homemade pasta dough

Ingredients

4 eggs (approximately 200 grams)
375 grams flour (approximately 3 cups flour)
1 tablespoon olive oil
(will make approximately 2 lbs. of fresh linguini or 8 dozen raviolis)

Instructions

1. Measure or weigh out all ingredients and place in a food processor fit with metal blade, flour first. Process for approximately 15 seconds, just until ingredients are well incorporated and the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough may look a little crumbly and will feel slightly tacky at this point .
2. On a lightly floured surface, gently knead the dough until it comes together (about 15 times).  Form into log about 5 inches long. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and let rest on kitchen counter for at least 1 hour.

italian wedding soup

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

3/4 pound ground chicken
1/2 pound chicken sausage, casings removed
2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
3 tablespoons milk
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the soup:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup minced yellow onion
1 cup diced carrots (about 3 carrots), cut into 1/4 inch pieces
3/4 cup diced celery (about 2 stalks), cut into 1/4 inch pieces
10 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup small pasta, like tubetini, stars, or orzo
1/4 cup minced fresh dill
12 ounces baby spinach, washed and trimmed

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. For the meatballs, place the ground chicken, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, Pecorino, Parmesan, milk, egg, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a bowl and combine gently with a fork. With a teaspoon, drop 1 to 1 1/4-inch meatballs onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. (You should have about 40 meatballs. They don't have to be perfectly round.)
3. Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and lightly browned. Set aside.
4. In the meantime, for the soup, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute until softened, 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add the chicken stock and wine and bring to a boil.
6. Add the pasta to the simmering broth and cook for 6-8 minutes, until the pasta is tender.
7. Add the fresh dill and then the meatballs to the soup and simmer for 1 minute. Taste for salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 1 minute, until the spinach is just wilted. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with extra grated Parmesan.

*Adapted from Ina Garten

southwestern pinto bean burgers

Ingredients

Burgers:
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons minced seeded jalapeño pepper
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (8 3/4-ounce) can no salt-added whole-kernel corn, drained

Chipotle Mayonnaise:
1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 teaspoon canned minced chipotle chile in adobo sauce

Remaining ingredients:
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 (1 1/2-ounce) whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted
4 romaine lettuce leaves
avocado, sliced
tomato, sliced
red onion, sliced

Directions

To prepare burgers, combine the first 10 ingredients in a large bowl. Add pinto beans and corn; partially mash with a fork. Divide bean mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each portion into a 3 1/2-inch patty, and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

To prepare chipotle mayonnaise, combine mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon chipotle in a small bowl; set aside.

Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until thoroughly heated. Place patties on bottom halves of buns; top each patty with 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 lettuce leaf, and top half of bun.

*Adapted from Cooking Light

southwestern cobb salad

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade:

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2-3 limes)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Green Goddess Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tablespoons low-fat buttermilk

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 bunch chives, coarsely chopped (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup)

2 green onions, white and green parts, cut into thick chunks

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon coarse or Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)

Black Bean Salsa:

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 sweet onion (I used vidalia), diced

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

Yellow Pepper Salsa:

1 yellow pepper, seeded, and diced

1 tomato, seeded and coarsely chopped

1 can large olives, coarsely chopped

1/2 sweet onion (I used vidalia), diced

Avocado Salsa:

2 ripe avocados, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Juice of 2 limes

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

4-5 large eggs

6-8 slices thick-cut bacon (I used turkey bacon - it was delicious)

1 medium head romaine lettuce, washed, dried and torn into 1-inch pieces

Instructions

1. For the chicken marinade, in a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon cumin and red pepper flakes. Place the chicken breasts in a ziploc bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Close the bag and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to overnight.

2. For the dressing, combine all the ingredients together in a blender. Process until smooth. Thin with additional buttermilk (adding it one teaspoon at a time), if desired. Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

3. Heat a grill to medium-high heat (an indoor grill pan or skillet could be used also). Grill the chicken until it is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Cool the chicken completely then cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.

4. Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Cover and remove from the heat. Let the eggs sit for 13 minutes then rinse them under cold water until they are completely cooled. Peel and coarsely chop the eggs. Set aside.

5. Cook the bacon over medium heat until it is crisp. Drain on paper towels. When cool, crumble and set aside.

6. In a medium bowl, combine the yellow pepper, tomatoe, olives, and 1/2 of the sweet onion. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

7. In another bowl, combine the black beans, 1/4 cup cilantro and onion. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

8. In another bowl (don't worry, we are almost done with the excess of bowls), combine the avocado, 1/4 cup cilantro, juice of 2 limes, cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

9. On a large platter (or large bowl), arrange the romaine lettuce. Arrange the chicken in a strip down the middle of the romaine. On either side, make piled strips of the eggs, bacon, yellow pepper mixture, black bean mixture and avocado mixture. Drizzle with dressing or serve it on the side. The easiest way to serve this on a platter is with a pair of tongs. If using a large bowl, gently toss to combine all the ingredients before serving.

* by MelsKitchenCafe.com

french toast with peach topping

Ingredients

2 fresh peaches, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 tbsp. brown sugar
7 tbsp. butter
8 slices leftover French bread
1 cup milk
1 large egg
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. To make the peach topping: Melt 1 tbsp. butter in small sauce pan over medium heat. Saute peach slices for 1 minute. Add 1 tbsp. brown sugar and stir until completely until dissolved. Remove pan from the heat and place lid on the pot. Let rest until ready to serve the french toast.
2. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 200 degrees F. Arrange the bread on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and bake until slightly dry, about 15 minutes.
3. While the bread is in the oven, melt 2 tbsp. of the butter and whisk it together with the milk, egg, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the flour until smooth. Pour the batter into a large shallow dish.
4. Transfer 2 pieces of bread from the oven into the batter and soak both sides, about 30 seconds per side. Meanwhile, melt 1 more tbsp. of the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium high until beginning to brown, swirling to coat the pan. Remove the bread from the batter, allowing excess batter to drip back into the dish, and lay in the hot skillet. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the toast to the wire rack and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining bread.
5. To serve, arrange 3 slices of french toast in a row on the plate. Top with peaches and their syrup. Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

* Adapted from America's Test Kitchen

key lime pie

Ingredients

Filling:
4 large egg yolks
4 tsp. grated lime zest
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (5 limes)

Crust:
1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
5 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
2 tbsp. sugar

Topping:
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Instructions

1. Move oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. For the filling: Whisk the yolks and zest together in a medium nonreactive bowl (stainless steel, glass, or ceramic) until the mixture has a light green tint, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk until smooth, then whisk in the lime juice. Cover the mixture, then set aside until thickened, about 30 minutes.
3. For the crust: Toss the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar together thoroughly with a fork. Pour the crumbs into a pie plate. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crumbs into an even layer on the bottom and side of the pie plate. Bake until the crust is fragrant and beginning to brown, 15-20 minutes. Leave the oven at 325.
4. Pour the thickened filling into the warm pie crust. Bake until the center is firm but wiggles slightly when jiggled, 15-20 minutes. Transfer the pie to a wire rack and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until well chilled, at least 3 hours.
5. For the topping: Just before serving, whip together the cream and sugar in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form. Spread whipped cream attractively over the top of the pie.

*From America's Test Kitchen

mocha pudding cream tart

Ingredients

For the crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:
4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup sugar
5 extra-large egg yolks
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 tsp. salt
7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, broken
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
1 tbsp. Kahlua liqueur
1 tsp. instant coffee powder

For the whipped cream:
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine the graham crackers, sugar, and butter in a bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon. Lightly press the mixture into an 11-inch metal tart pan with removable sides. Bake for 10 minutes and set aside to cool.
3. Heat the milk in a small saucepan until almost simmering.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt and, with the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the milk into the bowl. Pour the mixture into a large saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture is very thick.
5. Off the heat, add the chocolate, butter, Kahlua, and coffee. Beat with a whisk until smooth and pour into the cooled crust.
6. Place plastic wrap directly on the chocolate filling and chill the tart for 6 hours, until cold.
7. Decorate with whipped cream and shaved chocolate and serve cold.

*From Ina Garten

spicy turkey meatballs

Ingredients

3 cups (1-inch) bread cubes from a round rustic bread, crusts removed
2/3 cups milk
2 lbs. ground turkey
1/2 lb. hot Italian pork sausage, casings removed
4 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto, finely chopped
1 cup freshly grated Asiago cheese
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 tsp. pepper
2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. 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.
3. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, sausage, prosciutto, bread mixture, Asiago cheese, oregano, red pepper flakes, and 1 1/2 tsp. pepper. Lightly combine the ingredients with your hands. Add the eggs and stir lightly with a fork to combine.
4. Wash your hands, lightly roll the mixture into 2-inch-round meatballs and place them on the prepared sheet pan.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the tops are browned and the centers are completely cooked.
6. Suggested: simmer the meatballs in some marinara sauce if serving with pasta.

* Adapted from Ina Garten

chickpea cakes with cucumber-yogurt sauce

Ingredients

2 slices white sandwich bread, torn into pieces

1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and shredded

salt and pepper

1 1/4 cups plain Greek yogurt

6 scallions

1/4 cup cilantro

2 cans chickpeas, rinsed

2 large eggs

10 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp. garam masala

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 shallot, minced

lime wedges

Instructions

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pulse the bread in a food processor to coarse crumbs, about 10 pulses. Spread the crumbs out over a rimmed baking sheet and bake, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and dry, 10 minutes or so. Let cool to room temperature.

2. Meanwhile, toss the cucumber with 1/2 tsp. salt in a colander and let drain for 15-30 minutes. Combine the drained cucumbers, 1/4 cup of the yogurt, 2 tbsp. of the scallions, and 1 tbsp. of the cilantro in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.

3. Pulse the chickpeas in a food processor to a coarse puree with large pieces remaining, about 8 pulses. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, 2 tbsp. of the oil, garam masala, cayenne, and 1/8 tsp. of salt together. Add the processed chickpeas, breadcrumbs, remaining 1/2 cup yogurt, remaining scallions, remaining 3 tbsp. cilantro, and shallot until just combined. Divide the chickpea mixture into 6 equal portions and lightly pack into 1-inch thick patties.
4. Heat 2 tsp. more oil into a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until shimmering. Carefully lay half of the patties in the skillet and cook until well browned on both sides, 5-6 minutes per side.
5. Transfer the cakes to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Return the skillet to medium high and repeat with the remaining 2 tsp. oil and remaining burgers. Serve with the cucumber yogurt sauce and lime wedges.

* from America's Test Kitchen

breakfast sandwiches

Ingredients

4 small onions, thinly sliced

1 tbsp. unsalted butter

1 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp. light brown sugar

salt

pepper

4 slices of thick-cut bacon

2 cup baby spinach

4 fried eggs

4 English muffins, sliced in half

extra sharp cheddar cheese

cooking spray

Instructions

1. Caramelize the onions: Melt the butter and oil in a 12-inch skillet over high heat. Stir in the onions, brown sugar and 1/2 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are deeply browned, about 40 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the water and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from pan when done.

2. Add the spinach to the oily skillet. Add 1/2 tbsp. of water to the pan and cover and cook until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove spinach.

3. Add the bacon slices to the skillet. Cook until lightly browned. Remove from pan and drain on paper-towel-lined plate. Empty grease from pan.

4. Spray the pan with cooking spray. Fry your eggs.

5. Toast or grill your English muffins.

6. Assemble your sandwiches: cheese first, then egg, then bacon, then onions, then spinach. Grill in panini maker until cheese has melted.