2.28.2010

Baked White Fish Fillets

1 small white onion, thinly sliced
1-1/2 lbs fish fillets, such as haddock, cod or sole
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white wine (optional)*
1 tsp paprika
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 tbsp dried oregano (preferably Greek rigani)
Fresh oregano sprigs for garnish
Lemon wedges for garnish

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Lightly coat a 9-x-13-inch baking pan with olive oil cooking spray.

2. Arrange the onion slices on the bottom of the pan. Place the fish on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, water, and wine (if using), and beat lightly with a fork. Pour this mixture over the fish, and sprinkle with paprika. Cover with sliced mushrooms, and sprinkle with oregano.

4. Cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes, or until the fish easily flakes with a fork.

5. Transfer the fillets to a platter, garnish with fresh oregano sprigs and lemon wedges, and serve.

Yield

4 servings

Tuscan Tomato Soup

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1-1/2 lbs ripe plum tomatoes
3-3/4 cups chicken stock
2 tsp tomato paste
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 ciabatta loaf, crusts removed
12 basil leaves, shredded
Extra-virgin olive oil, to serve

Preparation

Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add onion and garlic. Cook over low heat until soft.

Put tomatoes in a bowl. Cover with boiling water and leave 1 minute. Pour off water and cover tomatoes with cold water. Leave 1 minute. Peel tomatoes and chop roughly. Add to saucepan. Stir in chicken stock, tomato paste, salt and pepper and a little sugar, if desired. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.

Just before serving, break bread into bite-size pieces and divide among four warmed serving bowls. Stir basil into soup and ladle soup over bread. Drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil and serve.

Yield

Makes 4 serving

Roasted Chicken Breasts with Salsa Verde

3 tbsp salt-cured capers, rinsed and drained
2 oil-packed anchovy fillets, rinsed and chopped
3 or more cloves garlic, chopped
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Grated zest of 2 lemons
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2-1/2 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley
Extra-virgin olive oil for brushing

Preparation

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees E

To make the salsa verde, in a food processor, combine the capers, anchovy fillets, garlic, lemon juice, and three-fourths of the zest. Purée until smooth. Add the 1/3 cup olive oil and process again until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the parsley and pulse until combined.

To stuff each chicken breast, gently pull the skin from the meat and tuck one-sixth of the salsa verde in the pocket that forms between them, distributing the salsa evenly. Arrange the stuffed chicken breasts in a baking dish and brush them with a little olive oil.

Roast until the chicken breasts are tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and place on individual plates or a platter. Scatter the remaining lemon zest over the top and serve.

Yield

serves 4 to 6

2.24.2010

Chicken Burritos (from Peapod)

black beans
poblano chile peppers
corn 
red sweet peppers
spicy julienned chicken breasts
couscous 
whole wheat flour tortillas
salsa and lime wedges alongside
   
Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 350 oven for 20-25 minutes or until temperature reaches 165. If from frozen, 30-40 mins
Microwave: 3-5 minutes or until temperature reaches 165.

North African Meatballs


  • Prep Time: 25 min
  • Cook Time: 45 min
  • Serves: 4 servings
  • For the North African Sauce:

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1/2 small onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
    • 1 lemon, zested
    • 1/2 cup pitted and chopped briny olives
    • 1/2 cup white wine
    • 1/4 cup chicken stock or broth
    • 1 (14-ounce) can crushed or diced tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
    • Pinch ground cinnamon
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

    For the Meatballs:

    • 1 egg
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
    • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • Pinch ground cinnamon
    • 3/4 pound ground beef
    • 1/3 cup finely ground rolled oats or fine bread crumbs
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, for cooking
    • 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
    • Couscous with Dried Dates, recipe follows

    Directions

    To make the North African Sauce:
    In a large saucepan heat the olive oil over medium heat and saute the onion and garlic until soft but not brown, about 3 minutes. Add the lemon zest and olives and cook for 1 more minute. Add the white wine, deglaze the pan, and let it reduce for a 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the stock, canned tomatoes, sugar, red pepper flakes, and cinnamon, and simmer to blend flavors, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

    To make the Meatballs: In a medium bowl, add the egg and tomato paste and stir until smooth. Add the cilantro, ginger, cumin, and cinnamon and mix until well blended. Stir in the ground beef and oats, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and combine gently after each addition. Do not overmix. Rolling with your hands, make about 32 meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter.
    In a large saute pan, heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium heat, and brown the meatballs in batches until golden on all sides. Add more oil, as needed. Transfer the meatballs to the pan with the sauce and let simmer for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve over the Couscous with Dried Dates.

    Couscous with Dried Dates:
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup chicken stock or broth
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1/4 cup finely chopped dried dates
    • 1 cup quick-cooking couscous
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    Bring the water, stock, and oil to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the dates followed by the couscous. Cover the pan tightly with a lid, remove from the heat, and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
    Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.
    Yield: 4 servings