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Simple and Delicious Artichokes

Simple and Delicious Artichokes
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This recipe is the essence of artichoke. These are wonderful warm or at room temperature.
Simple and Delicious Artichokes
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This recipe is the essence of artichoke. These are wonderful warm or at room temperature.
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Cut stems off artichokes even with the bottom. Slice 1/2 -3/4 inch off the top of the artichoke. Snip sharp ends off the leaves. Wash well and drain.
  2. Place the prepared artichokes top side down in a microwave safe shallow pan. Add enough water to come up about 1/2 inch on the artichokes.
  3. Squeeze the lemon half over the artichoke bottoms then place it in the center of the artichokes. Drizzle with the olive oil. Cover it all with plastic wrap
  4. Microwave on high for 15 minutes. Without removing the plastic, press on the bottom of the artichokes. They should yield easily to your touch. If they don't microwave another 3 - 5 minutes.
  5. Remove from microwave and carefully remove the plastic wrap. Allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Place upright in individual bowls. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
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Spinach and Artichoke Soup with Chicken Sausage

Spinach and Artichoke Soup with Chicken Sausage
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Servings
4
Servings
4
Spinach and Artichoke Soup with Chicken Sausage
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Servings
4
Servings
4
Ingredients
Stock Base
Soup
Servings:
Instructions
  1. For the Stock: Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and garlic and cook stirring frequently for 5 minutes or so. Add the stock to the pan and raise heat to high. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to simmer, Cover and cook 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Using an immersion blender puree until smooth. Add the Italian herb blend stir and set aside.
  2. While the stock cooks, prepare the soup ingredients. Heat the olive oil in a medium fry pan. add the chicken in a single layer and cook 2 minutes or until lightly browned on one side. Turn and brown other side. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
  3. Add the onions and red pepper to the drippings in the pan. Cook about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the garlic and spinach to the pan and cook another 3 minutes or so. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. To Broil the Artichoke Heats: Pre-heat broiler.Spray a rimmed baking sheet with the non-stick spray. Lay the artichoke hearts on the tray making sure they are not touching. Spray lightly with the cooking spray and sprinkle with the Italian herb blend. Broil for 5 minutes. Turn the artichokes spray the other side lightly and sprinkle with a little more herb blend and broil another 5 minutes. Remove from broiler and allow to cool. Slice in half length-wise. Set Aside.
  5. Once all of the ingredients are prepared, return the pan of stock to the heat. Bring stock back up to temperature and add the onion spinach mixture, the sausage, and the artichoke hearts. simmer everything for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
  6. Serve with shaved Parmesan or Romano cheese.
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Southwestern Quinoa Salad

Southwestern Quinoa Salad
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The nutrition of quinoa and the flavors of the southwest come together in a healthy and flavorful meatless main dish salad. It's also great as a side dish.
Servings
4
Servings
4
Southwestern Quinoa Salad
Print Recipe
The nutrition of quinoa and the flavors of the southwest come together in a healthy and flavorful meatless main dish salad. It's also great as a side dish.
Servings
4
Servings
4
Ingredients
Dressing
Servings:
Instructions
  1. To roast Poblanos: Place poblanos under the broiler for 10 minutes or so, turning as the skin blisters. It should be blistered on all sides. Remove the peppers to a shallow bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit for 5-8 minutes. At this point the skin should come off easily. Remove the stem and seeds and chop.
  2. Put the quinoa, bell peppers, poblano, onion, corn and black beans in a large mixing bowl. Toss to combine.
  3. Add the avocado and cilantro to the bowl and toss gently to combine.
  4. Pour the canola oil into a small fry pan. Add the garlic and the cumin seeds and heat over low heat until the garlic stats to sizzle. Remove from heat (do not let the garlic brown) and set aside to cool before adding to the dressing jar.
  5. Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid. Cover tightly and shake until ingredients emulsify.
  6. Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the bowl and toss gently to combine.
  7. Cover the salad and chill for several hours. Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. This serves 4 as a main dish and 6 or more as a side dish.
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Italian Quinoa Salad

Italian Quinoa Salad
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This protein rich, meatless salad can be a one dish meal for four or a side dish for 6.
Servings
4
Servings
4
Italian Quinoa Salad
Print Recipe
This protein rich, meatless salad can be a one dish meal for four or a side dish for 6.
Servings
4
Servings
4
Ingredients
Salad
Dressing
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Heat the 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium skillet. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add the Cubanelle and mushrooms. cook another 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  2. Put the cooked quinoa in a large mixing bowl. Add the roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and olives and toss to combine.
  3. Add the cooled onion mixture to the bowl and toss once again.
  4. In a small jar with a lid add all of the dressing ingredients (except salt and pepper). Close tightly and shake until the ingredients are emulsified.
  5. Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetables and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for several hours. Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
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Migliaccio di Polenta

file0002009660239When we think about Fat Tuesday, New Orleans’  Mardi Gras is the first event that comes to mind. The Big Easy seems to grab most of the attention, but many countries and cultures celebrate the last day before Lent and spend several days or even a week or two to get ready to tighten their belts for the forty days until Easter.

imagescarnevale okItaly is no exception. Carnevale is celebrated throughout Italy. It shares many of the same trappings as Mardi Gras, but as with many things Italian, with a little more elegance. The exquisite maschere  (masks) and fancy balls lend a more sophisticated air to the celebration. Carnevale is not just fancy clothes, it has its share of merrymaking and tomfoolery. In fact, the prevalent attitude, “A carnevale ogni sherzo vale” (anything goes at carnevale) is easily aligned with “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll) in New Orleans.

Food and eating is a large part of every celebration and there are certain foods that are traditionally served. These foods tend to be rich, hearty and meat laden, again to make going into the Lenten season of fasting and abstinence from meat less painful. This recipe from Naples is typical of Carnevale celebration food. It has a Fat and Sodium content that will likely require the next forty days for your system to recover. The ingredients are simple;

DIGITAL CAMERAPolenta, Salami, Italian Cheeses, and Lard.

Yes, lard. It is responsible for the almost creamy texture of this savory cake. I made a large round, thick cake, but baking it in a small sheet pan would allow cutting into bite-size squares that would be perfect for a Fat Tuesday Party. Just remember to adjust the baking time by a few minutes so it doesn’t dry out.

 

 

Migliaccio di Polenta
Print Recipe
Traditional food for Italian Carnevale. Super rich and tasty. Just the thing to have before the Lenten season.
Servings
12
Servings
12
Migliaccio di Polenta
Print Recipe
Traditional food for Italian Carnevale. Super rich and tasty. Just the thing to have before the Lenten season.
Servings
12
Servings
12
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Bring 6 cups of water up to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the lard. Stir until the lard melts.
  2. Add the polenta a little at a time, stirring constantly to keep the mixture smooth. Once all of the polenta has been added continue to cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture is very thick. remove from heat and allow to cool.
  3. Once the polenta is cool, add the salame and cheeses. Mix to incorporate all the ingredients. Use a very sturdy spoon or your hands.
  4. Spray or brush a 10 inch spring-form pan with olive oil. Pack the polenta mixture firmly into the pan.
  5. Melt butter in a small pan and add the bread crumbs. toss to moisten the crumbs. Lightly sprinkle over the cake.
  6. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. The cake should be lightly browned with slightly darker brown edges.
  7. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes or so. Remove the sides of the pan and place on a large platter.
  8. This can be served warm or at room temperature.
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