category European

Beef Doner Kebob

Created on 8/15/2023

Ingredients:

  • 1 large onion
  • 2lb ground beef (15% fat)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon isot pepper (or paprika)
  • 4 tablespoons yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter to cook döner

Instructions:

Step One: Puree the onion in a food processor. Sieve its juice into a large mixing bowl. We just need the juice

Step Two: Put the ground beef, döner kebab seasoning, salt, yogurt and milk in the same bowl. Combine them well using your hand. Give it a log shape

Step Three: Transfer it on a baking paper and wrap it tightly.  Let it rest in the fridge for 2 hours. Then transfer it to the freezer and let it sit there for 8 hours or overnight

Step Four: Remove it from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes. Hold the döner log with a piece of baking paper and carefully make large thin slices using a sharp knife

Step Five: Heat one teaspoon butter in a non stick pan over high heat. Line sliced döner pieces in a single layer and cook both sides until nicely brown

Step Six: Cook döner in batches and never overload the pan

Notes: Drizzle this tzatziki sauce on top for extra flavor!

Lamb Ragu

Created on 8/11/2023

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 ½ pounds lamb shoulder, excess fat trimmed and diced into 1-inch cubes (see Recipe Notes)
  • 2 medium carrots, finely diced
  • 1 stalk celery, finely diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry red wine (such as Chianti)
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef stock
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 8–10 sprigs fresh thyme
  • kosher salt and ground black pepper, to season
  • 16–24 ounces pasta (pappardelle, bucatini, rigatoni, etc.) or gnocchi
  • 1/4 – 1/3 cup grated parmesan (roughly 1 tablespoon per serving)
  • ¼ – 1/3 cup heavy cream (roughly 1 tablespoon per serving)
  • for serving, as desired: additional grated parmesan, finely chopped fresh herbs, etc.

Instructions

Step One: Brown the lamb shoulder – Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to an instapot using the Saute mode. Use paper towel to pat the lamb as dry as possible, then season generously with 1 teaspoon each kosher salt & ground black pepper. Add the seasoned lamb to the instapot and cook until deeply browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Work in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding the pot, which prevents browning. Transfer the lamb to a plate and set aside

Step Two: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pot & reduce the heat to medium. Once the oil is hot & shimmers, add in the onion, carrots, and celery, seasoning with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are softened & deeply browned, 15-20 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, stirring to coat the veggies, and cook for 1-2 minutes more, caramelizing the tomato paste

Step Three: Slowly pour the red wine into the instapot, using a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits that have formed at the bottom of the pot – that’s where all the flavor is! Let the red wine reduce by about half (this goes by quickly!), then pour in the beef stock, crushed tomatoes, and herbs. I like to use kitchen twine to tie them into a little bundle for easy removal. Return the lamb to the instapot

Step Four: Cover & seal the pressure cooker. Cook on manual high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow the pressure cooker to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes before carefully flicking the valve to its “venting” position to vent out any residual pressure When it’s ready, the lamb should shred very easily – it’ll be tender enough that you should be able to shred it right in the ragu by using the back of a wooden spoon. Remove & discard the spent bay leaves & herbs. Shred the lamb & stir to combine. At this point, you can cool & store for later use (see Recipe Notes for storage & freezing instructions), or proceed with prepping lamb ragu pappardelle or gnocchi (below).

Notes: My preferred cut of lamb for this braised lamb ragu is lamb shoulder, though lamb shanks will work very well, too. Because of the long cooking time involved, avoid lean cuts like lamb chops.

Vegan Pesto

Created on 7/20/2023

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups Fresh Basil (packed, large stems removed)
  • 3 tablespoons Walnuts (or pine nuts, if nut-free, try sunflower seeds!)
  • 3 large cloves Garlic (peeled)
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 4 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
  • ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt (plus more to taste)
  • 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 6 tablespoons Water (plus more as needed)

Instructions

Step One: To a food processor or small blender, add the basil, nuts, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and sea salt and blend/mix on high until a loose paste forms

Step Two: Add olive oil a little at a time (streaming in while the machine is on if possible) and scrape down sides as needed. Then add 1 Tbsp (15 ml) water at a time until the desired consistency is reached – a thick but pourable sauce. (If avoiding oil altogether, sub the oil with vegetable broth or just use all water)

Step Three: Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor, salt for overall flavor, nuts for nuttiness, garlic for bite / zing, or lemon juice for acidity

Notes: This sauce will be good in the fridge for up to a week.

Asian Bolognese

Created on 4/14/2023

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve
  • 14 oz beef mince
  • sea salt
  • 14 oz pork mince
  • 1 brown onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 whole star anise
  • 14 oz cans whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp shiro miso paste
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 beef stock cubes, crushed
  • 25g (1 oz) unsalted butter
  • 500g (1 lb) dried tagliatelle
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
  • finely grated parmesan cheese, to serve

Instructions:

Step One: Place a wok over high heat. Once it’s very hot, add the olive oil. Next, add the beef and spread it out in the wok but don’t toss it around too much – the idea is you want as much surface area coming into contact with the meat as possible. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and allow the beef to sear without touching it for 4-5 minutes (until it smells like hamburgers). Then flip the beef over in chunks and allow to sear for another minute.

Step Two: Add the pork and use your spatula to break up the mince. Add the onion, garlic, tomato paste and star anise. Stir-fry for a minute to allow the tomato paste to ‘cook out’ a little.

Step Three: Now add the tomatoes (using about a ½ cup of water to swish out the remaining tomato from the cans and into the sauce). Use your spatula to break up the tomato. Then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

Step Four: Stir through the miso paste, soy sauce, beef stock cubes. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Now add the butter and stir through until melted.

Step Five: In the meantime, cook your pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and divide among serving bowls. Top with the bolognese, a sprinkle of parsley, parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

Kayla’s Vinegarette

Created on 3/10/2023

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 shallot, minced
  • 1 medium sized garlic clove, minced
  • One tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 fresh bunch dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 lemon, squeezed
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions:

Step One: Add all ingredients to a mason jar or salad dressing jar and shake vigorously to emulsify the ingredients. If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a tablespoon of water at a time, shake vigorously, then assess the consistency. Add more water if desired.

Notes: This dressing tastes amazing on this wrap.

Linguine with Clams

Created on 3/10/2023

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons Diamond Crystal (or 1 tablespoon Morton kosher salt, plus more)
  • 12 Garlic Cloves (divided)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (plus 1/4 cup, plus more for serving)
  • 2 teaspoons Lemon Zest (finely grated)
  • 2 Oil-Packed Anchovy Fillets (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (crushed, plus more for serving)
  • ⅓ cup Dry White Wine
  • 2 pounds Cockles (or littleneck clams, about 24, about 32, scrubbed)
  • 12 ounces Spaghetti (or linguine)
  • ½ cup Parsley (finely chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter

Instructions:

Step One: Bring 2 Tbsp. Diamond Crystal salt and 10 cups water to a boil in a large pot

Step Two: Using a mandoline if you have one (if not, use a really sharp knife), very thinly slice remaining 9 garlic cloves. Heat ¼ cup oil in Dutch oven over medium. Cook garlic, stirring often, until golden around the edges, about 3 minutes. Add anchovies, if using, and ½ tsp. red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until garlic is golden all over and anchovies are dissolved. Quickly stir in wine and simmer until only a couple of tablespoons of liquid are left in pot. Add clams and toss to combine. Cover and cook until clams are open, 5–7 minutes (about 4 minutes for cockles). Uncover pot and transfer clams to a medium bowl, leaving liquid in pot. If any clams are still closed, cover pot again and cook a few minutes longer, then transfer to bowl with others (discard any that have not opened at this point). Tent clams with foil

Step Three: Cook pasta in boiling water 5 minutes. Using a ladle or heatproof measuring cup, scoop out about 2 cups pasta cooking liquid. Using tongs, transfer pasta to pot with clam liquid. Add 1 cup pasta cooking liquid and bring to a boil. Cook, tossing constantly and adding more pasta cooking liquid a splash at a time if needed, until pasta is al dente and sauce is glossy and thick enough to cling to noodles, about 5 minutes

Step Four: Remove from heat. Add parsley and butter and toss until butter is melted. Give pasta a taste; you probably won’t need additional salt, but you can add some if you’d like. Divide pasta among shallow bowls and top with reserved clams, red pepper flakes, and a drizzle of oil.

Homemade Pasta Dough

Created on 2/28/2023

Ingredients:

  • 400 g 00’ Flour (3 cups spooned and leveled)
  • 4 large eggs free range
  • 1 egg yolk free range

Instructions:

Step One: Place the flour on a clean work surface, make a well in the middle and add the eggs

Step Two: Using a fork whisk the eggs whilst slowly incorporating the flour until combined and looks like a very rough dough. You may need to use your hands once most of the egg is incorporated to help it along

Step Three: Bring the dough together with your hands to form a ball. Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth and pliable. Wrap the dough in cling film and leave to rest for 30 minutes, out of the fridge

Step Four: Once the dough is rested it’s time to roll it out. Cut the dough in half so it’s easier to roll out and flatten it with the palm of your hand so it will fit through the first setting on the pasta machine

Step Five: Pass the dough through the widest setting once then fold one side over the other as shown on photos 9 and 10. Flatten the dough with the palm of your hand again so it will fit through the widest setting and roll it through again

Step Six: Repeat this process folding the sides in and passing it through the widest setting four times. Once you’ve done that pass the dough through each setting once from the widest to the second last setting

Notes: This pasta dough can be used for any pasta – even lasagna

Mushroom Parmesan Ravioli

Created on 2/28/2023

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch Homemade Pasta Dough
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 17 ½ ounces Chestnut Mushrooms (crimini, sliced)
  • 2 Shallots (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 2 sprigs Thyme
  • 1 heaped tablespoon Ricotta
  • 4 tablespoons Parmesan (freshly grated)
  • Salt And Pepper (to season)
  • 1 cup Double Cream (heavy cream)
  • 1 pinch nutmeg

Instructions:

Step One: Heat a 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium-sized pan, once hot add the finely chopped shallots and saute until soft and translucent

Step Two: Add the chopped mushrooms and cook down until reduced in size and softened. Add the garlic and thyme and a good pinch of salt and pepper, fry for 1-2 minutes. Set aside and let cool for 5 minutes

Step Three: Add the cooled mushroom mixture to a food processor with parmesan and ricotta. Blitz intil smooth and pate

Step Four: Using homemade pasta dough, roll it out from the widest setting to the third last setting. Lay one sheet of pasta down and place around 1 heaped teaspoon of mushroom mixture in the middle of the pasta sheet 1 inch apart

Step Five: Fold one edge of the pasta over the filling to meet the other edge. You may need to gently pat the filling down at this point so it folds easier. Using your fingers seal the sides of the ravioli filling

Step Six: Technically these are called mezzalune (half moons) because they are folded over and don’t have four sealed edges. These are slightly easier to make for this reason but if you want to make traditional ravioli simply place the second sheet of pasta directly on top of the first and seal with your fingers

Step Seven: Seal the top of the dough with your thumb whilst holding the two edges as shown in photo 10. This will ensure all the air has escaped which will stop the ravioli bursting or going wrinkly

Step Eight: Cut the ravioli out either with a ravioli or pasta cutter, cookie cutter or fluted pasta wheel and set aside on a surface sprinkled lightly with semolina or 00 flour whilst you make the next batch

Step Nine: Once the Ravioli (or mezzalune) are ready bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ravioli to the water and cook for around 4 minutes. Meanwhile make the sauce

Step Ten: Heat a little olive oil in a large pan and fry the chopped garlic for 1 minute. Add the cream, thyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir and bring to a boil. Let it boil for 30-40 seconds then turn low and add the freshly grated parmesan. Stir until slightly thickened turn off the heat and add the cooked ravioli straight from the water using a slotted spoon. Toss in the sauce and serve

Chicken Veggie Pastina Soup

Created on: 2/14/2023

Ingredients:

  • 32 oz chicken or veggie broth
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped fine
  • 2 large carrots, chopped fine
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons pastina (this is traditional Italian, but feel free to add more, no more than 4 tablespoons)
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 lemon

Instructions:

Step One: Add chopped carrots, celery, shallots and garlic to a medium/large pot. Saute until transulets and fragrant

Step Two: Add broth. Bring to a simmer. Allow to cook for 15 – 20 minutes. Taste and add appropriate salt and pepper

Step Three: Add pastina. Cook for three minutes. Make sure the broth is only at a light simmer. Then add the egg. Stir egg around. Add a squeeze of lemon. Serve

Notes: Add a dash of hot sauce. For a more protein rich meal, add some leftover rotisserie chicken

French Onion Soup

Created on 12/28/2022

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 large red onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (48 fluid ounce) can chicken broth
  • 1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 4 thick slices French bread
  • 8 slices Gruyère cheese, at room temperature
  • ½ cup shredded Asiago cheese, at room temperature
  • 4 pinches paprika

Instructions:

Step One: Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Stir in red onions, sweet onions, and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are caramelized and almost syrupy, about 35 minutes

Step Two: Stir in chicken broth, beef broth, red wine, and Worcestershire sauce. Bundle parsley, thyme, and bay leaf with kitchen twine; add to the pot. Simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard herb bundle. Reduce heat to low; stir in vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Cover soup and keep warm over low heat while you prepare the toast

Step Three: Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven’s broiler. Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet and broil, turning once, until well toasted on both sides, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat; do not turn off the broiler

Step Four: Arrange 4 large oven-safe bowls or crocks on a rimmed baking sheet. Fill each bowl 2/3 full with hot soup. Top each bowl with 1 slice of toasted bread, 2 slices Gruyère cheese, and 1/4 of the Asiago cheese. Sprinkle a little bit of paprika over the top of each one

Step Five: Cook under the hot broiler until bubbly and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Cheese will cascade over the sides of the crock and form a beautifully melted crusty seal as it melts

Notes: You can substitute Italian bread for French bread, Swiss for Gruyère, and mozzarella for Asiago.