Italian Stuffed Cabbage
AIny ground meat combinations can be used, including ground meat substitutes.
4 servings
Ingredients
1 head of cabbage placed in the freezer overnight and then thawed (it’s easier to roll wilted leaves and eliminates the boiling step
Remove 8 leaves and place them on a kitchen towel.
Tomato Sauce
2 cloves of garlic minced fine
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
2 fresh basil leaves minced
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 – 141/2 ounce can of chopped Italian tomatoes
Filling
½ cup water
2 cups meatloaf mix (ground beef, pork, and veal)
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg
Salt to taste
Directions
Combine the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl.
Place the filling ingredients in another bowl and mix well.
Cut the core out of the bottom of each cabbage leaf.
Place ¼ cup filling at the bottom of each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides of the leaf and roll up. Place the rolls in a greased 8×8-inch pan. Pour the tomato sauce over the rolls and cover the dish with foil.
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake the rolls for 30 minutes more.
Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds Russet potatoes 1 ½ lbs Yukon gold potatoes
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup salted butter at room temperature
1 cup milk, cream, or sour cream
Salt to taste
Directions
Peel and quarter potatoes, and place in a pot of cold salted water.
Add cloves of garlic and bring to a boil, cook uncovered for 15 minutes or until fork-tender. Drain well.
Heat milk on the stovetop (or in the microwave) until warm.
Add butter to the potatoes and begin mashing. Pour in heated milk a little at a time while using a potato masher to reach desired consistency.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Ingredients
1 cup of each of the following vegetables cut into small pieces
Onion
Carrots
Celery
Zucchini
Green Beans
Peas
Corn
Potatoes
Soup
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 garlic cloves, grated
1tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning
4 cups tomato purée
2 cups canned chopped Italian tomatoes
½ teaspoon Calabrian chili paste
3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups water
Parmesan cheese rind
Salt and pepper to taste.
Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Directions
Heat the oil in a soup pot. Add the vegetables that take longer to cook: onion, carrots, celery, green beans, and potatoes. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and remaining vegetables. Cook for 5 more minutes.
Add purée, tomatoes, broth, water, cheese tind, and seasonings. Bring to a low boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook untold the vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. Serve in soup bowls and garnish with Parmesan cheese.
It may be February, but here on the Gulf Coast, the temperatures are in the low 80’s. This dinner is perfect for this type of weather.
The skewers can be cooked on a grill, in the broiler, or in the air-fryer.
Shrimp And Scallop Skewers
2 servings
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
12 large shrimp
12 sea scallops
3-8 inch wooden skewers, soaked in water
Directions
Thread skewers with 4 shrimp and 4 scallops per skewer. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
Combine the melted butter with the seasonings and brush on both sides of the seafood.
Heat a grill, grill pan, broiler, or air-fryer.
For a grill or grill pan, heat over medium heat or place 4 inches away from broiler elements. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side.
Air-Fryer Instructions
Set the temperature to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes on one side, turn the skewers over, and cook for 2 minutes.
Brush with the sauce again before serving
I served the skewers with sliced tomato and Russian dressing and homemade potato salad.
Simple Potato Salad
Ingredients
2 lbs whole medium red-skinned potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons pickle juice
1/4 cup minced bread and butter pickles or pickle relish.
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion or scallions
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1/2 cup olive oil mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and black pepper to taste
Chopped parsley for garnish
1 hard-boiled egg, optional
Directions
Place the potatoes in a large pot with a lid. Cover the potatoes with cold water and add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and cook the potatoes with the lid ajar until tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain the potatoes and cool. When cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes. Slice the potatoes into a storage bowl.
Add the pickle juice and let sit at room temperature for an hour or so.
Add the remaining ingredients, mix well, and taste to see if the salad needs salt. Add black pepper to taste. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator until serving time. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.
For the tomatoes
Russian Dressing
Ingredients
3/4 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup plus
2 to 3 tablespoons of chili sauce
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 teaspoons chopped curly parsley leaves
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon minced Spanish onion
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon minced dill pickle
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated horseradish
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Combine everything; makes 2 cups.
Salmon With Roasted Grapes
6 servings
1 1/2 lb salmon fillet, cut into 6 equal pieces
2 cups of organic red grapes
1 large onion, sliced
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped basil leaves
Olive oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and oil a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Combine the grapes, salt, pepper, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Spread the mixture in the baking pan, Roast for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle the salmon with salt and pepper. Place the salmon fillets on top of the grapes. Drizzle olive oil over the fish. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle the fish with the chopped herbs and serve.
Baked Potato Wedges
Ingredients
3 Russet Potatoes, quartered
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Combine the potatoes with the remaining ingredients in a bowl. Pour into a baking dish and spread out evenly in the pan. Bake for 1 hour..
Green Beans With Onions and Mushrooms
Ingredients
1 lb green beans, ends trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Half a medium onion, diced
4 oz sliced mushrooms
Sat and pepper to taste
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil in a large skillet. Add the beans and cook for 3 minutes. Drain the beans in a colander. Return the skillet to medium heat and add the oil, onions and mushrooms. Cook until the vegetables are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Return the beans to the skillet and heat until hot. Serve immediately.
Greek Omelet
Ingredients
8 large eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
1-10 pkg frozen spinach, defrosted and drained
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
PREHEAT THE BROILER.
Heat the oil in a large ovenproof swollen. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the spinach and salt. Sauté fir 1 minute. Add the tomatoes. Pepper and sauté for 3 minutes.
Pour the eggs over the vegetables and cook on medium until the eggs are set, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle the feta cheese over the top of the omelet.
Place the pan two inches under the broiler and cook for about 1-2 minutes until the top is set. Cut into wedges and serve.
Buttery Braised Potatoes
Ingredients
3/4 lb baby potatoes, about 1-inch in diameter, unpeeled and halved
1 cup water
2 tablespoon butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Directions
Place the potatoes in a 12-inch skillet, cut side down in a single layer. Add the water, butter, garlic and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover pan and cook 10 minutes.
Remove the cover and turn the heat to high. Cook 6-8 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally until the water evaporates. Add lemon juice and parsley. Serve with the omelet.
Ingredients
¼ cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves smashed
1 lb Italian sausage links
2 medium onions, quartered
2 bell peppers, slices
8 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut in half
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
Salt to taste
Directions
Preheat oven to 425° F (220° C).
Pour the oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish and add the smashed garlic. Place the potatoes and onions in the baking dish first/ Aff the papers and then the sausage. Sprinkle the mixture with the Oregon, chili flakes, and salt to taste. Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 ½ hours, stirring the ingredients twice during the baking time. When done the sausage and potatoes should be golden brown. Serve in individual bowls.
4 servings
Ingredients
2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 lb medium potatoes, halved
Cooking spray
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Half of the red onion, sliced
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini peppers
1/4 cup green olives
1 cup chopped plum tomato
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 (14-ounce) can of artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1/2 cup feta cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
For the potatoes
Combine 1 teaspoon garlic, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and potatoes in a baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400degrees F° for 45 minutes or until tender.
For the chicken
In a large ovenproof skill, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Coat in flour, shaking any excess off the chicken cutlets.
Add chicken to pan; sauté 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove chicken from pan.
Add onion to pan; sauté 5 minutes. Stir in broth and bring to a boil. Stir in 1 teaspoon of garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, tomato, basil, pepperoncini, olives, and artichokes. Simmer for a minute or two. Place browned chicken cutlets on top. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes along with the potatoes.
Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve with the potatoes.
Oven Fried Cod Fillets
2 servings
Ingredients
2 skinless cod fillets, each about 6 oz
2 teaspoons mayonnaise
½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
Tatar Sauce and Lemon Wedges for serving
2 servings of frozen French Fries
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Spread the breadcrumbs on a large flat plate. Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper. Brush a thin layer of mayonnaise on one side of each fillet. Place the mayonnaise side down on the breadcrumbs. Brush the remaining mayonnaise on the fillets. Turn them over in the breadcrumbs until completely coated.
Place a baking rack on top of a baking sheet covered with a piece of foil. Spray the rack with cooking spray and place the breaded fillets on the rack. Place the pan in the oven and bake the fish for 20 minutes. Serve with Tartar Sauce, French Fries, and Coleslaw.
For the Fries
When you turn on the oven to preheat, place a clean baking sheet with sides in the oven to heat at the same time.
When you place the fish in the oven, put 2 servings of French Fries in the hot pan. Bake with the fish for 20 minutes.
Quick Tartar Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
2tablespoons finely chopped sweet pickles, plus 2 teaspoons pickle juice
1tablespoon drained capers, minced
2teaspoons lemon juice
1teaspoon minced shallot
1/2teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper
Whisk mayonnaise, pickles, pickle juice, capers, lemon juice, shallot, and Worcestershire in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Homemade Coleslaw
Ingredients
Slaw
Half a medium head of green cabbage
1 large garden carrot or 2 regular-sized carrots
2 scallions
Dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon wine vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
/21 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions
Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a large bowl.
Finely shred the cabbages and carrots. Finely chop the scallions.
Add the dressing and stir well/ Cover the bowl and refrigerate until serving.
Italian Ribeye Steak
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black peppercorns
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (8-ounce) ribeye steaks, trimmed
Directions
Combine all the ingredients except the steaks in a bowl, stirring well. One hour before cooking time, remove the steaks from the refrigerator. Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of the steaks. Let rest at room temperature for one hour.
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add steaks to pan; cook for 3 minutes. Turn steaks over; cook for 3 minutes or until the desired degree of doneness.
You can also cook the steaks in an air-fryer for the same amount of time. Let steaks stand for 10 minutes.
Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
2 Russet Baking Potatoes
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Directions
Wash and dry 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 on a baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for about an hour or until it pierces easily with a fork. Serve with butter and sour cream.
Sugar Snaps
Ingredients
4 cups sugar snap peas (about 12 ounces)
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 garlic clove, grated
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice or more to taste
Pinch kosher salt
Pinch sugar
1/4 cup fruity extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Directions
Cut the sugar snap peas on a diagonal into halves and cut off the stem ends. Parboil the snaps in boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Drain and retain in the pan.
Combine the remaining ingredients except for the cheese and heat on low. Add the drained peas and cheese. Toss over the heat until hot and then serve with the steak.
Ingredients
2- 8 oz Angus Beef steakburgers
1 tablespoon butter
Beef and Mushroom Gravy
Beef Broth Gravy Ingredients
2 cups beef broth
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup cold water + 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Salt and pepper to taste
Mushroom Gravy Ingredients
8 oz sliced button mushrooms
¼ cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups Beef broth gravy
Directions
For the Beef Broth Gravy
In a medium saucepan bring beef broth to boil over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce.
In a small bowl whisk together cold water and cornstarch until dissolved. Pour into boiling beef broth and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Makes 2 cups.
Heat a skillet and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the burgers and brown the meat on both sides. Remove to a plate.
Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet and melt. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until all liquid is absorbed.
Season with salt. Add the beef broth gravy. Bring to a simmer. Add the steakburgers. Cover the pan and simmer the burgers in the gravy for 30 minutes.
Serve with mashed potatoes and cooked carrots.
I had leftover potatoes and kale, so I served that dish with the steakburgers and sauteed two diced carrots in butter until tender for a second side dish.
