Author: binner216@comcast.net

Thoughts of Spring and Lemony Asparagus, Chicken, and Penne

The Midwest has seasons. Four very distinct ones to be exact. Here changes aren’t subtle, they are sudden and intense. Humidity shows up one day unannounced and it’s summer. The leaves change color seemingly overnight and it’s fall. The first frost comes out of nowhere and winter is upon us, Then one day you wake up to puddles where piles of snow used to be and it’s spring.

The Vernal Equinox is a few days away, but here, in my part of the Midwest, spring arrived last week. A week that started with down coats and scarves, ended with light sweaters. Early in the week outdoor activities involved scraping ice off windshields and brisk walks to get out of the cold. Was that Monday? By week’s end there were bicyclists peddling their spandex covered butts down the road. People were outside walking in shirtsleeves and enjoying it. Children were playing outside joyously unbundled. That’s how spring starts here and after a tough winter we all revel in it.

Everyday on the bus, I ride by fields of corn-stalk stubs that are hosting nothing but the bold Canada Geese and brave Mallards. These optimistic fowl nibble at the few corn kernels missed at harvest or bob in puddles of melted snow for some forgotten morsel. There are tastier things Spring has to offer with its own menu of foods. Eating fresh and local is now a fine art. While nothing is actually sprouting in our still slightly frozen Illinois ground, foods like strawberries, beans, and peas are being sourced closer to home. As the saying could go, it’s always spring somewhere. This is true of that iconic harbinger of spring, asparagus. DIGITAL CAMERADIGITAL CAMERAI must confess that I do eat it in the non-spring months, but it alwaysDIGITAL CAMERA begins to taste wonderful as the air starts to warm up. It is a delicious and nutritious vegetable that lends itself to so many preparations. I’ve extolled its virtues here many times. Sharing adventures in grilling, roasting, and even pickling. I usually allow this magnificent spear to stand alone as the perfect side dish to enhance a meal, but sometimes, especially when it comes from far away, it is the perfect addition to a main dish. That’s how Lemony Asparagus with Chicken and Penne came to be.

DIGITAL CAMERALemon is a wonderful flavoring agent. It adds zing, acid and a fresh DIGITAL CAMERAfruity taste of sunshine to everything it touches. I carried this flavor into several levels of this dish. it started with some chicken breast bits that I let chill out with some lemon pepper seasoning. This was the salt free variety so there was no danger of the chicken “cooking” before its time. A quick saute in a large fry pan and it was ready to go. It sat on the sidelines while the vegetables took over. A good amount of red onion and slightly more than a little garlic joined in. A touch of olive oil kept everything moving and when things got a little tight some chicken broth loosened it up. Finally it was time to add the asparagus and I added a lot of it. This dish is about spring after all.DIGITAL CAMERA

My pasta of choice was a whole grain penne and I used just over a cup of dry to serve two.DIGITAL CAMERAI wanted to continue on that lemony sunshine theme, so the sauce included the zest and juice of a whole lemon. The complimenting sauce flavor came from dry vermouth though chicken broth could also fill the bill.  A generous grinding of Italian Herb Seasoning (McCormick Grinder once again), some grape tomatoes, and kalamata olives rounded things out.DIGITAL CAMERA

When it was time to serve, I added a sprinkling of feta cheese. The result was a dish that felt like spring in the Mediterranean.  Lots of fresh vegetables, a little lean protein and some whole grains to tie it together made this a poster child for the diet that bears the name. Give this one a try while asparagus is having its heyday.DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Lemony Asparagus and Chicken with Penne
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Servings
2
Servings
2
Lemony Asparagus and Chicken with Penne
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Servings
2
Servings
2
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Toss the chicken with the lemon pepper seasoning. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken and cook for 4 minutes or so. The chicken should be light golden. Remove the chicken from the pan and reserve. Leave the drippings in the pan.
  3. Add the onions to the pan and saute for 3 minutes or until the onions begin to become translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so.
  4. While you prepare the vegetables, cook the pasta in boiling salted water for 2 minutes less than the package directs. Drain and set aside.
  5. Add the asparagus to the pan and cook for 3 - 4 minutes. Toss frequently to insure even cooking. Add a little chicken broth if things seem dry.
  6. Add the vermouth (or broth) and the juice of the lemon to the pan. Lower the heat slightly and allow to cook for 3 minutes or so.
  7. Add the Italian seasoning and the lemon zest, stirring to combine. Return the chicken to the pan. Toss to mix evenly.
  8. Add the olives, tomatoes, and pasta to the pan and continue to cook 3 minutes or so until everything is heated through. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Spoon the mixture into a serving bowl and sprinkle with the feta cheese and serve.
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The weather is back in the 40’s this week. Nights are cool and mornings are chilly but, I believe we’ve made the leap and spring is not just around the corner but right next door.

 

 

Frittata For Two and Other Thoughts

This is a story about making a frittata for dinner, but there’s more to it than that. Let me start by saying we have been feeling a little under the weather. Call it a cold…call it the flu…whatever, we have been struggling to stay upright for several days. I wanted to fix something for dinner, but I wanted it to be light and easy. Eggs are always a good choice when it comes to filling that particular bill, and a frittata is a simple way to prepare them. It also is a good way to clean out the refrigerator.

Frittata starts on the stove and is finished in the oven. This requires an oven proof cooking DIGITAL CAMERAvessel. Enter the cast iron skillet. I discovered my mother’s old skillet when we moved and it was the perfect size for a two person frittata. There was just one problem. My mother was a dish washing fanatic and the skillet was no exception to that rule. While it had seen its fair share of eggs, it had also seen a lot of dish soap. I gave it a quick seasoning in the oven that helped the sticking factor a bit. It is getting a formal seasoning as I write this and it should be ready for its next close-up soon; that is to say, now.DIGITAL CAMERA

I decided to go for an Italian flavor profile with a nod to healthy choices. The key ingredients would be chicken sausage and baby spinach. Things couldn’t be Italian without  a fair amount of onion and garlic.DIGITAL CAMERAI’m a big fan of the Chicken Sausage that Meijer sells. They have several varieties. The Garlic and Asiago is my favorite, but they have a spinach and mozzarella as well as a chipotle pepper version. They are lower in fat but big on flavor. They are also pre-cooked so prep time shrinks while the sausage doesn’t.

I added a roasted red pepper for a little color. A week or so ago I scored a huge bag of red bell peppers for 99 cents. I sliced and froze some and roasted a few more. I created little roasted pepper packets each holding a whole roasted pepper (peeled, skinned and quartered, of course).DIGITAL CAMERA It was just the amount I needed for color and flavor in my frittata. So, I chopped everything and threw the skillet on the stove with a good dose of olive oil.DIGITAL CAMERAI started with the onion since it needs a little more love.DIGITAL CAMERAThen I added the sausage, garlic, roasted pepper, and eventually, the spinach. Since a little olive oil is a good thing, I opted to add a bit of chicken broth to keep things moving and the fat content in check.DIGITAL CAMERAWhile all this deliciousness was going on, I cracked some eggs and beat them with some low-fat half & half and a shredded Italian cheese blend.DIGITAL CAMERAWhen the time was right I added the eggs to the pan and began the shimmy shake and lift process that is the basis for any omelet, Italian or not.DIGITAL CAMERAOnce everything was beginning to set up, I topped it with a bit more of the cheese blend along with some sliced tomatoes.DIGITAL CAMERAIt spent some time in the oven and a brief interlude under the broiler. The result was golden goodness that received a sprinkle of fresh basil before coming to the table.DIGITAL CAMERAI served it with some toasted  Rosemary Soda Bread that I made earlier in the week. A quick drizzle of olive oil and it was ready to eat.DIGITAL CAMERA

I chose a Barbera wine from Cooper’s Hawk that complimented the dinner beautifully. It had just the right body and flavor to bring out the best in the food.DIGITAL CAMERA

So here’s how Mama D does Frittata. It more or less follows the traditional process. I opted to let it bake in the oven before turning on the broiler. You know the drill by now…use this as a starting point and make it your own with the ingredients you love.

Frittata with Spinach and Chicken Sausage
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Servings
2
Servings
2
Frittata with Spinach and Chicken Sausage
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Servings
2
Servings
2
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat the olive oil in a small oven proof skillet. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally 5 minutes or until the onion begins to soften.
  2. Slice the sausage links in half lengthwise then slice into thin half moons. Add these to the onions in the pan and cook for another minute or two.
  3. Add the garlic and roasted red peppers and cook for several minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.
  4. If things seem dry, add the chicken broth and toss to coat. You could add a little more olive oil instead of the broth if you like.
  5. Add the chopped spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted.
  6. While the vegetables cook, crack the eggs into a bowl. Beat well. Add the milk and beat to combine. Add half of the cheese and stir to blend.
  7. Pour the egg mixture into the pan and reduce the heat to medium low. Give it a good shake to begin the setting and minimize the sticking.
  8. Continue to cook the eggs gently lifting and shaking to maintain even cooking.
  9. When the eggs are almost set, sprinkle a little of the remaining cheese on the top. Cover the top with the sliced tomatoes and the rest of the cheese.
  10. Place in oven and bake for 10 minutes or so. Turn on the broiler and cook for another 2 minutes until the cheese is lightly browned. Remove the pan from the oven and let it to rest for 5 minutes.
  11. Sprinkle with the basil and drizzle with a little olive oil. Divide between two plates and serve.
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The frittata was wonderful, the bread and wine were a perfect compliment and we really did feel much better after we ate. Healing is another wonderful result of cooking with love.

Thoughts of Spring and Roasted Shrimp with Cannellini Beans

It’s that time of the year. The time of year when thoughts turn to seafood for dinner. For some it is religious or cultural. For others it may be a way to bring warmer weather to mind. For many of us it is a quick and healthy dinner that feels like dining out. Whatever the reason, seafood is a great dinner alternative and here’s Mama D’s latest seafood adventure.

Hands down, my favorite seafood is shrimp. They come in at a relatively reasonable price which is always a plus for me. They cook quickly which means dinner can be ready in less time. They are versatile and can adapt to many cuisines. They are delightfully sweet and just the right amount of bland so that they take well to whatever you choose to dress them with.DIGITAL CAMERA

Where I live, we are landlocked and fresh shrimp are usually an unattainable luxury. Fortunately, there are many varieties of frozen shrimp available and some of them are quite good. It is a little “you get what you pay for” and a lot ” buy the ones that taste best to you.” I found the ones that I like best at Aldi. They are Jumbo E-Z Peel and come in a 12 ounce bag. Once they thaw and you peel and devein them you wind up with about 9 ounces of delicious shrimp which in Mama D’s book feeds two people very nicely.DIGITAL CAMERAMy current favorite way to prepare shrimp is to marinate them in olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic and pepper flakes.DIGITAL CAMERA In recent adventures I have taken these marvelously marinated morsels to the grill. DIGITAL CAMERAI skewered and broiled them for Christmas Eve dinner too, but my current favorite way to cook them is to roast them in the oven. This is quick and easy and with a foil lined baking sheet easy to clean up.DIGITAL CAMERARoasting the shrimp only takes about four minutes. The result is perfectly tender and subtly pink bites of heaven.DIGITAL CAMERA

The inspiration for this dish came from a recipe in Cooking Light Magazine. I took their recipe for Roasted Shrimp and White Beans and ran with it. It started and ended much like the recipe, but I took some liberties, well a lot of liberties, in the middle. I used cannellini beans and red onion  just like the recipe.DIGITAL CAMERA I added some garlic, well a lot of garlic, and a few red pepper flakes.This mirrored the marinade ingredients. I added some dry vermouth and sliced Kalamata olives. My herb of choice was basil and I used the juice and zest of  a whole lemon for extra zing. I garnished with crumbled feta cheese much as the original recipe called for.

This resulted in a side that was the ideal compliment to the shrimp. It was a plate of love with the kiss of the Mediterranean.DIGITAL CAMERAFeel free to adapt this to your own taste. Other herbs like mint or parsley would be great. Adjust the amount of lemon to match the amount of pucker you like. Go ahead and use more pepper flakes or leave them out. I’d really like you to make this your own.

Roasted Shrimp with Cannellini Beans Olives and Feta
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Servings
2
Servings
2
Roasted Shrimp with Cannellini Beans Olives and Feta
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Servings
2
Servings
2
Ingredients
Shrimp and Marinade
Beans
Servings:
Instructions
Shrimp
  1. Place the shrimp that have been well dried in a container with a lid.
  2. Combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Pour the marinade over the shrimp and stir to coat the shrimp evenly with the marinade. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes and as long as 4 hours.
  3. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray the foil generously with olive oil cooking spray. Place the shrimp on the sheet in a single layer making sure that they do not touch.
  4. Bake for 4 minutes. Shrimp should be translucent and pink. Remove from oven and keep warm.
Beans
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large fry pan. Add the red onion and cook 5 minutes until the onion has softened. Add the garlic and pepper flakes and cook another minute.
  2. Add the beans to the pan. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes. Add the vermouth and cook for another minute.
  3. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and Kalamata olives. Cook another minute or two. Add the basil and toss to combine.
  4. Divide the bean mixture between two plates. Divide the shrimp between the two plates.
  5. Top each serving of the beans with half of the feta cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired and serve.
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All this needs is a salad, and perhaps some crusty bread. Never fear if you don’t have either, it’s wonderful on its own.

If shrimp are on the menu, can Spring be far behind? I hope so… Love, Mama D

Mama D’s New Toy and Zucchini Pasta

When is zucchini not zucchini?Zucchini1

I don’t know, when is zucchini not zucchini?…. Why when it is turned into pasta.

ZucchiniNoodles2Vegetable pasta has become all the rage. It answers a need on many levels. Looking for gluten-free pasta that doesn’t stick to the roof of your mouth? Veggie pasta. Watching your carbs vegetti3especially those “evil” ones found in real pasta? Yup, veggie pasta fills the bill again. Want to do something different with vegetables? You guessed it, veggie pasta. Looking for a new kitchen toy? One that can help you create this new culinary sensation? There’s a tool for that. The Veggetti. Actually there are several tools that can create this new darling of the food world. There are “spiralizers” that can turn virtually anything into pasta simply by impaling your food of choice on the machine and turning the crank.They range in price from $20.00 to upwards of $50.00. The Veggetti comes in at $15.00 ( but I got mine for $10 at Ross). That is quite a price difference. To be honest, there are some foods that this little gem has a hard time with. My first attempt at sweet potato pasta was less than successful, but as I continue to play with it, I’m learning that size and shape do matter. Still for the price and the size (which actually fits in a drawer since shelf space in my kitchen is at a premium), it’s darned brilliant.DIGITAL CAMERA

DIGITAL CAMERAI decided to put it to use in recreating a pasta dish that is near and dear to my heart. Linguine with Salami and Zucchini. Laden with cream and salami along with a generous amount of pasta, it is a tight fit (think skinny jeans) for my healthier cooking style. While I didn’t give up everything; there’s still some salami, a little pasta and I just had to include some cream, it is a lighter version of the dish.DIGITAL CAMERA

Two good size zucchini yielded a generous 4 cups of pasta. I added about 3 ounces each of pasta and salami. I used a mixture of heavy cream and fat-free half & half. There was plenty of garlic and a bit of olive oil. This recipe feeds two or three quite nicely.DIGITAL CAMERAThe salami, zucchini and garlic sizzled together in a large fry pan that was lightly coated with olive oil.DIGITAL CAMERAThe pasta was cooked just shy of al dente.

DIGITAL CAMERAThe cream/half & half mixture was added along with the pasta.

DIGITAL CAMERAEverything bubbled together for a few minutes until it was perfect. A generous dose of fresh ground pepper and a hint of grated Parmesan and it was ready to eat.DIGITAL CAMERA

Zucchini Pasta with Salami and Pasta
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Servings
3
Servings
3
Zucchini Pasta with Salami and Pasta
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Servings
3
Servings
3
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until just a minute shy of al dente. Drain and set aside. While the pasta is cooking prepare the other ingredients.
  2. Using a Veggetti or spiralizer, turn the zucchini into thin ribbons.
  3. Stack the salami slices and cut into very thin strips.
  4. Heat a large fry pan. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Combine the zucchini, salami and garlic in the pan and cook stirring occasionally 5 - 7 minutes. The zucchini should be tender, the salami should be a little frizzled, and the garlic should smell wonderful.
  5. Add the cream and half & half to the pan and continue to cook another 5 minutes or so. The sauce should thicken slightly.
  6. Add the cooked pasta and cook until the pasta is heated through and the mixture is bubbly and fragrant.
  7. Add the freshly ground pepper to taste and spoon into individual pasta bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired, and serve.
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I’m sure I’ll be creating more “pastas” with my Veggetti. The lighter dishes that result are fun to make and eat. They are also healthier and definitely not light on the love.

 

Reflections on My Trip Around the Sun and Some Recipe Links

Years ago, when I was a Montessori teacher, we celebrated each child’s birthday with a symbolic trip around the sun, making one circle around a candle for each year of the child’s age. They were preschoolers so it only took a few minutes to complete every trip they’d made so far. There were a handful of accomplishments for each year; learning to walk, starting school, you get the picture.

Ceremonies aside, every year we each complete a trip around the sun. It begins and ends on our birthday. Everything we experienced in those 365(or so) days makes up what we have to celebrate. As I’ve done every year, I’m taking time to look back and reflect on how my most recent trip was. I must say that this year was really something. It was filled with more change 026and discovery than any of my other trips. That says a lot since I’ve had far more trips around the sun than I care to remember.

A new job, a newly retired husband, a new home, and a new grandson were the big stories last year. It was a year that saw me taking charge of my health and thus embracing healthier cooking adventures. I’ve included some of my favorite adventures here. Click on the red links to visit/ re-visit them.

A fabulous trip to the Bay Area resulted in some great pictures and a wonderful grilled vegetable adventure.San Francisco 2014 140

My search for healthier burger alternatives led me to experiment with turkey and beans. I loved the Black Bean Burger that was a delicious and nutritious result.DIGITAL CAMERASoups featured prominently this year. From decadent and rich to light and healthy they ran the gambit. I think my favorite was the Gazpacho. It was fresh and crunchy and tasted like summer in a glass.DIGITAL CAMERAGrilling has always been one of my favorite ways to cook. I shared lots of recipes that were partly or totally created on the grill. One of the best combined grilled chicken and asparagus with pasta. Don’t wait until summer to try Farfalle with Grilled Chicken and AsparagusDIGITAL CAMERAThere have been many Meatless Monday recipes some designated as such, some not. A new favorite that was a take off on an old camping dish was Vegetable Hash with Toads in the Hole. I love the fact that the choice of vegetables can be tailored to what is the freshest of the fresh.DIGITAL CAMERAThere were lots of other favorites that I enjoyed re-visiting myself. If you haven’t been there, check out the recipe page. It’s as easy as clicking on RECIPE at the top left of the Home Page.

I’m ready for my next trip around the sun. I learned from the last one that no matter what you encounter as my mother always said, “Everything happens for the best.” I believe that the best is yet to come.