Greek Spinach & Feta Pie (Spanakopita)
Ingredients
For the Spinach and Feta Filling
Three 10 oz frozen chopped spinach packages, thawed and well-drained
1 cup flat-leaf parsley, stems trimmed, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 eggs
7 oz quality feta cheese, crumbled
2 teaspoons dried dill weed
Freshly-ground black pepper
For the Pastry
1 16 oz package Fillo Dough {pasty sheets}, thawed
1 cup extra virgin olive oil, more if needed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Before you begin mixing the filling, be sure the spinach is very well drained, and squeeze out any excess liquid by hand.
To make the filling: In a mixing bowl, add the spinach and the remaining filling ingredients. Stir until all is well combined.
Unroll the phyllo (fillo) sheets and place them between two very lightly damp kitchen cloths.
Prepare a 9½” X 13″ baking dish by brushing the bottom and sides of the dish with olive oil.
To assemble the spanakopita: Line the baking dish with two sheets of phyllo (filo) letting them cover the sides of the dish as well as the bottom of the dish.
Brush with olive oil. Add two more sheets in the same manner, and brush them with olive oil. Repeat until half of the phyllo (fillo) is used.
Next, evenly spread the spinach and feta filling over the phyllo (fillo).
Top with two more sheets, and brush with olive oil. Continue to layer the phyllo (fillo) sheets, two at a time, brushing with olive oil, until you have used up all the sheets.
Brush the very top layer with olive oil.
Fold the sifted down on the top layer.
Brush well with olive oil.
Bake in the 325 degrees F heated oven for 1 hour, or until the phyllo (fillo) crust is crisp and golden brown.
Remove from the oven. Let rest while you cook the lamb. Cut into squares to serve.
Rack of Lamb
Ingredients
For the lamb marinade:
5 garlic cloves, grated
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive
1 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, thyme, chives, oregano, and rosemary
Juice and zest of one lemon
For the rack of lamb:
1 lamb rack, about 1 ½ lbs
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
½ cup Italian-flavored Panko crumbs
Tzatziki Sauce, recipe below
Directions
Combine the marinade ingredients in a large ziplock plastic bag.
Season the lamb all over with kosher salt and pepper.
Place the rack of lamb in the bag with the marinade. Seal the bag and move the lamb around in the bag to coat the lamb evenly. Let the lamb marinate for 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature (or overnight in the refrigerator if you have the time.
If you refrigerated the lamb, bring it to room temperature.
Heat the oven to 450 degrees F and place an oven rack on the top ⅓ of the oven.
Arrange the lamb rack (bone side pointing up) in a foil-lined baking pan. Place the pan on the oven rack for 15 minutes.
Carefully remove it from the oven and turn the rack of lamb to the other side. Sprinkle with panko crumbs.
Return to the oven and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes depending on how you like your rack of lamb (rack of lamb is typically served rare or medium-rare, but you can also serve it medium).
To avoid overcooking the lamb, use an instant-read thermometer to determine if the lamb is done to your liking. For rare, the internal temperature should reach 125 degrees F and for medium-rare, it should read around 135 degrees F. Check and take it out of the oven 5 degrees before it reaches the temperature you are looking for. As the lamb rack rests, the temperature will rise.
Remove from the oven and tent with foil. Allow the lamb about 10 minutes to rest (the temperature will rise and the lamb will continue to cook some more).
Cut the lamb chops in between the bones and arrange them on a platter and serve with the Tzatziki Sauce.
Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
2 garlic cloves, peeled, finely grated
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 cups plain Greek yogurt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon dried dill
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions
Use a box grater to manually grate the cucumber.
Toss the grated cucumbers with ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Let drain in a colander for 10 minutes. Squeeze the salted cucumbers to extract any liquid.
In a mixing bowl, place the garlic with the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix to combine.
Add the grated cucumber to the bowl with the garlic mixture. Stir in the yogurt, and the remaining ingredients.
Cover and refrigerate for several hours for the flavors to develop.
Tomato Salad
Ingredients
2 cups grape tomatoes
¼ of a red onion sliced
¼ teaspoon Greek seasoning
2 tablespoons vinaigrette
Directions
Combine the ingredients in a serving bowl. Leave at room temperature until serving time.
Braised Pork Chops with Orange-Mustard Sauce
Ingredients
Flour
2 9-10 oz. 1-inch thick pork Chops
1/4 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger root
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
Directions
Season chops with salt and pepper and lightly dredge in flour.
Heat oil in a 10-inch skillet with a cover over medium-high heat.
Brown chops, 3-4 minutes per side.
In a small bowl, stir together ginger root, orange juice, soy sauce, honey, mustard, and garlic.
Pour ginger mixture over chops. Simmer, covered,10 minutes. Place cooked chops on a serving plate; spoon the sauce over the pork to serve.
Honey- Baked Acorn Squash
Ingredients
1 small acorn squash
cut into 1-inch strips seeds removed
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon honey
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the squash skin side down in a baking dish.
Sprinkle the squash with the cinnamon, salt, and pepper, and drizzle with the honey. Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, or until browned at the edges and very tender when pierced with a fork.
Oven Fried Zucchini Sticks
Ingredients
Non-stick cooking spray
1 medium unpeeled zucchini
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
Spray the cookie sheet with non-stick spray or use parchment paper.
Combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish and set aside.
Cut zucchini in quarters lengthwise, and cut spears in half or thirds. Put zucchini spears in a plastic bag, add oil, close the bag, and shake so the spears are lightly coated with oil.
Roll each spear in the breadcrumb mixture to coat lightly.
Arrange coated spears in a single layer on a prepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until browned and crunchy.
I
ngredients
Ratatouille
1/2 cup chopped plum tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 medium zucchini, finely diced
1 small eggplant, peeled and finely diced
1 bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Shells
1 box of jumbo pasta shells
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 eggs
½ cup fresh chopped parsley
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided in half
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Sauce
2 cups Marinara Sauce mixed with 1/2 cup heavy cream
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a greased 9×13″ pan, combine garlic, onion, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread out in an even layer on the bottom of the pan. Place the diced vegetables on top of the onion mixture, but do not combine. Drizzle with a little oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for about an hour, or until veggies are softened and beginning to brown slightly. Drain the vegetables in a colander and set them aside.
Cook the shells in boiling salted water for about 9 minutes, or until not quite done (you want them to finish cooking in the oven — that way they won’t be too floppy and overcooked). Drain and place on kitchen towels
In a mixing bowl combine, the stuffing ingredients and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until thoroughly combined. Stir in the roasted vegetables.
Scoop a tablespoon or so of ricotta filling into each pasta shell. Place a layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Oven Baked Fall Vegetables
Ingredients
2 large Sweet Potatoes, peeled
1 small Acorn Squash
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
½ teaspoon Sea Salt
1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
2 tablespoons Honey
1 large sprig of fresh rosemary
Directions
Cover a large baking sheet or pan with foil. Preheat the oven to 425°F
Cut the sweet potatoes into wedges, and place them in a large bowl. Cut the bottom and tops of the acorn squash, then cut it in half. Remove the seeds with a spoon Cit the acorn squash into wedges, and add to the bowl.
Pour olive oil and salt onto the potatoes and acorn squash and mix well Add in the honey and cinnamon, and mix again.
Spread the rosemary leaves over the foil on the baking pan.
Spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, place in the oven and bake for about 45 minutes, stirring halfway during roasting. Bake until the potatoes and squash are tender. Serve with pork chops.
Chrispy Baked Pork Chops
Ingredients
2 center-cut pork chops, 6 to 8 ounces each, 3/4 to 1 inch thick, trimmed of excess fat
1 cup cornflake crumbs
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 egg
Olive oil cooking spray
Directions
Place crumbs, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Mix well.
Place the flour in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, whisk egg and mustard until combined.
Spray a wire rack with nonstick cooking spray and place it on a rimmed baking sheet.
Dredge 1 pork chop in flour; shake off excess. Coat with egg mixture; let excess drip off. Coat all sides of the chop with crumb mixture, pressing gently so that the crumbs adhere to the chop. Transfer breaded chop to a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chop.
After the vegetables have baked for 15 minutes, place the pork chops in the over,
Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chops registers 155 degrees, about 30 minutes. Let rest on the rack for 5 minutes before serving.
This recipe makes a spectacular and delicious loaf of bread.
Dough Ingredients
1 yellow summer squash (8 oz, shredded)
3/4 cup warm water
1 tablespoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, room temperature
4 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
Topping Ingredients
1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon of water
Sesame seeds
Directions
Place shredded squash on a kitchen towel and squeeze out any liquid you can. Place in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the remaining dough ingredients.
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 and divide it into 3 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a 12″ 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. Brush the loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Bake for about 40 minutes until golden brown. The interior temp should be about 190°F. Cool on a wire rack.
Summer Squash Pie
Ingredients
1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inches)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
2-1/2 cups sliced zucchini (1/4 inch slices)
2-1/2 cups sliced yellow summer squash (1/4 inch slices)
1 small red onion, sliced thin
1 tablespoon Greek seasoning with salt
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400degrees F°
Fit the pastry into a pie pan and crimp the edges.
Spread the mozzarella cheese on the bottom of the pastry.
Mix the squash, and onion, with the Greek seasoning, egg, and milk. Pile into the pastry shell. It will look like you have too much but that is ok.
Place the pie on a cookie sheet and bake for 1 hour. Sprinkle the cheddar over the top of the pie and return the pan to the oven for 5 minutes. Remove the pan to a rack to cool for about 20 minutes before serving.
Serve with tomato slices dressed with Ranch dressing and
Air- Fried Mushroom Caps
Air Fryer Crispy Breaded Mushrooms
Ingredients
6=8 large cremini mushrooms
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Directions
Clean the mushrooms and remove any long stems.
Make 3 dipping stations: a plate for flour, salt, and pepper, a bowl for the egg and milk (whisked together), and a bowl for the breadcrumbs.
First coat the mushrooms in the flour. Then dip them in the egg mixture, shaking off any excess. Then roll them in the breadcrumbs. Complete the breading process for all the mushrooms.
Place the mushrooms on a tray. Spray evenly with oil.
Set the mushrooms in the air fryer basket, spaced out a bit. Air Fry at 400 degrees F (200C) for10-12 minutes, depending on your preferred level of crispiness, carefully shaking the basket at the halfway point.
Pizza Dough
Ingredients
1 (.25 ounce) package of instant yeast
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
Directions
Combine all the ingredients for the dough in the large bowl of an electric mixer and with the paddle attachment mix until the ingredients come together around the paddle. Attach the dough hook and knead the dough for 5-6 minutes.
Spray a large ziplock plastic bag with olive oil cooking spray. Place the dough in the bag and close the top. Place the bag in the refrigerator overnight.
When ready to make the pizza, remove the bag from the refrigerator 30 minutes before making the pizza. Turn the oven to 450 degrees F and let the oven heat for 30 minutes.
Topping Ingredients
Tomato Mixture
1 ½ cups chopped Italian tomatoes
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small garlic clove, minced
Pizza Topping
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
Kosher salt
1 small clove of garlic, minced
2 medium yellow squash, trimmed and thinly sliced into circles
8 oz sliced mozzarella cheese
1 cup coarsely grated mozzarella
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Crushed red pepper flakes
Directions
Combine the tomato mixture ingredients in a mixing bowl and set aside.
Spread the squash slices on a kitchen towel and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let rest for 20 minutes and then squeeze the water out of the squash. Place in a bowl and add the onion, garlic, and oil. Mix well.
To assemble the pizza
Spray or oil the pizza pan and spread the dough to the edges. Place the sliced mozzarella on top of the dough. Spread the tomato mixture over the cheese. Spread the squash mixture over the tomatoes. Top with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, oregano, and crushed red pepper.
Bake the pizza on the bottom rack of the oven for 15-20 minutes.
Scallop and Prosciutto Kebabs
The shellfish and squash kebabs can be grilled on a sheet of heavy-duty foil to prevent sticking.
4 servings
You can also make a combination of shrimp and scallops if you prefer.
Ingredients
16 large sea scallops (about 1½ pounds)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
8 thin slices prosciutto di Parma
16 large basil leaves
Directions
Preheat an outdoor grill to medium. Or use a stovetop grill pan.
If the scallops still have the tough muscle that attaches them to the shell, trim it off. Pat the scallops dry with paper towels.
Whisk together the lemon juice and a hefty pinch of salt in a medium bowl until the salt has dissolved; whisk in the olive oil. Add the scallops and toss until they are well coated.
Cut the prosciutto slices in half lengthwise. Arrange the strips on a work surface and place a basil leaf on the edge of each strip. Top the loaf with a scallop and wrap the prosciutto around the scallop to enclose it. Thread 4 prosciutto-wrapped scallops onto each of 4 metal skewers. (If using wooden skewers, soak them for 20 minutes in water before threading the scallops.)
Place the skewers on the grill and cook the scallops for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until almost firm to the touch, transfer to plates, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Grilled Summer Squash
This recipe can be broiled also.
8 servings
Ingredients
4 medium zucchini, about 6 inches long and 6-7 ounces each
4 medium yellow squash, about 6 inches long and 6-7 ounces each
Marinade
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
5 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons chopped scallions, white portion only
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Directions
Trim the ends of the zucchini and the squash, cut them into 2-inch rounds.
Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag and add the squash rounds. Roll the bag to evenly coat in the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat a well-oiled charcoal or gas grill to medium. Or use a stovetop grill pan.
Remove the zucchini and squash from the bag and thread on skewers.
Place the skewers on the grate, close the lid, and grill until well marked, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn the skewers over, close the lid, and grill on the second side until well marked, 5 to 7 minutes.
When yellow squash is abundant in your area, you can make this delicious bread with the squash. The bread is great for toast or serves with your favorite soup.
Cheesy Squash Yeast Bread
Ingredients
1 cup shredded yellow summer squash
3/4 cup lukewarm (90 to 95 degrees F) water
1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 1/4 cups (13 3/4 to 14 ounces) bread flour
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, combine the flour, shredded squash, yeast honey, oil, and water.
Add the salt and cheese. Switch to the dough hook and mix for 8 minutes.
Place the dough into an oiled bowl and cover with oiled plastic wrap. l
Let rise until doubled, approximately two hours.
Oil a 9-inch inch loaf pan. Shape the dough into a log, and place it in the pan. Cover with oiled plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F,
Place the loaf in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.
The bread should be browned and reach an internal temperature of about 190 to 200 degrees F.
Cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, De-pan the loaf, and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.
Pork
2 thick-cut bone-in pork chops
olive oil
2 tablespoons pork seasoning
¼ cup honey Dijon mustard
½ cup unseasoned panko crumbs
Directions
Coat the pork with the seasoning and refrigerate for several hours. When ready to cook , brush the mustard on the chope
S and dredge the meat in the panko. Press the crumbs on firmly.
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees.F.
Heat an oven-safe heavy skillet over high heat.add 2 tablespoons of oil and Sear the pork chops for 2 minutes on each side.
Transfer skillet immediately to the oven and cook until the internal temperature of the chop reaches 145 degrees, about 15 minutes.
Let rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Vegetables
1 large sweet potato
2 large yellow squash
5 large carrots
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
¼ cup orange juice
2 fresh thyme sprigs
¼ cup chopped fresh chives
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
Scrub the vegetables with a vegetable brush,
Trim the ends pff the carrots, squash and potatoes. Leave the carrots whole. Cut the squash into quarters lengthwise and the sweeter potato into sixths lengthwise.
Place vegetables on a 16 x 12 x 1 inch baking sheet or in a baking dish large enough to hold the vegetables.
Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Season with salt amd pepper. Sprinkle with orange juice and place pieces of thyme on top.
Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, remove from the pan from the oven and toss vegetables. Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 10=15 minutes, until fork tender. Place the vegetables on a serving platter and sprinkle with chopped chives.
