Category Archives: 5 – Sides & Sauces

Viva Saint Guiseppe!

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When my grandparents talked about the old country they were talking about Italy. My mother’s family is from Bari and Calabria and my father’s family is from Sicily. So, I describe my Italian heritage as heal, toe and football if you look at the map.

My Sicilian grandmother used to do a St. Joseph’s Table every year and I have many fond memories of not only the food but the stories of holidays past. You can read more about our tradition at here.

The following recipe is actually my favorite, using a dressing of vinegar and sugar for a sweet and savory pea salad. Anyone who knows me knows I rarely use canned anything. In this case, it is the perfect and easy way to make this St. Joseph favorite.

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Great Gramma’s Bitter Sweet Peas

(I cut this in half and it still is hard to fit into my large cast iron skillet)

6 Large Cans Peas (drained)
1 Large Bunch Celery (diced)
1 Pound Italian Green Olives (pitted and chopped)
1 Large Can Artichokes (cut up)
1 Tablespoon Salt

Dice and cook celery until slightly softened. Drain and cool. Saute onions, add celery, and olives. Take off stove (recipe says to take off the fire but I decided to change that) and add peas and artichokes. Mix lightly with fingers.

¾ Cup White Vinegar
½ Cup Sugar
Warm the vinegar gently in a sauce pan to melt sugar. Remove from heat and add to pea mixture. Toss lightly and refrigerate.

I just made half the recipe and it barely fit into my large cast iron skillet.

 

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Mom’s Thanksgiving Stuffing

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Gramma Anne’s Thanksgiving Stuffing

Servings:for a 20-23 pound turkey
Prep time: 1:00
Categories: Side Dish
Source: JudeTheFoodie.com

Ingredients

• 1 lb Golden Raisins
•
• 1 lb Bacon (cut into little pieces)
• 1 lb Sage Breakfast Sausage
• 1-2 Small Onions, finely chopped
• 6-7 Stalks Celery, finely chopped
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• 1 Stick Butter
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• 2 Bags Stuffing Croutons (I use Arnold Stuffing)

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• 2 Eggs
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• Optional:
•
• Cook the pieces with the turkey like the neck, etc. remove from turkey and bag. Put in medium sauce pan with a quartered onion and peppercorns. Bring to a boil and simmer for an hour. Strain the liquid and use instead of water in the stuffing.

Directions

Put the raisins in a microwave safe bowl, cover with water and microwave for 10 minutes.

In a large skillet, on medium heat cook bacon, sausage, onion and celery until the onions are soft, about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat. Add butter and let melt.

In large bowl, add bacon and sausage mixture and drained raisins. Add stuffing mix to the bowl and add at least a cup of water (or the stock from the turkey parts). Beat two eggs and lightly stir until the mixture is wet.

Chop the turkey parts and remove the meat from the neck and add to stuffing, if desired.

If you are not stuffing your bird or have more than will fit inside, you can butter a table ready casserole, fill with remaining stuffing, add one cup of stock or dry white wine and dot with butter. Bake for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees (or up to 400 degrees depending on what else is in your oven) covered until the last ten minutes. Remove the cover and let get crisp on top. If there is not enough room in your oven, when you remove your turkey to rest for 30 minutes then carve, put the casserole in. It will be perfectly cooked in time for dinner.

from http://therecipeboxapp.com

JudeTheFoodie.com Have a yummy day!!

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Things I Learned at My First Cooking Class

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I Learned a Lot at MY First Ever Cooking Class And when I say first ever I mean first ever class I taught…and first ever I attended. Most of us never take one class and are fine cooks. This was a new experience for me.

Most people know more than they think they do and just need more confidence in the kitchen.

Many hands really do make light work. 2 1/2 hours of cooking goes by in a flash.

Apples and Fontina cheese make an amazing Quesadilla. Confession: I have only eaten quesadillas and never made one until two days ago. The recipes for all of the dishes prepared are included in the menu below. Our friend Jack shred the cheese…Fontina is relatively soft cheese that crumbles as it shreds. Katie, a pharmacy student loves to cook but doesn’t have time jumped at the opportunity to make the quesadillas. She did a great job.

There is a reason why ingredients are already prepped. Doing the fine dice on the apples on a surface a few inches higher than I was accustomed with a cutting board which was sliding around and an unfamiliar knife spooked me at first. Chef Paul gave me a cloth (to replace the one I put over my shoulder – my moppina ) to stabilize the board and we got back on track.

Our Menu:

20121011-082906.jpgQuesadillas.

Wheat tortillas filled with apples and red onions flavored with D’Avolio Black Current Balsamic Vinegar, black beans and Fontina cheese. These are served with a seasoned Greek yogurt dipping sauce.

Roasted Chicken Snack Strips

20121011-082715.jpgBoneless, skinless chicken breasts rubbed with D’Avolio Milanese Gremolata Extra Virgin Olive Oil and seasoned with Basik’s Hunter Blend seasoning available at D’Avolio.

20121011-082814.jpgOrzo

Tiny rice shaped pasta with roasted grape tomatoes and garlic seasoned with Olio Fresca Herb Mix, available at D’Avolio’s and D’Avolio Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

20121011-082551.jpg Peaches

Ordinary canned peaches made extraordinary with seasoned mascarpone cheese and a drizzle of D’Avolio 18 Year Traditional Balsamic Vinegar. For an extra kick we sprinkle just a pinch of Vanilla Bean salt.

Even the best plan can get mixed up. And, the result will be great…just different than the plan. I made up the above menu and Independent Health included it in a nice handout at D’Avolio Kitchen.

A very astute participant noticed I switched the oil in a few of the dishes. Oops! This totally unintentional action just proved the point D’Avolio has been making since they opened their first store a little more than a year ago:

Be fearless.

Cooking, preparing healthy delicious food should not be stressful. Experiment with flavor…try the unexpected (like spontaneously adding D’Avolio Cranberry Pear White Balsamic Vinegar to mascarpone cheese) and be sure to write down what you love. Write it down because when you go back to the store you will be smacked by the volume of selections.

Have fun with your food. If you add one dish new to you each week…heck, even just one flavor combination (write down what you like…you will notice a pattern) then you will have learned to make over 50 new things.

So, when is our next cooking class? What would you like to learn? We are only limited by our imagination! Let’s learn together!

Have a yummy day!

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Orzo With Roasted Grape Tomatoes

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Orzo With Roasted Grape Tomatoes

Servings: 8
Prep time: 0:10
Total time: 0:25
Categories: Pasta, Vegetable
Source: JudeTheFoodie.com

Ingredients

• 2 pt Grape Tomatoes
• 4-6 Cloves Garlic
• 2 Tbsp Garlic Chives or Chives
• 1-2 Tbsp Olio Fresca Herb Mix
• ¼ c D’Avolio Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1lb Orzo

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°

Rinse and dry tomatoes. Put in large bowl. Mince garlic and chop chives and add to bowl. Add one tablespoon herb mix and Extra Virgin Olive Oil and stir. Sample a tomato and add more seasoning to taste.

Pour the entire contents of bowl into a large sheet pan with sides. Roast for about 20 minutes until the tomatoes pop. This can also be done on the stove in a large skillet.

Meanwhile, boil a large pot of water and cook orzo according to package directions. Drain.

Add drained orzo to the tomato mixture. Mix well and pour into a serving bowl.

This is a great recipe to use left over uncooked macaroni. I put leftovers into a plastic container until I have enough for this recipe or for macaroni and cheese. Before cooking, put it all in a paper bag and pound gently with a rolling pin, meat mallet or frying pan. The pieces cook more evenly. Enjoy!

from http://therecipeboxapp.com

Have a yummy day!

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Peaches With Mascarpone

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Turn ordinary canned peaches into an extraordinary dessert!

Peaches With Mascarpone

Servings: 4
Prep time: 0:10
Total time: 0:10
Categories: Dessert, Fruit
Source: JudeTheFoodie.com

Ingredients

• 15.5 oz Canned Peaches (sliced or halves)
• 8 oz Mascarpone
• 2 Tbsp D’Avolio Cranberry Pear White Balsamic Vinegar (or any other WHITE balsamic vinegar)
• 2 Tbsp D’Avolio Traditional 18 Year Balsamic Vinegar
• 4 Pinches Vanilla Bean Salt

Directions

Divide the peaches among 4 small bowls.

Mix mascarpone with white balsamic vinegar and divide among bowls.

Drizzle Traditional 18 Year balsamic vinegar onto each bowl and sprinkle a pinch of vanilla salt on each.

The peaches and mascarpone may be made up to 4 hours before serving. Remove from refrigerator before serving then drizzle vinegar and sprinkle pinch of salt.

from http://therecipeboxapp.com
Have a yummy day!

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Cranberry Compote

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20121003-213105.jpgMy Canadian friends and neighbors to the west and north are celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend. Blessings to you all!

Servings: 10

Prep time: 0:45
Total time: 0:45
Categories: Sauce & Salsa
Source: JudeTheFoodie.com

Ingredients

• 1 bag fresh Cranberries (rinsed, removing any damaged berries)

• 1 Cup Orange Juice

• 1 Navel Orange (Zest 1-2 tablespoons of peel; cut peel and outer membrane revealing orange pulp; with sharp knife, remove wedges between membrane)

• 1 Cup Yellow Raisins

• 1 Cup Granulated Sugar

Directions

In a heavy medium saucepan add all ingredients. Take the remaining orange membrane and squeeze it into pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and let simmer until thick, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, cool and refrigerate until serving.

from http://therecipeboxapp.com

20121003-213855.jpgHave a yummy holiday!

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“No Cook” Tomato and Basil Pasta Toss

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Bring me your battered, your broken, your bruised…tomatoes and I will show you how to have a star on your table!

This no-cook sauce will become a regular in your kitchen repertoire every summer and fall. As soon as the tomatoes ripen this sauce should always be on your counter. The leftovers make a great pizza!

Click here for the recipe. Below you can see a step by step way to turn “almost bad” tomatoes into a “so good” dinner.

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Core them and gently squeeze the tomatoes into a bowl.

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20120929-083448.jpgStrain the discarded tomato pieces into a large bowl.

20120929-084416.jpgChop tomatoes and add to bowl.

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Smash a few (2-3) garlic cloves to remove the skin. We are big fans of garlic so I smash a bunch (5-6).

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20120929-085035.jpgChop it but don’t concern yourself with even pieces…part of the beauty of this dish is the lack of perfection!

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20120929-085434.jpgChop some fresh basil leaves. I clipped some from my plants outside on my deck.

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20120929-085549.jpgStir in the garlic, basil and olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remember, you can always add but can never take away…use only a little at a time and taste as you go. Don’t worry if the garlic tastes a little sharp…it will meld with the other favors as it sits on your counter.

Please do not refrigerate this sauce…it completely changes the character. If you do not use it for a few days and must refrigerate, let it sit on the counter until it gets back to room temperature. Do this in the morning and let it sit all day stirring occasionally, gently mixing all the ingredients. If you are not home all day…no worries. It’s just fine on it’s own.
When it’s time for dinner, fill a large pot with water and cook the Penne according to package directions. Drain and add to a pasta bowl.

20120929-090239.jpgWith a ladle, gently press down on tomatoes and add 2-4 (depending on how juicy the tomatoes are) scoops to the macaroni.

20120929-090530.jpgAdd most of the cheese and toss gently.

20120929-090608.jpgAssemble into individual bowls, first a serving of Penne, a scoop or two of the tomatoes and a little more Fontinella cheese.

Have a yummy day!

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No Cook Tomato And Basil Sauce

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No Cook Tomato And Basil Sauce

Servings: 4
Prep time: 30 minutes
Total time: 8 hours or overnight
Categories: Pasta, Sauce & Salsa
Source: JudeTheFoodie.com

Ingredients

• 6 Ripe Tomatoes
• 3-4 Stems Basil (20-30 leaves)
• 4-6 Cloves Garlic
• ⅓ Cup Herb Infused EVOO
• Coarse Salt
• Fresh Cracked Pepper
•
• 1 Pound Penne
• 1 Wedge Fontinella Cheese (about 6-8 oz)

Directions

This is the perfect use of scratch and dent tomatoes at the market. I paid $2 for 8 tomatoes.

Core tomatoes and trim any bruises. In a bowl hold the tomato in hour hand with the cut side down. Gently squeeze seeds out and remove most with your hand. Do not worry about any seeds remaining. Once they are all seeded, chop them into ½ inch cubes. Put them in a medium bowl.

Remove the stems from basil and coarsely chop. Add to bowl. Skin, trim and chop fresh garlic. Garlic adds a sharpness to the sauce so adjust the amount according to taste. Add to bowl.

Add ⅓ cup herb infused extra virgin olive oil, crack pepper to taste and about 1 teaspoon coarse salt. Stir and cover with plastic wrap. DO NOT REFRIGERATE. Stir occasionally being sure to replace plastic wrap for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Grate Fontinella cheese. Set aside about a cup.

In large pot cook Penne pasta according to package directions. Drain well and put in large bowl.

With a ladle, press down gently on sauce and scoop 2-3 ladles full of liquid and add to pasta bowl. It is ok for a few chunks of tomato to get in, as well. Add cheese Stir gently.

To assemble: scoop pasta into individual bowls. Add a few spoons of tomatoes and some cheese.

Use any remaining sauce as a topping for a pizza.

Have a yummy day!

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from http://therecipeboxapp.com

Peaches With 18 Year Balsamic and Mascarpone

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20120916-143840.jpgI just couldn’t wait any longer to crack open my first pint of peaches I canned last week.

I treated myself to a simple dish of peaches, aged balsamic and a dollop of mascarpone.

I really love peaches…I think I’m going to have to can more to get me through the winter.

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She Was A Father Baker Baby 2/8/28 – 8/28/12

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20120830-075229.jpgHere is my mother-in-law at Fairfield Beach in May celebrating my son’s graduation from Fairfield University.

Mom wasn’t drinking out of red solo cup but she didn’t need that modern day symbol of celebration to grasp the enormity of this passage. Her life was one of hope and dedication.
She was one of the Father Baker Children.

20120830-080808.jpgHis road to Roman Catholic sainthood inspired her and gave her a source of pride at what many would consider unfortunate beginnings. Her own path to a loving family had twists and turns and when she finally was welcomed into the home of Frank, a landscape designer, and Theresa Carl she learned the value of hard work, faith and service.

She was a PTA mom, a railroad employee and the ultimate church lady. She loved her friends, her family and her church faith community. Anyone who knew her also knew about those she loved since she shared every tidbit of information she could glean from them. The downside of that is obvious but the upside is also good. If you needed to know the married name of the girl you shared a locker with in grammar school, Lorraine was the woman for you.

My mother-in-law was a woman of simple taste. If you fed her some meat and any form of potato she would dine in perfect happiness.

20120830-083643.jpgI remember one meal, years ago where I made rice as the starch. Everything was on the table and I was finally seated. We said grace and began to pass out the food and my mother-in-law was quiet, scanning the table like she was looking for Waldo. I asked if she was ok and she said yes but she was wondering where the potatoes were. I guess rice was not even a cheap substitute!

She made the most wonderful turkey stuffing with bread and a seasoning called Bell’s Seasoning.

20120830-092408.jpgIt is completely different from the Italian style stuffing my mother makes…and I love it.

Every picnic was not complete without her potato salad. Her recipe is so simple:

 

 

Gramma Rainbow’s Potato Salad

Servings: 8
Prep time: 1:00
Total time: 4:00
Categories: Salad, Vegetable
Source: JudeTheFoodie.com

Ingredients

• 4 Russet Potatoes
• 2 Stalks Celery, finely diced
• 1 Medium Onion, finely diced
• 1 Medium Green Bell Pepper, finely diced
•
• 8 Oz Mayo
• 8 Oz Sour Cream
•
• Salt, pepper

Directions

Scrub 4 russet potatoes (2 servings per potato) and boil in their skin until you can put a fork through (do not overlook). Cool. Remove skin and chop into 1 inch pieces.

In large bowl add potatoes, celery, onion and green pepper. Salt and pepper to taste Fold in equal parts of mayo and sour cream and coat evenly.

Chill for at least 3 hours or overnight. Stir gently before serving.

Made with The Recipe Box. http://www.therecipeboxapp.com/

Swiss steak with thick gravy, pork and sour kraut and potato salad were her signature dishes and I will miss them all.

Mostly, I will miss her. She was pretty amazing.

God rest Lorraine…2/8/28 – 8/28/12

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