Angel Hair Pasta with Flash-Sautéed Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce, Tuna, and Green Olives

    • Kosher saltangelhair_0
    • 1 lb/455 g angel hair pasta
    • 2 1/2 cups/600 ml Flash-Sautéed Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce, heated
    • Two 6-oz/170-g cans good-quality tuna packed in oil, drained and flaked
    • 1/2 cup/55 g pitted green olives such as Lucques or Castelvetrano
    • 1 tbsp rinsed capers
    • 1/4 cup/10 g chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, or other fresh herbs as you like

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta, stir, and cook until just shy of al dente (about 1 minute less than the package instructions). Just before the pasta is ready, scoop out about ½ cup/120 ml of the cooking water and set aside. Drain the pasta.

Return the pasta to the pot over medium heat. Add the tomato sauce and toss to coat evenly. Fold in the tuna, olives, and capers, and then fold in a few spoonfuls of reserved pasta water to create a nice saucy consistency.

Divide the pasta among warmed pasta bowls and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve right away.

Flash-Sautéed Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

    • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2 tbsp minced, seeded jalapeño, serrano, or other fresh hot chile or pepperoncino
    • Kosher salt
    • 5 cups/800 g ripe cherry tomatoes, stemmed and halved if large
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 tsp lightly packed finely grated lemon zest
    • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice, plus more if needed
    • 3 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, basil, mint, or a mixture
    • 1 tsp unsalted butter

In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chile and 1/2 tsp salt and cook, stirring often, until soft and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring often, until they begin to burst and release their juice, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or so, then stir in the lemon zest and juice. Remove the pan from the heat, add the parsley and butter, and swirl the pan to blend them into the sauce. Taste and balance the seasoning with salt and lemon juice if needed. Serve right away.

Storage: This sauce loses its vibrancy after a few hours, so use it as soon as possible after making it.

Quick Change: Add 1 tbsp drained capers or chopped, pitted green olives with the garlic.

 

Eggplant Meatball Casserole Sarah Carey

eggplant-meatballs-0004-d112283_vert

  • 1 eggplant (1 pound), stemmed and cut in 4 3/4-inch planks
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 2 1/3 cups breadcrumbs, preferably from a hearty Italian loaf
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (1 1/2 ounces)
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced plus 2 cloves thinly sliced
  • 1 large egg white
    1 can (28 ounce) whole plum tomatoes, pulsed in food processor
  • Red pepper flakes
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced into 12 thin squares

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt, place in a single layer around a colander set over a bowl, and let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse eggplant, drain, and squeeze dry, pressing out excess moisture and patting with paper towel. Removing excess moisture helps make it easier to roll the balls.

    1. Meanwhile, spread 1 1/3 cup breadcrumbs in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until dried and just turning golden, 5 minutes. Let cool.

    2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 10 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the eggplant in a single layer; cook, flipping one time, about 5 minutes. Transfer to colander. Repeat adding another tablespoon of oil and second half of eggplant. If pan gets too hot, adjust heat. Wipe out pan. Let eggplant cool slightly in colander.

    3. Transfer eggplant to a food processor, discarding any extra juices that drained out. Add toasted breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and minced garlic. Pulse until mixture is a chunky paste, about 6 pulses. Transfer to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in egg white. Chill until cold, about 30 minutes. Form mixture into 12 balls, coating the outsides with remaining breadcrumbs to help shape the balls. Chill at least 1 hour until firmer and cold and up to overnight. Best results with an overnight chill.

    4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 10 inch enameled cast iron casserole or cast iron skillet over medium-high. Add meatballs working in two batches; cook, turning carefully with a spoon to help retain shape, until browned all over, about 6 to 7 minutes. If pan gets too hot, adjust heat. Transfer to a plate. Add remaining tablespoon oil and sliced garlic; stir until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, a large pinch of red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt; bring to a boil. Return meatballs to pan; spooning sauce over to coat. Bake until sauce is slightly thickened, 18 minutes. Remove casserole from oven. Set oven to broil. Top each meatball with a piece of mozzarella; return to oven. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden in spots, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Sicilian-Style Swordfish from food52.com

  • IMG_9855tablespoons olive oil
  • medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
  • 1/4 cup pitted oil-cured black olives coarsely chopped
  • tablespoons salted capers, well rinsed and coarsely chopped
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine, preferably Sicilian
  • Crushed red pepper to taste
  • 4 x 6 ounces swordfish steaks
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Basil, roughly torn for garnish
  1. In a large skillet (one wide enough to hold swordfish in a single layer), heat oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers, wine and generous pinch red pepper flakes; stir together. Transfer to bowl.
  4. Lightly season swordfish with salt and pepper; in a single layer, place fish in skillet.
  5. Return skillet to medium-high heat, cover and cook for 3 minutes per side.
  6. When swordfish is cooked through and browned, cover with sauce and warm.
  7. Sprinkle roughly torn basil and serve. This dish can also be served room temperature.Serves 4

 

Maple Bourbon Salmon from 12tomatoes.com

  • hqdefault
    • 1 pound salmon, with skin
    • 2/3 cup maple syrup
    • 1/3 cup bourbon
    • 1/4 cup orange juice
    • 1/4 cup soy sauce
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
    • Salt and pepper, to taste
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil

     

    • Preheat oven to 400º F.
    • In a medium bowl, combine maple syrup, bourbon, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
    • Place salmon in a shallow baking dish. Add liquid mixture to dish, submerging fillet; refrigerate and marinate for 30 minutes.
    • Drain most of marinade from baking dish, and reserve. Bake salmon for 10-15 minutes (adjust cooking time depending on thickness of fillet and desired doneness).
    • While salmon cooks, pour marinade into sauce pan. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and let simmer until liquid thickens into a glaze-like consistency, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and top salmon with glaze. 4 servings
    • Serve immediately and enjoy!

vegetarian paella by bobby flay

download

  • 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!

 

Tender Green Salad With Strawberries, Cucumber, Pistachio and Basil, Ellie Krieger

This spring salad is as simple as it is delightful. The ingredient that drives it is the season’s very best strawberries — plump with juice, deeply ruby-colored and with a perfume that greets you from across the room. Thin slices of English cucumber offer a cool, crisp contrast, and basil leaves provide a soft, fragrant accent. It is dressed with a honey-white wine vinaigrette.

salad

  • 2 tablespoons walnut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 head butter, Boston or bibb lettuce, leaves torn (about 5 cups, lightly packed)
  • 6 large or 12 small hulled strawberries, quartered if large, halved if small
  • 1/4 English (seedless) cucumber, cut into thin half-moons
  • 2 tablespoons shelled, unsalted pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped
  • 4 large or 8 medium fresh basil leaves, torn

Whisk together the oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a medium bowl to form a dressing.

Place the lettuce in a large bowl. Drizzle in about half of the dressing, and toss to coat.

Divide the dressed lettuce among individual salad plates. Arrange the strawberries and cucumber slices on top, then drizzle with the remaining dressing.

Top each portion with 1/2 tablespoon of pistachios and some basil. 4 servings

 

Carrot, Potato, and Cabbage Soup

  1. Combine the carrots, onion, cabbage, garlic, chicken stock, olive oil, thyme, basil, parsley, salt, and pepper in a stock pot over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer and cook until the carrots are tender, about 20 minutes. Add potatoes and cook until done.  Serve

Brownies by Anna Thomas

4 oz undownload (1)sweetened chocolate
4 oz butter
3 eggs
½ t salt
2 c sugar
2 t vanilla
1 c flour
1 c walnuts, chopped
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350.

Heat the chocolate and butter in the saucepan until almost completely melted. Remove from heat.

Beat eggs and salt until foamy. Gradually whisk in sugar until thickened. Add vanilla and chocolate, then flour, then walnuts.

Butter the baking pan and spread the brownie batter into it. Bake for 25 minutes, then insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out nearly clean, the brownies are ready. If it’s very chocolately, bake another 5 minutes.

Cool, cut, dust with powdered sugar, and serve.

Roasted Cauliflower ‘Steaks’

1 large head cauliflower, sliced lengthwise through the core into 4 ‘steaks’
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
3144420salt and ground black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place cauliflower steaks on the prepared baking sheet.

Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl. Brush 1/2 of the olive oil mixture over the tops of the cauliflower steaks.

Roast cauliflower steaks in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Gently turn over each steak and brush with remaining olive oil mixture. Continue roasting until tender and golden, 15 to 20 minutes more. Sprinkle with parsley and serve