December 10, 2012


Oxtail Ragu
When experimenting with interesting meat and different cuts, sometimes, you have to give up one thing to get a completely new dish. I originally wanted to do a rabbit ragu but couldn’t find any rabbit at any butcher shop so went for the oxtail instead. Oxtail can be somewhat bland so you have to make sure you season it properly. 
Ingredients:
1 lb oxtail
1 lb stew beef, cut into large chunks
1/2 kobocha squash, deseeded and peeled, cut into large chunks
1 red onion, medium diced
1 serrano pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, medium choipped
2 large carrots, cut into large chunks
1 turnip, cut into large chunks
1 glass red wine
4 cups chicken stock
4 tablespoons butter
1 block Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon flour
2 bay leaves
Sprig fresh rosemary, leaves picked off and coarsely chopped
Sprig fresh thyme, leaves picked off and chopped
1 lb linguine
1 orange, zested
1 bunch fresh parsley
Salt and pepper
To Make:
Season the meat on all sides with salt and pepper. 
Heat up some olive oil to a large pot and sear the meat on all sides for a couple minutes on high heat just to get a nice browned side, not cooked through. Remove the meat with tongs and set aside. 
Add a bit more oil if necessary and add in the vegetables, serrano pepper, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Cook for 10 minutes on medium-low heat , stirring occasionally. 
Add the meat and flour, stir everything together. Add the wine and 1/4 of the orange zest. Also, add a good pinch of salt and pepper. Stir. Pour in the stock. Add a bit more if the meat and vegetables aren’t just covered. 
Bring to boil, cover with a lid, and turn heat to medium-low. Cook like this for 3 1/2 - 4 hours. If the stew bubbles over, lower the heat a bit and cover with lid slightly askew. 
When the meat is tender and falling apart, fish out the oxtail, and pull the meat off the bones and put back in the stew. Discard the bones. Also, pull out the bay leaves. 
Add in most of the orange zest, the butter, and a good handful of shredded Parmesan cheese. Taste and if needed, add more salt and pepper. 
Cook pasta in a separate pot, and when al dente, add to the meat stew. 
Stir everything together, add fresh chopped parsley and some orange zest on top, and serve.
Enjoy with fresh bread!
Hearty and delicious!

Oxtail Ragu

When experimenting with interesting meat and different cuts, sometimes, you have to give up one thing to get a completely new dish. I originally wanted to do a rabbit ragu but couldn’t find any rabbit at any butcher shop so went for the oxtail instead. Oxtail can be somewhat bland so you have to make sure you season it properly. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb oxtail
  • 1 lb stew beef, cut into large chunks
  • 1/2 kobocha squash, deseeded and peeled, cut into large chunks
  • 1 red onion, medium diced
  • 1 serrano pepper, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, medium choipped
  • 2 large carrots, cut into large chunks
  • 1 turnip, cut into large chunks
  • 1 glass red wine
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 block Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Sprig fresh rosemary, leaves picked off and coarsely chopped
  • Sprig fresh thyme, leaves picked off and chopped
  • 1 lb linguine
  • 1 orange, zested
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper

To Make:

  1. Season the meat on all sides with salt and pepper. 
  2. Heat up some olive oil to a large pot and sear the meat on all sides for a couple minutes on high heat just to get a nice browned side, not cooked through. Remove the meat with tongs and set aside. 
  3. Add a bit more oil if necessary and add in the vegetables, serrano pepper, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Cook for 10 minutes on medium-low heat , stirring occasionally. 
  4. Add the meat and flour, stir everything together. Add the wine and 1/4 of the orange zest. Also, add a good pinch of salt and pepper. Stir. Pour in the stock. Add a bit more if the meat and vegetables aren’t just covered. 
  5. Bring to boil, cover with a lid, and turn heat to medium-low. Cook like this for 3 1/2 - 4 hours. If the stew bubbles over, lower the heat a bit and cover with lid slightly askew. 
  6. When the meat is tender and falling apart, fish out the oxtail, and pull the meat off the bones and put back in the stew. Discard the bones. Also, pull out the bay leaves. 
  7. Add in most of the orange zest, the butter, and a good handful of shredded Parmesan cheese. Taste and if needed, add more salt and pepper. 
  8. Cook pasta in a separate pot, and when al dente, add to the meat stew. 
  9. Stir everything together, add fresh chopped parsley and some orange zest on top, and serve.
  10. Enjoy with fresh bread!

Hearty and delicious!

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December 6, 2012


Turkey Zucchini Burgers
Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey
1 large zucchini, coarsely grated
3 green onions, chopped
Small handful fresh mint, chopped
Small handful fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper ~ about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon each
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon worchester sauce
1 egg
To Make:
Preheat oven to 425
Mix all the ingredients together and form into small/medium sized patties.
Heat up some olive oil in a large pan and sear the burgers on each side for 2 minutes without moving so they get browned. 
Transfer burgers to sheet tray and add cheese slices on top of the burgers. Pop in the oven for 6-7 minutes.
Build your burgers according to preference.
Enjoy!

Turkey Zucchini Burgers

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 large zucchini, coarsely grated
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • Small handful fresh mint, chopped
  • Small handful fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper ~ about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon each
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon worchester sauce
  • 1 egg

To Make:

  1. Preheat oven to 425
  2. Mix all the ingredients together and form into small/medium sized patties.
  3. Heat up some olive oil in a large pan and sear the burgers on each side for 2 minutes without moving so they get browned. 
  4. Transfer burgers to sheet tray and add cheese slices on top of the burgers. Pop in the oven for 6-7 minutes.
  5. Build your burgers according to preference.
  6. Enjoy!

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November 30, 2012


Roasted Yams with Figs and Balsamic Glaze
Ingredients:
2 large yams
Small bunch green onions
1 teaspoon chili flakes
6 figs, cut into halves and quarters
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
To Make:
Preheat oven to 475
Scrub the yams and cut them into wedges, about 8 per yam.
Spread out on a baking sheet, drizzle over with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 25 minutes.
Cut the green onions into inch-long segments. 
In a small frying pan, heat up some oil and throw in the green onions with the chili flakes. Saute for 4 minutes, until softened. Set aside and mix with yams when they are out of the oven. 
Heat up the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small pan. Bring to boil, turn heat down and simmer for 3 minutes, until thickened. Allow to cool. 
In a large bowl, mix together the yams, green onions, and figs. Drizzle over with balsamic glaze. Toss together. 
Season if needed. 
Enjoy!
Easy side dish with exciting twists. 

Roasted Yams with Figs and Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients:

  • 2 large yams
  • Small bunch green onions
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 6 figs, cut into halves and quarters
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

To Make:

  1. Preheat oven to 475
  2. Scrub the yams and cut them into wedges, about 8 per yam.
  3. Spread out on a baking sheet, drizzle over with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 25 minutes.
  4. Cut the green onions into inch-long segments. 
  5. In a small frying pan, heat up some oil and throw in the green onions with the chili flakes. Saute for 4 minutes, until softened. Set aside and mix with yams when they are out of the oven. 
  6. Heat up the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small pan. Bring to boil, turn heat down and simmer for 3 minutes, until thickened. Allow to cool. 
  7. In a large bowl, mix together the yams, green onions, and figs. Drizzle over with balsamic glaze. Toss together. 
  8. Season if needed. 
  9. Enjoy!

Easy side dish with exciting twists. 

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November 28, 2012


Mushroom and Leek Stroganoff
Ingredients:
1 lb brown crimini mushrooms
1 large leek
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken stock
1 fresh rosemary stalk, leaves picked and chopped coarsely 
2 fresh thyme stalks, leaves picked and chopped
1 tablespoon of butter
1/2 lb linguine pasta
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
To Make:
Wash and slice the mushrooms. 
Cut the tough green part of the leek off and discard. Cut the leek in half lengthwise and run under cold water at an angle so all the dirt can run off. Gently press your fingers into the grooves to remove hidden dirt. VERY important so as not to get gritty food. 
Chop leek into 1/4 inch thick slices.
Boil a pot of salted water for the pasta. Once boiling add pasta and begin working on sauce. The pasta will cook while you make the sauce.
In a large pan, heat up some olive oil on medium-high and drop in the mushrooms. Allow them to brown by not moving them too much. Season with salt and pepper. Add in the rosemary and thyme and stir. 
Once mushrooms are browned, add the leeks. Turn heat down to medium. Cook for a few minutes until they have softened. 
Add in the chicken stock and allow to reduce almost all the way. Add butter and stir. 
Add in the sour cream and heavy cream, and stir. Once incorporated, turn heat to low.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. 
Add the noodles directly from the pot to the pan and incorporate. 
Enjoy!
This is a great vegetarian alternative to beef stroganoff. 

Mushroom and Leek Stroganoff

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb brown crimini mushrooms
  • 1 large leek
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1 fresh rosemary stalk, leaves picked and chopped coarsely 
  • 2 fresh thyme stalks, leaves picked and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1/2 lb linguine pasta
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

To Make:

  1. Wash and slice the mushrooms. 
  2. Cut the tough green part of the leek off and discard. Cut the leek in half lengthwise and run under cold water at an angle so all the dirt can run off. Gently press your fingers into the grooves to remove hidden dirt. VERY important so as not to get gritty food. 
  3. Chop leek into 1/4 inch thick slices.
  4. Boil a pot of salted water for the pasta. Once boiling add pasta and begin working on sauce. The pasta will cook while you make the sauce.
  5. In a large pan, heat up some olive oil on medium-high and drop in the mushrooms. Allow them to brown by not moving them too much. Season with salt and pepper. Add in the rosemary and thyme and stir. 
  6. Once mushrooms are browned, add the leeks. Turn heat down to medium. Cook for a few minutes until they have softened. 
  7. Add in the chicken stock and allow to reduce almost all the way. Add butter and stir. 
  8. Add in the sour cream and heavy cream, and stir. Once incorporated, turn heat to low.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. 
  10. Add the noodles directly from the pot to the pan and incorporate. 
  11. Enjoy!

This is a great vegetarian alternative to beef stroganoff. 

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November 26, 2012


Recommendation: Kusmi Tea; Prince Vladimir 

I’ve recently been interacting with premiere tea company, Kusmi Tea and they’ve been so kind as to send me a kilogram of one of their most popular blends, Prince Vladimir. 

It is part of their Russian Blends collection. Prince Vladimir is a mix of black teas with vanilla, spices, and citrus fruit. It has a warm and inviting feel and gives you a sense of relaxation. I brought it with me to Thanksgiving dinner and everyone loved it, even the kids. 

To buy some of this exquisite tea, visit Kusmi Teas here or purchase on Amazon

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November 19, 2012


November 15, 2012


November 13, 2012


Cauliflower, Walnut, and Pomegranate Salad
Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower
2 celery stalks
5 tablespoons toasted walnuts
1 pomegranate
Olive oil
Small bunch fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
Salt and pepper
To Make:
Cut the cauliflower into florets and roast for 35 minutes at 425 degrees. Seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil before roasting.
In a small pan, on medium-high heat toss the walnuts a few times until they begin to toast. About 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. 
Chop the celery on an angle to create long slices. 
Cut the pomegranate in half and in the sink, over a big bowl, use the back of a spoon to gently hit the seeds out of the shell into the bowl. 
in a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil with the vinegar, cinnamon, allspice, and maple syrup. 
In a large salad bowl, mix cauliflower, celery, pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley. Stir in the dressing and walnuts, mix. 
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve. 
Enjoy!
This was inspired by a recipe in Jerusalem but I changed a few things. 

Cauliflower, Walnut, and Pomegranate Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 5 tablespoons toasted walnuts
  • 1 pomegranate
  • Olive oil
  • Small bunch fresh parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper

To Make:

  1. Cut the cauliflower into florets and roast for 35 minutes at 425 degrees. Seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil before roasting.
  2. In a small pan, on medium-high heat toss the walnuts a few times until they begin to toast. About 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. 
  3. Chop the celery on an angle to create long slices. 
  4. Cut the pomegranate in half and in the sink, over a big bowl, use the back of a spoon to gently hit the seeds out of the shell into the bowl. 
  5. in a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil with the vinegar, cinnamon, allspice, and maple syrup. 
  6. In a large salad bowl, mix cauliflower, celery, pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley. Stir in the dressing and walnuts, mix. 
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve. 
  8. Enjoy!

This was inspired by a recipe in Jerusalem but I changed a few things. 

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November 12, 2012


Sunday Roasted Chicken with Veggies

Ingredients:

  • 1 3-4 lb chicken
  • Bunch fresh rosemary
  • Bunch fresh dill
  • Bunch fresh parsley
  • 1 large lemon
  • 1 parsnip
  • Small bunch organic or garden variety carrots
  • 3 stalks celery
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 bulb garlic
  • 1 turnip
  • 1 lb brussel sprouts
  • 1 lb baby red and yukon potatoes
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh cracked pepper
  • Olive oil

To Make:

  1. Preheat oven to 475
  2. Wash all the veggies but don’t peel. Cut onion and shallot in half and arrange into the corners of a baking dish or roasting pan. Cut the celery, turnip, and parsnip into large chunks and scatter into the dish. Break up the garlic but don’t peel it and throw the whole lot in with the other veg. Arrange half the carrots into the dish, whole or cut in half depending on size. Drizzle veg with olive oil. 
  3. Place your chicken on a separate cutting board and remove any pieces from the inner cavity.
  4. Stuff the inner cavity of the chicken with a bunch of fresh dill, some chopped parsley, and a good handful of fresh rosemary. 
  5. Pierce the lemon on all sides with a tip of a knife and stuff into the chicken. 
  6. Season all sides very well with salt and pepper and a few pinches of dill. Rub all over the chicken with olive oil.
  7. Place chicken on top of the veggies in the baking dish and pop into the oven. Turn the heat down to 400 and roast for 1.5 hours. 
  8. Half way through cooking, take chicken out of the oven and spoon over it the juices and oils at the bottom of the pan. Also add 1/4 cup of water the dish so the veggies don’t dry out. Put it back in the oven to finish. 
  9. On a sheet tray arrange the rest of the carrots, all the brussel sprouts cut in half, and the baby potatoes cut in half. Season with salt and pepper, some fresh rosemary stalks, and drizzle over with olive oil. Use your hands to coat all the veggies with the seasoning and olive oil. (Side Note: Cut off the ends of the brussel sprouts before halving them if you don’t want to end up with the most horrific gas all night!)
  10. Pop veggies into the oven until golden brown and cooked through, about 45-55 mins. 
  11. When chicken is cooked through and juices run clear, let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. 
  12. Carve the chicken and serve with roasted veggies, fresh bread, and a glass of wine. 
  13. Enjoy!

If looking for a great reference on roasted meats, try Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. Great book that’s easy to use and understand. 

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November 8, 2012


Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Ingredients:

  • 1 yam or sweet potato
  • 1 regular potato
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 egg
  • Salt
  • 6 fresh sage leaves
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cups flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 large shallot, diced
  • Field greens or arugula

To Make:

  1. Boil or roast the potatoes until they are soft. Cool before handling.
  2. Mash the potatoes or run through a mill.
  3. Add honey, egg, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Mix.
  4. Slowly start adding the flour, 1/2 cup at a time until dough is formed. Should be less gooey but will still stick to your fingers. 
  5. Flour a large board and drop 2 spoons of the dough on it. With floured hands, roll the dough gently, without pushing, into ropes.
  6. Cut the ropes into pieces and drop into boiling, salted water. Allow to cook for 4-5 minutes. 
  7. Meanwhile, in another pan, heat up the butter on medium heat, drop in the sage and allow to get crisp without burning. Remove the sage and set aside. 
  8. Add in the diced shallot and saute for a few minutes on medium-low heat until butter is browned. Add in the balsamic and stir. 
  9. Carefully transfer the gnocchi into the pan, turn off the heat, and stir once to coat. Don’t stir too much or the gnocchi will get mushy and fall apart. 
  10. Arrange greens or arugula in a bowl and carefully tip the gnocchi into it. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese and the sage leaves. 
  11. Enjoy!

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November 5, 2012


Chermoula Eggplant with Bulgar & Yogurt (adapted from Jerusalem)

I recently bought the cookbook Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi, author of Plenty, and am so excited to try everything in it! It looks delicious, healthy, and very close to home for me. This recipe turned out great!

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 large eggplant
  • 1 cup fine bulgar
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • Small handful fresh mint, chopped
  • Small handful fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • Small handful toasted cashews or almonds, crushed and chopped
  • 1 lemon, zest and juice
  • 5 oz sliced black olives, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped finely
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

To Make:

  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Cut eggplant in half, lengthwise. Make deep scores in crisscross fashion into the eggplant insides. 
  3. In small bowl mix the garlic, cumin, coriander, lemon zest of the whole lemon, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, chili flakes, and 1/2 cup of olive oil. Mix well and spread over the inside of the eggplant, making sure to get some into the crisscrosses. Pop the eggplants into the oven for 40 minutes. 
  4. In another bowl, put the bulgar and cover with boiling water. Cover with a lid or use a plate. 
  5. After 5-10 minutes, add the cilantro, green onions, olives, mint, cashews, and lemon juice. Season with salt and stir to combine. Taste and add more salt if needed. Also, add some olive oil if you feel it’s too dry. 
  6. Once eggplants are roasted, spoon the bulgar over them and let some fall onto the plate. Finish with a few dollops of yogurt and a drizzle of olive oil. 
  7. Enjoy!

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Food Clothes by Browns.
I’d rock the shit out of this. 

Food Clothes by Browns.

I’d rock the shit out of this. 

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November 4, 2012


inspirezme:

Taking notes can be super delicious, by using the Sliced Bread Notebook. It is a 12 slices/notebook set which has been packaged for convenience.

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November 2, 2012


Sundried Tomato Risotto with Arugula
Serves 2
Ingredients:
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 cup white wine
3 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup arborio rice (or use medium grain rice)
Handful freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 lemon
Arugula
10 sundried tomatoes, chopped into small chunks
Olive oil
To Make:
Heat up the chicken stock in a small pot and add the sundried tomatoes to it. Bring to boil and turn to a simmer.
In a large pan, heat up some olive oil on medium-high and add in your diced onion. Saute until translucent. 
Add in the rice and cook for 2-3 minutes, to toast it.
Add in the wine and allow to fully absorb. When there is no more liquid, add the chicken stock to the rice one ladle at a time, stirring often. 
The rice will slowly absorb the liquid of the chicken stock and as it does, add more. Add the tomatoes with the stock. The total time should be around 20 minutes of adding liquid, absorbing, and stirring. The rice should be creamy but still have a slight bite to it. 
Turn off the heat and add the juice of 1/2 lemon and the Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine. 
Add a large handful of arugula and stir that it as well. 
Serve with some fresh arugula on top, drizzle a little olive oil, and enjoy!
Simple and delicious! 

Sundried Tomato Risotto with Arugula

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 3 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 cup arborio rice (or use medium grain rice)
  • Handful freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 lemon
  • Arugula
  • 10 sundried tomatoes, chopped into small chunks
  • Olive oil

To Make:

  1. Heat up the chicken stock in a small pot and add the sundried tomatoes to it. Bring to boil and turn to a simmer.
  2. In a large pan, heat up some olive oil on medium-high and add in your diced onion. Saute until translucent. 
  3. Add in the rice and cook for 2-3 minutes, to toast it.
  4. Add in the wine and allow to fully absorb. When there is no more liquid, add the chicken stock to the rice one ladle at a time, stirring often. 
  5. The rice will slowly absorb the liquid of the chicken stock and as it does, add more. Add the tomatoes with the stock. The total time should be around 20 minutes of adding liquid, absorbing, and stirring. The rice should be creamy but still have a slight bite to it. 
  6. Turn off the heat and add the juice of 1/2 lemon and the Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine. 
  7. Add a large handful of arugula and stir that it as well. 
  8. Serve with some fresh arugula on top, drizzle a little olive oil, and enjoy!

Simple and delicious! 

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