De Ma Cuisine

Cheese Archive

Monday

2

December 2013

0

COMMENTS

Leek and Potato Soup

Written by , Posted in Appetizers, Cheese, Dinner, Lunch, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Potatoes, Quick and Easy, Soups, Vegetables

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I’m all about soups at this time of year. I’m sorry if you aren’t. Buuut also… I’m kinda not, because I think they’re so good.

I just can’t help myself.

I’m a soup girl.

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Leek and Potato Soup would be great as a main dish, but I think it would also be delicious as an appetizer. I could see it going well with a dinner where ham is served, maybe a Spinach Salad, and some Steamed Carrots with Butter and Honey. Oooh, that’d be good.

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Maybe you prefer it as a lunch dish. Cool. I like soup and grilled cheese for lunch on a cold day… Ok, I like that meal at any time of day, any time of the year. But, there’s something so comforting about soup and a sandwich. Having grown up in Southwestern Ontario where it gets for real cold, I have memories of snow outside, snow pants, snow forts, and coming in the house to a hot meal that Mom had prepared. I love that feeling. It’s one of the things that I miss about true fall and winter weather. Maybe I wouldn’t feel the same if I lived in it again… I don’t know. You know how the grass is often greener where you are not? Yeah. I wonder. Maybe someday…

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For now, we will bundle up in our spring jackets, unlined boots, and thin scarves, and count the blessings we do have. Nice weather most months of the year definitely has its perks. 😉

Happy Eating!

Leek and Potato Soup
Recipe Type: Soups, Main Dishes, Vegetables, Easy Meals, Potatoes
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-3
Creamy with a hint of spice.
Ingredients
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 3 potatoes, chopped
  • to taste, salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1/4 t red pepper flakes
  • 1 T apple cider vinegar
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 small (or 1 large) leeks, washed well and chopped
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, diced
  • 2/3 C white wine (optional – you could also just use more stock)
  • 3 C chicken stock (vegetable would be great too)
  • 2 C milk
  • 1/2 t Sriracha sauce
  • 1/4 to 1/2 C cheddar cheese, grated
  • 4 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, chopped
  • 1 t apple cider vinegar
Instructions
  1. Heat soup pot. Add oil. When oil is hot, add potato, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook covered, over medium-low for 10 minutes.
  2. Add vinegar, onion, and leeks. Cook covered for 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and cook uncovered, 2-3 minutes more.
  4. Add wine and cook for 1 minute.
  5. Add stock. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover and cook for about 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
  6. Turn heat to low and add milk. Cook for 2-3 minutes, but do not boil.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, sriracha, and 1 t apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

 

Thursday

21

November 2013

0

COMMENTS

Mac and Cheese with Roasted Veggies – In the Kitchen with Rachel O – Video

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, In the Kitchen with Rachel O, Lunch, Pasta, Roasting, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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I’ve said it time and time and time and time again. Pasta is one of my go-to meals for a quick and easy dinner. It has come to the rescue many times. It just happens, doesn’t it? The dinner hour arrives and there’s nothing to eat… dun dun dun.

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Usually my solution is to boil some salted water for pasta and sauté some veggies. But, this time, I thought that it might be nice to get a little more creative.

One of my favorite, all time best, totally the yummiest ways to eat veggies is when they are roasted. Don’t even get me started on how they taste… Ok do. They get kinda sweet, a bit nutty, crispy outside, tender inside. I can eat a whole pan by myself. No joke. I usually make extra because I know how much I want on my plate, and I know that I have to share with Tim. Yes, I’m selfish that way. I don’t like to share my roasted veggies.

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I liked shells for this dish, but I think elbows would be delicious, rotini could be amazing, maybe even orzo would be good… You get it. Use the pasta that you and your family love best. I just like the shells because the sauce seems to get trapped and makes each bite so much yummier. Oh, and also, they’re multi-colored and they look fun.

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Maybe it’s a pasta night tonight. There are endless ways to make it great.

Happy Eating!

Mac and Cheese with Roasted Veggies
Recipe Type: Main Dish, Pasta, Cheese, Vegetables, Vegetarian, Roasting, Stove Top, Oven
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 small head garlic, top sliced off
  • drizzle of olive oil (for garlic)
  • 3 C summer squash, cut into large chunks
  • 1 1/2 C tomato, cut into large chunks
  • 1 C onion, cut into large chunks
  • olive oil (for veggies)
  • salt (for veggies)
  • pasta
  • 2 T olive oil
  • 2 T all purpose flour
  • 2 C milk
  • 1/2 C pasta water
  • 1 to 1 1/2 C cheese (pepper jack and parmesan)
  • to taste, salt
  • to taste, pepper
  • 1 t unsalted butter
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375F.
  2. Drizzle garlic with olive oil and wrap in foil. Place on a baking sheet a roast for 15 minutes.
  3. Toss veggies with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add to garlic baking sheet and continue to bake for about 25-30 minutes more.
  4. Cook pasta, reserving 1/2 C starchy water for sauce before draining.
  5. Heat a medium pot. Add 2 T olive oil. When hot, whisk in flour. Cook for 30-60 seconds. Slowly add milk, a little at a time, whisking and letting it thicken between additions. Heat until steam rises, but do not boil (sauce may break). Add pasta water.
  6. Remove from heat and whisk in cheese, a bit at a time. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Mash 6 cloves of roasted garlic and whisk into sauce. Stir in butter. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Combine pasta with veggies and sauce. Let it stand a few minutes before serving.

 

Wednesday

13

November 2013

3

COMMENTS

Hearty Butter Lettuce, Fruit, and Tuna Salad

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Fish, Fruit, Gluten Free, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Quick and Easy, Salads, Sides, Thoughts, Vegetables

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This was one of those days when lunchtime was inspired. Usually, I make the quickest and easiest something or other‚ that I can eat at my desk. Often it’s PB&J, or almonds, fruit, and cheese. But today was different. I don’t really know why.

Whatever the reason, I thought of the head of butter lettuce (which I do believe is my new favorite kind of lettuce) that was waiting in the produce drawer. I hate it when I wait too long to use lettuce and it goes bad. That’s a sad sad fate.

Then all sorts of yummy toppings popped into my head.

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Tuna for protein. And almonds too, for the protein and the crunch. Chopped, so it seems like there are more.

Super ripe pears that just made it into the fridge yesterday, because I’d forgotten that they were hiding in a bowl. An apple. I ordered 10 pounds of apples two weeks in a row. It’s taking a while to get through them. I don’t mind.

I’m totally in love with peony grapes. I’m not crazy about how awkward it is to get the seeds out, so I halved them and scraped them out before tossing them into the salad.

We have a couple cucumbers in the fridge that need to be eaten. Cucumber is a nice accompaniment to tuna. Also adds a nice crunch. I love a good crunchy salad.

I like a few small chunks of cheese in a salad anything. Today I chose gruyère, because that’s what I had on hand. It’s my current best cheese. I have to cut just one or two slices when I eat it, or I can easily eat half the brick.

For the dressing, I made a simple vinaigrette, my go-to recipe. It has balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, dijon, and maple syrup.

Combining all of this was a good idea. I wasn’t sure how the fruit would go with the tuna. But, I loved it. There’s all sorts of sweet, savory, salty, acidic flavors going on. At one moment deep mellow, the next light and fruity. Oh, and it’s healthy. I love that healthy tastes great. No cardboard-like food for moi! And, bonus, there’s lots of tuna and dressing leftover, so it will be perfect for making a tuna sandwich for tomorrow’s lunch, and maybe another salad the following day.

If you don’t like tuna, some shredded chicken would be lovely. If you want to add croutons, I think that would be swell. If you don’t like gruyère, try an aged sharp cheddar.

This would go well with the Leek and Potato Soup that I made for dinner yesterday. I wanted to have some, but was just too hungry to wait for it to heat up. Maybe next time. 🙂

Happy Eating!

Hearty Butter Lettuce, Fruit, and Tuna Salad
Recipe Type: Main Dishes, Salads, Lunches, Fish, Cheese, Gluten-Free, Fruit, Vegetables, Quick and Easy
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • Tuna: 1 can tuna
  • 1 t lemon balsamic vinegar (or 1 T lemon juice)
  • 1 T olive oil
  • pinch salt
  • pinch pepper
  • Dressing: 1/3 C balsamic vinegar
  • 1 t lemon balsamic vinegar (or 1 T lemon juice)
  • 1/2 T maple syrup
  • 1/2 t dijon mustard
  • to taste, salt
  • to taste, pepper
  • 1/3 C olive oil
  • Salad: 4 C butter lettuce, washed and torn
  • 2 slices cheese, chopped
  • 1 apple, chopped
  • 1 pear, chopped
  • 10 peony grapes, halved
  • 18 thin slices cucumber, peeled
  • 12 roasted and salted almonds, chopped
Instructions
  1. Combine tuna ingredients.
  2. Whisk together dressing, adding oil last – streaming it in slowly as you whisk, creating an emulsion.
  3. Make two salads. Place 2 C lettuce in a bowl and top with fruit, cucumber, cheese, nuts, and 2 T tuna. Drizzle with dressing. Repeat on second salad.

 

Wednesday

6

November 2013

4

COMMENTS

Vegetarian Enchiladas – In the Kitchen with Rachel O – Video

Written by , Posted in Baking, Beans, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, In the Kitchen with Rachel O, Leftovers, Legumes, Main Dishes, Rice, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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Sometimes I feel like I can’t quite get ahead. Like I’m stuck in a downward spiral. Overwhelmed by a never ending list of things to do. Sometimes. Or right now.

I understand why people resort to take out and pre-made meals. My go-to meals have been random leftovers, grilled cheese, and pancakes. I feel like I don’t have time to cook. I feel like I don’t have time for anything… except work. Isn’t it funny that my job is food, but I don’t have time for it?!

I’m realizing that part of the fault lays in my time management. I can make list after list after list, but if I spend all my time on figuring out when to do it all, I’ll never have time to get it done. So I’ve put away the day planner… for a while. I’m focusing on getting things done. I’m trying to do my best at what I love. I’m working on more than just feeding us so we have the calories we need, but instead finding a balance between working hard and having time to spend on the rest of life. I don’t know that I’m finding much success. Yet. I’m working on it.

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For days like these, there are meals like this one. It can be made ahead of time and frozen. It can be whipped up the night of in no time at all. It’s yummy enough to serve to guests, simple enough to eat on a weeknight. And the leftovers, if there are any, are perfect for the next day’s lunch.

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Enchiladas to the rescue!

Vegetarian Enchiladas
Recipe Type: Main Dish, Easy, Dinner, Vegetarian, Vegetables, Legumes, Beans, Rice, Stove Top, Oven, Leftovers
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4-6
A veggie filled twist on enchiladas.
Ingredients
  • Filling: 1 t olive oil
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1/2 serrano pepper, ribs and seeds removed, minced
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • 1/4 t cumin
  • 1/4 t ginger
  • 1 t chili powder
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 C black beans
  • 1 C mixture of cranberry and kidney beans
  • 1 1/2 C cooked brown rice
  • 1/2 C corn (frozen is fine)
  • Sauce: 2 C tomato sauce
  • 1 C vegetable stock (optional)
  • 1 t chili powder
  • 1/4 t cumin
  • to taste, salt
  • to taste, pepper
  • 1/2 serrano pepper, ribs and seeds removed, minced
  • For assembling: 6-8 tortillas
  • 1 to 1 1/2 C pepper jack cheese, grated
  • salsa, for serving
  • Greek yogurt, for serving
  • tomato, chopped, for serving
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
  2. Heat a skillet and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add zucchini through chili powder (in filling section). Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat.
  3. Add rice, beans, garlic, and corn. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Whisk sauce ingredients together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Pour about 1/2 into the bottom of a large greased ovenproof dish.
  5. Divide filling between tortillas. Tuck ends in and roll up. Place seam side down in sauce.
  6. Top with remaining sauce (or enough sauce to partially cover), and sprinkle with cheese.
  7. Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes, or until cheese and sauce are bubbly.
  8. Serve topped with yogurt, salsa, and tomatoes.

 

Monday

4

November 2013

2

COMMENTS

Mediterranean Veggies and Rice – Quick and Easy

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Leftovers, Main Dishes, Quick and Easy, Rice, Vegetables, Vegetarian

MediterraneanRiceVeggies_5It seems like more often than not, as of late, when it comes time for dinner, I’m too pooped to make anything, well, good. Don’t worry, we’re not starving or anything. I’m sure we’re even getting a fairly nutritious diet. But, we haven’t been eating as well as we could be.

Even though I was bone tired last Wednesday, I decided that we needed something full of veggies, good fats, and whole grains.

Enter rice, veggies, herbs, and Bari olive oil.

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Rice lends a nutty, wholesome, hearty aspect to this dish.

The veggies range from carrots with the slightest hint of a crunch, to eggplant that melts in your mouth.

The herbs, some fresh, some dried, add an earthy, savory comfort.

The olive oil adds a bright finishing note that’s not like anything else I’ve ever tasted.

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It’s a good dish, this one.

If you’re out of eggplant ideas, I’m here for you.

If you love zucchini but can’t think of another way to prepare it, I’ve got you covered.

If you’re exhausted and would rather crawl into bed than fix dinner, I understand.

If you love food, good food, food that’s wholesome and nutritious, I’m with you.

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Happy Eating!

Mediterranean Veggies and Rice
Recipe Type: Main Dishes, Rice, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Vegetables, Herbs, Quick and Easy
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-3
Ingredients
  • 1 – 1 1/2 C leftover rice
  • 1/4 C water or vegetable stock
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 2 small skinny or 1 small fat eggplant, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 t (or more) salt
  • pinch pepper
  • 1/4 t dried basil
  • 1 t fresh oregano,
  • 1/8 t red pepper flakes
  • 1 t fresh savory
  • 1/4 t dried parsley
  • 1 t fresh thyme
  • 2-4 cloves roasted garlic, mashed
  • 1/4 C tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 C kalamata olives, chopped
  • 2-3 T balsamic vinegar
  • 2 T water
  • parmesan cheese, shaved, for topping
  • olive oil, for topping
Instructions
  1. Re-heat leftover rice with water or stock.
  2. Generously salt eggplant and let stand for 15 minutes. Rinse and pat dry, then chop.
  3. Heat skillet and add oil. When oil is hot, add carrot, zucchini, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add eggplant, herbs, and red pepper flakes and cook 5 minutes more.
  5. Add garlic, tomatoes, olives, balsamic vinegar, and water. Cook 1-2 minutes more.
  6. Combine with rice and let stand for a few minutes. Taste and add more salt if needed.
  7. Serve topped with a drizzle of good olive oil and some parmesan cheese.
Notes
If using uncooked rice, cook 1 C rice in 2 C water or stock. Cook according to directions on package. Cooking time will increase, but not by much, as the rice will cook while the veggies do.

 

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