Roasted Mushroom and Sherry Risotto

Ingredients

1 pound mixed wild mushrooms, such as oyster, hen-of-the-woods, and chanterelle, torn into small pieces


1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil


Kosher salt Pepper


7 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth


1/4 cup unsalted butter, divided


4 shallots, minced 
(about 3/4 cup)


1 1/2 cups Arborio rice


1 cup dry sherry


1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving


Preheat the oven to 425°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the mushrooms with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Spread the mushrooms in an even layer, and roast until golden and crisp, about 15 minutes, tossing halfway through.


Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer. Keep warm.

In a large, deep skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter. Add the shallots; cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the rice, and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add the sherry and cook, stirring until the sherry is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of the warm broth; cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until nearly absorbed. Continue adding the broth 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly, until it’s nearly absorbed between additions, for 15 minutes.


Add half of the roasted mushrooms to the risotto. Cook the risotto, adding more broth as needed, until the rice is just tender and suspended in a thick, creamy sauce, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, topped with the remaining half of the roasted mushrooms and more Parmesan. 


Fish Sauce Caramel Chicken

Ingredients

4 whole chicken legs / thighs
(2 1/2 pounds)


Kosher salt Pepper


4 tablespoons neutral oil, divided


3 large shallots, thinly sliced


4 garlic cloves


One 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled, julienned


1/2 cup palm sugar or light brown sugar


3 tablespoons rice vinegar


2 tablespoons fish sauce


1 jalapeño, sliced


Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a deep 12-inch skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Add chicken to skillet, skin side down. Cook over moderately high heat until browned, about 5 minutes. Turn chicken and brown other side, about 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Pour the oil out of the skillet and discard.


Return skillet to moderate heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil, shallots, garlic, and ginger; cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. 


Add sugar, vinegar, fish sauce, and 1/2 cup water to skillet. Bring to a boil, and return chicken to skillet, skin side down. Simmer over moderate heat, occasionally basting the chicken, 8 minutes. Turn chicken and continue basting, adding water by tablespoonfuls if sauce thickens too rapidly, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of chicken registers 165° and sauce is thickened, about 15 minutes. Add jalapeño, and toss to coat in sauce. Transfer chicken to a platter, and drizzle sauce over the chicken.


Quick Chicken Marsala

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

4 (4-oz.) skinless, boneless chicken breast cutlets

3/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1 (8-oz.) pkg. presliced button mushrooms

4 thyme sprigs

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2/3 cup unsalted chicken stock

2/3 cup Marsala wine

2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (optional)

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add chicken to pan; cook until done, about 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from pan (do not wipe out pan).

Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add mushrooms and thyme sprigs; cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle flour over mixture; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute.

Add stock and wine to pan; bring to a boil. Cook until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Stir in butter, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add chicken to pan, turning to coat. Discard thyme sprigs before serving. Sprinkle with chopped thyme, if desired.

Smoky Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables

Ingredients

4 4-oz. boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

12 ounces fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise

12 ounces brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered

6 ounces shallots, trimmed and quartered lengthwise (about 4 medium)

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

5 tablespoons grapeseed oil

Olive oil cooking spray

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard

1 teaspoon honey

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Place a rimmed baking sheet on rack in center of oven; preheat to 425°F. Pat chicken dry. Combine paprika, chili powder, and 1/4 tea - spoon each of the salt and pepper in a small bowl; rub evenly over chicken. Place potatoes, brussel sprouts, and shallots in a medium bowl. Add thyme, 2 tablespoons of the oil, ½teaspoon of the salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat.

Remove baking sheet from oven; mist with cooking spray. Place vegetables on 1 half of hot baking sheet and chicken on other. Roast until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender and slightly charred, 15 to 18 minutes. With pan still in oven, adjust temperature to high broil; cook until vegetables are charred and chicken is slightly crisp, 3 to 4 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together vinegar, mustard, honey, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Slowly whisk in remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Drizzle chicken and vegetables with vinaigrette. Sprinkle with parsley.

Shrimp and Snow Pea Fra Diavolo

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 small leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1½ teaspoons kosher salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

16 ounces linguine

1 lb peeled and deveined tail-on large shrimp

½ pound snow peas

1 teaspoon lemon zest plus

1 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 1 lemon)

¼ cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

1 small red Fresno chile, thinly sliced (optional)

Heat oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium-low. Add leeks, garlic, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 4 cups water, butter, and linguine. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often, until pasta is just al dente and liquid has reduced and thickened, 12 to 14 minutes.

Add shrimp and snow peas to skillet. Cover and cook, stirring once, until shrimp are opaque and snow peas are tender, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Top with lemon zest, parsley, and sliced chile (optional)

Rosemary garlic chicken thighs

Ingredients

8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

1¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided

¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

1 tablespoon olive oil

8 shallots, peeled and halved

½ pound small potatoes

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

¾ cup chicken broth

8 ounces green beans, trimmed

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 475°F. Season chicken with ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.

Add shallots & potatoes to skillet and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add rosemary, garlic, and broth and bring to a boil. Return chicken to skillet, skin side up. Transfer to oven and roast until chicken is cooked through and shallots are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Transfer chicken to a plate. Place skillet over medium-high; add beans and remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Simmer until sauce is thickened and beans are crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in butter. Serve chicken with vegetables and sauce.

Seven Layer Taco DIp

Ingredients

1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

1 (16 ounce) can refried beans

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

2 large tomatoes, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 bunch chopped green onions

1 small head iceberg lettuce, shredded

1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Directions

In a medium bowl, blend the taco seasoning mix and refried beans. Spread the mixture onto a large serving platter.

Mix the sour cream and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Spread over the refried beans.

Top with a layer of tomato, green bell pepper, green onions and lettuce. 

Next add Cheddar cheese. Garnish with black olives and cilantro.  Serve immediately.

Roasted Cauliflower

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil

½ teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 cups cauliflower florets

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup golden raisins

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

4 lemon wedges

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Combine olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add cauliflower florets; toss well to coat. Arrange cauliflower in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet; bake at 450°F for 18 to 20 minutes or until cauliflower is browned and tender. Combine the cauliflower mixture, cilantro, raisins, and lemon juice in a bowl; toss gently to combine.  Serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Grilled Garlic and Black Pepper Shrimp

INGREDIENTS

1 fresh red chile (such as Fresno), seeds removed, finely grated

3 garlic cloves, finely grated

1 tablespoon coarsely ground pepper

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for grill

1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined

Kosher salt

Lime wedges and Kashmiri chili powder or paprika (for serving)

DIRECTIONS

Whisk chile, garlic, pepper, lime juice, and 2 Tbsp. oil in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat; season with salt. Thread shrimp onto skewers.

Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; clean grates well, then oil. Grill shrimp, turning once, until cooked through and lightly charred, about 5 minutes total. Serve with lime wedges dipped in chili powder.

Homemade Chicken Ramen

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs (boneless, skin-on)

kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to season

1 tbsp unsalted butter

2 tsp sesame oil

2 tsp fresh ginger, minced

3 tsp fresh garlic, minced

3 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

2 tbsp mirin

5 cups rich chicken stock

1 oz dried shitake mushrooms (or 1/2 cup fresh)

1-2 tsp sea salt, to taste

2 large eggs

1/2 cup scallions, sliced

2 (3 oz) packs dried ramen noodles

optional: fresh jalapeño slices, for serving

Instructions

Cook the chicken: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Melt the butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and cook until the skin is golden brown and releases easily from the pan, about 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 4-5 minutes, until golden. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from the oven, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil until ready to serve.

Let the chicken cool and then slice into thin pieces.

Make the ramen broth: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, until shimmering. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook for a few minutes until softened. Add the soy sauce and mirin, and stir to combine. Cook for another minute. Add the stock, cover, and bring to boil. Remove the lid, and let simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, then add the mushrooms. Simmer gently for another 10 minutes, and season with salt, to taste.

Make the soft-boiled eggs: Fill a pot with enough water to cover the eggs, and bring to a boil. Gently lower the eggs (still cold from the fridge) into the boiling water, and let simmer for 7 minutes (for a slightly-runny yoke) or 8 minutes (for a soft, but set-up yoke).

When the eggs finish cooking, add the ramen noodles to the boiling water. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until soft,

Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice water. When the timer finishes, transfer the eggs to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Wait at least 5 minutes, or until cool enough to handle, then carefully peel away the shell and slice in half, lengthwise. Set aside until ready to serve.

Assemble the ramen bowls: Divide the noodles into two large bowls. Add the sliced chicken and the ramen broth. Top with the fresh scallions, jalapeño and the soft boiled egg. Serve immediately.

** Makes only 2-3 servings.  Consider doubling **

Salmon Crudo with Chives

INGREDIENTS

1 pound salmon, halibut, yellowtail, or any other sushi-quality fish

Flaky sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon thinly sliced chives or slivered scallions

DIRECTIONS

Slice the fish across the grain into 16 thin slices. Arrange on a chilled platter. Season each slice with salt and pepper.

Whisk together the lemon zest and juice, olive oil, and chives or scallions. Spoon over the fish, and serve.

Note – Made it once, a bit too much lemon flavor. 

Salmon Crudo with Dill and Capers

INGREDIENTS

1 lb piece sashimi-grade salmon fillet, pin-boned

Grated zest of 1 lemon, plus juice of 2

2 shallots, finely chopped

2 teaspoons sugar

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon baby capers

2 tablespoons chopped dill

DIRECTIONS

Rinse the salmon, then pat dry with paper towel. Enclose in plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour (this makes slicing easier).

Meanwhile, place lemon zest and juice, shallot, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Slowly whisk in oil to combine. Set aside.

Just before serving, use a very sharp knife to cut very thin salmon slices. Spread on a platter, drizzling with dressing as you go. Scatter with capers and dill. Serve immediately

Snapper Crudo

INGREDIENTS

2 Fresno chiles or jalapeños, seeded, chopped

1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Kosher salt

8 ounces sashimi-grade snapper or sea bream fillet, skin removed, halved lengthwise, bones and bloodline removed, very thinly sliced

Fresh cilantro leaves (for serving)

Extra-virgin olive oil (for serving)

1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

DIRECTIONS

Pulse chiles, orange zest, orange juice, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a food processor until very finely chopped; season chile paste with kosher salt.

Arrange snapper on chilled plates. Top with chile paste and cilantro, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sea salt.

DO AHEAD: Chile paste can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and chill.