Cuisine Eric

Need a quick refreshing dessert? This comes together in minutes and always pleases. It holds in the refrigerator well so you can prepare well before mealtime or guests arrive. I'm usually not a fan of fruited yogurts because they usually have far too much sugar. You could use plain yogurt, but the fruited yogurt works very well for a dessert. I have also served the berries over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 2 cups peach yogurt (or favorite fruit yogurt) 1 pint fresh raspberries 1 cup fresh blueberries Sprigs of fresh mint Divide yogurt in four Ramekins.  Distribute fruit evenly on top of yogurt beds. Garnish with mint. Serves 4.

This fabulously luscious, very French preparation of chicken sits on a hearty bed of greens - a mixture of kale and collard greens - and is coated with a creamy flavorful mustard sauce. Use the best Dijon mustard you can find but make sure it is imported from France, so it holds true to the Dijon flavor and is not over-sweetened like so many American versions. 1 bunch rainbow chard 1 bunch Lacinato kale 1 Tbsp butter plus 2 Tbsp oil 3 skin-on boneless chicken breast, pounded to 1/2-inch About 1/4 cup grainy Dijon mustard 2 Tbsp butter 1 shallot, minced 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup heavy cream Preheat oven to 375F.   Trim leaves from stalks of the kale and chop coarsely. Wash and spin dry the leaves. Wilt the kale in a large skillet with a dash of olive oil. Cook over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, until all the water has evaporated and the leaves become tender. Remove to a baking dish. Repeat the same procedure for the chard leaves.  Mix chard with the kale in the ba...

This is a delicious way to prepare shrimp flavored with a rich smokey cajun dry rub. The deep shrimp flavor is coupled with the smoothness of creamy orzo, featuring a flavor infusion from sun-dried tomatoes, balanced with fresh spinach. I've prepared this many times and it always gets rave reviews. If your crowd likes shrimp, they should love this dish. 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, shells retained 1 Tbsp smoked paprika 1 Tbsp favorite cajun seasoning For the shells: 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 cup dry white wine For the orzo: 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 cup orzo 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup heavy cream 2 Tbsp sun dried tomatoes in oil, chopped 4-5 oz fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped For the shrimp: 2 Tbsp olive oil plus 2 Tbsp butter 1 shallot, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced Toss the shrimp well with the paprika and cajun seasoning in a bowl. Tip the shells into a small pot along with the olive oil. Fry the shells over medium-high heat, stirring very often. Cook for about 5 minutes, ...

This is a delicious home-made tomato soup I made quite a while ago at my sister's house (scanning the archives) that is simple to make and so rewarding! Tomato soup is comfort food - especially if accompanied by a grilled cheese sandwich, for example! We should all make this more often. 2 pints grape tomatoes 2 medium onions, peeled and diced 6 whole cloves garlic, peeled 1 tsp dried herbes de Provence (or Italian herbs) 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tsp kosher salt A good dash black pepper, to taste 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste Preheat oven to 400F.   Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl. Transfer to a large baking sheet and spread evenly.  Roast for about 30 minutes, or until tomatoes have wrinkled and onions are cooked through. You can stir half way through.   Extend cooking time as necessary. Slightly blackening the tomatoes will only give greater depth and flavor to the soup! Meanwhile, bring the sherry to a boil in a small pot on the stove.   C...

This is a simple yet suculent way to roast fish. Here I use haddock, but you could use most any fish including cod or tilapia, or as I did on the west coast, wild-caught Rockfish (delicious). The tomatoes offer a fresh flavor complement to the fish slathered with a rich aioli topping. This is a quick, easy way to prepare fish on a busy weeknight. 1-1/2 lb haddock fillet (Captain’s cut preferred - thicker), patted dry Aioli: 1/4 cup good real mayonnaise 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp favorite hot sauce 1 pint grape tomatoes 1/2 tsp dried dill weed Fresh parsley, minced, for garnish Lemon wedges for garnish Preheat oven to 375F. Oil a medium baking dish (about 7x10-inch). Lay haddock fillet in dish. Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard and hot sauce in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, cover the fillet evenly with the aioli sauce. Toss the tomatoes with a dash of olive oil and scatter them over the fish. Season with dill and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Bake fish for about 20 mi...