Pickled Onions

Ingredients
1 firm red onion, about 5 ounces
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup rice vinegar, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

Flavorings (optional):
1 small clove of garlic, halved
5 black peppercorns
5 allspice berries
3 small springs of thyme
1 small dried chili

Instructions

Slice the onions.Start 2 or 3 cups of water on to boil in a kettle.  Peel and thinly slice the onion into approximately 1/4" moons.  Peel and cut the garlic clove in half. Dissolve the sugar and salt: In the container you will be using to store the onions, add the sugar, salt, vinegar and flavorings.  Stir to dissolve. Place the onions in the sieve and place the sieve in the sink.  Slowly pour the boiling water over the onions and let them drain. Add the onions to the jar: Add the onions to the jar and stir gently to evenly distribute the flavorings.The onions will be ready in about 30 minutes, but are better after a few hours.  Store in the refrigerator.  They will keep for several weeks but are best in the first week.

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Soup With White Beans & Kale

INGREDIENTS

1 cup dry white navy beans
1/2 medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp good quality olive oil
1 small white potato, peeled and chopped into small cubes
8 cups vegetable stock
1 lemon, squeezed
1/2 cup dry  pasta (optional)
3 oz parmesan cheese, grated
2 cups kale, chopped
garnishes
olive oil
salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Immerse the beans in cold water, and soak overnight for at least 12 hours. Rinse and set to the side.
In a large soup pot, on low-medium heat, fry the onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent. Add the potato and continue to fry for another minute. Add the vegetable stock, juice from one lemon, and beans and simmer for 40 minutes or until the beans are soft.
Add the pasta (which is optional) and parmesan cheese, and continue to simmer until the pasta is al dente, approximately 10 minutes. Add the kale and simmer until tender, and the pasta soft. At this point, you may need to add some boiling water to the soup, as some of the stock may have evaporated (1/2 - 1 cup should be sufficient).
Serve with a drizzle of olive oil on top, season with salt and pepper and grated Parmesan cheese.

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Roasted Chicken

Ingredients

·         1 chicken (4-5 pound),at room temperature

·         4 carrots

·         6 spring green onions

·         1 head of garlic, cut in half

·         3 lemons, 2 cut in half and remaining half sliced into thin slices

·         4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

·         2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

·         1 bunch fresh thyme sprigs

·         Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

·         ½ cup white wine

·         ½ cup chicken stock or broth

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425° and position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Mix the butter with lemon zest, salt and pepper.

Pat the chicken dry and rub half of the butter and lemon zest mixture under the skin and the rest over the chicken. Work 4-6 lemon slices under chicken skin and season with salt and pepper.

Generously season cavity of chicken with salt and pepper and stuff with lemon half, ½ head of garlic, 3 onions and thyme sprigs. Truss legs with cooking twine and tuck wings under bird.Arrange remaining vegetables on bottom of roasting pan and set the chicken breast-side-up on top of vegetables in roasting pan. Add ½ cup of white wine.

 Roast for 30 minutes or until the breast is firm and just beginning to brown in spots. Using tongs, turn the chicken breast-down, baste with juices and roast for 20 minutes longer, until the skin is lightly browned.

Using tongs, turn the chicken breast-side-up and baste again. Add a ½ cup of water. Roast for about 20 minutes longer, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the inner thigh registers 155° to 160° and juices are running clear.

Transfer the bird to a cutting board and tent with foil. Remove vegetables from roasting pan. Set the pan over high heat. Add the stock and cook, scraping up any browned bits. Press the lemon to release the juices. Carve the chicken and serve with lemon jus and roasted vegetables.

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Kale Salad

Ingredients

Salad Dressing:
1 1/2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
12 capers, roughly chopped
1 to 2 large anchovies, roughly chopped
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Salad:
2 sweet onions
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary, about 1 inch long
3 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 to 3 slices day-old, best-quality bread

1 small bunch Lacinato kale
2 slices thick cut bacon
1/2 cup grated ricotta salata cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions:

For the salad dressing: Add lemon juice, rice wine vinegar, capers, anchovy, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce to bowl of blender and whir until thoroughly mixed and smooth. With the motor of the blender or hand blender running, add olive oil in a thin stream until thoroughly emulsified. Taste — the dressing should taste vibrant and lemony. Add a pinch or two of salt, a grind of pepper, and more lemon if needed. Put dressing aside until needed.

Roast onions: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut onions in half, then slice in half moons about 1/4-inch thick. Place onions, thyme, and rosemary on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and mix with your hands until herbs and onion slices are coated. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and a grind or two of black pepper. Mix with your hands again. Place pan in oven and roast for about 60 to 75 minutes or until onion slices have turned golden and soft and are caramelized. Start checking after about 60 minutes and remove onions before they begin to char. Burnt onions are not delicious!

Make croutons: Cut bread into large bite-sized cubes. Keep crusts on for more rustic croutons. Heat 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil in large heavy pan, like cast iron. Add bread cubes and cook over low heat, turning occasionally, until all surfaces of bread cubes are toasted and golden. Remove and set on a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with salt while still warm and set aside. (Croutons can be made a few days ahead.
Prepare kale: Wash kale in cold water. Several rinses may be needed to remove dirt and grit. Dry kale with a few layers of kitchen towels. Working carefully, remove thick stems from kale and roll kale leaves into long cigarette-style rolls. Cut kale into very thin strips. Add kale to salad bowl or serving plate. Pour 3/4 of the salad dressing over kale and toss with tongs or your hands until all leaves are coated.

Cook bacon: When onions are just starting to turn golden at the tips, slice bacon lengthwise and then cut into one-inch pieces. Sauté bacon in small skillet over medium low heat until cooked and crunchy. Pour bacon onto kale. If there is any rendered bacon fat in the skillet, add a spoonful of this to the kale, if you like. Remove onions from the oven and add them and any juices to kale. Mix thoroughly with your hands or tongs — the hot onions and bacon will slightly wilt the kale.

Finishing the salad: Add croutons and ricotta salata to salad. Pour in reserved salad dressing if salad looks a little dry. Toss again. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed, adding a pinch or two of salt, a grind of pepper, or additional lemon. Enjoy!

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Greek Tortellini Salad

INGREDIENTS

1 orange bell pepper, cut into bite size pieces
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into bite size pieces
½ red onion, thinly sliced
1 cucumber, cut into spears and then quartered
16 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup sliced Kalamata olives, divided
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
½ (19 ounce) package tortellini

Greek Salad Dressing
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon granulated sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

Cook tortellini according to directions on the package (do not add salt to the water).  Drain and set aside once cooked.

Chop vegetables and set aside.  Mince 1 tablespoon Kalamata olives for the dressing, set aside.  Combine remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Set aside.
In a pint size mason jar add salad dressing ingredients and minced olives.  Be sure to crush oregano with your fingers as you are adding it (to release the flavor). Shake mason jar until dressing is combined.  Pour dressing over salad and gently toss with salad tongs until well coated.

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Soup

INGREDIENTS

3 cups low or no-sodium beef broth

1 (28oz. can) petite diced tomatoes

2 cups tomato sauce

1 tsp. dried oregano leaves

1/4 tsp. coarse black pepper

2 Tbsp. olive oil

8 oz. sliced mushrooms 

1 green bell pepper

1 small onion

4 slices pre-cooked bacon 

4 oz. sliced pepperoni

1/2 of a loaf of Italian bread 

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

instructions

Turn on the broiler and position the rack 6-8 inches from the heat source.

Put a large pot or Dutch oven on high heat. Add the broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano and black pepper. Stir and cover. When it comes to a simmer, reduce heat to low.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add the mushrooms. Stir. Chop the green pepper roughly and add it to the mushrooms. Stir. Chop the onion and add it as well. Stir. Chop the bacon and add it. Chop the pepperoni and and add it. Stir. Stir occasionally until onions and peppers are softened a bit.

Cut the bread into 4 thick slices. Put the bread on a broiler pan and put it under the broiler to toast it lightly. Remove and flip it over. Put 1/4 cup of the cheese onto each bread slice. Return it to under the broiler just until melted and browned in spots, 1-3 minutes.

Stir the mushroom mixture into the soup. Ladle into bowls and top each serving with some of the remaining cheese. Serve with the cheese toast.

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Marsala & Creamy Cheese

Ingredients

·         4 East Riding Farm Bowl Sized Popovers

·         1 Tbsp. olive oil

·         6 carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks

·         1 sweet onions, peeled and cut into sixths

·         12 oz. button mushrooms, halved

·         2 cloves garlic, minced

·         6 sprigs of fresh thyme (and more for garnish)

·         ¼ cup flour

·         salt

·         ½ cup marsala

·         3 cups no-salt-added vegetable stock

·         8oz. of ⅓-fat cream cheese

Instructions

1.      Bake the popovers according to package instructions.

2.     Warm the olive oil in a  large pot over medium heat. Add the carrots and onions. Stir once to coat everything in the oil and then leave it alone until it has started to brown, 2-4 minutes. Stir and then leave it alone until more browning has happened, 2-4 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms.  Leave it all alone until the undersides of some mushrooms are brown, 3-4 minutes.

3.      Add the garlic, the sprigs of thyme, the flour and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir it for 30 seconds before adding the marsala. Scrape at the bottom of the pot to help the marsala lift up any of the brownings there. Add the vegetable stock and increase the heat to high. Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer until the carrots are tender, 5-10 minutes and the liquid is nearly a stew thickness.

4.      Stir in the cream cheese. Once it has melted through, taste and mix in more salt if needed before spooning the stew into the popover bowls.

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Chicken & Orzo Salad

INGREDIENTS

For The Dressing

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

2 large garlic cloves

⅓ cup olive oil

Salt and black pepper

2 cups cooked orzo, cooled

1 large bunch of fresh watercress leaves

½ cup olives cut in half

¾ cup sliced red onion

¼ cup sliced green onion

¼ cup toasted pine nuts

½ cup Cotija Cheese, crumbled

1 large grilled chicken breast

Salt and black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Add the balsamic vinegar, garlic cloves, salt, pepper and olive oil to a blender. Blend for 30 seconds and set aside. Take the cooled orzo and place in a large bowl. Chop the leafy part of the watercress from the stems and add to the bowl.

Add the  olives and red onion. Drizzle some of the dressing over the salad and gently toss. Lay the salad onto a large platter and sprinkle the green onions, pine nuts and cheese on top. Season with salt and cracked black pepper. Slice the chicken breast on a diagonal and serve alongside the salad.

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Oven Baked Salmon

INGREDIENTS

1½ pound filet of salmon

1 pound baby fingerling potatoes

½ cup red onion, sliced thinly

1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

1½ cups small broccoli florets

1 large clove garlic, sliced very thinly

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided

2 tablespoons dry white wine

Salt and black pepper

Lemon for flavor if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the salmon into 5 pieces. Slice the potatoes in half and set on a large baking tray (17inches x 12inches). Add the broccoli, red onions, garlic and both herbs to the potatoes. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over the mixture and toss well. Spread the vegetables out evenly. Place each piece of salmon onto the baking tray with the vegetables around them. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the salmon. Pour the white wine over the ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes.

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Albanian Dish (Fergese)

INGREDIENTS

3-4 large long roasted peppers 

450g chopped tomato

4 Tbsp cottage cheese (or ricotta )

1 onion

4 cloves of garlic

1 Tbsp paprika

1/2 tsp chili

2 tsp sugar

1 Tbsp flour

1 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp oregano

1 Tbsp parsley

~ 50ml olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

It should be prepared with homemade roasted peppers, but you can buy ready made, it saves time. In a medium size pot add chopped onion, fry for 3 minutes then add chopped garlic and fry for additional minute. Add finely chopped roasted peppers, chopped tomato, sugar, parsley, paprika, chili, oregano and cook for 7-10 minutes. Liquid should evaporate.  In a small pot heat butter, when it melts add flour and fry for 2 minutes, remove from the heat and add cheese, mix well.  Now add cheese and a cup of water to the tomato and pepper mixture, stir and leave it to simmer for 2-3 minutes. Grease a small oven tray and pour the sauce and add roasted peppers on top. Grill it for about 5 minutes.

 At the end, add some chopped parsley.

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Caramelized Shrimp

4  servings

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Combine the fish sauce, dark brown sugar, crushed red pepper flakes and water in a medium bowl and whisk until brown sugar is dissolved.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a few minutes more. Do not brown.
3. Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the shrimp. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp are just barely pink and still translucent in spots, a few minutes. Add the fish sauce mixture, turn heat down to medium, and simmer until shrimp are cooked through, a few minutes more. (Note: the sauce will be thin.) Off the heat, stir in scallions and cilantro. Serve immediately with jasmine rice.

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Chicken Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce

Ingredients

For tomatillo sauce

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped

3 medium cloves garlic, peeled and smashed with the side of a chef's knife

3/4 pound tomatillos, husks and stems removed, cut into 1-inch chunks

3 jalapeño chiles, seeded and roughly chopped

1 teaspoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

For the filling

1 pound chicken tenderloins

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1-1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

8 ounces (2 cups) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

For the tortillas and  toppings

11 6-inch corn tortillas

2-1/2 tablespoons olive oil

3 ounces (3/4 cup) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Smoked paprika

3/4 cup sour cream

1 small heart of romaine lettuce (or 5-6 leaves), shredded

1 avocado diced

1 lime, sliced

Instructions

For the tomatillo sauce

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatillos, jalapeños, sugar, salt, cumin and 1/3 cup water; bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until tomatillos are softened, about 8 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender and purée until completely smooth. Set aside.

 For the filling

Place the chicken tenderloins in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the cumin, smoked paprika and salt. Toss with tongs until the chicken is evenly coated with the spice blend.

Heat the oil in a large nonstick sauté pan until shimmering but not smoking. Add the chicken and cook until just done, about 2 minutes per side; transfer to a plate to cool. Do not rinse the pan. Add the onions and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.

Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it into bite-sized pieces. (All tenderloins have a tough tendon running through them; just remove it.) Add the shredded chicken to the pan with the onions, along with the chopped cilantro and shredded cheese.

 To Assemble

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spread 3/4 cup of the tomatillo sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

Pour the oil into a small bowl or ramekin. Using a pastry brush (or your hands), brush both sides of each tortilla with oil, then stack them on a plate and microwave until hot and steamy, 1-1/2 - 2 minutes. This makes them pliable.

Spoon about 1/3 cup of the filling down the center of each tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly and place side by side in the baking dish, seam side down.

Pour the remaining chili sauce over the top, and use the back of a spoon to spread evenly over each tortilla. Sprinkle the cheese down the center of the enchiladas. Bake until hot and bubbling, 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle the smoked paprika down the center of the enchiladas and serve immediately with sour cream, lettuce, avocado and lime wedges.

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Warm roasted tomato,onion & feta salad

Ingredients

1 medium-large red or yellow onion

1/4 cup  olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

Variety of small tomatoes, such as cherry, grape etc. no larger than golf-ballish size

A couple of larger tomatoes, cut into thick slices

6-7 oz.  block of feta cheese, cut into 3/4-inch thick slices

Fresh basil leaves (or 1/2-1 tsp. dried basil)

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

Salt, for finishing (*feta is salty, so don’t salt until the end and only a bit is needed)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F (180° C). Cut onion into thin wedges. Place in baking dish or roasting pan and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Roast in the pre-heated oven for 30 minutes. Place feta slices into roasting pan and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Scatter any feta crumbles around the pan. Place a large tomato slice over most of the large rounds of feta. Scatter smaller tomatoes around the pan. Give one final drizzle of olive oil over tomatoes and a bit of freshly ground pepper (if using dried basil, you can add now, as well). Return to the oven and roast another 35-45 minutes.

Meanwhile, add balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and then lower the heat and simmer until reduced by half. Set aside.

Allow to cool 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves, a bit of salt and drizzle with the reduced balsamic vinegar. Serve warm.

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Noodles & Veggies

INGREDIENTS

8 ounces linguine, uncooked

3 1/2 cups water

1 medium bok choy or 3 baby bok choy (about 1/2 pound), sliced (about 3 cups)

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

2 medium carrots, cut into coins (about 1 cup)

1 small yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced

3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and minced (about 1 tablespoon)

1/4 cup Tamari-style soy sauce*

3 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoon brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (add more if you like more heat)

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 medium Napa cabbage, thinly sliced (about 4 cups, loosely packed)

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

To a large and heavy pot over high heat, add the linguine, water, bok choy, bell pepper, carrots, onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt.As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, set the timer for 9 minutes and cook, tossing constantly with tongs, taking care to make sure the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Once the 9 minutes is up, the veggies should be tender, the pasta cooked through, and it should have a saucy consistency, with most of the liquid having evaporated.Remove from heat and add the cabbage and vinegar, tossing until cabbage wilts, about 30 seconds.

Serve, topping individual bowls with cilantro, peanuts, scallions, and toasted sesame seeds.

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