Raw Beets

As far as a ranking of lockdown vegetables go, beets are high on my list; They’re tasty, easy to make, versatile, and most importantly, they last for weeks in the fridge.

I’m sure you’ve roasted, steamed, pickled, or boiled them before, but have you ever eaten a beet raw? What could be easier, right? I’m not recommending eating a peeled beet like an apple, but thinly sliced in a salad is a great way to liven up the routine with color, crunch, and flavor.

A quarter to half inch-thick slice of a medium beet goes a long way. After peeling and cutting it into 1/16th inch strips, give them a quick rinse with cold water to minimize the bleeding if you want…I didn’t as you can see. Then toss with your salad.

Wrap up the rest of the beet with saran and store it back in the fridge, even cut it will be fine for days.

Anchovy Toast

This is the best lunch I’ve had in a while....definitely in a category of one that I didn’t want to end. And I the best part of it all, I dug all the ingredients out of my fridge, pantry, and freezer.

Plan ahead by pulling enough butter out of the fridge for as many pieces of toast that you’re planning on. Once it’s soft enough, use a fork to mash it together with some minced anchovies.

For those of you in the 8 to 10 range on the anchovy loving scale, I’d figure three fillets per slice. For the 4 to 7 range, two fillets, and for those that are 1 to 3 on the scale, just one per slice. Any zero’s at your table? Try half a fillet per slice but don’t tell them what it is. Seriously, I use anchovy paste to punch up a lot of things and those anchovy deniers just gobble it up.

To finish this off, cut an unpeeled garlic clove and half and rub your hot toast with the exposed center of the clove…kind of like lightly greasing a pan. Then smear it with the anchovy butter and serve immediately.

I had it along with a thinly sliced celery, shaved parmesan, and lemon salad. Perfect!

Grits

Are you getting tired of potatoes, beans, and pasta? Then get some grits! You don’t hear much about grits up this way, but I actually prefer them to their closest cousin, polenta. While both are made from corn, grits are a finer ground, making for a creamier more desirable texture…at least I think so.

Cheesy grits are pretty satisfying on their own, but they’re even better topped with shrimp, pork, chicken, or veggies in a tomatoey onion sauce. A bit of spice never hurt either.

To cook, gently boil a cup of grits in four cups of lightly salted water for about 20 minutes….you’re looking for a Cream of Wheat kind of consistency. Remove from the heat and stir in a few tablespoons of butter, a half a cup of shredded cheddar or grated parmesan, and a healthy grind or two of black pepper.

They reheat nicely for days so don’t be shy about making extra.

Roast Asparagus

The asparagus is looking mighty fine these days, and just in time for Easter. Whether you’re planning an intimate meal with your fellow self-isolationists, or a larger virtual one, no need to fuss over the veggie. One of my favorite ways to make asparagus is also one of the easiest.

Pre-heat your oven to 400, and cut off the coarse bottom ends from the asparagus spears. Place in a large shallow Pyrex, or on some parchment lined cookie sheets.

Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil then toss until it’s well coated. Generously salt and pepper and roast for approximately 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness. I like it best when it just starting to char at the tips.

You can stop there without feeling like an underachiever, it’s delicious as is right out of the oven or at room temperature. But, if you're looking for a bit more, a big squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or some grated Manchego or parmesan work well.

Mushroom Cacio e Pepe

I know many of you have a cabinet full of pasta because there’s hardly any left at the market….so a pasta recipe seems appropriate this week. Cacio e Pepe is one of my favorites, a perfectly simple Roman dish whose main ingredients are spaghetti, pecorino, and black pepper. I added some sautéed mushrooms to make it more of a one dish meal, sautéed spinach would work too.

Thinly slice and sauté some mushrooms in a little bit of olive oil until soft, salt and pepper then set aside. Boil a pound of spaghetti until el dente making sure to save a cup of the pasta water just before draining.

Drain the noodles and slide them back into the pot. Stir in a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper, the reserved pasta water, and a cup and a half of parmesan, pecorino, or a combination of both. Mix together until the pasta is completed coated, stir in the mushrooms, then salt to taste and serve immediately.

Spiced Roast Chicken

Here’s how to make a perfect roast chicken with just ten minutes of prep time.

Rinse and dry your chicken thoroughly, the drier the skin the crispier it will be. If you’re not pressed for time, it would be even better to leave it uncovered in the fridge for at least an hour.

Once it’s dry, season liberally with kosher salt and whatever dry spice you’re in the mood for. You could try some smoked or sweet paprika, cumin, curry, or chili powder, Korean chili pepper, harissa, garlic powder, or black pepper. Old Bay would even work.

Place in a shallow roasting pan and pop it into a preheated 500 degree oven for approximately 35 to 50 minutes depending on the size of your chicken. But at this heat, it doesn’t take as long as you think.

Parmesan Roast Cabbage

Preheat your oven to 500 while you mix up a dressing of extra virgin olive oil, two minced garlic cloves, and the juice and zest from half a lemon.

Cut a small to medium size cabbage into 8 equal wedges, core and all. Coat a non-stick, or parchment lined baking sheet with some olive oil then space the wedges out evenly. Brush the exposed surfaces with some olive oil, and salt and pepper liberally. Roast until you start to see some char on the edges, approximately ten minutes.

Flip the cabbage wedges onto the other side, roast for another five minutes, then remove and lightly cover with some freshly grated parmesan. Roast for another few minutes and drizzle with the dressing before serving.

Peanut Noodles

Your food processor is the secret to easy peanut sauce. Throw in all the ingredients, hit the button, and done. For more of a workout, whisk everything together in a large bowl.

Combine a quarter cup each of peanut butter and soy sauce, a teaspoon of sesame oil, two tablespoons each of rice wine vinegar and honey, three minced garlic cloves, and a tablespoon of finely minced fresh ginger. Process or whisk until smooth, then add some Sriracha to taste.

In a large bowl, toss the sauce with a package of cooked lo mein, soba, or half a pound of thin spaghetti, a couple of grated carrots, half a chopped red pepper, two thinly sliced scallions, and some chopped cilantro. Cooked chicken or tofu are also good options.

Skirt Steak with Stewed Lima Beans

Skirt steak is one of my favorite cuts! It’s super flavorful simply broiled or grilled with some salt and pepper, and these stewed lima beans made for a great side dish.

In a large straight sided pan or pot sauté a minced shallot in olive oil until translucent. Drain a half a can of anchovies and add to the pot along with several finely chopped garlic cloves. After a minute, break up the anchovies with a wooden spoon then pour in a small can of crushed tomatoes, stir well, and continue to simmer for another ten minutes or so.

Add about 12 oz. of defrosted lima beans, cover, and continue to simmer for at least another ten minutes. Salt and pepper to taste and you’re ready to go.

Potato Cheddar Bacon Soup

Potatoes, cheddar, bacon, what could be bad? And this soup doesn’t take much more than frying some bacon and boiling some potatoes.

Cook six to eight slices of bacon in the bottom of a large soup pot until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside to cool and crumble, but leave the fat in the pot.

Stir in two chopped onions and six minced garlic cloves and sauté over medium heat for six or seven minutes. Once the onion is translucent, add three cubed unpeeled baking potatoes, a teaspoon of kosher salt, a half teaspoon of black pepper, and a couple of quarts of chicken stock.

Bring to a boil then simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. Puree until smooth with a stick blender, or transfer in batches to a blender or food processor. Then, with the soup back in the pot and the heat on low, stir in at least 8 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar and the crumbled bacon. Salt and pepper to taste.

Double up on this one so you’ll have plenty left over for the freezer, there’s a lot of winter ahead of us.

Honey Roasted Carrots and Feta

Honey and feta are an awesome combination of sweet and salty, and even tastier paired with some sweet roasted carrots.

Preheat the oven to 450 while you toss your carrots with salt, pepper, and a couple of small splashes of olive oil. If you’re looking to spice up your Valentine’s Day, try adding a bit of cayenne pepper as well. Transfer to a large shallow baking dish and roast until they start to caramelize around the edges…about 45 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and toss with a few healthy drizzles of honey until well coated, followed by the crumbled feta.

Shelled Edamame

I always have a bag of shelled edamame in the freezer for last minute soups, salads, side dishes and more. I’m a huge fan! Anything a lima bean does, an edamame can do better.

Having a soup, throw them in. Salad, throw them in. Stir fry or pasta, throw them in. You can even substitute them for garbanzo beans in your hummus.

As far as side dishes go, if you’re cooking Asian, saute them with some ginger, scallions, and a splash of soy sauce or sesame oil. Italian, saute with some minced garlic then toss with grated parmesan.

And if you’re turning on the oven anyway, you can toss them with vinegar and salt and roast for thirty minutes. Even easier, boil or steam them quickly then toss with your favorite salsa, sauce, or condiment.

And if you’re having one of those, I can’t bear to cook, kind of days, you can even eat them raw. Just defrost them quickly in a strainer under some tepid running water. But tossing them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper or chili flakes doesn’t take much, and I think you’ll find it much more satisfying.