Mar 3, 2015

Lemon Orzo Pasta



Ingredients

3/4 Cup Orzo
1/8 Cup Green Onion, Chopped
1/2 Cup Garbanzo Beans
1/2 Cup Feta Cheese
The juice from 1/2 a Lemon
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Basil to taste
Garlic to taste

Directions

1) Cook the orzo per the directions. I salted my water.
2) Mix the orzo and list of ingredients together in a bowl
3) I added about a 1/8-1/4 Cup of basil, 1-2 Tbsp. of minced garlic and the same of Olive Oil.
4) Refrigerate for a couple hours to chill before serving.

Dec 28, 2014

Indian Butter Chicken



1 ½ cups full-fat Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ tablespoons ground turmeric
2 tablespoons garam masala
2 tablespoons ground cumin
3 pounds chicken thighs, on the bone
¼ pound unsalted butter
4 teaspoons neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil
2 medium-size yellow onions, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely diced
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 cinnamon stick
2 medium-size tomatoes, diced
2 red chiles, like Anaheim, or 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
 Kosher salt to taste
⅔ cup chicken stock, low-sodium or homemade
1 ½ cups cream
1 ½ teaspoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons ground almonds, or finely chopped almonds
½ bunch cilantro leaves, stems removed.

Directions:

Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala and cumin in a large bowl. Put the chicken in, and coat with the marinade. Cover, and refrigerate (for up to a day).

In a large pan over medium heat, melt the butter in the oil until it starts to foam. Add the onions, and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add the garlic, ginger and cumin seeds, and cook until the onions start to brown.

Add the cinnamon stick, tomatoes, chiles and salt, and cook until the chiles are soft, about 10 minutes.

Add the chicken and marinade to the pan, and cook for 5 minutes, then add the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for approximately 30 minutes.

Stir in the cream and tomato paste, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Add the almonds, cook for an additional 5 minutes and remove from the heat. 

Garnish with the cilantro leaves.

(from Foodgawker & the New York Times)

Nov 7, 2014

Tahini and Roasted Walnut Oil Salad Dressing

1/2 c Tahini
1/2 c Roasted Walnut Oil***
1/2 c Water
1/4 c Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 Tbsp of Lemon juice
2 tsp of minced fresh garlic
2 tsp of minced fresh ginger


*** I bought a Trio pack from Trader Joe's that consists of Roasted Walnut Oil, Roasted Pistachio Oil, and Roasted Hazelnut Oil. You may use regular Olive Oil as a substitute.

Cheese Tortellini and Sun-Dried Tomato Soup


Ingredients

1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) reduced-sodium condensed tomato soup, undiluted
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups 2% milk*
2 cups half-and-half cream*
1/2 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
1 teaspoon onion powder (I used half a shallot instead)
1 teaspoon garlic powder (I used fresh, minced garlic)
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Additional shredded Parmesan cheese, optional



*I'm aware there is a lot of dairy in this soup. Next time I may try all milk or 3 cups of skim milk and 1 cup cream next time to cut down on fat. If you try to change the recipe and it's good, let me know!

Directions

1) Cook tortellini according to package directions.

2) Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine the soup, broth, milk, cream, tomatoes and seasonings. Heat through, stirring frequently. 

3) Drain tortellini; carefully add to soup. Stir in cheese. Sprinkle each serving with additional cheese if desired.

Yield: 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Nov 1, 2014

Cajun Risotto with Smoked Garlic Sausage



Ingredients 

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Butter
1 Shallot (or Onion), chopped
1 Bell Pepper, Chopped
3/4 Cup Arborio Rice
3-4 Cups Swanson Louisiana Cajun Broth

Directions
1) Heat olive oil and butter in a large sauce pan
2) Sauté shallots until transparent. Add bell peppers and cook for 2 minutes.
3) Add rice and stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1 cup broth and bring to a boil.
4) Add remaining broth 1/2—1 cup at a time, cooking and stirring until liquid is absorbed each time.
5) Add sausage about 10 minutes prior to finishing to cook thoroughly. 

Oct 21, 2014

Baked Curry Chicken


Ingredients
  • 2 boneless chicken breast, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 chopped green onion, green part only

Directions

Preheat oven to 400F. Line the bottom of a roasting pan or cookie sheet with foil. Place a roasting or cooling rack on top.

In a large bowl, toss together the wings and oil. Place cubed chicken onto rack in the pan and bake 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, curry powder, ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and sugar.

In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the flour mixture and stir to form a roux (similar to a paste). Whisk in the chicken broth and milk, trying to smooth the sauce as much as possible. Bring to a boil, whisking often until it thickens, about 5 minutes. Keep warm.

Once the chicken is cooked, toss with the curry sauce. If the sauce cooled down and thickened too much, reheat until hot again, adding a little more chicken broth to thin it out if necessary. Top with green onion. Serve immediately.

I served it over Basmati rice and garlic Naan

Oct 16, 2014

Curried Chickpea Salad



Ingredients
  • 1 (15.5 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 green pepper, chopped (or 1 stalk celery)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons yogurt (or mayo)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
  1. In a medium size mixing bowl combine chickpeas, garlic, curry powder, green pepper, onion, yogurt, lemon juice, cilantro, salt and pepper to taste.