 Those of you who know me well, know that I like to be somewhat of a trendsetter, not a follower...but, with that being said, I could not help but get on the 'carb free, cauliflower pizza crust' craze recently, when I decided to try and cut out carbs from my diet. I can't imagine life without pizza so I decided to make my own cauliflower crusted pizza, with a twist! Easy, tasty and pretty too, this crust goes together in minutes. Top with your favorite toppings - I used zucchini and mushrooms that I sautéed first in olive oil, threw on some sliced red onions and added a little bit of tomato sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. Just heat and eat. Broccoli-Cauliflower Crusted Pizza 1 head cauliflower, stalk removed 1 small head of broccoli, stalk removed (optional, some people prefer the color and flavor of all cauliflower) 1 cup shredded mozzarella 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 1/4 tsp dried oregano or basil or a pinch of both 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp garlic powder 2 eggs, lightly beaten Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Break the cauliflower and broccoli into florets and pulse in a food processor until fine. Place the broccoli-cauliflower mixture in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Let cool for a minute and then put in a kitchen towel or cheese cloth and wring all of the excess water out, you don't want a soggy crust! Combine the cauliflower and broccoli in a bowl with the mozzarella, Parmesan, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder and eggs. Mix well. Transfer to a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread out to the edges or put in the center of a large baking sheet and spread into a circle, resembling a pizza crust. Bake for 20 minutes. Add desired toppings and bake an additional 10 minutes.  Wow, it sure got chilly this week. Perfect weather for a side dish like a potato gratin. I am catering a surprise birthday party for an octogenarian tomorrow and this family wanted something warm, comforting and old fashioned for a side dish with beef. This recipe is not only easy, it's delicious. I think they are going to love this! Caramelized Onion-Potato Gratin 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 2 T good olive oil 1 T unsalted butter 2 lbs russet potatoes (4 large potatoes) 2 1/4 c heavy cream, separated 2 1/2 c grated Gruyère cheese (1/2 pound) (expensive but worth it) 1/2 c Asiago cheese 1 t kosher salt 1/2 t freshly ground black pepper 2 T fresh thyme, stripped off the stem Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10-by-15-by-2-inch (10-cup) baking dish, set aside. Sauté the onions in the olive oil and butter on medium-low heat for 15 minutes, until browned lightly and caramelized. Peel the potatoes and thinly slice them by hand or with a mandoline (one of my favorite kitchen tools). Mix the sliced potatoes in a large bowl with 2 cups of cream, 2 cups of Gruyère, 1/4 c Asiago, salt, and pepper. Add the sautéed onion and mix well. Pour the potatoes into the baking dish. Press down to smooth the potatoes. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup of cream, the rest of the asiago and Gruyère and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, until the potatoes are very tender and the top is browned and bubbly. Allow to set for 10 minutes and serve. Serves 10-12. Note: Add thinly sliced Black Forest ham and a handful of frozen peas and you have a single dish casserole dinner.  My new friend Susan asked me if I wanted to be a part of a cooking group where a few women would get together every other month or so to cook, drink, eat (not necessarily in that order) and share stories and their love of all thing digestible. What could I say but YES! Last night was our first gathering. The theme of the night was Tuscany and I was asked to think up something to pair with a Tuscan Lemon Chicken (Ina Garten),Bistecca all Fiorentina (MIchal Chiarello) and a panzanella salad. I had some squash in the garden so I went in search of inspiration and found a recipe for Sformati, a soufflé-like side dish that is delicious, versatile and easy. Everyone loved it and the dinner was delicious. I can't wait until next time...what will we choose for a theme? Zucchini Sformati 2# zucchini or any mix of summer squash (about 4 medium), or any other veg, carrots, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, etc 2T olive oil 1/2 c onion, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, finely chopped salt & pepper 2 eggs 2/3 c parmesan cheese + 2T for sprinkling on top 1 T butter (for greasing ramekins) 1/2 c fine bread crumbs for dusting ramekins Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter eight 6-ounce ramekins. Coat with fine bread crumbs and set aside on a baking sheet. Make the balsamella (see below) and set aside to cool. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet, add the onion and garlic. Cook until beginning to soften, 5 minutes. Add the squash (or whatever veggie), season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10-15 minutes. Puree all in a food processor until smooth. Meanwhile, beat 2 eggs lightly in a bowl; stir in the cooled balsamella. Add the squash puree and 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. Divide the mixture among ramekins. Sprinkle with the rest of the parmesan and bake until a light golden crust forms on top and sformati are firm, about 30 minutes. Let settle for several minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the ramekin, hold a plate over the ramekin and invert onto the plate, then turn back over to expose the browned tops...or not! Garnish with fresh herbs or more parmesan. Serves 8. Balsamella 1 c whole milk 1 T butter 1 1/2 T flour 1/4 t salt freshly ground nutmeg Heat 1 cup whole milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat until small bubbles form at edges. (Do not allow to boil). Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat. When the butter has melted, stir in the flour all at once with a whisk. Cook, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Add the hot milk all at once while stirring continuously. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is smooth. Break up any lumps by pressing them against the sides. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is as dense as thick cream, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Set aside until ready to use, placing plastic wrap on the surface so a film does not form.
Most people are under the impression that the food in Ireland is not very tasty or exciting. I beg to differ. Last year around my birthday I spent a week on the Emerald Isle and had some of the most wonderful food I have ever eaten. There is a yummy dish over there called Colcannon, a blend of mashed potatoes, cabbage and kale with loads of good Irish butter and cream. I decided to use this dish as my inspiration for an Irish potato salad, I wanted something I could take on a picnic paired with my corned beef and cole slaw sandwiches (March 2016 archives). I added crispy bacon, sautéed leeks and a bit of creamy dill mayo and it turned out great! So, let's get out there and enjoy some of our very own emerald green hills before they are just a rainy day memory.  Colcannon - inspired Potato Salad 6 - 8 Yukon Gold Potatoes, cut into 1” chunks, about 6 cups 1 T salt 2 T white balsamic vinegar 4 strips thick cut, applewood smoked bacon 1 T bacon grease, reserved 2 T olive oil, separated 2 leeks sliced lengthwise then across, thinly 1 shallot cut in half lengthwise, sliced thinly salt and pepper, as needed 1 bunch kale, leaves stripped from the stems and chopped roughly 1/2 of a head of cabbage, quartered and sliced thinly 2 green onions, sliced thinly 1/2 c parsley, chopped Cover the potatoes with water and add the salt. Bring to a boil and cook until a fork goes through easily, about 10 more minutes. Drain and place in a large bowl for mixing. Sprinkle with the white balsamic vinegar, a bit of salt and pepper and let cool slightly. Cook the bacon until crisp, remove, drain, cut into 1/2” pieces and add to the potatoes. Pour off all but 1 T of bacon grease from the frying pan and add 1 T of the olive oil, the leeks, the shallot and a bit of salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until soft, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally then add to the potatoes. Add 1 T more olive oil to the pan, heat and cook the cabbage until soft, about 20 minutes, cool then add to the potatoes along with the parsley and green onions. Pour the dressing (see below) over and mix well. Serve slightly warm, room temp or chilled. Serves 8-10. Dilled Mayo Dressing 1 1/2 c mayo, I use Best Foods juice and zest from 1/2 lemon 1 T fresh dill, chopped coarsely pinch of salt and pepper Mix well.   Romanesco broccoli or Roman cauliflower as it is also known, is an edible flower from the cabbage family. Chartreuse in color, with many conical buds, it has a delicate, nutty flavor. I received one of these interesting and unusual vegetables in a CSA basket from my friends at Outer Aisle last week and decided to roast it Italian style, for a versatile and tasty, seasonal side dish. I think you will love the way it tastes, sweet, salty, sour and winter fresh!  Roasted Romanesco 1/4 c extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 head of Romanesco, separated into florets 2 T pine nuts 2 T currants 1 T capers 1 t smoked paprika salt and pepper juice and zest of half a lemon pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Toss the florets in 2 T olive oil, a pinch or two of salt and pepper and spread out on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, warm the remaining 2 T of olive oil in a small skillet over very low heat. Add the chopped garlic, pine nuts, currents and capers. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the garlic is soft and fragrant but not browned and the nuts and the capers toasty. Stir in the smoked paprika and red pepper flakes and set aside. Remove the Romanesco from the oven and place it in a large bowl, big enough to mix it in. Pour the skillet ingredients over the Romanesco then the lemon juice and zest and toss to coat. Serve immediately or let cool to room temperature. You can serve this as a side dish with chicken beef or pork or toss it into pasta or even eggs. You could substitute broccoli or cauliflower in place of the Romanesco...but why?  |
Cheers!As a caterer for over 30 years, I have established a reputation for consistently creating original menus inspired by the occasion and the season, presenting them with an ease and elegance uniquely my own. Fresh, locally-sourced ingredients are the basis of my creative “from scratch” menus, which range from the classically elegant to rustic and whimsical. Categories
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"Love your recipes! Pat made your avocado toast a few weeks ago, delish! I'm taking them to a party in a few weeks, although the mushroom crostata looks pretty darn good!"
—Thanks, Melody Archives
September 2020
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