Stuffed Shells with a Twist!

Stuffed with Flavor

This recipe was billed as a make ahead dish. You are supposed to prepare everything until it's ready to bake and then wrap it well and store it in the freezer. It's ready to bake when you are!

The idea appealed to me because I like to have meals ready for busy work nights. But the thing that got me to make this recipe is the ingredients... Artichokes, ground turkey breast and ricotta cheese. Yum, yum and more yum!

Plus it's really a healthy recipe. The artichokes provide the vegetable, the turkey breast is so lean and is packed with protein, the tomato sauce is a great source of lycopene and the pasta provides the carbs, which by the way are not all that bad for you. (As long as you eat them in moderation). Ok, I know the cheese is fattening, but it is also loaded with protein and I use the low fat version to keep things light.

I did change the recipe slightly, as noted and I substituted homemade marinara for the arrabbiata sauce. I also split the recipe between two pans; I baked one and froze the other.

Turkey and Artichoke Stuffed Shells with Arrabbiata Sauce
Recipe by Giada De Laurentiis

1 (12-ounce) box jumbo pasta shells (recommended: Barilla)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup) (I used shallots)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 pound ground turkey (I only used 1/2 pound)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus 1/2 teaspoon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus 1/4 teaspoon
1 (8 to 10-ounce) package frozen artichokes, thawed and coarsely chopped (I cooked mine according to package directions before chopping)
1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese (I used low-fat)
3/4 cup grated Parmesan (I used Pecorino Romano)
2 eggs, lightly beaten (I used 3 egg whites)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves (I used 2 Tlbs. of a combination of fresh Basil, Thyme and Rosemary )
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (I used 1/4 cup)
5 cups Arrabbiata Sauce, recipe follows (I used homemade Marinara sauce)
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella (about 5 ounces) (I only used about 1/2 - 3/4 cup low-fat mozzarella)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and partially cook until tender but still very firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 4 to 5 minutes. Drain pasta.

Meanwhile, in a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and the garlic and cook until the onions are soft and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the ground turkey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is slightly golden and cooked through. Add the artichoke hearts and stir to combine. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a large bowl combine the cooled turkey mixture with the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, basil, parsley, and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir to combine.

To stuff the shells, cover the bottom of a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish with 1 cup of Arrabbiata sauce. Take a shell in the palm of your hand and stuff it with a large spoonful of turkey mixture, about 2 tablespoons. Place the stuffed shell in the baking dish. Continue filling the shells until the baking dish is full, about 24 shells. Drizzle the remaining Arrabbiata Sauce over the shells, top with the grated mozzarella. If freezing, cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 1 day and up to 1 month.

To bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake until the shells are warmed through and the cheese is beginning to brown, about 60 minutes (20 minutes if shells are unfrozen.)

Note: If you don't like your pasta to get dry around the edges cover with foil until the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Arrabbiata Sauce:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
5 cups jarred or fresh marinara sauceHeat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until tender, about 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce and red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and let cool until ready to use.

Yield: approximately 6 cups

Butter Cookies

Christmas Cookies in May? Sure, Why Not...

I love making cookies and freezing some of them. Sometimes I forget about cookies that I had made and froze, then when I'm foraging through my freezer, I find a sweet surprise!

These butter cookies are just that. I made these 2 days before Christmas and had a few extra, so I wrapped them really well and froze them. I forgot about them until the other day when I was looking for something else in the freezer. After almost 5 months in the freezer, they still tasted fabulous. I love that!

Since I never posted them during the holidays, I figured now is as good a time as ever.

Butter Cookies/ Thumbprint Cookies

3/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
Confectioners sugar

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease cookie sheets.
2. Cream butter.
3. Add eggs, sugar and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Add sifted dry ingredients. Stir until well blended.
5. Roll tablespoons of dough into palm of hand until round. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet about 1 inch apart.
6. Bake at 400 degrees switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until bottoms are browned, about 10-12 minutes total.
7. Let cool and roll in confectioners sugar.

*Store cookies in an airtight container, layered between sheets of waxed paper or parchment, at room temperature for upto 1 week.
They also freeze really well. Wrap in foil and place in freezer bag for upto 4 months.

This cookie dough recipe can also be used to make
Thumb Print Cookies
Use the same dough as above.
In step 5 make an indentation with your thumb or the back of a 1/2 teaspoon.
Place 2 almond slices on the top of the cookie on the side of the indentation.
Bake same as above.
Let cool and add 1/2 teaspoon raspberry jam in the indentation.
Mix a tablespoon of confectioners sugar and about 1 teaspoon water in a small bowl. Coat the top of the cookies with confectioners sugar glaze.

Banana-lishous!

Sometimes You Just Can't Beat Cake Mix!

I've made banana bread and banana muffins many times from scratch and they were delicious, but there is something to be said about the moist and feather light texture of the boxed mixes. I just can't get that lightness from scratch. Lord knows I've tried. Time and time again. The cake and muffin mixes also rise better than cakes and muffins from scratch.

The Pillsbury Loaf mixes are some of my favorites. The banana, pumpkin, cinnamon and pecan swirl are my top picks. The banana nut cupcake recipe was great, but I lightened it up a bit, so that I could eat them in for breakfast and call them "muffins".

Banana Nut Cupcakes with maple frosting a Pillsbury Bake-Off Winning Recipe or Lightened-Up Banana Nut Muffins My changes are in red

1 (14oz.) package Pillsbury Banana Quick Bread & Muffin Mix 1 cup buttermilk*(I used fat-free buttermilk) 1 mashed banana (optional- my addition) 3 tablespoons Hungry Jack® Microwave Ready Regular Syrup (I used Eggo Lite Syrup- 35% less sugar than Eggo Original ) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon imitation banana flavor (optional-my addition) 2 eggs (I used 3 egg whites) 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (I only coarsely chopped mine) Frosting (optional- I didn't frost mine) 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened 3 tablespoons Hungry Jack® Microwave Ready Regular Syrup 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon imitation maple flavor 2 cups powdered sugar 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts Heat oven to 400°F. Line 16 muffin cups with foil or paper baking cups. In large bowl, combine all cupcake ingredients except walnuts; stir 50 to 75 strokes with spoon until mix is moistened. Stir in 1/2 cup walnuts. (I sprinkled mine over the tops just before baking). Spoon batter evenly into lined muffin cups. Bake at 400°F. for 16 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool 30 minutes or until completely cooled. Optional: In small bowl, combine all frosting ingredients except powdered sugar and walnuts; beat at low speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until mixture is of spreading consistency. Frost cooled cupcakes. Immediately sprinkle with 1/4 cup walnuts. Store in refrigerator.

They're Supposed to Bring Good Luck?

Pot O' Soup or Pot O' Gold?

According to Giada DeLaurentiis, lentils are supposed to bring you good luck. So I made her lentil soup in hopes of finding that pot of gold.

I haven't experienced any luck yet, but hey the soup was good and I figure maybe the luck is on its way. Plus, lentils are good for you- they're loaded with protein and fiber.

Lentil Soup
by Giada DeLaurentiis

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 medium onion, chopped (I used 1 1/2 Leeks, coarsely chopped)
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes (I used Petite Diced Tomatoes)
1 pound lentils (approximately 1 1/4 cups) (I used 1 1/2 cups)
11 cups low-salt chicken broth (I used 8 cups of Kitchen Basics Low-Sodium Chicken Stock and 3 cups of water with 2 packages of Low-Sodium HerbOx Chicken Bouillon)
4 to 6 fresh thyme sprigs
2/3 cup dried elbow pasta
1 cup shredded Parmesan (I used Pecorino Romano)

Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper and saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices. Simmer until the juices evaporate a little and the tomatoes break down, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add the lentils and mix to coat. Add the broth and stir. Add the thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.

Stir in the pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

My First Taste of Arugula and Goat Cheese

Colorful and Interesting

Believe it or not, this salad was my first time ever using or tasting both arugula and goat cheese. The recipe appealed to me because of the combinations of bitter and sweet. Even though I had never tried arugula I had an idea of what it might taste like, just from hearing so many other people describing it. And the same with goat cheese.

The verdict: I loved the salad, but did not like the goat cheese. This surprised me, because I love all kinds of cheese. It was too harsh and kind of tasted like it was spoiled, even though it wasn't. The only thing I'm wondering about however, is if the brand and quality had anything to do with it. I have to admit, I grabbed one of those already crumbled, pre-packed deals. So I'm not sure if that is why I didn't like it. I will have to try the"real thing" in order to say if I like it or not.

Beet and Goat Cheese Arugula Salad
by Giada DeLaurentiis

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons shallots, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 medium beets, cooked and quartered
6 cups fresh arugula
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries
1/2 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cubed
3 ounces soft fresh goat cheese, coarsely crumbledLine a baking sheet with foil. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Whisk the vinegar, shallots, and honey in a medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss the beets in a small bowl with enough dressing to coat. Place the beets on the prepared baking sheet and roast until the beets are slightly caramelized, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes. Set aside and cool.

Toss the arugula, walnuts, and cranberries in a large bowl with enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper. Mound the salad atop 4 plates. Arrange the beets around the salad. Sprinkle with the avocado and goat cheese, and serve.

Mom's Carrot Cake

Moist, Tasty and Great Texture...
Just What You Would Expect From A Cake Made By Mom!

My Mom has been making this cake for years. I never asked her for the recipe until now. When she handed me an old cut out piece of cardboard, I was surprised to see where the recipe came from. It was from a box of Jack Frost Sugar.

I don't even know if this product still exists! Leave it to Mom though, it was tucked away in her favorite "junk drawer" along with many other cherished recipes torn from newspapers, magazines and the such. I guess you could say this is Mom's recipe box...Although you may find a few gadgets and other odd items in the mix. Nonetheless, it's a recipe worth posting because you never know, it could get lost someday in that make-shift recipe box!

The recipe also listed a cream cheese frosting which Mom does make on occasion. Through the years we all kind of cut down sugar and fat intake, so she sometimes just tops it with powdered sugar or even leaves it plain. It is delicious either way, but I will include the frosting recipe since we all need to indulge now and then!

Super Moist Carrot Cake
by Jack Frost Sugar

1 cup Jack Frost Granulated Sugar (Mom used 1/2 cup Domino's Sugar)
1 cup Jack Frost Brown Sugar (Mom used 1/2 cup Domino's Brown Sugar)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon (Mom used more)
3 cups finely shredded carrots
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

In a large mixing bowl, combine fist seven ingredients. Add carrots, oil, eggs and vanilla. Beating for 2-3 minutes on medium. Stir in nuts and raisins. Pour into a greased and floured 13x9 inch* baking pan. Bake in a a 325 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Cool on rack. Frost with cream cheese frosting (if desired). Refrigerate till serving.
*2 9-inch baking pans can be used. Reduce baking time to 40 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups Jack Frost Confectioners Sugar

In a large mixer bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter and vanilla till light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners sugar, beating until smooth. Spread over cooled cake.(13x9 inch)
*To frost two 9-inch cakes, double the frosting recipe.

A Different Kind of Garlic Bread

Toasted Bread-How could you go wrong?
Besides from burning the bread that is.

I came very close to ruining this recipe by doing just that. Instead of grilling the bread, which is what the recipe says, I toasted mine in the oven on a baking sheet. That was fine, but the bread wasn't getting brown, so I put it under the broiler and set the timer for 3 minutes. Bad move. Just before the timer went off I started to smell something burning and pulled them out in the nick of time. Whew! That was close.

Anyway, the bruschetta turned out great. Contrary to some of the reviews on the recipe, I thought it could use a little more lemon flavor. If I make it again, I would probably add a little lemon zest with the parsley. But use your own judgment!

Lemon Parsley Bruschetta
by Giada DiLaurentiis

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (I used half a lemon)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 (3 1/2 by 1/2-inch-thick) slices rustic white bread, halved (I used a baguette)
1 large garlic clove
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Whisk the olive oil and lemon juice in a small bowl to blend. Season with salt. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the bread until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. (I toasted the bread in a 350 degree oven for about 8 minutes and then browned the top under the broiler for about 2 1/2 minutes, be careful!)

Rub the cut sides of the toasts with the garlic. Generously brush the lemon mixture over the bread. Sprinkle with the parsley. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Chicken Escarole with Mushroom Balsamic Cream Sauce

Good Stuff!

This dish is actually my interpretation and combination of two different recipes- Chicken Escarole and Chicken with Wild Mushroom and Balsamic Cream Sauce. The first is a recipe I found on Cooks.com and the second is a Rachel Ray recipe. I made some changes to each recipe and then melded them together.

I did like the combination of the two recipes, but at the same time, I also wondered if there was too much going on in one plate. I guess I'll have to try the individual recipes to know for sure.
If you try it, let me know what you think!

Chicken Escarole with Mushroom Balsamic Cream Sauce

For Chicken:
2 chicken breast halves, butterflied and cut into two pieces (for a total of 4 cutlets)
1 egg
Flour
Head of escarole, cleaned and chopped
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
Garlic, crushed
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Parmesan or Romano cheese
Olive oil

Boil escarole in large pot until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain and squeeze out excess water and dry with paper towels. Set aside.

Dip chicken cutlets in egg and then in flour. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat, add chicken and cook until light golden brown on both sides. Set chicken aside.

In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and saute crushed garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chopped escarole and olives and cook for 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

For Mushroom Cream Sauce:
Salt
Pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoons butter
10 ounce box white mushrooms, sliced
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon thyme leaves, a couple of sprigs, chopped
2 large shallots, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken stock
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons fat-free half-and-half, (If you're a purest, use real cream)
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add extra-virgin olive oil and butter. Once the butter melts, add the mushrooms and brown stirring occasionally for about 4 to 5 minutes. Once the mushrooms are brown season with salt and pepper then add the garlic, thyme and shallots.

Cook stirring occasionally for about 2 minutes or until the shallots are wilted. Sprinkle the flour into the pan and cook 2 minutes more.

Whisk in the stock, balsamic vinegar and the half-and-half. Turn the heat up to high and simmer for about 2 minutes or until thickened. Add the parsley.

Pour the sauce into a buttered casserole dish. Nestle the chicken in the sauce and top with the escarole mixture. Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.

Serve with rice or pasta.

Another Unexpected Great Taste!

Super Tangy-Super Good!

This is another recipe I have been eyeing and finally decided to make. I very rarely cook butternut squash because the thought of mashed and mushy orange stuff on my plate just doesn't do it for me.

When I saw this recipe I just had a feeling it would be good. The butternut squash is roasted which naturally appealed to me, since I tend to roast most of my veggies. But the marinade is what changed the dish from good to super good!

The only mistake I made was to serve it with escarole chicken and a mushroom balsamic cream sauce (I will post this recipe soon). The flavors just didn't go together. I would suggest serving this with roasted chicken or pork or any entree that needs a little lift, because this recipe will definately give your taste buds a wake up call!!

Marinated Butternut Squash
recipe by GE Profile (go figure?)

2 butternut squash, 1-inch slices (I used one package of pre-cut butternut squash)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 medium red onion, sliced paper thin (I used 1 large shallot, sliced paper thin)
1/2 teaspoon red chile flakes (I omitted this)
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 clove garlic, sliced paper thin
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves (I used fresh parsely)
Extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper

1. Pre-Heat oven to 450 degrees. Season squash with salt and pepper, drizzle with 4 tablespoons olive oil, place on cookie sheet. (I lined mine with foil for easy clean-up).
2. Bake in oven until tender, about 18-20 minutes.
3. While squash is baking, stir together 4 tablespoons olive oil, vinegar, onion, chile flakes, oregano, garlic and season with salt and pepper.
4. Remove squash from oven and pour marinade over squash. Allow to cool for 20 mins., sprinkle with mint leaves and serve.
Serves 8

Chef Tip: This dish can be made earlier in the day but should not be refrigerated.
(I had leftovers, so I had to refrigerate it. The next day I took it out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. It was fine.)

You Have To Give This One A Try!!!

Unexpectedly Delicious.

This was the first time I've ever made this recipe, so I didn't know what to expect. I just figured it was something different to do with escarole. I usually use escarole in soups and sometimes atop chicken breasts topped with cheese (which I will post a recipe for soon).

The last time I posted a recipe with escarole in it, I was surprised to learn that many people had never tried it and/or had never heard of it. So I'll give you a brief rundown on this leafy vegetable.

Escarole is a type of endive and a member of the chicory family. It has a slightly bitter taste, yet not as bitter as Belgian or curly endive. It has broad, crisp pale green leaves and can be cooked or eaten raw in a salad.

In this recipe, the escarole is cooked in a casserole and let me tell you, this is an awesome way to eat your greens. The breadcrumbs and olives meld with the subtle flavor of the escarole and the texture that it forms is something to sink your teeth into.

I'll let you be the judge, give it a try ASAP!

Escarole Casserole
recipe by Mariana's Gourmet

1 head escarole
2/3 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs (I used a little less-about 1/2 cup)
1 clove crushed garlic (I used 2 cloves)
1/2 cup pitted black olives, sliced
2-3 slices prosciutto, chopped (I used 1 slice of Canadian bacon)
1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
4 tablespoons olive oil

Boil escarole until tender. (I washed*, chopped and then cooked mine for about 15 minutes.) Drain, dry with paper towel and cut into pieces. Heat oil in pan, saute crushed garlic, prosciutto and escarole in olive oil. Add the seasoned bread crumbs, black olives and grated cheese. Blend well. Place in a buttered casserole dish and top with additional bread crumbs and butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

*To prepare the escarole, fill a clean sink or very large bowl with cold water. Cut the stem end off the escarole and chop the leaves into small pieces. Add the escarole to the water and move it around to shake off dirt. Let it sit for a few minutes and repeat until there is no dirt in the bottom of the bowl.

Annie's Note: Since the escarole shrinks when cooked, this recipe will only serve up to three people. So I suggest doubling the recipe if you are cooking for more.

Chicken Breasts with Fresh Marinara

Simple, yet delicious!

This is the chicken dish I mentioned in my previous post. Lidia Bastianich of Lidia's Italian Table made this simple but delicious chicken dish using her basic marinara sauce. The ingredients are few and simple, but must be fresh and of the best quality, since they are the main flavors in this dish.

Chicken with Fresh Marinara Sauce

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 large ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced (I used a little less than a slice and cut it into small pieces and spread it on top of each breast)
4 large fresh basil leaves (I chopped mine)
Olive oil
Flour for dredging
Salt & pepper
Fresh marinara sauce (recipe in previous post)

Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and add enough olive oil to to cover the bottom. Salt and pepper the chicken breasts and lightly dredge in flour. Shake off excess. Add the chicken to the pan and cook the chicken until light golden brown on the bottom. Holding the chicken with tongs, drain the olive oil out of the pan. Add a bit more fresh olive oil and turn the chicken breasts over and add a basil leaf atop each breast, then top with a slice of fresh mozzarella. Add some fresh marinara sauce to the pan and top each breast with a little sauce as well. Add a few ladle spoons of pasta water to the pan, lower the heat, cover and simmer the chicken for about 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and the chicken is cooked through.

Annie's Note: For a quicker version of this dish, you could use chicken cutlets instead of chicken breasts, just reduce the cooking time!

Angel Hair with Fresh Marinara Sauce

I think almost everyone knows how to make a marinara sauce, but everyone has his or her own spin on it. I watched an episode of Lidia's Italian Table recently all about Marinara Sauce and decided to try it her way. It was great!

According to Lidia Bastianich, the difference between marinara sauce and tomato sauce is this: Marinara is a quick sauce, seasoned only with garlic, pepper and, if you like basil or oregano. The pieces of tomato are left chunky and the texture of the finished sauce is fairly loose. Tomato sauce, on the other hand is a more complex affair, starting with pureed tomatoes and seasoned with onion, carrot, celery and bay leaf, and left to simmer until thickened and rich in flavor. FYI: the recipe on her website was slightly different than the episode on TV, so I included the differences in red. Marinara Sauce Servings: Makes about 1 quart, enough to dress 6 servings of pasta On the show I believe she made a double recipe because she was using the marinara for 3 different dishes: Spaghetti Marinara, Sea Bass with Olives, Capers and Marinara and Chicken Breasts with Mozzarella and Marinara (which I will post next) Ingredients: ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (1/2 cup) 8 garlic cloves, peeled 16 garlic cloves (sliced) 3 pounds ripe fresh plum tomatoes, peeled and seeded, or one 35 ounce can Italian plum tomatoes (preferably San Marzano), seeded and lightly crushed, with their liquid 2 - 35 ounce cans Italian plum tomatoes (preferably San Marzano) (I used Tutto Rosso Crushed), with their liquid About 1 cup of water added to can or bowl to slosh out the remaining tomatoes and their juices Salt Crushed red pepper 10 fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces (4 whole branches into the sauce while it cooks, discard it and add more fresh torn basil before serving.) Ricotta cheese for topping and serving Directions: Make this sauce with fresh tomatoes only when the juiciest, most flavorful ripe tomatoes are available. (Increase the amount of olive oil a little if you make the sauce with fresh tomatoes.) Otherwise, canned plum tomatoes make a delicious marinara sauce. Heat the oil in a 2 to 3-quart non-reactive saucepan (use larger pan for double recipe) over medium heat. Whack the garlic with the flat side of a knife, add it to the oil (add in sliced garlic) and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Crush the tomatoes with your hands to break up into smaller pieces. Carefully slide the tomatoes and their liquid into the oil. Add in the water and remaining tomatoes and juices from the can. Add the 4 whole branches of basil. Bring to a boil and season lightly with salt and crushed red pepper. Lower the heat so the sauce is at a lively simmer and cook, breaking up the tomatoes with a whisk or spoon, until the sauce is chunky and thick, about 20 minutes. Remove the cooked basil. Stir in the basil about 5 minutes before the sauce is finished. Taste the sauce and season with salt and red pepper if necessary. Cook pasta (Lidia used Spaghetti, but I used Angel Hair) until al dente (soft on the outside with a bite to the inside). Heat a large pan and add a few ladles of marinara sauce to it. Drizzle in some extra virgin olive oil. Add the pasta to the marinara sauce to finish cooking and more fresh torn basil if desired. Lift the pasta with tongs and twist onto a serving dish to form a mound. Add a small amount of marinara on top and a dollop of ricotta cheese. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Twice Baked Eggplant Parmigiana

No Fry Zone!

This is a healthly alternative to the traditional eggplant parm we all know and love.
The eggplant slices are still dusted in flour, dipped in egg and dredged in breadcrumbs.
The difference is that they are then baked in the oven and then layered with cheese and marinara sauce as usual.

I posted this recipe last year- Check it out!

Asparagus - As a Side Dish and In a Main Dish

Roasting Asparagus Really Does Bring Out The Best Flavor

I almost forgot how much I liked asparagus until I ate it recently. It had been a while since I had it last. I think I had been avoiding it because I may have had a few bad cooking experiences with it in the past. Sometimes fresh asparagus can be tough and stringy at the stem. I have learned a few tricks over the years to prevent this from happening. And now I'm passing them on to you!
By the way, asparagus is really good for you too. According to the world's healthiest foods website, it provides a wealth of B vitamins including 157% of the daily value for B3, 99% of the daily value for B6 and 96% of the daily value for folate.

Roasted Asparagus
Parade Magazine April 2006

1 pound medium sized asparagus
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
I didn't use the next 2 ingredients:
1 tablespoon chopped fresh leaf parsley
2 lemons, halved for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a roasting pan, coat the asparagus with oil, salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer, facing the same direction. Cover with foil and roast for 10 minutes. Remove foil and roast for 10 minutes. (I roasted them for 15 minutes at this point). Arrange on a platter, garnish with parsley and lemon halves.

Mixed Salad Annie Quick Tip:
Prepare the asparagus by washing under cold water. Take one asparagus and holding with both hands towards the bottom end, snap the asparagus in half. This is the natural breaking point where you should trim the remainder of the asparagus. Just line them up in a single layer and cut them all at the same point. I also peel the asparagus about 1 inch from the bottom with a vegetable peeler to ensure a tender stem.


Healthy Asparagus Omelet
Mixed Salad Annie

1 large egg and 1 egg white
1 tablespoon skim milk
salt and pepper to taste
5 asparagus spears, cooked and cut into small pieces
1 slice of low-fat, low-sodium swiss cheese (I used Alpine Lace)
1 tablespoon buttery spread (I used Smart Balance)

Heat a small non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Whisk the eggs, milk and salt and pepper. Add spread to the skillet and then the eggs. Let eggs set for a minute or two, lifting the sides of the egg while tilting the skillet to allow the loose egg to flow under. When the egg is no longer loose on the top, add the asparagus and cheese and fold over one side of the egg on top of the other. Allow to cook for another minute. Flip omelet over and cook for 30 seconds more. Slide onto a heated plate and enjoy.

Mixed Salad Annie Quick Tip:
Once the omelet has been flipped over, take the plate you intend to eat on and place the top over the skillet while the omelet cooks for 30 seconds. This will warm your plate and also help melt the cheese.

QUICK & EASY WEEKNIGHT SOUP

IT DOESN'T GET MUCH EASIER THAN THIS!

It all starts with canned chicken broth. I know it's not as healthy as cooking your own chicken stock, but when time is an issue-this is a tasty and healthy alternative. Of course, I use low-sodium, low fat chicken broth, fresh vegetables and herbs, so it has to be good!

Quick & Easy Chicken Vegetable Soup

2 cans of low-sodium chicken broth (I like Swanson)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large shallot, chopped
1 celery stalk, sliced thin
1 large carrot or 2 medium, sliced thin
1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
3/4 cup mushrooms, cleaned and sliced (optional-I had them so I used them.)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 bay leaf
salt & pepper
1/2 - 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
1/4 cup pastina (small pasta)

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms, zucchini, celery and carrots and cook for another 8 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute. Add in the herbs and stir for about 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth and the diced chicken. Bring to a boil, lower heat to a simmer and add the pastina. Cook for about 5 minutes or until pastina is cooked to your liking.
Discard bay leaf and fresh thyme sprigs if added. Serves about 3-4.

My New Best Friend.

Leeks: Lusciously Lovely.

Yes it's true-I have a new best friend. The Leek. It is a vegetable I was not familiar with until recently and now I can't get enough.

Since it is a cousin to onions, shallots, scallions and garlic, it contains many of the same beneficial compounds found in them. Leeks are, however, much milder and sweeter. And that's why I love them!

I have mostly used them in soups, until now. A friend of mine found this recipe for me and it was phenomenal. Give it a try!

Braised leeks with parmesan and thyme
By Steve Manfredi Good Living Entertainment

For 6 people, clean and wash 6 large, plump leeks, slice each down the center then cut each length in half, giving each person 4 half-cylinders. Preheat the oven to 180C.(350 F.)

Place the leeks - cut side facing up - in a baking dish so they fit snugly. Pour chicken stock in the dish until the leeks are not quite covered. Sprinkle the leek faces with extra virgin olive oil and season well with salt and pepper. Distribute a generous amount of grated parmesan on top and finish with a little freshly chopped thyme.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the leeks are tender. Serve straight out of the oven.

I think I got a bad cut of meat.

This would have been really tasty...

I was really excited about trying this recipe for pork tenderloin that I saw in Cooking Light magazine. I book marked the page and waited for a sale. Bingo, this week it went on sale and I bought my first pork tenderloin. It only weighed about 3/4 pound, but that was plenty since I was only cooking for two.
The recipe seemed great, but the pork just did not come out right. Once cooked, the flesh seemed dark and not white like I've seen everyone else's pork tenderloin turn out. It also was not tender, in fact, it was quite tough to chew. I know I didn't over cook it, because I used my probe thermometer and with the carry over cooking included, it registered 162 degrees. It was a big disappointment. There is no explanation of what happened, so I can only wonder if it was a bad cut of meat.
I will try it again, because the flavor of the seasoning was pretty darn good.

Mustard Herb-Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Recipe by Cooking Light magazine

1 (1/2 ounce) slice white bread (I used wheat since it was all I had)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons grated fresh Romano cheese
2 teaspoons fresh thyme (I used 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
1 (1 pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed (I used finely ground anise seed)
1 garlic clove, minced (I grated mine very fine on my microplane)
Cooking spray (I used non-stick aluminum foil)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Place slice of bread in a food processor, and pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1/4 cup. Combine the breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, cheese, and 2 teaspoons thyme in a shallow dish. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Combine Dijon mustard, fennel seeds, and garlic in a small bowl. Rub pork with mustard mixture, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture.

Place pork on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450 degrees for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160 degrees (slightly pink). Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices. Yield: 4 servings (serving size 3 ounces pork).

I hope yours turns out better than mine! Good Luck!

You CAN Eat Pasta!

Especially this one-It's Really Healthy!

Anyone who is on a diet or even just trying to maintain their weight, is a little leery of eating pasta! We all know by now that consuming massive quantities of carbohydrates is not a good idea if your trying to control your weight.
But there is a way to enjoy your favorite pasta without getting out the fat pants. It's all about portion control. Most pasta recipes recommend cooking a pound of pasta for 6 to 8 servings. That's a lot of macaroni!
The best bet is to measure out the pasta before cooking. I made the following recipe using only one full measuring cup (filled to the top). When you add veggies, beans or chicken, beef, etc., you will have plenty to fill at least 4 to 6 plates. So give it a try, just cut back a bit, you'll never miss it! Trust Me.

Shells with Broccoli Rabe
Adapted recipe by Italian Cooking for Dummies

1 large bunch broccoli rabe,
washed, cleaned, tough stems discarded,
and florets separated from stems
1 1/2 Tablespoons kosher salt
1 full measuring cup medium shells
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 cloves garlic, sliced
1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted & sliced
Pinch red hot pepper flakes
Salt to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe and kosher salt and cook for about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or small sieve, remove the broccoli rabe from the pot and transfer to a small bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Add the pasta to the boiling water, mix well, and cook until the pasta is al dente.
Place the olive oil, garlic, olives and red pepper flakes in a large skillet or medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until the garlic turns golden, about 2 minutes. Add the broccoli rabe to the skillet and the reserved 1/4 cup of water and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt.
Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the broccoli rabe. Stir well to combine. Serve immediately sprinkled with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Pasta and Veggies. What Could Be Better?

How About Baked Pasta and Veggies?

This dish was easy for me to make because I make roasted vegetables every week. In fact, I'm always looking for ways to use up the leftovers. I usually use them in frittatas, calzones and in pasta. But I have never used them in a baked pasta dish. Thanks to my friend Giada DiLaurentiis, now I have, only with my own spin.

Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables
Adapted from recipe by Giada DiLaurentiis

1/2 (1 lb) bag baby carrots, halved lengthwise
1 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch rounds
1 large broccoli crown, cut into florets
1/4 to 1/2 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half
1 ( 6 ounce) can black olives
1/2 ( 5.75 ounce) jar manzanilla olives, rinsed
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, quartered, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon dried Italian herb mix or herbs de Provence
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pound penne pasta
3 cups marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated scamorza or smoked mozzarella
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus 1/3 cup for topping
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Steam the carrots and green beans until crisp tender, about 8 minutes. (If you don't have a steamer, microwave on high, covered, for about 6 minutes). Steam broccoli for about 4-5 minutes. (Microwave about 3 minutes). You can skip the steaming step if you prefer crisp veggies. On a baking sheet covered with foil, toss all the veggies with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder and dried herbs. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Drain in a colander.

In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, cheeses, peas, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix, until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are combined.

Pour the pasta into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and butter pieces. Bake until top is golden and cheese melts, about 25 minutes.

I actually filled 2 separate baking dishes and froze one (before baking) for future use. I love finding prepared dinners in my freezer when I don't have time to cook.

More Soup Please!

Anyway You Sip It... Soup Is The Ultimate Comfort Food!

The weather has been accomodating my recent soup craving. Or maybe I am craving soup because of the weather. Either way I have really enjoyed the comfort of eating a big bowl of soup for dinner after a long, hard day at work. If I don't feel like stopping for a loaf of Italian bread after work, I usually garnish the top with garlic croutons, which I love. It satisfies my need to crunch.

Turkey and Spinach Soup
Adapted from Sausage and Spinach Soup Recipe by Cooking Light

5 ounces of ground turkey breast
Cooking spray
2 small/med leeks, chopped
2 minced garlic cloves
1/2 cup water
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 (14 ounce) can low sodium chicken broth
1/2 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 tablespoon fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
dash of crushed anise seed
Grated Romano cheese

Heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the leeks and cook over medium heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the turkey, stir to crumble, cook until lightly browned. Add the garlic, oregano and anise seed; cook for 1 minute. Stir in 1/2 cup water, beans, tomatoes and broth.
Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover and add the spinach; cook for 10 minutes on low heat.
Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Serve with crusty bread or garnish with garlic croutons.

P.S. In my opinion, soup is always better the next day. So you can eat it immediately, but for optimum flavor eat it the next day!

More Yummy Chicken!

Easy Enough To Make On A Busy Weeknight!

I am so excited that I found another easy and delicious chicken recipe. It is very well known, but I had never made the traditional version before. I am so glad I finally did. It was so good. Rich and super tasty, and the best part is that it was so easy to make. It took only minutes to prepare and minutes to cook. This is my kind of recipe!

Chicken Francaise
Recipe by Cooks.com

1 Lb. chicken cutlets, pounded thin
Egg, beaten with salt, pepper & 1/4 c. milk (I used one egg and not quite a 1/4 c. of milk)
Flour
1 lemon, halved
Freshly chopped parsley
1 1/2 sticks of butter (You know I didn't use all that butter-I used about 6 Tablespoons total)

Dredge chicken in flour, then dip in egg mixture and again in flour. Put in refrigerator for at least 1/2 hour to set. Chicken will be sticky.

Melt 1 stick butter in large skillet (I melted 4 T.). When it starts to bubble, squeeze 1/2 lemon into butter and quickly add cutlets. Sprinkle with parsley. Turn and brown the other side. Remove to a warm platter. Melt other 1/2 stick butter (I used the other 2 T.) with juice of the other half of lemon. Pour over the top of cutlets and serve immediately.

Enjoy. I know I did!

CHICKEN SALTIMBOCCA With MARSALA SAUCE

Finally Perfect Chicken!

Lately chicken has not been my friend. I have had some problems with getting tender and juicy chicken in certain recipes. But being the trooper that I am, I tried and tried again until I succeeded. This recipe was just what I needed for an ego boost. It was fantastic!

CHICKEN SALTIMBOCCA With MARSALA SAUCE
Recipe by Linda Miranda, a frequent prizewinner in recipe contests

4 whole chicken breasts w/skin, pounded (I used skinless breast halves, butterflied and pounded to 1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness)
4 thin slices prosciutto ham (I used thin slices low sodium deli ham)
4 thin slices fontina cheese (I used about 4 ounces of gorgonzola)
8 fresh sage leaves (or 1 teaspoon dry sage, I used this)
1/2 cup chicken stock (I used low sodium chicken broth)
1/4 cup Marsala wine
1/4 cup (1/2 stick butter), cut into small pieces (I only used 2 tablespoons here-4 tablespoons total, see my addition below)
2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 teaspoons water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
My addition: 2 tablespoons of herbed butter (Just mix softened butter with your choice of fresh herbs, I used parsley, thyme, rosemary and lemon zest)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees
~Put each breast skin side down and cover with a slice of ham and a slice of cheese. Place 2 sage leaves or dried sage over each and roll up breasts.
~Place in a lightly buttered or sprayed 8x8x2 baking dish, seam side down. Add 2 tablespoons of the chicken stock. (Since I used skinless chicken breast I spread about 1/2 tablespoon of herbed butter over the top of each breast).
~Bake 35-45 minutes or until cooked through. (Half way through the cooking time, I basted the chicken with the broth and butter in the baking dish.) Remove chicken from dish, cover and keep warm.
~Pour drippings into a saucepan and add remaining chicken stock and the wine. (I added the wine to the dripping in the baking sheet and scraped up the brown bits, then added it to the saucepan.) Cook over medium heat until reduced by half.
~Lower heat and whisk in butter a little at a time. Add cornstarch, salt and pepper. Cook until thickened.
~Serve chicken topped with Marsala sauce. Serves 4.

Even with the reduced butter in the Marsala sauce, this dish was very rich and tasty. It was very easy to make and even easier to eat! I hope you try it.

Vegetable Soup...Good For You, Right???

Not always. But the Mixed Salad Annie version is!

This recipe is another from my favorite TV chef, Giada DiLaurentiis. I was a little disappointed with her this time though, since the sodium content in this soup is through the roof! The original recipe calls for 10 cups of vegetable broth. Assuming she is using canned broth, the sodium content in one cup is around 950 milligrams. Too much for me or anyone who wants to live another 10 minutes.

All is not lost. I revised the recipe by diluting the broth with water and adding in a few more herbs and flavorings. It was still very good. Very tasty. The trick is to make it a day ahead, so that the flavors have a chance to develop and meld.

By the way, this was my first time using LEEKS. The verdict: I'm a big fan. No nasty onion smell in the house and a sweet mellow flavor!! Two thumbs up!

Healthier Italian Vegetable Soup

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 leeks (white and pale green parts only), chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
6 zucchini, peeled leaving stripes and thinly sliced crosswise
2 (13 3/4-ounce) cans quartered artichoke hearts packed in water, rinsed & drained
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cans vegetable broth
6 1/4 cups water
6-7 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
4 ounces dried wide egg noodles
Freshly grated Parmesan or Romano

Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the zucchini and artichokes. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Saute until the zucchini are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the vegetable broth and water. Stir in the thyme and bay leaves and cook for 2 minutes. Cover the pot and bring the soup to a simmer. Decrease the heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the flavors develop, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
At this point I stopped the cooking, let the soup cool, refrigerated right in the same pot until ready to use the next day.
Reheat the soup on medium heat until it reaches a slow simmer then increase the heat to medium-high. Add the noodles and cook until al dente, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.

My Second Pot Roast...

A few changes to my first recipe and Yum Again!

My first pot roast was very tasty but I had some troubles. One was with getting the meat, fall apart tender in only three hours. My total cooking time 4 hours the first day and 3 hours the next. The Final Result was delicious but I wanted to cut down the cooking time.

With this goal in mind, I searched the web for the secret to tender pot roast, cooked in only 3 hours or less. I found it!!

The trick is to set your oven to 300º-325º and check the roast after 45 minutes to see if the liquid is slowly bubbling. If not, increase the temperature and check again. The slow bubbling is what breaks down the meat and tenderizes it.

With this new found information and a few different ingredients, including a different cut of beef, I set out to make the perfect roast.

Stracoto with Porcini Mushrooms and Potatoes
Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis

(3-4 pound) boneless beef shoulder roast
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small red onion
6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup dry red wine
2 cups canned low-sodium chicken broth
1/2-ounce dried porcini mushrooms (I rinsed mine and rehydrated them in the chicken broth. Bring the broth to a boil and take off the heat, add the mushrooms, cover and let sit for 15 minutes, strain over a coffee filter to catch any grit)
6 large sprigs fresh thyme, plus extra for garnish
1 bay leaf
2 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-3 inch cubes, keep in cold water until ready to use
1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the beef generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy 6-quart roasting pan over medium heat. Add the beef and cook until brown on all sides, about 15 minutes total cooking time. Transfer the beef to a bowl.

Add remaining tablespoon oil to the pan, add the onion and saute until tender, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom of the pot, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute 1 minute. Add the wine and boil 1 minute. Stir in the strained broth and mushrooms. Return the beef to the pan. Bring the liquids to a boil. Cover and transfer to the oven. (I Started out at 300 degrees and checked to see if the liquid was bubbling after 45 minutes- it was very slowly bubbling so I raised the temp to 325).
Braise until the beef is fork-tender, turning the beef over halfway through cooking (1 1/2 hours), about 3 hours total. Add in the potatoes about a 1/2 hour before the roast is done.

(At this point, I let the pot cool and transferred it to the refrigerator.
The next day, I took the pot out of the fridge and while the juice was still cold, I spooned any excess fat off the top of the pan juices. I reheated it on the stove top until boiling then transferred it to the oven for another 45 minutes at 350 degrees.)

Transfer the beef to a cutting board. Tent the beef with foil and let stand 15 minutes. Pick out the thyme stems and bay leaf.

Bring the sauce to a boil. Reduce heat and quickly whisk in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of cold water and cook for another 2 minutes to thicken the gravy. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Cut the beef across the grain into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Arrange the sliced beef on a platter and garnish with thyme. Spoon the sauce over and serve, passing the remaining sauce in a sauce boat.

Brining Chicken- What a Disaster!

Looks Good- Doesn't It?

Well it was, sort of, if it wasn't so damn salty, that is.

I had heard that brining chicken makes it tender and juicy, so why wouldn't I want to try that?

The only trouble is, I used a recipe that obviously had problems. It was actually for country fried chicken pieces. Since I was using chicken pieces in my recipe I thought it would be OK to start my recipe with some nicely brined chicken. The recipe called for soaking the chicken for 3-4 hours in a solution made up of 1 cup of salt to a quart of water. That's a lot of salt!
But I figured I would try it and boy was it salty. The only thing I can think of is that maybe because my chicken was braised in chicken stock (low sodium) it intensified the salty flavor. Maybe the frying process is different???
Besides the saltiness, the chicken wasn't all that tender or juicy either. I don't know why. I wonder if it is due to the sauting process, because I have a hard time controlling the temperature of my electric stovetop (which I can't say enough that I HATE). All I do know is it was such a disappointment because I think the dish has potential. I will try it again someday with some revisions.

Here's the recipe without brining the chicken:

Skillet Chicken with Mushrooms and Peppers

One 2 1/2 to 3-pound fryer chicken, cut into 8 pieces
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 medium red onion, cut into 1/2 inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch dice
1 green pepper, cut into 1/2 inch dice
1 package mushrooms, quartered
Juice of one lemon
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped

Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Dredge in flour. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown in the oil, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove chicken and set aside.

Add the onion, peppers and mushrooms an saute for 10 minutes, until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Add the chicken broth and lemon juice, return the chicken to the pan, allow the broth to boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook the chicken for 45 minutes, adding more broth if necessary to keep the meat from getting dry. (I skimmed off some of the fat from the chicken skin). Stir in the parsley and basil. (Just before serving, I removed the the bones and skin from the chicken).

If you try this recipe with your own modifications and have great results-let me know what your secret is to getting tender and juicy chicken.