Dinner

Zucchini Involtini

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Ricotta stuffed zucchini ribbons baked in marinara topped with mozzarella and fresh basil.  This recipe takes all the deliciousness of a lasagna, and streamlines it with zucchini instead of pasta, making this a lower carb option for a decadent night of Italian indulgence.  

This dish takes a nod from several recipes, but mostly resembles Half Baked Harvest’s Eggplant Zucchini Pesto Involtini, linked below.  I streamlined a couple of steps, including baking the entire dish in one pan, reducing mess and clean up.  I stick with zucchini and summer squash, as I don’t love eggplant, but you can check out her version if you want to combine both options.    https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/eggplant-zucchini-pesto-involtini/

One of the key steps is salting (and I use pepper too for flavor) the zucchini strips and allowing them to sit for at least 10 minutes so they become more pliable.  This will allow you to roll them into little pillows filled with ricotta and pesto…

The zucchini roll up’s can be done as single or double’s, as the recipe states.  The pictures are a single version, which leaves a thicker zucchini layer and the filling falls out, but either way it’s great and absolutely delicious!

The picture above shows the dish before baking, this time with fresh mozzarella which is a nice upgrade.  Wing this to your own tastes – it’s flexible, easy, and for a one pan meal it looks kind of impressive if you want my opinion…

Zucchini Involtini

Print Recipe
Ricotta stuffed zucchini baked in marinara with sausage and basil.
Course dinner
Cuisine Italian
Keyword involtini, lasagna, summer pasta, zucchini
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb. spicy Italian chicken sausage, removed from casings
  • 28 oz Marinara - I like Rao's
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano, or 1 tsp dried
  • 4 large zucchini or yellow summer squash
  • 16 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • 3/4 cup prepared basil pesto (I like Kirkland's at Costco)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan
  • 1/4 cup torn fresh basil for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400° F
  • Using a mandolin or a very sharp knife, slice the zucchini into 1/4 inch wide strips and lay them flat on paper towel-lined baking sheets (you will need 2). You should have around 30 strips. Sprinkle the zucchini liberally with kosher salt. Allow them to sit for about 10 minutes (while you make the sauce and the filling), as the salt will soften the zucchini so you can roll it more easily.
  • To make the sauce. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and brown the chicken sausage until no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Add the marinara, oregano, and season with salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. 
  • In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, fontina, basil, and 1/2 cup pesto.  Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste.
  • To assemble, blot any excess moisture on the zucchini. Take 2 zucchini strips and lay them into a criss cross pattern (like you are making a plus sign, or a "x"). Spoon about 2 Tbsp of the ricotta filling onto the center of the "x", and fold the ends around like you are wrapping a present. Place each little zucchini package seam-side down into the pan of sauce, nestling into place. Alternatively you can simply roll one zucchini strip with a dollop of the ricotta mixture, making little zucchini rolls - this version may have the filling spill out more, making a messier finished dish, but it's all equally delicious!
  • Top with little dollops of the remaining 1/4 cup pesto, and sprinkle with the mozzarella. Finish with the grated parmesan, and back for about 20-25 minutes, until the dish is bubbling and starting to brown on top. If needed, you can pop it under the broiler for a minute as well.
  • Finish with fresh basil, and serve right out of the pan!

Notes

This recipe is very loosely based on one from Half Baked Harvest, but definitely has many changes - this is her original, using eggplant.  I have streamlined some steps, and use only zucchini or summer squash, instead of eggplant.  My version bakes in the same pan that you make the sauce in, removing extra dishes needing a wash....  https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/eggplant-zucchini-pesto-involtini/
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Dinner, Lunch, Salad

Tolan’s Mom’s Potato Salad

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A classic version of the ultimate summer side dish.  Tyler Florence’s recipe combines all the things I love in perfect balance for what he calls “the best potato salad I’ve ever made!”

Didn’t get this out to you all in time for the fourth, but it’s here for the weekend and the rest of the summer and honestly all year long.  This classic dish goes with everything and could stand alone for days as the perfect snack ready for anytime of day.  

Tyler’s recipe call’s for peeling the potatoes after cooking them – I find that the tiny Yukon gold’s have such a thin delicate skin that they don’t need peeling, take less time to cook and just a gentle smash makes the craggy edges that soak up all the dressing in the best way.  

Two hard boiled eggs cook right with the potatoes (pull them out after about 10 minutes of boiling) and then get grated into the dressing.  This is a vintage cooking trick that makes so much sense and feels like something your grandmother would teach you – I love that.  

Tolan's Mom's Potato Salad

Print Recipe
A classic version from Tyler Florence of Summer's Ultimate side dish
Course dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, French
Keyword potato salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs small yukon gold potatoes
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 bunch scallions sliced, white and green parts
  • 2 Tbsp drained capers
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickle
  • 1/4 cup pickle juice
  • 1 small red onion minced
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  • Place potatoes and eggs in large saucepan, then fill with cold water to cover completely at least an inch above. Add a couple of tablespoons of kosher salt to the water.
  • Bring to a simmer, and remove the eggs after 10 minutes to cool under cold tap water. Continue cooking the potatoes until fork tender, likely only another minute or two, depending on their size.
  • Drain potatoes in a colander and let them cool. I like to lay the cooked potatoes on a large rimmed baking sheet to cool faster, and then gently squeeze them to break apart.
  • Reserve some scallions and capers for garnish. Stir together mayonnaise, mustard, pickles with juice, onions, remaining scallions and capers, parsley, tarragon and lemon juice in a bowl large enough to hold the potatoes. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
  • Peel the cooled eggs and grate them into the bowl. Then add the smashed baby potatoes, and toss everything to coat in the dressing. Season with extra salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with reserved scallions and capers.

Notes

This recipe is from Tyler Florence's cookbook - Tyler's Ultimate, which has an incredible collection of perfect recipes for every day classic cooking.  
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Appetizers/Snacks, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Tortilla De Patata

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A traditional Spanish Omelette with Potato and Onion.  This versatile dish is great for anytime of day, can be made ahead, and is the epitome of simple Mediterranean cooking.  

I was first introduced to the traditional Spanish Omelette, Tortilla de Patata when my family hosted an exchange student from Madrid in 1988.  Monica came to live with our us during my eight grade year, and she became the big sister I never had.  She was patient with our traditional American cooking, but every now and then we would step things up and make gazpacho, paella (with her help!) and this traditional Spanish tortilla.  Below are some photos from a family trip to Spain to visit Monica in the year 2000.  HOLA MI HERMANA!!!

It continues to be a main thread of conversation regarding healthy eating, that the “mediterranean diet” is the ideal model.  I consider this recipe to be exemplary of why this type of cooking makes so much sense.  It’s literally five ingredients, all that should be chosen with the highest level of quality, and cooked simply together.  The tortilla becomes a great meal option for any time of day – cold out of the fridge for breakfast, or heated slightly and topped with a raw salsa salad as shown here.  

Many variations of this recipe call for copious amounts of olive oil to be used in the poaching of the potatoes and onions…  This is not exactly a “light” dish, but the olive oil absorption rate into the final product totals approximately 4 Tbsp, or 1/4 cup out of the original full cup used.  And, we all know EVOO is good for us!  

The two pictures above show the potatoes and onions cooking in the olive oil, and then the final tortilla just after being flipped in the pan.  I followed many variations of this recipe but landed on the final one mostly based off Smitten Kitchen’s version https://smittenkitchen.com/2007/09/tortilla-de-patatas/.  The raw salsa “salad” is a nod from a Jamie Oliver version, and this makes the whole thing much better.  I can’t find the actual recipe for that part, but this is the video link if you want to check it out.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb4kCB7VAsM.  Whatever version you make, feel free to add in other veggies like a regular frittata – this is a flexible dish that is really about the method more than anything else.  But make the salad!

One of the tricks to making this raw salsa “salad” is grating the tomato on the small side of a box grater, allowing the juice to collect in the bowl, but keeping the fleshy pulp and seeds on the side for the most part.  This juice brings a vibrant flavor to the dressing.

Tortilla de Patata

Print Recipe
A spanish style frittata with olive oil, potatoes and onions.
Course Breakfast, dinner, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine Mediterranean, spanish
Keyword fritatta, spanish omelette, tortilla

Ingredients

Tortilla de Patata

  • 3 to 4 medium sized Yukon Gold potatoes (about 1 1/4 lbs)
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 6 extra-large or 7 large eggs
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper don’t skimp

Raw Salsa Salad Topping

  • 4 medium plum tomatoes, very ripe
  • 2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 2 handfuls mixed salad greens, or micro-greens

Instructions

Tortilla de Patata

  • Prepare potatoes and onions: Peel potatoes and onion and slice them very thin with a mandoline, the slicing blade of a food processor, or by hand. If either are on the large side, first cut them in a half lengthwise so the slices will be in half-moons.
  • Cook potatoes and onions: Heat oil in an 8- to 10-inch skillet, ideally nonstick, over medium-high until very hot, about 3 minutes. Add potatoes and onions in even layers and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping and nudging potatoes around to ensure they cook evenly. Potatoes are done when they are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife. They should not get brown or fall apart in flipping (unless you like your tortillas with softer, more broken-up potatoes, as some do).
  • Drain potatoes and onions: Transfer potatoes and onion to a colander set over a bowl and drain them. Season potatoes and onion with salt and pepper and let cool slightly, about 5 minutes. (You can make the raw salsa salad now!)
  • Make the tortilla batter: In the bottom of a large bowl, lightly beat eggs with a couple good pinches of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in drained potatoes and onions. If you have 10 minutes, definitely let them soak together for that long; it makes a difference in how well the finally tortilla stays together. If you’re in a rush, it’s not going to ruin the dish if you skip it.
  • Cook the tortilla: Add 2 tablespoons of the drained cooking oil back to the skillet over medium-high heat. Pour potato mixture into skillet and flatten the potatoes with a spatula until they’re mostly even. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, moving and shimmying the skillet and nudging the egg around (so it runs underneath) for a minute before letting the tortilla cook undisturbed until the top is wet but not very runny, and it is golden underneath. I found this took about 8 minutes.
  • Loosen the tortilla with a spatula then slide it onto a large dinner plate. With your hands in potholders, invert the skillet over the plate, take a deep breath, and flip it back into the skillet. You can also use a lid for the pan to invert the tortilla, and simply slide it back in upside down. Shake the skillet to straighten the tortilla and use a spatula to gently tuck the edges back under, if needed.
  • Return the skillet to the stove and cook tortilla to your desired doneness, another 2 to 3 minutes.

Raw Salsa Salad

  • To make the salad, take two of the tomatoes, remove the seeds and juice, leaving just the skin and pulp. Finely dice the tomatoes into small bits, setting them into a large shallow bowl.
  • Take the other two tomatoes, and using the small sized side of a box grater (see picture above) grate the tomatoes to collect fresh tomato juice into the bowl with the chopped tomatoes. To that, add in the red wine vinegar, the olive oil, and a heavy pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. When you're ready to serve, toss in the basil and whatever salad greens you want - top the tortilla with this raw salsa salad like frosting on a cake!

Notes

This recipe is based mostly on the Smitten Kitchen Tortilla de Patatas  https://smittenkitchen.com/2007/09/tortilla-de-patatas/.  The raw salsa salad comes from Jamie Oliver, but I've only seen it in a video, so it was kind of my interpretation of it.  Thanks to both of these great chefs!
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Dinner, Lunch

Grilled Chicken Margherita

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Italian Spiced Grilled Chicken topped with mozzarella, pesto and marinated tomatoes.  Fast, simple, and healthy, this is a family friendly weeknight meal to put on repeat.

This is an easy summer dinner you’ll find all over the internet,  and it’s honestly so simple you barely need a recipe.  My favorite part is the tomato salad on top, but the grilled chicken with mozzarella and pesto makes a great sandwich in leftovers too.  

You can adjust the seasoning to fit your own tastes – I love red pepper flakes, and amp up the heat when possible, but you can omit entirely if you choose.  I strongly recommend the oregano and fresh garlic, and you can use Italian seasoning if you have it on hand too.  

Grilled Chicken Margherita

Print Recipe
Italian Spiced Grilled Chicken with Mozzarella, Pesto and Marinated Tomatoes
Course dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Italian
Keyword chicken margherita, grilled chicken.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp oregano, or Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • 6 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
  • 3/4 cup basil pesto (homemade or store bought)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sliced or torn fresh basil

Instructions

  • Preheat a gas grill to medium high, making sure the grates are clean and oiled. Alternatively, you can use a cast iron grill pan on a stove top.
  • Pound the chicken breasts so they are even in thickness, to about 1/2" or 3/4" - you can also slice the breasts to make them similar in size.
  • Mix together 3 Tbsp of the olive oil, minced garlic, oregano (or Italian seasoning), red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the chicken breasts and turn to coat.
  • Add the chicken to the hot grill, close the lid, and grill the chicken for 5-6 minutes on the first side. Flip the chicken, cook for 2-3 more minutes until fully cooked through (registering 160 on a meat thermometer). You can lay slices of cheese on top directly, or I like to line a baking sheet with tinfoil, and put the cooked chicken breasts on that, then top with cheese, and close the grill lid for about 1 minute to melt. This method keeps the grill a little cleaner!
  • While the chicken is resting, toss together the sliced tomatoes, remaining tablespoon of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and the fresh sliced basil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
  • Top each chicken breast with 2 Tablespoons of pesto and spread it out. Finish with a heaping spoonful of the tomato basil mixture. Enjoy!

Notes

This recipe is easy to make and reheats well, and is also great cold out of the fridge the next day.  The leftovers will keep well for three days.  
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Dinner, Lunch

Ultimate Grilling Marinade

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The best and ONLY meat marinade you’ll ever need!  This is a classic, simple combination of ingredients you likely have on hand, thrown together in minutes, and ready to embrace whatever you want to soak – chicken, pork, beef, fish, even vegetables!  

This spring we took a trip to visit my in-law’s, in a relatively remote spot where you tend to bring in the food you want for the whole week.  On the night we arrived, Juju (my mother in law) had pork tenderloins marinating in this magic sauce, and we had them simply grilled for dinner.  It was DELICIOUS.  So simple, it qualified for the lean kitchen trip, but was the most flavorful marinade I’d ever had.  

The real recipe credit goes to Terri Leake, who shared the recipe with my mother in law, and it made me love this even more.  These are the recipes you want to hear about – the special ones that were remembered from good times with good people, shared between friends, and then, generations.   Thanks TL – you are a gem!

June 1st is this weekend, and I hope you try this one out soon, and put it on repeat all summer long.  As I said, I’ve had it on just about anything you throw on a grill, and nothing doesn’t fit.  I would recommend doing a shorter hang time for delicate fish or veggies (portabello’s)  as the acid in the soy could break them down – it’s a quick enough marinade to work with just a 10 minute soak time.  Beef, pork, and chicken can sit all day long before cooking.

Ultimate Grilling Marinade

Print Recipe
The best marinade for anything you want to grill
Course bbq, dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, grilled food, grilling, marinade, steak
Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
  • 4 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 bunch scallions, chopped
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Simply combine all the ingredients, and throw into a baking dish with whatever you want to marinate! This works with beef, chicken, pork, fish, even vegetables. Beef, pork and chicken can sit all day in this, but limit delicate fish and veggies to 10-15 minutes.
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Dinner, Lunch

Lemon Pasta with Arugula, Tomatoes and Parmesan

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Pasta bathed in a lemon cream sauce, studded with bright spring vegetables.  This is a classic Barefoot Contessa Recipe (Lemon Fusilli with Arugula) and I’ve taken one shortcut liberty and highly recommend this deliciousness for your upcoming Memorial Day Weekend!

My first memory of this pasta dish is from 2010 when an amazing friend/relative (JCW – lookin at you!) brought this to our family when our Annie was born.  It was one of those overlooked BC recipes in my cookbook collection, that had definitely caught my eye but I had never made it.  I remember eating this cold straight out of the fridge with a fork in the big bowl in the middle of the night.  It was that thing you wanted that you didn’t know you wanted.  

This is true make ahead magic, it tastes great at any temp, keeps for days, and can be tailored to whatever vegetables your crew prefers or has on hand.  It’s one of the simplest but most delicious pasta sauces I’ve ever had.  

Lemon Pasta with Arugula, Tomatoes and Parmesan

Print Recipe
Pasta bathed in a lemon cream sauce with fresh spring vegetables.
Course dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American, Italian
Keyword lemon pasta, pasta primavera, spring pasta
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp good olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic 2 cloves
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 3 lemons
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups frozen broccoli florets
  • 1 pound dried short cut pasta of your choice
  • 5 oz baby arugula (1 box)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes halved

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the garlic, and cook for 60 seconds. Add the cream, the zest from 2 lemons, the juice of 2 lemons, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until it starts to thicken.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the pasta, and cook according to the directions on the package for al dente, stirring occasionally. During the last 30 seconds, add the frozen broccoli florets. Drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander and place it back into the pot. Immediately add the cream mixture and cook it over medium-low heat for 3 minutes, until most of the sauce has been absorbed in the pasta. Pour the hot pasta into a large bowl, add the arugula, Parmesan, and tomatoes. Cut the last lemon in half lengthwise, slice it 1/4-inch thick crosswise, and add it to the pasta. Toss well, season to taste, and serve hot.

Notes

This is a classic Barefoot Contessa Recipe called Lemon Fusilli with Arugula, which can be found here https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lemon-fusilli-with-arugula-recipe-1947414. I have changed the broccoli - she calls for blanching it ahead of cooking everything else, and I have found that small frozen broccoli florets tossed into the pasta water for the last 30 seconds is much easier.  I prefer Whole Foods frozen broccoli - the florets are smaller and always come out bright green.  
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Dinner, Lunch, Salad

Spring Panzanella

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Spring Panzanella with Asparagus, Peas, Herbs and a Lemon Buttermilk Dressing.  A slight twist on a Bon Appétit recipe from 2020 by Molly Baz, this is the bomb.  

Traditional Panzanella leans on the juice of tomatoes to soften the bread, melding everything together.  This version takes things up a notch, using a dreamy lemon buttermilk dressing that is so good you’ll want to put it on everything you make.  

I added both fresh shelled peas and pea shoots to this dish, but they are both not needed if you can’t find them in season – this is not the place for frozen peas, so just add in a few more sliced sugar snaps if you can’t find the others.  You’ll need to blanch the peas, making for a bright green addition to the already gorgeous array of seasonal veggies.  

Spring Panzanella

Print Recipe
Panzanella with spring asparagus, scallions and pea shoots with a lemon buttermilk dressing.
Course dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword panzanella
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 lemons
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 8 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • Kosher salt freshly ground pepper
  • 1 English hothouse cucumber halved lengthwise, cut crosswise into 1½” pieces
  • 4 scallions thinly sliced on a diagonal
  • 4 oz. sugar snap peas trimmed, thinly sliced on a diagonal (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1 cup shelled fresh peas (optional - when available)
  • 2-3 slices sourdough bread
  • 1 bunch asparagus trimmed, sliced on a diagonal into 2” pieces
  • 1 cup fresh pea shoots only when available - omit otherwise
  • 1 cup chopped herbs - basil, chives, parsley, mint
  • 4 oz. feta

Instructions

  • Finely grate garlic and the zest of 1 lemon into a large bowl. Slice both lemons in half and squeeze their juice into the bowl. Add buttermilk and 6 Tbsp. oil and whisk to combine. Season dressing with salt and lots of pepper.
  • To prepare the shelled peas, bring about 3 cups of water to a boil, adding1 Tbsp of kosher salt. Prepare an ice bath by placing a bowl of ice in the sink with cold water. Blanch the fresh peas for about 45 seconds. Remove from the heat and immediately dunk the peas into the bowl of ice... I like to use a large strainer that can fit into the ice bath, so the peas are easy to extract once chilled. Set aside until you are assembling the veggies in the dressing.
  • Lightly crush cucumber on a cutting board with a rolling pin or wine bottle. Add cucumber, scallions, sugar snap peas, and blanched shelled peas to dressing and toss well to combine. Let sit while you fry the bread and asparagus.
  • Pour remaining 2 Tbsp. oil into a 12 inch skillet, allowing room for 2-3 slices of bread to lay flat. Cook, undisturbed, over medium heat until golden brown and crisp underneath, about 5 minutes. Turn bread over and cook just to lightly fry on the other side, about 2 minutes. Season both sides of bread with salt. Transfer to a plate.
  • Arrange asparagus in same skillet, season with salt, and increase heat to medium-high. Cook, tossing occasionally, until bright green and blistered in some spots, but still crisp-tender, about 3 -4 minutes. Add to salad.
  • Tear bread into 1½” pieces and add to salad. Toss to evenly coat and help bread soak up some of the dressing. Taste and season with more salt and pepper as needed. Add herbs (and pea shoots, if using) to salad and toss once more.
  • Divide salad among shallow bowls, reserving any dressing and juices that pool at the bottom of bowl. Break feta into large pieces and nestle into salad in each bowl. Drizzle reserved dressing and juices over.

Notes

This is a Bon Appétit Recipe by Molly Baz from 2020, and it is one of the best takes on panzanella ever.  The dressing is sublime and would be great on any bright greens you can get your hands on.   I added fresh shelled peas to the salad, but I wouldn't use them unless they are in season - this is not the place for frozen peas.  Just omit and use a little more sugar snap peas in place...  
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Dinner, Lunch, Salad

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

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Classic Barefoot Contessa orzo with roasted vegetables, feta and pine nuts.  Just in time for Mother’s Day, one of her best recipes in a slightly tweaked version!  While it stands alone beautifully, it also pairs well with anything on the grill – shrimp, steak, chicken, or even just some grilled bread.

This recipe comes from the Barefoot Contessa Parties cookbook, which might be my favorite of all.  The idea here is roasting the vegetables, and tossing them with the hot orzo and the lemon vinaigrette (which is HUGELY simple), and allowing everything to come together.  Toss it at the end with the fancy ingredients and you have a meal of a salad. 

The beauty of this is the ability to adjust whatever veggies you prefer – in the fall, you can do butternut squash and add some sliced kale to wilt while everything is hot.  Ina’s original recipe calls for roasted eggplant, which isn’t a favorite here, so we use zucchini, asparagus and summer squash, but you could simply just do peppers and onions if you prefer.  All that matters is that you make it the way YOU like it.  

Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

Print Recipe
Roasted Vegetables tossed with Orzo, Lemon vinaigrette, Feta, Basil and Pine Nuts
Course dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword orzo salad, roasted vegetable salad
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 24 minutes
Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  • 2 small zucchini sliced into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 small summer squash sliced into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 peppers - any color 1-inch diced
  • 1 bunch asparagus sliced into 2 inch pieces
  • 1 large red onion peeled and 1-inch diced or sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/3 cup good olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 8 oz orzo (uncooked) (1 cup)

For the Dressing

  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 lemons
  • 1/3 cup good olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

For serving

  • 1 bunch scallions minced (white and green parts)
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted
  • 3/4 pound good feta broken apart into small bites
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Toss the zucchini, squash, asparagus, bell peppers, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper on 2-3 large sheet pans - don't crowd them, as things will steam vs. roast. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.
  • Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl.
  • For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and pour on the pasta and vegetables. Let cool to room temperature, then add the scallions, pignolis, feta, and basil. Check the seasonings, and serve at room temperature.

Notes

This is a classic Barefoot Contessa Recipe that is from her "Parties" cookbook, which might be my favorite of all.  The recipe is adaptable, make ahead, and simple in all the right ways.  Her version, is here - I have changed a few things...  Mostly removing the eggplant and adding zucchini, squash, and asparagus.  https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/orzo-with-roasted-vegetables-recipe-1951921
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Dinner, Lunch

Spicy Turkey Meatball Subs

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Spicy Turkey and Sausage Meatballs with Marinara, Mozzarella and Toasted Ciabatta.  A spin on the Barefoot Contessa’s classic Spicy Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti, this one is a crowd pleasing treat I want to eat all year long.  

This is one of those recipes I used to make often and forgot about – it’s like running into an old friend, except you get to eat it.  

The meatballs can be baked fully, and frozen either IN the marinara or just in a large gallon ziplock, making for an easy party treat.  Simply toss the frozen meatballs into a pot with the marinara and bring them to a heated temp when you are ready to eat.

Spicy Turkey Meatball Subs

Print Recipe
Spicy Turkey and Sausage Meatballs with Marinara, Mozzarella and Ciabatta
Course dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Italian
Keyword meatball sub, turkey meatballs
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 3 cups bread from an Italian loaf, crusts removed chopped into cubes
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 2 pounds ground turkey 85-percent to 92-percent lean
  • 1/2 pound sweet or spicy Italian pork sausage casings removed
  • 4 ounces packaged diced prosciutto
  • 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 extra-large eggs lightly beaten
  • 3-4 Tbsp good olive oil plus more for the ciabatta
  • 3 24-ounce jars of Rao's
  • 1 lb. fresh mozzarella
  • 1 loaf ciabatta bread
  • leaves of basil for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper.
  • Place the bread in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until the bread is in medium crumbs. Transfer the crumbs to a small bowl and add the milk. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey, sausage, prosciutto, bread mixture, parmesan, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper. Lightly combine the ingredients with your hands. Add the eggs, and stir lightly with a fork to combine.
  • With your hands, or an ice cream scoop, lightly roll the mixture into 2-inch-round meatballs and place them on the prepared sheet pans. Brush the meatballs with the olive oil. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the tops are browned and the centers are completely cooked. Keep the oven on for the bread!
  • Pour the marinara sauce in a large, low pot, add the meatballs, and bring to a simmer. When heated through, top with the fresh mozzarella, and cover fora. few minutes, allowing it to melt.
  • Meanwhile, slice the ciabatta loaf in half lengthwise, leaving a top and bottom. Drizzle the bread with a generous coating of olive oil, and bake in the 400 degree oven for 5-7 minutes until lightly toasted.
  • To assemble, spoon the meatballs and sauce onto the ciabatta with the melted cheese on top. Ideally you will make two slabs of open faced sandwiches. Top with fresh basil and extra red pepper flakes as desired. Slice into servings and enjoy!

Notes

This is a classic Barefoot Contessa recipe, with a twist of making it into a sandwich instead of serving with spaghetti.  These meatballs are full of flavor, and as always, Ina NAILED it.  Find her recipe here:  https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/spicy-turkey-meatballs-and-spaghetti-recipe-2119707
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Dinner, Lunch

Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls

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Ground Turkey sautéed with veggies and a teriyaki sauce over rice.  A fast and healthy make ahead weeknight wonder that doubles as lunch the next day – this is a keeper!

Everyone in my house will tell you I don’t enjoy teriyaki or really much of this type of cooking.  The rest of them love it.  So, I tweaked this a little to make it with more heat (red pepper flakes) and loads of fresh toppings like cilantro, avocado and scallions, which help bring a bright flavor to a very balanced one pot meal.

You could easily tweak this to fit preferences for whatever veggies you like, and honestly use ground beef, chicken, or tofu in place of the turkey.  I mention in the notes of the recipe that it would make a great filling for a lettuce wrap as well, if you aren’t into rice.

Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowls

Print Recipe
Ground Turkey Vegetable Rice bowls in a teriyaki sauce
Course dinner, Lunch
Cuisine asian
Keyword grain bowl, rice bowl, teriyaki bowl
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp honey
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp freshly grated ginger (about 1 inch piece)
  • 1 Tbsp Cornstarch, dissolved into 1 Tbsp water
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb. ground turkey
  • 1-2 cups chopped broccoli (small florets)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
  • 3 cups cooked jasmine or basmati rice
  • avocado, scallions, cilantro & sesame seeds for topping

Instructions

  • Whisk together the first five ingredients in a glass measuring cup. Then, dissolve the cornstarch in the water then mix it with the rest of the teriyaki sauce ingredients and set aside.
  • Drizzle the olive oil in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat. Once it’s hot and shimmering, add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Add the ground turkey to the pan and cook, breaking it up into small pieces until mostly cooked, 3-4 minutes. Add the chopped broccoli, shredded carrot and sliced red pepper, and continue to cook until the vegetables are soft and the turkey is cooked through, with no pink remaining.
  • Pour the teriyaki sauce over the turkey and turn the heat up to medium-high until the mixture is bubbling then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer to thicken the sauce. Remove it from the heat to assemble the bowls.
  • Add the cooked jasmine rice to the bottom of a bowl and top with teriyaki turkey. Finish with sliced avocado, green onion, chopped cilantro and sesame seeds.

Notes

This recipe is a combination of several I have used and tweaked it a bit to mimic the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps https://walestable.com/thai-chicken-lettuce-wraps/
It most closely mirror's this one by "What Molly Made" https://whatmollymade.com/teriyaki-turkey-rice-bowl/#wprm-recipe-container-40627
This recipe would work great as a lettuce wrap filling, or just a salad topping if you prefer to not eat it with rice.  I would suggest eating the mixture cooled over a salad.  
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