Fresh Pasta

02-03-10

Roasted Carrot, Parsnip, and Potato Coins

coinsMakes 8 Servings

Ingredients:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
4 medium carrots (about 1 1/4 pounds), scrubbed, ends trimmed
4 medium parsnips (about 1 1/4 pounds), scrubbed, ends trimmed
1 pound fingerling potatoes or baby Dutch yellow potatoes, scrubbed
1/2 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions: 
Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 375°F. Spray 2 heavy large rimmed baking sheets with nonstick spray. Cut carrots and parsnips into 3- to 4-inch lengths. Fit processor with 1/4-inch-thick slicing disk. Working in batches, place carrot pieces upright and fitting snugly side by side in feed tube of processor. With machine running, use plunger to push down firmly on carrots and cut uniform round slices. Transfer carrot coins to extra-large bowl. Repeat with parsnips, then potatoes.

Add olive oil, 2 teaspoons coarse salt, coriander, cardamom, and freshly ground black pepper to vegetable mixture and toss to coat. Divide mixture between prepared baking sheets. Roast vegetables until tender and golden brown around edges, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 350°F oven until heated through, about 15 minutes.

Transfer roasted vegetable coins to large bowl and serve.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 218 calories; 52 g fat; 4.5 g fiber; 21 g carbohydrates

02-02-10

Buffalo Potato Wedges with Warm Blue-Cheese Dip

bufwingMakes 6 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
  • 2 1/2 pounds baking potatoes
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 cup blue cheese crumbles
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 8 celery ribs, cut into 3-inch sticks

    Directions: 

    1. Preheat the oven to 450°. In a large bowl, combine 1 tablespoon each hot sauce and butter with the seasoned salt. Cut each potato into 8 wedges, add to the bowl and toss.
    2. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange the potatoes on top and roast, turning once, until golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons each hot sauce and butter.
    3. In a small saucepan, stir together the blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and pepper and heat until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Serve with the potatoes and celery sticks.

    01-27-10

    Parsnip-Potato Mash

    Makes 4 Servings

    Ingredients:
    2 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and coarsely chopped
    1 1/2 pounds parsnips (about 8 small), peeled and chopped
    Kosher salt
    1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
    3/4 cup half-and-half
    Freshly ground black pepper
    Finely chopped chives, for garnish, optional

    Directions: 
    Put the potatoes and parsnips in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, cover with cold water and salt it generously. Bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to medium and simmer until fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Put the butter and half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is hot.

    Drain the potatoes and parsnips well and return them to the hot pan. Stir the vegetables in the pan to dry them out a bit. Add the hot butter mixture and season with salt and pepper. Mash with a potato masher until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped chives.

    01-27-10

    Ham and Cheese Croquettes

    Makes 8 Croquettes

    Ingredients:
    1 cup leftover potatoes from Parsnip-Potato Mash recipe or plain mashed potatoes
    1/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
    1/2 cup finely shredded Gruyere cheese, about 1-ounce
    1/2 cup very finely diced cooked ham or country ham, about 2 ounces
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    1/4 cup vegetable oil, for frying

    Directions: 
    In a bowl, mix the potatoes, 1/4 cup flour, cheese, and ham with a large rubber spatula until combined. Season with salt and pepper, to taste and divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Rub your hands with a small amount of flour and form the portions into small flat disks about 1/2-inch thick. Use just enough flour to keep the potatoes from sticking to your hands, but do not coat them completely.

    Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Shallow-fry the croquettes, turning once, until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper-towel lined plate. Let the croquettes cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

    Cook’s Note: This recipe doubles easily if you have enough leftover potatoes.

    08-30-09

    Sweet Potato and Poblano Salad with Honey and Rosemary

    353851_116Makes 8 Servings

    Ingredients:
    2 tablespoons honey
    1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
    1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
    1 tablespoon minced shallot (about 1 small)
    2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    Dash of Worcestershire sauce
    1/4 cup olive oil
    2 1/2 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams), peeled, quartered lengthwise
    Canola oil or vegetable oil (for brushing)
    2 fresh poblano chiles (about 8 ounces total), seeded, diced
    1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced diagonally (about 2)
    1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

    Directions:
    Whisk first 6 ingredients in small bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Cook sweet potatoes in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just barely tender, about 6 minutes. Drain; run under cold water to cool. Cover and chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.

    Preheat barbecue (high heat). Brush potato wedges with canola oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill potatoes until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer potatoes to work surface. Cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Place potatoes, poblanos, green onions, and parsley in large bowl. Drizzle dressing over; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.

    12-28-08

    Yukon Gold & Sweet Potato Mash

    Makes 6 servings, about 2/3 cup each

    Ingredients:
    1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
    1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
    1/2 cup low-fat milk
    2 tablespoons butter
    1 teaspoon brown sugar
    3/4 teaspoon salt
    1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

    Directions:
    1. Place potatoes and sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until very tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes.
    2. Drain the potatoes, then mash them in the pot to the desired consistency. Place milk and butter in a small bowl and microwave on High until the butter is mostly melted and the milk is warm, 30 to 40 seconds. (Alternatively, place in a small saucepan and heat over medium until the milk is warm.) Stir the milk mixture, sugar, salt and pepper into the mashed potatoes until combined.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 151 calories; 4 g fat (3 g sat, 0 g mono); 11 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 3 g fiber; 321 mg sodium; 369 mg potassium.