Skillet Sausage & Cabbage

Probably one of the things I miss the most after switching to healthy eating is sausage.  I LOVE sausage....  But, I just discovered that the farmer down the road sells pork products from pigs that are fed things I can sleep at night over, so I have been happy to make some of my previous recipes that call for pork again.  :)  This is one of my favorite cabbage recipes.  In this case, I used half the amount of sausage that the recipe called for to keep my meat consumption down as well as save some money.  The flavor in this recipe is best with kielbasa, but I managed nicely with some simple pork sausage plus garlic for seasoning.

Source:  Southern Living, January 2001

1 (16-oz.) pkg kielbasa sausage, cut into 1" pieces

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 green bell pepper, cut into strips

6 c. coarsely  chopped cabbage

1 c. chicken broth

1/2 t. caraway seeds

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

Saute sausage in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until browned; drain on paper towels.

Add onion and bell pepper to skillet; saute 2-3 min.  Add cabbage and cook, stirring often, 8 min.  Add sausage, broth and remaining ingredients.  Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 10 min. or until cabbage is tender.  Serve immediately.

Yield:  4 servings

Zucchini Fritters

Pretty and healthful!

Source:  Martha Stewart Living magazine

2 medium zucchini (about 8 oz. each), trimmed

1 medium onion

1/2 c. (1 oz.) grated Pecorino Romano cheese 

1/3 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 c. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 t. finely chopped fresh oregano

1 t. coarse sea salt

1/4 t. freshly ground pepper

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

extra-virgin olive oil, for frying

plain yogurt and apricot jam, for serving

Grate zucchini on the large holes of a box grated, then squeeze dry in a clean paper towel-lined kitchen towel.  Repeat with onion.

Mix together zucchini, onion and cheese, flour and herbs.  Season with salt and pepper.  Stir in eggs just before frying.

Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat.  Working in batches, coat skillet with 1-2 T. oil.  Scoop mounds (2 T. each) of the zucchini mixture into skillet; flatten slightly using a spatula.  Cook until golden brown and cooked through, 2-3 minutes per side.

Transfer fritters to paper-towel lined plates to drain.  Serve with dollops of plain yogurt and apricot jam.

Yield:  approximately 20 fritters

Chilled Cantaloupe Soup

Oooohh....

Gardening friends were kind enough to share some of their extra home-grown cantaloupes with me, thus the opportunity to try out some more cantaloupe recipes!  In place of the sour cream, I used my homemade yogurt that had been strained overnight in a coffee filter, resulting in a product very similar to sour cream.  Since I used dairy products from grass-fed cows, this was yummy and healthy!

Source:  Tea Cozy Cooking cookbook

3 c. cubed, peeled and de-seeded cantaloupe

1/2 c. sour cream, plus dollop for garnish

1 1-1/2 c. heavy cream (to thin to desired consistency)

1 T. sugar, or to taste

1/2 t. cinnamon, or to taste

garnish:  fresh mint springs

Combine all ingredients and puree in food processor, blender or with hand-held blender until smooth.  Cover and chill.  Serve soup when thoroughly chilled.  Garnish with dollop of sour cream and a spring of fresh mint.

Yields:  4 1/2 cups



Roasted Squash with Walnut-Parsley Pesto

I think I prefer my favorite parsley pesto recipe I discovered several years ago over this recipe, but it was still very good.  The lemon flavor complements the squash nicely, and the walnuts are much more economical  (not to mention local!) than pricey pine nuts.

Source:  Adapted from Everyday Food magazine, July/August 2011

Walnut-Parsley Pesto

1 c. tightly packed fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/3 c. chopped walnuts, toasted
1 small garlic clove, smashed and peeled
1/2 oz. (1/4 c.) Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1/4 t. finely grated lemon zest
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
sea salt
ground pepper

In a food processor, pulse parsley, walnuts, garlic, Parmesan, lemon zest and lemon juice until combined, about 10 seconds.  With machine running, add olive oil in a slow, steady stream and process until a paste forms.  Season pesto with coarse salt and ground pepper.

Roasted Squash

2 medium yellow squash, cut lengthwise into 3/4" wedges

Place squash on rimmed baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Season with sea salt and pepper.  Roast at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until tender.

Bruschetta with Tomato Topping

Absolutely fabulous with freshly baked French bread!

Source:  adapted from Gooseberry Patch Celebrate Winter Cookbook

8-oz. loaf French bread (baguette)

olive oil

1 clove garlic, peeled

4 plum tomatoes, chopped

1/8 t. pepper

2 T. olive oil

1/3 c. purple onion, chopped

3 T. fresh basil or oregano, chopped

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Cut bread into 1/2"-thick slices; brush both sides lightly with olive oil.  Place in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake in a 425 degree oven about 5 minutes, or until crisp and light brown, turning once.   Rub with cut garlic.

Combine all remaining ingredients except cheese to make tomato topping.  Spread each slice with tomato topping and sprinkle with cheese.  Return to oven and bake 2-3 minutes longer, or until cheese melts.

Roasted Tomato Sauce (for pizza)

Easy!

Can't wait to make some pizza and try it out.  I like the fact that you don't have to peel the tomatoes, thus saving time and labor as well as getting the nutritional benefit of the skins!

Source:  Adapted from Country Living Magazine, September 2011

2 1/2 lbs. plum tomatoes, quartered

1 yellow onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, cut into 1" pieces

1 red bell pepper, cut into 1" pieces

1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 t. coarse sea salt

1/4 t. crushed red pepper

1/4 c. chopped fresh basil

2 t. fresh oregano

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a 9x13" baking pan, toss together tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, oil, salt and crushed red pepper.  Roast for 1 hour.  Remove pan from oven and fold basil and oregano into vegetables.  Cook for 30 minutes more.  Cool slightly.

In a food processor, blend vegetables until pureed.  Use immediately, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze or can.

Yields:  3 cups

Cantaloupe Smoothie

Does it get any easier or more healthful than this?!

Source:  marthastewart.com

1/2 c. plain yogurt

1 lb. (about 2 c.) chopped cantaloupe (from a 1 1/2 lb. cantaloupe)

Combine yogurt and cantaloupe in a blender; blend until smooth.  Chill in an airtight container, and use within one day.

Stuffed Zucchini with Tomatoes and Mozzarella

Source:  Everyday Food magazine, July/August 2011

2 medium zucchini

2 plum tomatoes, halved, seeded and diced small

1/4 t. chopped fresh oregano leaves

1/4 t. while vinegar

5 oz. fresh mozzarella, torn into 1" pieces

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Brush a rimmed baking sheet with olive oil.  Halve zucchini lenghwise and scrape out seeds.  Place cut side up, on sheet and season with coarse sea salt and ground pepper.  In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, oregano and vinegar; season with salt and pepper.  Top zucchini with tomato mixture.  Bake until zucchini is tender, about 20 minuted.

Heat broiler with rack in top position.  Top zucchini with mozzarella.  Broil until cheese is brown and bubbling, 1-2 min.  Serve immediately.

Serves 4

Grains & Fruit Summer Salad

This salad is a bit unusual, but I couldn't resist trying it since it called for cantaloupe and yellow cherry tomatoes, both of which I had on hand, as well as plenty of basil.  I substituted red onion for the green onions.  I skipped the blueberries since fresh ones are no longer in season in our area.  The zucchini works nicely raw as long as it is cut into very, very thin slices or ribbons.

Source:  Better Homes & Gardens magazine, June 2011

1 c. lightly packed fresh basil

1/4 c. lemon juice

1/4 c. olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. black pepper

2 c. cooked grains (quinoa, wild rice, and/or brown rice)

1/2 c. sliced green onions

4 c. mixed salad greens (torn Bibb lettuce and/or spring mix)

2 c. blueberries

1 c. cantaloupe cubes

1 c. yellow cherry tomatoes, halved

1 small zucchini, cut lengthwise in narrow ribbons

1/2 c. walnut pieces, toasted

4 oz. smoked salmon, flaked (optional)

1/3 c. snipped or shredded fresh herbs (dill, basil and/or mint)

For basil dressing, in a blender or small food processor combine the 1 c. basil, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.  Cover and blend or process until nearly smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed; set aside.

In a medium bowl stir together cooked grains and green onions.  Stir in about 2 T. of the basil dressing to coat.

For the salad, line a large bowl with greens.  Top greens with grains mixture, blueberries, cantaloupe, tomatoes, zucchini, walnuts, and salmon.  Drizzle with half the remaining basil dressing; toss gently.  Sprinkle with fresh herbs.  Pass remaining dressing. 

Makes 8 side-dish or 4 main-dish servings.

Peaches + Basil + Red Onion

I saved the very last peach from my neighbor's bounty for this lovely recipe.

Source:  Martha Stewart Living magazine, June 2011

3 peaches, sliced 1/2" thick

1/4 red onion, very thinly sliced

1/3 c. fresh basil, leaves torn if large

juice of 1/2 lemon

1/2 t. coarse salt

freshly ground pepper

1 T. extra virgin olive oil

Toss first 6 ingredients together.  Drizzle with olive oil.

Serves 4

Zucchini Mock Crabcakes

These freeze nicely.  I usually make a bunch when zucchini is plentiful, then freeze them individually for later use.

Source:  Chambersburg Brethren in Christ Church Cookbook

2 c. shredded zucchini

2 eggs, slightly beaten

3/4 c. dry bread crumbs

1 t. Old Bay seasoning (or less, to taste)

1/4 t. pepper

1 T. mayonnaise

oil

Mix ingredients well.  Form into cakes.  Heat oil in nonstick skillet; cook until light brown and set.

Bean, Red Onion, and Parsley Salad

This salad is so easy I had to read to recipe twice to believe it, and it's just as delicious.  It uses cannellini beans - I do believe I am in love with them!  They are the perfect bean for so many recipes - salads, soups, hummus - you name it.  Maybe it's because they make me dream of Italy.... To top it off, I found them dirt cheap at the food outlet I frequent.  I grabbed a bunch of cans, but now I'm wishing I had bought the entire shelf!

Source:  Everyday Food magazine, March 2010

2 cans (14.5 oz.) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 c. packed fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil

4 t. red-wine vinegar

sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

In a bowl, combine above ingredients.

Serves 4

That's it!

Dublin Potato Salad

Made with freshly-dug Yukon Gold potatoes, green onions and a freshly-picked head of cabbage, it just doesn't get any better than this!!

Source:  Mother

2 T. vinegar

1 t. celery seed

1 t. mustard seed

3 medium-large potatoes

2 t. sugar

1/2 t. salt

2 c. finely shredded cabbage

1 12-oz. can corned beef, chilled and cubed*

1/4 c. finely chopped dill pickle

1/4 c. sliced green onion

1 c. mayonnaise

1/4 c. milk

1/2 t. salt

Combine vinegar, celery seed and mustard seed; set aside. Meanwhile, pare (optional) and cook potatoes in enough boiling, salted water to cover for 30-40 minutes until done. Drain and cube. While potato cubes are still warm, drizzle with vinegar mixture.  Sprinkle with sugar and the first 1/2 t. salt; chill thoroughly. Before serving, add cabbage, corned beef, pickle and onion. Combine mayonnaise, milk and the second 1/2 t. salt. Pour over corned beef mixture; toss lightly.

* Note - roasted chicken breast works nicely as a substitute for the corned beef. 

Mandarin Orange Salad

From: OPL Co-worker

This recipe is always a hit! The candied almonds add wonderful flavor and crunch; the dressing adds the final touch.  I especially like to use green leaf lettuce from the garden - the oranges are so pretty among the bright greens.

 green leaf lettuce
1 can Mandarin oranges, drained

Candied Almonds:
1 c. sliced almonds
4 T. brown sugar

Dressing:
½ c. oil
¼ c. vinegar
¼ c. sugar or agave nectar
1 t. salt

Candied Almonds:
 In medium skillet, stir almonds and sugar continuously over medium heat until brown and coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store extras in sealed container for later use.

Dressing:
 Mix oil, vinegar, sugar and salt in jar or salad dressing bottle; shake until blended.

Toss lettuce, oranges, and almonds. Just before serving, add dressing and toss.

Quinoa with Asparagus and Preserved Lemon Dressing

This recipe is way more effort than I normally undertake, but it seemed fitting for the final recipe of the 2011 asparagus season - #18!  Plus, I was intrigued by the preserved lemon dressing - had never heard of such a thing, so wanted to give it a try.  I'm not sure why I couldn't get the dressing to emulsify (maybe because I used the blender instead of the food processor as instructed??), but the flavor was delicious none the less.

Source:  adapted from marthastewart.com

1 lb. asparagus, trimmed, cut into 2" pieces

2 T. olive oil

1 red onion, finely chopped

1 c. quinoa, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 c. water

1/2 t. sea salt

1/2 c. toasted pine nuts

1/4 c. thinly sliced fresh basil

Preserved Lemon Dressing (see below)

Steam asparagus until crisp-tender, about 2-4 minutes.

Heat olive oil in saucepan.  Add onion and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes.  Add quinoa, water and salt.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until all water has evaporated, approximately 20 minutes.  Fluff with a fork.

Transfer quinoa to a serving platter.  Add asparagus and toss to combine.  Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with pine nuts and basil.  Garnish with chopped preserved lemons.  Serve hot or at room temperature.

Yield:  6 servings

Preserved Lemon Dressing

1 lemon from Preserved Lemons (see below)

7-8 T. olive oil

1 t. ground cumin

1 t. ground coriander

1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper

Rinse lemon in water, drain and cut in half.  Removed seeds and flesh from half of the lemon and chop rind into little pieces; set aside.

Remove seeds from remaining lemon half and add to the bowl of a food processor along with olive oil, cumin, coriander, and pepper; process until pureed.  If dressing seems too thick, add water to reach desired consistency.  Stir in preserved rind.

Preserved Lemons

8 lemons plus more as needed

juice of 4 lemons plus more as needed

coarse sea salt

1/2 c. olive oil

Leaving one end in tact, cut lemons lengthwise into quarters.  Using your fingers, stuff about 2 T. salt inside each lemon, close them, and transfer to an 8-cup, sterilized, wide-mouth jar.

Measure lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup, add to jar along with half that amount of water, making sure liquid almost covers lemons.  Add more freshly squeezed lemon juice, if necessary.

Loosely cover jar and let stand, at room temperature, for 2 days, shaking the bottle each day.

If there is room, add more cut lemons with salt and add to jar, covering with more lemon juice, if necessary, and olive oil. 

To use lemons, rinse with water. Remove seeds and pith and discard.  Use peel as desired.