De Ma Cuisine

dinner Archive

Wednesday

13

February 2013

0

COMMENTS

Spaghetti and Meatballs – Episode 55

Written by , Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Beef, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Herbs, Main Dishes, Meat, Pasta, Sauces, This Week's Feast, Vegetables

SpaghettiAndMeatballs4

Originally, I was going to suggest making this dinner for Valentine’s Day. I was going to make heart shaped meatballs. Then I tasted it and it was so yummy and delicious and full of garlic. I love garlic. But, maybe it isn’t the best thing for Valentine’s Day? Unless you’re both eating garlic? Maybe? You can make an educated decision on this one. I started shaping the meatballs, but they kinda just looked awkward, and not really like hearts. So they are just round.

SpaghettiAndMeatballs

My new idea: just make this. Make it today. Make it for dinner. Or lunch. Is it lunchtime now? I think that’s a perfectly good time to eat Spaghetti and Meatballs.

SpaghettiAndMeatballs3

SpaghettiAndMeatballs5

SpaghettiAndMeatballs2The meatballs are simple. Since the rest of the meal has lots and lots of flavor, I didn’t feel the need to add too much to these guys. A little mustard, some lemon juice, garlic, yeah, more garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. They cook up pretty quickly and are nice and tasty. Oh and PS: You could easily flatten them and turn them into sliders (hello Oscar party idea!).

In today’s episode, there are quite a few veggies that co-star. Things like napa cabbage, Korean daikon radish, carrots, and kale… (You could chop them as small as you’d like, or purée them, making them hide-able, if you have any picky eaters in your home.)

I paired it with some Caesar Salad. I could eat this salad for every meal. Ummm, maybe not breakfast. Might not go so well alongside my cereal… but if I’m having eggs and toast??! No. Stop… The Caesar Salad that I make as a side for our dinners is my usual recipe, sans chicken and fava beans.

We had this for dinner last night. Here’s Tim’s response after a few bites, (almost yelling) “Is there more of this?!!???” Be still my heart.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 38 minutes

Total Time: 53 minutes

Yield: 4

Ingredients

  • spaghetti noodles
  • sauce: 1 T olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 1 C Korean daikon radish, grated
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 T balsamic vinegar
  • 1 C kale, roughly chopped
  • 2 C napa cabbage, chopped
  • 1/2 to 1 t salt
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • 1/2 t dried thyme
  • 1/2 t dried oregano
  • 3/4 t dried basil
  • 1/2 t dried rosemary
  • 1/2 t dried parsley
  • dash cayenne
  • 2 C tomato sauce
  • 2 C pasta water
  • meatballs: 1 lb. ground beef
  • drizzle olive oil
  • 1/2 t garlic smoked sea salt (or sea salt)
  • 1 t lemon juice
  • pepper
  • 1 t dijon mustard
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 T olive oil
  • parmesan, grated, for topping
  • fresh basil, for topping

Instructions

  1. Add pasta to salted, boiling water. Cook according to package directions. Reserve 2 C pasta water before draining*.
  2. Heat skillet. Add 1 T olive oil. When it's hot, add onion, carrot, radish, salt, and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and balsamic vinegar, cook 1 minute more. Add kale, cabbage, herbs, cayenne, tomato sauce, and pasta water. Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5-10 minutes. Add more water if needed.
  3. Combine beef, salt, lemon juice, dijon, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil. Using hands, mix (but don't over mix). Divide in 8. Shape each of the 8 pieces into a ball. Heat skillet, add 1 T oil, when hot, add meatballs and flatten ever so slightly. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes. Flip and cook, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes more (or until internal temperature of meatball reaches 160F).
  4. Top pasta with sauce, meatballs, parmesan, and basil.

Notes

*If pasta is finished cooking before sauce and meatballs, drain, return to hot pot, toss with olive oil, and cover to keep warm. This works best with whole wheat and not as well with rice pasta.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/oodles-of-veggies-ep55/

Happy Eating!

This episode is sponsored by: Abundant Harvest Organics, Bari Olive Oil Company, Waterfall Creative, and Molly Jenson.

Wednesday

9

January 2013

3

COMMENTS

Savory Baked French Toast – Episode 50

Written by , Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Baking, Bread, Breakfast, Brunch, Cheese, Dinner, Eggs, Fennel Pollen, Fruit, Holiday, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Nuts, Pork, This Week's Feast, Vegetables

Savory-French-Toast5

It’s 2013! It’s a New Year! We all have plans, ideas, resolutions. We, like many of you I’m sure, missed our Abundant Harvest Organics boxes over the break. I’m so glad our produce drawers are full once again so we can get back into our lifestyle of healthy eating!!

This is a special episode, because it’s my 50th!! That’s a big number and I’m excited. I’ve loved doing this show for you. I hope you’re learning, laughing, enjoying, and eating along with me!

Savory-French-Toast1

Savory-French-Toast2

Savory-French-Toast3

I hope you try this rather yummy dish. It’s perfect for any meal. But, I think it would be awesome at a brunch with family or friends. You can use any kind of bread that you want. To make it a bit healthier, I’d go with a whole grain, whole wheat bread. But, I had some stale French bread, so that’s what I used. It’s a great way to use the greens that are so good for you, and are in season right now. (If you need another way to use greens, my brother gave me his recipe for Green Smoothies. They are delicious and full of healthy ingredients.) I used ham, but bacon would also be amazing (cooked then crumbled over top when serving). Another option would be to omit the meat altogether and add some more almonds when serving, for some lean protein.

This dish comes out super bright green. Kinda like the Incredible Hulk. I like green.

Savory-French-Toast4

I hope your new year has been wonderful so far! And, I’m glad you’re here! Thanks for being a part of my first 50 episodes!!

Happy Eating!

Savory Baked French Toast

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 4-5

Savory Baked French Toast

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs
  • 3-4 C kale/spinach/collard greens
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 2 C milk
  • 1/4 C cream (reserve a bit for topping)
  • 1 t dijon mustard
  • 1/2 t (or less) salt
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • pinch cayenne
  • 1 to 1 1/2 C cheese, grated (I used Creamy Jack Cheese)
  • pinch fennel pollen
  • 1 t olive oil
  • 10 thick slices of bread (I used a stale loaf of French Bread)
  • 5 slices ham, quartered
  • roasted almonds, chopped (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl (if using a hand blender), or a food processor, or a blender, blend spinach/kale/collard greens, garlic, eggs, milk, dijon, onion, seasonings, and 1/2 C cheese (I blended up the greens in the chopper attachment of my KitchenAid hand blender first, then transferred to the bowl).
  2. Grease baking dish with olive oil - even on the sides (at least part way up). Soak bread slices in egg mixture. Place in baking dish, overlapping each slice with the next one (if desired). If there is any extra egg mixture, add more to each slice. Top each slice with two pieces of ham.
  3. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover, top with remaining cheese, and bake uncovered for 15 minutes more (or until it reaches 160F).
  4. Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
  5. Top with a drizzle of cream and some almonds (a dollop of Greek yogurt would also be good!).
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/i-like-bright-green-food-ep-50/

This episode is sponsored by: Burroughs Family FarmsAbundant Harvest OrganicsBari Olive Oil CompanyWaterfall Creative, and Molly Jenson.

 

 

Wednesday

7

November 2012

1

COMMENTS

Roasted Fennel Mac and My Little Cooking Show Turns 1- Episode 45

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

This week marks a year since A Cooking Show with Rachel O made its debut into the world of culinary entertainment (or whatever you want to call it). Armed with my Minestrone Soup recipe and a lot of excitement, I began. Now, a year later, I’ve learned a lot, eaten a lot… I’m not sure which I’ve done more of… I’ve also burned myself, pinched my hand, scared the dog with my horn thingey (that was today), dropped tons of food on the floor, eaten lots of veggies, laughed a lot, knocked the iPad/second camera off the counter‚ pronounced things incorrectly, learned how to cook new things, invented dishes I’ve loved, made a few things I wasn’t absolutely crazy about, learned some more, ate some more, chopped about a million veggies, and developed a new found respect for those who wash dishes and/or edit video for a living. Neither is my favorite part of the job (although one is definitely more favorite), but both are necessary.

My favorite part of the job… favorites actually: Chopping food, the smell of Bari‘s olive oil, the smell of garlic when it hits a hot pan, photographing food, editing my photos, the inspiration that comes when I open the box of Abundant Harvest Organics produce, planning a menu, writing furiously so I don’t forget the recipe idea that popped into my brain, hearing Husband exclaim “MMMMMMMMMmmmm” after taking his first bite (it happened with this meal!), watching the dog pretend not to watch us eat because he too would like a bite, laughing at myself, eating amazing organic produce, working with a company I respect, sharing my love for food with you… I could go on for hours. I feel truly blessed to do what I do.

Thank you for being a part of that. Thanks for watching, for reading, for commenting, for telling me that you liked a recipe. It means so much to me. I create these dishes, write about these foods, share my ideas because I think they taste good. But, I also share them because I want you to enjoy them just as much as I do. I hope this is happening.

I also hope you like Mac and Cheese as much as I do. We can still be friends if you don’t, but it is one of my favorite go-to/comfort/quick meals. I know it’s tempting on a tired night to grab a box of the really quick stuff. I’m not judging if you do. I’ve done it. Buuuut, I’ve also discovered that homemade Mac and Cheese is almost as fast. Really! You have to wait for the water to boil regardless. So while you’re standing in the kitchen, starving, staring at the water, willing it to boil, trying to keep from eating peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon, grab some milk, olive oil, salt, pepper, and flour, grate some cheese and make a simple sauce. If you have a few more minutes, roast some fennel and add it to some sautéed onion and garlic. It’s a good idea.

I didn’t think I liked fennel. Then I roasted it. Roasting is the key to making almost any vegetable a thousand times better (even though I usually like them just the way they are! Here’s how: Buy olive oil (personally, I like Bari‘s). Turn on oven. Combine olive oil with halved fennel. 350F. Done. Boom. Roasted. Good right?!

Now it’s your turn. Have fun!

Happy Eating!

Roasted Fennel Mac
Recipe Type: Main, Pasta, Dinner, Oven, Stove Top
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-4
When fennel is roasted it becomes sweet and slightly caramelized. It’s paired with pears and Gruyère and added to traditional Mac and Cheese to dress it up.
Ingredients
  • 1/2 to 1 C onion, chopped
  • 1 fennel bulb, halved
  • 3-4 T plus 1 t olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, diced
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1/2 to 1 t salt
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • 1 t apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 C cheese (combination of Gruyère and Parmesan), grated (1/4 C reserved for topping)
  • 2 T flour
  • 1/4 C cream
  • 1/2 to 1 C milk
  • 1/2 to 1 C vegetable stock
  • 1/4 C pasta water
  • 2 C pasta
  • 1 pear, thinly sliced (for topping)
Instructions
  1. Drizzle fennel with 1 t olive oil and a pinch of salt. Place cut side down on baking sheet. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes (or until fennel is tender).
  2. Cook pasta.
  3. Heat pan over medium heat. Add 2 T oil. When oil is hot, add onion, carrot, and a pinch of salt. Cook 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes more.
  4. When fennel is done, remove from oven and let cool slightly. Chop. Add to pan with veggies.
  5. Move veggies to one side. Add 1-2 T more oil. When it’s hot, whisk in 2 T flour, cook 30-60 seconds. Slowly, a little bit at a time, whisk in milk, stock, cream, and pasta water. Let it thicken a little after each addition of more liquid. Add pasta water. Cook until just before it boils.
  6. Remove from heat and whisk in cheese, apple cider vinegar, and pepper. Taste and add more salt if needed.
  7. Toss pasta with sauce. Top with thinly sliced pear, and top pear with cheese and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and melted.

 

This episode is sponsored by:

Abundant Harvest Organics

Bari Olive Oil Company

Waterfall Creative

Molly Jenson

Wednesday

8

August 2012

0

COMMENTS

Ta-may-toh Stuffed with Keen-Wah – Stuffed Tomatoes – Episode 34

Written by , Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Abundant Harvest Organics, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Grains, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Pork, Quinoa, Roasting, Sides, This Week's Feast, Vegetables

It’s almost lunch time as I type this post. I’m hungry. I want to eat everything.

When I was looking at what was going to arrive in this week’s box, the tomatoes (“Ta-may-toh”) kinda jumped out at me. I’ve made stuffed peppers before. Why not stuffed tomatoes?! I’ve heard of other people doing it. I guess we just use our tomatoes up too quickly to get around to doing this. Tomatoes are really good for us: We’re talking lycopene (a natural antioxidant) and it’s thought to benefit the heart*!

Do we really need an excuse to eat tomatoes though?!

I often have leftover quinoa in the freezer. It’s pronounced “keen-wah”. Did you know that? I’d been calling it the wrong thing for years. Now I know. It’s easy to make, higher in protein (about 14g/3.5oz.) than rice or pasta (I still totally eat rice and pasta), and is very versatile. It’s not just a protein, but a complete protein and is high in dietary fiber**. Yay Quinoa!

This could be a dinner, going alongside some Roast Beef (haha I typed “meef”: meat + beef = funny), Pan Seared Pork, Roasted Chicken… You could chop up any of said meats (cooked first) and add to the filling and have this as your main dish with a big salad.

You could eat it as a light lunch (or even breakfast), alongside a Fried Egg and a slice of hearty toast! You could make this vegetarian by omitting the bacon and adding chopped almonds for crunch. Get creative with your food!

Happy Eating!

Stuffed Tomatoes
Recipe Type: Side
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 28 mins
Total time: 43 mins
Serves: 2-6
Summer tomatoes are stuffed, roasted, and topped with crunchy bacon!
Ingredients
  • 4-6 tomatoes, seeded and cored
  • 1 T fresh oregano, diced (1 leaf reserved per tomato for topping)
  • 1 ear of corn, off the cob
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 C squash, diced (I used a small zucchini, but any summer squash would work)
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 C quinoa, cooked (I used leftovers)
  • 1/2 t salt (I used Lemon, Thyme, and Bay Sea Salt, but regular salt would work just as well)
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 T tomato paste
  • 1 T balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 C parmesan cheese, grated (reserve 2 T for topping)
  • 2 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled (for topping)
Instructions
  1. Heat a medium sized pan. Add oil. Add onion, squash, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat until veggies are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, corn, tomato paste, vinegar, and quinoa, stir (make sure tomato paste is combined) and cook 2-3 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then stir in parmesan cheese (reserving a bit for topping).
  3. Stuff filling into hollowed out tomatoes. Bake at 350F (I used the toaster oven) about 20 minutes.
  4. Top each tomato with crumbled bacon, 1 T parmesan and a fresh oregano leaf.
Notes

If you’re not using leftover quinoa: Bring 1 C water to a boil. Add 1/2 C quinoa. Cook about 15 minutes. Will yield about 2 C cooked. It freezes well.

 

Sponsored By

Abundant Harvest Organics

Bari Olive Oil Company

Llano Seco Organic Pork

Molly Jenson

Waterfall Creative

*Info from Wikipedia

**Info from Wikipedia

Wednesday

27

June 2012

4

COMMENTS

Almond and Black Pepper Crusted Roast Pork

Written by , Posted in Dinner, Low Carb, Main Dishes, Meat, Pork, Roasting

Almond and Black Pepper Crusted Roast Pork

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes

Yield: 4-8

Ingredients

  • 1 pork leg, trimmed of fat
  • 2 T unsalted butter, softened (at room temperature is perfect)
  • 2 T honey
  • 3 T almonds, ground
  • 1/2 to 1 T freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 C water

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 275F.
  2. Combine butter through salt in a small bowl. Rub over both sides of pork.
  3. Place pork in a greased oven-proof dish. Pour water around pork. Cover with foil.
  4. Bake for 2 hours (or until internal temperature reaches at least 165F). Remove foil. Increase temperature of oven to 350F. Bake 30 minutes more.
  5. Tent with foil and let rest 15-30 minutes or so before slicing.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/almond-and-black-pepper-crusted-roast-pork/