Basil Pesto

Created on 11/4/2022

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed tight. If you don’t have this much basil, supplement spinach leaves
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 to 1/2 jalapeno
  • Bunch of cilantro
  • Squeeze of lemon or lime
  • Water to thin out the consistency

Instructions:

Step one: Blend all ingredients together in a blender or food processor. Add more water to the mixture if it is too thick. If it is too thin, add more cheese or vegetables

Notes: This sauce is great on cabbage salad, as a dip for vegetables, or a topping for caprese chicken.

Lasagna

Created on 5/6/2021

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
  • 3/4 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 (28 ounces) whole canned tomatoes (San Marzano)
  • 2 (6.5 ounces) cans of canned tomato sauce
  • 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup dry red wine
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/2 cup dried basil
  • Bunch of fresh basil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 16 ounces of ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 pound mozzarella cheese
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Cook sausage, ground beef, onion, garlic and green pepper in a Dutch oven over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Season with sugar, 2 tablespoons parsley, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and pepper. Add red wine. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally

Step 2: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt

Step 3: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)

Step 4: To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with 1/2 of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.

Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes. Rest lasagna for 15 minutes before serving

Notes: For a quicker recipe, use this marinara sauce.

Burger Buns

Created on 11/18/2022

Ingredients:

  • 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast (Fleischmann’s Active Dry Yeast)
  • 1 pound all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup warm water (105 degrees)
  • 2 large eggs, divided
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 1/4 salt
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions:

Step 1: Place yeast into a bowl of a large stand mixer; whisk in 1/2 cup flour and warm water until smooth. Let stand until mixture is foamy, 10 to 15 minutes

Step 2: Whisk 1 egg, melted butter, sugar, and salt thoroughly into the yeast mixture. Add remaining flour (about 3 cups)

Step 3: Fit a dough hook onto stand mixer and knead the dough on low speed until soft and sticky, 5 to 6 minutes. Scrape sides if needed. Poke and prod the dough with a silicone spatula; if large amounts of dough stick to the spatula, add a little more flour

Step 4: Transfer dough onto a floured work surface; dough will be sticky and elastic but should not stick to your fingers. Gently form dough into a smooth, round shape, tucking loose ends underneath

Step 5: Wipe out the stand mixer bowl and drizzle in olive oil. Place dough in the bowl and turn it several times until the surface is thinly coated with oil. Cover the bowl with aluminum foil and let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 2 hours

Step 6: Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper

Step 7: Transfer dough to a floured work surface and pat to flatten any bubbles; form into a slightly rounded, 5×10-inch rectangle, about 1/2 inch thick. Dust dough lightly with flour if needed and cut into 8 equal pieces. Form each piece into a round shape, gently tucking ends underneath as before

Step 8: Use your hands to gently pat and stretch the dough rounds into flat, 1/2-inch-thick discs. Arrange buns about 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Dust buns very lightly with flour. Drape a piece of plastic wrap over the baking sheet (do not seal tightly). Let buns rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour

Step 9: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)

Step 10: Beat remaining egg with milk in a small bowl, using a fork, until mixture is thoroughly combined. Very gently and lightly brush tops of buns with egg wash without deflating the risen dough. Sprinkle each bun with sesame seeds

Step 11: Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned on top, 15 to 17 minutes. Buns will stick together slightly where they touch. Let cool completely. Tear the buns apart and slice in half crosswise to serve

Notes: These freeze great. Keep in a gallon size freezer bag. When ready to use, take the amount you need out of the freezer bag and allow to thaw on a paper towel for 30 min to an hour. Buns can be microwaved for 30 seconds for a quicker thaw method.

Fish and Chips

Created on 11/18/2022

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs snapper
  • 1/4 cup rice flour
  • 3/4 cup plain flour
  • 1 1/4 cup rice flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup very cold beer. Keep in the fridge until needed.
  • 4 cups peanut oil
  • Frozen french fries
  • Tartar sauce
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

Step 1: Put the bowl for mixing the batter in the fridge. This is the key to a crisper batter

Step 2: Heat oven to temperature for frozen french fries. Put french fries on an oven tray, and mix with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Put in the oven

Step 3: Cut the fish into the preferred size. Pat dry with a paper towel

Step 4: In a medium-sized bowl, add 1/4 cup of rice flour

Step 5: Heat a large pot with 4 cups of peanut oil over medium-high heat. Once the heat has reached 375, it’s ready for frying

Step 6: Salt the fish, then coat each piece in the bowl of rice flour completely

Step 7: Take the mixing bowl out of the fridge and whisk together the flour, rice flour, baking powder, and salt. Now add the beer from the fridge and mix all ingredients together for 5 seconds. Do not mix longer than that. If the mixture is lumpy, that is fine

Step 8: Coat each piece of fish in the batter fully. Let the excess drip off. Immediately add the battered fish to the oil and fry for 3 minutes, flipping after 2 minutes, until golden brown

Step 9: Carefully remove the fish from the oil. Place on a paper towel and salt right away

Notes: If you have leftover fish, freeze it the night you cook it. When you’re ready to use it, put it in the oven until hot and crispy. Serve on a hamburger bun with leftover tartar sauce

Tartar Sauce

Created November 18, 2022

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup kewpie mayo
  • 1 cup dill pickles
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion (you can use a grater for this)
  • 1 tablesppon of tabasco or a similar hot sauce

Instructions:

Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Stir to combine.

Step 2: Add more lemon juice and hot sauce to taste.

Indian Chicken Curry

Created on 8/20/2022

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs chicken breast or chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 cup cooking oil
  • 1/2 white onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced ginger
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 (15 ounce) whole can tomatoes
  • 1 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

Step 1: Heat a large pot to medium-high heat. Once the pot it warmed up, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Step 2: Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes (bite-size pieces). Season with salt

Step 3: Working in batches, add chicken to the pot without overcrowding the pot. Each piece of chicken should touch the bottom of the pot to create a crust. You may need to work in batches. Once a crust has developed, flip the chicken. You will not be cooking the chicken fully on this step. Once both sides have been flipped, remove the chicken to a separate plate for later

Step 4: Reduce the heat of the pot to medium. Add onion, garlic, and ginger. Cook these ingredients until soft and fragrant, and translucent, about 7 minutes

Step 5: Add curry powder, cumin, turmeric, coriander, cayenne, and one tablespoon of water. Stir frequently

Step 6: Add tomatoes and yogurt, mix together and allow to heat up for a few minutes. Add 2 tablespoons cilantro and salt, and stir together

Step 7: Add the chicken and all its juices from the plate into the pot. Pour in 1/2 cup of water. Stir everything together. Turn the heat up to medium-high and put a lid on. Cook for about 20 minutes until the chicken is completely cooked

Step 8: Add a squeeze of lemon juice and sriracha to taste.

Notes: This dish is best served with naan and rice.