Chicken Piccata With Gnocchi
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 – 6 to 8 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon Kosher salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup white wine, or dry vermouth
2 lemons, each cut in half, 3 halves juiced and 1 half thinly sliced, crosswise
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and
drained
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
Gnocchi
1 pkg shelf-stable potato gnocchi
Salt
1 tablespoon of butter
½ cup greeted Parmesan cheese.
Directions
Pound chicken breasts between plastic wrap to an even thickness.
Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly coat in flour. Shake off excess.
Cook gnocchi and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and the chicken. Turn the heat to high and saute the chicken 2 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Add butter to the pan and heat on medium until the butter melts. Add the shallot, garlic, and lemon slices. Saute until the shallots are tender and the lemon slices begin to brown. Remove the lemon slices and place them with the chicken. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook the sauce for 5 minutes at a simmer. Add the capers, chicken, and lemon slices to the pan. Heat and sprinkle with parsley.
Place chicken on serving plates. Top with lemon slices and a few tablespoons of Piccata Sauce.
Add the gnocchi and butter to the skillet and toss the cooked gnocchi in the sauce and add the Parmesan cheese. Serve with the chicken.
Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
8 large carrots, ends removed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into small pieces.
Salt and ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Directions
Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut carrots on the diagonal into two-inch pieces and place them in a large baking dish.
dot with butter, and sprinkle with thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
Cover the dish tightly with foil and cook for 15 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook, stirring twice, until carrots are well browned and tender, about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For 2 servings
1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 8 to 9 oz.), cut in half horizontally and pounded to 1/4 inch thick
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup flour
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil juice of 1 fresh lemon
1/2 cup homemade or store-bought chicken stock
2 tablespoons drained capers
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Fettuccini- 2 servings according to package
Directions
Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Combine the almond flour and arrowroot flour on a shallow plate.
Dredge the chicken in the almond flour and shake off excess.
In a large skillet melt 2 tablespoons of ghee with the olive oil, over medium to high heat.
Cook the chicken in batches, if necessary, until golden and cooked through, 3 to 4 min per side.
Transfer the chicken to a platter.
Cook the pasta according to package instructions for al dente. Drain and reserve.
In the same skillet add the lemon juice, chicken stock, and capers, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
Cook over medium heat until the liquid is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Add the remaining ghee and whisk for about a minute.
Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet and simmer for about 1 minute.
Sprinkle with parsley. Place a serving of pasta on each of the two dinner plates. Top with chicken breast. Pour sauce over the chicken.
Swiss Chard
Ingredients
2 bunches of Swiss Chard
4 garlic cloves, smashed
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste
Directions
Cut the thick stems of the chard. Cut the leaves into strips. Wash well and drain slightly. Place the washed chard in a large pot and cook over low heat until completely wilted. Drain well.
In the same pot heat the olive oil and garlic over low heat, add the chard and salt to taste, and simmer until tender and hot about 5-6 minutes.
Potato Filled Cabbage Rolls
Ingredients
Cabbage
8 large savoy cabbage leaves
1 carrot shredded
½ cup water
Potato Filling:
4 cups plain mashed potatoes
1 onion finely chopped
2 eggs
4 tablespoon butter melted
1 teaspoons salt
Directions
I like to remove the large cabbage leaves, put them in a zip; ock freezer bag, and place the package in the freezer until you are ready to make the cabbage rolls. Defrost the leaves overnight in the refrigerator. Place on kitchen towels.
Or
Remove the core from the cabbage head, Add the cabbage to a pot of boiling water, core down, and cook for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the number of leaves you want for the stuffed cabbage. Place them on a kitchen towel. Reserve the remaining cabbage for another dish.
Combine the potatoes with the eggs, onion, salt, and melted butter and set aside.
To stuff the cabbage leaves:
Remove the top of the stem with kitchen scissors. Place ½ cup of the filling onto the bottom part and roll folding in the sides.
Place the rolls in a greased baking dish just large enough to fit the rolls. Pour ½ cup water into the dish.
Sprinkle the shredded carrot over the cabbage rolls. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 2 hours. 4 servings
Serve with
Pork Chop Piccata
Ingredients
4 thin pork chops
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Capers, drained
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
Directions
Season the pork with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a wide dish and coat the pork chops.
In a skillet, melt the butter on medium. Add the pork and cook for 5 min. per side, until browned.
Add the lemon juice and capers to the skillet. Being to a boil. Remove from the heat. Garnish with parsley and serve. 4 s34vings
Cauliflower Parmesan
Ingredients
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg and ¼ cup water, beaten together
1 ½ cups panko Italian unseasoned bread crumbs
Kosher salt, as needed
Black pepper, as needed
1 small-medium head cauliflower, trimmed and divided into large floret clusters
½ cup of vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups Marinara Sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
Heat the oven to 400 degrees.
Place flour, eggs, and panko into three wide, shallow bowls. Season each with salt and pepper. Dip a cauliflower piece first in flour, then egg, then coat with panko. Repeat with remaining cauliflower.
Fill a large skillet with oil. Place over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, fry cauliflower in batches, turning halfway through, until golden brown. Transfer fried cauliflower pieces to a paper towel-lined plate.
Spoon the marinara sauce over the bottom of an 8-inch baking pan. Place the cauliflower evenly in the baking dish. Transfer pan to oven and bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the shredded mozzarella and return to the oven until the cheese melts.
Lemony Chicken or Turkey Cutlet Piccata
Ingredients
4 servings
1 lb boneless skinless chicken or turkey breast cutlets
Kosher salt and black pepper
½ cup flour for dredging
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers rinsed and drained
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Directions
Pat the chicken breast pieces dry and season with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides. Lightly coat the chicken on both sides with the flour (shake off any excess flour).
In a medium skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Cook the chicken on 1 side for about 2 minutes, then turn over to cook for 3 minutes. Add the butter and capers. Drizzle the lemon juice over the cutlets and let simmer for 2 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Linguini with Pesto Cream Sauce
6 servings
Ingredients
Pistachio Basil Pesto Sauce
4 cups washed basil leaves
½ cup shelled pistachio nuts
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
Cream Sauce
1 lb linguini
1 cup pistachio basil pesto sauce
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup heavy (whipping) cream
Directions
For the pesto sauce
Place the pistachios, garlic, salt, and pepper in a processor bowl. Process until the nuts and garlic are chopped. Add the basil leaves and process for a minute or two. In the opening spout at the top, pour the olive oil as you process. Keep processing until the mixture is smooth.
Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta in a colander.
In the same pot add the pesto, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Warm over low heat and then add the cooked linguine. Cook for a minute or two. Pour into a serving bowl and top with freshly ground black pepper.
Pork Piccata
Ingredients
1/3 cup flour
Salt & pepper
1 lb boneless center-cut loin pork chops, trimmed of all fat (about 3 pork chops-1/2 inch thick)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons capers
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Cut each pork chop in half lengthwise to make 6 cutlets. Pound the cutlets thin between plastic wrap.
Place the flour in a shallow dish and add salt and pepper to taste. Dredge pork in the flour. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the pork for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove pork from the pan. Reduce heat to medium.
Add shallots and garlic to the pan; cook 30 seconds. Stir in broth and lemon juice, scraping pan to loosen the browned bits. Stir in parsley, capers, and pepper; simmer 1 minute. Return pork to pan; cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve pork in the sauce.
Quinoa Pilaf
Ingredients
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed several times
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 celery stalk chopped
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, 2 minutes
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Bring quinoa and broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low; cover; simmer until quinoa absorbs the liquid, about 15 minutes.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally until the onion begins to brown, about 6 minutes.
When the quinoa is done, fluff with a fork and transfer to a serving bowl. Stir in onion, pine nuts, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tomato Salad With Burrata Cheese
For 2 servings
1 (8 to 10-ounce) ball of fresh burrata cheese
1 large tomato, preferably heirloom
Extra virgin olive oil
3 Fresh oregano stems with leaves removed
Sea salt or fleur de sel
Directions
Thinly slice the tomatoes and cut the cheese into pies. Place the tomatoes on a serving plate and top with the oregano leaves. Distribute the burrata over the tomatoes. Drizzle the tomatoes and burrata generously with olive oil and sprinkle with fleur de sel.
Swordfish Marinara
When many of us think of swordfish, we think..well, isn’t it endangered? The answer — at least for American swordfish — is no!
It is true that swordfish stocks were low in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, but, now, North Atlantic stocks are on the rebound and environmental watchdog groups list them as a “good alternative.”
Under an international rebuilding plan for swordfish, the United States implemented a number of management measures to reduce the amount of fishing, to protect undersized swordfish and to allow the swordfish population to grow and rebuild. Fishermen, managers and scientists worked together to develop new management measures that reduced the impact U.S. fishery had on marine animals, making it one of the most environmentally responsible industries in the world. The North Atlantic swordfish rebuilding program is one of the great success stories in fishery management.
As for Pacific swordfish, they were never in trouble — especially in the waters around Hawaii. They get an “A” rating as a sustainable seafood choice by groups like the Monterey Bay Aquarium. You should buy swordfish that has been caught off the coasts of America because the technique used for catching imported swordfish is controversial and unregulated.
The swordfish is found in oceanic regions worldwide, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It is found in tropical, temperate, and sometimes in cold waters. The swordfish is a highly migratory species, generally moving to warmer waters in the winter and cooler waters in the summer. Swordfish have been prized since men first set to sea and Sicilian fishermen still put to sea on open boats, calling out in an Ancient Greek dialect, they believe capable of drawing the fish within range of their hand-thrown harpoons. Swordfish is very popular in Italy, especially in the southern regions.
Swordfish is one of the most powerful fish in the ocean. Elusive and combative, the swordfish is prized by recreational anglers. Its name comes from its long, flat, sword-like bill, which is larger than those of other billfish species. When hooked and brought near the boat, the swordfish aggressively wields its bill, forcing anglers to use extreme caution to avoid being injured.
Like other billfish, females grow larger than males. Swordfish feed near the surface at night on squid and other small fish and, during the day, they move into deeper water to feed on larger fish that they stun with their slashing bill. Swordfish generally live about nine years, although, some have lived to 15 years. Fully grown, they can exceed 14 feet in length. Sexual maturity occurs between five and six years. In the Gulf of Mexico, spawning takes place year-round, and peaks from late April to July near the Gulf’s Loop Current.
Because of their size — the average swordfish weighs about 110 pounds — they’re sold as steaks, and while this makes cleaning and boning quite easy, it also means that an unscrupulous fishmonger may be tempted to pass off other steaks, in particular dogfish, as swordfish. For this reason fishmongers usually put the head on display when they set out swordfish steaks. How to be certain it’s swordfish? The spine is true bone, not the cartilage of a dogfish, and there will be an X of darker flesh bracketing the vertebra. Swordfish is popular because of its mildly sweet flavor, moist, meaty texture and moderately high fat content. It is an excellent source of selenium, niacin and vitamin B12.
Swordfish is made for the grill. The meat is so firm it that appeals to many who do not like fish. The texture, also, helps prevent the steaks from falling apart on the grill.
A typical swordfish meal is prepared with a simple olive oil-based marinade, grilled and served simply with lemon, salt and herbs. Good swordfish needs nothing more than this.
Cook swordfish like you would a rare steak: Use high heat to sear the outside and let it stay a little rare in the middle.
Make sure to leave the skin on when you grill, but take it off to serve: The skin is rubbery, but helps to keep the fish moist.
Swordfish is also an excellent stewing fish because it won’t fall apart. Use it for a fish chowder, or as a component in Cioppino or another fish stew or slowly simmer it in tomato sauce.
Swordfish is also good in a salad such as a Nicoise or even a classic tuna salad.
When choosing swordfish, look for the little strip of dark meat to be red, not brown. If it’s brown, the meat is old. Know that East Coast swordfish tends to be a little rosier than Pacific swordfish due to their diet. Tightly wrapped swordfish freezes well for about 3-4 months; beyond that goes downhill fast.
A few of my favorite ways to prepare swordfish are included here for you to try. The recipe for the dish pictured at the top of the post, Swordfish Marinara, is just below.
Swordfish Marinara
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-28 ounce container Pomi chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons pine (pignoli) nuts
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, minced
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 4 (6-ounce) swordfish fillets, about 1 inch thick
Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in an oven-proof skillet. Add the onion and garlic and saute until softened about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the sauce thickens. Stir in olives, crushed red pepper flakes, pine nuts, basil, oregano, wine and salt to taste.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Combine bread crumbs, parsley, remaining olive oil, salt and pepper.
Sprinkle swordfish with sea salt and pepper. Place fish in the tomato sauce and top each with 1/4 cup of the breadcrumb mixture. Place skillet in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until swordfish is cooked to your liking..
Serve with pasta or crusty Italian bread and a salad.
Swordfish Piccata 
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 1/2 fresh boneless swordfish, cut into 4 pieces
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
- Lemon garnish
Directions:
Combine the flour, pepper, and salt in a shallow dish such as a pie plate. Dredge the swordfish slices in the flour mixture and shake off any excess.
In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil with the butter. When hot, add the fish and cook until browned on the underside, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn fish over and cook until well browned on the other side. Transfer to a platter and keep warm.
To make the sauce:
Add the garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and wine to the pan and deglaze, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a boil, turn heat to low and add the capers. Adjust the salt seasoning to taste. Return the swordfish to the skillet and let the fish cook for a few minutes so that it can absorb the flavors of the sauce. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve at once, garnished with lemon.
Swordfish in Orange Sauce 
Serves 4
Serve with orzo tossed with chopped fresh basil and toasted pine nuts.
Ingredients:
- 4 (6-ounce) swordfish steaks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons pitted, chopped kalamata olives
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped bottled roasted red bell peppers
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped red onion
Directions:
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Sprinkle fish evenly with salt and black pepper. Add fish to the pan and sauté about 5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Remove fish from pan; cover and keep warm.
Add garlic and crushed red pepper to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds. Add raisins, orange juice, olives, roasted pepper and onion to pan and cook for 1 minute. Top fish with sauce and serve.
Baked Swordfish Fillets
Serve with green beans.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 4 swordfish steaks about 6 oz each, skin removed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 4 ripe tomatoes, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 4 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 teaspoons chopped oregano
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Season the swordfish with salt and pepper. Coat a large baking dish with olive oil cooking spray. Spread the fennel in the baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
Place the swordfish on top of the fennel in a single layer. Top with the tomato and lemon slices. Mix the parsley, oregano, rosemary, and thyme together and sprinkle over the fish. Pour the wine and the oil over the fish. Cover with aluminum foil.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked and flakes with a knife. Serve with the pan juices poured over the fish.
Related articles
- Swordfish a la Siciliana (iamdelicious.typepad.com)
- The Evolution of Billfish, Revisited (thewrittenblit.com)
- Swordfish (ideasinfood.com)
- Swordfish with mustard and rosemary roasted potatoes (culturejaunt.com)
- Harpoon-Caught Swordfish Now At Whole Foods Market (todayinfoodsafety.com)
- Barbecued Marinated Swordfish (thebitbucket.net)
- Grilled Swordfish and Tuna Steaks (stevesacooking.com)
- Differences Between Swordfish and Marlin (differencebetween.net)
- Baked Swordfish on Sweet Potatoes (paleoviz.com)
