Comfort Food

This is what I consider a perfect Satuday lunch.  I usually just make a simple grilled cheese sandwich and sometimes I even spice it up with some bacon, but Bon Appetit is not playing around with their version!  Here is a grilled ham and gouda sandwich with frissee and carmelized onions….Oh my!!

Image courtesy of Bonappetit.com

Image courtesy of Bonappetit.com

One of my favorite things is carmelized onions.  I could seriously eat an onion by itself if it is carmelized!  Is that weird?  The only other thing I would add to this masterpiece is some ketchup on the side.  You can’t go wrong with a little ketchup (okay okay… a lot!).

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • Unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 1/3-inch-thick slices country white bread or sourdough bread
  • 4 oz thinly sliced smoked ham, divided
  • 3 oz Gouda cheese, thinly sliced, divided
  • 2 large handfuls frisée, torn into bite-size pieces (about 1 cup), divided

Preparation

  • Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until onion is very tender and golden, stirring frequently, about 25 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper. Cool slightly.
  • Butter 2 bread slices. Place bread, buttered side down, on platter. Divide onion, ham, cheese, and frisée between bread slices. Top each with another bread slice; butter top slices.
  • Heat another large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sandwiches and cook until bread is golden brown and cheese melts, pressing occasionally with spatula, about 4 minutes per side. Cut sandwiches in half diagonally and serve immediately.

Portobello Sandwich!

At first glance I swear I thought this was some kind of couscous burger.  I thought–who in the hell would eat a couscous burger?  (okay, I admit….  I would….  I love couscous!)

photo courtesy of epicurious.com

photo courtesy of epicurious.com

Well, was I wrong!  This is a Grilled Portabella and Bulgar Salad Sandwich!  Whoever came up with this over at Epicurious is uber-duber creative, huh!  I would love to serve this at a lunch get-together just to see the guests reaction!  It sounds really good if you ask me!!

INGREDIENTS

For tomato vinaigrette:

  • 1 large garlic clove
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes

For salad:

  • 8 large portabella mushrooms, stems reserved for another use (see cooks’ note, below)
  • 1 small red onion, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges (keeping root end intact)
  • 2 medium yellow bell peppers, quartered lengthwise
  • 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups boiling-hot water
  • 1 cup medium bulgur
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 2 1/2 ounces baby arugula (4 cups)
  • 1 firm-ripe small avocado

PREPARATION

Make vinaigrette:
With motor running, drop garlic into food processor and finely chop. Add tomatoes, parsley, oil, vinegar, rosemary, red-pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and pulse until tomatoes are finely chopped but not puréed.

Make salad:
Peel skin from portabellas using tip of a paring knife, pulling from edge of mushroom toward center. Gently scrape off gills from mushrooms with tip of a spoon. Toss portabellas with 1/2 cup vinaigrette in a 13- by 9-inch glass baking dish and let stand, turning occasionally, 20 minutes.

Prepare a gas grill for direct-heat cooking over medium heat; see Grilling Procedure .

Push 1 wooden pick into each onion wedge to secure for grilling. Toss onion wedges, bell peppers, and zucchini with oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Oil grill rack, then grill vegetables, covered, turning occasionally, until tender (6 to 8 minutes for bell peppers, 6 to 10 minutes for zucchini, 8 to 12 minutes for onion, and 12 to 15 minutes for portabellas).

Transfer portabellas to a plate and remaining vegetables to a bowl as cooked. Cool slightly, then remove wooden picks and coarsely chop onion, bell peppers, and zucchini.

While vegetables cook, pour boiling-hot water over bulgur with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and let stand until water is absorbed and bulgur is tender, about 5 minutes. Drain in a sieve if any water remains.

Add vegetables to bulgur with pine nuts and remaining vinaigrette and toss.

Put one fourth of arugula on each of 4 plates. Top with upside-down portabella. Pack bulgur mixture into a cup measure, then unmold on top of portabella. Top with another portabella, right side up. Serve with an avocado quarter.

SOURCE

Decisions decisions….

All day I have been trying to think of a dessert I can make to take with me on my last day of clinicals to say thank you to everyone for teaching me so much.  Something is seriously wrong with me though…I am SO indecisive!  Any dessert would be fine, but it is taking me forever to think of what I want to make!  So, I think I finally have a contender.  These mint-chocolate brownies from MarthaStewart.com.  You can’t go wrong with Martha…she is da bomb :)

Image courtesy of Marthastewart.com

Image courtesy of Marthastewart.com

These look so delicious and if you are wondering what is in the middle layer,  it is York Peppermint Patties (which I love!).  Hopefully I will have enough time tomorrow to make these and I will post how they turn out.

Makes 16

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
  • 8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 25 small (1 1/2 inch) peppermint patties

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on all sides; butter foil. Set aside.
  2. Place chocolate and butter in a medium heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Stir occasionally just until melted, 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat. Whisk in sugar and salt until smooth; whisk in eggs. Gently whisk in flour and cocoa powder just until smooth (do not overmix).
  4. Spread 1/3 of batter in prepared pan. Arrange peppermint patties on batter in a single layer, leaving a narrow border on all sides. Top with remaining batter, and smooth surface. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 45 to 55 minutes.
  5. Cool completely in pan. Use foil to lift from pan; peel off foil and discard. Cut into 16 squares (4 rows by 4 rows).

Do I have any spinach in my teeth?

My sister cannot even put as much as a little crumb in her mouth without asking me afterward if she has anything in her teeth!  Every SINGLE time!

I wish I could just install a swivel mirror that attaches to the back of her head and she could swivel it on around everytime she needs to check her teeth!  Hmmm…..     I wonder if there is a patent on this idea yet?  I might be onto something.

That means she will NOT be allowed to try this recipe I have come across.  Yippee, more for me!!  It looks so delicious and unique….   Parmesan Spinach Cakes from Eating Well.  Yum!

photo courtesy of Food Network

photo courtesy of Eating Well

These are perfect little egg-slash-muffins for breakfast or brunch….   and they are healthy!  I think they would be a hit with the crowd wherever you served them!

INGREDIENTS

12 ounces fresh spinach (see Note)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese or low-fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
2 large eggs, beaten
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Pulse spinach in three batches in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add ricotta (or cottage cheese), Parmesan, eggs, garlic, salt and pepper; stir to combine.
3. Coat 8 cups of the muffin pan with cooking spray. Divide the spinach mixture among the 8 cups (they will be very full).
4. Bake the spinach cakes until set, about 20 minutes. Let stand in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges with a knife and turn out onto a clean cutting board or large plate. Serve warm, sprinkled with more Parmesan, if desired.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

Per serving: 141 calories; 8 g fat (4 g sat, 3 g mono); 123 mg cholesterol; 6 g carbohydrate; 13 g protein; 2 g fiber; 456 mg sodium; 560 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (170% daily value), Folate (46% dv), Vitamin C (40% dv), Calcium (30% dv), Potassium (16% dv).
1 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 1/2 medium-fat meat

TIP: Note: Baby spinach is immature or young spinach—it’s harvested earlier than large-leaved mature spinach. We like the sturdy texture of mature spinach in cooked dishes and serve tender, mild-flavored baby spinach raw or lightly wilted. Baby and mature spinach can be used interchangeably in these recipes (yields may vary slightly); be sure to remove the tough stems from mature spinach before using.

Weights & Measures
10 ounces trimmed mature spinach=about 10 cups raw
10 ounces baby spinach=about 8 cups raw

SOURCE

Green Alert: Code Red

Okay, I am just giving everyone a fair warning here.  Little Pickle has been on a major kick the past couple days about this greeeeen shake that is supposedly so healthy.  She is most definitely more daring than I am when it comes to eating extreme health items like said green shakes.  I know she has a couple blog posts up her sleeve where she is planning to share with you about these green monsters she is getting into, so I don’t want to steal the thunder.  Especially since I have ZERO interest in these green shakes–zero interest in trying them or even discussing them with her!!

So, tonight when I was perusing our little blog here and happened to click on one of the sponsor ads and came across this image below, I had to laugh.

photo courtesy of Vitamix

I mean, of all things, I click on some information telling me more about these green monsters???!?!  How random!  So, this is from Vita-Mix and hopefully Lil Pickle can make use of this recipe!  Lexie, this is all the more reason you need to kidnap the Vita-Mix from Mom and Dad’s house!

On a side note, these green monsters are said to have major health benefits.  Go to Vita-Mix to find out more (or just wait in suspense for Lil Pickle to start blogging about it–because it is coming!!!).  Here is the recipe if you are interested in trying it out!

Yield: 4 cups (960 ml)
Speed: Variable to High
Time: 1 1/2 minutes

  • 1 cup green grapes
  • 1 (130 g) orange, peeled
  • 1/2 Bartlett pear
  • 1 (120 g) banana, fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup kale
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cups ice cubes

Directions
Place all ingredients into container and secure the lid. Select VARIABLE speed #10, then to HIGH for 1 ½ minutes. Turn machine off.

Serve immediately.

Ain’t no shrimpy shrimp around here!

Growing up neither of us Pickle Sisters liked anything out of the sea.  Momma Pickle was raised in a strict Catholic home where she was served yucky-yuck fish every Friday–and it just ruined her palatte for seafood, poor Momma Pickle.  As such, she never EVER served anything fishy in our home–no way, no how.  While there doesn’t seem to be much hope for Lil Pickle,  me on the other hand….   I am a changed woman!!  I have grown to love fish and crab and scallops and especially some shrimp!

Coastal Living, a great magazine with wonderful recipes, has a recipe on their website for Grilled Shrimp Gazpacho that looks so amazing.  Look at the colors!

Photo courtesy of Coastal Living

I think this would be the perfect recipe for a Friday evening on the patio (and by the pool if this real estate search goes well- we are getting closer and closer!)!  Especially with a big ‘ol glass of crisp white wine in hand!  Add sunset and nice breeze and who could ask for more!?!?!  Here is the recipe from Coastal Living:

INGREDIENTS

1 garlic clove, chopped
½ yellow bell pepper, cut into pieces
½ red bell pepper, cut into pieces
½ English cucumber, cut into pieces
½ small sweet onion, cut into pieces
¼ cup loosely packed fresh basil
1 tablespoon seafood seasoning
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 yellow tomatoes, seeded and cut into pieces
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Combine garlic and next 7 ingredients in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl. Add tomatoes to food processor, and process until almost smooth. Stir tomatoes into vegetable mixture. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Toss shrimp in olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes or until done. Pour soup into bowls; top with shrimp. Makes 2 entrée or 4 side dish servings.

SERVE
Grilled Buttered French Bread Croutons
Brush 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil over 6 slices French bread. Grill until toasted. For extra flavor, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon fresh herbs before grilling.

POUR
The affordable Chilean Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc makes a balanced companion to almost any seafood appetizer―and such a nice aperitif you may need an extra bottle for the meal.

Another complement to light fare is San Angelo Pinot Grigio from Italy. If you’re in the mood to experiment, try Stonehaven Winemakers Selection Riesling from Australia. This dry white exhibits citrus characteristics that pair well with the smoky grilled shrimp.

Hellooo Ambrosia!

Oh my yum!  Ambrosia is one of those deserts, if it was an animate object it would be a little butterfly fluttering around!  It is just perfectly light and delicious.  As a part of our ongoing series Project: Color Wheel, Orange edition we have today a wonderful recipe for Ambrosia from the folks at All You via Myrecipes.com.  This recipe has outrageous Orange written all over it….  jam packed with tons of antioxidants from your oranges and grapefruits!

One glimpse of this beauty and I know you will be dying to run out and grab the ingredients to make it!

Photo courtesy of Myrecipes.com

Doesn’t it look so refreshing?  Perfect for a desert at a Sunday brunch or a dish to bring for a shower.  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 1/2  cup  sweetened shredded coconut (2 oz.)
  • 4  navel oranges
  • 2  (12 oz.) grapefruits
  • 1  cup  green or red seedless grapes, halved (6 oz.)
  • 2  tablespoons  sugar
  • 1  cup  miniature marshmallows (2 oz.)
  • 4  maraschino cherries
  • Butter cookies or pound cake, optional

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread coconut on a large baking sheet. Toast, stirring occasionally, until light brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool. Put 4 dessert bowls in refrigerator to chill.

Peel oranges and grapefruit, removing white pith. Working over a bowl to catch juices, cut segments from membrane. Put fruit in same bowl. (For instructions to slice perfect citrus segments, see Tip Strip, left.)

Just before serving, stir cooled coconut, grapes, sugar (adjust amount to taste) and marshmallows into bowl with oranges and grapefruits. Stir gently to avoid breaking up citrus segments.

Spoon ambrosia into chilled bowls and top each with a cherry. Serve ambrosia with butter cookies or slices of pound cake, if desired.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 250
Fat: 3g (sat 3g)
Protein: 3g
Carbohydrate: 51g
Fiber: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium:  32mg