Vegetables--Wonderful Roasted Vegetables!

Once in awhile my best recipes come about by accident. It was time to clean out the vegetable bin in the refrigerator, and get ready for  fresh vegetables—we belong to a vegetable co-op that delivers weekly. There were six ears of corn I meant to cook earlier, completely forgotten. Sometimes being rich in vegetables makes me also a little wasteful. This winter I will only dream about my vegetable bin being full to overflowing.

So, along with the greens, peppers and tomatoes I'd already planned to prepare, there was corn that needed to be cooked. It wasn't a good night to grill, and I didn't want to just boil it, so I threw it into the oven and hoped for the best. I wasn't disappointed.

Next to the corn were six small beets that seemed to be just about to shrivel. I couldn't let those little red jewels turn into prune-like images of their former selves. No time like the present to try the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad I've seen on so many menus. I've never been fond of beets, and honestly think they taste a little like dirt, but roasting does wonders for most all vegetables. A little caramelization and suddenly the beets took on a delicious, deep flavor that was wonderful combined with the maple syrup vinaigrette and the goat cheese.

Hope you enjoy these easy and delicious ways to eat your vegetables!

Roasted Beet Salad

4-5 small beets, peeled and sliced into thick rounds

One-half cup chopped walnuts

5 T extra virgin olive oil, divided

2 T red wine vinegar

2 T maple syrup

1 shallot, finely chopped

Salad Greens (baby greens are particularly nice with some arugula)

8 oz. goat cheese, well chilled

2 eggs, beaten

~1 cup seasoned panko, or bread crumbs

Boil beets covered in water over medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Drain on paper towels to dry. Toss in 2 tablespoons olive oil. Spread beets onto sheet pan covered with foil and roast for 30 minutes in 425° oven. Half way through roasting time, sprinkle walnuts over beets and continue roasting.

Whisk together remaining oil, vinegar, syrup and shallot. Set aside.

Cut goat cheese in eight rounds. Dip each round into egg and then panko. Place on plate covered with wax paper and refrigerate until ready to serve salad. Just before serving, brown cheese rounds on both sides over medium heat in a nonstick skillet.

Place greens in salad bowl, add beets and walnuts, and finally goat cheese rounds. Pour vinaigrette over salad and serve.

Roasted Corn on the Cob

6 or more ears of corn, cleaned

1 stick of butter softened

One-half teaspoon garlic salt

1 tsp. Dried Italian herbs

Preheat oven to 350°.

Mix butter, garlic salt and herbs.

Line a baking pan with a large piece of foil. Place corn in pan and brush butter mixture over corn. Cover tightly with another piece of foil. Place in oven and cook for about an hour, turning corn once while cooking.

(If you have any corn left over, cut it off the cob and add it to a salad the next day.)

Recipes and Tales from Chianti--Ciona

Ciona, one of the beautiful homes where we cooked (and dined!).  You can actually see Sienna in the distance.

This is their wine label that is exported to the US.

After a wonderful trip to the Chianti region of Tuscany, I'm home and reeling with ideas, recipes, and beautiful memories. I told you about the famous Butcher in Panzano. Dario, in the butcher world, is a superstar, and we had the full experience. Later that week we had cooking classes with our friends of Tutti a Tavola, and to me these ladies are also culinary superstars!

Early in the week Mimma, our host and one of the 'Mamas' of Tutti a Tavola asked what recipes we would like to prepare. When we didn't have any particular requests (other than a primer in their chicken liver spread that I want to make for my Mom), Mimma proposed a menu of her recent favorite recipes that resulted in a fantastic meal and a great learning experience.

We spent hours working together to turn the beautiful, local produce, meats and cheeses into a meal fit for a Medici. My sister and I were joined in the class by an Italian mother and daughter who now live in Chile and were back visiting relatives. While we spoke little Italian, they spoke little English, but by the end of the evening we were all communicating in culinary-ese.

The recipes we prepared don't sound hard at all, and they're not. Simplicity defines Tuscan cuisine. It relies on hundreds of years of refined technique combined with the freshness and quality of ingredients to produce dishes that are so uniquely superb in their quality.

We are instructed through each recipe.

Chicken Skewers and Grilled Vegetables

Spiedini di Pollo all'olio di Oliva (Carne or Secondi Course)

Chicken Skewers with Olive Oil

1 lb. Chicken breast pieces

1 cup bread crumbs

1 cup finely grated Parmigiano cheese

1 small onion, finely minced

~1 tsp. Salt

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

fresh bay leaves, halved (you could substitute thin slices of onion, pepper or tomato without seeds, but usually you can find the bay leaves in the refrigerated produce with other fresh herbs—we picked ours off their tree)

Preheat oven to 425°.

Use either chicken breast tenders or flattened breast pieces (cover with wax paper when flattening to avoid a mess), and cut into into 2x3 inch pieces. You want these pieces to be fairly thin, and equal in size so they well cook evenly in the same amount of time.

Mix the bread crumbs, grated cheese, onion and salt. Taste and adjust with more salt if needed.

Pour olive oil into a bowl (add more if needed).

Add several chicken pieces at a time to olive oil. Dip them out with your hands and squeeze tightly over the bowl to squeeze out excess oil. Place these pieces into the breadcrumb mixture and press to evenly coat each piece.

Thread each piece onto skewer, folding over and piercing twice. Separate each piece with half a bay leaf. Be sure chicken pieces are spread apart so they will cook evenly.

Arrange skewers in a roasting pan and cook for ~15 minutes.

Verdure alla Griglia (Contorni/Vegetable Course)

Grilled Vegetables

2 or 3 red and yellow bell peppers, seeded and cut into strips

4 or 5 medium zucchini sliced lengthwise

2 or 3 small eggplants, peeled and sliced lengthwise

5 small sweet onions, peeled, and cut into eighths

4 or 5 small tomatoes, seeded and cut into eighths

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt and Freshly grated black pepper

One-third cup breadcrumbs

One-third cup Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425°.

Mix breadcrumbs and cheese and set aside.

Oil a large roasting pan, then line with parchment paper and oil the top of the paper well. Place peppers, zucchini and eggplant slices evenly on pan separating a little. Top with onions and tomatoes, spreading evenly. Now drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper and breadcrumb mixture evenly over vegetables.

Place on top rack in oven and roast until vegetables are tender and lightly blackened in spots, about 30 minutes.

Fabulous Radicchio Lasagna

Fresh Creme Dessert

Recipes and Tales from Chianti--Radda

Orazio overseeing the dinner.

You had to know where to look, or you would never find it!

Cantuccini and Vin Santo

The Chianti region is very similar to the mountains of southwest Virginia, dipping into the foothills at its southern boundary.

As far as I could tell these people are 'living well'. They enjoy life fully. This includes the butcher, the baker and the owners of the beautiful sprawling properties that have been lovingly restored.

We didn't lack for good dining, and splurged on a couple of over the top meals, but the one I enjoyed most was recommended by our hosts. They drew a map. There was no sign-not even a name. It was the restaurant of Orazio, the town baker. Our host told us it was one of the last truly authentic Tuscan dining experiences, where we would find a mix of the people in the village having lunch.We finally found the door after passing it more than once. Inside, down a little hall, up a couple of steps and we walked into what could have been the dining room of a modest home.
We had been told we would be greeted by a very stern look--and we were, but it turned into a beautiful smile. This was the daughter of Orazio. She brought water and wine and asked if we wanted pomodoro or bolognese. That was it--our only choice of the meal.
I could see into the kitchen. She began to peel potatoes and pulled out different meats from the local butcher. The meal went on for three courses when Orazio came in--90 year old Orazio--the baker of the village, dressed in his white baking coat. He reached into the bottom of a sideboard and pulled out an unlabeled bottle of Vin Santo , a very sweet dessert wine, and brought it to the table with a plate of cantuccini he had just baked. They were small biscotti to dip into the vin santo. For other diners a basket of fresh peaches was passed.
The meal couldn't have been fresher or more local, and I think you can imagine the flavor. Everyone had an air of contentment--happiness with their life. As the diners finished their meals they stepped into the kitchen to pay. No check, no cash register, just money on the counter and a grazie and ciao to the cook.
They were all 'living well'! In that moment they were contented with their lives, and so was I. There is a lesson to be learned. 

Pasta Pomodoro

Pasta Pomodoro

Extra virgin olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan (about 1/4 cup)

1sweet onion chopped

3 garlic cloves minced

6-8 medium tomatoes peeled and chopped

1 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

1teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon sugar

Pinch of red pepper flakes

8 large basil leaves ( or similar quantity) rolled together and cut into tiny strips

12 ounces of pasta, your choice, cooked according to package

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Extra olive oil

Place skillet over medium heat and add olive. When oil is heated add onion and cook stirring occasionally until onions become translucent. Add garlic and cook another minute before adding tomatoes, parsley, salt, pepper, sugar and red pepper flakes. Cook slowly for about 20 minutes until tomatoes lose their shape and sauce thickens.

Drain cooked pasta and add sauce and basil. Serve with grated Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. 

Recipes and Tales from Chianti--Panzano

Dario Cecchini is the famous butcher at Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano in Chianti.  Here he is preparing porchetta which will later be served in his restaurant upstairs, along with delicious pork very similar to pulled pork and Beefsteak Fiorentina tartar.

And what meal would be complete without your very own Grappa?

We had several destinations in mind for day trips while in Chianti. One was to Panzano, only 11 km away from home base, to visit Dario, the Rockstar Butcher.  Even with stories on the Internet I was not prepared for the experience.  Dario Cecchini who is the butcher of Panzano now has three restaurants in his small village and has been visited by culinary celebrities and written about in many food magazines.  The butcher shop becomes a stage with frenzied patrons when Dario takes up his knife.  The day we were there he prepared two porchettas for roasting to the blasts of AC/DC.  By the end the wine was flowing and the people who filled the tiny butcher shop were cheering. It was amazing! I bought from the shop fresh tuna that he had preserved and sealed. And that night we prepared a very simple pasta dish using the tuna. (I know, tuna from a butcher shop, but it was one of his unique specialties.)
Several days later we returned to Panzano to eat in one of his restaurants and sample the delicious pork and beef dishes, another experience I will never forget.  We ate with a long table of guests, including many locals. The sample platter included Tuscan beef tartar, cubes of something that tasted like a fancy meatloaf, pulled pork and porchetta, all delicious.
Life is good in the Chianti region of Tuscany!

Easy Summer Pasta Dish with Tuna

Extra virgin olive oil
2 large red onions thinly sliced
4 medium tomatoes diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 can chickpeas, drained
1/3 cup chopped olives 
1 lb. good canned tuna drained
2 or 3 handfuls of fresh arugula
Salt to taste
Freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
12 oz pasta, your choice, prepared according to pkg directions

Add about 1/4 cup olive oil to large skillet over medium/low heat. Add onions and cook until caramelized. Next add the tomatoes, rosemary, pepper flakes, red wine vinegar, and chickpeas. Taste and add salt if needed. Cook until tomatoes lose their shape. Add tuna being careful not to breakup too much and finally the arugula.  Immediately toss with pasta and serve with grated cheese.

Our Chianti Holiday

                            Muricciaglia

This is Muricciaglia, our home away from home between Castellina and Radda in Chianti.  The picture was taken by hiking down through the olive trees and grapevines to the bottom of the property into the surrounding forest.  Road access to the property is from above.  The largest building is the beautiful home of our hosts.  An arch inside dates the home.

This is Fienile, the building at the top of the photo of the overall property.  It was our temporary home, and originally, the hay barn.

This is the view from the backside of Fienile.  Many morning coffees and afternoon wines were enjoyed from here!

One of the beautiful views from the main house.

We have returned to our favorite vacation spot to reunite with old friends and enjoy the country life of Tuscany.  Some things are best remembered rather than revisited, but not Tuscany.  It is even better than I remembered.
I feel so in touch with the current movement to eat healthier--fresh, local, even organic when possible. Now I remember, in Tuscany there is no other way.  The cooking of Tuscany is not complicated, but it does require time and effort.  Everyone grows what they can, whether it's a vineyard or a window box of herbs.
In the small hill towns of the Chianti region there are usually fresh markets once a week if the town is large enough.  Otherwise, it could be only once or twice a month.  There is a small Co-op grocery in most villages where you can buy the necessities.  The people here have used the locally available food for generations.  In their minds there is no other way. When the season is over, you wait for next year.  I wanted fava beans. Too late, I am told. They are already too old and tough to be good.  Oh well, next time we must come earlier in the season!

(I'll be adding more pictures and recipes soon!)

A Cookie Favorite

If you like peanut butter cookies and Fritos....

I've been saving the Momofuko Milk Bar Cookie recipe for a couple of years.  I saw it demonstrated on TV (can't remember which cooking show) and there was so much hype about it, I really wanted to try it.  So far, I haven't.  It requires the baking of a cookie-like cake to crumble into the cookie batter, and that seems like quite a stretch for me and a cookie.  The part of the recipe that is so intriguing to me is the crumbling of your favorite snack foods into the cookie--ie, cereal, peanuts, pretzels, cheezits, chocolate bars, potato chips--whatever your pleasure.  I'm still going to try it one day.


Meanwhile, I saw a very simple recipe for a peanut butter cookie that incorporated the same idea.  The recipe was in Real Simple, and used pretzels and chocolate chips.  The cookies were so good, and so easy.  Maybe too easy, because when they were gone I thought I should try it again, this time using Heath Bars, crumbled, and Fritos.  

For the cookie to be your FAV, I think you have to use YOUR addictive treats--one salty and one sweet, or even more if you're really willing to walk on the wild side.  Final declaration:  don't make these things if you're not prepared to gain a few pounds.  Maybe that's if you're over sixty.  I couldn't stop eating them.  However, I gave some to my children, and when I was at their house last week I saw the package still on the counter with the cookies only half eaten.  Maybe it didn't include their favorite snacks, or maybe I just have the will power of a slug.

Toffee-Pretzel Peanut Butter Cookies

(adapted from Real Simple Daily Email Recipes)
2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup broken salted pretzels
1 cup chopped chocolate toffee bars (about 4 bars)

Heat oven to 350° F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, sugars, eggs, baking soda, and salt until smooth. Fold in the pretzels and chopped toffee bar.

Shape the dough into balls (about 1 heaping tablespoon each) and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Using the tines of a fork, flatten each ball, creating a crisscross pattern.

Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until puffed and golden, 10 to 12 minutes (the cookies will deflate as they cool). Let cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

New Favorites

Favorite Recipes That Make It Back To The Table Again and Again

I've saved more recipes than I'll ever be able to cook.  They keep calling my name, and finally a few make it to the table.  Then we either give it a thumbs up, or a thumbs down.

I probably save five or six recipes a week. That means I have hundreds in my files.  When Martha Stewart's daily TV show goes off the air later this year, that number will decrease.  She frequently has guest chefs from the best restaurants in the world.  It's hard to pass up trying something they're giving you straight from their menu.  You can count on these recipes, because no chef would dare mess with Martha.  I've heard her call people out more than once on ingredients or technique.  If it's extremely involved, I just watch and enjoy the talent.  Some things are best enjoyed when someone else is preparing it--or maybe several other people.  But many of the recipes are remarkably simple and rely on good technique and quality ingredients.  They're the ones I like.  Upcoming new favorite from Martha:  Passionfruit Cheesecake Tart--it's a thumbs up for sure!

But everything I do isn't inspired by Martha.  My latest 'favorite' was inspired by a pork roast at the grocery story.  It was gorgeous and it led to a wonderful meal.

Stuffed Pork Loin Rib Roast with Port Sauce

(This recipe was adapted from Epicurious and was originally featured in Gourmet Magazine in 2008.)

Stuffing:

8 oz. mixed dried fruit, roughly chopped

2/3 cup ruby Port (you can buy it at the grocery store in the wine section)

1 tart apple, peeled, cored and cubed

1 medium sweet onion, diced

2 shallots, diced

three-fourths stick butter

One-half tsp. Salt and pepper

Mix dried fruit and port in small saucepan. Simmer, covered for five minutes. Then remove from heat and let it stand for another 10 minutes.

Meanwhile add butter to skillet with onion and shallots, apple, salt and pepper over medium heat. Cook about five minutes, until onions and apple are softened. Add dried fruit and port. Stir to combine. Then remove from heat and cool.

Roast:

One 5-6 lb. Rib-in pork loin roast

8-10 slices of bacon

1 ½ tsp. Salt

½ tsp. Pepper

Preheat oven to 500°.

With a long, narrow-bladed knife, make a cut all the way through the center of the roast. Turn the knife 90° and make another cut forming a pocket through the center of the roast. Use the handle of a wooden spoon and push 1 cup of cooled stuffing into the pocket in the roast. Reserve the remaining stuffing to make a sauce.

Rub the roast with the salt and pepper, then wrap the bacon slices around the roast, between each rib, ribs pointing up, and secure bacon ends under the bottom. If roast won't stand like this, use some heavy foil crunched up to hold it in place.

Place roast in oven for twenty minutes, then reduce temperature to 325° and cook until thermometer inserted into center of meat (not touching bone or stuffing) registers 155°. This should take about l ¼ to 1 ½ hours. Remove roast from pan to cutting board and let it rest tented with foil while you make the sauce.

Sauce:

½ cup ruby Port

1 ½ cups water

1 T cornstarch

Discard all but about 1 ½ tablespoons drippings from roasting pan. Add port to pan and place over medium heat. When heated, stir vigorously to get browned bits from bottom of pan. Add cornstarch to the water, and stir to mix, then add mixture slowly to heated port. Finally, add fruit mixture that was set aside. Cook, stirring, until heated through and thickened. Serve as sauce.