Take Advantage of Those Summer Vegetables!

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Make Take Advantage of Those Summer Vegetables!

An appetizing way to work those vegetables into everyone's diet. This quick method of preparing the chicken breast, Hasselback, is much easier and less work than pounding out the chicken breast, stuffing and then rolling them up to bake.

Primavera Stuffed Chicken



Ingredients
Serves 4

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp. olive oil
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 zucchini, halved and thinly sliced into half moons
3 medium tomatoes, halved and thinly sliced into rounds
2 yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella


Directions

Preheat oven to 400º. 

Place chicken on a cutting board and make 5 slits into each breast, being careful not to cut through completely. Drizzle olive oil over chicken and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Stuff each chicken breast slit with zucchini, tomato, bell pepper, and red onion. 

Sprinkle each chicken breast with mozzarella.

Bake until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, 25 minutes.

Serve with a crisp cold green salad!
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Sourdough Bread: Part 1 – Let’s Get This Started

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Make Sourdough Bread: Part 1 – Let’s Get This Started

Welcome to part one of a two part video series for how to make sourdough bread, with nothing more than flour and water. If you’re thinking I already did this before, well, we did, sort of. I did a multi-part series for this long ago, but it was horribly shot, confusing, and the results weren’t good. Other than that, it was fine.

Anyway, thanks to an amazing refresher course from Northwest Sourdough (which I highly recommend you check out, and subscribe to), I decided to take those videos down, and do an updated, 2-part recipe. There’s really nothing like homemade sourdough, and notwithstanding the time it takes for your starter to mature, it’s a very simple, and easy process.

The exact number of grams seen herein doesn’t really matter, as long as you’re using exactly the same amount of flour and water, by weight. I picked 70 grams, since it seemed like a nice amount to film, but the ratio is really the key. Same goes for the types of flour used. I like half spelt, and half bread flour, but this will work with pretty much any combination, including all wheat flour.

I never like to get too deep in the weeds when showing a technique, so if you do want all the Latin terms, and detailed explanations for what exactly is happening here, there are endless resources online. All I care about is that this works. After the second day, toss away half your mixture, feed with equal parts flour and water, wait for the microorganisms to do their thing. Stay tuned for part two, or as I call it the good part, where we’re going to make a loaf of incredibly beautiful, tasty bread, and as always, enjoy!


Day 1: combined 70 g *water and 70 g flour
Day 2: add 70 g water and 70 g flour
Day 3: discard 140 g of your starter, and feed with 70 g water and 70 g flour
Day 4 until maybe Day 10: repeat the step above, every day, until your starter smells fruity, yeasty, and beautifully fermented.
- Test by seeing if the mixture doubles within 2 to 3 hours after feeding. 
-- All this is based on you keeping the mixture at 70°. If it’s cooler than that this will take longer, and if it’s warmer it may ferment too fast, although I’m not sure if that’s a problem.
Note: Once done, you can store in the fridge until needed. Most people recommend you feed it once a month or so.

* For best results, use bottled water, as chlorine can kill the yeast/bacteria.
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A Little Bit of Both is Great!

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Make A Little Bit of Both is Great!

Such a mellifluous yet simple combination of textures and flavors. The bite of the scallions, the sweetness of the beets and of course the delicious char of the grilled steak....what more could you want one would ask?  How about a tantalizing aioli!

Grilled Steak Salad With Beets And Scallions




Ingredients
Serves 4

Aioli
1/2 cup beef or chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
1 large egg yolk*
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Salad
1 pound tri-tip, New York strip, or skirt steak
1 garlic clove, halved
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch scallions or ramps
1 bunch spicy greens (such as arugula or mizuna)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 beets, peeled, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar


Directions

Aioli*
Bring stock to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.

Whisk egg yolk and mustard in a bowl. Whisking constantly, gradually add oil, drop by drop at first, until mixture is very thick. Whisk in lemon juice and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Stir in stock.  (Or use a quality mayonnaise adding garlic and Dijon mustard)

Salad
Preheat oven to 200°. Prepare grill for medium-high heat (or heat a grill pan over medium-high). Rub steak with cut sides of garlic and 1 tbsp. oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning several times, until lightly charred and medium-rare (an instant-read thermometer should register 130°), 14–16 minutes. Transfer to a rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet.

Meanwhile, toss scallions on another baking sheet with 1 Tbsp. oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill, turning often, until tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer to rack with beef and keep warm in oven.

Arrange greens on a platter; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with lemon juice and 1 tbsp. oil. Toss beets in a bowl with vinegar and remaining 1 tbsp. oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange over greens. Slice steak ½” thick; top greens with scallions and meat. Pour any juices over; season with salt. Serve with aioli.


*Raw egg is not recommended for the elderly, pregnant women, children under 4, and people with weakened immune systems.
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Day Late and a Sour Dough Starter Short

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Today's video has been pushed back until tomorrow, due to some extremely loud construction noise next door. While I'm happy our neighbors are getting a new driveway, I'm not happy I can't record the voice over for a new sour dough starter video. Thanks for your patience, and stay tuned! 


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Versatility with a Capital "V"

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What a great way to prepare vegetables for dinner!  Flavorful, quick and colorful.  One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility.  You can easily use this recipe substituting beef, shrimp, squid, fishballs, pork, chicken breast strips, chicken liver, pork and more.  Create a wonderful dinner using this recipe by making it a side dish along with a serving of one of the major protein groups used in the stir fry; pork chops, chicken thighs or breasts, beef strips, steak etc.

Shrimp and Pork Stir Fried Vegetables



Ingredients

1 lb. shrimp
1/2 lb. pork chops – cut into strips
1/2 lb. green beans cut into strips 2 inches long*
2 medium sized carrots sliced into strips*
2 medium sized potatoes sliced into strips*
1/2 tsp. black pepper powder
2 tbsp. oyster sauce
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 medium sized red onion – finely sliced
2 cloves garlic crushed and minced

* Crinkle cut adds to the appearance and holds more delicious sauce!

Directions

Steam the shrimp in a cup of water for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

Saute garlic, onion and pork followed by the potato. Add the oyster sauce, and soy sauce and continue sauteing for 2 minutes.

Add the green beans and shrimp and simmer for 2-3 minutes then add the carrots and simmer for another 2 minutes.

Ready to serve with steamed rice and the protein of your choice. Enjoy!

Crinkle Cutter...Get One!  A very useful tool in the kitchen!

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Timeless, Delicious and an Almost Forgotten Dish

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Make Timeless, Delicious and an Almost Forgotten Dish

How many of us grew up sitting down to the dinner table every weekday night enjoying a family meal.  I know I did and there was always a delicious beef roast served with mashed potatoes, gravy and typically green beans at least once a week.  I wonder how often that happens in today's hustle and bustle, and I also wonder what ever happened to cooking a roast for family and friends.  Besides being totally delicious, left overs are really great in the form of sandwiches, stroganoff's and more.

Horseradish-and-Parsley-Stuffed Rib-Eye Roast


Ingredients
Serves 8

8 anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely grated
1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup grated horseradish (prepared is fine, not cream style)
1/3 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 4–5-lb. boneless beef rib-eye roast

FYI
The rib-eye roast comes from the same area as the standing rib roast, but it’s a more manageable size (and cooks more evenly). It has all the fat, a.k.a. flavor of prime rib. Ask your butcher for the bones and roast them with the meat: Then you can decide who’s the lucky recipient!


Directions


Combine anchovies, garlic, parsley, horseradish, oil, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Set 2 Tbsp. of mixture aside.

Place rib-eye roast, fat side down, on a cutting board with a short end toward you. Holding a sharp slicing knife about 1” above cutting board, make a shallow cut along the entire length of a long side of roast. Continue cutting deeper into the roast, lifting and unfurling meat with your free hand, until it can lie flat. Season both sides with salt and pepper.  See video below from Omaha Steaks

Spread parsley mixture over roast and roll up so fat cap is on top; tie at 1” intervals with kitchen twine. Rub outside of roast with reserved parsley mixture and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Chill at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.

Let roast sit at room temperature 1 hour to help it roast evenly.

Preheat oven to 400°. Place meat on a rack set inside a roasting pan and roast, rotating once, until fat is golden brown and starting to render, 40–50 minutes.

Reduce temperature to 300° and continue to roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 125° for medium-rare, 1–1½ hours longer. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest at least 30 minutes before slicing.


Video on How to Butterfly Your Roast



You can use this method for pork, lamb, veal and almost anything else you would like to butterfly!
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Not Just Another Burger!

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In a nod to the Italian countryside, wagyu beef is paired with fig jam, crispy prosciutto, arugula, and a mixture of Gorgonzola and mascarpone in this super tasty burger.  Time to change things up a bit with the American Hamburger (version) and this recipe is the perfect start to a beautiful relationship!

Campagna Burger



Ingredients
Serves 4

1/3 cup quality mayonnaise
1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
1 teaspoon minced garlic
8 slices Jambon de Bayonne, or other prosciutto style ham
4 ounces Gorgonzola, crumbled
4 ounces mascarpone cheese
4 Wagyu Burgers
Coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper
8 tablespoons fig jam
Baby arugula
4 brioche buns

Directions

In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, rosemary, thyme, and garlic. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

In a lightly-oiled large skillet over medium-high heat, crisp the prosciutto, turning as needed. Set aside on paper towels.

To a small bowl add mascarpone and stir well. Gently fold in Gorgonzola. Set aside.

Season both sides of each patty with salt and pepper. Cook your patties to desired doneness (we recommend medium-rare), using a hot oiled grill or pre-heated, lightly-greased cast iron pan. Rest the patties on a cutting board for at least 5 minutes.

While the burgers are resting, dress the top buns with the herbed mayonnaise and the bottom buns with 2 tablespoons of fig jam and some arugula. 

Place the patties on top, then spoon on the gorgonzola mixture. 

Add 2 pieces of prosciutto to each burger and add top buns. 

Serve immediately.
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Ever feel like you really need a lunch break? Chances are, you should probably take one!

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Nothing to sneeze at, that's for sure. Roast beef sits inside of a soft, whole wheat flour tortilla, with tangy dill slaw as its partner. This is one delicious sandwich! Time to take things easy but still serve up a fun and very tasty lunch!


Roast Beef Wrap with Dill Slaw


Ingredients

3 Cups shredded coleslaw mix
3/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1 tbs white wine vinegar
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 cup mayo
2 tbs sour cream
2 tbs horseradish, drained
Salt and Pepper
1/4 pound sliced Havarti Dill cheese
1/2 pound deli-sliced roast beef
4 whole wheat wraps

Directions

For the slaw
Toss the coleslaw mix, dill, vinegar, sugar, mayo, sour cream, horseradish, 3/4 teas salt, and pepper to taste in bowl.

For the wraps
Layer the cheese, roast beef, and slaw in the center of the wraps. Fold in sides, then roll up tightly. Cut in half and serve with chips or your favorite summer side dishes.
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Rice-Ah-Roni – The San Francisco Treat?

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Make Rice-Ah-Roni – The San Francisco Treat?

While it’s true this great side dish was invented in The City, to call it “the San Francisco treat” is a bit of a stretch. Like I said in the video, the next time I see this served around here, will be the first. I’d say a Mission-style burrito is the real San Francisco treat. Which reminds me, I seriously need to do that video.

Regardless, if you like the stuff from the box, I think you’ll enjoy this, although without all that MSG, it will not be quite as savory. I guess we’re sacrificing a little less flavor for something that’s more healthful, at least according to me. I’ve stopped trying to convince people that eating lots of MSG is not a great idea; but as far as how it impacts one’s diet and carb cravings, I think the research is clear. In fact, forget the research, and just ask yourself why so many people are addicted to fast food.

It’s certainly not the quality, or appearance. Having said that, if you do want to get closer to the original, simply use a cheap, powdered chicken base to make your broth. That stuff is loaded with MSG, among other things, and may be preferable to many of you drive-thru junkies, he said judgmentally. Either way, I really do hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!


Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup finely diced onions
2/3 cup orzo pasta, or spaghetti broken into small pieces
1 1/3 cup white long grain rice
3 cups high-quality chicken broth
Spice blend:
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more if needed
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon coriander
1/8 teaspoon mustard powder
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
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Almost Too Pretty to Eat!.....Almost!

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Two simple foods that pair perfectly together are grapefruit and avocado. Avocado loves the bright splash of acidic citrus, and grapefruit loves the warm richness of avocado. Sprinkle everything with a citrusy vinaigrette and you have a salad that is delicious as it is pretty!

Grapefruit Avocado Salad

Grapefruit avocado salad. Peeled segments of grapefruit arranged with avocado slices, with a citrus vinaigrette



Prep time: 20 minutes

Ingredients
Serves 4


2 avocados, peeled and sliced
2 grapefruits, peeled, segmented, seeds removed 
Lettuce

Citrus vinaigrette
1/2 shallot minced (1 Tbsp)
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons lime zest
3 Tbsp lime juice
1/2 cup light olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

The vinaigrette recipe makes more dressing than you will need for the amount of avocado and grapefruit. Just refrigerate the extra in a jar and save to dress another salad!


Directions

In a small bowl, mix the vinaigrette ingredients.

To supreme the grapefruit, first slice off a half-inch or more from the stem end and the blossom end of the fruit, enough to easily expose the fruit. Use a sharp knife. Then use the knife to cut away the peel from the grapefruit, following the contours of the fruit. Keep cutting away the peel until the grapefruit is completely peeled.

Use the knife to cut alongside the membranes that separate the grapefruit segments. Remove the segments by either cutting the segments away from the membranes, or by gently pulling the segment out after you've made a cut alongside one of the membranes. Continue to work around the grapefruit until you've cut out or removed all of the segments, without their connective membranes.

Peel and slice the avocados.  Arrange slices of avocados and grapefruit segments on a plate on a bed of a few lettuce leaves.

Spoon dressing over the salad.
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A "Going Out Friday Night" Dish!

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Make A "Going Out Friday Night" Dish!

You worked hard all week and one only knows the challenges you were presented.....Make something like this next dish for a Friday night letting you have time and energy left to go out and have a great time!  Delicious, quick and fairly easy and what's more, you can prepare most of it ahead of time so all it takes is a little time pulling it all together and then you are off!  This sweet and spicy fried chicken recipe is flavored with honey and hot sauce, and it tastes even better wedged between flaky buttermilk biscuits.

Mile-High Biscuit Sandwiches with Sweet Heat Hot Chicken


Ingredients
Makes 9 biscuits

Sweet Hot Chicken
1 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. yellow cornmeal
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. Kosher salt
2 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper
2 c. Buttermilk
5 chicken cutlets (about 1 lb.) halved crosswise
7 c. vegetable oil
1/4 c. hot sauce (your favorite brand...Franks is mine!)
3 tbsp. Honey

Mile-High Biscuits*** 
4 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for working
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. cold unsalted butter, cut up
1 1/2 c. Buttermilk

Directions

Sweet Heat Hot Chicken
Whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Pour buttermilk into a separate bowl. Working with one piece at a time, toss chicken in flour mixture, dip in buttermilk, then toss again in flour mixture. Transfer to a plate.
Set a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Heat 1 1/2 inches oil in a Dutch oven to 360°F. Fry chicken, in batches and turning occasionally, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to prepared rack.

Whisk together hot sauce and honey in a bowl. Drizzle warm chicken with hot sauce mixture. 

Mile High Biscuits***
Preheat oven to 450°F. 

Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a bowl. Cut butter into flour with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture resembles small peas. Stir in buttermilk with a fork until dough begins to form a ball. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, knead 2 or 3 times, adding additional flour as needed to prevent sticking.

With floured hands, pat dough into a 1-inch-thick square (8 to 9 inches). Cut dough into 4 squares and stack on one another. Roll stacked dough into a 1-inch- thick square, repeat 3 more times. With a floured knife, trim around sides of dough to create clean edges. Cut into 9 biscuits. Place biscuits gently on a baking sheet. Chill 15 minutes.

Bake biscuits until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.

Split biscuits and serve with Sweet Heat Hot Chicken.

Make Ahead.  You certainly can make the chicken ahead of time and refrigerate until you are ready to make the sandwiches. Making the chicken that day will certainly make them a little more crispy, but they will still be delicious when you drizzle them with the reserved hot sauce mixture.

Mile High Biscuits.  Visit your local grocery store and buy pre-made biscuits either thaw and bake or poppin' fresh!
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Simple(y) Elegant

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This easy pork chops recipe served with mushrooms and coated in creamy Marsala sauce is the ultimate one-dish meal for all seasons. Try this simple yet delicious dish!

PORK CHOPS IN MUSHROOM MARSALA SAUCE



Preparation time 20 minutes.  Cooking time 30 minutes

Ingredients
Serves 4

4 Pork chops, boned
1 Onion, peeled and finely diced
1 Garlic cloves, peeled and finely diced
14 ounces button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1/2 tablespoon Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon flour
3/4 cup of Marsala
1/2 cup of beef stock
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste, freshly ground


Directions


Wash and dry the pork chops and pound flat. Cut each chop in half.

Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the mushrooms in batches until golden brown. Take out of the pan.

Season the meat with salt and pepper and coat in flour. 

Fry in oil on both sides until golden brown, then deglaze the pan with Marsala and cook until reduced slightly.

Add a little meat stock. Chop the garlic and onions, add to the pan.

Return the mushrooms to the pan, cover and cook slowly over a low heat for about 10 minutes, or until done.

Turn the meat occasionally.

The sauce should be slightly creamy; use more or less stock as necessary.

Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Serve with wide egg noodles, creamy polenta or mashed potatoes.
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Horchata – No Tigers Were Harmed in the Making of this Drink

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When it comes to delicious, unique, and refreshing summer drinks, it’s hard to beat horchata. There are countless ways to make this, but my preferred method is easy, relatively quick, and doesn’t require any tigernuts, whatever those are.

Apparently, that’s what the original Spanish version contained, among other things, but we’re doing a Mexican-style horchata, which is done with rice and almonds. The result is something that sort of looks like milk, but is much lighter, and pairs perfectly with all your favorite summer foods. I know, summer’s almost over, but not here in San Francisco, where our hottest weather is just ahead.

Depending on your tastes, you can alter the amount of sugar, as well as the ratio between rice and almonds, but what you can’t alter is the need to strain this before serving. Unless you like gritty drinks, you’ll want to pass this through a very, very five sieve, multiple layers of cheesecloth, or both. I hear a plain white, cotton t-shirt also works nicely, but I’ve never tried.

As you saw, I tested a nut milk bag, which allowed a little too much sediment through for my tastes, but regardless, do not skip this step. It’s especially important if you’re not leaving the mixture to sit overnight, since the particles won’t have as long to soften. Other than that, there’s not much that can go wrong, and I really do hope you give it a try soon. Enjoy!


Makes about 2 quarts of Horchata:
1 cup long-grain white rice
1/4 cup raw almonds
1 cinnamon stick, or 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup white sugar
7 cups cold fresh water (4 cups to blend rice, 3 cups added after)
ground cinnamon to garnish, optional

Note: Once blended, let sit overnight before straining, if possible. This way the water has plenty of time to leach out the goodness from the rice and almonds. The four-hour method does work, but you don't get quite the same flavor. Along the same lines, many horchata "experts" actually prefer to not blend immediately, but rather let the mixture sit overnight to soften, before blending the next day. If you like how this comes out, feel free to experiment, and test for yourself.
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Who Would Have "Thunk"?

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This is an amazing idea!  Makes total sense, but it also makes a delicious chicken!  The natural juices dripping down and off the chicken also enhances the flavors of the vegetables tucked in the bottom of the pan.  Hands off to whomever came up with the idea of using a Bundt pan.  Beer cans and vertical roasters are excellent as well, but this idea is not only creative it's also something that most of us already have at home.


Bundt Pan Roast Chicken



Ingredients
Serves 6

3 cloves garlic
2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, quartered
1/2 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch fresh thyme
1 large bunch fresh rosemary
1 3-4 lb. chicken, gizzards removed
1 lemon, sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 425° and cover the hole of the Bundt pan with foil.

In the bowl of a large Bundt pan, combine garlic, carrots, onion, and potatoes. Toss with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary on top of the vegetables.

Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season the inside of the cavity generously with salt and pepper, then stuff it with the lemon slices, a few sprigs of thyme, and a few sprigs of rosemary. Rub olive oil all over the skin of the chicken, then season generously with salt and pepper.

Place the chicken in the middle of the Bundt pan, breast side up. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and skin is golden, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. Let chicken rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with roasted vegetables and extra pan juices.
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Easier Than it Looks? YES!!

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Yet another delicious chicken dish!  Economical, versatile and healthy. (chicken). Team it up with a couple of ingredients and a little knife skills and you are set!  The secret to serving chicken to your family and friends with any regularity is to be creative in your thinking and try something different each time!

Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken



Ingredients
Serves 4

Chicken
4 boneless , skinless chicken breasts (2 pounds) 
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon mild paprika (optional)
salt and pepper to season

Spinach Artichoke Dip
4 oz  frozen spinach , thawed
8 oz  block cream cheese (light or reduced fat), at room temp
6 oz  bottled or canned artichoke hearts in brine , finely chopped*
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Salt to taste

Optional Cream Sauce
Remaining spinach / artichoke dip
1 cup milk (skim, 2% or full fat)
Instructions

Directions

For The Chicken
Place each chicken breast on a flat surface. Season both sides of each breast with the Italian seasoning and paprika. With your hand supporting each piece, cut a slit or pocket about 3/4 quarter of the way through, being careful not to cut all the way.

For The Dip Filling
Squeeze any and all excess liquid out of the spinach. Discard the water released. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the spinach, cream cheese, artichokes, mozzarella, Parmesan and garlic; mix well to combine (use your hands if necessary).

Fill chicken 'pockets' with 1-2 tablespoons of the spinach artichoke dip, spreading evenly with the back of the spoon (or use your fingertips to press it down). Reserve the leftover dip for the optional cream sauce (you should have exactly half left over), or see notes for other ideas!

Seal with two or three toothpicks near the opening to keep the dip inside while cooking.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet (or non stick pan) over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and fry until golden. Rotate and fry on the other side, covering pan with a lid, until cooked through, (about 6 to 7 minutes per side). Transfer chicken to a warm plate to make the optional cream sauce.

For The Cream Sauce
Pour milk into the skillet / pan and bring to a simmer. Add in the remaining dip (you should have exactly half remaining), and stir until sauce is combined and thickened. Add the chicken back into the pan and serve immediately!


Recipe Notes
Don't like artichokes? Replace them with an extra 4 oz of frozen and thawed spinach. 

The cream sauce is optional! If you're not wanting to make it, HALVE the DIP ingredients in the ingredients list to ensure there is no leftover dip! If you're wanting to save the reserved dip for later instead of using it in a cream sauce, simply refrigerate it up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months in a plastic container. When ready to use, mix 1/2 cup milk or cream through to thin the consistency and cook in pot over stove top!
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The New Power Couple!

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Make The New Power Couple!

Some of us need to step out of our comfort zone and what better place to express ourselves than in the privacy of the kitchen where we are the Masters of our own Domain!  I know that some cuisines of the world combined shellfish and pork on a fairly frequent basis, but I don't think the idea has quite caught on here at home....yet! Try this recipe.  It's relatively simple to make and understand and what's more, totally delicious!

Clam Toasts with Pancetta


Ingredients
Serves 2

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
2 ounces pancetta (Italian bacon), finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, 2 thinly sliced, 2 whole
1/2 medium sweet onion, finely chopped
1/2 small fennel bulb, finely chopped, plus ¼ cup fennel fronds
2 wide 3-inch strips lemon zest
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
1 cup dry white wine, divided
2 1½-inch-thick slices sourdough bread
1 pound Manila or littleneck clams or cockles
1/4 cup parsley leaves with tender stems


Directions


Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium.

Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp, 5–7 minutes. Add sliced garlic and cook, stirring often, until garlic is golden around the edges, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and add sweet onion and chopped fennel. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and onion is translucent, 6–8 minutes. Add lemon zest, bay leaf, ground fennel, 1/2 cup wine and a pinch of salt. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until wine is mostly reduced but mixture is still a little bit saucy, about 3 minutes. Transfer soffritto to a medium bowl. Discard lemon zest and bay leaf. Wipe out skillet.

Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in same skillet over medium. Arrange bread slices in skillet and cook until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Cut 1 garlic clove in half and rub one side of each toast with cut side of garlic. Wipe out skillet.

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in same skillet over medium. Crush remaining garlic clove with the side of a chef’s knife and cook, stirring often, until it begins to turn golden, about 1 minute. Add clams, soffritto, and remaining 1/2 cup wine. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by half and clams are open (discard any that do not open), 5–7 minutes. Add parsley and fennel fronds and cook 1 minute longer. Taste and season with salt if needed.

To serve, place fried bread on plates and spoon clam mixture and cooking broth over. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with red pepper flakes.

Do Ahead: Soffritto can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.
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A Chilled Beet Soup with Cucumber, Avocado and Dill!

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Make A Chilled Beet Soup with Cucumber, Avocado and Dill!

This luscious Beet Gazpacho is simple and easy to make and full of healthy fresh summer ingredients. A chilled beet soup, it’s topped with diced avocado, crunchy cucumber, onion, beet and fresh dill and a very optional drizzle of olive oil or swirl of yogurt.

Beet Gazpacho

Prep time 20 mins. Cook time 45 mins. Tl. time 1 hour 5 mins.


Ingredients
Serves 4

3/4 lb beets ( 4 medium beets, smaller than a tennis ball)
1/4 cup red or sweet onion, finely diced, divided
2 garlic cloves
3 small turkish cucumbers, divided
1/2 cup fresh dill, divided
2 Tablespoons sherry vinegar, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
1/4 teaspoon fresh pepper

Garnishes- avocado, diced cucumber, diced beet, finely diced onion, chopped dill, baby nasturtium leaves, olive oil or yogurt or sour cream


Directions

Place beets in a medium pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Turn heat down to low and simmer until fork tender all the way through, about 45- 60 minutes. Chill beets and their cooking liquid.

Once beets are cold, slip off their skins using your hands. Slice and place 3 of the 4 beets ( saving one) in a blender with 2 cups of the cold cooking liquid ( or use ice water, or cold veggie stock).

Add  half of the chopped onion( about 1/8 cup) , 2 garlic cloves, 2 sliced Turkish cucumbers ( saving one) salt, pepper, vinegar and about 2/3 of the fresh dill ( saving some for garnish). Blend until very smooth. Taste and adjust salt and vinegar. Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Prep the garnishes. 
Finely dice remaining beet, cucumber, avocado and chop the remaining dill. Pour chilled beet soup (the colder it is, the better) into bowls. Top with with the garnishes. Drizzle with a little olive oil or a swirl of yogurt or sour cream if you like. Serve immediately!
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Rigatoni al Segreto – Dinner and a Movie

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Make Rigatoni al Segreto – Dinner and a Movie

This Rigatoni al Segreto recipe was the most closely guarded secret at Gino’s, one of New York City’s most famous Italian restaurants. It was as legendary, as their signature zebra-print wallpaper, and it won awards as the best red sauce in town. 

While there were rumors that the secret ingredient was butter, no one really knew for sure. Once the restaurant closed in 2010, the recipe got out, and indeed, the butter legend was confirmed. Having never been there, I was excited to try it, but there was a big problem. Actually, a small problem. The recipe called for just a half-tablespoon of butter. Regulars knew this couldn’t be right, and so the recipe remained a mystery. Was it a typo? Was the old chef just trolling people?

We may never have known; had it not been for a documentary called, “The Missing Ingredient.” It’s a great film, but despite the name, it’s not about the butter. However, there’s a scene near the end, where the old chef makes this pasta for the filmmaker, and it shows how much butter goes in.

He made a much larger amount than the published version, but I concluded that it was a typo, and should’ve been half a stick of butter. So, not only am I recommending that you make this delicious sauce, but I also really hope you checkout the movie soon (it’s on Netflix). Enjoy!


Ingredients for four small or two large portions:
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
2 or 3 cloves crushed garlic
a pinch of red pepper flakes (not in original recipe)
1 can (28 oz) San Marzano tomatoes, blended smooth
1/2 cup water to rinse out the can of tomatoes
Small handful of basil leaves, left whole or sliced just before adding
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 1.5 oz by weight), plus more to top
4 tablespoons butter, cubed
*8 ounces dry rigatoni

* This recipe probably makes enough sauce to coat 12 oz of pasta, but I like lots of sauce.
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There Will be NO Upturned Noses!