broccoli, cheddar and wild rice casserole from smittenkitchen.com

3 tablespoons butter
1/2 large onion, diced
Salt
2/3 cup uncooked wild rice blend, rinsed
1 pound broccoli
1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard powder or 1/2 teaspoon smooth Dijon
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
2/3 cup low-sodium vegetable
8 ounces cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
Freshly ground black pepper

Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add rice to onion and cook for 1 minute, then add 1 1/3 cups water and a few pinches of salt. Bring mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to lowest temperature and cook with the lid on for about 50 minutes (or whatever amount of time is suggested on your package of rice). If you’d like a rice cooker to do this for you, transfer onions, water and rice to the machine and set the machine.

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Peel broccoli stems and dice them into large chunks. Cut florets into 1-inch pieces. Cook in boiling, well-salted water for 2 to 3 minutes, then drain.

You can use this same pan to make the cheese sauce. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the mustard powder (if using), a pinch of cayenne and garlic and let sizzle for 1 minute. Add flour and whisk until combined, cooking the butter-flour mixture for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly drizzle in milk, whisking constantly, then broth. Bring to a simmer and cook mixture at a simmer, stirring the whole time, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in smooth Dijon mustard if you didn’t use mustard powder.

Remove pan from heat and stir in 1/3 of grated cheese until melted. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Combine cooked wild rice blend and broccoli in a 2-quart baking dish or a 9-inch oven-safe skillet. Pour cheese sauce over and gently nudge to ensure all pieces get some sauce. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Bake casserole for 10 to 15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly, then run mixture under the broiler until cheese is toasty on top.

Serves 4 as a generous side

Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs from joythebaker.com

For the Meatballs
3 cups cooked lentils (I used green lentils because they told their shape after being cooked)
1/4 cup sautéed mushrooms
1/4 cup onion, finely diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, plus MORE to taste
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 large eggs
1 cup part-skim ricotta
1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
olive oil, for topping

For the Gravy
  1. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  2. 3 tablespoon finely diced onions
  3. 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  4. 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock
  5. 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari)
  6. 1/3 cup heavy cream
  7. salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
  8. 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme and/or fresh sage
  9. 1 cup sautéed mushrooms
  1. *To make the lentils, in a large saucepan bring 6 cups water to a simmer. Add salt (like you’re salting pasta water), crushed garlic clove, wedge of a yellow onion, and a bay leaf to the simmering water. Add 2 cups dried lentils and cook for 25-30 minutes until tender and cooked through. Strain through a colander and discard the garlic, onion, and bay leaf. This method will leave you with extra cooked lentils for salads of dinner.
  2. To make the meatballs, in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, add lentils and mushrooms. Blend and pulse until relatively smooth, about 2 minutes. Mixture will be slightly dry and still a bit chunky. That’s right! Transfer to a large bowl.
  3. To the pureed lentil mixture add onion, garlic, fresh herbs, spices, salt, pepper and breadcrumbs.
  4. In a medium bowl whisk eggs until well combined. Whisk in the ricotta cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Add the wet ingredients to the lentil mixture and use a wooden spoon to combine all the ingredients. Stir until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
  5. Place racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. Use a large tablespoon scoop to meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving 1-inch between each meatball. Drizzle literally with olive oil and bake for 20 to 22 minutes until cooked through and lightly golden on the bottom. Remove from the oven and allow to rest while the rest of the ingredients come together.
  7. To make the gravy, in a large skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and saute until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the flour and whisk immediately, allowing the butter to absorb the flour and whisking constantly for 1 minute. Slowly stream in the vegetable broth, whisking constantly. The mixture will thicken and then appear thin again once all of the vegetable stock is added. Add the soy sauce. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the cream, salt, pepper, thyme, and mushrooms. Simmer until thickened again, about 4 minutes more. Keep the gravy warm over very low heat.
  8. To serve, just before serving, toss lentil balls in warm gravy. Place on a plate alongside mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Top the mashed potatoes with cranberry sauce as well. Enjoy warm.
Notes
  1. I find that it’s easiest to make the potatoes and cranberry sauce before the lentil balls and the gravy.

Maryland Crab Imperial With Buttery Golden Bread Crumbs Recipe from seriouseats.com

1 pound (450g) special or lump crabmeat, picked over for shells
1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
2 tablespoons (30ml) Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons (10ml) fresh juice from 1 lemon, plus grated zest of half a lemon
2 tbsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
1 small shallot, finely minced (about 2 tablespoons)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (1 ounce; 30g)
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted
  • Baguette toasts, saltines, or other crackers, for serving (optional)
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium bowl, stir together crabmeat, mayonnaise, Dijon, lemon juice and zest, parsley, Old Bay, and shallot until evenly incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, stir bread crumbs with melted butter until evenly coated. Season with salt.
  3. Pack crab mixture in a 1-quart baking or gratin dish, then layer buttered bread crumbs evenly on top. Set on top of a rimmed baking sheet and bake until crab mixture is heated through and bread crumbs are golden, about 20 minutes. Serve with toasts or crackers, if desired.

Grilled Caesar Salad from thelittlekitchen.net

Caesar Dressing
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large egg yolk
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 heart of romaine lettuce, rinsed and cut in half lengthwise
salt & pepper
olive oil (optional)
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Add ingredients to Blendtec jar in order listed and secure lid. Select “Dressing” and serve. The dressing tastes best when you refrigerate it overnight in a sealed container – the ingredients are allowed to marry together.

How to Grill Salad

If using a gas grill, turn on the gas and turn the heat to high. Let the grill heat up for at least 10 minutes. If using a grill pan inside, heat grill pan on medium to medium high for 3 to 5 minutes.

Salt and pepper the insides of your romaine lettuce halves. Sprinkle olive oil on the halves, if you wish. Add to hot grill or grill pan and cook for about 1 to 3 minutes tops. Flip to grill the other side for 1 to 2 minutes and you’re done. Serve immediately with caesar dressing and parmesan cheese on top.

*Store the dressing in the refrigerator for about a week. If serving as a side salad, one whole heart can serve up to 4 or 5 people.

 

Baltimore-Style Crab Cakes

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
    1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 pound jumbo lump crab meat, picked over
  • 20 saltine crackers, finely crushed
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • Lemon wedges, for servingIn a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the egg, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce until smooth.

MAKE AHEAD

The crab cakes can be prepared through Step 2 and refrigerated overnight.

 

Best Ever Strawberry Spinach Salad from theslowroasteditalian.com

Candied Pecan Ingredients
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup pecan halves
pinch salt

Dressing Ingredients
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup extra light tasting olive oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Salad Ingredients
10 ounces fresh baby spinach – rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
1/4 small red onion sliced
1 quart fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 avocado, cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 (5 ounce) package blue cheese crumbles

Place a silpat mat or a sheet of parchment paper on the counter top to dry the pecans.

In a small skillet over medium heat melt butter. Add pecans, sugar and salt. Stir until pecans are well coated. Stir until the sugar caramelizes, about 3-5 minutes.

Spread onto silpat or parchment paper. Separate pecans. Allow to cool.

Meanwhile: in a pint size mason jar combine dressing ingredients. Seal and shake until well combined. Set aside on the counter.

In a large bowl combine the spinach, onions, strawberries and blueberries. Pour about 1/2 of dressing over salad, and toss. Top with avocado, cheese and candied nuts. Serve remaining dressing on the side.

Refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving (or serve immediately).

Serve with the remaining dressing on the side. Enjoy!

Farro salad with pan roasted carrots from the chew

  • 1/2 pound carrots (peeled, cut into 2-inch pieces on a bias)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3 cups water or stock
  • 1 cup farro
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

SHERRY VINAIGRETTE:

  • 4 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

TO ASSEMBLE:

  • 1/2 cup pistachios (toasted, roughly chopped)
  • 1/2 cup parsley (roughly chopped)
  • 2/3 cup feta (crumbled)
  • Preheat oven to 400ºF.
  • In a large bowl, add the carrots and drizzle with the olive oil. Add the nutmeg, cinnamon, chipotle powder, and ginger, and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the carrots on a baking sheet and place in the oven until golden and cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add the water and farro and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook until tender but chewy, about 10 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid and set aside to cool.
  • For the Sherry Vinaigrette: In a mason jar, add the sherry vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and olive oil and shake to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
  • To Assemble: To a large bowl, add the farro, carrots, pistachios, parsley and feta. Drizzle with sherry vinaigrette and toss to combine.
  • Tip: To toast the nuts, place them in a dry saute pan over low heat and toast until golden and aromatic, about 5 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.

Kimchi Potato Salad

hero-v_kimchi-potatosalad_99871 pound Yukon potatoes, peeled
5 eggs

For potato salad dressing:
1 16-ounce jar of cabbage kimchi, chopped with juice
2 tablespoons gochujang Korean chili paste
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon soy sauce
¼ cup Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
2 teaspoons garlic, chopped
1 cup scallions, sliced, white and light-green parts only
Black pepper, freshly ground & Kosher salt
For garnish:
Scallions, sliced, green parts
Black sesame seeds

  • Fill large sauce pot ⅔ full with cold water and heavily salted. Put whole Yukon potatoes into the sauce pot. Put sauce pot on the stovetop over high heat and bring to a boil.
  • When the water is boiling, carefully add in 3 eggs to the sauce pot.
  • Reduce heat to medium and simmer the eggs with potatoes for 12 minutes. Using kitchen tongs, take out the eggs and put them into iced or cold water. Let the eggs sit for 15 minutes in cold water. Continue cooking potatoes in gently boiling water for about 15 more minutes or until easily pierced with a fork. Take the potatoes off the heat and use a colander to drain the potatoes. Put them on a baking sheet and refrigerate for about 1 hour or until potatoes are cold.
  • For the dressing, combine all the ingredients together and set aside.
  • Remove the skin from the potatoes or leave them on for a more rustic potato salad. Gently cube potatoes and put into a large mixing bowl.
  • Peel the hard-boiled eggs, chop, and add to the cubed potatoes.
  • Add the dressing into the potato mixture. Gently mix all the ingredients together until evenly coated. Season with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt to taste.
  • Garnish with sliced scallions and black sesame seeds.
  • Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

 

vegetarian paella by bobby flay

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  • 3 tablespoons blended canola/olive oil
  • cooked rice (see recipe below)
  • cooked mushrooms (see recipe below)
  • cooked kale (see recipe below)
  • 3 large eggs
  • lemon (finely grated zest)
  • calabrian chile oil (see recipe below, to garnish)
  • saffron yellow pepper sauce (see recipe below, to garnish)
  • fried baby artichokes
  • kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

COOKED RICE

  • 2 tablespoons canola/olive oil blend
  • 1 small finely diced Spanish onion
  • 2 cups Spanish short grain rice (calaspara rice)
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 6 cups mushroom stock (recipe below, heated in a saucepan)

SAUTÉED MUSHROOMS:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds mixed mushrooms (oyster, shiitake, cremini mushrooms) chopped
  • 2 shallots (finely diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped to a paste)
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Mushroom Stock
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion (chopped)
  • 1 small carrot (chopped)
  • 1 small rib celery (chopped)
  • 1 1/2 pounds cremini mushrooms (coarsely chopped, stems included)
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 6 sprigs fresh flat leaf parsley
  • 8 whole black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

SAUTÉED KALE

  • 2 tablespoons blended canola/olive oil
  • 1 bunch of kale (cut into 2-inch strips)
  • 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

CHILE OIL

  • ¼ cup calabrian chiles (drained)
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Saffron Yellow Pepper Sauce
  • pinch of saffron
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic (chopped)
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 yellow bell peppers (roasted until soft, peeled, seeded and chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon clover honey
  • 1 cup blended olive/canola oil
  • Fried Baby Artichokes
  • 6 baby artichokes, trimmed (halved or quartered depending on how big)
  • canola oil
  • kosher salt

 

  • Heat the oil in a 15-inch paella pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat. In a medium bowl, add the cooked rice and mushrooms and mix to combine. Add the rice mixture to the hot oil and press into an even layer on the bottom of the pan. Press down with heat-proof rubber spatula until the bottom begins to turn golden brown and crispy. 
  • Add the kale on.  Make 4 shallow wells in the top of paella and crack 1 egg into each well. Cover paella pan with aluminum foil or another large pan. Cook paella over medium heat until egg whites are just set, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Top the paella with fried artichokes, lemon zest and drizzle with chile oil and saffron sauce. Serve straight from the pan.
  • For the Cooked Rice: heat the oil in a large high-sided sauté pan or medium Dutch oven.  Add the onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes.  Add the wine and cook until reduced.
  • Add 2 cups of the stock and cook until reduced then begin adding 1  cup of stock at a time and cook, stirring constantly, until the cook is al dente, about 30 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
  • For the Sautéed Mushrooms: heat the oil in a large sauté pan over high heat until it begins to shimmer.  Add the mushrooms and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. 
  • Add the shallots and garlic and cook until the mushrooms are golden brown and dry, season with salt and pepper.
  • For the Mushroom Stock: heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5-7 minutes.  Add cremini mushrooms, thyme, parsley, peppercorns, salt, and 8 cups cold water, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.  Remove from the heat and let sit for 30 minutes longer. 
  • Strain stock into a clean saucepan and keep warm over low heat (you should have about 7 cups).
  • For the Sautéed Kale: heat oil in large sauté pan over high heat until it begins to shimmer.  Add the kale and cook until crisp tender, add garlic, salt and pepper and cook until just cooked through, about 6 minutes.
  • For the Calabrian Chile Oil: (Yields approximately ½ cup) combine chiles and oil in a food processor and process until smooth, season with salt and pepper and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Strain through a mesh strainer into a bowl. Transfer to a nice cruet.
  • For the Saffron Yellow Pepper Sauce: combine the saffron, vinegar, garlic, mustard and salt and pepper in a blender and let sit for 5 minutes; blend until smooth
  • With the motor running, slowly add the oil and blend until emulsified; add the honey and blend for a few seconds longer. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt or pepper or vinegar, if needed.  Transfer to a squeeze bottle.
  • For Fried Baby Artichokes: heat oil in a high sided pan to 350ºF.  Fry the artichokes until golden brown and crisp.  Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and season with salt.
  • Tips:
    – The best part of paella is the crust on the bottom called the soccarat. The goal is to achieve a crispy, browned crust all the way around the bottom of the paella pan. Monitor heat and rotate the pan to prevent burning and even browning!
    – Use store-bought mushroom stock for a short-cut!