2 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS
2 small eggplants, about 10 oz each
¼ cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sweet Italian sausage link cooked and diced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 plum tomato, seeded and diced
5 basil leaves, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 teaspoons grated Pecorino Romano
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Slice a thin layer off the top of each eggplant
Hollow out the flesh of the eggplant to create a boat using a melon baller or small serrated spoon.
Heat the oil in a small skillet and add the onion. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the eggplant flesh and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the garlic, basil, salt, and pepper to taste the tomato and the chopped sausage. Let the mixture cool. Stir in the mozzarella. Stuff the eggplant shells equally with the filling and place them into a small baking dish,
Top each with 1 teaspoon each of Pecorino Romano cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 15 minutes more.
Mahi Mahi
Ingredients
3 ¼-inch slices of red onion from a large onion, cut in half
8 (6ounces) mini sweet bell peppers, seeded and quartered
1 clove garlic, grated
1 teaspoon fajita seasoning or taco seasoning
2 Mahi Mahi fillets about 5 ounces each
¼ cup salsa
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Avocado oil
1 lime
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
Heat one tablespoon of avocado oil in a medium skillet. Add the sliced onions and peppers.
Drizzle a teaspoon of oil in the bottom of a small baking dish.
place the mahi-mahi pieces on top and squeeze the juice of 1 lemon and drizzle with butter, top with sliced lemon, and sprinkle with the parsley and cilantro, cover and bake at 350 for about 30 mins or slightly firm to touch.
Black Bean And Corn Saute
Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/21 a small onion, finely chopped
1 cup cooked with cooking liquid or canned black beans
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup canned green chiles, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 cup fresh corn kernels
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent and very soft, about 10 minutes.
Drain the black beans, and reserve 1/4 cup of the liquid. Add the beans, the reserved bean liquid, and the remaining ingredients to the saucepan; cover, raise heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer to a serving dish. Serve immediately.
Stuffed Chicken Breasts
2 to 4 servings depending on how large you like your portions.
I prefer to butterfly the chicken rather than cut a pocket. The breasts are much easier to fill if butterflied.
Ingredients
2 {8 oz} boneless skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil,
For the stuffing
1/4 cup cooked spinach, squeezed dry
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon olive oil
Breading
½ cup flour seasoned with salt and pepper
1 egg beaten
1 cup panko crumbs mixed with 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
4 slices of tomato from a large tomato, ¼ inch thick
Olive oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
Make the filling. In a small mixing bowl combine the stuffing ingredients. Mix until well combined.
Pat the chicken breast dry. Place the breast on a cutting board. With a boning knife, butterfly the breast. Place it between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound lightly with a meat mallet to even the meat out. Repeat with the second breast.
Place half of the filling on one breast. Press down firmly on the filling to help it stick to the breast. Fold the other half over the filling and press the edges to seal. Repeat with the second breast.
Dredge the breasts in flour, then dip in the egg, and finally press in the panko crumbs. Place the breast in an oiled baking dish. Drizzle lightly with olive oil.
Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven and top each breast with two tomato slices. Place the dish back in the oven for 5 more minutes or until a meat thermometer registers 165 degrees F.
Gnocchi With Peas
Ingredients
One 17 oz pkg Potato Gnocchi or
Homemade Gnocchi
2 pounds russet potatoes
3 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
Sauce
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
To make homemade gnocchi
In a covered 8-quart Dutch oven cook potatoes in enough boiling water to cover about 20 minutes or just until tender (do not overcook); drain. Peel potatoes.
While potatoes are still hot, push through a ricer into a large bowl. Using a wooden spoon, stir in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add about half of the flour; mix well. Stir in enough of the remaining 1/2 cup flour to make a soft, pliable dough. Divide dough in thirds.
On a lightly floured surface, roll one portion of dough at a time into a 1-inch-thick rope. Cut rope into 1/2-inch pieces. Using your thumb, make an indentation in the top of each piece. Place on a baking sheet; chill while preparing the sauce (up to 2 hours).
Heat the butter and peas.
To cook the gnocchi
In the Dutch oven bring a large amount of salted water to a rapid boil. Add the gnocchi; cook for 10 to 15 seconds or until the gnocchi starts to float to the top. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the gnocchi as they rise to the top of the boiling water, to the p of the pan with the butter and peas. Add the cheese and mix well. Serve.
Beef Stroganoff
Serve with a salad.
Ingredients
1 pound beef tenderloin fillet tips
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter,
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 small onion, sliced
4 oz sliced mushrooms
2 cups beef broth
1 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard
1/2 cup sour cream
5-6 oz egg noodles, cooked to package directions
Chopped parsley leaves, garnish
Directions
Cook the noodles, drain, and reserve.
Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until tender. Add beef and flour mixture to pan; sauté 3 minutes or until beef is browned. Gradually add broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add mushrooms; cover and cook for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender.
Reduce heat to low; gradually stir in sour cream mixture. Cook, uncovered, 1 minute or until heated (do not boil). Stir in parsley, if desired. Serve over the egg noodles.
Meatloaf
Ingredients
1 celery stalk chopped fine
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1cup finely chopped bell pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup low sugar ketchup
2 pounds of lean ground round
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
2 large eggs, beaten slightly
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the meat, eggs, vegetables, bread crumbs, ketchup, seasonings, and parsley. Form into a loaf and put into an oiled rectangular baking pan with inch-high sides.
Bake the meatloaf in the oven for 1 hour. Let rest 10 minutes before cutting into serving pieces.
Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
Salt
3 ½ lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ to ⅓ cup heavy cream
Directions
Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water until very soft, about 20-25 minutes. Drain the potatoes and put them into a ricer and press the potatoes back into the cooking pot. Add the butter and just enough cream to moisten. Taste for salt and warm the potatoes.
Sauteed Kale
Ingredients
1 bunch kale
Salt and pepper to taste
3 garlic cloves, sliced in half
¼ cup olive oil
Directions
Remove the kale leaves from the stalks. Chop into small pieces. Wash well and dry in a salad spinner.
Heat the garlic and oil in a deep skillet. Add the kale, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook the kale over low heat until soft, about 30 to 40 minutes.
Stuffed Zucchini
2 servings
Ingredients
2 medium zucchini
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup leftover taco filling I used,y leftover chipotle chicken Taco filling.
Recipe
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Cut a ¼ inch thick slice off the top of each zucchini. Remove the flesh from both the top and bottom with a grapefruit spoon.
Chop the flesh and cook it in a small skillet with the oil. For about 5 minutes. Add the leftover taco filling. Mix well and let cool to room temperature. Add the cheese and fill the larger two pieces of zucchini. Place the thinner slice on top.
Place the zucchini boats in a shallow baking dish. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Baked the zucchini boats for 45 minutes. Serve with a salad.
Spinach Pasta
Serve with garlic bread
Ingredients
8 oz spinach spaghetti or regular spaghetti
¼ cup olive oil2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small red onion, sliced
1 large zucchini, quartered and sliced
3 plum tomatoes, diced
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt to taste
8 oz jar pitted Kalamata Olives, drained
1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Heat the oil in a skillet and add the onion and zucchini. Saute until soft, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and tomatoes. Stir well and add salt to taste. Cook until the tomatoes soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the olives and keep warm.
Cook the spaghetti al dente and drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
Add the sauce to the drained pasta along with the pasta water and cheese. Stir well and serve in individual pasta bowls with garlic bread.
Creamy Spinach Quiches
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, diced
10 oz package frozen spinach defrosted and squeezed or the equivalent of fresh spinach
Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
1 Basic Pie Dough, fitted into a 9-inch pie plate
4 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium. Add the onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach to the skillet; season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 /2 teaspoon pepper.
Sprinkle the bottom of the pie dough with half the cheese. Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the cheese. Pour the egg mixture over the spinach. Sprinkle it with the remaining cheese. Place the pie dish on a baking sheet and transfer it to the oven.
Bake the quiche until set, 45 to 50 minutes. Let quiches stand 15 minutes before serving.
Cucumber Radish Salad
Ingredients
1 large cucumber peeled and cut into cubes
6 large radishes, trimmed and quartered
2 scallions, sliced thin
¼ cup dried cherries, chopped
¼ cup toasted walnuts
¼ cup chopped fresh mint
Combine ⅓ cup of your favorite Red wine vinaigrette mixed with 1 teaspoon honey. Mix into the cucumber salad. Ket marinates for about 30 minutes before serving.
This is a refreshing dinner on a hot summer day. Make the extra salmon even if you only need two servings for dinner. Leftover Salmon has many uses..Salmon
Ingredients
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh dill
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 lemon
4 fresh salmon fillets, about 6 oz each
½ teaspoons salt
Directions
Mix the extra virgin olive together with the black pepper, the chopped fresh dill, and fresh oregano together in a non-metallic bowl. Stir well then add in the zest and juice of the lemon.
Place the salmon fillets into the marinade and turn them to coat. Set them aside in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.
Once the salmon has marinated, place a heavy paced frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat and allow it to get hot.
Season the salmon fillets with the salt and then place the salmon presentation side down into the pan.
Cook undisturbed for 3 minutes. Carefully flip the salmon and cook for a further 3 minutes.
Greek Salad
Serve with warmed pita bread
Dressing
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon sugar or sugar substitute
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoon lemon juice
Salad
4 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 small bell pepper, diced
1/4 of red onion, sliced
Half English cucumber, sliced
1 medium tomato, diced
12 kalamata olives,
4 pepperoncini peppers
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions
Pour all the dressing ingredients into a large jar and shake well.
Place the jar in the refrigerator for a few hours to blend the flavors.
Combine the Greek salad ingredients in a large serving bowl. Pour half of the dressing over the salad and toss. Add more dressing if desired.
This bread makes delicious toast.
Ingredients
Dough
1 large zucchini (8 oz, shredded)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (4 oz, ml) water, 110-120F
1 tablespoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, room temperature
4 cups bread flour
Topping
1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water
Sesame seeds
Directions
Toss the zucchini with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Set aside for 15 minutes. Spread the zucchini in a single layer on a paper towel. Lay another paper towel on top of the zucchini and press down to ab km
Combine zucchini and remaining dough ingredients in an electric mixer bowl. With the paddle attachment mix the ingredients until they gather around the paddle Switch to the dough hook and Knead for 5 minutes.
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl and set aside to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, knead a few times and divide into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a 14″ long rope. Braid the three ropes, pinching each end to seal together, and set the loaf onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap which has been oiled to prevent sticking. Set aside in a warm place for about 1 hour until the dough has almost doubled in volume and springs back slowly when poked.
Preheat the oven to 350°F convection or 375°F regular. Brush the loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake for about 30-35 minutes until golden brown. The interior temp should be about 190°F. Cool on a wire rack.
