Veal with Chantrelle Mushrooms

2-4 servings

Ingredients

For steak
2 12 oz veal rib-eye steaks 340g
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper

For watercress sauce
3 cups watercress leaves
1/2 cup spinach leaves
1 cup heavy cream
salt
freshly ground black pepper

For roasted chanterelles
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 lb fresh chanterelle mushrooms, brushed clean 450g
5 ozs bacon, cut into small pieces 140g
4 whole shallots, peeled and cut in half
6 sprigs fresh thyme
salt
freshly ground black pepper
1/2  cup full-bodied red wine, such as Cabernet or Bordeaux

Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
Season  veal steaks with salt and pepper.
Rest at room temperature for at least 10 minutes.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
Plunge watercress in water for about 1 minute and add spinach during last 30 seconds.
Remove from water and drain as much liquid out as possible, either by pressing greens against a strainer or squeezing by hand.

Place greens in food processor and purée for 1 minute, then slowly add heavy creamuntil mixture reaches a saucy consistency.
Season with salt and pepper.

Heat a large ovenproof saute pan over medium heat and add butter, chanterelle mushrooms, bacon, shallots and thyme sprigs.
Season lightly with salt and pepper and cook for 3 minutes.
Deglaze pan with red wine and place pan in oven for about 10 minutes.

While mushrooms are in oven, grill or pan-sear steaks to desired doneness, approximately 5 minutes per side for medium rare, depending on thickness of steaks.
Let rest for about 5 minutes.

Arrange mushrooms on plate and spoon watercress sauce around.
Slice steaks (or leave whole) and place on top of mushroom mixture.

Malmo, Swedem

More Ideas for Herbs

The following herbs go well with these meats:
Beef: thyme, celery, marjoram, coriander, sage, rosemary, oregano, garlic

Chicken: garlic, marjoram, tarragon, oregano, coriander

Fish, fried: mustard, oregano, tarragon, sage

Fish, grilled: thyme, coriander, fennel, rosemary

Pork: marjoram, mustard, oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme, garlic

Roast Beef: basil, oregano, thyme, mustard, rosemary, garlic

Turkey: basil, rosemary, cumin, oregano, thyme, sage

The following herbs work well in these dishes:
Basil: tomatoes, tomato sauces, peas, squash, lamb, fish, eggs, tossed salad, cheese, potatoes, pasta

Bay leaf: vegetable and fish soups, tomato sauces, poached fish and meat stews

Dill: fish, cream and cottage cheese, potatoes, fish, vegetable salads, pickles, tomatoes

Marjoram: fish, vegetable soups, cheese dishes, stew, roast chicken, beef, pork, stuffing

Mint: jellies, fruit juices, candies, frosting, cakes, pies, pork, potatoes, peas and chocolate

Oregano: tomato sauces, pork, pizza, vegetable and fish salads, chili

Parsley: meats, vegetables, soups, eggs, cheese

Rosemary: poultry stuffing, potatoes, cauliflower, fish

Sage: stuffing, pork roast, sausage, poultry and hamburgers

Savory: eggs, meats, salads, chicken, soups and stuffing

Tarragon: fish sauces, egg and cheese dishes, green salads, pickles, chicken, tomatoes, sauces for meats and vegetables

Thyme: soups, stuffing, beef, pork dishes, eggs, cheese, bean and vegetable soups and fish

Which Spices/Herbs to Use

How many of us have spice racks with jars of spices we bought years ago and never used, whose sole purpose is to collect the dust in your kitchen? J Now is the time to dust them off (or replace them) and start adding flavor to your dishes. The correct spice or herb (whether it is fresh or dried) for any food is the one that tastes right for you. When you’re at a loss about what to add to a dish, try something from the list below.

WHICH SPICE GOES WITH WHAT FOOD?

Beans – cumin, cayenne, chili, oregano, parsley, pepper, sage, savory, thyme

Breads – anise, basil, caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, dill, garlic, lemon peel, orange peel, oregano, poppy seeds, rosemary, saffron, sage, thyme

Fruits – allspice, anise, cardamom, Chinese 5-spice, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, ginger, mint

Potatoes – basil, caraway, celery seed, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, poppy seed, rosemary, tarragon, thyme

Salads and Salad Dressings – basil, caraway, celery seed, chives, dill, fennel, garlic, horseradish, lemon peel, lovage, marjoram, mint, mustard, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sumac, tarragon, thyme

Soups – basil, bay, chervil, chili, chives, cumin, dill, fennel, garlic, marjoram, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, savory, star anise, thyme

Sweets – allspice, angelica, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, ginger, lemon peel, mace, nutmeg, mint, orange peel, rosemary, star anise

Tomatoes – basil, bay, celery seed, cinnamon, chili, curry, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, tarragon, thyme

Vegetables – chili, chives, curry, dill, marjoram, parsley, savory, thyme

WHICH SPICE/HERB GOES WITH WHAT FOOD?

Allspice: An ingredient in many baked goods as well as “Jerk” sauces.

Anise Seed: Mild licorice flavor, used in cookies, or candies.

Arrowroot Powder: Use as a thickener in puddings, pies, soups, sauces, and gravies.

Basil: used in Italian and Mediterranean cooking, especially good with tomatoes.

Bay Leaves: Perfect use in stews, sauces, soups, and marinades.

Caraway Seeds: Great in baked goods and with fruits.

Cardamom, ground: A wonderful addition to Indian dishes.

Cardamom, whole: Dry roast the whole cardamom seeds for more flavor in your recipe.

Cayenne Pepper: Wonderful heat for any Mexican dish.

Chervil Leaf: Similar to parsley, a mild flavor for any meat, soup or vegetable dish.

Cilantro: Used in Mexican cooking & salsas; may also be used in Indian dishes.

Cloves, ground: Popular in desserts, syrups, and sweet vegetable dishes.

Coriander seed, ground: Citrusy, sweet & tart flavor to be used at the end when cooking.

Cream of Tartar: Adds consistency and stability to any cookie or cake.

Cumin Seed, ground: Wonderful with tomato dishes, chili, salsa & Indian dishes.

Dill Weed: Great in dressings and sauces and on potatoes.

Ginger, crystallized: Sliced ginger partially dried in a sugar syrup solution. For sweets.

Ginger, ground: A sharp, aromatic spice is used in many sweet baked goods and curries.

Lemongrass: A grass with citric oils, very popular in Thai cooking.

Marjoram: Like oregano & from the mint family, it has a sweeter and subtler taste.

Nutmeg, ground: A sweet, nutty spice is used in custards, pastries, and vegetables.

Oregano, Greek: A must for Italian cooking, Greek oregano has a mild, delicate flavor.

Oregano, Mexican: Slightly stronger than Greek and less sweet, used in Spanish cooking.

Paprika, hot: Mixed with cayenne, these red peppers make the Hungarians famous.

Paprika, sweet: This sweet, milder Paprika will add radiant color to any dish.

Parsley: This versatile herb can be used as a garnish or with anything other than sweets.

Poppy Seeds: Used in baked goods, breads & to flavor noodles.

Rosemary, ground: Use ground in sauces or stocks to avoid the “needle” look.

Saffron, whole threads: Use for saffron rice and Indian dishes.

Sage: Well known for use in stuffings.

Salt, Kosher: Coarser than regular granulated, easier to control in cooking.�

Savory: Strong, peppery taste, good with veggies & stuffing.

Sesame Seeds: Used mostly for baking breads & rolls, nice for stir-frys.

Spearmint: A popular tea flavoring, used in sauces and veggie dishes.

Tarragon: Aromatic herb used to flavor vinegar, dressings, breads. Great with potatoes!

Thyme, ground: Great for Greek & Italian cooking, use ground for sauces & soups.

Thyme, whole leaf: Versatile in flavoring veggies, pizza, stews & herb blends.

Turmeric: Used as a natural yellow coloring for soups, sauces, rice, curry, & tofu scramble.

TIPS FOR USING SPICES/HERBS

STORING

Store spices in a cool, dark place. Humidity, light and heat will cause herbs and spices to lose their flavor more quickly. Although the most convenient place for your spice rack may be above your stove, moving your spices to a different location may keep them fresh longer.
As a general rule, herbs and ground spices will retain their best flavors for a year. Whole spices may last for 3 to 5 years. Proper storage should result in longer freshness times.
Because the refrigerator is a rather humid environment, storing herbs and spices there is not recommended. To keep larger quantities of spices fresh, store them in the freezer in tightly sealed containers.

USING

For long-cooking dishes, add herbs and spices an hour or less before serving. Cooking spices for too long may result in overly strong flavors.
Use restraint! In general, � teaspoon of spice is enough for 4 servings.
Do not use dried herbs in the same quantity as fresh. In most cases, use � the amount in dried as is called for fresh.
Seasoning food is an art, not a science. Experimenting with herbs and spices can be fun and educational, and while you may occasionally be eating a less than perfect dish, you may also end up creating that recipe that will become a classic in your household.

Homemade Marinara Sauce

There are as many recipes for tomato pasta sauce as there are Italian grandmothers.                                                                                                                                My friends grandmother and my adopted  grandmother used to make her sauce every year from the tomatoes in her garden. Much of the time the sauce had meat in it but I don’t think it was ever exactly the same twice. A child of the depression, my grandmother would throw into the pot whatever she had on hand; scraps of a roast, pieces of cooked pork, sausages, rinds of parmesan cheese. You never knew what you’d find in the sauce, but it was always good.

This is really a base pasta sauce recipe, meant to adapt to whatever you want it to be. Like meat in your sauce? Add a tough cut and let it cook down to make a Bolognese. Want to keep it vegetarian? Enjoy the recipe as it is or add some diced up vegetables. Like Pasta alla Norma? Add red chili flakes and diced eggplant to the sauce. Mushrooms or meatballs, it’s all up to you.

While the photo shows the sauce in a jar, I didn’t can this sauce. There are only so many ways to photograph tomato sauce, and stacks of tupperware just don’t make that pretty of a picture. But the sauce does freeze well, so you can enjoy the taste of freshly made sauce a few months from now, once the weather turns cold.

Basic Marinara Sauce
Printable (PDF) Recipe

2 large yellow onions, peeled and diced
2 Tbsp olive oil
5-6 cloves of garlic, minced (about 2 Tbsp)
2 Tbsp dried herbs (basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, etc)*
1/2 cup red wine
12 cups peeled and seeded fresh ripe tomatoes**
salt and pepper to taste

In a large soup pot, heat up the olive oil. Add the onions and cook slowly, on medium heat until they start to caramelize. They should be evenly brown and soft. Cooking them this way brings out the natural sweetness in the onions. Add the garlic and dried herbs and cook for 5 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the 1/2 cup of red wine and cook for 2 minutes more. Add the tomatoes and their juice and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook on low, stirring occasionally for about 2 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste.

*Dried herbs hold their flavor much longer than fresh herbs so when slow cooking. If you want to use fresh herbs, add them at then end of the cooking process, just before serving.

**If you don’t have fresh tomatoes, you can use 2 (28 oz) cans of crushed tomatoes, 1 (28 oz) can of whole tomatoes and 1 (6 oz) can of tomato paste. When I use canned tomatoes, I always add a couple tablespoons of sugar to counteract the acidity of the canned tomatoes. I find I don’t have to add any sugar with the ripe tomatoes from my garden.

Tiramisu

Ingredients
7 yolks
1 cup sugar for yolks
3 cups or 1 (750-gram) container mascarpone
4 1/2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 tablespoons powdered gelatin
3 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar for whites
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
2 1/2 cups cooled espresso
1/2 cup kalhua
20 to 24 ladyfingers
1 cup chocolate shavings
Directions
In a mixer with the whip attachment, whip yolks and sugar until thick and pale in color (ribbon stage). Add mascarpone and whip until well incorporated. Pour water into a small bowl then pour powdered gelatin over it. Do not stir. Allow gelatin to absorb all of the water (about 15 minutes) then place the bowl on top of a small saucepan containing simmering water (creating a double boiler). Immediately turn off the heat and allow the gelatin to dissolve completely. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites to a soft peak, gradually add sugar, then slowly pour in dissolved gelatin. Whip to a stiff, glossy peak. Fold whites into mascarpone and yolk mixture then fold in whipped cream.

In a separate bowl, combine espresso and kalhua. Soak 1 ladyfinger at a time in the espresso mixture. In an 8 by 10-inch pan, arrange soaked ladyfingers close together in neat rows until the bottom of the pan is completely covered. Pour 1/2 of the mousse over the ladyfingers and smooth with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle 1/2 of the chocolate shavings over mousse. Create another layer and chill until set.

Italian Wedding Soup

Ingredients
For the meatballs:
nocoupons
3/4 pound ground chicken
1/2 pound chicken sausage, casings removed
2/3 cup fresh white bread crumbs
2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
3 tablespoons milk
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the soup:
nocoupons
2 tablespoons good olive oil
1 cup minced yellow onion
1 cup diced carrots (3 carrots), cut into 1/4 inch pieces
3/4 cup diced celery (2 stalks), cut into 1/4 inch pieces
10 cups homemade chicken stock
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup small pasta such as tubetini or stars
1/4 cup minced fresh dill
12 ounces baby spinach, washed and trimmed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the meatballs, place the ground chicken, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Pecorino, Parmesan, milk, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and combine gently with a fork. With a teaspoon, drop 1 to 1 1/4-inch meatballs onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (You should have about 40 meatballs. They don’t have to be perfectly round.) Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.

In the meantime, for the soup, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil. Add the pasta to the simmering broth and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the pasta is tender. Add the fresh dill and then the meatballs to the soup and simmer for 1 minute. Taste for salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach is just wilted. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with extra grated Parmesan.

Limoncello

Ingredients
10 lemons
1 (750-ml) bottle vodka
3 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 cups sugar
Directions
Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.

Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.

Baked Ziti



BAKED ZITI

Baked ziti is comprised of three components; sauce, filling (much like a stuffed shell or ravioli filling) and cooked pasta. These are assembled after being prepared, then baked before serving. The final result is reminiscent of lasagna, but much easier and faster to prepare. It’s sure to become your family’s weeknight favorite!

Preparation and Assembly:

1 lb. ziti pasta, cooked al denté (to the tooth)
2-3 tablespoons Parmesan or Romano, for sprinkling
olive oil, to drizzle on top before baking

Prepare sauce (following directions below) at least one hour in advance.

Stir together ingredients for Ricotta filling mixture (recipe found below).

Cook ziti according to directions on package, watching carefully (do not overcook). Drain pasta and return to pan.

Add sauce to ziti in pan, continuing to stir and adding additional sauce as needed to coat well.

Butter the bottom of an oven-proof casserole (or a lasagne dish) and spread cooked ziti in buttered casserole.

Spread a layer of the ziti in the bottom of the casserole dish, then cover with a layer of the Ricotta filling. Stir the rest of the filling in with the remaining pasta, stirring very lightly, leaving chunks here and there.

Spread the pasta mixture in the casserole dish and top with sauce, enough to cover. Sprinkle with 3-4 tablespoons Parmesan or Romano cheese. Drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil.

Bake in a preheated 400°F until cheese is bubbly and the whole house takes on the aroma of a pizzeria (10-15 minutes).

Note: Have fresh mozzarella? Float a few thin slices of fresh mozzarella on the top just before baking for an extra treat!

Sauce:

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large Vidalia or Sweet Spanish onions, thinly sliced
6-7 whole cloves garlic, peeled
1 chopped shallot (optional)
1 lb ground pork or Italian sausage meat (casings removed)
3/4 lb ground beef or veal
1 red bell pepper, chopped and seeded
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon each basil and oregano flakes
2-3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 large can (24-28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes
1 large can (24-28 oz) Hunt’s Tomato Puree
1 bay leaf
1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper, salt to taste

In a large heavy bottom skillet, saute ground meats with thinly sliced onions until the onions are very lightly browned, adding whole cloves of garlic just as onions begin to color. Turn garlic over once or twice, and when it begins to toast lightly, mash into the oil with the tines of a fork. Add the chopped bell pepper, then stir in the hot pepper, basil and oregano; saute until the meat begins to brown. Use a tablespoon to remove some of the extra fat, if desired (if you do this, add an extra tablespoon olive oil after doing so).Stir in vinegar, then the can of whole tomatoes. Add bay leaf and black pepper.

Cooks Note: Have any salami, sopresatta, or prosciutto? You can add these to the saucepan to add much flavor to the sauce – ends (or even proscuitto bones) are fine. Parmesan or Romano cheese rinds also can be used. Remove (along with the bay leaf) when the sauce is done.

Don’t allow the sauce to boil; just simmer over low heat. After 30 minutes, add the can of Hunt’s tomato puree. Add salt to taste and adjust seasonings. Simmer 15 more minutes or until sauce thickens as desired.

Ricotta Filling Mixture:

1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 lb shredded full milk mozzarella
1 lb full milk Ricotta
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

In a bowl, mix thoroughly the Ricotta, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese and minced parsley. Add freshly and coarsely ground black pepper (and optionally, nutmeg).Variations: Can be prepared using various pastas, wide egg noodles work well but be sure not to overcook. Or fill large shells with the filling mixture and proceed as above. Spinach can be substituted for parsley in the filling; thinly sliced salami can also be added to the filling.

If you have any leftover filling, mix it with thinly sliced Italian cold cuts; brush a pita bread with olive oil and grill with fresh mozzarella cheese for an instant calzone!

Meatballs and Spaghetti

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

1/2 pound ground veal

1/2 pound ground pork

1 pound ground beef

1 cup fresh white bread crumbs (4 slices, crusts removed)

1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 extra-large egg, beaten

Vegetable oil

Olive oil

For the sauce:

1 tablespoon good olive oil

1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)

1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/2 cup good red wine, such as Chianti

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

1 1/2 pounds spaghetti, cooked according to package directions

Freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Place the ground meats, both bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg, and 3/4 cup warm water in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs.

Pour equal amounts of vegetable oil and olive oil into a large (12-inch) skillet to a depth of 1/4-inch. Heat the oil. Very carefully, in batches, place the meatballs in the oil and brown them well on all sides over medium-low heat, turning carefully with a spatula or a fork. This should take about 10 minutes for each batch. Don’t crowd the meatballs. Remove the meatballs to a plate covered with paper towels. Discard the oil but don’t clean the pan.

For the sauce, heat the olive oil in the same pan. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper.

Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve hot on cooked spaghetti and pass the grated Parmesan.

IngredientsFor the meatballs:1/2 pound ground veal1/2 pound ground pork1 pound ground beef1 cup fresh white bread crumbs (4 slices, crusts removed)1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese2 teaspoons kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg1 extra-large egg, beatenVegetable oilOlive oilFor the sauce:1 tablespoon good olive oil1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic1/2 cup good red wine, such as Chianti1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, or plum tomatoes in puree, chopped1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepperFor serving:1 1/2 pounds spaghetti, cooked according to package directionsFreshly grated ParmesanDirectionsPlace the ground meats, both bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg, egg, and 3/4 cup warm water in a bowl. Combine very lightly with a fork. Using your hands, lightly form the mixture into 2-inch meatballs. You will have 14 to 16 meatballs.
Pour equal amounts of vegetable oil and olive oil into a large (12-inch) skillet to a depth of 1/4-inch. Heat the oil. Very carefully, in batches, place the meatballs in the oil and brown them well on all sides over medium-low heat, turning carefully with a spatula or a fork. This should take about 10 minutes for each batch. Don’t crowd the meatballs. Remove the meatballs to a plate covered with paper towels. Discard the oil but don’t clean the pan.
For the sauce, heat the olive oil in the same pan. Add the onion and saute over medium heat until translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and cook on high heat, scraping up all the brown bits in the pan, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper.
Return the meatballs to the sauce, cover, and simmer on the lowest heat for 25 to 30 minutes, until the meatballs are cooked through. Serve hot on cooked spaghetti and pass the grated Parmesan.