Crispy Baked Pasta with Mushrooms, Sausage, and Parmesan Cream Sauce

from serious eats

    • 1 cup Panko-style 20140930-past-mushroom-sausage-cast-iron-baked-41bread crumbs
    • 6 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
    • 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh chives
    • 2 small shallots, finely minced (about 1/2 cup)
    • 2 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 8 ounces veggie sausage (mild or hot), removed from casings
    • 1 pound mixed mushrooms (such as portobello, shiitake, and oyster), cleaned and thinly sliced
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon juice from 1 lemon
    • 2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups homemade or store-bought veggie stock
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 12 ounces fresh or 8 ounces dried ridged pasta such as rotini or campanelle

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and keep at a bare simmer. Combine bread crumbs, 2 ounces cheese, half of parsley, half of chives, 1/4 of shallots, and 1/4 of garlic in a medium bowl and massage with hands until combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper

Melt butter in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until foaming. Add sausage and cook, mashing it with a potato masher or a wooden spoon until broken up and well browned, about 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to a small bowl, leaving fat behind.

Increase heat to high, add mushrooms to skillet, and cook, stirring frequently, until moisture has evaporated and mushrooms are well-browned, about 10 minutes. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add soy sauce and lemon juice and stir to combine.

Add flour and cook, stirring, until a thin film begins to form on the bottom of the pan, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in chicken broth followed by heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining grated cheese until melted. Stir in remaining parsley and chives. Stir in sausage. Season to taste with salt and lots of black pepper.

Adjust rack to 10 inches below broiler element and preheat broiler to high. Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions, removing it when still just shy of al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid. Return to pot. Add mushroom mixture and stir to combine, adding liquid to adjust consistency. Pasta should be very loose but not soupy. Return to cast iron skillet and top with bread crumbs. Broil until golden brown, rotating pan as necessary, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

Farro with Tuna and Tomatoes from Lidia

farro_with_tuna_and_tomatoes_985_f 1 pound farro
2 bay leaves, preferably fresh
1 tablespoon Coarse sea salt, or kosher salt
10 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, or more
6 plump garlic cloves
½ teaspoon peperoncino, (crushed red pepper flakes)
3 cup canned Italian plum tomatoes, preferably San Marzano, crushed by hand
12 ounces canned tuna in olive oil, (preferably imported from Italy)
4 tablespoons small capers, drained
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped

Rinse the farro well and drain in a sieve. Put it in the pot with 6 cups of water, the bay leaves, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bring to the boil, stirring occasionally, set the cover slightly ajar, and adjust the heat to maintain a steady bubbling simmer. Cook about half an hour, stirring from time to time, until the farro grains are cooked through but still al dente, then turn off the heat. Most of the liquid should have been absorbed; if there’s water still visible, pour it off. Discard the bay leaves. Keep the farro in the covered pot to stay warm while you make the sauce.

Pour 1/3 cup of the olive oil into the big skillet and set over medium-high heat. Scatter in the sliced garlic and peperoncino in the pan and cook for a couple of minutes to caramelize. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 2 teaspoons salt and the capers and heat to a moderate boil and let the tomatoes bubble away, uncovered.

Meanwhile, drain the canned tuna and break it up into thick flakes, 1/2-inch or a bit larger. After the tomatoes have cooked about 5 minutes, drop the tuna in the skillet and stir it into the tomatoes slowly, so the flakes of fish stay together. Cook at the same bubbling boil for another 5 minutes, until the tomatoes are cooked and slightly reduced.

Lower the heat a bit and stir in the remaining olive oil (about 3 tablespoons). Now spill the cooked farro on top of the sauce and toss and stir, still over moderate heat, until the grains are very hot and thoroughly mixed with the tomatoes and tuna. Turn off the heat, toss in the chopped parsley and serve.  serves: 6

Crisp Asian Salmon with Bok Choy and Rice Noodles from food & wine

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4 cups low-sodium chicken brot
2 cups water
1/4 cup mirin
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
8 ounces rice vermicelli, broken into 4-inch lengths
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 center-cut salmon fillets with skin (about 6 ounces each)
Salt
1 pound baby bok choy, cut into thin wedges
2 scallions, thinly sliced

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring the broth, water, mirin, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic and sugar to a boil.
  2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. In a bowl, soak the rice noodles in very hot water until pliable, about 10 minutes. Drain the noodles and add them to the boiling water. Cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Drain and transfer to 6 shallow bowls.
  3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Season the salmon fillets with salt, add them to the skillet skin side down and cook over high heat until browned, about 4 minutes. Turn and cook until medium-rare, about 4 minutes longer. Set the fillets on the noodles.
  4. Add the bok choy to the boiling broth and cook until bright green, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, divide the greens among the bowls and spoon in the broth. Garnish with the scallions and serve.

ZUCCHINI PARMIGIANA Parmigiana di Zucchine from Lidia

Zucchini is such a convenient and delicious vegetable. It is inexpensive, and you can find it -year–round, although it is best in the summer. In this delicious and simple recipe, the zucchini is baked into a parmigiana but does not have the traditional frying step. I like using a large baking pan and making just one layer; this way, the zucchini will dry up more in the oven, 1090and you will have more of the crispy cheese top, which everybody loves.

2 pounds medium zucchini
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
4 ounces sliced -whole–wheat bread
4 cups Marinara Sauce (page 80)
2 cups shredded -low–moisture mozzarella
1 cup Grana Padano or -Parmigiano–Reggiano
¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the whole zucchini, and bring back to a boil. Simmer until the zucchini are almost tender throughout, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool, and slice lengthwise into -½–inch–thick slices. Season with the salt.

Grease a -9–by–13–inch baking dish with the butter, and fit the bread in one layer into the bottom, trimming to fit if necessary.

Layer as follows: Spread the bread with 2 cups of the marinara sauce. Arrange half of the zucchini in an even layer. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and Grana Padano. Sprinkle with all of the basil. Arrange the remaining zucchini in an even layer. Spread with the remaining marinara, and top with the remaining mozzarella and Grana Padano. Bake, uncovered, until browned and bubbly, about 35 to 40 minutes.

 

Parmigiana Bianca (“White” Eggplant Parmigiana) from food52.com

parmigiana_food52_IMG_3502_food52


Author Notes:
 This is a version of Eggplant Parmigiana that hails from Puglia, Italy’s heel, called “Parmigiana bianca” or “white Parmigiana”. The main difference is that it’s made without the tomato sauce that is characteristic of traditional Eggplant Parmigiana. The result is a gentler, sweeter version of the classic recipe.

It’s typically served as an antipasto — cut into small pieces and presented alongside a delicious platter of salumi, olives, marinated vegetables, fresh cheeses, and lovely deep-fried things. It also makes for great, portable picnic fare.(less) – Emiko

  • 2 large eggplants
  • Salt
  • Olive oil for frying
  • 4 tablespoons (60 grams) dried breadcrumbs
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup (125 milliliters) milk
  • 3 ounces (80 grams) Parmesan or pecorino cheese, grated
  • 7 ounces (200 grams) fresh mozzarella (about 1 large ball), provola, or caciocavallo cheese
  1. Cut the eggplant into 1-centimeter slices and sprinkle each with salt on one side. Let sit for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours. Rinse and pat the slices dry, then fry them in plenty of olive oil (or grill with a little olive oil) until golden brown and tender. Place the slices on paper towels to drain any excess oil and set aside until needed.
  2. Prepare a casserole dish by greasing it with olive oil and dusting with a tablespoon of the breadcrumbs.
  3. Beat the eggs and milk together with a pinch of salt and half of the Parmesan cheese.
  4. Layer the eggplant in a casserole dish with the mozzarella and a sprinkling of breadcrumbs. Pour the egg mixture over the eggplant and mozzarella. Finish with the rest of the Parmesan and a final sprinkling of breadcrumbs. Bake in the oven at 350º F (180º C) until the eggs are set and the top is golden and crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve as part of an antipasto.
  5. Serves 4 to 6 as part of an antipasto

 

Mexican Chorizo from The Happy Herbivore

mexicanchorizo

1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
1 tsp granulated garlic powder
1 1/4 tsp granulated onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano or marjoram
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
dash or two of cinnamon
3 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp yellow mustard
1 c quinoa or TVP
hot sauce, to taste
1/8 tso liquid smoke
salt & pepper to taste

Whisk 2 c water with red wine vinegar, soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano or marjoram, cumin, chili powder, cinnamon, ketchup and mustard together until well combined
Add TVP or quinoa, cover and bring to a boil.  Once boiling reduce heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring every so often, until all the water has absorbed, about 10-20 minutes.

Add liquid smoke if using, then salt and pepper and hot sauce, stirring to combine.

Set aside, covered, for 15-30 min to allow flavors to mingle before serving.

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan from food & wine

Sicilian Eggplant Parmigiana Beauty A121217 Fast: Southern Italy, Gastronaut: Pizza April 2013

1 large eggplant (1 1/2 pounds), peeled and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
4 large plum tomatoes, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
Salt
1/3 cup chopped green olives
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped oil-packed Calabrian chiles or other hot chiles
1/4 cup finely shredded basil, plus whole leaves for garnish
6 ounces Fontina cheese, thinly sliced
Crusty bread, for serving

Preheat the oven to 450° and heat a grill pan. Brush the eggplant and tomato slices with olive oil and season lightly with salt. Grill the eggplant in batches over moderately high heat, turning once, until softened and lightly charred, about 4 minutes. Grill the tomatoes, turning once, until lightly charred but still intact, about 2 minutes.

In a bowl, combine the olives, chiles and shredded basil. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In the center, arrange half of the eggplant in a 9-inch square, overlapping the slices slightly. Top with half of the grilled tomatoes, olive mixture and Fontina. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, ending with the cheese.

Bake in the center of the oven for about 15 minutes, until bubbling and golden. Let stand for 10 minutes. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with crusty bread. 4 servings

IMG_4202

dmv note:  My dish is on the left.  Used eggplants and tomatoes from the garden. I grilled the eggplant and tomatoes on the gas grill.  I used 1/2 a mariachi chili from my garden but it didn’t have any heat so I used some jalapeno slices (pickled from a jar in the fridge). I don’t know what Calabrian chiles are. Used a bit more than 1/3 cup of green olives, used less basil and substituted fresh mozzarella for fontina.  Sprinkled some parm on top and drizzled with olive oil and probably baked it for longer that 15 min. It is unusual and delicious.

Fish Tacos with Lime Crema, Cooking Light

download
1/4 cup green onions, sliced
1/4 cup cilanto, chopped
3 tbsp. mayonnaise, fat-free
3 tbsp. sour cream, low-fat
1 tsp. lime zest
1 1/2 tsp. fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
1/4 tsp. ground red chile
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 lbs. red snapper filets
cooking spray
8 corn tortillas
2 cups cabbage, shredded

1. Preheat oven to 425ºF.

2. Combine green onions, cilantro, mayonnaise, sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, salt and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Combine cumin, coriander, paprika, chile, salt and garlic powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over both sides of fish. Place fish on baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake for 9 minutes or until fish flakes easily. Break fish into bite-sized pieces.

4. Heat tortillas to soften. Divide fish evenly among tortillas. Top each with 1/4 cup cabbage and 1 tbsp of crema.

Notes:

I used Mexican crema instead of the mayonnaise and sour cream. Personally I would forget the mayonnaise and use about a 1/2 cup of sour cream thinned slightly with milk.

I didn’t have any cabbage and used red leaf lettuce instead. Just as good. I also added chopped red onion as a garnish.

As usual, I had a heavy hand with the spices.

Can use any mild white fish. Tilapia worked.

Marinated Seared Tuna from Anne Burell


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1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 to 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar

2 teaspoons sambal oelek
4 scallions, white and light green sliced and finely chopped, dark green sliced on an extreme bias for garnish
2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
1 1/2 inches ginger, peeled and grated
Four 6-ounce sushi-grade tuna steaks, preferably in logs about 2 by 2 by 4 inches
Peanut oil, for searing

In a flat, shallow dish, combine the soy, rice vinegar, sambal, white and light green scallions, garlic and ginger. Add the tuna and roll around to get the marinade on all sides. Cover and let sit in the fridge for up to 2 hours, turning the tuna periodically.

Remove the tuna from the fridge and let sit in the marinade outside of the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes.

When the tuna has come to room temperature, remove it from the marinade. With a paper towel, gently remove some of the excess marinade.

Coat a large saute pan with peanut oil and bring it to a VERY high heat. When the pan is VERY hot but not quite smoking, pull the pan off the heat and add the tuna to the pan. Return the pan to the heat and sear the tuna for 1 minute on each side.

Remove the tuna from the pan, let rest for 4 to 5 minutes and slice into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices. Sprinkle with the dark green sliced scallion tops.

Serve immediately with a little extra soy on the side if desired.


okonomiyaki from food52.com

 

  • Food52
    Sauce
    1/2 cup mayonnaise
    2 tablespoons soy sauce
    2 teaspoons sriracha, more or less to taste
    Pancakes
    5 large eggs
    1 teaspoon soy sauce
    1 teaspoon sesame oil
    1 teaspoon sea salt
    1/3 cup AP flour
    2 cups cabbage, shredded with a mandoline or finely chopped
    1 bunch scallions, trimmed and chopped
    3/4 cups (roughly) baby or chopped shrimp
    canola oil for frying
    1-2 tablespoon toasted sesame seed
    bonito flakes (optional)
  • Whisk the first set of ingredients together and voila, your sauce. Set aside while you make the pancakes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs with the soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt. Gradually add the flour until incorporated. Fold in cabbage, scallions, and shrimp.
  • Warm a couple glugs of canola oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until glistening. Ladle the batter into the skillet as you would for regular old pancakes. I usually make them about the size of saucer. Cook on each side for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Keep pancakes covered in a warm oven as you make the rest. Scatter sesame seeds and/or bonito flakes on top of pancakes and serve with dipping sauce and a cold pilsner.  Makes roughly a dozen pancakes depending on their size