Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Potato , Mushroom & Leek Croquettes - with greens & Shallot Vinaigrette

Ready in 40 minutes ... The Game plan ... While potatoes cook : Cook mushroom mixture ... While Croquettes cook : Make salad ........
8 ounces coarsely chopped peeled Yukon gold potato (optional any white potato)
4 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped leek
1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme
Cooking spray
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shedded Gruyere cheese
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Parnigiano-Reggiano , divided
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg yolk
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg white
2 teaspoons water
1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 tablespoon olive oil
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1) Place patato in pan ; cover with water . Bring to a boil . Reduce heat ; simmer 8 minutes or until tender . Drain. Press potato through a ricer or food mill into a bowl .
2) Place mushrooms , leek and thyme in a food processor ; pulse until finely chopped . Heat a large skillet over medium heat . Coat pan with cooking spray . Add mushroom mixture ; cook 6 min utes , stirring occasionally . Add mixture to potato . Add Gruyere , 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano , salt , pepper and egg yolk ; stir until blended . Shape mixture into 8 (2-inch) round patties .
3) Place flour in a shallow dish. Combine egg white and 2 reaspoons of water in a shallow dish stirring with a whisk . Combine remaining 2 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano and panko in a shallow dish . Dredge patties in flour . Dip in egg mixture , dredge in panko mixture . Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat . Add oil , whirl to coat . Add patties ; cook a minute on each side or until golden .
Serves 4 ( serving size 2 patties )
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For the Greens & Shallot Vinaigrette :
Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil , 2 tablespoons sherry vineger , 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl . Add 6 cups salad greens and 1 sliced shallot to bowl ; toss gently.
Serves 4 ( serving size 1 -1/2 cup)

My Favorite Monkeys




 









Saturday, May 26, 2012

Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce - Onions & Peppers


Hands on time : 18 minutes ... Total time 25 minutes
This saucy dish makes a great savory breakfast , or pair with a side salad for a light dinner option ....
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups sliced red bell pepper
1 cup sliced green bell pepper
1 cup sliced onion
2 garlic cloves , minced
2 cups lower-sodium marinara sauce ( such as McCutcheon's)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 (1 1/2) slices 100% whole wheat bread , toasted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
4 teaspoons shaved fresh Parmesan cheese
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1 ) Heat a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat . Add olive oil to pan ; swirl to coat . Add bell peppers and onions ; cook 6 minutes , stirring occasionall . Add garlic , cook for 2 minutes , stirring frequently . Reduce heat to medium low . Stir in marinara sauce and oregano ; cook for 3 minutes , stirring occasionally .
2) Form 4 (3-inch) indentations in vegetables mixture using the back of a spoon . Break i egg into each indentation ; sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over eggs . Cover and cook 6 minutes or until eggs are dired degree od doneness.
3) Arrange 1 toast slice on each of 4 plates . Top each slice with 1/2 cup sauce and 1 egg . Sprinkle each serving with 1 - 1/2 teaspoon persley and 1 teaspoon cheese .
Serves 4

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

So Easy Pasta




This pasta has few ingredients, cooks up in a snap and tastes of summer. It's perfect for a main dish but also makes a lovely first course for six to eight people. Bread crumbs and pasta water help make the delicious light sauce. Keep this recipe on hand to try with homegrown tomatoes when they are in season. Easy, even for a non-cook like me.

Ingredients
  • 12 oz spaghettini 12 oz (340 g) spaghettini
  • 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes , halved2 cups (500 mL) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp dried bread crumbs 2 tbsp (30 mL) dried bread crumbs
  • 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
  • 3 cloves garlic , sliced3 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 pinch crushed hot pepper flakes 1 pinch crushed hot pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/3 cup (75 mL) grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh basil

Preparation

In large pot of boiling lightly salted water, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of the oil over medium-high heat; sauté tomatoes until lightly seared, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and sa< toss to coat. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add remaining oil to pan; cook garlic and hot pepper flakes over medium heat until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes. Add tomato mixture, pasta and reserved pasta water, stirring to combine. Toss with Parmesan cheese and basil. Easy Peasy

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Remember Me ??? My Name is Gossip (Author Unknown)


                                              My Name  Is Gossip
   I have no respect for justice, I maim without killing . I break hearts and ruin lives .
   I am cunning , malicious and gather strength with age . The more I am quoted , the more I am believed .
   I flourish at every level of society . My victims are helpless .
   They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name  and no face .To track me down is impossible . The harder you try , the more elusive I become .
   I am nobody's friend . Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same .
   I topple governments and wreck marriages .
   I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights , heartache  and indigestion .
   I make innocent people cry in their pillows  . Even my name hisses .
   I am called Gossip... Office gossip , Shop gossip . Party gossip , Telephone gossip . I make headlines  and headaches .
   Before you repeat a story , ask yourself , is it true ? Is it fair ? Is it necessary ? If not  .... DON"T REPEAT IT .


Gossip is not only hurtful  ... it is down right mean ...
The PICs wanted to share this with all our readers ... Name of the poem is Remember  (Author  unknown )