There is a lot to love about Friday. After a busy week, Friday evenings bring the feeling of anticipation of what a great weekend may reserve. Fridays are perfect for unwinding and sharing good moments with friends. Naturally, every celebration is better when complemented with good food.
Several finger foods are quick to prepare and they are full of flavor too. The “Prosciutto and Mozzarella Bites” recipe is one of them. It combines some of my favorite ingredients: prosciutto, herbs, cheese and olive oil.
Prosciutto means “ham” in Italian and here it is commonly associated with a type of dry-cured ham from central and northern Italy. It seems that the Italians have been making this fantastic ham since 100 B.C. and it is traditionally paired with melon or figs. In my opinion prosciutto is a great on appetizers and pasta.
Here is an easy and fast recipe that you may enjoy:
Prosciutto and Mozzarella Bites
Ingredients:
4oz of sliced prosciutto
6oz of mozzarella cheese
½ tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon of fresh oregano, chopped
½ tablespoon of fresh marjoram, chopped (optional)
Cut the prosciutto in half lengthwise. Cut each half into 3 equal pieces. Reserve.
Cut mozzarella cheese into 1 inch cubes. Wrap each mozzarella cube with a strip of prosciuto and secure with a toothpick.
Transfer prepared mozzarella cubes to a serving dish. Drizzle olive oil over them. Top with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
I use my grill as often as I can and when I need to cook delicate foods, I use a grill basket. It’s a great outdoor cooking tool that keeps your food from getting dry or overcooked quickly. I use grilling baskets to prepare delicious fish, chicken, seafood and vegetables with very little effort.
A non-stick grilling basket can be very useful also when preparing flavorsome homemade sausages – free of preservatives, colorants, artificial flavors, etc. These little “guys” are perfect on hot summer nights, picnics or barbeque parties.
Caribbean Mini Sausage
Ingredients:
1 lb of ground beef
6oz of ground pork
1 teaspoon of Caribbean seasoning
½ teaspoon of cumin
½ cup of fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
½ cup of red onion, coarsely chopped
3 to 4 cloves of garlic, crushed
½ tablespoon of olive oil
1/8 cup of fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Place all the ingredients in a food processor bowl. Pulse for 20 seconds and scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pulse for 30 seconds or until fully mixed. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
Roll the meat mixture into 2 inches long sausages. Set aside.
Grease a grill basket with vegetable oil. Transfer sausages into the basket and grill over low heat for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Turn sausages only once during cooking. Work in batches, if necessary.
Serve immediately with lemon or lime wedges. It pairs very well with summer salads!
Spring is here and it calls for fresh flavors! I have a salad recipe that is easy to prepare and it is flavorsome. It pairs well with grilled and roasted meats.
Hearts of Palm & Artichoke Salad:
Ingredients:
1 can (14oz) of artichoke hearts, quartered
1 can (14oz) of hearts of palm
½ cup of fresh parsley, finely chopped
½ teaspoon of paprika
½ tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
1 ¼ tablespoons of olive oil
½ tablespoon of lemon juice
1 dried bay leave
2 stalks of fresh marjoram, finely chopped (optional)
½ cup of mixed olives, chopped or sliced
3 peperoncini peppers, thin sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Drain all the water from the artichoke and the hearts of palm. Slice the hearts of palm into ½ inch slices.
In a bowl, mix all the ingredients, with the exception of the bay leave. Toss carefully. Add bay leave and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Remove and discard bay leave before serving.
Note: You can substitute the fresh marjoram for 1/8 teaspoon of ground marjoram.
Many countries have their own version of this popular dish because it is delicious! Thus it is convenient use a store-bought package of Macaroni & Cheese when you are in a hurry, to prepare your own grown-up version of this classic pasta is simple and quick too.
You can use whole wheat pasta to make this dish healthier and richer in fiber. Plus, you will be able to control the amount of sodium added and there will be no artificial flavors or artificial colors.
This flavorsome dish is a great choice for family dinners or dinner parties.
Whole Wheat & Cheese Pasta
Ingredients:
14oz of whole wheat penne, uncooked
4 cups of warm milk
½ cup of whole wheat flour
1 stick of butter
1 cup of Fontina cheese, diced or grated
½ cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup of Parmesan cheese, shredded
¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
½ cup of bread crumbs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 400F.
Lightly grease a casserole dish with cooking oil. Set aside.
In a large pot, bring to a boil enough water to cook the pasta. Add the pasta and add salt. Drain the penne when is partially cooked and the inside is still hard. You will finish cooking the pasta in the oven.
Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the flour and stir constantly until smooth and the color turns light brown (about 2 to 4 minutes). Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly. It is better to add ½ cup at the time to avoid lumps.
Whisk constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season it with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Add the Fontina and the mozzarella. Stir until cheese is fully melted. Stir in 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese. Check the seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if necessary.
Transfer penne to prepared casserole dish. Pour in sauce and gently toss to combine.
In a small bowl, mix remaining Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Toss to combine. Pour over pasta with cheese sauce. Bake until bubbly and the top is golden brown – about 20 to 25 minutes.
Note: You can add chicken (grilled or roasted) or shrimp (steamed, broiled or grilled) to the pasta before baking it.
Today I have another dessert recipe inspired by the traditional flambé bananas. It’s a comforting dessert that takes me back to the tropics and memorable meals with old friends. I am not confident I can put food on fire without burning down the kitchen, so I created an easy recipe that is not flambéed.
Tropical Bananas:
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons of sugar
6 ripe bananas, peeled
2/3 cup of fresh orange juice
¼ cup of Alize liqueur (passion fruit w/ cognac blend)
1 tablespoon of orange liqueur
2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice
¼ cup of tropical blend juice, no sugar added
Vanilla ice-cream, for serving
Melt sugar in a large skillet until it’s completely liquid. Add orange juice, lime juice and the liqueur. Simmer the mixture for 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the bananas without cutting them. Work in batches if necessary. Cook the bananas for 3 to 5 minutes on each side.
Transfer each banana to individual serving plates. Top bananas with fruit syrup and serve it with ice cream.
Enjoy it!
Today salt is widely available and generally cheap. But salt is much more than a seasoning. Its ability to preserve food has a profound impact on human civilization. It allowed people to preserve and season food for long period of times. Therefore, it became a highly valued trade item. The earliest evidence we have for people producing salt comes from China, where people seem to have been harvesting salt from a salt lake, probably around 6000 BC.
Salt’s economic and military value had resulted in trading partnerships and even wars. Today’s high supply of salt eliminates the risk of generating armed combats but it will always be extremely valuable. Salt is essential to any animal life. It regulates the water content of the body and avoids dehydration.
The proper consumption of salt is beneficial to our immune and digestive systems. It can also prevent muscle cramps and increases resistance against infections and bacterial diseases. Plus, it helps maintain the electrolytes in the body which are essential for certain brain cell functions.
On the other hand, the excessive consumption of salt can lead to heart problems and high blood pressure. Several studies show that most Americans consume more salt than it is needed. If you are interested in diet moderate in salt, increase your intake of fruits and vegetables that are low in sodium. Try to reduce the amount of salt used to season food and increase the use of herbs and spices to add flavor to your meals. Read food labels to identify foods lower in sodium or salt and make informed decisions. Several processed foods, like frozen dinners, are high in sodium or salt.
Today I wanted to prepare something sweet for my family that I wouldn’t make me feel guilty about it. I didn’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen either. I came up with a recipe turned out really great. It’s perfect with vanilla ice cream! On top of that, it is healthier than a traditional pie crust. I used whole wheat and all purpose flour for this recipe but I am confident it will be delicious with only whole wheat flour, if you prefer.
Berries Oats Bar
Ingredients:
1 cup of flour, plus 2 tablespoons
1 ½ cups of brown sugar
2 ½ cups of quick oats
1 teaspoon of canola oil
½ cup of butter at room temperature
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 cups of orange juice
1 teaspoon of orange zest
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
22oz of fresh berries (black berries, raspberries, blue berries)
Preheat the oven to 375F. Grease a 8 inch square baking pan with cooking oil. Set aside.
Place 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of brown sugar, quick oats, orange zest, oil and vanilla extract in a food processor bowl. Pulse for about 20 seconds or until combined. Add butter and orange juice. Pulse for another 20 to 30 seconds or until fully combined. Remove and reserve 1 ½ cup of the crumb mixture.
In a clean bowl, combine the berries, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of flour and ½ cup of brown sugar. Toss gently with a spatula just until combined.
Spread the crumb mixture evenly on the bottom of prepared baking pan then add berries mixture. Top it with reserved crumb mixture.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool for about hours. Storage in the fridge in an air tight container.
There is a great deal of debate about who invented pasta. Many cultures have at a certain point created some sort of noodle-like food. Some historians believe that the pasta, in the form of rice noodles, was originated in ancient China as early as 1700 B.C. However, many Italians believe this delicious food was invented in ancient Rome around 400 B.C. when they began to make a lasagna-type noodle called “lagane” (a type of lasagna). However, the Romans baked their noodles in an oven, so boiled pasta had yet to be born in Italy. There are experts who believe that the first boiled noodles were prepared in Jerusalem during the 5th century A.C.
Obliviously, there is a lot of polemic regarding the origin of pasta and even its history. Although we don’t know who should be credited for this incredible culinary invention, I know that pasta is mouth-watering, versatile and easy to make. I grew up in São Paulo, Brazil, a city with very strong Italian roots, where exquisite pasta can be found anywhere. I have learned to appreciate pasta from a very early age and I am always excited to try a new pasta dish. Recently, I made a fettucine with anchovy that became one of my new favorite dishes.
Fettucini with Anchovy, Olives & Capers
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons of olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
3oz of canned anchovy filets
1 cup of olives, pitted and sliced or halved
1 tablespoon of capers, rinsed
10oz of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon of fresh oregano, chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh basil, chopped (optional)
10oz of dried fettuccini
2/3 cup of parmesan cheese, grated
Cook pasta according to packaging directions. Drain it and reserve 1 ½ cups of pasta water. Drizzle 1 ½ tablespoon of the olive oil over fettuccini.
Heat remaining olive oil in a large sauce pan. Add garlic and sauté over low heat for about 2 minutes. Add the anchovy and mash them to a pulp with a fork. Stir in olives, tomatoes and capers. Add 1 cup pf pasta water and simmer for 7 to 10 minutes.
Stir in basil and oregano. Add pasta and toss gently. Add remaining pasta water, if desired. Transfer to serving dish and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
This classic Easter appetizer seems to have originated in Ancient Rome and they are still widely popular across Europe and the United States. In Germany they are usually filled with caviar. There are many different recipes for deviled eggs and I would like to share mine with you today.
Ingredients:
12 eggs
1/8 cup of roasted bell pepper, drained and finely chopped (optional)
5 tablespoons of mayonnaise
2oz of tiny shrimp, drained
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 ¼ teaspoon of Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste
In a sauce pan, boil eggs until fully cooked. You may place them pointed end down, to ensure yolks will be centered.
Drain eggs, rinse under cold water and peel them. Cut each in half, lengthwise. Transfer yolks to a medium bowl and add mustard, onion powder, mayonnaise, paprika and bell pepper. Mash ingredients together and then mix until fully combined. Try seasoning and add salt and pepper, if necessary. You may not need to add salt to the mixture, since the Dijon mustard is already salted.
Spoon mixture into a pastry bag with a fluted tip. Pipe yolk mixture into cavity of each egg white. Garnish with tiny shrimp.
To make your life easier, use frozen tart shells and a vanilla pudding mix. I have a recipe for a tasty homemade vanilla pudding, in case you have the extra time to make your own. This summery dessert is always a big hit among kids and adults. It can be served on garden parties, cookouts, brunches and dinner parties.
Ingredients:
16 frozen tart shells, thawed and baked
3 cups vanilla pudding
3 cups assorted seasonal fruit
1 ½ cups strawberry or raspberry gelatin, cooled and slightly thickened but not set
Whipped cream (optional)
Mint leaves for decoration (optional)
Slice or halve large strawberries, if you are using any. If you are going to add fruits like peach or plums, cut them into thin wedges after they are pitted. You can use thin and small slices of avocado as well.
If you are using a mix to make your vanilla pudding, prepare it according to packaging instructions. Please click here to see my vanilla pudding homemade recipe.
Fill ½ of pastry shells with vanilla pudding. Gently arrange fruit on top. Pour a thin layer of gelatin over the fruit. Chill 6 hours or overnight. Top with whipped cream, if desired, before serving.
This easy recipe can be used on many different desserts like fruit tarts and various pies. If you have the time, it is healthier to make your own vanilla pudding than using a mix.
Ingredients:
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
In a small saucepan, combine the milk, cream, sugar, cornstarch, and salt and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking constantly, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture starts to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until pale and frothy, about 3 minutes. Slowly add about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture, whisking to combine. Add the egg mixture to the hot milk mixture and return to the heat. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, for 1 minute. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly with a heavy wooden spoon, and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.
Transfer to a clean container and press plastic wrap against the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled, 4 hours or overnight, before serving.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of olive oil
½ cup of red onion, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
¼ cup of fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon of paprika
3 large eggs
Ground cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
1 lb of breakfast sausage, thawed
2 sheets of puff pastry, thawed
Preheat oven to 400F. If necessary, remove sausage meat from case.
In a sauté pan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic for about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix thoroughly sausage, lemon juice, onion mixture, parsley, paprika, cayenne pepper and 2 eggs. Set aside.
Unfold pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and gently roll out dough to make a 22” x 10” rectangle. Cut each rectangle in half. Cut again each strip in half (lengthwise) to make four 5 ½” x 10” strips. Beat remaining egg and set aside.
Place ¼ of sausage mixture on the center of each pastry strip. Brush the edges with beaten egg. Fold pastry over filling and press down to seal. Repeat the same steps with remaining pastry strips.
Place filled pastry strips on a baking sheet and bake for 18 to 20 minutes – or until golden. Cool slightly and cut into 1 ½ inches slices.
Another tasty and traditional Easter side dish is Roasted Asparagus. It is quick and easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy!
Ingredients:
• 1 pound of asparagus, trimmed
• 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Trim the woody ends from the asparagus. Spread the spears in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Toss gently. Roast until the asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes.
Note: You can turn this side dish into an appetizer by wrapping each asparagus with ½ slice of prosciutto ham (cut lengthwise). Make sure the asparagus is completely cooled before you wrap them with prosciutto. Serve at room temperature.
Glazed carrots are easy to make and they pair very well with different types of pork roast, glazed ham and roast beef. This simple and elegant side dish can be great addition to your dinner party.
Ingredients:
• 2 pounds of carrots, peeled
• 1 ½ tablespoon of unsalted butter, melted
• 2 ½ tablespoons of brown sugar
• Dash of nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon of paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper
• Salt, to taste
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 4 ½ tablespoon of water or chicken stock
• 2 tablespoon of parsley, chopped
Combine carrots, 2 ½ tablespoons of chicken stock, butter, brown sugar, nutmeg, salt and cayenne pepper in a slow cooker. Cover and cook for 4 to 6 hours on low –or until carrots are almost done.
Meanwhile, combine cornstarch and remaining chicken stock in a small bowl. Whisk vigorously until smooth. Pour cornstarch mixture over carrots. Set slow cooker to high and cook for another 30 minutes – or until carrots are glazed. Transfer to serving dish, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
You can prepare a delicious and juicy Glazed Ham with very little effort when you let a slow cooker do all the work for you.
Ingredients:
1 (8 pound) smoked ham, bone-in, skin on
1 cup of light brown sugar, packed
1 cup apple juice
1 teaspoon honey
½ cup hot mango chutney
Dash of ground hot chili pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Place the ham in the crock pot, and pour the apple juice over it. In a medium bowl, mix honey, chutney, chili pepper, salt and pepper until combined. Spread prepared mixture over ham.
Cover and cook the ham over low for 6 to 8 hours. Serve it hot or at room temperature.
Rachel McGuire is the lucky winner of the "Super Sized Giveaway"! Congratulations Rachel! I hope you will enjoy your honey jar, vegetable slicer and cake mix cookbook.
A flavorful and creamy side dish filled with flavor that was originally created to please the French royal family.
Ingredients:
2 lb of gold potatoes
1 cup of heavy cream
1 cup of milk
1 garlic clove, minced
4 tablespoons of butter
1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated
1 pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat the oven to 350F.
Peel and slice potatoes using a food processor. Set aside.
Meanwhile, place butter, milk and cream in a large sauce pan and bring to a boil. Add garlic, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Carefully add sliced potatoes and let simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
Grease a large casserole dish with cooking oil spray. Transfer potatoes with the sauce to prepared dish. Top it with Parmesan cheese.
Bake it uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes and a golden crust has formed. Serve it hot.
This dish has delicious flavors that will please the entire family and it will fill your kitchen with the appetizing aromas of Spring.
Ingredients:
1 3lb whole chicken
4 cloves of garlic
2 cups of beer
1 cup of chicken stock
3 thin lemon slices
6 springs of fresh thyme
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 dried bay leave
Salt and pepper, to taste
In a large bowl, place the chicken, garlic, beer, chicken stock, thyme and bay leave. Refrigerate overnight.
Heat the oven to 350F. Meanwhile, mince 2 or 3 of the garlic cloves. Remove thyme leaves from the stems. Gently ease the skin of the chicken away from the breasts. Place minced garlic and thyme leaves between the meat and the skin.
Transfer chicken to roasting pan and stuff the cavity with remaining garlic, bay leave and lemon slices. Season it with salt and lemon. Drizzle olive oil on top of the chicken. Pour marinate into roasting pan. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until juices run clear.
Pour baking juice on top of the chicken before serving. Serve it hot.
Serves 2 to 3 people.
Enjoy it with your favorite white wine.
Note: If you are baking a larger chicken, adjust the cooking time according to the weight: 20 minutes per pound, plus an extra 20 minutes. You may add another 2 cloves of garlic if your chicken is 5lb or heavier.
Homemade salad dressings are healthy, easy to make and they are filled with rich flavors. This Dijon mustard dressing will certainly add a sophisticated flavor to your salad.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
2/3 cup of olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
½ tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon of lemon zest (optional)
1 tablespoon of fresh parsley
3oz of fresh chives, thin sliced (optional)
Ground pepper, to taste
Place all the ingredients, except chives, in the bowl of a food processor and pulse for 20 to 30 seconds. Add chives and mix well. Put it in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours for flavor infusion.
Serve it with Spring Mix salad. You can add baby spinach, if desired.
Combine cake mix, 1 egg and oil in a large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup of cake mixture for topping. Press remaining mixture into an ungreased 13x9 inch pan.
Bake it at 350F for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.
Meanwhile, beat cream cheese at medium speed until creamy. Add sugar, 1 egg and lemon juice beating just until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture over baked crust. Sprinkle with reserved with reserved cake mixture. Bake it at 350F fro 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool slightly, cover and chill overnight. Cut into bars.
This recipe is a part of the Cake Mix Miracle recipe book, a courtesy of Viviane Arnold.
Usually terrine dishes are associated with patéand forcemeat but it can also refer to various appetizers, entrees, salads, and desserts.
Terrine refers to the baking dish originally used to prepare the food (an earthenware cooking dish). The word terrine comes from "terre" that means “earth” in French.
In my opinion, terrines are simple, versatile and elegant. You can pull it off an easy dessert that can be served on any occasion. Today I would like to share with you my Mocha Chocolate Terrine that is a great finish to your Easter Dinner.
Mocha Chocolate Terrine
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups of heavy cream
6oz of semi sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of powder sugar
1/3 cup of Amaretto or coffee liqueur
1/3 cup of fresh espresso coffee
24 lady finger cookies
Line a 1lb loaf pan with plastic wrap. Set aside.
Place chocolate in a double-boiler and melt it over low heat. Remove from heat.
In a medium bowl, combine liqueur and 1 tablespoon of espresso. Set aside.
Beat heavy cream with the powder sugar until it forms soft picks. Transfer half of the cream to a clean bowl and mix it with remaining coffee. Using a spatula, fold in the cooled chocolate with the remaining half of freshly whipped cream.
Lightly dip 8 lady fingers into the coffee and liqueur mixture. Work in batches if necessary. Arrange cookies on the bottom of the pan. Spread coffee flavored cream. Cover it with another layer of lady fingers dipped in coffee and liqueur mixture. Then, spread the chocolate flavored cream and top it with a final layer of dipped cookies. Chill for 8 hours or overnight.
Turn terrine out onto a large serving plate. Remove plastic wrap, cut it into slices and serve it.
It pairs very well with fresh berries, including raspberries and strawberries.
In my opinion, Easter dinner doesn’t have to be very time consuming or labor intensive. Thus, I put together a simple menu filled with spring flavors that I am excited to share with you.
Let’s start with two appetizers that you can prepare ahead of time:
Marinated olives:
Ingredients:
1 cup of black olives, pitted and drained
1 cup of green olives, pitted and drained
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ teaspoon of paprika
1 large spring of fresh thyme
3 springs of fresh oregano
1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil
Lemon zest, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
1 dried bay leave
Remove oregano and thyme leaves fromstem androughly chop the leaves. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients and refrigerate overnight. Serve it cold or at room temperature. Discard bay leave before serving.
Mozzarella & Tomato skewer:
Ingredients:
8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, cut into 48 (1/2 inch) cubes
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
12 large basil leaves, cut into 48 (1/2 inch) pieces
Olive oil, to taste
Sea salt, to taste
24 (6-inch) skewers
In a medium bowl, gently toss mozzarella cubes and tomatoes with olive oil and salt. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
To make the skewers, place a tomato halve, then basil, then mozzarella, followed by basil, another tomato halve and a mozzarella cube.
Serve it cold or at room temperature.
After enjoying these delightful appetizers, let’s move to the main course. The star of this course is an original vegetarian dish that will certainly please your guests, especially if there are vegetarians among them. I am talking about a Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi (Italian dumplings), a restaurant quality dish that you can make at home. The second dish is porcini mushroom chicken, just one of the many meat alternatives that pairs well with this gnocchi.
Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi:
Ingredients:
2 ½ lb of fresh spinach, stalks removed
1 ½ tablespoon of olive oil
15oz of ricotta cheese
1 ¼ cup of parmesan cheese, grated
3 eggs
½ teaspoon of garlic powder
½ teaspoon of dried basil
¼ teaspoon of dried marjoram
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 1/8 cup of all purpose OR whole wheat flour, plus more for dusting
1 cup of salted butter
1 tablespoon of fresh oregano, chopped
1 tablespoon of fresh thyme, chopped
In a large heavy sauce pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Place washed spinach in the pan and cook over low heat for about 7 minutes (or until just wilted).
Drain spinach in a colander. Set aside. Meanwhile lightly beat eggs with garlic powder, basil, marjoram, salt and pepper. Press out remaining liquid from spinach and chop it.
In a large bowl, mix chopped spinach, ricotta, eggs and half of the parmesan cheese. Beat until fully combined. Season with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
Shift the four and add to the mixture. Add more if necessary to obtain a workable mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
With floured hands, roll mixture into 1 inch balls. Meanwhile, bring a large pan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the dumplings and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until they rise to the surface. Remove from pan, drain well, transfer to serving plate and set aside.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the oregano and thyme and lower the heat. Cook for about 1 minute stirring constantly. Pour over gnocchi, sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
Serves 6.
Porcini mushroom Pan Chicken
2 ½ lb of chicken breast, boneless and skinless
¾ cup of chicken stock
6oz of porcini mushroom, sliced
¼ teaspoon of paprika
3 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 tablespoon of fresh sage, chopped
1 tablespoon of butter (optional)
1 ½ tablespoon of olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken with paprika, salt and pepper and place it in the pan. Cook for 5 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
Place garlic in the pan and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mushroom to pan and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Move mushroom to the side of the pan and place chicken breast back in the pan. Add chicken stock and sage and cook for 10 to 15 minutes covered. Lower the heat, uncover the pan and simmer for another 7 to 10 minutes. Add the butter and stir until fully melted. Check seasoning and add more salt and pepper, if desired. Serve it immediately.
Serves 6.
To finish this delicious meal, you can serve a creamy and luscious Mocha Chocolate Terrine. I think that this dessert deserves special attention, so I will have an entire post dedicated to it tomorrow.
If you are planning an Easter party or if you are helping someone throw a party, you may feel preparation stress. Venturing into the world of party planning can be stressful at times. But party planning can be just as much fun as the party itself! To make it easier, I have put together some simple tips that will help you plan and prepare a successful party.
First, you set a budget for the party. This information will help you make smart and clear party planning decisions.
Second, you can decide where the party will take place. Will it be at your house party or out at another location. Once the location of the party is defined, you will know if your guest list needs to be limited by the available space and how the food can be served comfortably.
Third, you should create a guest list based on your budget and event location. For your guest to have fun, they should have room to roam and comfortable seating. Also, you should decide if you want to spend your budget on affordable refreshments and food for a bigger group of people, or if you prefer to spend it on a more sophisticated menu for a smaller guest list.
After making these initial decisions, you will be to easily choose between a sit-down or buffet style party. Then, you will be ready to put together the party menu – that’s my favorite part of the process.
When planning a party menu, you should consider your budget, the number of guests, how the food will be served, preparation time and your guests’ life style or healthy needs (i.e.: vegetarians, diabetics, food allergies). Though you should consider all these factors when creating a party menu, it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process.
I will share with you many party menu ideas for the next 10 days. I hope I will be able to inspire you and save you time. Plus, I want to take the guess work out deciding what foods do together well. I have chosen recipes based on their ease of preparation, taste appeal and appropriateness for a buffet or sit-down party type service.
I am excited to share my favorite Easter Party recipes with you and I am looking forward to your feedback.
I found an original and tasty omelet recipe that I would like to share with you:
Omelet Roll:
Ingredients:
8 eggs
1 cup milk
1/3 cup flour
1 red pepper, finely chopped
8 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
3 green onions, finely chopped
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup tomato salsa, warmed
Heat oven to 350ºF. Line15x10x1-inch pan with parchment paper, with ends extending over shortest sides of pan. Spray with cooking spray. Beateggs, milk and flour in large bowl with whisk until well blended. Stir in next 4 ingredients. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 14 to 16 min. or until edges are almost set. Top with cheese; bake 2 min. or until melted.
Rollup omelet immediately, starting at one short end and peeling off paper as omelet is rolled. Place on platter; cut into slices. Serve with salsa.
When I first saw television commercials telling us that it is okay to intake corn syrup in moderation, I got worried. In my opinion, it sounds like a confirmation of high fructose corn syrup can really be bad for you. Today I decided to do some research on the topic.
First, I learned that even though the effects of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) seem very damaging, we are eating a lot of it any way. Apparently, the average American eats an astounding 41.5 lbs of high fructose corn syrup per year. I found this information alarming! The consumption of HFCS has been linked to high levels of bad cholesterol, obesity, type 2 diabetes and other metabolism conditions. It is metabolized to fat in your body much faster than any other sugar. There are also other concerns related to how HFCS is processed. Most of the corn that the high fructose corn syrup is made from comes from genetically modified corn and that alone may cause negative effects.
Despite of all these facts, HFCS is commonly found in baked goods, breakfast pastries, breakfast cereals, cookies, canned food, cough syrup, processed meats (i.e.: sausage, ham) and condiments (i.e.: salad dressings, ketchup). Above all, many of the soft drinks available in the market contain high fructose corn syrup. Perhaps you are wondering why high fructose corn syrup is added to foods and beverages if it seems to be so unhealthy.
The explanation is simple, it is cost effective. Food and beverage manufacturers began switching their sweeteners from table sugar to corn syrup in the 1970s when they discovered that HFCS was not only cheaper to make, it was also much sweeter. Processed HFCS is almost 20 times sweeter than table sugar.
If you want to reduce or eliminate HFCS from your diet, I suggest you consider taking the following steps:
Avoid fast food
Read food labels (it is the best way to find out if there is high fructose corn syrup in your food.)
Understand what "natural" or "organic" may mean on labels (foods and beverages can be labeled as natural even though they contain high fructose corn syrup. Only foods labeled as 100% organic can be assumed to be HFCS-free.)
Avoid canned or bottled beverages (or switch to small bottlers who use pure sugar cane instead of high fructose corn syrup.)
Buy fresh produce
Avoid processed food as much as possible (try to find easy and healthy recipes that you can prepare even if you have a hectic schedule)
Honey is an organic, natural sugar alternative with no additives that is easy on the stomach, adapts to all cooking processes, and has almost indefinite shelf-life. It contains protein, vitamins and minerals, but no cholesterol. Honey has less than 2% sodium, and because of that, it is labeled as a sodium-free product. Also, its sugar structure gives a quick energy boost. Some experts claim that honey has antibacterial properties as well.
Obviously, there are many reasons to eat honey. Its consumption is as old as written history. Honey was valued highly and often used as a form of currency, tribute, or offering. During the 16th century, peasants in Germany were required to pay their feudal lords in honey and beeswax.
In the past, honey has been used not only in food and beverages, but also to make cement, in furniture polishes and varnishes, and for medicinal purposes.
You can replace honey for sugar in your recipes. In addition, its ability to absorb and retain moisture, can keep your baked goods moist and fresh for longer.
My husband is a honey fanatic. His grandfather used to raise bees and the entire family is big on honey. I am glad that my kids love honey too. They like to eat it with bread and butter. Also, honey is great on fruit such as sliced lemon, strawberries and melon.
We used to have a bulky and ugly honey jar. I tried to put on top of trivets or little plates to avoid sticky messes, but nothing really worked well. When the kids get a spoonful of honey they often left behind a trail of tiny spills. Glass or plastic jars may work well for storing honey, but they are not ideal for serving (especially with you have guests). For quite some time I searched for a cute and efficient honey pot. I recently purchased an adorable one made by MSC International. I like it so much that I asked the manufacturer to donate one for my blog giveaway.
This ceramic honey pot has a dipper for easy serving. The actual pot is dishwasher safe. I have been washing the wood dipper by hand only. The little bee on the tip is so charming that I want to preserve it!
Please click here for a chance to win this honey pot and more!
***Please go to www.joieshop.com to visit MSC International online store.***
I am excited to tell you about the new BIG giveaway! This time we have 3 items!
First, we have a cute honey jar just like mine. Please click here to learn more about it.
Second, we have the practical vegetable slicer with a guard that will make your live easier. It works well for slicing firm vegetables like cucumbers, carrots and small potatoes. This gadget will allow you to obtain even slices every time. The winner will receive an ORANGE color slicer.
These first two giveaways are a courtesy of MSC International. I have several of their stylish and functional products and I hope you will like them as much as I do. If you want to see their current catalog, please go to www.joieshop.com .
Lastly, a good friend of mine is donating a great Cake Mix booklet filled with superb and easy recipes. You will find a total of 50 great recipes for any occasion including layer cakes, muffins, cookies, cupcakes, etc. Easter and Mother’s Day are just around the corner and these simple cake mix recipes can be a live saver.
Please send your e-mail address to anaschronicles@aol.com. I will use this information to contact the winner. I will NOT use your personal information for any commercial purposes. I will never share your email with a third party (I promise!). To protect your own personal information, please do not post your e-mail here.
Contest ends March 28, 2010 at 12:00 PM central time. I will announce the winner here and on my Facebook page on March 29th. There will be only one winner who will be picked via a Random Number Generator service. The winner will be contacted through e-mail and must respond within 72 hours of contact, otherwise a second winner will be selected.
***Contest open to USA and Canada Only – No PO Boxes***
Wheat is the most important cereal crop in the world and it is used worldwide. Many of us enjoy eating bread, pasta, bagels, crackers, cakes, and muffins, just to list a few of the foods made with this grain.
Wheat, in its natural unrefined state, offers many benefits that are being recognized more and more by consumers. Recent studies show that the consumption of whole wheat can help you manage your weight and lower the risks of developing type 2 diabetes. It is great source of key ingredients like vitamin B &E, iron, fiber and magnesium as well as other valuable antioxidants not found in some fruits and vegetables.
An easy way to increase whole grain intake is to replace some of your refined-grain products with whole grain products. You will benefit from substituting at least half the white flour with whole wheat flour in your regular recipes for cookies, muffins, quick breads, pancakes, etc.
Whole Wheat Focaccia:
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cups of whole wheat four
¾ cup of all purpose flour
1 tablespoon of olive oil
¼ teaspoon of sugar
½ teaspoon of salt
½ tablespoon of yeast
1 cup of lukewarm water
10oz of low fat mozzarella, sheered
12 kalamata olives, pitted
8 cherry tomatoes, thin sliced
3oz of canned mushrooms, sliced and drained
2 large basil leaves, roughly chopped
Combine the flour, water, salt, yeast, sugar and olive oil in a bowl. Using a large spoon, mix all ingredients until well combined and dough is soft and leaves sides of the bowl.
Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 to 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Spray a separate bowl with cooking oil and transfer dough to prepared bowl. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Heat the oven to 385F. Spray to 8 inches baking pans with cooking oil. Divide dough in half. Cover the bottom of each pan with dough. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 15 to 20 minutes. Top it with equal amounts of cheese, olives, mushrooms, tomatoes and basil.
Most diets are very strict and they may make people think they need to be unrealistically thin to be healthy. But it is really about feeling good. A healthy diet can boost your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize your mood. You don’t have to deprive yourself of the foods you love to have a good diet. You just need to learn some nutrition basics and use them in a way that works for you. It’s all about “eating smart”.
First, you should set yourself up for success. Instead of being overly concerned with counting calories or measuring portion sizes, think of your diet in terms of balancing different food groups. Focus on foods you like and easy recipes that incorporate fresh ingredients. You don’t need to drastically chance your diet overnight. You can start slow and make chances to your diet overtime. Gradually, your diet will become healthier and tastier. Keep in mind that every change you make to improve your diet matters.
Second, moderation is the key. Try to eat smaller portions and no food should be off limits as long as you have balance. Avoid eating in front of the computer or TV because it often leads to overeating.
Third, eating a plant-based diet is the healthiest option. Focus on eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and some of the healthy fats, like olive and canola oil. You should keep your consumption of red meat, sugary drinks, salty snacks, refined grains and potatoes to a minimum.
Lastly, you should think of exercise as a food group in your diet. I am currently working on finding a physical activity I can do at least 3 days a week in the beginning. I also take a multivitamin every day to ensure I am not missing any nutrients.
The first time my husband prepared for me a Bulgarian dish called Guvech I couldn’t stop eating it. Guvech is a Bulgarian casserole dish made with crumbled feta cheese, eggs, roasted peppers and whatever else you like. You can add ham or salami or skinless sausage. You can turn it into a fantastic vegetarian casserole by omitting the meat.
It is traditionally made in a clay pot but you can use individual casserole dishes as well. The word guvech means “earthenware casserole” in Turkish and it was probably introduced in Bulgaria during the time they dominated the country. Although I couldn’t find out much about the origin of this casserole dish, one thing is certain: It’s delicious and healthy!
I would like to share with you my first recipe but there are many variations to this recipe.
Eggs & Feta Cheese Guvech Ingredients:
¾ cup of ham or salami, chopped or diced
2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
½ cup of fresh tomatoes, sliced
¼ cup of peperoncini peppers
¼ cup of green onions, sliced
¾ cup of feta cheese, crumbled
12 kalamata olives, pitted
½ cup of roasted pepper, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon of olive oil
4 eggs
Ground paprika, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Preheat the oven to 385F.
Divide the first 8 ingredients equally between two 8 inch casserole dishes. Crack two eggs on top of each casserole dish. Season with paprika, salt and pepper. Remember that the olives and the feta cheese may contain a higher amount of salt so you just need to sprinkle some salt on top of the eggs.
Loosely cover the casserole dishes with foil. Use a fork or toothpick to carefully make a few holes on the foil for part of the steam to escape during the cooking process.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until eggs are set.
P.S.: Just omit the meat to turn it into a great vegetarian casserole dish.
My sister’s post about ceviche inspired me to learn more about this flavorsome and healthy dish. I tried for the first time in Mexico. As she said, it is considered a national dish in Peru but many countries in Latin America have their version of this mouth-watering food. It has been one of South America's best-kept secret for centuries, but ceviche is becoming a popular appetizer and it is gaining popularity in North America.
There is a theory that ceviche was created during the ancient Inca civilization in which people used to eat a salted and marinated fish dish. The Spanish contributed the Mediterranean custom of using lemons and onions.
Many Latin American countries have their own version of ceviche (or seviche). In Peru, it is served with slices of cold sweet potatoes or corn-on-the-cob. In Ecuador, it is often served in a large bowl with the guests helping themselves. In Panama, ceviche is accompanied by little pastry shells called “canastitas”. In Mexico, it is usually served with toasted tortillas.
Ceviche is a seafood dish cooked with acidic juices (lemon or lime juice) instead of heat.
It can be eaten as a first course or main dish, depending on what is served with it. I have restaurant quality ceviche recipe for you that anyone can make at home:
Ceviche:
Ingredients:
2 lb of fresh tilapia or sea bass (or other firm white fish), skinless and boneless
1/3 cup of fresh lime juice
½ cup of lemon juice
¼ cup of tomato juice
¼ cup of kennel corn (optional)
¼ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper (optional)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup of red onions, finely chopped
½ cup of cilantro, chopped
10 oz of medium cooked shrimp, thawed and divined (tail off)
Salt, to taste
Cut fish fillets into ½ inch cubes. In a ceramic or glass casserole pan, place the fish, tomato juice, salt, cayenne pepper, lemon and lime juice. Gently mix ingredients to combine. All the fish needs to be covered with lemon and lime juices. Refrigerate for about 3 hours covered. Stir fish to ensure it is cooking evenly.
Stir in the remaining ingredients with the exception of the cilantro. Refrigerate for another 6 hours or overnight.
You know the fish is cooked when it has turned from translucent and pinkish to completely opaque and white.
Stir in corn and cilantro before serving. Serve it with corn chips, lime wedges and avocado slices on the side.
I am not a great cook but I like to try different recipes from around the world. Food is one of my passions! I love to eat and I am good at it! Seriously! Because of that, I created this blog to share with you my experiences and ideas regarding food, cooking and baking. I hope you enjoy it!
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