De Ma Cuisine

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Thursday

25

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Green Bean Fries

Written by , Posted in Appetizers, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Inspired By, Kid-Friendly, Lunch, Quick and Easy, Roasting, Sauces, Sides, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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I’m crazy about French fries. With a burger they’re fabulous, topped with gravy and cheese curds they’re comforting, with a hearty dip they’re a meal. Of course they don’t have to be made with potatoes. Parsnips, carrots, and summer squash all work perfectly. And while we’re at it, why not try sweet potatoes, beets, or rutabagas?

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And when I’m feeling lazy and don’t want to take the time to cut up some veggies for roasting, or when I’ve got so many green beans just waiting to be used, I figure I might as well turn them into fries.

Never mind the fact that roasting green beans is one of my favorite ways to eat them. Ever.

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So it’s pretty simple. The beans are tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper and head into a hot oven. High heat and not a lot of time will work well here.

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While the beans roast, a quick “ketchup” is blended together. Garlic, basil, a few spices, a little this (maple syrup), a little that (dijon mustard)… a minute or two in the mini food processor and we have some sort of tomatoey, herby, ketchup-like dipping sauce.

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This could be used for any of the above French fry options. If there are leftovers, it’d be great heated up and served over pasta, or used as a pizza sauce. Oh and it’d be fabulous atop a burger.

I have some suggestions in the recipe for three different herb combinations. I was also thinking that if you wanted to go a completely different direction and opt for a creamy dip, crème fraîche would be an awesome option. I might try that next time. (P.S. Crème fraîche is actually pretty easy to make from scratch! Who knew?!)

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The meals that I make and photograph for these posts usually end up being lunch. So, I fried up some eggs, washed some strawberries, and we were set. Of course Green Bean Fries would be a great compliment to a meal; a wonderful side, But, more often than not of late, I’ve been enjoying veggies as the star.

Happy Eating!

Green Bean Fries

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 17 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Yield: 2-4

Green Bean Fries

Ingredients

  • 1-2 pounds green beans, stems removed
  • 1 t olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 2 T total (fresh if possible, if dried, crumble and reduce amounts): dill + parsley + basil OR basil + parsley + savory + thyme OR tarragon + parsley + dill + fennel pollen
  • 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
  • pinch cayenne
  • pinch ginger
  • 1 t maple syrup
  • 1 t dijon
  • 2 T olive oil
  • 1 T chives or shallots (optional)
  • 1 C tomato puree
  • 1 T vinegar
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 425F.
  2. Toss beans with 1 t olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour beans onto two baking sheets (so they're not over-crowded). Roast for 10 minutes, flip and rotate their position in the oven, and roast for 6-7 minutes more.
  3. While beans roast, blend herbs through pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Serve green beans dipped in "ketchup".
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/green-bean-fries/

Thursday

4

September 2014

0

COMMENTS

Deconstructed Lasagna

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Inspired By, Kid-Friendly, Lunch, Main Dishes, Pasta, Quick and Easy, Sauces, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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This is an ode to lasagna.

Or lasagne.

I don’t really care how you spell it. What matters is that it tastes amazing.

But, it’s a lazy lasagna. It’s a quick and easy lasagna. It’s a lasagne whose best parts have taken apart and reassembled.

Deconstructed.

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It starts, as most dinners cooked by me do, with lots of veggies. You could totally add more. Summer squash would be great. More greens are always fun. Grated carrots are fabulous.

You know how it is, use what you have.

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Today, I have chives.

Had.

They all went into the pasta.

A good decision.

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It’s always a good idea to add a little bit of the starchy pasta water to a pasta sauce. It helps the sauce to stick to the pasta when it’s combined. 

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Since the point of this dish was to make a lasagna-like meal, it has many of the same elements. I went for a vegetarian version, because I didn’t have any ground beef. I think that beef would still be delicious, but I really liked it without.

I finished photographing and couldn’t stop eating it.

I wrote “Oh my gosh! So freaking good!!!” at the top of the page in my notebook where I’d written down the recipe.

I could eat this again and again. With or without the beef.

With the ricotta. Definitely with.

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What didn’t seem like a lot of pasta ended up as just the perfect amount. I always overestimate how much pasta I’m going to need.

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I’ve invited Tim for dinner.

Because we’re married and he lives here.

Because I’m the cooker and this is what I’ve made for dinner…

But, I totally think this would be a great dinner party meal too.

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Happy Eating!

Deconstructed Lasagna
 
Recipe Type: Main, Dinner, Pasta, Vegetarian
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 3-4
If lasagna were taken apart, this amazing pasta would be the result. It’s rich, creamy, and delicious.
Ingredients
  • pasta
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1 C greens (collards, spinach, chard, kale), chopped
  • 4 small tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 t dried rosemary, chopped
  • 1/2 t dried thyme
  • 1/2 to 1 t dried oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bunch chives, chopped
  • 1 T balsamic vinegar
  • 8 oz. tomato sauce
  • 1 T fresh parsley, chopped, divided
  • 1 T fresh basil, chopped, divided
  • 1/2 C water from cooked pasta
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 15 oz. ricotta, divided
  • parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
  • lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta. Reserve the pasta water when pasta is almost done and the water is starchy.
  2. Heat skillet, add onion, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium or medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add collards through oregano. Cook for 3 minutes. Then add garlic and chives. Cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Add balsamic vinegar and cook for 30 seconds. Add tomato sauce, half of the parsley, half of the basil, pasta water, and lemon juice. Stir to combine and simmer for about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in half of the ricotta. Cook for about 30 seconds more. Remove from heat and taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Top with a dollop of ricotta, some parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon.
 
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free use your favorite GF pasta.

Wednesday

26

March 2014

6

COMMENTS

BLT Salad

Written by , Posted in Condiments, Fruit, Inspired By, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Pork, Salads, Toasting, Vegetables

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You’re welcome. I’ll just say it. I mean, if I were you, I’d be thanking me for this post. Because, when it comes to bacon and croutons, I can’t get enough. 😉

For example, today, after I’d finished taking pictures, I ate the salad right out of the bowl. All of it. Didn’t share. After dumping the bowl in the sink (in hopes that the dishes fairy will come while I’m typing this for you), I stood at fridge with the dressing whisk and serving spoon to make sure I got any remaining dressing off of them, while eating the leftover bacon and croutons (that are meant for something else). I continued to stand there eating bacon and croutons even after the dressing was gone.

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I did not give up bacon for Lent. Fact. You might not have been wondering.

I have bacon planned for 3 more meals in the next 7 days. It’s been a while since we’ve had bacon.

I’m so distracted by the photos of croutons and bacon that are on the other screen.

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And then there’s that dressing. It’s really just a few things that I think you have in your fridge and pantry right now: mayo, yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic. Oh the garlic… Garlic is good for you.

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You will want to choose a sturdy lettuce. It will be less likely to get soggy. If you don’t, that’s cool too. Just dress the salad right before serving and make sure there are no leftovers.

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You may want to take a moment, after you consume this salad, to give thanks for bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and bread… seriously. This is good stuff. Also, being thankful is important. Sooooo, yeah.

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The dishes fairy has not yet arrived.

Happy Eating!

BLT Salad
Recipe Type: Salad, Main, Meat, Bread
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
It’s like you chopped up your BLT and poured dressing over it.
Ingredients
  • 2 slices bacon
  • 1 C bread, torn into crouton sized pieces
  • olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • dressing: 1 T mayo
  • 2 T Greek (or plain) yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic (optional), minced
  • 1/4 t dijon mustard
  • 1/2 T lemon juice
  • 1/2 T balsamic vinegar
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1 T olive oil
  • salad: 2-4 C lettuce, torn
  • 1 tomato, chopped
Instructions
  1. Cook bacon. Drain and let cool on paper towel lined plate. Crumble.
  2. Toss bread with a splash of olive oil, and some salt and pepper. Bake at 350F for about 10-15 minutes, or until crispy.
  3. Whisk mayo through pepper. Whisk while streaming in olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Top lettuce with tomato, bacon, croutons, and dressing. Toss to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
If cooking bacon in the oven, heat to 350F, place bacon on a cooling rack on a baking sheet (so it won’t sit in its grease). Bake for about 25-35 minutes, or until cooked to desired crispiness. Baking in the oven increases cooking time.

 

Friday

17

January 2014

1

COMMENTS

A Little Like Paris – Chicken and Rice Casserole

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Dinner, Gluten Free, Inspired By, Kid-Friendly, Leftovers, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Poultry, Rice, Sides, Travel, Vegetables

Chicken-and-Rice-Casserole-3We were in Paris in November. (I will never get tired of remembering that we went to Paris.) In Paris, we had some of the most wonderful food. Ever.

One of the dishes was at a café by the marché aux puces (flea market) called Café Le Paul Bert. We had the most phenomenal dish of chicken, rice, and veggies. It was the creamiest, dreamiest chicken and rice I could ever imagine. It was one of the dishes I most wanted to duplicate upon our return (third on my list of “musts” – after baguettes, which I have now successfully made, and our meal at Au Bon Coin – I have almost mastered the potatoes, but have yet to make the full meal).

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I don’t know exactly what it is about this dish. It seems like a pretty simple concept. It’s just chicken, rice, and veggies. Buuuut, there’s a whole lot more to it. There has to be, right?

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When I made it, about two weeks after we’d returned, I was surprised by how much it tasted like our beloved Paris dish. And I think I may have accidentally discovered the secret: almond milk. I’d been drinking a little more almond milk and a little less cow’s milk lately. Just kinda to see if I like it. At first I did not. At all. But it’s growing on me. One way that I have always enjoyed it is in cooking (same with coconut milk). I use it in soups, oatmeal, even cornbread.

I haven’t made this dish using cow’s milk, so I don’t actually know if the almond milk made it taste so much like our Paris dish. But, it’s more fun to think that I accidentally made something amazing than to just borringly have done it on purpose.

I’d originally called this Drunken Chicken Casserole, because there’s a cup of wine in it. A tribute to the wine drunk with lunches and dinners in Paris. However, this could be made using vegetable or chicken stock and I’m sure it would taste great too.

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Let’s talk about the veggies. I used carrots because they were in the Paris dish, and because I had them in the fridge. I used broccoli because it needed to be used. If I’d wanted to try to replicate it more exactly, I would have used carrots and leeks. But, I’m more of a “cook with what I have” kinda cooker, so yeah… You could use whatever veggies you like with chicken and rice. Cauliflower wouldn’t add much to the look of the dish, but it would taste great. Spinach would be yummy. Peas would be fun. Green onions would add a pop of color and a nice flavor. If you wanted to make this sans chicken, you could make it with fennel, carrots, and some mahi mahi. Have a look in your produce drawer. What looks good?

Aaaand now I’m super hungry.

Happy Eating!

Chicken and Rice Casserole
Recipe Type: cheese, dinner, gluten-free, inspired by, kid-friendly, leftovers, lunch, main dishes, meat, poultry, rice, sides, travel, vegetables
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
One of our favorite dishes from our time in Paris, recreated at home.
Ingredients
  • 1 t unsalted butter
  • 1 t olive oil
  • 1 C brown rice
  • 1 C white wine (or vegetable or chicken stock)
  • 1 C cold water
  • 1 head broccoli, chopped
  • 1 carrot, cut into long slices
  • water (for steaming)
  • 1 C chicken, cooked and chopped – I used leftovers
  • 1 C almond milk
  • to taste, salt
  • to taste, pepper
  • 1/4 C cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 C parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
  1. Cook rice in water and wine according to package directions (about 35-45 minutes), adding more liquid if needed.
  2. Add water to a pot with a steamer basket, place carrots and broccoli to the steamer. Steam until veggies are tender, about 15 minutes or so (you could add carrots first and broccoli halfway through, since it will take a bit less time to cook). (Save steamer water and freeze, to use at a later time as vegetable stock.)
  3. When rice is done, add chicken, milk, veggies, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is heated through and the milk has been absorbed.
  4. Stir in cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

 

Wednesday

27

November 2013

0

COMMENTS

What To Do With Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Written by , Posted in Holiday, Inspired By, Leftovers, Menu Planning

Butternut-Squash-Soup-2I love Thanksgiving dinner so much that having it again the next day is just perfect, even after having a turkey sandwich for lunch. I could probably be talked into having it again two days later. But, there is a limit to how many times I can have the exact same dinner, even if it is one of my favorites.

So let’s talk about how to use those leftovers in a creative way. You worked so hard on that meal. It would be insane to just let it sit in the fridge and eventually go bad. Plus, it’s always fun to think of new ways to use an “old” dish.

If you used the non-traditional menu, here are some ideas:

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Herbed Roasted Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Broccoli gets chopped and added to Chicken and Rice Soup to go alongside the Garlic Bread that’s used to make Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, or could be used in Chicken Pot Pie.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup becomes Butternut Squash Risotto.

Crispy Potatoes get re-heated (in foil so they don’t burn) and topped with Chili to make Crispy Potatoes with Chili and Cheese.

Pomegranate juice can be simmered and reduced to make a syrup for Pancakes, Waffles, or French Toast.

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Apple Bourbon Galettes are perfect for breakfast, with your coffee, alongside a bowl of yogurt.

Gosh I’m hungry!

If you opted for a more traditional approach, here are some suggestions:

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Turkey can be made into Shepherd’s Pie of the South, Turkey Pot PieTurkey Caesar Wraps with homemade Caesar Salad Dressing, Spicy Turkey Chili, Honey Mustard Turkey Sandwiches, Thanksgiving Soup, Turkey Club Pizza.

Stuffing can be added to a Mushroom Frittata (add about 1 C or so).

Mashed Potatoes become Mashed Potato Soup, Sheila’s Potato Pan Rolls, or Thanksgiving Soup.

Green Beans can be used in Thanksgiving Soup.

Sweet Potatoes turn into Winter Veggie Salad.

Gravy can be used in Thanksgiving Soup.

Rolls can be French Toast topped with Cranberry Sauce, or Cream Cheesed Garlic Bread.

Pumpkin Pie filling becomes Pumpkin Pasta, or Pumpkin Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Now I’m really starving!

I hope, dear friends, that you have the most wonderful Thanksgiving. If you live somewhere that doesn’t celebrate this holiday, I hope you have a lovely Thursday.

Happy Thanksgiving!