De Ma Cuisine

Herbs Archive

Friday

18

October 2013

6

COMMENTS

Quick and Easy Herbed Roasted Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomatoes – In the Kitchen with Rachel O – Video

Written by , Posted in Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, In the Kitchen with Rachel O, Main Dishes, Meat, Poultry, Quick and Easy, Roasting, Vegetables

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If you’re hungry, put up your hand!!

It’s 10am as I type this, and I can not wait for dinner… It may be a long day. 😉

Here’s what inspired this dish: yumminess and ease. It’s gonna look like you slaved away. Seriously. But, the reality is that this meal takes minimal preparation, and most of the cooking time is inactive. Winner winner chicken dinner. Oh and then bonus, it taste amazing. How can it not with all those amazing herbs, roasted tomatoes and peppers, and juicy chicken thighs.

Sigh. Have I mentioned that I’m really hungry?

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I am going to serve this with a green salad, and some hearty bread to use to soak up the sauce and wipe the plate clean.

And when I’m done eating, I may just come back here and stare at the photos and imagine that I could eat this at every meal… Ok, maybe that’s exaggerating a little bit. I’ll leave breakfast alone.

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Although, with any leftovers, you could make some hot grits to go along with slices of cold chicken, and serve it with a fruit salad. If you’d rather leave chicken for lunch and dinner (totally cool), you might enjoy a chicken salad sandwich. Toss chopped chicken with some mayo, the tomatoes, and peppers, and a bit of the pan drippings, maybe a bit of dijon mustard.

Or maybe there won’t be any leftovers. I could see that happening.

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Happy Eating!

Herbed Roasted Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomatoes
Recipe Type: Main, One dish dinner, meat, chicken, poultry, stove top, oven, roasting, herbs, tomatoes, vegetables
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-3
Quick and easy and so delicious. Chicken is browned on the stove in savory infused butter and olive oil, then roasted with veggies. Winner.
Ingredients
  • 2 T olive oil, divided
  • 1 T unsalted butter
  • 1 sprig fresh savory
  • pinch salt
  • pinch pepper
  • 2-3 chicken thighs, bone-in
  • 1 C (heaping) cherry tomatoes (about 24-26)
  • 2 sweet peppers, sliced (bell peppers would work too, use 1-2)
  • 1/4 t dried thyme
  • 1 T fresh savory, chopped
  • 1/4 t dried oregano
  • 1/4 t dried parsley
  • 1/4 t dried rosemary
  • to taste, salt
  • to taste, pepper
  • 1/4 C red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 C balsamic vinegar
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 425F.
  2. Heat ovenproof skillet over medium heat. When hot, add butter and 1 T olive oil. When hot, add sprig of savory and swirl around (infusing the butter and oil) for 2 minutes. Discard savory.
  3. Add a tiny bit of salt and pepper to oil. Add chicken, skin side down, and sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes, flip, and cook 3-5 minutes more.
  4. Remove from heat. Add tomatoes and peppers. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with herbs, salt, and pepper. Pour vinegars into the bottom of the pan. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 180F.
  5. Serve with tomatoes and peppers, topped with pan drippings and a slice of crusty bread for mopping up the sauce.

Friday

27

September 2013

2

COMMENTS

Sweet and Spicy Lemongrass Stir Fry

Written by , Posted in Dinner, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, Pasta, Quick and Easy, Vegetables, Vegetarian

SweetSpicyLemongrassStirFry5We ate this for lunch today. Husband is home sick, so he’s been laying around while I work. Today’s work included making a stir fry so I could take pictures of it. After a few bites he exclaimed, “THIS IS LITERALLY PERFECT”. I had to agree.

I’m not sure what I like the most about this stir fry. I don’t know if it’s the hint of spicy that’s behind the sweet gingery sauce. It could be the tender-crisp veggies that are so hot but still bright green. Or maybe it’s the time it takes to prepare this dish from start to finish.

Or… it might be the excitement about finally finding a way to use lemongrass. Even after all these years of getting a weekly box from Abundant Harvest Organics, there are still vegetables that I don’t know what to do with. I was going to make a stir fry anyways, and when I opened the box and saw those lemony sticks sitting in there, it just made sense.

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So, I did a little research and figured out how to use it. There are some parts that you don’t want to eat, those could be saved for soups or a creative cocktail. Personally, I think I could just keep a split stalk around me all the time so I could smell it whenever I wanted to. Wow. With all the synthetic fragrances out there, I’m not sure that there’s anything that I’d rather smell than things like lemongrass, basil, or garlic. I’ll take those over an eau de something fake any day. Smell your food, friends. It’s too good to just eat… I think I will use the top portion for soup (which might be what we’re having for dinner – sickness just seems to need soup). I think it would be lovely in a vegetable broth with some zucchini, peas, carrots, ginger, and noodles. I also have plans to make up some sort of cocktail with it. There will be ginger involved. Ginger and lemongrass seem to be good friends. Or maybe I’ll just keep making this stir fry over and over and over again.

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I hope you make this stir fry. We really enjoyed it. And however you use the rest of the stalk of lemongrass, remember to smell it first. For real.

Happy Eating!

Sweet and Spicy Lemongrass Stir Fry

Yield: 2

Sweet and Spicy Lemongrass Stir Fry

Ingredients

  • Soba noodles
  • 1 T coconut oil
  • 1 head broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 medium summer squash, julienned
  • 1 serrano pepper, seeds and ribs removed, minced
  • 1-2 T prepared lemongrass
  • 2 lg cloves garlic, sliced
  • Sauce: 1 T cornstarch
  • 1/2 C cold water
  • 1/2 T red wine vinegar
  • 2 T white vinegar
  • 1 T honey
  • 1/2 t ginger, dried
  • to taste, salt

Instructions

  1. Boil salted water.
  2. Whisk together sauce ingredients. Set aside.
  3. Add pasta to boiling water. When cooked (takes about 4 minutes), drain, toss with a bit of coconut oil, and keep warm.
  4. Prepare lemongrass: Chop off top and bottom of stalk (use only bottom 3-4 inches of stalk). Peel and discard tough outer layers. Mince tender inner layers.
  5. Heat skillet and add oil. When hot add broccoli, squash, chili pepper, and lemongrass. Cook over medium to high heat, using tongs to turn veggies often. After 3 min add garlic and cook 1 min more (or until veggies are tender crisp).
  6. Pour sauce into skillet. Toss with veggies and let it thicken, about 1 minute.
  7. Serve veggies over pasta.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/sweet-and-spicy-lemongrass-stir-fry/

Wednesday

31

July 2013

6

COMMENTS

I’m Baaaaack – Episode 75

Written by , Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grains, Herbs, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Rice, This Week's Feast, Vegetables

EggplantTomatoRisotto3

How many ways are there to eat eggplant? Do you even like eggplant? Or are you a skeptic?

The more I cook with it, the more ways I discover that it tastes good… I didn’t used to be such a fan.

I’ve found that the salting step should not be skipped. Peeling helps too. And then of course it’s best to cook it with things that it goes well with: rice, lemon, zucchini, and tomato, for example.

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Oh yeah, and see that scoop of rice? That’s a cup and a half. Doesn’t seem like a lot, right? I think this recipe makes enough for about 6-8 people. Gosh it made a lot. Why do I always forget that a little rice goes a loooooooong way?! Oh well, I will make the leftovers into Chicken and Rice Soup.

Yes, we eat soup in the summer. I don’t care if it’s too hot.

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EggplantTomatoRisotto

If you don’t want leftovers, invite some friends over for a summer dinner. To go along with the Risotto you could grill some chicken and veggies, toast some cheesy Garlic Bread, drink Mint Iced Tea, and have Vanilla Ice Cream with Roasted Fruit for dessert… I’m in. When do we eat?!

Happy Eating!

Eggplant and Tomato Risotto

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 51 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 21 minutes

Yield: 6-8

Eggplant and Tomato Risotto

Ingredients

  • 2 T olive oil
  • salt (for eggplant)
  • 1 medium-large eggplant, peeled and sliced (about 4 C)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 C)
  • 1 medium zucchini, chopped (about 1 C)
  • 1 medium-large tomato, chopped (about 1 1/2 C)
  • 3 cloves garlic, diced
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 t dried thyme
  • 1 1/2 C Arborio rice
  • 6-8 C chicken stock
  • 1/2 C white wine (opt.)
  • 2 t honey
  • 2 T lemon juice
  • 1 C parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 T unsalted butter
  • lemon wedges, for serving
  • fresh basil, chopped, for serving

Instructions

  1. Salt eggplant and leave for 15-30 minutes (to draw out water and reduce bitterness). Rinse and pat dry. Cut into 1/2" cubes.
  2. Add wine and stock to a medium pot. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer (or just cover and keep warm).
  3. Heat a large pot. Add oil. When oil is hot, add all veggies except garlic. Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add garlic, rice, and seasonings; cook 1 minute.
  5. Add 1 C hot stock to rice mixture. Stir. Cook over medium or medium-low heat, stirring often, until liquid is mostly absorbed. Repeat until rice is cooked (about 20-40 minutes).
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in honey, lemon, cheese, and butter. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Let stand 5-10 minutes.
  8. Serve topped with fresh basil and a squeeze of lemon.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/im-baaaaack-ep75/

Sponsors: Abundant Harvest OrganicsBari Olive Oil CompanyWaterfall Creative, and Molly Jenson.

 

 

Wednesday

22

May 2013

0

COMMENTS

Zoo Boats (Roasted Stuffed Squash) – Episode 68

Written by , Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Baking, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Kid-Friendly, Lunch, Main Dishes, Rice, Sides, This Week's Feast, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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As a kid, I remember my mom making Zucchini Bread. She called it “Zoo Bread”. I wonder if she thought that if we didn’t hear the word “zucchini” we might eat it. We did. However, I don’t remember feeling fooled… I think we might have known what was in it. We liked it because it was good.

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Today I’m making Roasted Stuffed Squash. But, if it helps anyone in your home to eat them without a fuss, you are welcome to call them “Zoo Boats”.

Or maybe if someone thinks they don’t like squash, but gets to help scoop out the middle, they will be so proud of themselves that they will insist on eating some. Insist.

I used leftover rice. Quinoa would also be delicious (and would add more protein). Adding Italian sausage or ground beef would be great too.

This is kinda like a switcheroo on the classic Stuffed Pepper or Stuffed Tomato. Hey! Why not get creative and make a few different kinds of stuffed items – Peppers, Tomatoes, and Squash! Everyone could have their favorite.

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Unfortunately, now I’m craving Zoo Bread. Guess that’s what I’ll be making later on today.

Happy Eating!

 

Roasted Stuffed Squash
Recipe Type: Main, Side, Vegetable, Vegetarian
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-4
Roasted squash is stuffed with rice, peppers, and onions, then it’s topped with basil. It tastes like summer.
Ingredients
  • 1 medium or large summer squash, sliced lengthwise, center scooped out
  • 1 T olive oil, divided
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • 1 C (heaping) cooked rice
  • 1 large tomato (about 1 C), chopped
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 t fresh oregano, chopped
  • 1 t fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 t fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 t fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 1/4 parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/3 C gruyère, grated
  • fresh basil, chopped (for topping)
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350F.
  2. Scoop out center of squash. Rub with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes (or until tender).
  3. Heat a pan, when it’s hot, add remaining oil. When oil is hot, add onion and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add rice, herbs, seasonings, and tomato. Cook over medium to medium-low heat for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice and parmesan to rice mixture. Stir and taste. Adjust seasoning if desired. Spoon rice mixture into squash. Top with gruyère and return to oven for about 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
  5. Serve topped with fresh basil. (Could serve whole, or cut in pieces to serve more.)
Notes
Cooking time is actually about 15 minutes because rice mixture cooks while squash roasts. You could save the scooped out portion and add it to the rice mixture, or save it to add to some soup or a pasta sauce! Recipe has since been adapted to include fresh herbs rather than dried. If using dried oregano, basil, thyme, and sage, reduce to 1/4 t of each.

Sponsored by: Abundant Harvest Organics, Bari Olive Oil Company, Waterfall Creative, Molly Jenson.

Wednesday

15

May 2013

2

COMMENTS

English Peas with Ricotta and Ham over Pasta – Episode 67

Written by , Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Herbs, Kid-Friendly, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Pasta, Pork, Quick and Easy, This Week's Feast, Vegetables

EnglishPeasPasta3I know that some people hate peas. But, I am not one of them. I mentioned in my post last week that I didn’t like frozen peas as a kid. Now, I can’t get enough of them – in any form.

I love peas.

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I love sugar snap peas with bacon and pasta. I’m also crazy about them raw. Pea tendrils? Have you ever tried them? So good with a fried egg on top! Snow peas in Stir Fry are amazing. I wish I was eating that right now (with some tofu or chicken, some bean sprouts and carrots, and a nice slightly sweet sauce…). Frozen peas in Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup is one of my favorites.

But now, I have a new love. Pasta + ricotta + ham + carrots + chard + garlic + ENGLISH PEAS = Love love love this meal. Topped with some basil and parmesan cheese… oh boy! (Husband’s response last night after his first bite: “Wow!”)

And it’s good cold, as a pasta salad. Maybe with some German or Italian sausage? How about alongside a Burger? Or with a few other delicious salads?

Why am I coming up with all these meal ideas, I’m not even hungry!

Or I wasn’t…

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After I finished filming and taking photos, I stood at my little Ikea island and picked pasta and ricotta out of the bowl and ate it. Someone’s gotta clean up.

Happy Eating!

English Peas with Ricotta and Ham over Pasta

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 4

English Peas with Ricotta and Ham over Pasta

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg pasta
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 heaping C (about 40 pods) English peas (shelled)
  • 2 carrots, in long thin ribbons (use a vegetable peeler)
  • 1 bulb green garlic and the green part (just the edible part), minced
  • 3/4 t to 1 t salt
  • pinch cayenne
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 to 1 t fresh thyme
  • 1/4 C water
  • 1-2 T lemon juice
  • 3/4 C ham, cooked and thinly sliced
  • 2-3 C chard, roughly chopped
  • 10 oz. ricotta cheese
  • parmesan cheese (for topping), grated
  • basil, chopped (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in salted water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat skillet, and add oil. Add English peas through thyme. Cook over medium or medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add water. Cook 8 minutes more, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add lemon juice, ham, and chard. Cook for 5 minutes (or until ham is heated through and chard is wilted), tossing occasionally with tongs. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  4. Toss cooked pasta with ricotta and a pinch of salt.
  5. Serve pasta topped with veggies and some parmesan and basil.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/would-you-like-peas-with-that-ep67/

Sponsored by: Abundant Harvest Organics, Bari Olive Oil Company, Waterfall Creative, Molly Jenson.