoking. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook on each side, without disturbing, until deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to low and simmer until a skewer inserted into the largest thigh meets no resistance, 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and cover with foil. Bring the cooking liquid to a boil over high and cook until reduced to 1 cup, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl or measuring cup and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium until shimmering. Add the garlic, aji amarillo paste, ancho chili and cumin, then cook, scraping the bottom, until browned and fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the onions, bell pepper, 2 teaspoons salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper, then add the vinegar. Cook, stirring, until the onions have begun to soften and the sauce is just thick enough to coat the vegetables, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the reduced broth, bring to a simmer over medium-high and cook, stirring, until thickened to a glaze, about 10 minutes.
  4. Pour the sauce and vegetables over the reserved chicken. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes, then serve.

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Adapted from a recipe by Julia Rackow for Milk Street

Sheet Pan Smoked Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas

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Juicy chicken thighs are coated in a bold tomato rub with lots of fresh garlic and warm, earthy spices including smoked paprika and cumin, and brightened with a hint of lemon juice. The whole thing comes together in a flash — simply chop some veggies and season everything with the tomato rub. Toss it into a sheet pan and roast.

There is nothing complicated about the ingredient list either. You just need some spices, chickpeas, vegetables, and chicken. For more heat, use hot smoked paprika instead. It lends itself well to customizations, so feel free to swap out carrots for other root veggies like beets or parsnips, or add potatoes or sweet potatoes for more heft.

While we did start out piling everything on one sheet pan (against out better judgement), after 30 minutes in the oven, we transferred the chicken thighs on another prepared baking sheet and covered with foil. The reason being, the vegetables were steaming instead of roasting. The veggies went back into the oven to continue cooking until fork tender and beginning to brown slightly, another 10-15 minutes. As the vegetable tray was roasting, we then popped the thighs, uncovered, under the broiler (we have a 2-oven stove).

Next time, we may start with dividing everything between 2 sheet pans from the start. You may prep ahead by chopping the vegetables and making the sauce. Just refrigerate them until ready to begin cooking.

FYI, we are using boneless skinless chicken thighs here, but bone-in thighs or boneless skinless breasts would work as well. Since boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook in about 18 minutes in the oven, you will need to roast your vegetables for about 10 minutes first, then add the breasts. Otherwise, the carrots won’t cook in time.

Sheet Pan Smoked Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas

  • Servings: 5-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

Tomato Rub

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 2 large lemons, about ½ cup
  • 5 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 5 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 ½ tsp. smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp. Aleppo pepper flakes or granules

Chicken And Vegetables

  • 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 2 medium onions, halved and cut into ½ inch slices
  • 1 15-oz. can of chickpeas, drained
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. ground black pepper
  • 10 boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat if necessary

Directions

  1. Position one rack in the center of the oven and another one 4 or 5 inches under the broiler. Preheat the oven to 425°F
  2. Prepare the tomato rub: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, tomato paste, garlic, cumin, paprika, and Aleppo pepper. Whisk well to combine.
  3. Prepare the chicken and vegetables: Lightly brush a large sheet pan with some of the olive oil. In a large bowl, combine the carrots, onions, and chickpeas. Season well with salt and black pepper (about ½ teaspoon each). Add 4 tablespoons of the tomato rub and a small drizzle of olive oil (about 1 teaspoon), and mix well to coat. Transfer the mixture to the sheet pan. Set bowl aside for chicken.
  4. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and black pepper on both sides. Place the chicken in the reserved bowl and add the remaining tomato mixture, tossing until the chicken is well coated.
  5. Transfer the chicken to the sheet pan(s) along with the chickpeas and vegetables. Roast on the center rack until the chicken is cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes (ours took more like 45 minutes). Then move the sheet pan up to the top rack directly under the heat and broil until the chicken gains some color, 3 to 4 minutes, watching carefully. The onions and carrots may also gain some char.
  6. Serve with your favorite rustic bread, if desired.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Suzy Karadsheh

Ground Turkey Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Goulash

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We try as often as possible to include super foods, and in this recipe it’s cabbage. In fact, according to Wiki studies, cabbage has protective effects against colon cancer amongst many other diseases. Cabbage is also an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, dietary fiber, vitamin B6 and folate. That sounded like good enough reason to try this recipe.

It’s best to season the mixture with what you and your family prefer. I made the cumin and red pepper flakes as part of the ingredients and NOT optional. But if you feel on the adventurous side, you may want to consider including a little brown sugar, celery seed and/or add 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.

Another one-pot wonder… The original recipe called for a small head of cabbage, but after making it, we both felt it could use a large head for a better meat to veggie ratio. A slice of toasted crusty bread with a garlic-butter sauce was a perfect compliment to the goulash.

Note: It may seem like you don’t have enough liquid at first but when the cabbage cooks down it will be perfect.

Ground Turkey Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Goulash

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. ground turkey, (or pork, or lamb, or beef)
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 head cabbage, chopped
  • 2 14.5 oz. cans diced fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 6 oz. can tomato paste
  • 6 oz. vegetable or chicken broth, preferably homemade
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1⁄2 to 1 tsp. crushed red pepper
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • A few leaves of chopped fresh basil

Directions

  1. Heat a Dutch oven or extra large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil and cook the onions until translucent. Cook beef or turkey meat and onion in the hot Dutch oven until browned.
  3. Drain and discard grease.
  4. Add the chopped cabbage, tomatoes, tomato paste, water, garlic, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, cumin, and fresh basil. Use fire roasted or flavored diced tomatoes for more flavor.
  5. Bring the ingredients to a boil.
  6. Cover Dutch oven, reduce heat and simmer until cabbage is tender. This will take about 30 minutes.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Loosely adapted from a recipe on isavea2z.com

Thai Stir-Fried Pork with Basil, Chilies and Garlic

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The Thai name for this dish is Pad Krapao meaning “fried holy basil”. It is a fragrant, flavor-packed Thai stir-fry. Despite the dishes name, the basil isn’t actually fried, but wilted into the mix at the very end of cooking.

Our holy basil—which has a peppery, menthol-like bite—was done for the season, so we opted to use our fresh Thai basil, still going strong in the raised herb bed. Sweet Italian basil is a third choice; but if using either of the last two, you’ll need to use 50% more.

To top it all off, a fried egg with a runny yolk is used, adding creaminess while the crisp edges provide crunch. Not typically a fan of runny yolks, I decided to go with it for this recipe. Glad I did because it did add not only to the flavor but also the contrasting textures.

As with most stir-fries, don’t start cooking until all of the ingredients are prepped and near the stove. And don’t cook those eggs in advance because they should still be warm when added to the dish. If you prefer a more fiery kick, don’t discard the chili seeds.

Thai Stir-Fried Pork with Basil, Chilies and Garlic

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 7 medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • 4 or 5 Fresno chilies. stemmed, seeded and roughly chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. oyster sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. fish sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar
  • 6 Tbsp. grapeseed oil, divided
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 lb. ground pork
  • 2 cups (1oz.) lightly packed holy basil OR 3 cups lightly packed Thai or Italian basil, torn
  • Steamed jasmine rice to serve

Directions

  1. In a food processor, combine the garlic and chilies. Pulse until finely chopped, with some slightly larger pieces remaining, 8 to 10 pulses.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, sou sauce, fish sauce, sugar and a 1⁄2 cup water. Set both the garlic-chili mixture and the sauce mixture near the stove.
  3. In a 12- or 14-inch wok over medium-high, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil until barely smoking. Reduce to medium, the crack 2 eggs into the center of the wok, each in a different spot. Use a silicone spatula to gently push edges of the egg whites toward the yolk to keep the eggs separate.
  4. Cook, occasionally spooning some of the hot oil over the eggs until the whites are crisp and brown on the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a thin metal spatula, transfer the eggs to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining to 2 eggs. Wipe out wok.
  5. Return the wok to medium-high and heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oiluntil barely smoking. Add the garic-chili mixture and cook, stirring until fragrant and lightly browned.
  6. Add the pork and cook, stirring, until the meat is broken up into mostly small bits, 1 to 2 minutes.
  7. Add the sauce mixture and cook, stirring, until pork is no longer pink and the liquid thickens slightly but remains saucy, about 3 minutes.
  8. Off heat add the basil and stir until just wilted. Divide the rice and the stir-fry among serving plates and top each with an egg.

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Adapted from a recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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Remember the loaded potato bar craze? This hearty riff is a weeknight meal’s dream found when I ran across a food article in Better Homes & Gardens. We made several modifications such as a combo of shredded cheddar and jack cheeses, more ground beef (which BTW, you could also use ground turkey), an extra scallion, and added a teaspoon of chipotle powder.

As far as microwaving the sweet potatoes, not a fan. Often they come out inconsistent as to the softness throughout. Of course, if you are pressed for time, that might be the way to go. Ours took 60 minutes in a 400° oven (time to enjoy a pre-dinner glass of wine).

It’s a personal preference whether or not you eat the potato skins. I for one, don’t mind them and get extra fiber from doing so, The Hubs, not so much. If you have leftovers, they will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, although it’s best to keep all of the layers separate.

Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup fresh salsa, drained (liquid reserved)
  • 12 oz. to 1 lb. lean ground beef (you decide how much meat)
  • 2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. chipotle powder
  • 15-oz. can black bean fiesta, undrained
  • 4 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1+ cup grated cheddar cheese (or a jack and cheddar mix)
  • 1⁄2 cup sour cream
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions

  1. In a two-quart sauce pan heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add drained salsa for 3 minutes.
  2. Add the meat and chili powder. Cook and stir, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until cooked throughand beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in reserved salsa liquid and beans with their liquid. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld, about 10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, to cook the sweet potatoes, wash and pat dry. Prick each spud four times with a fork; microwave on high for 15 minutes, flipping once during cooking. (Alternatively, bake the potatoes in a 400° oven for 45-60 minutes.)
  5. Use a sharp knife to test for doneness. If not tender enough, continue to microwave in one-minute increments until tender.
  6. Split open the potatoes and gently squeeze to create a central cavity. Place on plates.
  7. Spoon chili over potatoes and top with cheese, sour cream and scallions.

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Chinese Stir-Fry with Black Bean Sauce

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This tasty Asian sauce is quite adaptable to any stir-fry. Go ahead and double it if desired so that you have enough for an additional stir-fry in the future. The choice of vegetables is also a personal preference, but try to keep the total amounts about the same.

Prep all ingredients before you start the stir-fry. We substituted hatch chile peppers for the green bell because it was a new item that we had never tried before. They look very similar to long hots, which are quite spicy. The package indicated they had a medium heat level—we thought they were milder than that. They also take a bit longer than the red bell pepper to soften in the wok.

Chinese Stir-Fry with Black Bean Sauce

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

Bean Sauce

  • 1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp. dry sherry or Shaoxing
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. Chinese black bean and garlic sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. Asian chile paste
  • 1/2 tsp. minced fresh ginger

In a measuring cup, combine the cornstarch with the sherry, whisking to blend. Then whisk in the remaining ingredients. Set aside. Can be easily doubled.

Staples

  • 3 Tbsp. peanut oil
  • 1 lb. shiitake mushrooms, stems removed caps cut into 1/4″ slices
  • 6-8 scallions, trimmed with whites cut into 1″ lengths, greens sliced thin for garnish
  • 4 garlic scape stems cut into 1/2″lengths; or 3 garlic cloves sliced thin
  • 1 each red and green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1″ pieces
  • I lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1″ chunks
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup white rice, cooked according to package directions

Directions

  • Heat a large wok on high. Add 1 tablespoon peanut oil. When smoking, add scallions and garlic stirring constantly for 2 minutes, then place into a large bowl.
  • Add 1 more tablespoon to wok and toss in bell pepper pieces, stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften. Put in bowl with scallions.
  • Put final tablespoon peanut oil into wok and then add chicken. Let chicken sit in hot wok for one full minute before you start to flip; then stir until the pink disappears. Add chicken to bowl with vegetables.
  • Pour reserved black bean sauce into wok, when hot dump all of the bowl ingredients into wok and stir-fry for 1 minute.
  • Serve steamed rice on each dinner plate topped with stir-fry. Garnish with chopped basil and scallion greens.

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Greek Spinach Salad with Grilled Flap Steak and Marinated Feta

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As grilling weather will begin its hibernation not too far down the road, at least for many of us, it’s time to take advantage of that weather and grill al fresco as often as we can. This wonderful Greek salad incorporates flap meat as one of its ingredients. We like that cut of meat for it’s beefiness and loose grain for the marinade to seep into.

Here, grilled steak turns a Greek salad into a substantial dish, while marinating the feta in a mixture of spicy chile flakes, briny capers, bright lemon, and herbs adds a big punch of flavor. For a heftier meal, serve with grilled pita or crusty bread rubbed with fresh garlic.

As far as amount of beef, we happened to have 2 pounds of flap meat in the freezer, so even though that is double the amount listed, we used it all. Therefore our salad was a little more meat-forward than the original.

Unable to source mini cucumbers, we opted for a seedless Persian variety and used about half of it sliced into small rounds. Additionally, there was very little dressing left after draining the feta from its marinade, so we increased the amount of a few of those ingredients which are noted below.

Greek Spinach Salad with Grilled Flap Steak and Marinated Feta

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 9 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano or 1 tsp. dried
  • 2 tsp. red wine vinegar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1b. beef flap meat, cut into pieces of even thickness, if necessary
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 Tbsp. capers, rinsed and chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/4 tsp. crushed red chile flakes
  • 7 oz. feta (preferably Greek), cut into small cubes (about 1-1/2 cups)
  • 5 oz. baby spinach, (about 5 lightly packed cups)
  • 2 mini cucumbers, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes (preferably a mix of colors and shapes), halved
  • 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk 3 Tbs. of the oil with the garlic, oregano, vinegar, 1/4 tsp. salt, and a few grinds pepper. Add the steaks and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 6 hours.
  2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the remaining 6 Tbs. oil, the parsley, capers, lemon juice, thyme, and chile flakes. Add the feta and stir gently to coat. Marinate at room temperature for up to 1 hour, or in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours. Remove from the fridge one hour before using.
  3. Prepare a medium-high (400°F to 475°F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Remove the steaks from the marinade and pat dry. Grill, turning every 2 minutes, until cooked to your liking, 6 to 8 minutes for medium (140°F).
  4. Transfer to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Thinly slice the steak against the grain, then season lightly with salt.
  5. Put the spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives in a large bowl. Drizzle all of the marinade from the feta over the salad, using a spatula to hold back the feta (it’s OK if a few pieces fall in).
  6. Season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Arrange on a serving platter or divide among four dinner plates. Scatter the steak and feta over the salad, and serve.

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Original recipe from Fine Cooking

Top Sirloin and Veggie Kebabs

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When selecting the type of beef to make your kebabs, you have unlimited choices but ultimately you want your beef on the skewer to be tasty, tender and not bust your wallet. For those looking for great flavor on a budget, sirloin tips work well if they are marinated ahead to make them more flavorful. 

Sirloin steaks are usually cut about an inch thick to begin with, have little fat, and have a beefy flavor a little more delicate than other cuts. This allows you to get the full flavor of the marinade with a nice underlying beefiness that isn’t over powering. Top sirloin is the perfect steak for these kebabs.

Therefore, we recommend sticking with top sirlion or New York Strip since it’s more lean than some other steaks leaving you with nice uniform cubes and not a lot of excess fat. It has great flavor and comes out tender when marinated and properly cooked.

Because the meat and the veggies need different amounts of time to cook, we thread them onto to separate skewers. If at all possible, use metal skewers because they contribute to cooking the meat from the center as they pick up heat from the exposed parts and conduct it throughout.

It is a good idea not to crowd your metal skewers with pieces of food to expose more surface area for the food to caramelize. Doing this on a wooden skewer runs the risk of burning the skewers and losing food into the grill.

Want the perfect side dish to compliment your kebabs? Try Toasted Orzo Pasta Recipe with Garlic, Parmesan and Sun-dried Tomatoes.

Top Sirloin and Veggie Kebabs

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 3⁄4 cup olive oil
  • 3⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 1⁄2 lbs. top sirloin steak, cut into 1 1⁄2″ cubes
  • 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, stems removed
  • 10 cocktail tomatoes
  • 1 each red and yellow pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1 1⁄2 pieces
  • 1 large red onion, root intact, sliced into 12 wedges

Directions

  1. Whisk oil, vinegar, mustard, and rosemary into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add steak to ziploc bag, pour in half of the marinade, mix to coat. Transfer to the refrigerator to marinate for a minimum of 1 hour and up to 8 hours, turning occasionally.
  2. In another ziploc bag, add all of the vegetables and the remaining half of the marinade. Transfer to the refrigerator to marinate for a minimum of 1 hour and up to 8 hours, turning occasionally.
  3. If using bamboo skewers, soak 16 in water for at least an hour.
  4. To assemble vegetable skewers: Start with a piece of red bell pepper, onion wedge, yellow pepper, mushroom, and so on until the vegetables are used up.
  5. On the meat skewers: Thread 7 pieces of beef onto 4 metal skewers (more if needed).
  6. Preheat the grill on high for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-high and clean and then oil grates. Add vegetable skewers and cook for 4 minutes and then flip skewers.
  7. Add the meat skewers, cook for another 4 minutes, then turn.
  8. Baste all skewers a few times with the leftover marinade as you cook.
  9. Continue cooking for additional 2-3 minutes until an instant thermometer registers 130° on the meat.
  10. Transfer to serving plate. Garnish with fresh rosemary if desired.

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Spice-Crusted Oven-Roasted Potatoes

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I’m a huge fan of potatoes no matter how they are made, be it mashed, smashed, roasted, french fried, twice-baked, scalloped, or au gratin. This Spice-Crusted Oven-Roasted Potatoes recipe elevates spuds to a new dimension and earns top honors in my plethora of potato recipes.

The mix, known as “suya” in Nigeria has a kick to it, but it’s also got an earthy and nutty taste to it as well, making it a favorite side dish for many entrées. A food processor makes the assembly of the mixture a breeze. Though suya is typically a powder when used on meats, adding a bit of oil produces a paste that adheres better to skin-on potatoes.

It is paired with a refreshing tomato-shallot recipe to spoon over the top, or even used for dipping. While it is not necessary, it adds a bright note to the side dish and complimented our grilled lamb loin chops.

Making them is a bit messy when you try to adhere the spice rub to the potato halves. Some of the mixture on the baking sheet will likely occur and char, but don’t worry because the cooking spray prevents it from sticking to the sheet.

Spice-Crusted Oven-Roasted Potatoes

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1⁄2 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
  • 2 tsp. hot or sweet paprika
  • 2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 2 tsp. granulated garlic
  • 1 tsp. packed light brown sugar
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided
  • 2 lbs. small Yukon Gold or red baby potatoes
  • 3 plum tomatoes, cored and finely chopped
  • 1 medium shallot, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 serrano chili, stemmed. seeded and finely chopped
  • 1⁄2 cup lightly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. lime juice

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 475°F with a rack in the middle position.
  2. Mist a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
  3. In a food processor, combine peanuts, paprika, ginger, garlic, sugar, 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Process until finely ground.
  4. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and pulse until evenly combined, scraping the bowl as needed.
  5. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the remaining oil and 1⁄4 teaspoon salt. Add the nut-spice mixture and use your hands to toss and press the seasoning onto the potatoes so it sticks.
  6. Scrape the potatoes and any residual seasoning onto the prepared baking sheet, then distribute in an even layer.
  7. Roast until well-browned all around and a skewer inserted in the potatoes meets no resistance, 20 to 25 minutes, turning the potatoes about halfway through.
  8. OPTIONAL: While the potatoes roast, in a small bowl, stir together the tomatoes, shallot, chili, parsley, lime juice and a 1⁄2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
  9. When the potatoes are done, transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with salt. Serve with the tomato relish on the side, if using.

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Adapted from a recipe found in Milk Street Magazine

Lemon and Garlic Baked Chicken

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Garlic and lemon with chicken is an iconic pairing that satisfies almost any appetite. In this recipe, poultry pieces are marinated in lemon and garlic, then topped with a sauce made with more of the same, producing extremely flavorful and juicy chicken.

One of the toppings is pimento which adds not only a bright pop of color, but more depth of flavor. If you’ve ever tried southern pimento cheese, or enjoyed pimento stuffed green olives, you have already tried the pimento pepper in pickled form. The word “pimiento” translates to “pepper” from Spanish. Pimento peppers are not spicy, but rather mild, sweet and succulent.

While the recipe indicates to start with a whole chicken and cut it down into pieces (our preference), you could just as easily buy bone-in, skin-on pieces to begin with, especially if the eaters go for all white meat or all dark meat.

Please keep in mind that the chicken needs to marinate at least an hour up to overnight. Doing so in the morning, allows for about 8-10 hours.

There is a good amount of sauce left in the skillet so dredge your side veg into it. Our broccolini sopped up many of the juices creating a more cohesive dinner.

Lemon and Garlic Baked Chicken

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 
  • 2 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 
  • 2 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste 
  • 1/2 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste 
  • One 3 1/2- to 4-lb. chicken, cut into pieces 

Sauce:

  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 tsp. honey, plus more if needed 
  • 1 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh oregano 
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced 
  • Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup) plus 1/2 tsp. lemon zest 
  • One 4-oz. jar diced pimientos, drained 
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 
  • Lemon wedges, for garnish

Directions

  1. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add the chicken pieces to a large resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over the top. Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible, and massage the marinade around the chicken to coat evenly.
  2. Refrigerate for at least an hour and up to overnight.
  3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  4. Remove the chicken from the marinade and transfer, skin-side up, to a large cast-iron skillet. Pour half the marinade all over the chicken in the skillet.
  5. Sprinkle the chicken with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Roast until the chicken is deeply browned, the meat is cooked through and the juices run clear, about 30-40 minutes. (An instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh, avoiding bone, should read 165 degrees F.)
  6. Remove the chicken to a platter and let rest while you make the sauce.
  7. For the sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the honey, oregano, garlic, lemon juice and zest and 1/4 cup skimmed drippings from the skillet and bring to simmer.
  8. Taste and season with salt and pepper, and if too tangy, add a bit more honey. Pour the sauce over the chicken, then garnish with the pimientos, chopped parsley and lemon wedges and serve.

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Recipe from Food Network

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Flank Steak

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With the end of summer holiday on the horizon, a grilled steak is always a fan favorite. While there are some steaks that need nothing more than a little salt and pepper to bring out their beefy goodness, flank steak is not one of them.

This bold marinade is just the sort of seasoning the brawny cut begs for: lime juice and zest add brightness, brown sugar sweetness, and jalapeño and sriracha a complex heat. Just whiz it all together in a food processor and slather it on the meat.

Marinate overnight preferably, or a minimum of 2 hours, before tossing it on the grill. Lastly, always make more flank steak that you think you want. Leftovers are the best part—we used ours as part of a steak salad. For an extra boost of flavor, try adding 1/4 cup of bourbon and a little Worcestershire.

Sweet and Spicy Grilled Flank Steak

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp. scallions, coarsely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 fresh jalapeño chile pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. light brown sugar
  • 1/2 lime, zested and juiced
  • 2 tsp. lime juice
  • 1 tsp. sriracha, or other hot sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 lbs. flank steak

Directions

  1. In a food processor, pulse together scallions, ginger, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, lime zest and juice, and sriracha. With the motor running, pour in oil until smooth
  2. Season steak with salt. Place in a large bowl and pour marinade over meat. Turn to coat well with the mixture. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  3. When ready to cook the steak, heat the grill to medium-high heat. Transfer the meat to the grill and cook, covered, until it reaches the desired doneness (about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare). Let rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.

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Original recipe from NYTimes Cooking

Rotisserie Chicken Salad

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Two rotisserie chickens on sale for $10, a bargain I couldn’t pass up. I had gone to the store for one bird to make Enchiladas Verdes, but when I saw the sale, it was a no-brainer. When I got home and the poultry cooled off, I stripped off the skin then harvested all of the white and dark meat. The skin and bones I bagged for the freezer for The Hubs to make his delicious stock.

This couldn’t be any easier. If you happen to have some leftover cooked chicken on hand, you could certainly use that and save yourself a trip to the grocer.

Rotisserie Chicken Salad

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 small rotisserie chicken
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2/3 cup dried cranberries, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 green onions (green and white parts), sliced
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped tarragon
  • 1/2 large lemon, juiced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Bibb lettuce leaves
  • Red bell pepper strips, optional

Directions

  1. When rotisserie chicken is cool enough to handle, pull off the chicken, then strip all white and dark meat from the bones. Discard skin and bones, or save to make stock at a later date.
  2. Chop the chicken meat into about a 1/2-inch dice. Place into a large bowl.
  3. Slice and dice the celery, green onion, grapes, parsley and tarragon. Add those ingredients to the mixing bowl along with the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve on a couple of Bibb lettuce leaves and garnish with bell pepper strips, if using.

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Spicy Chinese Beef Skewers

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Spice it twice—the mantra for this flavorful beef skewer. After skewering but before going on the grill, the meat is dusted generously with the spices. Those spices toast, their flavors deepening during cooking. Once the meat comes off the heat, it’s seasoned a second time with the same spice blend, creating multiple layers of nuanced flavors from the same few ingredients.

What did we do different? In place of flat iron steak, we substituted flap meat because it was already in our freezer and it’s easier to source than the aforementioned flat iron cut. In keeping with the Asian theme, we also grilled bok choy right along with the meat skewers. They benefited from a chili oil sauce that complimented the meat rub.

Don’t trim the fat from the beef before cooking. The fat adds flavor and helps keep the meat succulent. If you’re using a gas grill, make sure to give it at least 10 to 15 minutes to heat before cooking the skewers. This ensures the meat gets a nice surface char without overcooking the interior.

Spicy Chinese Beef Skewers

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients

  • 1½ lbs. beef flat iron steak, sliced against the grain into ¼-inch-thick strips
  • 1 Tbsp. dry sherry or Shaoxing wine
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. grapeseed or other neutral oil, plus more for grill grate
  • 2½ Tbsp. cumin seeds
  • 2½ tsp. fennel seeds
  • 1½ tsp. sichuan peppercorns
  • 2 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt
  • chili oil, to serve (optional)

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the beef, sherry, soy sauce and oil. Let stand at room temperature while preparing the spice mix and the grill.
  2. In a small skillet over medium-low, toast the cumin, fennel and Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder and add the pepper flakes. Process until coarsely ground, about 10 seconds. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in 1¾ teaspoons salt. Measure out 1 tablespoon of the mix and set aside to use as garnish.
  3. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct, high-heat cooking. For a charcoal grill, ignite a large chimney of coals and let burn until lightly ashed over, then distribute the coals evenly over one side of the grill bed; open the bottom grill vents and the lid vent. For a gas grill, turn all burners to high. Heat the grill, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, then clean and oil the cooking grate.
  4. While the grill heats, thread the beef onto ten 8- to 10-inch metal skewers, evenly dividing the meat and pushing the pieces together. Sprinkle the remaining spice mixture evenly over both sides of the meat, patting gently to adhere.
  5. Grill until lightly charred, 2 to 3 minutes, then flip and grill until the second sides are lightly charred, another 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkling both sides of the skewers with the reserved spice mix, then drizzle with chili oil (if using).

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Adapted from a recipe by Laura Russell for Milk Street