Shaved Asparagus with a Lemon Shallot Vinaigrette

I think the most difficult part of putting out a holiday meal is the timing; everything has to be hot but not overcooked. So spare yourself the shame of mushy asparagus this holiday weekend and give this shaved salad a try.

Start a day ahead of time with the vinaigrette by mixing together some extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, champagne vinegar, minced shallot, and salt and pepper. For the asparagus use your vegetable peeler to shave each spear individually into long thin shavings then set aside in a bowl. This part doesn't go very quickly, a glass of wine helps.

Before serving toss the shavings together with the vinaigrette then salt and pepper to taste. And depending on what else you’re having some toasted pine nuts or shaved Parmesan are nice additions.

Cod and Caramelized Onion Quesadillas

When I told the family we were having fish quesadillas for dinner I didn’t exactly get an enthusiastic reaction, but once they bit into them I didn’t hear any complaints. Like any Mexican dish they take a bit of prep but they’re well worth the effort.

Start by caramelizing a sliced red onion in a large pan with butter, olive oil and a half teaspoon each of kosher salt and sugar. In another pan heat up some vegetable oil then dredge your salt and peppered cod pieces in breadcrumbs. When the oil is hot pan fry the cod until golden brown on both sides then set them aside while you clean, dry, and reheat the pan.

When you’re ready to go place a large flour tortilla in the clean hot pan and spread some grated cheese over half of it along with the caramelized onions, cod, and some chopped cilantro. Fold the tortilla in half, brown a few minutes on each side, then slice and serve with some fresh avocado and your favorite salsa.

Fennel Tomato Risotto

This is a great risotto to make when you’re in the mood for red sauce but pasta just isn’t doing it for you. I find it easiest to start by making four cups of chicken stock from concentrate and leaving it in a pot on the stove over very low heat. 

Thinly slice a large fennel bulb and shallot and sauté with a generous amount of butter and extra virgin olive oil in a large pan. When they start to brown stir in two minced garlic cloves and a cup of risotto making sure to coat evenly before adding a half a cup of dry white wine.  Simmer until the wine is nearly absorbed then add a cup of your favorite marinara and stir well. 

For the next thirty minutes or so add a half a cup of chicken stock at a time stirring a bit each time until the liquid is absorbed then repeat until the rice is al dente…you may not have to use all of the stock. While still on the stove add at least a half cup of grated parmesan, a little chopped parsley, and salt and pepper to taste, let sit for a couple of minutes then serve.

No Fuss Chicken Marsala

No pounding for this adaption, and if you don’t have any Marsala you could use white wine and lemon juice instead. Heat some butter or olive oil in a large pan and sauté a dozen sliced mushrooms and a shallot until they begin to brown. Stir in a minced garlic clove and a little chopped parsley before transferring to a bowl and set aside.

Add some more oil to your pan and while that’s heating dredge one inch pieces of chicken breast in flour. Brown your chicken for a couple of minutes on each side then put them in the bowl with the mushrooms.

Next add a half cup of Marsala, or, white wine and lemon to the pan as well as a cup of chicken stock. Bring to a low boil making sure to scrape off all the good bits from the bottom and sides. Once it is reduced by half pour in the mushrooms, chicken, and any juices from the bowl before turning down the heat and simmering until the chicken is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper, add a spot of heavy cream if you’re feeling it, and serve.

Pea and Mint Pesto

With spring less than a month away I decided to get an early start with this pea and mint pesto courtesy of the frozen food aisle. After defrosting your peas combine in a food processor with a peeled clove of garlic, half a cup of grated parmesan, half a dozen sprigs of fresh mint, and a teaspoon of kosher salt.

With the machine running slowly add about a third of a cup of extra virgin olive oil until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste then toss with pasta, serve on a crostini, or as a dip with toasted pita chips. It tastes better if you close your eyes, clap your heels together three times and repeat to yourself, there’s no place like spring; there’s no place like spring; there’s no place like spring.

Blueberry Ginger Sauce

This is a sauce I used to make cooking for a high-end catering company in Boston, it just goes to show how amazing easy can be. And the complimentary sweet and salty flavors are perfect on lamb, chicken, pork, or turkey.

It’s all about the blueberry jam, the better the jam the better the sauce. In a small sauce pot simmer two parts jam to one part soy sauce along with some fresh minced ginger. Reduce slowly for about a half an hour or until it’s a syrupy consistency then serve. Substituting garlic for ginger works just as well.

Baked Feta Tomatoes and Olives

Once in a while you stumble upon something that’s so easy and delicious it instantaneously becomes part of the rotation; this baked feta is one of those. I discovered it on Smitten Kitchen and it would be a great starter to any meal…romantic or otherwise.

Preheat your oven to 400. In a large bowl combine a heaping handful of halved grape tomatoes, some chopped Kalamata olives, a minced shallot, a minced garlic clove, a little chopped parsley, a few splashes of extra virgin olive oil as well as some kosher salt and black pepper.

Place a whole block of feta, preferably Maplebrook, in the center of an oven proof dish then top with your tomato mixture and bake for 20 minutes. The feta should be soft enough to easily schmear on crackers or a sliced baguette.

Garlic Chicken and Polenta Soup

This is one of the most comforting soups I've made in a long time and perfect for these sub-zero nights. Begin by making a half cup of polenta as directed on the package making sure not to omit the butter and Parmesan. In the meantime brown four skinless boneless chicken thighs in your soup pot for about five minutes per side then set aside until they’re cool enough to cut into half inch pieces.

To the same pot add a little bit of olive oil and sauté some sliced mushrooms for ten minutes before setting aside. Next into the pot, lightly brown at least twenty peeled garlic cloves before stirring in six to eight cups of chicken stock, preferably Better Than Bouillon. Simmer for fifteen minutes or until the cloves are soft and mash with a potato masher as best you can before returning the chicken, mushrooms, polenta as well as a few chopped scallions to the pot. Stir thoroughly to break up the polenta then salt and pepper to taste.

Spicy Beet Fries

For all you folks that haven’t found the beauty in beets yet these tasty beet fries may provide the enlightenment you’ve been looking for. They’re sweet, spicy, and irresistibly crunchy…not to mention guilt free.

Start by preheating your oven to 450 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Next, peel your beets and cut into rectangular French fry like pieces before tossing with a little bit of olive oil, kosher salt, and your favorite pepper such as cayenne or Sichuan. If you’re not into spicy you could substitute thyme, mint, or rosemary.

Roast your beets for approximately 50 minutes flipping them halfway through. What you’re looking to do is get them crispy with a little char to bring out all their sugary goodness. Salt to taste before serving.

Kale, Squash, and Pickled Cabbage Tostadas

It’s all about the fried tortillas as you can make tostadas with nearly anything that you find in your pantry or fridge, this time around it was kale, squash, and pickled cabbage. And when I say fried I don’t mean deep fried, these don’t take a lot of oil or make a big mess.

To cut down on the splatter I like to use a pot with just enough vegetable oil to generously cover the bottom. Prep your toppings and immediately before serving get your oil hot but not smoking. With a pair of tongs place a tortilla in the oil making sure the sides don’t curl up and it cooks evenly. After a minute flip, wait another 30 seconds, and then drain on a paper bag.

Once all your tortillas are cooked place a couple on each plate and stack with your warmed toppings, favorite salsa or hot sauce. And you can never go wrong with kosher salt, avocado and cilantro.

American Chop Suey

What better way to start the new year than with one of the ultimate comfort foods, American Chop Suey. Preheat your oven to 350 then boil a pound of elbow noodles for a couple of minutes less time than it says on the box for al dente. Remove and immediately rinse the noodles with cold water and drain well.

Sauté a chopped onion, a green pepper, and some sliced mushrooms for five minutes before adding a quarter teaspoon of red pepper flakes, several cloves of minced garlic, and a pound of hamburger. Once the meat is cooked through add a jar of your favorite marinara, simmer for five minutes then salt and pepper to taste.

In a large bowl combine the saucy vegetables, noodles, and two cups of shredded mozzarella. Transfer to a baking dish then cover the top with grated parmesan…more is better. Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes or until the top is slightly brown and crusty. Happy 2015!

Salmon Tartare

As easy is Salmon Tartare is to prepare it just seems too special to have it on just any old day, but New Year’s Eve isn’t just any old day. Of course your tartare is only going to be as good as your salmon so splurge on the best salmon available.

Start by cutting your skinless salmon into quarter inch chunks, it’s a lot easier to cut if you throw it in the freezer for twenty minutes first. I think a little bit of lime juice, minced shallot, diced cucumber, kosher salt, black pepper, and your best extra virgin olive oil are essential but after that what you toss it with is all about personal preference; Options include cilantro, ginger, jalapeno, sesame oil or lime zest.

For a special presentation form the tartare using a clean empty tuna can with the lids cut off and plate individually with homemade tortilla or potato chips. Cheers!