Spinach-Stuffed Tomatoes

6 servings

Ingredients

• 6 medium tomatoes
  
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  
• 1 clove garlic, minced
  
• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
  
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  

Directions

Cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out the pulp, leaving a 1/2-inch thick shell. Invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet. Add spinach and garlic; cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes.

In a bowl, combine bread crumbs and Italian seasoning. Add the spinach and cheese to the crumb mixture. Sprinkle tomato shells with salt and pepper and stuff with the spinach mixture.

Place in a greased 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 375° F for 20-25 minutes.

Italian Baked Macaroni and Cheese

8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 1 pound small shell macaroni
  
• 1 cup half and half
  
• 2 cups shredded Italian Fontina cheese
  
• Salt
  
• Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  
• 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
  
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  

Directions

Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large pot for cooking the pasta. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 13×9 baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.

Dice the butter and place in a large bowl. Warm the half & half in the microwave, about 1 minute. Cover to keep warm. Shred the Fontina cheese and add to the bowl with the butter. Set aside.

When the water comes to a boil, add salt and the shells and cook until they are 1 to 2 minutes shy of al dente. Drain.

Add the warm half & half to the Fontina and butter. Stir until the cheese starts to melt. Season with salt to taste and the nutmeg.

Stir the shells into the bowl with the cheese. Toss to coat well. Pour the mixture into the baking dish.

Combine the breadcrumbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese; sprinkle over the pasta.

Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the topping turns golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

Glazed Cipollini Onions

Cipollini means little onion in Italian.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
  
• 16 cipollini onions, trimmed and peeled
  
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
  
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  
• 2 teaspoons honey
  
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat olive oil in a medium ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add onions, stem side down, and cook, until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and continue browning on opposite side, about 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper.

Add vinegar and honey; cook, until slightly syrupy, about 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, thyme, and garlic; bring to a boil. Transfer skillet to oven and roast until onions are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 15 to 20 minutes.

Olive Oil and Spinach Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
  
• 1 package frozen spinach, defrosted
  
• Salt and pepper
  
• 1/2 cup milk
  
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
  
• 1 rosemary sprig, leaves removed and chopped
  
• 1 thyme sprig, leaves removed and chopped
  
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  

Directions

In a large saucepan, cover potatoes with cold water by 2 inches and add 1 tablespoon coarse salt and the garlic cloves. Bring to a boil; cook until the potatoes are very tender and easily pierced with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup potato cooking water. Drain; transfer to a large bowl.

Heat together the milk, spinach, chopped rosemary leaves and chopped thyme leaves then remove from the heat, cover and set aside to infuse flavors.

Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes with the olive oil and some of the reserved cooking water as needed to moisten. Add the milk and spinach mixture.  Stir until well combined and season with salt and pepper.

Pecan Pie

• Single Pie Crust Dough

For the filling

• 1 cup brown sugar
  
• 3 large eggs
  
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  
• 2 cups chopped pecans
  

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Roll out the dough and [lace in a 9 inch pie plate.

Whisk the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl to blend. Mix in 3/4 cup pecans.

Pour into the prepared crust. Sprinkle with remaining 1 ¼ cups of pecans. Bake the pie until set, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; cool.

Apple Pie

• Double Pie Dough Crust

For the Filling

• 6 cups thinly sliced peeled McIntosh apples (about 2 pounds)
  
• 6 cups thinly sliced peeled Granny Smith apples (about 2 pounds)
  
• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  
• Pinch of ground allspice
  
• Pinch of salt
  
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  

Topping (optional)

• 1 teaspoon milk
  
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
  
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  

Directions

To prepare filling:

Combine apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, flour and salt in a large bowl.

To assemble & bake the pie:

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 425°F.

Roll out half of the dough and invert the dough into a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie pan. Pour the filling into the crust, mounding it higher in the center than on the sides of the pan.

Roll out the second crust and invert the dough onto the top of fruit. Tuck the top crust under the bottom crust, sealing the two together and making a rolled edge. Flute the edge with your fingers.

Combine the coarse sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush the top crust with the milk and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar. Cut 6 steam vents in the top crust.

Bake the pie for 20 minutes; reduce the oven temperature to 375°F and continue baking until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling, about 35 minutes more.

Let cool on a wire rack for about 1 1/2 hours before serving.

Posted by Jovina Coughlin in apples, Cheese, Healthy Italian Cooking, Nuts, onion, Pasta, pie, potatoes, Pumpkin, spinach, tomatoes Tags: favorite Thanksgiving dishes