What a Crock.

In my years (what, like, 5 maybe?) of cooking, I’ve tended to snub the crock pot. Or, “slow cooker” is the new, politically correct term for it these days, I guess. Visions of pot roasts (haven’t warmed up to those yet), sticky stews and weird oatmeals have turned me off to this machine.

Now I think that maybe Baby Jesus sent his angels down in the form of crock pots. There’s no other explanation for something that takes a bunch of ingredients, sends you on your merry way for hours on end and cooks your dinner while you’re gone. It’s a dang Christmas miracle.

 I should warn that this particular slow cooker recipe takes a bit more work than the usual, “stick that there chicken in with some salsa and you got yourself a dandy meal.” But stick with me.

 

Meatballs in Tomato Wine Sauce

adapted from Not Your Mother’s Slow Cooker Recipes

For the sauce:

2 TB olive oil

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

2-3 cloves garlic

1/4 cup dry red wine

One 28-oz can diced tomatoes, with juice

One 6-oz can tomato paste

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp minced fresh basil

1 tsp minced fresh oregano

1/4 tsp ground allspice

1 bay leaf

2 Tb minced fresh parsley

For the meatballs

1.5 lbs lean ground beef

1 cup plain dry bread crumbs

2 large eggs

3 Tb freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp minced fresh basil

3/4 tsp minced fresh oregano

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

dash of ground allspice

1.5 Tb olive oil

1/4 cup dry red wine

 

1. To prepare the sauce, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add wine, bring to a boil and continue boiling for 1-2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits stuck to pan.

2. Transfer to the slow cooker. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, allspice and bay leaf and stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH while you prepare meatballs.

3. To prepare the meatballs, put the ground beef in a large bowl, breaking it up a bit with your fingers or a large fork. Add bread crumbs, eggs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, parsley and allspice. Gently but thoroughly blend the ingredients, using your hands or a large fork. Be careful not to compact the meat, which will make your meatballs tough. Gently shape the mixture into 12 meatballs.

4. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add meatballs and brown on all sides, turning carefully, 6 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to the sauce. Pour off any fat from the skillet, return to the stove and add wine. Cook over high heat for 2-3 minutes. Pour over meatballs. Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours. Remove bay leaf and serve over pasta.

Voila!

Bolognese – Light & Quick

“Oh, my God. I found a magazine full of fatty sauce recipes that don’t have as much fat! We can eat     all the damn fettuccine alfredo and bolognese we want!”

So said my coworker (and friend) Kiana one cold, blustery day at the office. My response? “Dude. I’m in.”

And that’s how Kiana and I spent a cozy Thursday night, eating fabulous meat sauce, cramming our faces with cupcakes and figuring out what to wear for our next night out.

Which is, like, weeks from now, but you can never plan too far ahead to look your best, right?

 

Lazy Bolognese (it’s ok if I call it that,

right, Kiks?)

Makes about 8 servings

What you’ll need:

1 Tb canola oil

1 lb. ground turkey

8 oz. Italian turkey sausage

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 cup diced carrot

1/2 cup diced celery

1 Tb minced garlic

1 cup 2 % cottage cheese

1/4 cup tomato paste

1-28 oz can diced tomatoes in juice

1 cup dry red wine (plus the rest of the bottle for drinky)

2 Tb balsamic vinegar

1 tsp each of dried oregano and basil

1/2 tsp each kosher salt and red pepper flakes

1/2 cup cream cheese

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat. Add turkey breast and sausage and cook until browned.

Process onion, carrot, celery and garlic in a fod processor until minced; add to browned meat. Cook vegetables until softened, 5 minutes. Process cottage cheese in food processor until smooth, 2 minutes; stir into meat mixture in saute pan.

Stir in tomato paste, cook 1 minute. Add tomatoes, wine, vinegar, oregano, basil, salt and pepper flakes. Reduce heat to medium low; simmer 40-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cream cheese, stirring until melted, then stir in parsley.

Shrimp Stir Fry

This isn’t your typical stir fry. It’s filled with fresh vegetables and accompanied by wine. But let’s be honest, most of my dinners are accompanied by wine; unfortunately, “I Pray to Pinot Grigio” isn’t quite as catchy.

I use brown rice as a base, but this stir fry is perfection on it’s own, or you could even go as far as putting it on top of couscous or whatever ancient grain strikes your fancy.

 

Shrimp Stir Fry

2 Tb butter (just do it.)

2 Tb olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

10-12 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 ear of corn, with kernels cut off

1 red bell pepper

4 radishes, sliced

1 cup black beans (canned)

2 Tb fresh parsley, chopped

 

1. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic. When oil/butter is hot, add shrimp and cook for 3 minutes. Remove to a plate. Do not clean skillet.

2. Add the rest of the butter and oil and heat over medium heat. Add bell pepper slices in a single layer and cook for one minute, tossing once. Shift bell pepper to the edges of the pan, then add corn kernels to the middle of the pan. Cook for one minute. Add radishes, salt, and pepper, and beans and toss around, then add shrimp. Cook for an additional 30 seconds, then remove from heat. Serve over brown rice if preferred.

Oh, Snap

I have a hard time referring to these cookies as “snaps.” They don’t snap. In fact, they are

deliciously chewy and quite possibly the best gingerbread cookie out there for that very  reason. And they stay soft for more than a day which, if you ask me, is a feat not many cookies can accomplish.

It’s still blustery out there (I have no right saying that. It's in the 40s here, which would probably feel like the Caribbean at this point to most of the rest of the country), so these sweet, spicy little buggers are still totally acceptable to nosh on.

 

If you’re wondering if this is worth buying molasses for, I would reply with a resounding “yes!” Plus, molasses lasts for, like, ever (“ever” to me being 6-8 months. Which could explain my issues with commitment. Hm.).

 

Chewy, Sugared Gingerbread Cookies. Oh, With White Chocolate. Why not?

makes about 2 dozen, adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1 tablespoon canola oil

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/8 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground cloves

1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 large eggs

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white chocolate chunks

1 cup granulated sugar-for coating cookie dough balls. I added sprinkling sugar. I’m fun like that.

1. Preheat oven to Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment papers or with a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.

3. Beat in the molasses, canola oil, vanilla, baking soda, salt, and spices. Mix until well combined.

4. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat until smooth. Slowly add in the flour. Next, stir in the white chocolate chunks.

5. Scoop the dough into balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place on lined baking sheets, about two inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes, the cookies will still be soft. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

Ain’t that a (Side) Kick in the Head

Apparently I’m on a sides kick. Not to worry, main dishes will make a reappearance as soon as I stop going out to eat as much. I go through cooking phases like everyone else does and sometimes having someone else cook for me is diiiivine. But new shows like TLC’s Strange Addictions (eating laundry detergent, what the…?!) or another season of The Bachelor (I’ve been watching since 2001, and so what if that makes me proud) or screaming, “Oh em gee, I can totally do that!” while watching The Amazing Race means cooking and then enjoying food at home is back on the agenda.

This dish is a healthy side dish that packs a punch from the shallots that get caramelized and then a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

 

Balsamic Green Beans and Shallots

What you’ll need (serves 3):

- 1 lbs fresh green beans

- 1 shallot, chopped

- 1 Tb olive oil

- Good balsamic vinegar *

- Salt, pepper

Directions:

1. Blanch your beans. First, bring a pot of water to a boil, throw in the green beans for about 5 minutes, then transfer them immediately into a bowl of ice water.

2. Meanwhile, sauté the chopped shallot in olive oil in a saucepan. Drain your green beans and add them to the saucepan. Toss together with salt and pepper.

3. Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle with balsamic.

Calivirgin Products

* There are some pantry essentials that should be high quality. It is my firm belief that olive oil and balsamic vinegar are two of them; it can change the entire taste of your dish. While I don’t tend to promote goods on I Pray to Gouda and must emphasize that they didn't ask or pay me to do so, I stand behind Calivirgin products for olive oil and balsamic. I’m lucky enough that their products are made locally, but they are also easy to order online. Don’t trust me? Click here.

Try them out!

Garlic-Rubbed Bleu Cheese Focaccia

It doesn’t get much easier than this, folks. Especially since I’m not telling you to go make your own focaccia bread – nope, this is a delicious addition to a meal that will not only taste good, but looks gourmet.

Garlic-Rubbed Bleu Cheese Focaccia

What you’ll need:

- 2 TB extra virgin olive oil

- 1 loaf focaccia

- 1/2 cup bleu cheese crumbles

- 1 Tb chopped garlic clove

- 1/2 Tb chopped, fresh rosemary or basil

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine good quality olive oil and chopped garlic.

3. Brush the top of the bread with this mixture.

4. Tear small holes (about 1” across, 1/2” deep) into focaccia.

5. Stuff each hole with two to three individual cheese crumbles. Sprinkle chopped herbs over bread. Broil 8-10 minutes.

Life is Just a Bowl Full of Cranberries.

Some moments are sweet. Some are sour. But combined, you have a pretty good chance of maintaining a nice balance.

Holy shucks, that was sappy, no? But…shoot, I’d write that down if I were you. Before I figure out some genius already said it somewhere else.

This recipe was one I used on Thanksgiving, to give a more real food spin to the usual canned cranberry sauce. Now, I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t like that canned stuff. I ignore the fact that Ocean Spray straight up molded a berry into a gelatinous wonder, but I just can’t help it.

Whether you secretly adore the canned version, too, or simply think I’m crazy, I’d recommend you try this version this winter while they’re still in season.

P.S.: did you know these are called “bounceberries” because they bounce when ripe? I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to call them cranberries again.

 

Sugared Vanilla Bean Cranberries

- 2.5 cups sugar

- 1.5 cups water

- seeds scraped from one vanilla bean

 

1. First, you’re going to make a simple syrup. Bring your water and 2 cups of the sugar to a simmer over medium heat and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.

2. During the simple syrup making process, put your cranberries into a heatproof dish. Pour the simple syrup over the top of the berries. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

3. The next day, pulse the remaining .5 cup sugar with the vanilla bean seeds in a food processor and then transfer to a shallow dish. Use a slotted spoon or colander to strain the cranberries. Then roll the cranberries in the sugar and spread on a parchment-covered baking sheet.

4. Let set for one hour, then serve!

Something a Tad Corny

Geez, that title itself is pretty darn corny.  But it’s all I’ve got, it’s almost 3pm on the day before Friday, I’m coming off some weird virus and I’m running on roughly two brain cells.  One of them needs to be used for the rest of the work I have to do today.  That leaves one loner for a blog title.

Summer is the season for corn and tomatoes.  Which means it’s the time of year to leave the canned stuff on the shelf.  Corn fresh off of the cob cannot be substituted for by its cousins in the canned and freezer departments. 

The warmest season of the year is also prime time for pesto-makin’.  But this won’t be your average pesto.  I think you’ll love this tweak on an old favorite.

 Fettuccine with Bacon and Corn Pesto

adapted from epicurious

4 slices bacon, cut into 1” pieces

2 ears corn, kernels cut off (<—like so)

1 large garlic clove, minced

1 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 1/4 tsp coarse salt

freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted (simply put in oven or toaster oven on lined baking sheet for 7-9 minutes on 350 degrees)

1/3 cup olive oil

Fettuccine

3/4 cup basil leaves

Directions

Cook bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp and brown, stirring often. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet. Add corn, garlic, tomatoes, 1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper to drippings in skillet. Sauté over medium-high heat until corn is just tender but not brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer 1 1/2 cups corn kernels to small bowl and reserve. Scrape remaining corn mixture into processor. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan and pine nuts. With machine running, add olive oil through feed tube and blend until pesto is almost smooth. Set pesto aside.

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot. Add corn pesto, reserved corn kernels, and 1/2 cup basil leaves. Toss pasta mixture over medium heat until warmed through, adding reserved pasta cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls to thin to desired consistency, 2 to 3 minutes. Season pasta to taste with salt and pepper.

Transfer pasta to large shallow bowl. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup basil leaves and reserved bacon. Serve pasta, passing additional grated Parmesan alongside.

~ Side note:  I’m giggling every few hours because I’m wearing this t-shirt.

25 Books in 2010

This challenge is going to be a cinch.  And if you think you don’t have the time (no big…reduce your goal, just don’t tell anyone else that I’m advocating for you to be an underachiever), reduce the goal.  But if you used to harbor a love of reading and getting lost in a story and post-college and just plain life have made you forget, having a goal like this will make you rediscover it.

Or maybe it will just help your general spelling and grammar.

I’ve read these thus far….here are my latest:

1.  Midwives.  I’ll be brutally honest.  I couldn’t even finish this book, it was that awful.  I’ve learned that just because a piece of literature is recommended by several people doesn’t mean it’s good.  Or maybe I just have bad taste.

Yeah, right.  Maybe Oprah’s the one with the bad taste, because she’s her people are the ones who recommended it.

2.  Girl with the Dragon Tattoo .  Remember all that stuff I said up there about various recommendations meaning nothing?  Yeah, ignore that for a few minutes.  This book is epic.  And graphic.  And completely creeped me out.  All of the reasons I watch Dateline, 48 Hours and 20/20 a lot.  The storyline is pure genius and I can’t wait to read the other two in the trilogy.

3.  Little Bee.  Ok, now you can bring back the distant memory of me casting aside books that had received many recommendations.  This book is rotten.  I finished this one, though, I’ll have you know.  While the true story of Nigerian oil wars could have made a true impact in this book, instead, it’s filled with horrifically unrealistic situations and baseless characters.  I had high hopes.  They weren’t met.

Well, crud.  I just realized I’m only up to 10 books?!  I have to read 15 more within the next four months, apparently.  Ok.  We can do this.

By the way, I get most of my books on Amazon used and I refuse to pay over $5.00.  Additionally, your local library is a great resource…and free.  (I totally should go to heaven for that one).

Enchiladas En Un Jiffy

How do you like that for some Spanish?  You’d never know I was in a Spanish honors program in both high school and college, would you?

It’s 4pm on a Wednesday and I’m sitting in my apartment watching recorded Project Runway in my pajamas.  How in the world does one get the flu in SUMMER?  More importantly, why can’t Gretchen just shut her danged, high-horse mouth?

Back to the fabulous enchiladas (if I do say so myself.  And I do.).  I go back and forth between calling these my Christmas Enchiladas because they’re made with red and green sauces.  But then I realize how dumb that sounds and I stop.

These cheesy delights are only about 30 minutes of work and will please the masses.  Unless they’re lactose intolerant.  FYI.  You’ll make your own enchilada sauce (don’t get scurred!) and do some dipping, stuffing and rolling, so suit up! 

Christmas Weeknight Enchiladas

1 lb ground turkey

Olive oil

1/4 cup chili powder

1/4 tsp of the following:  cumin, onion powder and garlic powder (or you can finely chop a couple of fresh cloves, my personal preference)

Green onions (a bunch)

salt and pepper

1 cup water

tortillas

Mexican blend cheese

El Pato Mexican Sauce (red sauce)

Green Chile Enchilada Sauce

________________________

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix water, chili powder, cumin, onion powder and garlic powder.  Set aside.  Chop green onions.  Brown turkey in 1 tb olive oil, adding in spice mixture as you go.  Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, pour red sauce onto a large plate.  Dip each tortilla into sauce, covering completely.  Add meat mixture inside tortilla, cheese, chopped green onion.  Wrap tortilla and place in glass baking dish.

When done wrapping, cover enchiladas with more of your cheese blend.  Then pour green chile sauce over all enchiladas.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.