Cooking

Pixabay photo

By Barbara Beltrami

Wasn’t it fun coloring Easter eggs? And aren’t they pretty? But then what do you do when  you’re stuck with all those eggs? Egg salad, of course! Try a curried egg salad on croissants or an egg salad tartine with fresh herbs, and if you still have left over Easter eggs, think about a nice big salad Nicoise or an iceberg wedge with gribiche. They all will take those hard-boiled eggs to new places on your palate.

Curried Egg Salad on Croissants

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder

Salt and white pepper to taste

2 tablespoons mayonnaise (or more to taste)

1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives

1/4 cup finely minced celery

1/2 roasted red pepper, finely minced

Dash cayenne pepper

4 croissants, halved

DIRECTIONS: In a medium bowl combine the eggs, curry powder, salt and pepper, mayonnaise, chives; celery, red pepper and cayenne. Spread on 4 croissant bottoms, then top with croissant tops; cut each croissant in two. Serve with mango chutney.

Egg Salad Tartines with Fresh Herb Topping

YIELD: Makes 6 tartines

INGREDIENTS:

8 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and coarsely chopped

1/3 cup mayonnaise

teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

6 slices 12-grain bread, toasted

2 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced

1/4 cup torn basil leaves

1/4 cup snipped chives

1/4 cup chopped chervil

1/4 cup chopped dill

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon orange juice

DIRECTIONS: In a medium bowl combine the eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, olive oil and salt and pepper. Spread mixture on toasted bread. In a small bowl gently toss together the scallions, basil, chives, chervil, dill, olive oil, orange juice, and salt and pepper; then sprinkle over egg salad. Serve warm or at room temperature with bread and butter pickles and crudités.

Salade Nicoise

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons minced shallot

1 1/2 tablespoons prepared Dijon mustard

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 head Boston lettuce, washed drained and leaves separated

1 pound creamer potatoes, scrubbed, boiled and halved

1/2 pound haricots verts, trimmed and steamed till al dente

8 radishes, thinly sliced 8 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered

10 ounces Italian olive oil -packed ventresca tuna

1/2 cup Kalamata or Nicoise olives

DIRECTIONS: In a medium bowl whisk together the vinegar, shallot, mustard, oil and salt and pepper. Line a large salad bowl with the lettuce, then the potatoes and drizzle 1/3 of the oil and vinegar mixture over it; add the haricots verts and radishes and drizzle another 1/3 of the mixture over them, and finally arrange the tomatoes, eggs, tuna and olives on top and drizzle the remaining 1/3 of the mixture over them. Serve at room temperature with crusty bread and unsalted butter or extra virgin olive oil and a chilled dry white wine.

Iceberg Wedge with Gribiche

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

4 wedges iceberg lettuce, washed and drained

2 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped

6 cornichons, chopped

1/4 cup chopped chives

1 garlic clove

1 teaspoon capers, rinsed and drained

1 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 cup chopped parsley

DIRECTIONS: Arrange lettuce wedges on plates or a platter. Place eggs, cornichons, chives, garlic, capers, mustard, lemon juice, oil and salt and pepper in jar of electric blender; puree until smooth, then pour evenly over wedges and sprinkle with parsley. Serve at room temperature with ham and scalloped potatoes.

A Celebratory Passover Dessert

(Culinary.net) When celebrating with family, there is nearly nothing better than passing a light and sweet dessert around the table. These Simple Macaroons are crisp, dipped in decedent chocolate and a completely scrumptious option for celebrating Passover.

Simple to make and easy to eat, this sweet dessert is a crowd favorite. With a fresh kick of lemon zest and crunch of shredded coconut, they are a bite-sized, delicious way to end your meal.

They take little to no time to make, only baking 10-12 minutes for a tray full of tasty dessert bites ready to devour.

With sweet honey and vanilla, the flavors come together to create something sweet but not overpowering. It’s a small, crumbly bite that’s perfect for sharing during Passover.

Find more sweet treat recipes for any holiday at Culinary.net.

Simple Macaroons

Recipe adapted from marthastewart.com

Yield: 15 macaroons

Ingredients:

1 large egg

2 1/4 tablespoons honey

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

grated lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups shredded coconut

5 ounces dark chocolate, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In bowl, whisk egg. Add honey, vanilla, lemon zest and salt; whisk. Stir in coconut until completely coated with egg mixture.

Using 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop, make 15 balls, transferring each to parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.

Bake macaroons 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through, until coconut starts to brown on edges.

Transfer sheet to wire rack and let cool.

Before serving, drizzle with melted chocolate or dip bottom sides of macaroons in melted chocolate to cover bases. Refrigerate 15 minutes to set.

See video here.

Cream of Asparagus Soup

By Barbara Beltrami

If crocuses and daffodils are the floral harbingers of spring, then surely asparagus is the vegetal one. Truth be told, for die-hard veggie lovers nothing spells spring like asparagus. While nowadays it is available year round, it’s still a real treat when it’s grown locally and is fresh, young, and tender. Another thing that’s great about it is that it lends itself to so many cooking methods. I know a lot of people like it roasted or grilled or sautée, and still others like it in a salad or soup, on a tart or crostini. As for me, I like it so much that I prefer to eat it unadorned, just steamed with nothing but a little salt sprinkled on it. Anyway, here are a few recipes you might enjoy.

Cream of Asparagus Soup

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

4 ounces unsalted butter

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, crushed

Salt and pepper to taste

2 pounds fresh asparagus, woody ends removed, cut into 1” pieces

6 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

Chopped fresh chives

Chopped fresh dill

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is opaque, about 3 to 5 minutes; add salt and pepper and asparagus and cook another 3 to 5 minutes, until asparagus starts to turn bright green.

 Add chicken broth, bring to a boil, then simmer about 20 to 30 minutes, until asparagus is very tender; let cool 10 to 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer solids and one cup liquid to a food processor; pulse till smooth, then return to pot and stir into remaining liquid. Add cream and simmer until heated through. Garnish with chives and dill and serve hot or warm with a chilled dry white wine.

Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce

METRO photo

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound fresh asparagus, woody ends removed

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 large egg yolk

1/2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Steam the asparagus until just tender; sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste; set aside to keep warm. Place egg yolk and lemon juice in a blender and pulse a few times to combine; with motor running, gradually add butter until mixture is light and frothy. If sauce is too thick, add a teaspoon of water to loosen it. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and cayenne pepper and keep warm until ready to serve, then pour over asparagus. Serve with eggs, beef, or crusty bread.

Asparagus and Pea Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound fresh asparagus, woody ends removed

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated, washed and drained

1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen peas, cooked

1/2 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard

Freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread asparagus on  sheet, then drizzle the two tablespoons olive oil over it and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; roast until al dente, about 10 minutes; remove from oven and let come to room temperature. Line a platter or salad plates with lettuce leaves; place asparagus on top of lettuce, then sprinkle peas over it. In a small bowl whisk together the mustard, lemon juice, the 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper. Drizzle over asparagus, peas and lettuce and serve with beef, chicken, poultry or fish.

Leftover Ham and Veggies Quiche. Pixabay photo

By Barbara Beltrami

Concerning leftovers, there are two groups of people — those who love them and those who don’t. The former can stand in the shadows cast by the refrigerator light in the middle of the night and gnaw on a drumstick, grab a fork and twirl cold leftover spaghetti right out of the container, or hack off a slab of ham or roast beef, grab the jar of mayonnaise and a couple of slices of bread and cure their insomnia with a sandwich. 

The latter are those like me, who with the best of intentions, carefully scrape every last morsel into a container, stash it in the fridge where it gets rotated to the back and ends up growing a bluish-green furry topping. However, I must concede that there are some leftovers that I think successfully lend themselves to recycling, particularly ham, chicken and pasta.

Leftover Chicken Egg Rolls

YIELD: Makes 16 egg rolls

INGREDIENTS: 

Nonstick cooking spray

16 egg roll wrappers

2 cups grated carrots

1 cup grated cabbage

1/3 cup minced cubanelle pepper

1/3 cup chopped scallions

1 garlic clove, minced

2 cups minced cooked chicken breasts/thighs

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon vegetable or peanut oil

1 teaspoon brown sugar

Freshly ground white pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Generously coat bottom and sides of a large skillet and a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; cover wrappers with a damp towel. In a large skillet, stir fry the carrots, cabbage, pepper, scallions, garlic and chicken until veggies begin to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. In a small pot combine cornstarch, water, soy sauce, oil, brown sugar and white pepper until smooth; add to chicken veggie mixture; cook about 2 minutes, just until sauce is thickened. Place wrapper on flat surface; scoop 1/3 cup of mixture onto part of wrapper closest to you; tightly fold in sides of wrapper and roll toward the edge farthest away from you. Gently lift egg roll and place seam side down on baking sheet; repeat procedure for remaining egg rolls. Spray top of each egg roll with nonstick coking spray. Bake, turning egg rolls once,  until they are golden and crispy, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve hot with soy sauce and sauteed baby bok choy.

Leftover Ham and Veggies Quiche

Leftover Ham and Veggies Quiche. Pixabay photo

YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

One 9” pie crust

1 cup minced cooked ham

1 cup shredded hard cheese (cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, etc.)

2 cups cooked veggies (Brussels sprouts, spinach, kale, broccoli, etc)

1 onion, thinly sliced

4 eggs

2 cups half and half

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Line pie dish or quiche pan with crust; crimp edges (make the edges as high as possible). Evenly distribute ham, cheese, veggies and onions over crust. In a medium bowl vigorously beat together the eggs, half and half, salt and pepper and nutmeg, then pour mixture into crust. Place quiche on prepared baking sheet; bake until a knife inserted near edge comes out clean and top is golden, about 25 to 30 minutes; remove to wire rack and let sit at least 5 minutes. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature with soup.

Leftover Pasta Frittata

YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

4 eggs

2-3 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 pound cooked pasta with marinara sauce (preferably spaghetti or linguine, coarsely chopped)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup julienned fresh basil leaves

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. In a large bowl beat eggs, then stir in cheese, salt and pepper and pasta. Heat  oil in a 10” ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat; pour egg and pasta mixture into pan and gently pulling edges toward center as egg solidifies, cook about 5 minutes, until all but a little of the mixture remains runny and frittata is crisp on bottom; place in oven for 3 to 5 minutes until completely cooked, then slide onto heated plate. Sprinkle with basil. Serve hot or warm with a crisp green salad.

Nalenski. Pixabay photo

By Barbara Beltrami

As I pottered around my kitchen preparing dinner, the evening news was on the TV. I watched the tragedy in Ukraine unfold with its shattered buildings and shattered lives, deliberate assaults on hospitals and shelters, courage and heroism and knew that for so many Ukrainians, there was no longer a home or a kitchen, where a babushka or young mother stood cooking a batch of varenyky or pirohi (dumplings), chicken kyev, a pot of borscht (beet soup) or holubsti (stuffed cabbage), a pan of nalesniki (cream cheese filled crepes) or deruny (potato pancakes).

Today my friend Svitlana told me that her family has safely escaped to Poland, but for so many innocent victims of this cruel siege by an unhinged Russian egomaniac, there will be no food, no shelter, and for some, no life. I dedicate this column to them and their heroism.

Nalesniki

YIELD: Makes 16 crepes

INGREDIENTS: 

Crepes:

5 eggs

1 1/4 cups flour

2 cups milk

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

3 ounces melted unsalted butter

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Filling:

1 1/2 pounds small curd cottage cheese, rinsed and drained

1/2 pound cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Generously grease a 9” x 13” baking dish. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer beat together the eggs and flour until most of the lumps are gone. With mixer on low speed beat in the milk, then the salt, sugar, butter  and oil. Heat a 10” crepe pan or nonstick skillet over low heat. Pour 1/4 cup of prepared batter into pan and tilt to evenly distribute it; when edges are slightly crisp, about one minute, carefully flip the crepe and cook another 30 to 45 seconds, remove, place on plate and repeat with remaining batter. 

In a medium-large bowl, beat together the cottage cheese, cream cheese and sugar; place a crepe on a flat surface, spread with a thin layer of cheese mixture and, starting with the end closest to you, tightly roll into a long, thin log; repeat procedure with remaining crepes. Place half of them in baking dish, drizzle with half the butter, then repeat procedure with remaining crepes. Bake about 30 minutes, cut logs in half and serve with jam and tea.

Holubsti

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

12 -16 outer leaves from 1 large head green cabbage

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 carrots, peeled, finely grated

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon sugar

One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes

1 3/4 cups water

1 large bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 pound ground pork

1/2 pound ground beef

1/3 cup long grain white rice, pre-cooked for 5 minutes

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

DIRECTIONS:

Fill a large bowl with ice water.  In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the cabbage leaves, one to two minutes, until they are bright green and pliable; carefully place them in ice water, then drain them between several layers of paper towels. 

In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat and cook half the onion and all the carrots until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes; add tomato paste and sugar and cook another minute or two, until caramelized. Add tomatoes, water and bay leaf and cook over medium-high heat until reduced by half, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and season. 

Meanwhile in a large bowl, combine ground meat, remaining onion and rice; season with salt and pepper and thoroughly combine ingredients. Working one at a time, cut center stem from each cabbage leaf; place two generous tablespoons of meat mixture in center of leaf, fold the sides over and roll up. Place, seam side down in pot, repeat with remaining cabbages leaves and filling and nestle them close together in pot; bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce to medium-low, partially cover and cook about 40 minutes, until done. Remove bay leaf, transfer with cabbage rolls and sauce to bowl or platter and serve hot with sour cream.

Stuffed Peppers

Recipe courtesy of Chef Anthony Serrano

INGREDIENTS:

Stuffed Peppers

6  bell peppers, halved lengthwise and deseeded

1  tablespoon avocado oil

1  teaspoon sea salt

16 ounces Fresh Cravings Chunky Style Salsa

2  cups riced cauliflower (fresh or frozen)

2  cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

2  pounds 80% lean ground beef, cooked, lightly seasoned and drained

1  bunch cilantro, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

Heat grill to medium-high heat. Brush both sides of bell peppers with avocado oil and season with salt. Grill peppers on each side 2-3 minutes, or until grill marks appear. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Add salsa, riced cauliflower and 1 cup cheddar cheese to cooked ground beef. Stir and return to heat until cheese begins to melt.

Place bell peppers on sheet pan or casserole dish. Use large spoon to fill peppers with ground beef mixture. Top stuffed peppers with remaining cheese.

Return to grill and grill approximately 15-20 minutes, or until cheese begins to caramelize.

Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Garnish with cilantro.

 

Stock photo

By Barbara Beltrami

Here it is St. Patrick’s Day, and if you’re not obsessive about having the usual corned beef and cabbage or haven’t gotten around to shopping and cooking for last week’s recipes, I’ve got some interesting other traditional Irish recipes that can be prepared easily and quickly and are just as delicious and satisfying. If you want to keep the corned beef and cabbage, but have no time to cook, how about using those two ingredients in a soup?  You can pick up some corned beef at the deli.  And then there’s boxty, Irish potato pancakes, great with just about anything else you cook. If you have time, or even if you don’t, be sure to whip up a batch of oh-so-easy shamrock cookies for a nice finale to your St. Patrick’s Day dinner.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1/4 cup vegetable oil 

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

1 celery rib, sliced

3 carrots, peeled and diced

1 pound cherry tomatoes, chopped

3 cups beef broth

4 cups chopped green cabbage

3 to 4 potatoes, peeled and diced

1/3 pound cooked corned beef, diced

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat; add onion, celery and carrots and cook, stirring a couple of times, until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth, cabbage, potatoes and 3 cups water.; bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer until veggies are tender; add corned beef and salt and pepper and cook another minute. Serve with Irish soda bread and butter.

Boxty

YIELD: Makes 10 to 12 pancakes

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound all-purpose potatoes, peeled, diced

1 pound all-purpose potatoes, peeled, grated

Salt and black pepper to taste

1 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS:

Place grated potatoes in cold water. Fill a pot with salted water and bring to a boil; add diced potatoes and cook till soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain grated potatoes, wrap in a kitchen towel and squeeze out all moisture; transfer potatoes to a large bowl, season with salt and pepper and toss. Mash cooked potatoes till creamy, then add the seasoned grated potatoes and thoroughly combine the two. Add buttermilk, stir lightly, then add flour and baking powder and stir again to thoroughly combine. In a large skillet heat two tablespoons of the butter over medium heat; drop batter by one-third cupfuls into butter and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side; repeat procedure with remaining butter and batter. Serve hot with smoked salmon and sour cream or eggs and bacon.

Shamrock Cookies

 YIELD: Makes about 3 dozen cookies

INGREDIENTS: 

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1 large egg at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon coarse salt

Green decorative sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 F. In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the egg and extract; gradually add flour and salt and thoroughly combine; refrigerate for one hour. On a lightly floured surface roll out dough to 1/4” thickness, then cut with a lightly floured shamrock-shaped cookie cutter; place one inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet, sprinkle with green sugar and bake until edges start to brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Serve with Irish coffee or cocoa.

American Irish Stew

From hearty stews to minty pies, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are all about enjoying the flavors of the holiday. 

American Irish Stew

American Irish Stew

YIELD: Serves 6

INGREDIENTS: 

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/4 pounds beef, top round, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

3 cloves garlic, minced

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped

3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces

2 medium parsnips, cut into large chunks

3 cups low-fat, reduced-sodium beef broth

4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 leek, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add beef and garlic. Cook, gently stirring until meat is evenly browned. Season with salt and pepper. Add onion, carrots and parsnips. Cook 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 75 minutes, or until meat is tender. Stir in potatoes and simmer another 30 minutes. Add rosemary and leeks. Continue to simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender. To avoid potatoes from falling apart, do not overcook. Serve hot and garnish with parsley, if desired.

Irish Potato Bread

Irish Potato Bread

This potato bread is just as easy to make as a soda bread, in fact it’s pretty much the same recipe with the addition of potatoes and the potatoes help keep this bread so nice and moist and tender giving it a heavenly texture! 

YIELD: Makes 1 bread

INGREDIENTS: 

2 medium or large russet potatoes

1 egg

1 egg white

1/3 cup canola oil

3/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons green onion, minced

1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting and kneading

1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 375 F. Peel potatoes. Slice one potato and boil in saucepan 15 minutes, or until tender. Remove potato from saucepan into large bowl. Mash potato then set aside. Grate second potato onto cloth. Wring potato in cloth to remove excess water. Add grated potato to mashed potato in large bowl. Add egg, egg white, oil, milk, onion, caraway seeds, 3 1/4 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Stir with wooden spoon until mixture is soft and sticky. 

Turn dough onto floured surface. Adding flour as needed, knead dough to form 8-inch round shape with slight dome. Place dough onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cut large “X” on top of dough about 1/2 inch deep. Bake 55 minutes until golden brown. Cool on wire rack 1 hour before serving.

Luck o’ the Irish Mint Pie

Mint Pie

YIELD: Makes 2 pies (9 inches each)

INGREDIENTS: 

3 3/4 cups heavy whipped cream, divided

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 1/4 cups, plus 2 tablespoons, powdered sugar, divided

5 drops green food coloring

1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

1/4 teaspoon mint extract

1 bag mint chocolate candies, chopped, divided

2 chocolate cookie crusts (9 inches each)

1 bag mint chocolate candies

DIRECTIONS:

To make filling: In bowl of stand mixer, whisk 2 1/2 cups heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer to bowl. In separate stand mixer bowl, beat cream cheese on high 2 minutes. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar and green food coloring; mix until smooth. Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and mint extract; mix well. Fold prepared whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Fold 1 cup chopped mint chocolate candies into filling.

To make frosting: In bowl of stand mixer, whisk remaining heavy cream and remaining powdered sugar. Add remaining vanilla extract and mix until stiff peaks form. Pour filling into crusts and smooth tops. Fill decorating bag with frosting and pipe thick band around edges of pies. Then pipe circle dollops evenly around edges of pies. Scatter 1 cup chopped mint chocolate candies in middle of pies. Place whole mint chocolate candies into each dollop of frosting around edges of pies. Refrigerate until firm, 5 to 6 hours, before serving

Classic Macaroni and Cheese METRO Photo

By Barbara Beltrami

My mother never made macaroni and cheese so when I was a kid it was Franco-American straight out of the can. In my young adulthood I made macaroni and cheese for my kids from the Kraft package which included the elbow macaroni and a little packet of powdery grated American cheese to which, if I remember correctly, I added milk and butter. 

Now that the kids are all grown up and I need the calories and cholesterol from macaroni and cheese like a hole in the head, I’ve suddenly awakened to real mac and cheese (during the Covid incarceration, of course). It was lobster mac and cheese that did it. And then the other day my friend suggested a mac and cheese column. So here it is and to hell with the calories and the cholesterol!

Classic Macaroni and Cheese

YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound curly macaroni

Salt to taste

1 tablespoon oil

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup flour

4 cups milk

Freshly ground pepper to taste

3/4 pound freshly grated sharp white cheddar cheese

3/4 pound freshly grated fontina cheese

1 teaspoon cayenne

DIRECTIONS:

Cook macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until just barely al dente. Drain, toss with oil and set aside. Preheat oven to 425 F. In a medium pot, heat butter over medium heat; whisk in flour, and continuing to whisk constantly, cook until flour starts to foam and turn golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, then salt and pepper and still whisking, bring to a simmer. Add grated cheese, whisk until completely melted, add cayenne and cooked pasta and stir well. Transfer mixture to a 9 x 13” baking dish, place on baking sheet to catch any drippings and bake until top starts to crisp and sides are bubbly, about 20 to 30 minutes. Serve hot with a tossed salad.

Four Cheese Mac and Cheese

YIELD: Makes 6 to 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 pound curly macaroni

6 ounces Robiola, rind removed, cheese diced

4 ounces goat cheese, diced

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup mascarpone

2/3 cup grated Pecorino

Freshly ground white pepper to taste

Scant 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 F. Butter a two-quart casserole dish. Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain and immediately transfer to large bowl and toss with Robiola and goat cheese until they are melted. In another bowl whisk together the eggs, mascarpone and Pecorino; stir into macaroni mixture, add pepper and nutmeg, stir. Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish; bake until golden and bubbly. Serve immediately with a tomato and onion salad.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

YIELD: Makes 6 to 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup pureed cottage cheese

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 cups (packed) grated extra sharp white cheddar

1/2 pound curly macaroni, cooked half the time indicated on package and drained

Meat from 2-pound cooked lobster, cut into bite-size pieces

2  to 3 tablespoons bottled clam juice

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 F; place rack in upper third of oven. Grease a 9 x 13” baking dish with one tablespoon of the butter. In an electric blender or food processor, puree together the cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in cheddar and pasta, then pour into baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven, stir in lobster meat and clam juice, dot with remaining butter and return, uncovered, to oven. Bake another 30 minutes until golden and bubbly; remove from oven, let sit 10 minutes, then serve hot with a chilled dry crisp white wine and arugula and endive salad.

Chicken Curry. METRO photo

By Barbara Beltrami

There’s nothing that curries favor more with an adventurous appetite than (you guessed it) curry. A sauce made from different spices, most commonly turmeric, ginger, coriander, cumin and pepper (curry powder is basically a combination of those spices), it is used with meat, fish, or vegetables, can be mild or spicy, but no matter what, it’s a ubiquitous and familiar comfort food all over Asia. 

Like so many foods, curry has as many interpretations as the cultures to which it is indigenous and the people who cook it.  During the British rule of India, it found its way into Western culture, and as the world has become more of a melting pot of immigration and resulting ethnicities, curry has become a welcome addition to our eclectic cuisine with those from India and Thailand being the most familiar (at least to me). 

Here are a few of my riffs on some simple, basic recipes.

Red Curry with Tofu

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 pound firm tofu

1 tablespoon oil

1” piece ginger root, peeled and minced

1 small onion, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 serrano peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms

Salt to taste

3 tablespoons red curry paste

8 ounces unsweetened coconut milk

2 teaspoons Asian fish sauce

Juice and zest of one lime

1 cup sugar snap peas

DIRECTIONS:

Slice tofu into one-inch slabs, place on paper towels, then top with another layer of paper towels and pat them down; let sit 20 to 30 minutes, then cut into 1” cubes. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat, then add ginger, onion, garlic, peppers and cilantro and saute, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. 

Add mushrooms and saute until golden, about another 5 minutes, and season with salt; stir in curry paste and cook about 2 minutes, then add coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice and zest. Stir and add tofu cubes and snap peas. Simmer until sauce thickens a bit and pea pods are tender, about 8 or 9 minutes. Serve hot with brown rice.

Beef Curry

YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 

1 medium onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon ground coriander

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

2 pounds beef sirloin cubes, cut into 1” cubes

2 1/2 cups beef broth or stock

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

DIRECTIONS:

In a heavy saucepan or Dutch oven heat the butter over medium heat; add onions and garlic and, stirring, cook until onions are wilted, about one minute. Add spices and vinegar, stir a little; add beef and cover; cook for about 10 minutes, until beef starts to brown. Add broth, cover and cook over medium-low heat until beef is tender; add salt, pepper and lemon juice, stir, place in serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve hot with rice or chick peas.

Chicken Curry

Chicken Curry. METRO pho

YIELD: Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

4 garlic cloves minced

1 tablespoon minced fresh peeled ginger

1 teaspoon cayenne

2 teaspoons turmeric

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

One 14-ounce can petite diced tomatoes

1 2/3 cup chicken stock or broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pot over medium heat, warm the oil; add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken and, stirring frequently, cook until golden and no longer pink inside, about another 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, cayenne, turmeric, coriander and cumin; cook and stir just until they release their aroma, a minute or so. Next add tomatoes and broth, bring to a good simmer and stir in cream; season with salt and pepper and serve hot with naan and/or basmati rice.