De Ma Cuisine

Potlucks Archive

Thursday

22

October 2015

0

COMMENTS

Winter Squash Dip

Written by , Posted in Appetizers, Beans, Cheese, Dairy-Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Legumes, Nuts, Potlucks, Roasting, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

WinterSquashDip-3

I’m a big supporter of fall. I love it when the leaves change color, the chill that creeps into the air, and the winter squash that start to appear in our Abundant Harvest Organics boxes. This fall is no different. I’m in the mood for soups and stews, cozy sweaters, and all the winter squash I can get my hands on.

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I have a few go to recipes for winter squash. Things like Spaghetti Squash au Gratin (which uses both spaghetti and butternut squash), Vegan Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, and Spaghetti Soup. I’ll make them over and over again for sure. But, it’s fun to get creative with food, so I came up with a fun winter squash dip that will be perfect to snack on while watching post season baseball, for a dinner party appetizer, or as a simple supper.

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I used acorn squash this time. But, seriously, any winter squash will do. I’d planned to use pumpkin, but I didn’t have one on hand. If you have pumpkin, and the skin doesn’t get too soft when roasting, it’d make a lovely serving dish. I tried to do that with the acorn squash, but the skin isn’t as tough as say spaghetti squash, so I opted for an oven-safe dish.

This dip is full of options for what to add to it. Not only can you use whatever winter squash you have on hand, there are plenty of possibilities for what to mix in. I used garbanzo beans, basil, cheddar, and parmesan. But, you could substitute white, kidney, or black beans for the garbanzos. Then you could choose between blue cheese, feta, Fontina, Gorgonzola, Gruyère, mozzarella, pecorino, ricotta, ricotta salata, Romano, or Roncal if you don’t have cheddar or Parmesan, or tofu if you want to go vegan. And for the fresh herbs, I’d go with either parsley or thyme if you don’t have basil (or along with it). Just pick things that you think will go well with the other flavors you’ve got going on.

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I topped the dip with some halved cherry tomatoes and some nuts. And again, here the possibilities are pretty limitless: hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, or pumpkin seeds would all be great in place of almonds. I love the crunch that the nuts bring to the dip.

I’d used half of the cheese in the dip, the rest went on top to get bubbly and browned, along with the tomatoes. One of my favorite things.

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You can serve this dip hot, room temperature, or eat it right out of the fridge. If you opt for the latter, you might get the entire previously melted cheese slice in one bite. Not the worst problem you could have. I liked it best cooled slightly, but still warm, with lots of dipping utensils: corn chips and raw veggies were my favorite.

Happy Eating!

Winter Squash Dip

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Yield: 8-10

Winter Squash Dip

Ingredients

  • 4 C combination of any: (squash) acorn, butternut, spaghetti, buttercup, delicata, hubbard, kabocha, pumpkin; halved or top sliced off and seeds removed,carrots, ends trimmed
  • 1 head garlic, top sliced off
  • a good sprinkle of cayenne or 1 hot pepper, halved, ribs and seeds removed
  • 2 t olive oil
  • 2 C combination of any: garbanzo, white, kidney, or black beans; cooked
  • 1 C greens (optional), chopped
  • 1/4 C combination of any: fresh basil, parsley, or thyme
  • 2 C combination of any: blue, cheddar, feta, Fontina, Gorgonzola, Gruyère, mozzarella, Parmesan, pecorino, ricotta, ricotta salata, Romano, Roncal; grated (if needed), or may use tofu (silken or firm and crumbled)
  • 1 C combination of any: corn, tomatoes (fresh or dried)
  • to taste salt
  • 1/4 C combination of any: almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, pinenuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds; chopped
  • raw veggies (carrots, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, green beans, celery), roasted veggies (sweet potatoes, summer squash, eggplant, fennel), chips, crackers, or bread; for serving

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
  2. Brush squash/pumpkin with oil inside and out. Place cut side down on a baking sheet (the lid too, if you didn't halve it - if you halved it and are planning to serve the dip in it, you could slice a bit off the bottom so it sits flat). Drizzle the garlic with olive oil and wrap with foil. Brush carrots and hot pepper with olive oil and wrap with foil. Roast for 45-60 minutes, or until tender (pepper may take closer to 20-30 minutes). If using greens, sauté in 1 T olive oil over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes.
  3. Scrape squash from shell (reserve shell to serve in if desired) then either mash or purée in food processor with garlic (squeeze cloves from skin) through cheese (reserving half cheese for topping). Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
  4. Return to squash shell or to a greased oven safe dish, top with remaining cheese and tomatoes/corn/nuts. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, or broil for a few minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.
  5. Serve with raw or roasted veggies, chips, crackers, or bread, for dipping.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/winter-squash-dip/

Monday

19

October 2015

1

COMMENTS

Deviled Eggs with Parmesan Crisps and Fresh Herbs

Written by , Posted in Appetizers, Cheese, Eggs, Gluten Free, Herbs, Kid-Friendly, Low Carb, Lunch, Meat, Pork, Potlucks, Quick and Easy, Sides, Snacks, Vegetarian

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It’s taken me a while to get back into the swing of things since our trip. The first week we were back things were in a state of chaos. Half unpacked suitcases, piles of laundry, my brain still wanting to be with family. Then I was sick most of the next week, so I’m finally getting back into things today. What this meant was that I made mayonnaise. One step in the right direction of not eating quesadillas for every single meal. Tim asked if there were any leftovers to take for lunch today. Nope. Well, there are now: Deviled Eggs (minus the ones that I couldn’t resist), and the beans with rice and peas that was dinner. I feel better already.

I can’t remember the last time I made deviled eggs. If I’m hard boiling eggs, they don’t usually last long enough to be made into anything else. A sprinkle of salt is all they really need.

Until now.

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My youngest brother got married a month ago in Ontario, Canada (where I grew up). They were married at my mom and dad’s place, a picturesque country home with plenty of room for their grown kids to come and stay. But, their home isn’t just where they live. They have a commercial kitchen where mom cooks for groups and for their bakery & cafe. This kitchen is a little bit of heaven for me. I get to cook with family in a great big kitchen.

Josh and Karensa asked my brother Jake and I to take care of the appetizers for the wedding. One of those was Deviled Eggs with Bacon and Chives, that was dreamed up for Josh. I just knew he’d love them (and I was right).

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This recipe is a slight variation on the eggs that we made for Josh. Mostly because I have basil, not chives, and I don’t have any bacon. Oh, and I used 6 eggs rather than the 36 used for the wedding. I didn’t think I’d need thaaaaat many leftovers for lunches this week.

I boiled ’em. Simple. The way mom taught me. Boil water, add some vinegar (in case a shell cracks – it’s supposed to keep the whites from spreading too much), cook 15 minutes, cool, then peel. If you do it differently, that’s great. Do what works for you.

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I’ve heard that it’s best to peel the eggs right away. I did, and they were perfect. I didn’t lose any of the white part. I’ve also heard that you’re supposed to use older eggs for hard boiled. I didn’t. I just got these today. So, who knows about these things that “they” say.

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I try to keep homemade mayo on hand. Partly because I love it, partly because it’s so easy to make. Along with some paprika, basil, salt, and olive oil, it’s a fabulous mix-in for deviled eggs.

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I topped each one with a parmesan crisp and a tiny basil leaf. You could opt for bacon and chives, or switch it up and use dill and skip the bacon altogether. So far, no matter how they’ve been topped, these eggs are irresistible and they won’t last long before they’re snatched up by hungry guests (or by a hungry blogger who is about to go raid the fridge).

Happy Eating!

Deviled Eggs with Parmesan Crisps and Fresh Herbs

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 whole egg

Deviled Eggs with Parmesan Crisps and Fresh Herbs

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs
  • 1 T white vinegar
  • 1/4 C parmesan cheese, grated
  • (optional) 1 slice bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 T fresh herbs (basil, chives, dill, tarragon), 12 left whole, remaining chopped
  • 1 t olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • 1/2 t paprika
  • 2 T mayonnaise
  • coarse salt

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350F.
  2. Boil water. Add vinegar. Add eggs and boil for 15 minutes. Cool under cold water or in an ice bath. Peel as soon as they are cool.
  3. If using bacon, cook, then drain on a paper towel lined plate. Crumble.
  4. Drop a pinch of parmesan on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat until all has been used up. (If you make too many, store in an air tight container in the fridge.) Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until crispy. Cool and remove from baking sheet.
  5. Halve eggs. Gently pop out the yolks and mash with the herbs through mayonnaise. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Return the yolk mixture to the whites (use two small spoons, a piping bag, or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off). Top each with one herb leaf, one parmesan crisp, and, if using, one small piece of bacon. Sprinkle with a bit of coarse salt.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/deviled-eggs/

Thursday

10

September 2015

0

COMMENTS

Veggie Pot Pie

Written by , Posted in Baking, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Eggs, Gluten Free, Herbs, Leftovers, Legumes, Lentils, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Potatoes, Potlucks, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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Pot pie is one of my favorite foods. I think I say that a lot though. So many foods are favorites that I’m starting to lose track. I guess it depends on the season. Pot pie is one of those dishes that I don’t make all that often during the hot summer months. But, when it finally cools down, it’s all that I want to eat (that and soup, always soup). But, this pot pie can be enjoyed any time of the year, because the veggies can be changed up to suit whatever you’ve got on hand.

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This is a great dish to clean out the produce drawers. That’s what it felt like today. I used mushrooms (great for adding a deep, rich flavor), summer squash (but winter squash would be great here too), carrots, turnips (don’t add too many, otherwise they may overwhelm), eggplant, potatoes, radishes (doesn’t matter what kind), onion, chile pepper, garlic chives, and garlic… It’s at least one of everything that I had on hand, minus the lettuce and tomatoes that I’ll save for another time.

I also added lentils, or you could add tofu if you’d like. They would take the place of the meat in a Chicken Pot Pie, Beef Pot Pie, or Lobster Pot Pie.

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Since there were so many veggies, they took a while to cook. Once they were tender, I added some veggie stock whisked with some all purpose flour (or you could whisk the stock with some cornstarch for a gluten-free version). Once it came to a boil it began to reduce down and thicken, resulting in a nice rich gravy.

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At this point, you could just top the oven-proof skillet with pie crust and pop it into the oven. But, today I wanted to do some individual pot pies, so I greased some ramekins and filled them with the hot filling.

If you’re making this ahead of time, the filling can be cooled at this point and then refrigerated or frozen. To use it, defrost in the fridge for a day, then either heat it up first, or pour it into the baking dish and top with pie crust. If your filling is cold you may want to cover your crust with tinfoil partway through the baking time if it starts to get too brown.

Pot pies can also be covered, baked, and cooled completely, then reheated at a later date. To cool quickly, remove the crust to cool separately. Stir the filling often to get cool air into it. Refrigerate once it’s cooled down (if food is too hot when it goes into the fridge, the fridge temperature may raise to an unsafe temperature).

Of course you could also just stand at the stove and eat it out of the pan… 😉

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I have a favorite pie crust that I make, from Alana’s cookbook, The Homemade Pantry. One crust was perfect for four individual ramekins of pot pie. If you prefer gluten-free, there are flour blends available, or you can just buy a GF crust at your favorite market.

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I can’t decide what’s more favorite, the beautifully browned crust or the savory gravy soaked veggies. Good thing I get to eat them together.

Happy Eating!

Veggie Pot Pie

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 1 minute

Total Time: 1 hour, 21 minutes

Yield: 4

Veggie Pot Pie

Ingredients

  • 2 T olive oil
  • 1 C any: potatoes, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, chopped
  • 6-7 C combination of any that you like together: carrots, parsnips, turnips, beets, radishes, eggplant, summer squash, winter squash, onion, shallot, leeks, fennel, celery, greens, cabbage, bell pepper, green beans, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, asparagus
  • to taste salt
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, diced
  • 1/2 C lentils or tofu (optional), chopped, if tofu
  • 1/4 C any* (fresh): garlic chives, basil, parsley, oregano, thyme, or rosemary, chopped
  • 1/2 t paprika
  • 1 t dijon mustard
  • 2 T AP flour or 1 T cornstarch whisked with 2 1/4 C cold veggie stock
  • 1 T lemon juice or vinegar
  • 1 pie crust
  • 1 egg (optional), whisked, for brushing
  • salt

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
  2. Heat an oven-proof skillet (unless using individual ramekins, in which case just use a skillet). Add oil. Add veggies and salt. Cook over medium-low for about 15-20 minutes, or until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally. Add garlic through dijon and cook for 1 minute. Add flour or cornstarch and veggie stock mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, or until sauce has reduced and thickened and all veggies are tender. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice or vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
  3. Roll out pie crust. Use it to top the oven-proof skillet, or divide the veggie mixture into 4 greased 6" ramekins and top with pie crust (1 crust should be enough for 4 ramekins). Brush with egg if desired, sprinkle with salt, and use a knife to cut some vent holes in the center.. Bake for 30 minutes, or until crust is browned and flaky.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/veggie-pot-pie/

Thursday

2

July 2015

1

COMMENTS

Potato Salad

Written by , Posted in Dinner, Eggs, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Kid-Friendly, Lunch, Nuts, Potatoes, Potlucks, Salads, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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Nothing says summer and comfort food all in one bite like potato salad. My mom makes great potato salad. We ate it a lot growing up (and still do, when we go home to visit). I never get tired of it. There are so many things you can do with potato salad. This one is a classic that’s been tweaked a bit… In a good way.

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For me, classic means hard boiled eggs, potatoes, and a creamy sauce. There might be something crunchy in there too – celery, pickles, red onions, bacon…

I didn’t vary on the eggs. Hard boiled goodness. I know there are many schools of thought on the perfect way to boil an egg. I do it one of two ways: I bring some water to a boil, add about 1 t white vinegar (so the whites seize up if the shell cracks), then either boil for 15 minutes, or turn the heat off and cover and let them stand for 15 minutes. Recently we watched an episode of Good Eats and Alton Brown did the turn off the heat method, so I tried it. It worked. The other way does too (the way my mom taught me).

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I strayed a bit with the potatoes. Only a bit though. I added some parsnips. I almost added turnips… Maybe next time. But, parsnips, try them if you want to be a little bit creative, but not too. They look like the potatoes (you know, in case anyone is picky about color), and they only taste a tiny bit different. I mean, I know they’re in there and I hardly notice them.

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The creamy dressing for my potato salad is usually a combination of yogurt and mayo. This time, I had some homemade mayo on hand (made with Burroughs Family Farm eggs). Since you’re not really supposed to keep homemade mayo around for too long, this was the perfect way to use it up. I also added some plain yogurt, and olive oil (just because I love the taste). There’s some garlic, herbs, and paprika. Salt, pepper, and dijon mustard. I don’t know if I’ve ever followed a potato salad recipe other than my mom’s, so I don’t know how far from normal I’ve gone. I also don’t care all that much. Because Tim thought it tasted great and so did I.

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It’s really a four-step dish. Steam potatoes (then cool). Cook eggs so that the perfectly golden yolks are firm. Whisk dressing. Assemble. And then, usually I stand there “making sure it tastes ok”, which means eating about half of it before it goes into the fridge. It’s one of my favorite things to eat. I take after my mom.

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This was great on its own. It was fabulous topped with some chopped walnuts and tomatoes. But, I really couldn’t pick a way that I preferred it. So, if you want it to be more classic, leave the toppings off. If you want to spice things up, add them. If you add them you’re also adding more protein (walnuts), and a healthy fruit (tomato – yes, it’s technically a fruit).

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It’s best eaten outdoors, while barbecuing, surrounded by loved ones. But, can also be enjoyed for breakfast (ask my mom), lunch, or dinner, with sandwiches, other salads, burgers, grilled meats and veggies, or just on its own.

Happy Eating!

Potato Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 6-8

Potato Salad

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 lbs (about 8 medium) potatoes, cubed
  • 1/2 lb. (about 2 medium) parsnips (optional, can use all potatoes), cubed
  • 1/2 to 3/4 C mayo (homemade if you have it)
  • 3/4 to 1 C plain yogurt
  • 1-2 T dijon mustard
  • 2 T olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 T fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 1/2 to 1 hot pepper (optional), ribs and seeds removed, minced
  • 1 t paprika
  • 1 t fresh thyme (or 1/2 t dried)
  • 2 T white vinegar
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 2-4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 C tomatoes, chopped, for topping
  • 1/2 C walnuts, chopped, for topping
  • 2 T combo of any or all: chives, parsley, or basil, chopped, for topping

Instructions

  1. Heat a large pot with about 1 1/2" water at the bottom. Bring to a boil. Add potatoes and parsnips to a steamer basket and add to the pot. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until they're tender. Cool completely.
  2. Whisk together mayo through pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Toss vegges with dressing. Fold in eggs. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Refrigerate for an hour or serve immediately.
  4. Serve topped with tomatoes, walnuts, and herbs, or just on its own.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/potato-salad/

 

Monday

15

June 2015

0

COMMENTS

Bean and Veggie Mélange

Written by , Posted in Appetizers, Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Legumes, Lunch, Potlucks, Quick and Easy, Salads, Sides, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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I called this a “mélange”, which is French for “mixture”. It seems so versatile that I don’t want to limit it by calling it a dip or a salad. A dip implies the need for some sort of scooper. Corn chips would work well. I’m planning to try this tonight. A salad or a side implies that it’s a dish meant to compliment something else. Served alongside some grilled chicken or pan seared tofu would be fabulous. It could be a topping for brown rice/quinoa/bulgur wheat, breakfast burritos, fried eggs, or crispy potatoes. It could be a part of a taco salad. It could become an appetizer and top a garlic rubbed crostini.

This makes enough for about 4-5 servings, so I’m looking forward to trying as many of these as possible.

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The magic all starts with the fruits and veggies. I chose summer squash, carrot, garlic, jalapeño, and these fabulous Kingsburg Gold cherry tomatoes that I’ve been waiting a year for.

Seriously.

Cherry tomatoes are one of my favorite things about summer. They bring back memories of eating tomatoes, still warm from the sun, from our garden when I was growing up. No matter how large or small my garden is, I always try to grow tomatoes. I plan to save some seeds from these Kingsburg Golds to plant next year.

If you want to swap out any of the veggies, I have a few suggestions: eggplant (finely chopped), corn (fresh off the cob), bell pepper (in place of or in addition to the jalapeño), red onion (I don’t have any on hand, or I would have added it), radish (finely grated – don’t use too much so it doesn’t overpower), and avocado (ripe, but not too).

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I like to grate carrots when they’re in a salad or a dip. I thought they’d be easier to scoop up than chunks. Plus they’re a little less in your face with the crunch. Grating tames them a bit. If you like chunks, chop away.

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It’s all so super simple. A quick oil and vinegar dressing with some paprika for fun flavor. It’s one of my favorite spices. If you don’t love it, chili powder would be great, cumin could be good, or you could just stick to salt and pepper and add a few fresh herbs (like basil and parsley, and maybe even cilantro).

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Everyone gets tossed around, then they get to stand for a few minutes to marinate a bit.

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We ate this for lunch with plain old cheese quesadillas. The fridge is a little bare right now, so we’re all out of the usual quesadilla toppings (salsa and Greek yogurt). But, let me tell you, I may just skip them from now on. I liked this better.

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I think dinner tonight will be corn chips with this little mélange. That counts as dinner, right? And then breakfast burritos tomorrow… I wonder if I’ll ever get sick of it. 😉

Happy Eating

Bean and Veggie Mélange

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 4

Bean and Veggie Mélange

Ingredients

  • 2-3 T balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 T chives, minced
  • 1 t paprika
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 2-3 T olive oil
  • 1 1/2 - 2 C beans (black, kidney, white, garbonzo), drained and rinsed if canned, cooked and cooled if dried
  • 2 C zucchini, grated
  • 1 C carrot, grated
  • 1/2 to 1 C tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 jalapeño (about 1-2 T - use more for more heat), ribs and seeds removed if desired, minced
  • could also add: bell pepper, red onion, radish, corn, avocado, or eggplant

Instructions

  1. Whisk together balsamic through pepper. Stream in olive oil as you whisk some more.
  2. Toss beans and veggies with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Let stand about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Wash hands after cutting jalapeño and be careful not to touch eyes while cutting. Serve this dish on its own, as a side, or with corn chips for dipping. Use it to top rice/quinoa/bulgur wheat, breakfast burritos, fried eggs, crispy potatoes, taco salad, or crostini.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/bean-and-veggie-melange/