Venetian Peperonata Monday, Jul 7 2008

ABOUT:

From Bon Appetit

INGREDIENTS:

1 eggplant, chopped
1/4 c. olive oil
1 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
2/3 c. white wine
1 can diced tomatoes, drained

crusty French or Italian bread
feta or gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

DIRECTIONS:

Slice eggplant into 3/4 inch thick rounds. Sprinkle with salt and let stand for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, seed and chop all peppers and onion. When time is up, cut eggplant into bite-sized cubes.

Heat oil with garlic in large skillet over medium heat until garlic begins to brown. Add onion, sauté until golden. Add eggplant, peppers and wine. Cover and simmer until peppers are tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Add tomatoes. increase heat to medium-high heat and sauté uncovered until almost all liquid evaporates. Season with salt and pepper. Cool slightly. Serve with toasted crusty bread and sprinkle with cheese before serving.

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Berry Rum Punch Monday, Jul 7 2008

ABOUT:

From Bon Appetit

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
3 cups fresh raspberries, divided

2 cups fresh orange juice
2 cups pineapple juice
1 cup dark rum
1 cup light rum
1 orange, peeled, diced
1 cup diced peeled fresh pineapple
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
ice cubes

DIRECTIONS:

Bring water and sugar to boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, cool syrup completely. Puree 2 cups raspberries in processor. Pour puree through finr strainer set over saucepan with syrup. Press on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids.

Mix orange juice, next 6 ingredients, 1 cup of berries and raspberry syrup in a bowl. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours and up to 1 day. Strain into pitcher. Server punch over ice.

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Mixed Berries with Mascarpone Limoncello Cream Monday, Jul 7 2008

ABOUT:

From Bon Appetit

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup chilled whipping cream
1/2 8-ounce container mascarpone cheese
3 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons limoncello (lemon liqueur)

8 cups assorted fresh berries (such as raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and hulled sliced strawberries; about 2 pounds)
3/4 cup raspberry preserves
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

DIRECTIONS:

Combine whipping cream, mascarpone, 3 tablespoons sugar, and limoncello in large bowl. Beat until soft peaks form.

Combine all berries, raspberry preserves, lemon peel, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in another large bowl; toss gently. Divide berry mixture among 8 coupes. Top with mascarpone cream.

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Cilantro Lime Chicken Fajitas with Grilled Onions Monday, Jul 7 2008

ABOUT:

From Bon Appetit

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
3/4 cup olive oil
5 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/4 teaspoons ancho chile powder

6 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
3 large poblano chiles, seeded, cut into 3/4-inch-wide strips
3 large yellow bell peppers, cut into 3/4-inch-wide strips
2 red onions, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

12 8-inch flour tortillas

DIRECTIONS:

Optional toppings: purchased salsas, guacamole, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and chopped serrano chiles Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Puree first 5 ingredients in processor. Season marinade with salt and pepper.

Place chicken in 13×9x2-inch glass baking dish. Pour 1/3 cup marinade over; turn to coat. Arrange poblanos, bell peppers, and onions on large rimmed baking sheet. Pour 1/2 cup marinade over; turn to coat. Sprinkle chicken and vegetables with salt and pepper. Reserve remaining marinade.

Grill chicken until cooked through, about 7 minutes per side. Grill vegetables until tender, turning frequently, about 15 minutes for onions and 12 minutes for poblanos and bell peppers. Grill tortillas until charred, about 1 minute per side.

Transfer chicken to work surface; slice crosswise into strips. Fill tortillas with chicken and vegetables; drizzle with reserved marinade. Serve with toppings.

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Oven Roasted Plum Tomatoes Monday, Jul 7 2008

ABOUT:

From Bon Appetit

INGREDIENTS:

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
12 large plum tomatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds), halved lengthwise
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Assorted fillings (such as whole-milk ricotta cheese, pesto, chopped olives, small fresh mozzarella balls, soft fresh goat cheese, and anchovies)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray. Remove seeds and juices from tomato halves. Arrange tomato halves, cut side up, on prepared sheet; sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper, then drizzle with oil. Roast tomatoes until slightly charred and tender, about 50 minutes. Cool completely on sheet. Spoon desired filling into each.

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Roasted Pears with Brown Sugar and Vanilla Ice Cream Sunday, Jul 6 2008

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup apple juice
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 firm Bosc pears, peeled, halved, cored (about 1 pound)
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Arrange the pears cut side up in an 8-inch square glass baking dish. Whisk the apple juice and sugar in a small heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the butter. Pour the sauce over the pears. Bake until the pears are crisp-tender and beginning to brown, basting occasionally with the juices, about 35 minutes.

Spoon the pears onto plates. Top with ice cream. Drizzle with any juices and serve.

The pears can also be served frozen. To do so, cool the pears, then place them in the freezer until frozen solid, about 8 hours.

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Orange Segments with Berries and Balsamic Cream Sunday, Jul 6 2008

INGREDIENTS:

4 navel oranges
3/4 cup inexpensive balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup creme fraiche
1 teaspoon sugar
12 ounces fresh strawberries, quartered

DIRECTIONS:

Cut the peel and white pith from the oranges. Cut between the membranes to release the segments.

Whisk the vinegar, creme fraiche, and sugar in a heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat until it thickens and resembles a sauce, about 8 minutes.

Arrange the orange segments and strawberries decoratively on plates. Drizzle the warm balsamic sauce over the fruit and serve. Alternately, the balsamic sauce can be served at room temperature and spooned atop the fruit.

This is great served with frozen yogurt or ice cream.

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Orange Tart Sunday, Jul 6 2008

INGREDIENTS:

Puff Pastry Shells, baked

2 large eggs, cold
2 large egg yolks, cold
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
6 tablespoons (3 ounces) cold unsalted
butter, cut into 6 pieces

DIRECTIONS:

Bring about 1 1/2 inches of water to a boil in a pot that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the bowl you will be using for the sabayon. Meanwhile, in a large metal bowl, whisk the eggs, yolks, and sugar for about 1 minute, or until the mixture is smooth.

Set the bowl over the pot and, using a large whisk, whip the mixture while you turn the bowl (for even heating). After about 2 minutes, when the eggs are foamy and have thickened, add one-third of the orange juice. Continue to whisk vigorously and, when the mixture thickens again, add another one-third of the orange juice. Whisk until the mixture thickens again, then add the remaining orange juice. Continue whisking vigorously, still turning the bowl, until the mixture is thickened and light in color and the whisk leaves a trail in the bottom of the bowl. The total cooking time should be 8 to 10 minutes.

Turn off the heat and leave the bowl over the water. Whisk in the butter a piece at a time. The sabayon may loosen slightly, but it will thicken and set as it cools. Pour the warm sabayon into puff pastry shells.

Preheat the broiler. While the sabayon is still warm, place the tart under the broiler. Leaving the door open, brown the top of the sabayon, rotating the tart if necessary for even color; this will take only a few seconds, so do not leave the oven. Remove the tart from the broiler and let it sit for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve at room temperature or cold.

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Napoleon Sunday, Jul 6 2008

INGREDIENTS:

For Puff Pastry:
1/2 of a 17 1/4-ounce package (1 sheet) frozen puff pastry, thawed

For Cream Filling:
1/4 cup granulated or superfine sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup half and half or light cream
2 slightly beaten egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup whipping cream

For Glaze:
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons boiling water

Fruit Preserve or Jam Filling: (optional)
1/3 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam or preserves

Chocolate Drizzle Topping:
1 1/2 tablespoons melted semisweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS:

For Puff Pastry: Preheat oven to 425°F/220°C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or plain brown paper; set aside.

Unfold puff pastry sheet and trim edges to a 9-inch square. Cut pastry into nine 3-inch squares. Transfer pastry squares to the prepared baking sheets; prick pastry. Bake in a preheated oven for 18-23 minutes, or until golden (Or bake according to package directions.) Carefully remove pastries from baking sheet. Cool on a rack.

For Cream Filling:
In a heavy, medium saucepan stir together sugar, flour, and salt. Slowly stir in half-and-half or light cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Slowly stir about half of the hot mixture into beaten egg yolks. Return all to saucepan. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Transfer mixture to a bowl. Cover surface with plastic wrap and cool just until warm without stirring. In a small mixing bowl beat whipping cream until soft peaks form. Fold whipped cream into warm pastry cream.

For Glaze:
In a medium mixing bowl combine confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough boiling water to make a glaze of spreading consistency; set aside.

To Assemble:
Use the tines of a fork to separate each pastry square horizontally into 3 layers.

If Using Fruit Jam or Preserves:
Spread about 1 teaspoon of the raspberry or strawberry jam or preserves on each bottom layer. Spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pastry cream over raspberry preserves or if not using a layer of fruit jam or preserves, spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pastry cream on the bottom layer and preceed as follows:
Top with middle pastry layers. Spread another 1 1/2 tablespoons of the pastry cream on each middle layer. Finally, top with remaining pastry layers. Spread glaze over top of napoleons, then drizzle with melted chocolate. Chill up to 1 hour.

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Key Lime Pie Sunday, Jul 6 2008

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup fresh lime juice (3 to 4 limes)
4 teaspoons grated lime zest
4 egg yolks
1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
11 graham crackers
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

DIRECTIONS:

It’s easier to remove the lime zest from whole limes so I would start with that. Then I would cut the limes in half and squeeze out the juice being careful not to include any pits.

Process the graham crackers in a food processor or blender and then melt the butter and have it at the ready.

Whisk the egg yolks and lime zest together in a bowl until tinted light green. This takes about 2 minutes

Beat in milk, then juice and set aside at room temperature till it thickens.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix graham cracker crumbs and sugar in another bowl.

Add butter and stir with a fork until well blended.

Pour this mixture into a 9-inch pie pan and press over the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Try using the bottom of a measuring cup to make sure the graham cracker mixture forms a firm crust on the bottom of the pie pan.

Bake on the center rack for about 15 minutes until the crust is lightly brown, remove and let cool to room temperature.

Pour the lime filling into crust, spread evenly, and then bake for 15 minutes until the center sets, but still wiggles when shaken.

Remove from oven and cool to room temperature.

Refrigerate for at least three hours until well chilled.

Some of you might like to serve it with a whipped cream topping or a meringue topping, but I prefer keeping it simple. If the pie seems to be sticking to the pan when serving, try dipping the pan into a bowl of warm water to loosen it.

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