You are browsing the archive for 2008 January 07.

by danky

Asparagus with Lemon and Butter Recipe

January 7, 2008 in Recipes by danky

Active time: 15 min Start to finish: 25 min

Makes 10 servings.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4lb medium to large asparagus, trimmed
  • 2tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4teaspoon salt
  • 1/8teaspoon black pepper

DIRECTIONS Peel lower half to two thirds of each asparagus stalk with a vegetable peeler. Cook asparagus in a wide 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain well in a colander, then return to pot and toss with butter, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Cooks’ note:
Asparagus can be cooked (without butter and lemon) 1 day ahead. Drain asparagus, then immediately plunge into a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain again and chill in a sealed plastic bag lined with dampened paper towels.

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by danky

Fettuccine with Morels, Asparagus, and Goat Cheese Recipe

January 7, 2008 in Recipes by danky

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Serves 4 to 6 as a first course.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup minced shallot
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 pound fresh morels (available seasonally at specialty produce
  •  markets and some supermarkets), washed well, patted dry, and trimmed
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 6 ounces mild goat cheese such as montrachet, crumbled (about 1 1/2
  •  cups)
  • 3/4 pound asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, and cooked in
  •  boiling salted water for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh chives
  • 3/4 pound fettuccine

    DIRECTIONS

    In a heavy skillet cook the shallot in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the wine, and simmer the mixture until the wine is reduced by half. Add the broth and the morels, sliced crosswise, and simmer the mixture, covered, for 10 minutes, or until the morels are tender. Add the cream and the goat cheese and cook the mixture over low heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted. Stir in the asparagus, the chives, and salt and pepper to taste and keep the sauce warm. In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the fettuccine until it is al dente, drain it well, and in a bowl toss the pasta with the sauce.

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  • by danky

    Roasted Vidalia Onion, Cherry Tomato, and Bacon Salad Recipe

    January 7, 2008 in Recipes by danky

    Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

    Serves 6.

    INGREDIENTS

  • 4 vidalia onions (about 2 pounds, available seasonally at specialty
  •  produce markets and some supermarkets), peeled
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 6 slices of lean bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • 1/3 cup minced fresh basil or parsley leaves
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

    DIRECTIONS

    Season the onions with salt and pepper, wrap them individually in foil, and bake them in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until they are tender. Let the onions cool in the foil and discard the foil. Chop the onions coarse, discarding the root ends, and in a bowl toss them with the tomatoes, the bacon, and the basil. In a small bowl whisk together the garlic paste, the vinegars, and salt and pepper to taste, add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk dressing until it is emulsified. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss the salad well, and serve it, chilled or room temperature, with grilled chicken or beef.

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  • by danky

    Raspberry and Peach Parfait Cake Recipe

    January 7, 2008 in Recipes by danky

    Makes 12 servings.

    INGREDIENTS

    • parfait cake
    • nonstick vegetable oil spray
    • 113-ounce package soft coconut macaroons
    • 1/2cup sliced almonds, toasted
    • 1 1/2teaspoons grated lemon peel3large peaches (about 20 ounces), peeled, pitted, diced31/2-pint containers raspberries2 1/2cups chilled heavy whipping cream
    • 9large egg yolks
    • 3/4cup sugar
    • 1/3cup light corn syrup
    • 2tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature2tablespoons peach schnappsdecoration
    • 5ounces imported white chocolate, finely choppedcompote and topping
    • 6large peaches (about 2 1/2 pounds), peeled, pitted, thinly sliced
    • 1/2cup sugar
    • 1/3cup peach schnapps
    • 2teaspoons fresh lemon juice
    • 31/2-pint containers raspberries (for topping)

    DIRECTIONS For parfait cake:
    Spray 9-inch springform pan with 3-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Finely grind macaroons, almonds, and lemon peel in processor. Press half of mixture over bottom of prepared pan.

    Puree peaches in processor. Transfer puree to heavy deep-sided saucepan and bring to simmer over medium heat. Cook until reduced to 1 cup, stirring often, about 10 minutes (color of puree will darken slightly). Transfer to bowl and chill until cool, about 15 minutes.

    Puree raspberries in processor. Strain through sieve set over medium bowl, pressing to extract as much fruit as possible. Chill puree.

    Whisk 1/4 cup cream, egg yolks, sugar, corn syrup, and butter in large metal bowl to combine. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water). Whisk constantly until parfait base thickens and thermometer inserted into base registers 160°F, about 8 minutes.

    Remove bowl from over water. Using electric mixer, beat parfait base until billowy and completely cool, about 8 minutes. Divide between 2 medium bowls (about 1 cup parfait base in each bowl). Beat remaining 2 1/4 cups cream in large bowl until medium peaks form. Fold cool peach puree and schnapps into 1 parfait base, then fold in half of whipped cream. Spread peach parfait in prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining macaroon mixture over. Place in freezer.

    Fold 1 cup of raspberry puree (reserve remaining puree for another use) into parfait base in second bowl. Fold in remaining whipped cream. Spread parfait over macaroon mixture in pan. Cover; freeze at least 8 hours and up to 2 days.

    For decoration:
    Fold 30×7-inch strip aluminum foil lengthwise in half to form 30×3 1/2-inch strip.

    Microwave white chocolate in glass bowl for 10-second intervals until chocolate just begins to melt; stir until smooth. Pour into small resealable plastic bag. Cut tip off 1 corner of bag. Pipe white chocolate over foil strip in lacy design. Let stand until chocolate sets, about 10 minutes.

    Using heated knife, cut around parfait cake to loosen; remove pan sides. Holding foil strip upright and parallel to bottom of cake, place 1 end against cake, white chocolate side in. Gently press strip completely around cake like a fence, leaving overhang. Freeze 10 minutes. Starting at overhang, carefully peel off foil. Trim off chocolate overhang. Cover; return cake to freezer for up to 12 hours.

    For compote and topping:
    Combine all ingredients except raspberries in large bowl; let compote stand at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Arrange raspberries atop cake. Cut cake into wedges. Serve with compote.

    Market tip: Lindt and Perugina white chocolate gave the best results in our test kitchen.

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    by danky

    Herbed Vidalia Onion Tea Sandwiches Recipe

    January 7, 2008 in Recipes by danky

    Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

    Not just for afternoon tea, these sandwiches also accompany cocktails well.

    Makes 24 tea sandwiches.

    INGREDIENTS

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon leaves
  • fresh lemon juice to taste
  • tabasco to taste
  • 12 very thin slices of homemade-type white bread
  • 1 vidalia onion (available seasonally at specialty produce markets and
  •  some supermarkets), sliced very thin

    DIRECTIONS

    In a small bowl stir together the mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of the parsley, the tarragon, the lemon juice, the Tabasco, and salt and pepper to taste. Spread one side of the bread slices with the mayonnaise, arrange the onion slices evenly on half the bread slices, and top them with the remaining bread slices. Press the sandwiches together gently, trim the crusts, and cut the sandwiches into quarters. Put the remaining 1/4 cup parsley in a shallow bowl and dip the edges of the sandwich quarters in the parsley.

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