Fresh Pasta

03-10-10

Roast Beef Burrito

As seen on the following webpage: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roast-Beef-Burritos/Detail.aspx?ms=1&prop25=33394942&prop26=DailyDish&prop27=2010-03-10&prop28=DailyRecipe&prop29=FullRecipe&me=1

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 tomatoes, chopped
2 cups chopped cooked roast beef
1 (8 ounce) jar prepared taco sauce
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste (optional)
6 (7 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded lettuce

Directions:
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and cook until tender and transparent, about 5 minutes. Mix in the tomatoes, roast beef, chile peppers, cumin, and red pepper flakes, if desired. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, uncovered, for 25 minutes, or until thickened.
Arrange tortillas on a clean, flat work surface. Spread about 2/3 cup of beef mixture in the center of each warm tortilla. Sprinkle evenly with cheese and lettuce. Fold over ends and sides to make a package.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 405 calories; 18.5 g fat; 4 g fiber; 34 g carbohydrates

02-23-10

Taco Pasta Toss

tacoPastaToss_155Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:

  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 pound penne rigate or whole grain penne rigate pasta
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
  • 1 pound ground beef sirloin
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 large jalapeño chile—halved, seeded if desired and thinly sliced crosswise
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder (about 2 palmfuls)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin (about 1/2 palmful)
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander (about a palmful)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • One 12-ounce bottle beer or 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar, monterey jack or any Mexican semisoft cheese
  • 2 small plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
  • 1/4 head iceberg letuce or 1/2 small heart romaine lettuce, chopped

    Directions: 

    1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
    2. While the pasta is working, in a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add three-quarters of the onion, the jalapeño, garlic, chili powder, coriander and cumin; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onion is softened, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute, then stir in the beer.
    3. Add the sauce to the pasta and toss. Spoon into a serving dish, top with the cheese and tent with foil to melt the cheese, about 1 minute. Top with the remaining onion, the tomatoes and lettuce— just like tacos!

    02-23-10

    Mole Chili

    Makes 6 Servings

    Ingredients:
    3 ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
    1 quart beef stock
    1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    4 slices lean, smoky bacon, chopped
    2 pounds ground sirloin
    1 large onion, finely chopped
    4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
    Freshly ground black pepper
    2 tablespoons tomato paste
    1 (15-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
    2 tablespoons smoked sweet paprika for mild mole, or chili powder for spicy mole, a couple of palmfuls
    1 tablespoon coriander, a palmful
    2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
    1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    Salt, if necessary
    2 cups shredded or crumbled extra-sharp white Cheddar
    1 small red onion, finely chopped
    Optional: Hot pickled vegetables, drained and chopped, for serving

    Directions: 
    Put the chiles in a pot with the stock and bring to a boil over medium heat. Then lower heat to a simmer until softened, about 10 minutes.

    Meanwhile, heat the oil, 1 turn of the pan, over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven or soup pot. When the oil smokes, add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the meat, raise the heat to high and brown for 8 minutes. Lower the heat a bit, add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 to 6 minutes to soften. Season the meat and onions with black pepper, to taste, (hold off on the salt until the chili is completed due to the addition of the bacon and the stock).

    Add the anchos with the stock to a food processor and puree until smooth. Set aside.

    Add the tomato paste to the meat mixture, stir 1 minute, then pour in the ancho stock. Stir in the tomatoes, spices, cocoa and cinnamon. Simmer for a few minutes, adjust the seasoning and add a touch of salt, if needed.

    Serve the chili in shallow bowls topped with cheese, raw red onions, and spicy chopped vegetables.

    02-23-10

    Meatball Melties

    meatballMelties_155Makes 4 Servings

    Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, pork and veal mix
  • 2/3 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/3 cup grated pecorino-romano cheese
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons grated onion, finely chopped
  • A splash whole milk
  • 1/2 tablespoon rubbed or ground sage
  • Fresh nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper
  • Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) for generous drizzling
  • 8 deli slices mild or sharp provolone cheese
  • One 15-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • A few leaves fresh basil, torn
  • A pinch dried oregano or marjoram
  • 4 ciabatta rolls or 1/4 large ciabatta loaf, split and warmed or toasted

    Directions: 

    1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle pan over medium-high heat. In a large bowl, combine the meat mixture, breadcrumbs, parsley, pecorino-romano, egg, garlic, onion, milk and sage; season with nutmeg, salt and lots of pepper. Form the mixture into 4 patties (thinner at the center and thicker at the edges for even cooking).
    2. Drizzle the burgers all over with a liberal amount of EVOO. Place in the hot skillet and cook, turning once, for 10 minutes. Top each burger with 2 slices of provolone and tent with foil to melt.
    3. While the burgers are working, in a medium saucepan, heat the tomatoes. Stir in the basil and oregano; season with salt and pepper.
    4. Place the burgers on the roll bottoms, then top with the sauce and roll tops.
  • 02-05-10

    Aromatic Beef Stew with Butternut Squash

    tastes-like-the-weekend-01-fore296Makes 4 Servings

    Ingredients:
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    1 pound stew beef, cut into cubes
    1 large onion, chopped
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
    1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 1/2 cups)
    1 can (14.5 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes
    1 can (8 oz) no-salt-added tomato sauce
    1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
    1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
    1 teaspoon cinnamon
    1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
    3 cups cooked whole-wheat couscous
    1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, 2 minutes
    4 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

    Directions:
    Heat oil in a 4-qt saucepan over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer meat to a plate, leaving juices in saucepan. Add onion; cook, stirring, until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Return beef to pot; stir in squash, tomatoes, sauce, broth, cumin, cinnamon and pepper flakes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer until beef is tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Divide couscous and stew among 4 bowls. Sprinkle with almonds and parsley.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 480 calories; 13 g fat; 8 g fiber; 48 g carbohydrates

    02-03-10

    New York Strip Roast with Madeira Pan Sauce

    coinsMakes 8 Servings

    Ingredients:
    1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
    1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
    1 3- to 4-pound New York strip roast, fat trimmed to 1/4 inch
    1 tablespoon canola oil
    2 medium shallots, minced
    2/3 cup high-quality Madeira
    2 cups low-salt chicken broth
    1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and frozen

    Directions:
    Mix coarse salt, pepper, and allspice in bowl. Sprinkle spice mixture over roast. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour.
    Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat oil in large wide ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until nearly smoking. Add roast, fat side down, to skillet; cook until well browned on bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn roast, fat side up, and transfer skillet to oven. Roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meat registers 130°F for medium-rare, about 50 minutes. Transfer to platter; let rest while preparing sauce.
    Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add shallots to skillet and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Add Madeira; boil 1 minute. Add broth and boil until liquid is reduced by about 1/3, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add any accumulated juices from meat to skillet; boil 1 minute longer. Turn off heat; add frozen butter and swirl skillet until butter is blended into sauce. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Transfer sauce to small pitcher. Cut meat against grain into 1/3- to 1/2-inch slices and arrange on platter. Serve sauce alongside.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 382 calories; 42 g fat; 0 g fiber; 1 g carbohydrates

    02-01-10

    Semi-Homemade Fajita Skewers

    Makes 4  Servings

    Ingredients:
    1/4 cup lime juice
    1 tablespoon chopped garlic
    1 tablespoon hot sauce
    1 tablespoon canola oil
    1 tablespoon chili powder
    Kosher salt
    Freshly ground black pepper
    2 green peppers
    2 medium onions
    1 1/2 pounds top round
    1 cup sour cream, to serve
    2 tablespoon chopped cilantro, for garnish
    8 wooden or medal skewers

    Directions:
    In a large resealable mix together the lime juice, garlic, hot sauce, canola oil and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove 1 tablespoon of the marinade and set aside.

    Slice the peppers and onions into one inch square pieces. Place in the bag with the marinade. Slice the meat into thin strips against the grain and put into the bag with the marinade and vegetables and mix well to coat everything with the marinade. Place the bag in a large bowl incase it leaks and refrigerate for one and half hours.

    Mix the reserved marinade with the sour cream and refrigerate.

    If using wooden skewers soak in water for 30 minutes before threading on the beef and vegetables.

    Remove the meat and vegetables from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Thread the beef and vegetables onto the skewers. Each skewer should get 4 pieces each of the pepper and onion and 3 pieces of the beef, alternating as you thread them onto the skewer. Cook the skewers on a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium high heat until meat is medium rare, about 3 to 4 minutes a side. Garnished with the flavored sour cream and cilantro. Reserve any extras for online round 2 recipe, Tortilla Pizza.

    01-27-10

    Pot Roast and Arugula Panini’s

    Makes 4 Sandwiches

    Ingredients:
    8 slices seven-grain bread, about 1/4-inch thick
    2 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
    8 ounces creamy Havarti, thinly sliced
    2 cups (about 12 ounces) leftover shredded pot roast, at room temperature, from Sunday Pot Roast with Mushroom Gravy recipe
    1 cup baby arugula leaves
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Directions: 
    Heat a large well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium-low heat.

    Lay the bread slices on a work surface and spread about a teaspoon of mustard on each slice. Divide the sliced cheese among all 8 slices. Evenly spread the meat over 4 cheese-topped bread slices, followed by 1/4 of the arugula. Season with salt and pepper and cover with the remaining 4 slices of bread.

    Working in 2 batches, if necessary, put 2 of the sandwiches into the skillet. Weight the sandwiches down with a bacon press or cover them with a sheet of parchment and set a slightly smaller skillet directly on top. Put a can of tomatoes or a brick in the top skillet to weigh the pan down. Cook until the sandwich bottoms are golden and cheese is beginning to melt, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the bacon press or top skillet, flip the sandwiches, return the press or parchment and top skillet to the pan and cook until golden brown, an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Repeat with the remaining 2 sandwiches.

    Slice the panini on a diagonal and arrange on a serving platter. Serve immediately.

    01-27-10

    Sunday Pot Roast with Mushroom Gravy

    Makes 4 Servings

    Ingredients:
    1 (4 to 5-pound) boneless beef bottom round roast
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    1 pound cremini mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
    2 medium yellow onions, halved and sliced
    4 cups low-sodium beef broth

    Directions: 
    Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

    Pat the meat dry with paper towels and season well on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the roast and brown all sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the meat to a plate and add the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and beginning to release liquid, about 5 minutes.

    Add the onions and broth and stir until combined. Nestle the roast into the vegetables, adding any juices it released to the pot. Add the beef broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and transfer to the oven to roast for 2 1/2 hours. Remove the lid, carefully flip the meat and continue cooking for 30 minutes; the meat should be fork tender and the liquid reduced.

    Remove the pot from the oven, transfer the meat to a cutting board and tent with foil to keep it warm. Let the mushrooms and onions stand several minutes undisturbed to allow some of the beef fat to rise to the surface. With a large spoon, skim off the excess fat and discard. With a ladle, add about 1 1/2 cups of the mushrooms and onions with some cooking liquid to the bowl of a blender or food processor. Carefully puree the mixture until very smooth. Pour the puree back into the pot and stir very well until combined; taste and adjust seasoning.

    To serve, slice the pot roast and arrange on a serving platter. Drizzle some mushroom gravy over the top and pass the extra gravy at the table.

    01-26-10

    Asian Meatballs with Spicy Lime Dipping Sauce

    33403_155Makes 8 Servings

    Ingredients:

  • 4 scallions, green and white parts, coarsely chopped
  • One 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely chopped
  • 1/4 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
  • 1 serrano or jalapeno chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 3 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup dark soy sauce, such as tamari
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves (a handful)
  • Zest and juice of 2 limes
  • 1 pound ground sirloin
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey

    Directions: 

    1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the scallions, half of the ginger, the bell pepper, half of the chile pepper, the garlic, the 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, the cilantro leaves and the lime zest. Pulse for 30 seconds, scrape down the bowl and process 1 minute more, or until finely ground. Add the meat and process until well combined, about 30 seconds more. Roll the meat into 24 balls the size of walnuts.
    2. Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Add the meatballs and don’t move them until they are brown on 1 side, about 2 minutes. Turn the meatballs and continue to cook, browning them on all sides, until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes more.
    3. While the meatballs cook, make the dipping sauce. In a bowl, combine the remaining ginger and chile pepper, the 1/3 cup of soy sauce, the lime juice, the sesame oil, the honey and a splash of water. Taste and adjust the seasoning; if it’s too salty, add another drizzle of honey.
    4. Place the finished meatballs on a serving platter, with toothpicks on the side. Serve with the spicy lime dipping sauce.