Saturday, August 22, 2009

Christina's Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

from Smitten Kitchen

2 eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 cups of milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
3 medium Granny Smith apples, grated
1 tsp cinnamon
a few dashes nutmeg
1 tsp lemon zest or 1 TBSP lemon juice

1. Mix the eggs with the milk in a large bowl.

2. In a smaller bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together.

3. Combine the wet and the dry ingredients and stir in the apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemon juice or zest.

4. Heat nonstick skillet over low to medium heat. Drop large spoonful of batter into the pan and flatten it out a little and cook until golden brown underneath. Flip the pancakes and cook them for an additional two or three minutes.

5. Either dust with powdered sugar or serve with maple syrup.

Christina's Asparagus and Green Bean Salad

from Rachael Ray

1/2 pound green beans
3/4 pound regular or pencil asparagus
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup flat-leaf parsley
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 cup fresh basil or 1 1/2 TBSP dried basil
1 small clove garlic or 1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
2 plum tomatoes, seeded then thinly sliced lengthwise

Bring 1-inch of water to a boil, add salt then green beans, cover and cook 2 minutes, then add asparagus and cook 3 minutes more. If using pencil asparagus, blanch for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain well and cold shock vegetables in ice water to stop cooking process. Drain the vegetables on clean kitchen towels to dry completely. Thinly slice the green beans lengthwise on an angle; pile them together and run your knife through them cutting them into 2-inch pieces. Halve the asparagus lengthwise if thicker, leave in spindles if thin, then cut the spears into 2-inch pieces on an angle. Combine the beans, asparagus, 1/2 cup of parsley and onion in a shallow bowl.

Combine the lemon zest and juice, remaining 1/2 cup of parsley and herbs in a food processor with cheese. Turn processor on and stream in extra-virgin olive oil. Season the dressing with salt and pepper and pour over the salad. Season the sliced tomatoes with salt and garnish salad with them.

Christina's Chili-Lime Mango Chicken

from Our Best Bites

6T olive oil
¼ cup fresh lime juice
Zest of 1 lime
1 t chili powder
1/2 t cayenne pepper
1/2 t salt
1 T sugar
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch cubes
3 ripe but firm mangoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, cayenne,
salt and sugar. Place in a zip-lock bag and add the chicken and mangoes, stirring gently to
coat with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.

Heat saute pan over medium heat. Remove the chicken and mangoes from the marinade and saute until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve over rice.

Note: may need extra salt.

Christina's Deli-Style Pasta Salad

from Better Homes and Gardens

1/2 of a 16-ounce package (about 2 cups) frozen cheese-filled tortellini or one 9-ounce package refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1 1/2 cups broccoli flowerets
1 large carrot, thinly sliced
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium red or yellow sweet pepper, cut into thin strips

In a large saucepan cook pasta according to package directions, except omit any salt and oil. Add broccoli and carrot the last 3 minutes of cooking; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again.

Meanwhile, for dressing, in a screw-top jar combine the vinegar, oil, Italian seasoning, mustard, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cover and shake well. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine the pasta mixture and sweet pepper. Shake dressing. Pour the dressing over pasta mixture; toss gently to coat. I also mixed in some leftover chimichurri sauce and it was delicious, so I think that pesto would be a great addition if you have it around.

Christina's Pork Tenderloin with Chimichurri

from Our Best Bites

2-3lb pork tenderloin (2 small-med pork loins)
1 1/2 C chopped parsley
1 1/2 C chopped cilantro
1 1/2 TBSP dried oregano leaves
2 T fresh lime juice
1 T red wine vinegar
3 T chopped garlic (6-7 cloves)
1/4 t red pepper flakes
1 t kosher salt
1/4 t black pepper

Place parsley, cilantro, oregano, lime juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Pulse several times until finely chopped.

Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. Stir in the extra virgin olive oil by hand.

Take about 1/2-3/4 C chimichurri and place in a ziplock bag with the pork. Cover the remaining chimichurri and set both aside for about an hour.

When ready to cook, preheat grill (or indoor grill pan). Remove tenderloins from bag and let excess marinade drip off. Place on grill and cook for about 5-8 minutes before flipping to the other side.

Remove from grill and let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Slice and serve with remaining chimichurri drizzled on top.

Christinas' Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Sauteed Apples

from Smitten Kitchen

For the sautéed apples
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 tablespoons unsalted butter
1.5 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
fresh lemon juice to taste

For the pancakes
2 large eggs, separated
2/3 cups ricotta
3/4 tablespoons sugar
3/4 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest
¼ cup all-purpose flour
melted butter for brushing the griddle
maple syrup as an accompaniment

Prepare the sautéed apples:
In a large heavy skillet sauté the apples in the butter over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until they are softened, sprinkle them with the sugar and the cinnamon, and cook them over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until they are tender. Stir in the lemon juice and keep the mixture warm.

Make the pancakes:
In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks, the ricotta, the sugar, and the zest, add the flour, and stir the mixture until it is just combined. In a bowl with an electric mixer beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they hold stiff peaks, whisk about one fourth of them into the ricotta mixture, and fold in the remaining whites gently but thoroughly. Heat a griddle over medium low. Working in batches, pour the batter onto the griddle by 1/4-cup measures and cook the pancakes for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden, brushing the griddle with some of the melted butter as necessary. Transfer the pancakes as they are cooked to a heatproof platter and keep them warm in a preheated 200°F. oven.

Serve the pancakes with the sautéed apples and the maple syrup.

Christina's Spicy Cabbage and Tomatoes

from Fun Foods on a Budget

1 small head cabbage, shredded
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup butter or bacon fat
3 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. butter or bacon fat
2 tbsp. flour
1 cup diced canned tomatoes
1 tbsp. sugar, or to taste
2 tbsp. sour cream
Salt & freshly ground pepper
Several sprinkles of red pepper flakes

Saute the onion in a large frying pan until tender. Add the cabbage and water and cook, uncovered, for about 15 minutes or until the cabbage is tender but still slightly crisp.

In another pan, melt the butter or bacon fat. Add the flour, stir to blend, and add the tomatoes and sugar. Cook until the sauce thickens. Add the sour cream and season to taste with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes

Combine the sauce with the cabbage and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.

Christina's Creamed Spinach

from Pioneer Woman Cooks!

1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup flour
1/4 medium onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 cup milk
Salt & Pepper to taste
Pinch of ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
12 ounces baby spinach

Melt 1 stick of butter in a pot. Sprinkle in flour and whisk together. Cook over medium heat for five minutes or until light golden brown. Throw in onion and garlic and stir together, cooking for another minute. Pour in milk, whisking constantly, and cook for five minutes while you cook the spinach.
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a separate pot. Add spinach in increments until all incorporated, and cook until wilted but not soggy, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Season the cream sauce with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add spinach to the cream sauce, stirring gently to combine.
Serve immediately.

Christina's Breaded and Baked Chicken Drumsticks

from Simply Recipes by Elise

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon or whole grain mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
2 Tbsp finely chopped chives or green onion greens
Salt
6 large chicken drumsticks, about 1 1/3 lbs
Olive oil

Place rack on upper third of oven. Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat the bottom of a shallow roasting pan or baking sheet with a thin layer of olive oil.

Mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl. Mix together the breadcrumbs and minced chives in a separate medium bowl.

Sprinkle each drumstick with salt. One by one, dip each drumstick in the mayonnaise mixture, turning to coat. Then dip the drumstick in the breadcrumbs mixture, turning to coat. Place the drumsticks on the prepared roasting pan.

Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes, until just cooked through, and juices run clear (not pink) when poked with a sharp knife.

Christina's Spinach and Broccoli Stuffed Pizza Pie

from Picky Palate

1 recipe pizza dough of choice
1 Cup ricotta cheese
¼ Cup grated parmesan cheese, like Kraft
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 Cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped
2 Cups fresh broccoli florets, steamed until fork tender, about 3 minutes in boiling water
Pinch of salt
½ Cup Roasted red bell peppers, from can or fresh
1 ½ Cup shredded mozarella cheese
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces. Spread and press one piece of dough into the bottom and sides of a 9-9 ½ inch round cake or tart pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. (I used a 9 ½ inch deep quiche pan with a removable bottom that worked perfectly) In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta and parmesan cheese until well combined. Spread into pressed pizza dough.

Place olive oil into a medium skillet over medium heat. Saute spinach until wilted down, about 3 minutes. Place evenly over ricotta cheese layer. Place steamed broccoli florets over spinach and season with a pinch or two of kosher salt. Layer roasted red peppers, then mozzarella cheese over top. Press out remaining piece of dough and place over filling, tucking edges inside of pan. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian Seasoning. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown and cooked through.

Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan or cutting into wedges.

Christina's Shrimp Kabobs with Dill Dijon Sauce

from $5 Dinners

25 shrimp
1/2 onion
1 green pepper
1 Tbsp olive oil
4 Tbsp dijon mustard
1 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp fresh or 2 tsp dried dill
2 Tbsp fresh parsley or 2 tsp dried parsley

1. Thaw shrimp. Cut green pepper and onion into skewer size pieces. Place shrimp, green pepper, and onion on skewers. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with a few dashes of dill. Lay in roasting pan and broil 5 minutes on each side
2. In small bowl, whisk dijon mustard, milk and dill until creamy. Dip shrimp, peppers and onions into sauce.