Tag Archives: weeknight

Spicy Sheet Pan Pork Chops and Broccoli

Uncategorized, , , ,

Try this super-simple meal full of flavor due to the pickled peperoncini which adds spice and tanginess in the form of brine. They are also known as Tuscan peppers, which are a sweet, mild variety of chili pepper. That being said, we decided to use our cherry pepper and banana pepper rings which were already sliced down.

Our other substitutions included thick pork chops as opposed to the rib-chops, and incorporating a 19-ounce can of chickpeas instead of the suggested 15-ounce amount.

Preheating the empty sheet pan in the oven is a great way to brown ingredients without having to take the time to sear them on the stove. We were a little disappointed at the outcome because the broccoli was still too firm and the pork was a bit overdone. To counter that issue, we suggest you *microwave the broccoli with water for a few minutes before adding the florets to the preheated sheet pan; and check the chops temperature after 10 minutes on the second side. If they are done, remove them to a plate and cover with foil until the broccoli is tender.

On another note, The Hubs decided to increase the seasoning on the chops with more than just salt, so he also sprinkled them with a half teaspoon each of garlic powder and black pepper. We also think tossing in 6 to 8 peeled garlic cloves would enhance the dish.

Spicy Sheet Pan Pork Chops and Broccoli

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • Four 10-to-12-oz. pork chops (about 1 1/2 inches thick)
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 head broccoli, cut into florets*
  • 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed, drained, and patted dry
  • 8 whole pickled peperoncini, halved lengthwise, plus 1/4 cup brine
  • Our additions: 8 peeled garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees with a rimmed sheet pan on the bottom rack. Rub the pork chops with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set the pork chops on the preheated baking sheet, and roast until they’re browned on the underside, about 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, toss the broccoli, chickpeas and peperoncini with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large bowl. Season with salt. Flip the pork chops, and set them to one side of the pan.
  3. Add the broccoli mixture, peperoncini brine, and 1/2 cup water. Continue to roast, stirring once halfway through, until the broccoli is charred and tender and the pork chops are cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes, and serve.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe from Lidia Bastianich

Lemon-Garlic Rice with Sausage and Kale

Uncategorized, , , ,

Hailing from Milk Street, this flavorful meal-in-a-pot was inspired by Portuguese arroz de grelos com farinheira, a comforting combination of garlicky rice cooked with turnip greens and sausage. This version uses supple lacinato kale (also called dinosaur or Tuscan kale) instead of turnip greens.

Linguiça calabresa is Calabrian chili-seasoned smoke-cured pork sausage seasoned with garlic and paprika, popular in the countries of Portugal and Brazil, that typically is sold already cooked or smoked. If it’s not available (which it was not in our case), or if you prefer to use a sausage without any spice, kielbasa is a fine substitute.

Don’t forget to let the rice cook until dry after it’s added to the pot. This evaporates any water left from rinsing the grains. Also, when simmering is complete, be sure to allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes to allow the rice to finish cooking and the ingredients to absorb moisture.

Lemon-Garlic Rice with Sausage and Kale

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to serve
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  •   Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 8 oz. linguiça or kielbasa sausage, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
  • 6 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • ¾-1 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
  • 1 medium bunch lacinato kale (about 12 oz.), stemmed and chopped into rough 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan over medium-high, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onion and ½ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
  2. Add the sausage, garlic and pepper flakes; cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage begins to brown, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the rice and cook, stirring, until sizzling and dry, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the kale a handful at a time, stirring until wilted after each addition.
  4. Stir in 2¼ cups water and ½ teaspoon black pepper, then bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce to low and cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 15 minutes.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Uncover and fluff the rice mixture with a fork.
  6. Stir in the cilantro and lemon juice, then taste and season with salt and black pepper.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Crab Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

We recently had these gems as part of our New Year’s Eve dinner. Any festive occasion such as anniversary, graduation, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or you just feel a little decadent one day, they are an easy, healthy and festive main or first course for any special celebration.

Try to pick four equally-sized large portobello mushrooms. Check the gills to see if they’re fresh by looking for a paper-thin layer of white cap. The perfect mushrooms will be damp and springy but not overly moist, mushy, or dried out.

Break the stems off of the portobello mushrooms and scrape the gills out of them with a spoon. Wipe the caps with a damp paper towel, and then lay them gilled side up in the dish before setting them aside.

Once prepped and filled, bake the mushrooms until they are soft, the filling is heated through, and the topping is browned, which should take around 30 to 32 minutes. Let the mushrooms cool for 5 to 10 minutes, and then top them with additional scallions before serving (if desired).

Unbelievably delicious, we paired ours with Baked Scallops with Couscous and Leeks for a romantic New Year’s Eve dinner at home. We will be making them again as an hors d’oeuvre for an upcoming dinner party, but will use smaller cremini mushrooms. However, be prepared for sticker-shock over the price of lump crab meat… but special occasions call for treating yourself, right?

A few weeks later we made the appetizer size for the house party. Using the same amount of ingredients for the stuffing, it filled about 30 button mushrooms and took approximately 25 minutes to cook.

Crab Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 4 large Portobello mushrooms
  • 4 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchatel), softened
  • 1 1/2 tsp. seafood seasoning blend such as Old Bay
  • ¼ tsp. salt, optional
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 5 to 10 dashes of Tabasco hot sauce
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 scallions, finely sliced, plus more for garnish
  • ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs, plus 3 Tbsp., divided (gluten-free if desired)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1 Tbsp., divided
  • 2 Tbsp. finely chopped jarred and drained roasted red pepper or pimento
  • 8 oz. lump or jumbo crab meat
  • 1 Tbsp. melted salted butter
  • 1/8 tsp. paprika

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13 baking dish with cooking spray. Break stems off portobello mushrooms. Scrape gills out of them with a spoon. Wipe caps with a damp paper towel. Lay gilled side up in the dish. Set aside.
  2. Beat cream cheese, Old Bay, salt and Tabasco with an electric mixer on medium-low until creamy and the seasonings are fully incorporated into the cream cheese. Add egg white and beat again to combine.
  3. Add scallions, ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ Parmesan and red pepper and mix on low until combined. 
  4. Stir crab, gently by hand into the cream cheese mixture until just incorporated.
  5. Scoop the filling into the mushrooms, dividing evenly.
  6. Stir the remaining 3 tablespoons panko with butter and paprika until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened and reddish orange. Sprinkle over the mushrooms. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon Parmesan.
  7. Bake the mushrooms until they are soft, the filling is heated through and the topping is browned, 30 to 32 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes. Top with additional scallions before serving, if desired.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Original recipe by Katie Webster

Tagliatelle with Artichokes and Olive Oil for Two

Uncategorized, , , , ,

Jarred artichoke hearts and tagliatelle make a quick and elegant dinner. The leaves from jarred artichoke hearts need to be separated from the hearts and then given a quick soak to temper the harsh flavors they pick up from the brine. Slice the hearts in half and then dry them well so that they can be easily browned to bring out their natural nuttiness.

Anchovy gives the sauce savory depth without imparting a fishy taste—don’t omit it; and cream ties together the aromatics, wine, and artichoke flavor. A simple Parmesan bread-crumb topping gives the dish some savory crunch. Even though it adds more carbs, the crumb topping adds another dimension and necessary texture.

Jarred artichoke hearts labeled “baby” or “cocktail” that are 1 1/2 inches or shorter in length are preferred. Larger artichoke hearts tend to have fibrous leaves. But, if you must use larger hearts, trim the top 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the leaves. Do not use marinated or oil-packed artichoke hearts. You’ll need two 9.9-ounce jars of artichokes for this recipe—however, because we love artichokes, we added two 14-ounce jars.

This recipe can easily be doubled to feed 4 or 5 guests. Unable to source tagliatelle (who knows why, it is usually a popular pasta), we substituted fettuccini, though pappardelle would also work.

Tagliatelle with Artichokes and Olive Oil for Two

  • Servings: 2
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups jarred whole artichoke hearts packed in water, preferably baby or cocktail size
  • 1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 ½ Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 anchovy fillet, rinsed, patted dry, and minced
  • ¼ tsp. dried oregano
  • Pinch red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • 1 Tbsp. heavy cream
  • 6 oz. tagliatelle
  • 2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
  • ½ tsp. grated lemon zest

Directions

  1. Cut leaves from artichoke hearts. Cut hearts in half and dry with paper towels. Place leaves in bowl and cover with water. Let leaves stand for 15 minutes. Drain well.
  2. Pulse bread in food processor until finely ground, 7 to 10 pulses. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add bread crumbs and cook, stirring constantly, until crumbs begin to brown, 2 to 4 minutes.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons Parmesan and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until crumbs are golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer crumbs to bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Wipe out skillet.
  4. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in now-empty skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add artichoke hearts and pinch salt; cook, stirring frequently, until hearts are spotty brown, 5 to 7 minutes.
  5. Add garlic, anchovy, oregano, and pepper flakes; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  6. Stir in wine and cream and bring to simmer. Remove skillet from heat and stir in artichoke leaves. Set aside.
  7. Meanwhile, bring 2 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and 1/2 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to pot. Stir in artichoke sauce, remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan, 1/3 cup reserved cooking water, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, parsley, and lemon zest. Adjust consistency with remaining reserved cooking water as needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve, passing bread-crumb mixture and extra Parmesan separately.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Cook’s Illustrated

Bangers with Onion Gravy

Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

Ever eat Bangers and Mash that left you underwhelmed? So this version found in Milk Street Magazine, enticed us to want to try making it on our own. It’s clearly not a complicated recipe, and the flavor profile looked downright yummy. So after ordering the Marmite online, and receiving it a few days later, we took the plunge.

Great bangers and mash with onion gravy, the iconic British pub staple, revolves around plump, well-browned links napped with an ultrasavory sauce. Searing the sausages ensures that the links develop attractive, flavorful browning; steaming cooks them through gently so that they are plump and juicy.

Adding the onions (thin-sliced so that they softened quickly) to the pan to steam with the sausages jump-starts their cooking. Continuing to sauté them after the sausage comes out further softens them and caramelizes their sugars; doing so also develops a deep, flavor-packed fond on the bottom of the skillet.

Deglazing the pan with a highly seasoned beef broth captures the fond, and simmering the onions in the broth tenderizes them more and concentrates the flavor of the gravy. A cornstarch slurry and butter, whisked in just before serving, gives the gravy the requisite viscosity, shine, and richness.

To capture every bit of that savory flavor base, deglaze the pan with beef broth that is seasoned with dry mustard, rosemary, thyme, and Marmite the glutamate-rich British yeast extract that infuses the gravy with meaty fussed-over flavor. Marmite is sold at most grocery stores or easliy accessible online.

If Cumberland sausage is unavailable, you can substitute bratwurst or any mildly spiced fresh pork sausage. For the best-tasting gravy, cook the onions until a dark fond forms in the skillet. Serve the sausages and gravy over your favorite mashed potato recipe.

Bangers with Onion Gravy

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 1½ lbs. Cumberland sausage (6 links)
  • 2 onions, halved and sliced thin (3 cups)
  • ½ cup water plus 1 Tbsp., divided
  • 2½ cups beef broth
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1 tsp. minced fresh thyme
  • ½ tsp. minced fresh rosemary
  • 1¼ tsp. sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. Marmite
  • ½ tsp. pepper
  • ¼ tsp. table salt
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces
  • 1 tsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley

Directions

  1. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Arrange sausages in pan and cook, turning once, until browned on 2 sides, about 5 minutes. Move sausages to 1 side of skillet. Add onions, evenly distributing around bottom of pan, and nestle sausages on top. Add ½ cup water and immediately cover. Cook, turning sausages once until they register between 160 and 165 degrees and onions have softened, about 10 minutes.
  2. While sausages cook, whisk broth, Marmite, mustard, thyme, and rosemary in 4-cup liquid measuring cup until Marmite dissolves.
  3. Transfer sausages to plate and tent with aluminum foil. Make sure onions are spread evenly; cook without stirring until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes (if onions have not browned, increase heat to medium-high). Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are tender and well browned, and dark fond forms on bottom of skillet, 3 to 5 minutes longer. Stir in sugar, pepper, and salt and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add broth mixture, increase heat to medium-high, and bring to boil. Cook, scraping up any browned bits from bottom and sides of skillet and stirring back into sauce, until sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Combine cornstarch and remaining 1 tablespoon water in small bowl. Whisk cornstarch mixture into sauce and cook until sauce is glossy and has consistency of heavy cream, about 2 minutes.
  5. Off heat, whisk in butter, 1 piece at a time. Stir in vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Steve Dunn for Cook’s Illustrated

Adobo Chicken & Kale Enchiladas

Uncategorized, , , , ,

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
  • Print

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.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe sourced from Eating Well Magazine

Spicy Korean-Style Braised Cod

Uncategorized, , , , ,

OK, I’ll go out on a limb here and claim this cod recipe is probably one of the best fish dishes I’ve ever eaten! The skillet braise is a simplified version of daegu jorim, or Korean braised cod. Here, Milk Street builds an umami-rich braising liquid by combining sake, mirin, soy sauce and gochujang (Korean fermented chili paste), plus garlic, ginger and chilies.

In the Korean kitchen, steaks of fatty fish, such as black cod or mackerel, are commonly used in daegu jorim, but this recipe opts for easy to source Atlantic cod fillets. Instead of buying individual fillets, we bought a 1 1⁄2-pound piece and cut it down to our preferences.

Earthy, subtly sweet daikon radish is a standard ingredient in the braise but Yukon Gold potatoes are said to be a good alternative. Baby bok choy is also added for color and to round out the braise. Let ‘s just say, this packs quite a punch—which we loved—but to tone it down a notch or three, use only one Fresno chili and discard the seeds and veins.

If you like, sprinkle on sliced scallions or toasted sesame seeds as a garnish, and/or drizzle on some sesame oil. Be sure to serve steamed short-grain rice alongside. Kimchi would be a great accompaniment, too. It was even very good as leftovers. — Just YUM!

Don’t cover the skillet tightly after adding the cod and bok choy. Leaving the lid ajar allows some steam to escape, so the broth reduces slightly, for more concentrated flavor and consistency.

Spicy Korean-Style Braised Cod

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups sake
  • 1/3 cup mirin
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp. gochujang
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
  • 1 – 2 Fresno or jalapeño chilies, stemmed and sliced into thin rounds
  • 12 oz. daikon radish, peeled, quartered lengthwise and cut crosswise into ½-inch pieces or 12 oz. medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 4 6-oz. skinless cod fillets, each about 1 inch thick
  • 8 oz. baby bok choy, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • Steamed rice

Directions

  1. In a 12-inch skillet, stir together the sake, mirin, soy sauce, gochujang, garlic, ginger and chilies; bring to a boil over medium-high, stirring occasionally. Add the daikon (or potato), then cover, reduce to medium, and cook, flipping and stirring the radish every 5 minutes or so, until a skewer inserted into the pieces meets no resistance, 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Slide the cod fillets into the skillet and scatter the bok choy over the top. Cover partially and cook over medium, turning the fish and stirring the vegetables just once or twice, until the cod flakes easily and the sauce is slightly thickened, 5 to 8 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Ladle into shallow bowls and garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Pappardelle with Mushrooms and Prosciutto

Uncategorized, , , ,

Getting the consistency of the creamy mushroom sauce right is key for this pasta recipe. You want to reduce it just until it clings to the pappardelle to create a light coating; but be careful not to reduce it too much. To that end, don’t discard the pasta water after removing the pappardelle, you may need it to thin the dish when combining everything at the end (we did).

If you buy the prepackaged prosciutto, it is very thin and almost impossible to keep in one piece as you place in into the hot oil. It doesn’t really matter because in the end it gets crunched up anyway. Our mushroom mix consisted of oyster, cremini, and shiitakes. If unable to source pappardelle, fettuccine would be a comparable substitute.

We altered the amounts of a few ingredients. Instead of 12 ounces of pasta we decreased it to 8 ounces; and increased the prosciutto from 2 ounces to 4. These changes are noted in the list of ingredients below, however, you can decide what amounts work best for you.

Pappardelle with Mushrooms and Prosciutto

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto (about 6 slices)
  • 1 lb. mixed mushrooms (such as chanterelles, maitake, oyster, cremini, and/or shiitake), torn into bite-size pieces
  • 2 medium shallots, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. thyme leaves, plus more for serving
  • Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
  • 1 cup chicken stock, preferably homemade
  • 8 oz. pappardelle or fettuccine
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Directions

  1. Heat ¼ cup oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Arrange prosciutto in a single layer in pot and cook, turning once or twice, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
  2. Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in same pot over high. Cook mushrooms, tossing occasionally, until browned and tender, 5–8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  3. Add shallots and 1 tsp. thyme, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until shallots are translucent and softened, about 2 minutes. Add stock and reduce heat to low. Bring to a simmer and cook until only a thin layer of stock coats bottom of pot, 5−7 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 3 minutes less than package directions.
  5. Using tongs, transfer pasta to pot with mushrooms and add 1 cup pasta cooking liquid. Crumble half of prosciutto into pot. Increase heat to medium, bring to a simmer, and cook, tossing constantly, until pasta is al dente and liquid is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add cream, return to a simmer, and cook, tossing, until pasta is coated, about 1 minute.
  6. If pasta sauce is thicker than prefered, add additional pasta water a 1/4 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition until desired consistency is achieved. Remove from heat, add butter, and toss to combine. Taste and season with salt if needed.
  7. Divide pasta among bowls. Top with more thyme and crumble remaining prosciutto over; season with pepper.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Claire Saffitz for Bon Appétit

Chicken Escabeche

Uncategorized, , , , , ,

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
  • Print

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.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Julia Rackow for Milk Street

Sheet Pan Smoked Paprika Chicken with Chickpeas

Uncategorized, , , ,

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
  • Print

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

Shrimp Pasta with Preserved Lemon

Uncategorized, , , ,

Here, preserved lemon is paired with seared shrimp in this easy weeknight pasta recipe. It also features garlic, chile flakes, plenty of Parmesan, and a touch of fresh lemon juice, bringing the full spectrum of lemon flavor to the table. Let me just put it out there, the dish was luxuriously fantastic!

It’s amazing that this silky sauce contains no cream. One of the main ingredients, preserved lemon, adds a wonderful base note and should not be omitted. Then, instead of using an entire pound of pasta, we scaled it back to half that amount for a better balance with the shrimp. Just keep in mind, it may not provide 4 entrée-sized portions (depending on hungry your diners are!).

Back to those preserved lemons. They are a versatile pantry staple with the power to level up the flavor of any dish it touches. Unlike the aggressively pungent and assertive flavor of fresh lemon rind, preserved lemons have softer, richer, and deeper flavors, mellowed by the salty bath that pickles them. While they lose some of their bracing acidity, citrusy aromas and gentle tanginess remain.

We keep a jar of preserved lemons in our auxiliary refrigerator at most times. Which BTW, take at least 3 weeks “hibernating” in a cool room, then a spin in the fridge before they are ready to use. The jar of preserved lemons, at left, was just made with kosher salt, lemons, black peppercorns and bay leaves.

TIP: If you don’t have, or can’t find preserved lemons, you can microwave four 2-inch strips lemon zest, minced, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, ½ teaspoon water, ¼ teaspoon sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt at 50 percent power until the liquid evaporates, about 1½ minutes, stirring and mashing the lemon with the back of a spoon every 30 seconds.

Shrimp Pasta with Preserved Lemon

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. medium tube-shaped pasta (such as rigatoni or penne)
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled, deveined
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup finely chopped preserved lemon rinds
  • ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 4 Tbsp. chilled unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
  • 2 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about 1 cup), plus more for serving
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped parsley, plus more for serving

Directions

  1. Cook 1 lb. medium tube-shaped pasta (such as rigatoni or penne) in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain, reserving 2 cups pasta cooking liquid.
  2. Meanwhile, pat 1 lb. large shrimp, peeled, deveined, dry with paper towels; season lightly with kosher salt. Heat ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Add 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped, ¼ cup finely chopped preserved lemon, and ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until preserved lemon is softened, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add shrimp and cook, stirring often, until just opaque, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add pasta, 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces, and 1 cup pasta cooking liquid and cook, tossing vigorously, until butter is melted and sauce is thickened slightly, about 2 minutes. Add ½ cup finely grated Parmesan; toss until melted.
  5. Add ½ cup pasta cooking liquid, 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces, and ½ cup finely grated Parmesan and cook, stirring vigorously and adding more pasta cooking liquid if needed, until sauce is thickened and coats pasta, about 1 minute. Mix in 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice and ⅓ cup finely chopped parsley.
  6. Divide pasta among shallow bowls. Top with more finely grated Parmesan and finely chopped parsley.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Rachel Gurjar for Bon Appétit

Roasted Winter Squash with Lime, Chili and Cilantro

Uncategorized, , , , ,

This time of year, squashes have their moment(s) in the sun. Here, the roasted squash shines when using spicy, tangy ingredients to banish one-note flavors. Lime, garlic and chilies add kick; while brown sugar creates a glaze-like coating with molasses notes that enhance the earthy-sweet squash.

Kabocha is a Japanese pumpkin with mottled green edible skin and dense, slightly starchy orange flesh. Acorn squash, with thin skin that doesn’t require peeling, also is a terrific option. With no kabocha to choose from, we opted for the acorn squash.

This recipe would make for a nice side dish on your Thanksgiving table. Just sayin’… OR, pair it with Pan-Seared Bone-in Pork Chops, a fabulous cool weather meal.

Roasted Winter Squash with Lime, Chili and Cilantro

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. grated lime zest, plus ¼ cup lime juice, plus lime wedges, to serve
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 lb. kabocha squash OR two 1¼-lb. acorn squashes, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced into 1-inch-thick wedges
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 or 2 serrano OR Fresno chilies, stemmed and sliced into thin rings
  • 1/3 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F with a rack in the upper-middle position. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lime juice and sugar until the sugar dissolves.
  2. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the squash with half of this mixture, 2 teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Arrange the pieces cut side down and roast until browned on the bottom, 25 to 30 minutes.
  3. Using a wide metal spatula, flip each piece, drizzle with the remaining oil mixture and sprinkle with the garlic and chili(es). Roast until the squash is deeply caramelized and a skewer inserted into the largest piece meets no resistance, 10 to 15 minutes.
  4. Transfer to a platter, pouring over any juices. Top with the lime zest and cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Hasselback Chicken Cordon Bleu

Uncategorized, , , ,

Simple is, as simple gets—and this recipe couldn’t be much simpler. With literally just a handful or so of ingredients, you end up with this pretty impressive dinner in less than an hour.

A fun play on hasselback potatoes, Ree Drummond’s chicken is stuffed with Canadian bacon, Swiss cheese and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Bonus? You can make this dish in advance and freeze until you’re ready to eat.

Easily cut in half, or even for two, each breast is enough for one serving for most eaters. We used regular Dijon mustard as opposed to honey Dijon which is sweeter. The Swiss cheese slice quarters were taller than the bacon moons so the tops were folded down to equal the same height as the bacon halves.

Consider using a large enough parchment-lined baking sheet so that there is room around each breast for more crisping around the edges.

Hasselback Chicken Cordon Bleu

  • Servings: 8
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup honey, or regular Dijon mustard 
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs 
  • 6 Tbsp. salted butter, melted 
  • 1 Tbsp. kosher salt 
  • 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 
  • 12 slices Swiss cheese, cut into quarters 
  • 24 rounds Canadian bacon (about 1 lb.), cut into half-moons 

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. At a slight angle, cut 6 slits into each of the chicken breasts, making sure not to cut all the way through. You should leave roughly 1/4 inch unsliced. Transfer the slit chicken breasts to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the top of each chicken breast with 1 tablespoon of the mustard.
  3. Mix together the breadcrumbs, melted butter, salt and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the chicken, using your hands to press the mixture into the mustard. Place a quarter piece of cheese and a half-moon piece of Canadian bacon into each of the slits in each chicken breast.
  4. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the breadcrumbs are golden, 20 to 25 minutes (depending on the size of the breasts). Serve warm with your favorite sides.
  5. Freezing instructions: Once the uncooked chicken breasts are assembled, place 4 onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet; repeat with the remaining chicken breasts on a separate lined baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheets to the freezer until the chicken breasts are frozen through, at least 3 hours. Transfer the chicken breasts to 2 wax paper-lined foil pans. Label, date and freeze until ready to eat.
  6. When ready to eat, preheat the oven to 425°F. Bake the chicken breasts from frozen until the chicken is cooked through and the breadcrumbs are golden, about 40 minutes. Serve as directed above.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Ree Drummond

Thai Stir-Fried Pork with Basil, Chilies and Garlic

Uncategorized, , , , ,

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
  • Print

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.

http://www.lynnandruss.com

Adapted from a recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Uncategorized, , ,

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
  • Print

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.

http://www.lynnandruss.com