Scallopini
Ingredients
Two 6 oz boneless, skinless cutlets (turkey, chicken, veal, pork or fish), pounded until thin
Kosher salt
Ground pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour, preferably Wondra
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons white wine, or dry vermouth
1 lemon, juiced (4 tablespoons),
1 tablespoon capers
Directions
Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly coat in flour. Shake off excess.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter, swirl them around the pan, and add the cutlets. Turn the heat to medium and saute for 2 minutes per side. Add the wine, lemon juice and capers, swirl them around in the pan and turn off the heat. Serve immediately with a small sprinkling of salt and pepper.
CreamyRoasted Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
5-6 large plum tomatoes quartered
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large garlic clove sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Half of a small onion, minced
1 medium or two small zucchini cut into sticks about the size of the pasta
3 fresh thyme sprigs or 1 teaspoon dried
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups short pasta
½ cup parmesan cheese, grated plus extra for serving
Directions
Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a medium baking dish lined with foil, toss together the quartered tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste. Roast for 40 minutes. Turn the oven temperature to 400 degrees F and roast the tomatoes for 2o minutes more. cool to room temperature. Remove the tomato skins and discard them.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and zucchini sticks. Cook, stirring frequently until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juices. Add the thyme and the cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer over low heat.
Cook the pasta in the boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot and toss with the sauce. Add in ½ cup of parmesan cheese. Add pasta water if necessary to loosen up the sauce. Season to taste with black pepper. Serve with extra parmesan cheese.
Homemade Olive Bread
Ingredients
2 teaspoons instant yeast
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 ¾ cups warm water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup chopped green olives
1/2 cup chopped black olives
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Directions
Place all the bread ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer. With the paddle attachment, mix until the ingredients come together around the paddle. Switch to the dough hook and knead the dough for 10 minutes.
Place the dough in a clean bowl greased with olive oil. Cover with a clean cloth and let it rise for an hour.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Punch the dough down and place on a parchment-lined baking pan. Shape the dough into an oval. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise 30 minutes. Make three slashes in the top of the bread with a sharp knife. Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake the bread for 40 minutes.
Cool un a wire rack. Serve the bread with olive oil for dipping.
Flounder Florentine
2 servings
Ingredients
One large (12-16 oz) flounder filet
1 cup leftover sauteed spinach (recipe)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil
Directions
Coat a baking dish large enough to hold the flounder with olive oil. Place the flounder in the dish and season with salt and pepper.
Spread the spinach over the flounder and top with the shredded cheese.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
Bake the flounder for 15 minutes.
Baked Tomatoes For Two
Ingredients
1 large fresh tomato. Cut in half
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons Italian flavored panko crumbs
Olive oil
Place the tomato halves on a small baking sheet with foil. Sprinkle the tops with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and top each half with 1 tablespoon of panko crumbs. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 15 minutes. ( Bake in the oven with the flounder.
Lemon Vegetable Couscous
Ingredients
Olive oil
1 ¼ cups chicken broth
1 cup whole wheat Israeli couscous
1 small zucchini, diced
1 onion, diced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions
In a medium saucepan, bring1 ¼ cups of chicken broth to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 cup whole wheat Israeli couscous. Return the mixture to a boil, lower the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook 10 minutes. The couscous will absorb the broth. Stir, add ½ teaspoon salt, and set aside.
In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the onion and garlic. Saute over low heat for 5 minutes. Add the zucchini, Italian seasoning and salt, and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 minutes. Add the cooked couscous and lemon juice. Heat. Adjust seasoning with salt to taste. Serve with the flounder.
Ingredients
12 oz firm fish fillets
Salt and Pepper
1 cup Flour- any type of flour can work in this recipe (Wondra, gluten-free, low carb)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 cup (8oz) Beer or seltzer water
Oil for frying (1 inch deep)
Crispy Taco Shells, warmed
Shredded cabbage
Sauce
½ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon line juice
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
2 scallions, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon cilantro paste
To make the sauce
Combine all the sauce ingredients in a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld.
For the fish
Pat the fish dry, cut into 3-inch pieces and season with salt and pepper
Heat the oil in a large skillet
Mix the flour, taco seasoning, and the beer together in a shallow bowl. The batter should be thick.
Dip the fish pieces into the batter, let the batter drip off, then transfer directly to the hot oil and let them fry until golden, approximately 3 minutes.
Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels for the oil to drip off.
To assemble
Place several pieces of fish in each taco shell, top with shredded cabbage and sour cream sauce. Serve with lots of paper napkins.
Old-Fashioned Salisbury Steak
4 servings
for the patties
11/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1/4 cup fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons flour
For the sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups sliced onions( one large)
1 tablespoon minced garlic( one huge clove)
8 0z sliced mushrooms
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Directions
Combine the beef, parsley, onion, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Divide the mixture evenly into 4 portions (about oz each) and shape each into thick oval patties. Place 2 tablespoons of flour in a shallow dish; dredge each patty in flour. Reserve the remaining flour.
Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. add patties and saute 3 minutes on each side, or until browned. Remove from the pan to a plate.
Add onions and mushrooms to pan; saute 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; saute 1 minute. Sprinkle the reserved flour over the mixture and stir; cook 1 minute. Stir in broth, the salt, and thyme. Return the patties to the pan and bring the sauce to a low boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
Steak House Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
4 medium russet potatoes
Olive Oil
Kosher salt
Black pepper
4 pats of butter
Directions
Wash and dry each potato. Make several slashes with a paring knife in each potato. Brush a layer of oil over the entire surface of each potato. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the top portion of each potato. Place the potatoes on a baking pan covered with foil. Bake at 400 degrees F for about an hour. Split open and place a pat of butter in each potato and serve.
Sauteed spinach In Garlic
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
Two 10-ounce bags frozen spinach
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Directions
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 to 2 minutes.
Add spinach and toss to coat. Cover and cook until defrosted, about 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add lemon juice, salt, and crushed red pepper. Toss to coat and serve immediately.
Make a large piece of meat (beef roast, chicken, or pork roast) one day a week and you will have lots of easy meals during the week. Last week I made a baked ham (recipe) that had been in my freezer for a few months. Having these leftovers made for some easy meals.
Ham Omelet For Breakfast
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
8 large eggs
4 small red potatoes, cooked and diced
1 cup diced Italian light green frying peppers
1 cup thinly sliced onion
1 cup diced cooked baked ham
3 slices American cheese, broken into pieces
Directions
Position rack in the upper third of the oven; preheat the broiler.
Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. Heat oil and butter in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, peppers, and potatoes; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the ham; cook, stirring, until the ham is hot.
Pour the eggs over the vegetable ham mixture and cook, lifting the edges of the omelet so uncooked egg can flow underneath until the bottom is light golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top, transfer the pan to the oven and broil until the eggs are set, 6 to 8 minutes. Let rest for about 3 minutes before cutting. Serve hot or warm.
Ham And Potato Soup For Lunch
Ingredients
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 large onion diced
1 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced celery
3 cups peeled and diced potatoes
4 cloves garlic minced
1 1/2 cups cooked ham, diced (add more if desired)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups ham broth, see recipe below
3 cups of milk
1 teaspoon of salt (adjust to your taste)
Fresh cracked black pepper
Directions
For the ham broth
Simmer the ham bone in a stockpot filled with enough water to cover the bone halfway.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover with a lid, and let simmer until the meat clinging to the bone begins to shred. (about 1 hour).
Discard the hambone.
For the soup
Heat the butter in the stockpot over medium heat. Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until beginning to soften (about 4 minutes).
Add the potatoes, cook for 2 minutes, then add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
Mix the flour through the vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the ham stock, mixing all ingredients together, and making sure the flour is completely dissolved. Cover the pan and cook until the potatoes are ‘just’ fork-tender, about 10-12 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium-low, add the milk and stir over the heat until thickened (about 5 minutes). Using a hand blender, process the soup until partially pureed. Leave a few chunks here and there. Stir in the chopped ham and heat. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve hot.
Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders For Dinner
Ingredients
1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water
Salt
1 cup Italian seasoned panko crumbs
¼ cup of vegetable oil
Cooking spray
6 chicken tenders
Directions
Pound the tenders between plastic wrap to ¼ inch thick
Mix the oil into the panko crumbs until combined.
Dip each tender in the egg and then the panko. Place on a plate. Sprinkle the tenders lightly with salt. (Can be refrigerated at this point until ready to cook.)
Set the air-fryer temperature to 350 degrees F and preheat the oven (takes about 10 minutes).
Remove the air-fryer basket and coat with cooking spray. Place the tenders in the basket – don’t do more than 6 at one time. Repeat the process if you have more.
Bake 6 minutes. Turn the tenders over and bake 6 more minutes. Remove to a serving platter.
Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes
Ingredients
4 medium tomatoes
4 teaspoons panko crumbs
10 oz pkg frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons cream cheese
2 tablespoons heavy cream
salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese
Directions
Heat oil in a small saucepan and add garlic; cook 1 minute
Add spinach and heat.
Make a well in the center of the spinach and add the cream.
Heat and stir until cheese is dissolved throughout the spinach. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut a thin slice off the top of the tomatoes and scoop out the pulp and seeds. Salt the inside of the tomatoes and turn upside down on a plate lined with a paper towel to extract juices, about 15 minutes.
Stuff the tomatoes with the spinach filling, Sprinkle with the top of each tomato with Parmesan cheese and panko crumbs. Place the tomatoes in a greased baking dish just large enough to hold the four tomatoes. Bake until the filling is hot and the tops are light brown, about 20 minutes.
Bakeshop Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 22 cookies
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons hot water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Line 4 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with the salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts.
To make extra-big, bakery-style (5″) cookies, scoop the dough in 1/4-cupfuls (or use a muffin scoop) onto the baking sheets. Put 5 or 6 scoops on a cookie sheet.
Repeat with two more cookie sheets.
Bake two cookie sheets for 20minutes rotating the pans after 10 minutes until the edges are beginning to brown. Repeat with the other two cookie sheets.
Remove the cookies from the cookie sheets and cool. Store in a sealed container.
Take advantage of summer produce and add them to your baked bread or muffins.
Herb and Cheddar Squash Bread
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons of your favorite dried herbs (I used chives)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup whole milk
2 cups yellow squash, shredded
Directions
Combine dry ingredients, herbs, and cheddar in a large bowl; mix well.
In a separate bowl, beat eggs then add oil and milk.
Squeeze excess moisture out of squash then add to the liquid mixture.
Bake at 375°F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in muffins comes out clean.
Cool in the pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Serve warm.
Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Pour batter into a greased loaf pan lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cranberry Sweet Potato Muffins
12-15 muffins
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cold mashed sweet potatoes (without added butter or milk)
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup fresh, dried, or frozen cranberries
Chopped pecans
Cinnamon-sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a small bowl, combine the egg, milk, sweet potatoes, and butter; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the cranberries.
Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups half full. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of chopped pecans and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.
Bake for about 15 to 17 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the oven. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then turn out onto a cooling rack. Serve the muffins warm or at room temperature.
Vegetable Corn Bread
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1 cup yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour or whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons honey
3/4 cup shredded carrots (2 to 3 small)
1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat a 2-quart square baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
In a large bowl stir together cornmeal, wheat flour, chives, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In a medium bowl whisk together eggs, milk, and honey.
Add egg mixture all at once to the flour mixture; stir just until moistened.
Fold in carrots and bell pepper. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Serve warm.
Lemon Rosemary Zucchini Bread
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
2 eggs
1/2 cup melted unsalted butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoons salt (omit if you use salted butter)
1 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 cups grated zucchini (from about 1 pound of zucchini), squeezed dry
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Coat a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and dust the bottom with flour.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and rosemary.
Beat the eggs in a mixer until frothy. Beat in the sugar. Beat in the melted butter, olive oil, and milk. Stir in the lemon zest and grated zucchini.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet, a third at a time, stirring after each incorporation.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes. If you gently press down on the surface of the loaf, it should bounce back and a bamboo skewer or toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.
Remove the pan from the oven. Let cool for a few minutes and then remove the loaf from the pan to cool on a rack.
Here is an easy dinner for when you want something simple.
Grilled Ribeye With Grilled Onion
2 servings
Ingredients
2 petite ribeye steaks, 6-7 oz each, ½-inch thick
2 thick slices sweet onion, cut from the center of a large onion
Olive oil Cooking spray
Steak seasoning
Salt
Directions
Sprinkle the steaks with steak seasoning and salt. Coat the onion slices with cooking spray;
Preheat an outdoor grill or a stovetop grill pan. Oil the grill grates or the grill pan.
For outdoor cooking
Turn one of the burners off for indirect heat on the outdoor grill.
Place the onion slices on the indirect heat and turn them over when you turn the steaks.
Grill steaks until cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare.
For indoor cooking
Grill the steaks as directed above and place them on a serving platter. Add the onion slices to the pan can cook over low for 2-3 minutes just until they show a few grill marks.
Place the onion slices on top of the steaks and serve.
Wedge Salad
Ingredients
Salad
2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Ranch Dressing or Buttermilk Dressing, see below
Crumbled blue cheese to taste
1 small tomato, diced
¼ cup diced red onion
Dressing
Whisk together in a small bowl:
1/2 small shallot, finely chopped
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk,
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar Salt and pepper to taste
Stin in 1/2 cup crumbled mild blue cheese
Directions
Combine the dressing ingredients in a jar with a screw top and shake well.
Cut 1 small head of iceberg lettuce into 4 wedges; place a wedge on two individual salad plates and spoon some of the dressing over the wedges.
Top each with bacon, diced red onion, diced tomato, and more crumbled blue cheese.
Here is another recipe that can incorporate all the wonderful produce available at this time of year. Be creative and add any vegetables you like in this type of salad.
Ingredients
12 oz mini brown rice or whole wheat shell pasta
2 celery stalks, finely diced
3 scallions finely diced
1 small green bell pepper finely diced
1 small cucumber, peeled and seeded, finely diced
1 tomato seeded and finely diced
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley for garnish
Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Pinch black pepper and salt
Directions
Make the dressing by combining the ingredients in a large serving bowl and set aside in the refrigerator while you cook the macaroni.
Cook the pasta al dente in boiling salted water, drain and add the pasta to the dressing while the pasta is warm. Let rest 10 minutes.
Add the chopped vegetables and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the salad and chill for several hours. Garnish with minced parsley before serving.
Scallops in Garlic Cream Sauce
2 servings
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
10 oz sea scallops
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 large shallot, minced
1 small zucchini about 6 oz, finely diced
Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice
6 oz cooked pasta (I used pappardelle)
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano
2 tablespoons chopped basil
Directions
Cook pasta until al dente, drain and set aside.
Remove the side muscle from the scallops if attached. Thoroughly pat the scallops dry with paper towels.
Heat the butter and olive oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat until hot and sizzling. Add the scallops in a single layer.
Season with salt and pepper and cook without moving for 2 minutes on one side, then turn the scallops over and cook 1 minute. Remove the scallops from the skillet and transfer to a plate.
In the same pan, add the garlic, shallots, and zucchini. Cook stirring the ingredients often for 5 minutes.
Add cream and allow to simmer until slightly thickened.
Remove the skillet from the heat; stir in lemon juice and add the scallops back into the pan to warm through slightly.
Stir in the basil, cooked pasta, and cheese. Serve in pasta bowls.
