Honey Garlic Shrimp-Sally’s Baking Addition

  • 1/3 cup honey or brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (we usually use reduced sodium)
  • garlic cloves, minced (or 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic)
  • optional: 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • 1 lb medium uncooked shrimp, peeled & deveined
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • optional for garnish: chopped green onion
  1. Whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger (if using) together in a medium bowl. You will use half for the marinade in step 2 and half for cooking the shrimp in step 3.
  2. Place shrimp in a large sealable container or zipped-top bag. Pour 1/2 of the marinade/sauce mixture on top, give it all a shake or stir, then allow shrimp to marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or for up to 8-12 hours. Cover and refrigerate the rest of the marinade for step 3. (Time-saving tip: while the shrimp is marinating, we usually steam broccoli and microwave some quick brown rice.)
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place shrimp in the skillet. (Discard used marinade.) Cook shrimp on one side until pink, about 45 seconds, then flip shrimp over. Pour in remaining marinade/sauce and cook it all until shrimp is cooked through, about 1-2 more minutes.
  4. Serve shrimp with cooked marinade sauce and a garnish of green onion. The sauce is excellent on brown rice and steamed vegetables on the side.

chiptole sofritas

  • 1 poblano pepper or green bell pepper,kept whole
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil,divided
  • 1 medium yellow or red onion, finely chopped
  •  4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
  •  1 teaspoon Mexican oregano or regular oregano
  •  ½ teaspoon ancho chile powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  •  A generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper
  •  1 (12 to 16-ounce) block of super firm tofu (also sold as high-protein tofu)*
  •  2 roma tomatoes, chopped
  •  1 chipotle pepper in adobo + 1/2 tablespoon adobo sauce**
  •  2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • ½ cup (120 mL) water
  • Lime juice to finish
  • Broil the poblano pepper or green bell pepper. You have two options; the gas flame gets you a smokier flavor. No need to peel or remove the seeds when done.a. 
  • Cook the aromatics. Heat 1 ½ tablespoons of oil in a medium nonstick frying pan over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and season with a pinch of salt. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until just starting to get some color. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tomato paste, cumin, oregano, chile powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and cook until they’ve softened, about 5 minutes.
  • While the onions are cooking, cut the tofu into 4 slabs. Squeeze out as much water as you can. Crumble tofu into small pieces, about the size of a blueberry.
  • Transfer the onion-tomato mixture to a blender or food processor. Add the broiled poblano pepper, chipotle peppers in adobo, vinegar, and water. Blend until relatively smooth. Taste the sauce, adding any sweetener as needed or more vinegar or salt.
  • Heat the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons oil in the frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tofu and spread out in a single packed layer and season with ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Allow to cook 2 to 3 minutes undisturbed. Flip and continue cooking for a total of 12 minutes, stirring only every 2 to 3 minutes, until most of the tofu is browned.
  • Pour in the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. It’ll start to thicken, so turn the heat to medium or medium-low and cook for another 5 minutes, or until flavors have developed and tofu is saucy. If it gets too thick, add a few splashes of water.
  • Taste, adjusting seasonings as needed. If it’s a bit tangy, add a pinch of organic brown or cane sugar. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice.

NOTES

* If super firm tofu is not available, use extra firm tofu. Crumble the tofu into small pieces but not as small as the super firm tofu: if you crumble really small, it will get mushy. Check out the reference photo in the FAQ section. Then, coat the tofu crumbles with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Coating the tofu in cornstarch improves its texture quite a bit, giving it a slightly crisp coating and more chew, similar to Chipotle’s sofritas.

** Use ½ teaspoon adobo sauce for mild heat.

*** Want to save ~10 minutes? Cook the tofu in a separate pan while you cook the aromatics. 

Zucchini Spaghetti Stanley Tucci Loves! (Spaghetti alla Nerano) – Food Wishes

1 quart sunflower oil, or as needed
6 medium green zucchini4 ounces spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pinch salt
2 basil leaves, torn into small pieces
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese
3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

  • Place sunflower oil in a deep fryer and heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice zucchini into 1/8-inch rounds.
  • Add some zucchini to the hot oil and deep-fry until lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a single layer on paper towels to drain and repeat to cook remaining zucchini. Let zucchini cool to room temperature.
  • Transfer cooled zucchini to a bowl. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until it’s 2 minutes away from being tender yet firm to the bite, 9 to 10 minutes.
  • As you are cooking the spaghetti, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to release juices, soften, and break down, 3 to 5 minutes. Add a couple splashes of the pasta water to the zucchini, but don’t overdo it. Break zucchini into small pieces with the edge of a spoon or spatula. Reduce heat to low and toss in basil and butter; stir until butter melts.
  • Grab spaghetti with tongs and transfer it right into the sauce; stir until coated. Mix in Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses. Add a final splash of pasta water and adjust salt if needed.
  • Serve with more grated cheese and fresh basil.

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

vegan meatloaf by Jill McKeever

1 1/2 cups Soy Curls™ dust and small crumbles
1 1/4 cup veggie broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
10-oz. extra-firm tofu, drained
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
2 tablespoons stone ground mustard
2 tablespoons organic ketchup, plus more for topping
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried cracked rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large mixing bowl, soak curl dust and crumbles in veggie broth, soy sauce, and liquid smoke for 8 minutes.

In a skillet over medium heat, cook garlic, celery, and onion for 3 minutes, then add 1/4 cup water to prevent browning, cook another 3 minutes, until onion is translucent. OR sauté in olive oil, do not add water if you do this. Remove from heat. Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Once curls are rehydrated, crumble tofu over them; stir in oats, mustard, ketchup. Add spices and cooked veggies. With a clean hand, mash, squeeze and stir until well mixed. Spread meatloaf evenly into a silicone 8×4-inch loaf pan.

Bake 25 minutes. Remove from oven; drizzle top with as much ketchup as you like. Return to oven. Continue baking another 25 minutes. Allow cooling 15 minutes before cutting into it. This loaf is moist after baking. A night in the fridge firms it up perfectly. If you have the time, make it a day ahead. Slice it up and reheat it either in the microwave or toaster oven.

Cold leftover meatloaf is excellent! Hopefully, you will have leftovers to enjoy the next day.

Makes 6 servings

NOTE: I used 14 oz tofu that had been frozen

Shrimp Poke Bowl from main & vine

2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. fresh grated ginger
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed
1 Tbsp. canola oil
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. sriracha
½ tsp. lime juice
4 cups cooked brown or white rice, cooled to room temperature
3 cups assorted vegetables, (i.e. thin sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, radish, seaweed salad, edamame, green onion, sliced jalapeno, etc.)
1 avocado, cubed
Pickled ginger
Toasted sesame seeds

  1. Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, ginger and garlic. Pour ½ of the mixture over shrimp and allow to marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes. Set aside remaining soy mixture.
  2. Meanwhile mix together mayonnaise, sriracha and lime juice; refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; add oil. Remove shrimp from marinade; add to pan and cook 2-3 minutes tossing occasionally until shrimp just turns pink. Remove from heat and allow to cool; dress with reserved soy marinade. Store refrigerated.
  4. When ready to build a bowl add 1 cup of rice, top with ¼ of the shrimp, about ¾ cup of desired vegetables, ¼ of avocado cubes, and desired amount of pickled ginger and sesame seeds. Drizzle with spicy mayo.

fresh tomato & corn pie, my version

tomato and corn pie from smitten kitchen.com

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 3/4 teaspoons salt, divided
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons or 3 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, plus 2 teaspoons melted
3/4 cup whole milk
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 3/4 pounds beefsteak tomatoes
1 1/2 cups corn (from about 3 ears), coarsely chopped by hand (my preference) or lightly puréed in a food processor, divided
2 tablespoons finely chopped basil, divided (skipped this, no harm was done)
1 tablespoon finely chopped chives, divided
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
7ounces coarsely grated sharp Cheddar (1 3/4 cups), divided

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and 3/4 tsp salt in a bowl, then blend in cold butter (3/4 stick) with your fingertips or a pastry blender until it resembles coarse meal. Add milk, stirring until mixture just forms a dough, then gather into a ball.

Divide dough in half and roll out one piece on a well-floured counter (my choice) or between two sheets of plastic wrap (the recipe’s suggestion, but I imagined it would annoyingly stick to the plastic) into a 12-inch round (1/8 inch thick). Either fold the round gently in quarters, lift it into a 9-inch pie plate and gently unfold and center it or, if you’re using the plastic warp method, remove top sheet of plastic wrap, then lift dough using bottom sheet of plastic wrap and invert into pie plate. Pat the dough in with your fingers trim any overhang.

Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. If your kitchen is excessively warm, as ours is, go ahead and put the second half of the dough in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Whisk together mayonnaise and lemon juice.

slice tomatoes crosswise 1/4 inch thick and, if desired, place on towel and sprinkle with salt.  let sit for 30 min or more. Spread 1 tbsp dijon on crust.  Spread a small amount of cheese on crust then Arrange half of tomatoes in crust, overlapping, and sprinkle with half of corn, basil, chives, salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper and one cup of grated cheese. Repeat layering with remaining tomatoes, corn, basil, chives, salt, and pepper. Pour lemon mayonnaise over filling and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Roll out remaining piece of dough into a 12-inch round in same manner, then fit over filling, folding overhang under edge of bottom crust and pinching edge to seal. Cut 4 steam vents in top crust and brush crust with melted butter (2 teaspoons). Bake pie until crust is golden and filling is bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes, then cool on a rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Do ahead: Pie can be baked 1 day ahead and chilled. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warm, about 30 minutes.

An idea: Want to slab pie this and serve it to a crowd? I agree, it would be brilliant. This is how I’d approach it: Make 1 1/2 batches of the crust (slab pies require more crust for the same amount of filling) and arrange the filling in one layer instead of two in a parchment-lined 15x10x1-inch pan. Increase the amount of butter you brush the top with to a tablespoon or two and the baking time to about 45 minutes (this is an estimate, you should take it out when it is golden and the filling is bubbling). Be sure to remove the tomato seeds; that extra wetness could make for a slab pie mess.

corn chowder with chile, lime and cotija from smitten kitchen.com

8 medium/large ears corn, husks and silks removed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 large onion, preferably Spanish, chopped fine
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 to 2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped
1 tablespoon mild chili powder or 1 teaspoon of a hotter one
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups  vegetable or chicken stock or broth
2 15-ounce cans small red or black beans, drained and rinsed (or one of each) (3 1/2 cups)
1 cup whole milk
Salt and freshly ground black pepper or cayenne to taste
1/2 to 1 cup (120 to 235 ml) heavy cream

FINISH

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • 1/2 cup finely crumbled Cotija, feta or ricotta salata cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 lime, divided
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • Chili powder or a chili-lime seasoning such as Tajín
  • Baked tortilla chips (optional)

Make the soup: With a sharp knife, cut kernels from 8 ears corn (you should have about 6 cups); transfer half to a bowl. Chop the other half into pulpy bits on a cutting board or blend them in a food processor until half-pureed. Add to bowl. Firmly scrape any pulp remaining on cobs with back of knife into bowl with corn, unless you’re me and had weirdly dry stalks, yielding no corn “milk.” Set corn aside.

In a large (5 quarts is ideal) heavy pot, heat olive oil and butter over medium. Add onion and cook until tender and beginning to brown at the edges, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic, jalapeño and chili powder and cook together for 2 minutes more. Add flour and stir into onion-garlic mixture until it disappears. Stirring constantly, gradually add stock. Add beans, corn, and 1 cup milk and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 13 minutes, until corn is tender. Add salt (I used about 1 tablespoon Diamond kosher salt total here) and freshly ground black pepper or cayenne to taste. Add cream to taste (we found 1/2 cup sufficient, but it will be less creamy than traditional) and cook for 3 minutes more.

To finish: Combine mayonnaise, sour cream or crema, cheese, and juice of half a lime in a bowl; stir to combine. Cut second half of lime into wedges.

Ladle soup into bowls and dollop in center with 1 tablespoon (or more to taste) of mayo-cheese mixture. Squeeze lime juice over to taste, sprinkle with chili powder and chopped cilantro and serve, baked tortilla chips on the side if you wish.

Fettuccine Alfredo from jamie oliver

  • ½ x Royal pasta dough
  • semolina , for dusting
  • 150 ml double cream
  • 150 ml single cream
  • 1 large free-range egg
  • 60 g Parmesan cheese , plus extra to serve
  • 1 fresh truffle or 1 whole nutmeg , for grating
  • truffle oil
  • Make the Royal pasta dough, rolling the sheets out to the thickness of a playing card. Set up the fettuccine attachment on your pasta machine and gently run through each pasta sheet. Place on semolina-dusted tray until needed.
  • Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil over a high heat, then add the fettuccine and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until al dente.
  • Meanwhile, make the sauce. Gently heat the cream in a large frying pan on a low heat, separate the egg yolk (save the white for another day) and whisk into the pan. Finely grate and gently whisk in the Parmesan, then season well with sea salt and black pepper.
  • Using tongs, drop the fettuccine into the sauce and toss well, adding splashes of the cooking water to loosen into a lovely, silky sauce.
  • Serve with shavings of truffle or gratings of nutmeg (if using), a good grating of Parmesan and a drizzle of truffle oil.