Mosaic Monday

“An onion can make people cry but there's never been a vegetable that can make people laugh.”
-Will Rogers

Hello! I do not know about you, but I am really happy that Spring is here! My local CSA is open and the local, fresh grown goodness is starting to make it's way to my pantry! Don't forget to at your vegetables! Enjoy!


“A vegetable garden in the beginning looks so promising and then after all little by little it grows nothing but vegetables, nothing, nothing but vegetables.”
-Gertrude Stein



"What did the carrot say to the wheat?
Lettuce rest, I'm feeling beet."
-Shel Silverstein

Joke of the Day:

What do you call a stolen yam?
A hot potato.


Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Tasty Tuesday

“If you are a dreamer,come in. If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hoper, a prayer, a magic-bean-buyer. If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire, for we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in! Come in!”
-Shel Silverstein

Hello! I hope your week has started well, mine is progressing as usual. Today's recipe is super easy to make, is a no fail crowd pleaser and is good for you also! I also use it on sandwiches instead of mayo - it is quite tasty. Enjoy!


White Bean Hummus

Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients

* 1 can cannellini beans, undrained
* 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 package pita bread, cut into pieces

Equipment Needed

* Food processor (blender will work also)

Directions

1.) Puree beans and lemon juice in food processor until smooth.
2.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3.) Transfer to serving bowl.
4.) Drizzle with olive oil.
5.) Serve with pita bread.

“Love is strange and mysterious.. Just like Jelly beans..”
-Unknown

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Salivation Sunday: The Superbowl Edition!

"If a man watches three football games in a row, he should be declared legally dead."
-Erma Bombeck

Hello! I have returned! Vacation was wonderful, I will share more about it later in the week! Since today is Super Bowl Sunday I thought a recipe that is easy to make, sure to please and delicious was in order. Enjoy!

"Football is not a contact sport. It's a collision sport. Dancing is a good example of a contact sport."
-Duffy Daugherty



Turkey Chili
Serves 8

Ingredients:

* 2 Tbsp olive oil
* 2 lbs lean ground turkey
* 12 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 sweet red peppers, finely diced
* 1 green pepper, finely diced
* 1 large onion, minced
* 2 Tbsp McCormick Mexican-Style Chili Powder
* Salt to taste
* 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
* 1 Tbsp soy sauce
* 2 dried bay leaves
* 1/4 tsp ground cloves
* 2 tsp ground cumin
* 2 cans diced tomatoes
* 4 cups chicken stock
* 2 cans great northern beans, rinsed & drained
* 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
* Crusty Italian bread

Equipment Needed:

* Large stockpot

Directions:

1.) Heat oil in large stockpot on medium-high until oil faintly smokes.
2.) Add ground turkey.
3.) Crumble and sear until lightly browned, about 5 min.
4.) Mix in garlic, peppers, and onions to browned ground turkey.
5.) Add chili powder, salt, Worcestershire, soy sauce, bay leaves, cloves, & cumin.
6.) Stir in tomatoes and stock.
7.) Bring to simmer.
8.) Add beans.
9.) Continue to simmer, uncovered, on medium-low 45 min, stirring occasionally.
10.) Discard bay leaves.
11.) Ladle chili into warmed bowls.
12.) Top with cheese.
13.) Serve with bread.

"The reason women don't play football is because eleven of them would never wear the same outfit in public."
-Phyllis Diller

Thought of the Day:

"The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination."
-Terri Guillemets

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Souper Saturday

"Soup is to the meal, what the hostesses smile of welcome is to the party. A prelude to the goodness to come."
-Louis P. De Gouy

Hello! I have another recipe for you to add to your collection - it is a keeper! We love soup in our home and are always trying new recipes. I have "tweaked" this one a few times and am happy with the results! Enjoy!

"Soup of the evening, beautiful..."
-Lewis Carroll


White Bean & Proscuitto Soup

Servings: 9 cups

Ingredients:

* 1/4 Lb. Prosciutto, very thinly sliced, cut into strips
* 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 1/2 cups mirepoix (carrots, celery & onion), finely diced
* 3 cans cannellini beans, drained & well rinsed
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 4 cups vegetable stock
* 1 cup half & half
* 3 Tbsp chives, finely chopped
* Homemade croutons (see below)

Equipment Needed:

* Stockpot
* Hand-held blender

Directions:

1.) Cook the prosciutto on high, about 2 min, until lightly browned & crispy.
2.) Remove from pot & set proscuitto aside.
3.) Add 2 Tbsp of olive oil to the pot.
4.) Add garlic & mirepoix & cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, not browned.
5.) Add beans & reduce heat to medium.
6.) Cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 min.
7.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
8.) Mash beans by stirring vigorously.
9.) Mix in vegetable stock until well-combined.
10.) Simmer 25 min, stirring occasionally.
11.) Puree using hand blender until almost smooth.
12.) Pour half and half into small bowl & stir in about 1 cup of hot soup.
13.) Return mixture to stockpot & stir in remaining 2 Tbsp of oil.
14.) Puree with hand-held stick blender until completely smooth.
15.) Garnish with chives and prosciutto.
16.) Serve homemade breadcrumbs on the side.


Homemade Breadcrumbs

Ingredients:

* 1 loaf day old crusty bread, cubed
* 4 Tbsp. olive oil
* 3 Tbsp. garlic powder
* Salt & pepper to taste

Equipment Needed:

* Baking sheet
* Parchment paper

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350°.
1.) In a large bowl toss bread with oil, garlic, salt & pepper.
2.) Place bread cubes on parchment lined baking sheet.
3.) Bake about 15 min, stirring occasionally, until crisp.
4.) Cool before serving.
5.) Store in an airtight container.


Thought of the Day:

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."
-Herm Albright

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Souper Saturday!

"Soup is the song of the hearth... and the home."
-Louis P. De Gouy

Hello! Have a wonderful weekend! If you have a chance to try this recipe you are in for a big surprise... It is wonderful! Enjoy!


Hearty Spanish Soup

Servings: 12 cups

Ingredients:

* 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
* 1/2 lb Chorizo sausage, diced
* 1 cup mirepoix (carrots, celery & onion), finely diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 1/8 tsp saffron
* 1/2 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
* 32 oz vegetable stock
* 32 oz chicken stock
* 1 can garbanzo beans, drained (reserve liquid)
* 1 can black beans, drained, rinsed
* 1/4 lb ham, medium diced
* 1 cup diced, cooked chicken
* 1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
* Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1.) Heat oil in large stockpot on medium, until oil faintly smokes.
2.) Add sausage, stir and cook 30 seconds, remove and set aside.
3.) Add mirepoix, stir and cook 2-3 min, until soft but not browned.
4.) Add garlic and cook 1 min.
5.) Mix saffron and rice, stirring to coat rice with oil; cook about 1 min.
6.) Add vegetable stock, chicken stock, and reserved liquid from beans.
7.) Simmer about 10 min, until rice is tender.
8.) Add garbanzo beans, black beans, ham, chicken, and sausage.
9.) Simmer 5 min to blend flavors.
10.) Skim fat from surface of soup.
11.) Stir in cilantro.
12.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.

"Between soup and love, the first is better."
-Old Spanish saying

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Mangia Monday!

"A jazz musician can improvise based on his knowledge of music. He understands how things go together. For a chef, once you have that basis, that’s when cuisine is truly exciting."
-Charlie Trotter

Hello! Today I have an easy recipe for you! It requires minimal ingredients, uses one pan and does not need any other sides!! It is a family favorite, I hope you enjoy it as well!

Buon Appetito'!

"Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly."
-M. Fisher


Poached Chicken & Escarole
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
* 4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
* Salt and pepper
* 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
* 2 Shallots, peeled and finely diced
* 2 Cloves garlic, peeled and finely diced
* 2 pkg (15 oz) Chopped Escarole
* 1 can (15.5 oz) Cannellini Beans, drained
* 1/2 cup white wine
* 16 oz Chicken Gravy
* Sliced Italian Bread

Directions:
1.) Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2.) Heat olive oil in a saute' pan on medium-high.
3.) Add shallots and garlic.
4.) Cook, stirring, about 1 min, until soft but not browned.
5.) Add escarole to the pan and cook 2-3 min until wilted.
6.) Mix in cannellini beans and wine.
7.) Cook 3-5 min, until liquid is reduced to about one-third.
8.) Mix gravy in and bring to a simmer.
9.) Add chicken to the pan return to a simmer.
10.) Cover and poach for 6 min.
11.) Turn chicken over and poach, covered, 12-15 min, until internal temp is 165°.
12.) Transfer the chicken only to a platter; let rest 5-10 min, keeping warm.
13.) Simmer escarole sauce mixture until reduced and thickened.
14.) Spoon escarole and sauce over chicken.
15.) Serve with bread.

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
-J.R.R. Tolkien

Silly Joke of the Day:

What do you call the best butter on the farm?
..........A goat.

Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Mangia Monday!

Hello and Welcome!

Mangia = Eat: I hope the following recipes inspire you to happily eat!


How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young?
-Paul Sweeney





Scalloped Potatoes

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

* 1 pint heavy Cream
* 1 tsp Kosher salt
* 1 tsp black pepper
* 1 tsp unsalted butter
* 2 1/2 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes, peeled, thinly sliced

Directions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.) Heat cream in pot on medium heat to warm.
3.) Season with salt and pepper.
4.) Remove cream from heat and let cool slightly.
5.) Grease an 8 x 8 casserole dish with butter.
6.) Add cream and potatoes to large mixing bowl and fold in cheese.
7.) Transfer mixture to the casserole dish and place on baking sheet.
8.) Bake about 1 hour, press down on potatoes with spatula every half hour, until potatoes are tender when pierced with fork.


The belly rules the mind.
-Spanish Proverb




Spicy White Turkey Chili Soup

Serves: 7

Ingredients:

* 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
* 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
* 4 oz diced celery
* 4 oz diced onion
* 1/2 cup flour
* 1 Tbsp chili powder
* 1/4 tsp cumin
* pinch cayenne pepper
* 16 oz chicken stock
* 1 small, sweet red pepper, diced
* 1 can cannellini beans
* 1 small green pepper, diced
* 8 oz cooked turkey, shredded
* 1/8 cup heavy cream
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Grated Cheddar Cheese or Sour Cream

Directions:

1.) Melt butter and olive oil in large stockpot on medium, until oil and butter mixture faintly smokes.
2.) Add celery and onions.
3.) Cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent but not brown.
4.) Add flour, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne. Cook 1 min, stirring continuously.
5.) Add stock.
6.) Bring to a simmer and let simmer 10 min.
7.) Add cannellini beans, peppers, turkey,heavy cream and stir well.
8.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
9.) Let simmer 2 to 3 min until heated through.
10.) Ladle into warmed bowls.
11.) Top with cheddar cheese or sour cream.


Soup is liquid comfort.
-Author Unknown


Have a great day and until tomorrow: Go Ahead & Indulge!

Mangia Monday

Hello and welcome! I have couple tasty recipes for you today. Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as my family and I do!

I refuse to believe that trading recipes is silly. Tuna fish casserole is at least as real as corporate stock.
-Barbara Grizzuti Harrison




Rotisserie Chicken Tacos

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

* 1 whole rotisserie chicken, meat shredded
* 2 cups salsa (I use mango)
* 6 flour tortillas
* 1 head Boston lettuce, large leaves torn in half
* 3 medium tomatoes, diced
* 1/4 cup cilantro, stems removed, chopped rough (optional)
* 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Heat salsa on medium, and bring to to simmer, in large saucepan.
2. Add chicken and simmer 5 minutes more.
3. Lay tortillas flat on work surface, then top with lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, cilantro, and cheese.
4. Roll and serve.


Rice is born in water and must die in wine.
-Italian Proverb




Sofrito Rice

Servings: 5-6

Ingredients:

* 7 oz. Sofrito thawed (I use Goya)
* 1 pkg Con Coriander and Annatto (Sazon Goya)
* 1 box Valencia Rice (Goya/12 oz.)
* 3 cups water
* 16 oz Black Bean Soup, warm

Needed: Braising pan

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Directions:

1. Heat sofrito and seasonings in braising pan on medium-high.
2. Stir in rice. Cook 1 1/2 min.
3. Add water; bring to a simmer. Cover.
4. Transfer to oven; bake 50-55 min until rice is tender.
5. Top each serving with 3 tbsp. bean soup.


Recipe: A series of step-by-step instructions for preparing ingredients you forgot to buy, in utensils you don't own, to make a dish the dog wouldn't eat.
-Author Unknown

Have a great day!

Until Tomorrow: Go Ahead & Indulge!