Month: May 2017

Curly Kale Salad and Hummus on Lavash/Flatbread

This is a busy day for the family as we have birthday parties and two basketball competitions that require our participation. We need a delicious but satisfying lunch. A crispy lavash/flatbread painted with lemon hummus and topped with a flavor packed curly kale salad.

Ingredients

Lavash

1 lavash(9 inches by 12 inches)

1 T olive oil

1/2 – 2/3 C hummus

Salad

1 bunch curly kale

Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

5 garlic cloves minced

1/3 cup Parmesan Reggiano grated plus 1/4 cup  set aside

1/3 cup lemon juice

2 t Dijon mustard

6 ounces fresh raspberries or blackberries¹

1/3 C spiced pecansSugar Spiced Pecans

Salt and pepper

Directions

Serves 2 or 4.

Preheat oven to 420º F.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Salad Dressing

Pour into bowl,  lemon juice, minced garlic, mustard and cheese and combine. Stream in olive oil while vigorously whisking until emulsified. Pour into salad bottle and set aside.

Kale Prep

Remove kale ribs, wash and spin and tear into bite size pieces or if in a hurry rough chop. Transfer to large bowl.

Flatbread Prep

Place flatbread on baking sheet and paint both sides lightly with olive oil.

Transfer to oven and bake about 2- 3 minutes per side and remove from oven and cool.

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Assemble

Salad

In large bowl containing kale, add salad dressing and toss to coat kale leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Then add 1/3 C parmesan and gently toss.

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Spread flatbread with hummus.

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Top hummus with salad.

Dress with berries, pecans, and cheese.

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Serves two or four.

 

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Notes:

¹I use the berries in the salad that are on sale.

Organic kale and berries are in season now. There is such an abundance that most of the markets have fresh produce on sale regularly.

 

Potato, Bacon, Onion Tarte Flambenkuchen

An Alsatian flatbread or pizza with comfort food toppings. The bacon and crust add crunch, the onions add sweetness, the potatoes and sauce merry for depth of creaminess.

Ingredients

No Yeast Crust

1 1/2 C fllour

3 T olive oil

1/2 t salt

5-6 T water

Sauce

1/3 C fromage blanc

1/3 C crème fraîche(sour cream)

1/4 t nutmeg

Toppings

2 Yukon Gold potatoes sliced thin

2 T olive oil

1 onion sliced thin

1 T olive oil

3 bacon slices crumbled¹

1 slice provolone chopped

1/3 C mozarella shredded

Directions

Preheat oven to 500º F.  Cover one baking sheet in aluminum foil. Cover second baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make Dough

In medium bowl add flour and oil and mix until crumbly.

Add water and combine to form dough ball. Knead for 5-10 minutes.

Cover with plastic wrap or in covered bowl and let rest for at least one hour.

Make Sauce

In small bowl, combine crème fraîche, froamge blanc, and nutmeg.  Set aside.

Make Toppings

Using a mandolin, slice potatoes and onion very thin.

Rinse potatoes in water to remove extra starch and dry.  Coat with olive oil and roast in oven about 10-15 minutes, turning once. Remove and cool.

In medium skillet heat olive oil, add onion slices and cook until carmelized. Remove and cool.

In small skillet add bacon and cook until crisp. Remove and place on paper towel to degrease.

Assemble Tarte

Roll dough on parchment covered baking sheet until about 1/8 inch thick.

Add sauce and spread to about 1/4 inch from edge of dough.

Spread potatoes evenly across the crust, then add carmelized onions  and bacon bits.

Sprinkle provolone and mozzarella across the toppings.

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Place the tarte on top shelf of heated oven for 5 minutes, Then remove and place on lowest shelf for 7-10 minutes until crust is crispy brown.

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Remove and serve.

Note:

¹We use turkey bacon in our recipes.

When visiting Strasbourg, France I had Alsatian choucroute garnie in the fall which was always memorable but the one dish I enjoyed with friends year round was tarte flambée with bacon and onions or apples and cinnamon many times. It is great with an Alsatian dry white wine. I now regualrly make tartes but experiment with different toppings.

 

 

 

Bing Cherry Sorbet

Cherry season is here and never lasts long enough. Enjoy a sorbet made with fresh cherries. It is so tasty alone or with a dollop of whipped cream or better yet drizzled with choclate syrup. Yummy

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

1 C water

! C sugar

Cherry Sorbet

6 C cherries depitted and halved

2 T lemon juice

1/8 t almond extract

1 1/2 C simple syrup

Directions

Cuisinart Yogurt/Ice Cream Machine and 7 or 12 cup food processor

Simple Syrup

In small pan add water and sugar. Do not stir. Bring to boil and then simmer for 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. This maybe made ahead of time and refrigerated.

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Making Sorbet

Place Cuisinart Yogurt bowl in freezer 24 hours before making sorbet.

Depit the cherries by using a chop stick to push pits though or a pastry piping tip or use a cherry pitter. Slice cherries in half.

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Add the cherries and simple syrup to the food processor and puree until smooth. Add lemon juice and almond extract and pulse until combined. Pour into large covered bowl and place into freezer for two to three hours.

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Assemble yogurt/ice cream maker and pour cherry mixture into machine and churn for 15-20 minutes or until stiff.

Remove from maker and serve or place in covered container and freeze until further use.

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Note:

I do not strain cherry mixture prior to pouring into yogurt maker.

 

 

Easy Chicken Bolognaise

Tonight is kids’ two-hour basketball practice so we need an easy, quick to make dish.  The type of food that makes a growing child ask for seconds.  Unfortunately, there are never leftovers:)

Ingredients

Sauce

1 pound ground chicken ¹

1 T Mexican Blend (Morton & Bassett)

1 t Lawry’s® Seasoned Salt

2 T olive oil

1 large carrot diced

2 celery sticks diced

1 large shallot diced

4 garlic cloves minced

1 C chicken broth

2 t basil chopped

2 t thyme

2 C marinara sauce

1/2 C cream

1/2 C Parmesan cheese

2 t parsley chopped

Salt and pepper

Pasta

1 pound of  pasta

4 quarts of salted boiling water

Directions

Serves 4-6

Sauce

In medium bowl combine chicken, Mexican seasoning, salt and set aside.

Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add diced carrots, celery, and onions.  Then cook for 4 minutes over medium high heat.  Next, add garlic and cook for two minutes.

Add the seasoned chicken mixture, then stir to break chicken into bits.  Cook until chicken is no longer pink–about 8 minutes.

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Add chicken broth and cook for two minutes while stirring occasionally. Add marina sauce, basil, and thyme and cook for five minutes.

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Add cream, combine, and simmer for about ten minutes.

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Add additional reserved pasta water, if sauce is too thick. Add Parmesan and adjust seasoning.

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Pasta

Bring 4 quarts of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook following package directions. Drain and reserve about 1 cup pasta water.

Assemble Pasta Dish

In large serving bowl add the pasta. Pour sauce over the pasta and top with chopped parsley.  If desired, serve with a green salad on the side.

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Notes

1. Ground turkey or ground can be used as direct replacement.

 

 

 

 

 

Hummus Pizetta with Cucumber Tomato Salad

Addictively tasty healthy food.  That’s what toasted lavash with lemon hummus and tomato cucumber salad is.  Crunch. Yum. Pick up the crumbs.  Repeat.

Ingredients

1 lavash(9 x 12 inch)

1 T olive oil

2/3 C hummus *

Salad Ingredients

1/2 C cucumber diced

1/2 C tomato diced

2 T shallot diced

1 T mint chopped

2 T Kalamata olives chopped

Dressing Ingredients

1/2 t salt

Pinch of pepper

1/3 C white balsamic vinaigrette plus 2 T set aside

Last Ingredient to Add

2 C Little Gem (baby romaine) lettuce **

Directions

Serves 2 or 4.

Preheat oven to 450º F.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make Salad

Chop and prep all salad ingredients.

In small bowl, combine all salad ingredients (except romaine).

Set aside.

In a container, combine salad dressing ingredients and toss.

Make Dressing and Dress Vegetables

Make white balsamic vinaigrette.

Add 3 tablespoons of  dressing to vegetables and marinate for 1 hour. Set aside.

Flatbread Prep

Place flatbread on baking sheet and paint both sides lightly with olive oil.

Transfer to oven and bake about 3 minutes per side and remove from oven and cool.

Assemble

Spread flatbread with hummus.

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Add romaine to marinated salad mixture and toss.  More olives could also be added.

Add mixture to flatbread and drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of dressing on top.

Cut and serve.

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Notes

* I use lemon hummus or caper hummus in this recipe.

** If I am out of romaine, I use arugula. This changes the crunch factor and the taste profile.

This is a favorite luncheon meal–vegetables and protein on lavash.

White Balsamic Vinegairette

An easy to make balsamic vinegairette that is light but sweet.

Ingredients

2 T white balsamic vinegar

1 t honey

1 T dijon mustard

1 T shallot chopped or 2 cloves garlic minced

1/2 t salt

2 t  lemon juice

Pinch of black pepper

1/3 C olive oil

Directions

Tools and ingredients

In small bowl add all ingredients except olive oil and mix. Add oil in steady stream while whisking vigorously to emulsify dressing.  Transfer to salad dressing container.

 

 

Champagne Vinaigrette

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A light, delicate salad dressing that lets the salad ingredients shine.

Ingredients

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, good quality

2 T champagne vinegar, good quality

1 T honey

1 1/2 T shallot minced

1/2 t Dijon mustard

1/2 t salt

Pich of pepper

Directions

Tools and Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, shallot, honey, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

While whisking, slowly add the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified.

The dressing will have a consistent appearance, and the oil will not be seaprated and floating on top.

Serve over beet and feta salad (my favorite) or a green salad.

Note

I order a beet feta salad at my favorite Italian restaurant, and it is dressed in a champagne vinaigrette.  I have had this salad a couple of times and based on what I tasted,  this recipe is my attempt to recreate what I was served.  We also use this dressing on our fruit salads and spring green salads.

Roasted Beets*

Roasted beets have beauty and sweetness–a great combination for any meal. They are especially good in salads. They also are a good source of minerals and vitamins.

Ingredients

4 beets small size

3 beets medium size

1/3 C olive oil

Salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 375º F.  Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Cut greens about two inches above top of beet.

Gently clean the skin in water and then dry.

Paint with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.  Brushing the olive oil on reduces wasted use of olive oil in the bottom of the pan.

Wrap each beet individually in foil.

For Small Beets:

Bake for about 35-40 minutes.

For Medium Beets:

Roast for 55-60 minutes.

Test for doneness by sticking knife or fork into beet. If the beets puncture easily, they are done.

Remove from oven and rest for 10 minutes.

Using paper towel remove skin.

Ready to serve as vegetable or in a salad.

Notes

*This is not a roasted carmelized beet.

To boil or roast is the debate for best flavor. I have done both — boiled beets with stems on and roasted beets. I have not been able to discern a taste or texture difference between the two ways of cooking, My grandmother taught me to leave the whole beet intact before boiling. I boiled beets using her technique and I did have some bleeding.  To me, roasting is less messy, and I have barely any bleeding. Either way I get al dente, sweet flavored beets.

 

 

 

Southwest Lavash (Flatbread) Pizza

Use lavash as a flatbread to make  fun fresh pizza salad that has great flavor and a light texture.  This recipe is great for cutting carbs and making veggies more fun to eat.

Ingredients

1 lavash flatbread (9 x 12″)

1/2 C chèvre

1/3 C mozzarella

1/2 – 3/4 C black bean corn salsa

1 tomato diced

1/4 C black olives sliced

1 shallot thin sliced

1/4 -1/3 C cilantro sliced

1/2 C lettuce fine sliced

1/4 C sour cream

1/4 C cheddar shredded (optional)

Directions

Serves 2 for lunch

Preheat oven 450º F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine veggies:

Mix tomatoes, shallots, olives, and cilantro in small bowl and set aside.

Make pizza:

For sauces, the flatbread is prenaked.  For a soft cheese spread, you can prebake or move to the next step.  For prebaking, place flatbread on baking sheet and apply thin coat of olive oil to both sides. Bake for 3 minutes and turn over and bake for another 3 minutes.*  The flatbread should crisp and somewhat flexible.

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If prebaked, remove flatbread from oven. Otherwise, gently spread chèvre (or other soft cheese) and then sprinkle mozzarella on the flatbread. Bake for 3-4 minutes and remove from oven.

Add the black bean corn salsa and then the tomato mixture to the prepared flatbread. Sprinkle the lettuce and sour cream to finish dressing the pizza. (If desired, add shredded cheddar cheese.) Cut into quarters and serve.

Notes

* With cheese, I may not prebake the flatbread.  For sauces, prebaking is important since sauces can make flatbread soggy. I recommend experimenting to find what works for you.

Blackened chicken, cod, or halibut can be added.

Do not add so many ingredients that the flatbread breaks from the weight of the toppings.

Black Bean Corn Salsa

An easy to make salsa that is big in flavor and colorful. Fresh tomatoes, corn, and chilis add crunch  Great served with Mexican favorites.  We also make a fresh-mex pizza with this salsa.

Ingredients

3/4 C black beans drained and washed

3/4 C corn*

1 roma tomato deseeded and diced

1 shallot diced

2 serrano chilis diced*

1/2 C cilantro chopped

1/2 lime juiced

1/8 t cumin

Salt

Directions

Mix all ingredients in small bowl and season to taste with salt. Can be used immdeiately but tastes better if marinated 4 hours to overnight. Serve as side, a dip, or use in burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and Southwest Pizza.

Note

*I use fresh roasted corn. Canned or frozen corn can be substituted. I also use fresh tomatoes and chilis.

*I am finding that sometimes the chilis I buy have no heat, that includes poblanos, jalapeños, and serranos. They taste like a green pepper, disappointing. I add cayenne when this happens.