Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Cooking : Arugula-Fennel Salad

Ingredients
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
6 cups arugula
2 small fennel bulbs, cored and thinly sliced
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
30 grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Make the dressing by whisking the olive oil, salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice together in a small bowl; set aside. Place the arugula leaves into a large salad bowl. Sprinkle the fennel, pine nuts, grape tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese over top. Toss with the lemon dressing immediately before serving.

Cooking : Artichokes with Saffron and Almonds

Ingredients
1 cup dried figs
1 cup boiling water
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
1/2 cup olive oil
4 pounds baby artichokes, halved and chokes removed
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/2 cup Spanish Marcona almonds
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon paprika

Directions
Place figs in a bowl and cover with the boiling water. Allow the figs to plump for 5 minutes, then remove. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of saffron threads into the remaining liquid, and allow to steep for 5 minutes.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add artichokes, and toss until coated with oil. Pour in saffron water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the artichokes are tender, about 8 minutes.
Uncover the artichokes and increase heat to medium-high. Add the figs, almonds, vinegar, and paprika. Cook and stir until all of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat, recover, and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Cooking : Almond Cherry Fudge

Ingredients
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup red candied cherries, chopped
1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions
Line an 8-in. square pan with foil and grease the foil; set aside. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and milk. Cover and microwave on high for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until chips are melted; stir until smooth. Stir in the almonds, cherries and extract. Spread into prepared pan. Cover and chill for 2 hours or until set.
Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Discard foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares. Store in the refrigerator.

Cooking : Aztec Casserole

Ingredients
9 (6 inch) corn tortillas, cut in half
2 (10 ounce) cans enchilada sauce
2 cups sour cream
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chiles
1 cup fresh corn kernels
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - boiled

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, cheese, chile peppers, corn, and chicken. Mix together well.
Dip 9 tortilla halves in enchilada sauce, and arrange them in the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread 1/2 chicken mixture over the tortilla layer. Repeat.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until center is heated through.

Cooking : Bill's Sausage Gravy

Ingredients
1 (12 ounce) package maple flavored sausage
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Place sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings in the pan. Stir in the butter until melted. Add flour, and stir until smooth. Reduce heat to medium, and cook until light brown. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in cooked sausage. Reduce heat, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. If gravy becomes too thick, stir in a little more milk.