5/13/2011

Yummy or not :Black Olive and Rosemary Focaccia recipe.

Ingredients
Focaccia Dough
1 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 (.25 ounce) envelope rapid rise yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup minced fresh rosemary
2 3/4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup pitted black olives
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large roma (plum) tomatoes, sliced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Directions
Stir together the water, sugar, and yeast until dissolved, allow to stand for 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup rosemary, flour, and salt until a dough forms. Turn onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Gently knead in the black olives during the last few minutes of kneading. Place into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet, or sprinkle liberally with corn meal.
Deflate dough, and press into prepared baking sheet. Brush dough with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Toss sliced tomatoes, and garlic with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with 2 tablespoons minced rosemary, salt, and pepper. Arrange the tomato slices over the dough in an even layer. Sprinkle with grated cheese.
Bake in preheated oven until puffed and golden brown; 15 to 20 minutes. Cut into squares and serve immediately.

Yummy or not :Artichoke Melts recipe.

Ingredients
1 (14 ounce) can water packed artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
6 slices rye or pumpernickel bread
3 hard-cooked eggs, sliced

Directions
In a bowl, combine the artichokes, cheese, mayonnaise, mustard and thyme; set aside. Place bread on a baking sheet; broil 4 in. from the heat until toasted. Turn over. Place egg slices on untoasted side of bread; spread with artichoke mixture. Broil for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted and top is golden brown.

Yummy or not :Barley Broccoli Soup recipe.

Ingredients
3 cups water
3 beef bouillon cubes
1/2 cup medium pearl barley
2 cups chopped fresh broccoli, cooked and chilled
4 cups milk
5 slices American cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Directions
In a saucepan, bring water, bouillon and barley to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 50-60 minutes or until barley is tender and nearly all liquid is absorbed. Stir often but do not drain. Add broccoli or asparagus. Stir in milk, cheese, nutmeg and pepper. Add bacon if desired. Heat through, stirring often, until soup is hot and cheese is melted.

Yummy or not :Arugula Salad with Cannellini Beans recipe.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
3 tablespoons white wine
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups arugula
1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook the garlic in the hot oil about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, wine, sage, and thyme; increase the heat to medium-high and simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the cannellini beans and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until beans are heated through, 3 to 4 minutes.
Arrange the arugula on a serving platter. Spoon the bean mixture over the arugula. Top with the shaved Parmesan cheese if desired.

Yummy or not :Avocado and Edamame Dip recipe.

Ingredients
6 ounces shelled edamame (green soybeans)
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 cup tightly packed cilantro
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed
1 lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon chile-garlic sauce (such as Sriracha�)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Place the edamame, onion, cilantro, and olive oil into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add the avocado, lemon juice, and chile-garlic sauce; season to taste with salt and pepper. Puree until smooth. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Yummy or not :Apple Pie Filling recipe.

Ingredients
18 cups thinly sliced apples
3 tablespoons lemon juice
4 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 cups water

Directions
In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice and set aside. Pour water into a Dutch oven over medium heat. Combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Add to water, stir well, and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add apples and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until apples are tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes.
Ladle into 5 freezer containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Cool at room temperature no longer than 1 1/2 hours.
Seal and freeze. Can be stored for up to 12 months.

Yummy or not :Broiled Red Potatoes recipe.

Ingredients
2 medium unpeeled red potatoes
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Cut potatoes into 1/4-in. slices; place in a microwave-safe bowl. Combine remaining ingredients; pour over potatoes. Cover and cook on high for 1-2 minutes or until butter melts. Place potatoes in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Broil for 5-6 minutes on each side or until browned.

Yummy or not :Bow Tie Lemon Chicken recipe.

Ingredients
4 2/3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1-inch strips
1/2 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
2/3 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup cubed reduced-fat cream cheese
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, sprinkle chicken with lemon-pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, stir-fry chicken and garlic in oil until chicken juices run clear. Remove and keep warm. Add broth, peas, carrots, cream cheese and lemon juice to the skillet; cook and stir until cheese is melted. Drain pasta. Add pasta, chicken and salt to vegetable mixture; heat through. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Yummy or not :Amazing White Clam Sauce recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 3/4 cups half-and-half cream
3 (6.5 ounce) cans minced clams, drained with juice reserved
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
1 (8 ounce) package dried linguine pasta

Directions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and red pepper flakes, and cook stirring constantly until onion is tender. Add garlic, and cook for a couple of minutes, just until fragrant. Pour in the reserved clam juice, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
Gradually stir the half-and-half cream into the skillet, and simmer for another 20 minutes, but do not boil. At this time, I like to prepare my linguine and garlic bread.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente.
Add clams to the sauce, and cook just until clams are heated through, or they will become tough and chewy. Remove from heat, and serve over linguine pasta. Top with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Yummy or not :Bacon, Mushroom, and Oyster Stuffing recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound bacon
1/2 cup butter
1 onion, sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (4 ounce) package fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 cup white wine
2 cups chicken stock
1 (14 ounce) package seasoned stuffing cubes
1 (10 ounce) jar oysters, drained and cut into thirds

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet; cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve drippings in the skillet.
Add the butter to the bacon drippings and melt over medium-high heat. Cook the onion, garlic, and mushrooms in the butter and drippings until the onion has caramelized, 10 to 15 minutes. Pour the wine into the skillet; allow the wine to warm; remove from heat.
Place the stuffing cubes in a large bowl. Pour the vegetable mixture over the cubes. Add the chicken stock. Fold the oysters into the mixture. Transfer the stuffing to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Bake in preheated oven until golden brown on top, about 30 minutes.

Yummy or not :Betty's Burgers recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
6 thin slices Cheddar cheese
1 large green pepper, julienned
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
6 thin slices Swiss Gruyere cheese
salt and pepper to taste
Lettuce Leaves
6 hamburger buns, split

Directions
Shape beef into 12 thin patties. Top six patties with a slice of cheddar cheese, green pepper strips and a slice of onion, tomato and Swiss cheese. Top each with another patty and seal edges. Season to taste. Broil, grill or pan-fry burgers until meat is no longer pink. Serve on lettuce-lined buns.

Yummy or not :Asparagus Vinaigrette Salad recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds fresh asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces
1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimientos, drained
1/3 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup olive or vegetable oil
1/4 cup cider or white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Directions
In a saucepan, cook the asparagus in a small amount of water for 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Place in a bowl; add pimientos and onions. In a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, basil, salt, pepper and thyme; pour over asparagus mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Yummy or not :Blueberry-Topped Custard recipe.

Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 (15 ounce) can blueberries
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Directions
In a saucepan, combine the sugar, flour and salt. Gradually add cream and lemon peel until blended. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks. Return all to pan; bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into four parfait glasses or dessert dishes. Cool. Drain blueberries, reserving juice. Spoon blueberries over custard. In a saucepan, combine cornstarch and blueberry juice until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Spoon over berries.

Yummy or not :Best Wild Rice Salad recipe.

Ingredients
2/3 cup uncooked wild rice
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast half
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup sliced water chestnuts, drained
4 tablespoons walnut oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
1 head romaine lettuce, rinsed and dried

Directions
In a medium saucepan, cover wild rice with three inches (7.5 cm) of salted water. Bring to a boil and boil, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain the excess water, turn heat to lowest setting, cover rice and let steam for 15-20 minutes, or until the grains split open. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a medium skillet over medium heat, saute the chicken lightly in the butter and oil, cooking gently and thoroughly. Do not overcook the chicken. Cool and shred the chicken into bite-size pieces.
In a medium bowl, mix together the rice, chicken and water chestnuts. Set aside.
For the dressing, whisk together the walnut oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour over the wild rice mixture and combine. To serve, place 2-3 romaine leaves on each plate and spoon the wild rice mixture onto the leaves.

Yummy or not :Broken Thermostat Curry recipe.

Ingredients
1 small onion, chopped
5 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 cups water
1 medium yam, peeled and diced
7 small red potatoes, cubed
2 cups cauliflower florets
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garam masala
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions
Puree the onion and carrots in a food processor or blender until finely ground. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook the garlic until fragrant and lightly browned. Pour in the carrot puree, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes.
Pour in diced tomatoes, water, yam, red potatoes, and cauliflower. Season with turmeric, curry powder, cumin, garam masala, cayenne, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until potatoes are soft, about 30 minutes.

Yummy or not :Baked Ziti Supreme recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (28 ounce) jar Prego� Fresh Mushroom Italian Sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
5 cups hot cooked medium tube-shaped pasta (ziti)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
In large saucepan over medium-high heat, cook beef and onion until beef is browned, stirring to separate meat. Pour off fat.
Stir in pasta sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and macaroni. Spoon into 3-quart shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes or until hot.

Yummy or not :Braised Beef with Garden Vegetables and Herbs recipe.

Ingredients
1 pound boneless beef for stew, cut into 1-inch cubes
Ground black pepper
Vegetable cooking spray
2 medium onions, cut into wedges
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (18.3 ounce) carton Campbell's� V8� Butternut Squash Soup
1 large potato, cut into cubes
2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
Fresh parsley

Directions
Season the beef with the black pepper.
Spray a 6-quart saucepot with the cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the beef and cook until it's well browned, stirring often. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is tender-crisp.
Stir the soup in the saucepot and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 45 minutes.
Add the potato and carrots to the saucepot. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Garnish with parsley, if desired.