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Shellfish Pasta

This is definitely a crowd pleaser. I have made this for so many people who love shellfish and I enjoyed every single ahhhhh! There are so many great variations - every time I make this it is different and wonderful. Have fun and make it your own, you basically can'y go wrong. 4 Tbsp butter plus 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 large leek, cleaned and diced 1 onion, diced 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced 1 link Andouille sausage, diced (or bacon or pancetta, or Italian sausage) 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 lb fresh mussels 8 littleneck clams 1/2 lb bay scallops, haved 1 cup dry white wine 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined 2 Tbsp sundried tomatoes, minced (or 2 plum tomatoes, halved and then quartered, or 1 pint grape tomatoes) 1/2 lb favorite pasta 1 Tbsp capers, drained Palmful fresh parsley, minced Get a medium pot of well-salted water to the boil for the pasta. In a very large skillet (which has a good lid) melt the butter in the olive oil. Sauté the leek, onion, peppers and sausage in the ...
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Salmon Poached on Leeks

Poached leeks are one of my favorite veggies and they make a great bed for poaching fish. You can add peppers (as I did here) or other veggies like carrots to offer a sweeter note. I use a dry white wine for the poaching liquid, holding the acid lemon for the second half of cooking.  If you prefer, you could substitute chicken or fish broth for the wine. This is a light dish which could be made with most any fish. 2 Tbsp butter plus 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 leeks, trimmed, halved lengthwise and rinsed well 1 small red pepper, diced 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced 1-1/2 lb salmon fillet 1/2 tsp dried dill 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 lemon, sliced and seeded if necessary Melt butter in the oil in a large skillet. Place leeks, cut-side down, into the skillet. Allow to brown slowly over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, just until the cut side is only slightly browned.   Add the peppers to the skillet and cook another 3-5 minutes. Lay the salmon onto the veggies and season with salt,...

Meatball Stroganoff

I love a good Stroganoff made either with beef, chicken or with meatballs, as presented here.  I think cream sherry (or a pale dry sherry) adds a great distinctive flavor, but you could substitute wine or chicken broth to your preference. This is real comfort food. Meatballs: 1 lb ground beef 1 lb ground pork (or bulk Italian sausage) 1/4 cup panko crumbs 1/3 cup ricotta cheese 1 egg slightly beaten 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese   1/2 lb frozen chopped spinach, thawed Meatball Seasonings: 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, minced 2 tsp fresh thyme, minced   1 Tbsp fresh oregano. minced 2 cloves garlic, minced through a press   1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste 1/2 tsp salt freshly ground black pepper 1 large onion, sliced 2 red bell peppers 1 lb button mushrooms, thickly sliced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, or to taste 1/4 tsp ground cumin 1 Tbsp paprika 1/2 cup cream sherry 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce Dr...

German Potato Cabbage Breakfast Casserole

This is a great breakfast casserole for a crowd, or great for a lunch or brunch. Shredding the potatoes and wringing out the water is key to the consistency of the bake. Group 1: 4 eggs 1 cup half and half 4 oz grated cheddar cheese 1 tsp salt   lots grated black pepper, to taste 14 oz potatoes, peeled and grated, pressed to remove water by hand (I used 2 Russet, but Yukon are also fantastic) 1 cup flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 4 cups chopped cabbage, 1/2-inch 1 medium onion, diced 2 carrots, finely diced 1 zucchini cubed int 1/4-inch pieces 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed under a bit of warm water in a sieve 2 cloves garlic, minced Preheat oven to 375F.   Cook the cabbage and onion and carrot in 2 Tbsp butter and 1 Tbsp olive oil watching carefully, until slightly browned.    Stir only once in a while. Remove to bowl. Reheat the skillet with 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter and add the zucchini. Toss and then let fry for a minute or so until the veggies brown.  ...

Curried Chicken Salad with Apples and Kale

This is a delicious mix for a chicken salad from left-over roasted chicken. One of many great uses of left-over chicken. 3 cups cooked diced chicken 1 cup finely diced celery 2 Tbsp finely diced onion 1 clove garlic, pressed through a garlic press 1 cup finely chopped kale 1-2 Tbsp olive oil 1/2 cup finely diced, peeled apple (1/2 medium apple) juice of 1/2 lemon 1/4 cup good real mayonnaise 2 tsp favorite hot sauce (I used Cholula), or to taste 1/2-1 tsp favorite curry powder, or to taste Toss all ingredients together to mix well. Let rest in refrigerator an hour or to if you have time.  Otherwise continue to build a great sandwich or salad! Serves 4.  

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi is an easy quick dish to prepare, and oh so satisfying. Be sure to cook the shrimp only about 2-3 minutes - the trick to the best scampi is not to overcook the shrimp. 1 lb large shrimp (~20/lb), peeled and deveined 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 Tbsp olive oil 3/4 stick butter, thickly sliced 1/4 cup dry white wine 1 lemon (or lime), halved, and one half quartered 4 cups trimmed broccoli flowerets Crushed dry red pepper flakes, (or minced parsley) to taste 1/2 lb spaghetti Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Salt generously (like sea water) and tip in broccoli.   Stir gently and blanch for 2 minutes.   Immediately remove broccoli with a slotted spoon to a colander, and allow to cool. Return water to boil and cook spaghetti until just al dente. Drain. Meanwhile, melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet. When the butter has melted and bubbled a bit, add the garlic and cook, stirring, one minute. Add the shrimp and spread into a single layer about the skillet. Co...