Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Serves 4 to 6.
INGREDIENTS
for the croutons
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, halved
3 cups 3/4-inch cubes of italian or french bread
for the dressing
2 flat anchovy fillets, or to taste, rinsed and drained
4 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup olive oil
4 heads of romaine, the pale-green inner leaves washed, spun dry, and torn into bite-size pieces (about 12 cups) and the outer leaves reserved for another use
parmesan curls formed with a vegetable peeler
DIRECTIONS
Make the croutons:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a small saucepan melt the butter with the oil, the garlic, and salt and pepper to taste over moderately low heat. Remove the mixture from the heat, let it stand for 10 minutes, and discard the garlic. In a bowl toss the bread cubes with the butter mixture, spread them on a baking sheet, and bake them in the middle of the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden. The croutons may be made 1 day in advance and kept in an airtight container.
Make the dressing:
Mince and mash the anchovies with the garlic to form a paste and in a bowl whisk together the paste, the vinegar, the lemon juice, the Worcestershire sauce, and the mustard. Add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the dressing until it is emulsified.
In a large bowl toss the romaine with the croutons and the dressing until the salad is combined well and sprinkle the salad with the Parmesan curls.
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Serves 2.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons raisins
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons rum
2 to 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream
1 banana
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl let the raisins soak in the water. In a dry small heavy skillet heat the sugar over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt, cook it, swirling the skillet occasionally, until it is a golden caramel, and remove the skillet from the heat. Add the raisins with the water, the butter, and the salt, stir in the rum, and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring, until the caramel dissolved. Divide the ice cream between 2 dishes, halve the banana lengthwise and crosswise, and arrange 2 banana pieces in each dish. Spoon the butterscotch sauce over the ice cream and banana.
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Serves 2.
INGREDIENTS
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound spinach, coarse stems discarded and the leaves washed well, spun dry, and chopped coarse
a 15- to 16-ounce can white beans, rinsed and drained well
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
DIRECTIONS
In a skillet cook the garlic in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until it is pale golden, add the spinach, and cook it, stirring, until it is wilted. Add the beans, the vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste and simmer the mixture, stirring gently, for 2 minutes.
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Serves 2.
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon tabasco
1/2 cup coarsely grated cheddar
1/2 pound broccoli, cut into long flowerets
DIRECTIONS
In a blender blend together the oil, the vinegar, the water, the Tabasco, the Cheddar, and salt and pepper to taste until the vinaigrette is smooth. In a small saucepan bring 1 inch of water to a boil and in it cook the broccoli, covered, over high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, or until it is crisp-tender. Drain the broccoli well and serve it topped with the vinaigrette.
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Serves 2.
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
2 shallots, chopped fine
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 strips of orange zest, removed with a vegetable peeler
1/2 cup water
2 sole or orange roughy fillets (about 1 pound)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
DIRECTIONS
In a skillet boil the orange juice, the wine, and the vinegar with the shallots, the fennel seeds, and the zest, shaking the skillet, until most of the liquid is evaporated. Add the water, bring the mixture to a boil, and in it poach the sole, covered, at a bare simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer the sole with a slotted spatula to 2 plates and keep it warm, covered. Boil the poaching liquid until it is reduced to about 1/3 cup, remove the skillet from the heat, and swirl in the butter. Season the sauce with salt and pepper and pour it through a fine sieve over the sole.
Cooks wanting to prepare these kebabs in advance may let them marinate for up to 4 hours.
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Serves 2.
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, forced through a garlic press
1 tablespoon asian (toasted) sesame oil
1 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 pound boneless shell steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
five 7-inch bamboo skewers
8 scallions, trimmed
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl whisk together the soy sauce, the garlic, the oil, the gingerroot, the sugar, the vinegar, the sesame seeds, and the pepper. Thread the steak cubes loosely onto 4 of the skewers and thread the remaining skewer crosswise through the middle of each scallion so that the scallions stand parallel to one another. Put the beef and scallion kebabs in a shallow dish just large enough to hold them, pour the marinade over them, coating them well, and let the kebabs marinate, chilled, turning them frequently, for 25 minutes. Grill the kebabs on an oiled rack set about 6 inches over glowing coals, turning them, for 10 minutes.Alternatively the kebabs may be broiled under a preheated broiler about 4 inches from the heat in the same manner.) Divide the beef and the scallions, both removed from the skewer, between 2 plates.
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Serves 2.
INGREDIENTS
4 slices of bacon, chopped fine
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 pound large farfalle (bow tie pasta)
1 tomato (about 1/2 pound), chopped
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes, or to taste
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
DIRECTIONS
In a deep skillet cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until it is crisp and transfer it with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the skillet, add the oil, and in the fat cook the onion over moderate heat, stirring, until it is golden brown. In a kettle of salted boiling water cook the pasta until it is al dente. While the pasta is cooking, stir the tomato into the onion mixture with the 1/4 cup water, the red pepper flakes, and salt to taste, simmer the sauce, stirring, for 5 minutes, and stir in the parsley and the bacon. Drain the pasta well, add it to the sauce, and toss it well. Add the Parmesan and toss the pasta well.
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Makes about 3 cups, serving 2.
INGREDIENTS
10 ounces mushrooms, chopped fine
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups beef broth
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice, or to taste
2 scallions, sliced thin
DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan sauté the mushrooms in the butter over high heat, stirring, until the liquid the mushrooms give off is evaporated and stir in the broth and the water. In a small bowl whisk together the cornstarch, the soy sauce, and the vinegar until the cornstarch is dissolved and stir the mixture into the soup. Bring the soup to a boil, stirring, and simmer it for 5 minutes. Stir in the scallions and salt and pepper to taste and simmer the soup for 1 minute more.
