January 22, 2008 in Recipes by danky
Serves 6 to 8.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups finely chopped onion
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
1 teaspoon dried orégano, crumbled
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and the caps
sliced
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
two 28-ounce cans italian tomatoes, drained well and chopped
1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into strips
1/4 pound italian fontina, grated (about 1 cup)
1/4 pound gorgonzola, crumbled (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmesan
2/3 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
1 pound farfalle (large bow-tie-shaped pasta) or penne (quill-shaped
macaroni)
DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet cook the onion, the garlic, the red pepper flakes, the basil, and the orégano in the oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened. Add the mushrooms, cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the mushrooms are tender, and transfer the mushroom mixture to a large bowl. In the skillet melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over moderately low heat, whisk in the flour, and cook the roux, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the milk in a stream, whisking, and simmer the mixture, whisking, for 2 minutes, or until it is thickened. Pour the sauce over the mushroom mixture and add the tomatoes, the prosciutto, the Fontina, the Gorgonzola, 1 1/4 cups of the Parmesan, and the parsley.
In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the pasta for 5 minutes (the pasta will not be tender) and drain it well. Add the pasta and salt and pepper to taste to the mushroom mixture, toss the mixture until it is combined well, and transfer it to a buttered 3- to 4-quart baking dish. The pasta may be prepared up to this point and kept covered and chilled overnight. Bring the pasta to room temperature before continuing with the recipe. Sprinkle the pasta with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, dot it with the remaining 1 tablespoon butter, cut into bits, and bake it in the middle of a preheated 450°F. oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the pasta is tender.
Tags: Baked, Mushrooms, Pasta, Prosciutto, Shiitake, Tomatoes
January 22, 2008 in Recipes by danky
Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.
Serves 6 to 8.
INGREDIENTS
for the dressing
1 garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 flat anchovy fillet, or to taste, chopped
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon dijon-style mustard
1/3 cup olive oil
8 cups packed escarole, rinsed, spun dry, and torn into pieces
6 cups packed fresh spinach leaves, washed well, spun dry, and torn
into pieces
1 cup finely chopped red onion
DIRECTIONS
Make the dressing:
In a blender blend together the garlic paste, the anchovy, the vinegar, the lemon juice, the mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. With the motor running add the oil in a stream and blend the dressing well.
In a large bowl combine the escarole, the spinach, the onion, and the dressing and toss the salad until it is combined well.
Tags: Dressing, Garlic, Saladnchovy, Spinach
January 22, 2008 in Recipes by danky
Makes about 24 brownies.
INGREDIENTS
for the brownie layer
8 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon
boiling water
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts, chopped
for the cream cheese frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
for the glaze
6 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon
boiling water
DIRECTIONS
Make the brownie layer:
In a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt the chocolate with the butter and the espresso mixture, stirring until the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat, let the mixture cool to lukewarm, and stir in the sugar and the vanilla. Stir in the eggs, 1 at a time, stirring well after each addition, stir in the flour and the salt, stirring until the mixture is just combined, and stir in the walnuts. Pour the mixture into a buttered and floured 13- by 9-inch baking pan, smooth the top, and bake the brownie layer in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it. Let the brownie layer cool completely in the pan on a rack.
Make the cream cheese frosting:
In a bowl with an electric mixer cream together the cream cheese and the butter until the mixture is light and fluffy, add the confectioners’ sugar, sifted, the vanilla, and the cinnamon, and beat the frosting until it is combined well.
Spread the frosting evenly over the brownie layer and chill the brownies for 1 hour, or until the frosting is firm.
Make the glaze:
In a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt the chocolatewith the butter, the cream, and the espresso mixture, stirring until the glaze is smooth, remove the bowl from the heat, and let the glaze cool to room temperature. The brownies keep, covered and chilled, for 3 days.
Tags: Brownies, Cappuccino
January 22, 2008 in Recipes by danky
Makes about 9 cups, serving 6 to 8 as a first course.
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds jersualem artichokes (sunchokes), peeled, sliced, and
reserved in a bowl of cold water
6 cups sliced celery plus celery leaves for garnish
2 cups water
1 quart (4 cups) chicken broth
2/3 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon english-style dry mustard
2 cups half-and-half
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
DIRECTIONS
In a stainless steel or enameled kettle combine the Jerusalem artichokes, drained, the sliced celery, the water, the broth, the wine, and the mustard and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. In a blender purée the mixture in batches, transferring it as it is puréed to a bowl, pour the purée into the kettle, cleaned, and stir in the half-and-half, the nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat the soup over moderate heat, stirring, until it barely reaches a boil, ladle it into heated bowls, and garnish each serving, with a celery leaf.
Tags: Celery, Cream, Jerusalemrtichoke, Soup
January 22, 2008 in Recipes by danky
Makes about 15 cups, serving 6 as a main course.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup medium pearl barley
2 onions, chopped coarse
1 cup chopped carrot
2 large garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 quarts (12 cups) water
1 quart (4 cups) chicken broth
2 smoked ham hocks
4 parsley sprigs
1 cup chopped celery
1 pound swiss chard, washed well and chopped coarse
a 10-ounce package frozen lima beans
1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
DIRECTIONS
In a baking pan toast the barley in a preheated 375°F. oven, shaking the pan occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until it is aromatic. In a large kettle cook the onions, the carrot, and the garlic in the oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are browned. Add the water, the broth, the ham hocks, and the parsley and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 1 hour. Add the toasted barley and the celery and simmer the mixture, uncovered, for 45 minutes. Transfer the ham hocks with tongs to a cutting board, discard the fat and bones, and chop the ham coarse. To the kettle add the ham, the Swiss chard, the lima beans, the basil, the thyme, and salt and pepper to taste and simmer the soup for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chard is tender.
Tags: Barley, Bean, Chard, Lima, Soup, Swiss