Boston Baked Beans
Labor Day Weekend is coming up and you might want to round out your BBQ with my delicious Boston Baked Beans!
INGREDIENTS
2 Pounds Dry Navy Beans
1/2 Pound Salt Pork
2 Quartered Onions
1/2 Cup Dark Molasses
1/2 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
1/4 Cup Tomato Paste
2 Tablespoons Dry Mustard
2 Teaspoons Freshly Ground Pepper
1 Quart Boiling Water
Rinse the dry beans and cover with cold water in a pot. They will need to soak overnight. Drain and rinse the beans the next day. Preheat your oven to 225° F. Cut the salt pork into 1 inch thick slices. Put 1/4 cup of the salt pork and 4 onion quarters in the bottom of a bean pot. Fill the pot half full of the beans and repeat the pork and onion. Pour in the rest of the beans. Mix the molasses, brown sugar, maple syrup, tomato paste, mustard and pepper into the boiling water. Stir until all of the ingredients dissolves and then pour over the beans. Fill the pot with enough additional water to cover. Put any leftover salt pork on top. Put the lid on and bake for 4 to 5 hours. Check the beans for water level after 2 hours. Add a bit more water if needed. After 3 1/2 hours start checking for tenderness. Cooking times for beans vary. You’ll know when they are done. The last hour of cooking remove the lid and bake uncovered. Don’t worry if the beans are tender, but still soupy because they will absorb the liquid as they stand. Remove from the oven and let cook for 15 minutes before serving. When you do reheat them as leftovers you will probably need to add more water. Serves 12
Victoria’s Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
INGREDIENTS
2 1/4 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup Softened Butter
2 Eggs
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 Cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
1 1/2 Cups Dark Chocolate Chips
Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a large size bowl combine the flour, baking soda and kosher salt. Set aside. In a separate large bowl mix together the butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy. If you are using an electric mixer then beat on medium for 1 minute. On a low speed add the flour mixture a little at a time. Mix for 1 minute. Add the old-fashioned rolled oats and dark chocolate chips and mix to combine. Cover a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Drop spoonfuls of cookie batter on the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Do not over bake. These cookies are best just a touch underdone. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing. Remove and transfer to wire racks to completely cool. Transfer to a cookie plate and just try not to eat them all. Trust me… they won’t last long. Makes about 3 dozen.
Spinach Soup
Many times spinach can get lost in soups, but not this soup as it contains 12 cups of spinach. A touch of lemon adds a little something to complete the flavor of this beautiful soup. Garnish with either croutons or bacon bits.
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Diced Onion
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
4 Cloves Minced Garlic
1/3 Cup Unbleached Flour
3 Cups Half & Half
2 Cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth
12 Cups Baby Spinach
1 Tablespoon Lemon Zest
2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
Croutons – Optional
Bacon Bits – Optional
In a large stock pot heat the olive oil over a medium high heat and sauté the onion for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes. Slowly pour in the half & half and either chicken or vegetable broth. Stir and bring the soup to a simmer over a medium heat. Add the 8 cups of spinach and cook for 6 minutes. Reduce to a low heat. Cook for another 5 minutes. You can use one of these devices to puree: a handheld blender, a food processor or a blender. Puree all of the soup in batches, if needed, and return to the soup pot. If you are using a handheld blender then you may puree right in the pot. Stir in the remaining 4 cups of spinach. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute more. Ladle the soup into soup bowls. Garnish with croutons or bacon bits. Serves 8
*If you want to lower the fat content then use fat-free half & half.
Victoria's Slow Cooker Tri-Tip
Here is a nice Sunday meal that really is no fuss. Throw in some carrots, potatoes and cipollini onions and you have a complete meal.
INGREDIENTS
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Boneless Tri-Tip Weighing 5 Pounds
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
8 Chopped Garlic Coves
1/3 Cup Unbleached Flour
3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
1 Tablespoon Anchovy Paste
1 Tablespoon Beef Bouillon
1 Cup Red Wine
14 1/2 Ounce Can Whole Tomatoes With Juices (Quartered)
3 Dried Bay Leaves
1 Teaspoon Sage
1 Teaspoon Rosemary
1/2 Teaspoon Grated Nutmeg
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1 Pound Halved Small White Potatoes
4 Cut Carrots
12 Ounces Blanched & Peeled Cipollini Onions
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat until it is shimmering. Brown the tri-tip on both sides which should be 5 minutes per side. Transfer the tri-tip to a 6 quart slow cooker. In the skillet stir in the garlic, flour, tomato paste, anchovy paste and beef bouillon. Cook for 1 minute. Deglaze the skillet with the red wine. Scrap up the bits on the bottom. Add the tomatoes, tomato juice, bay leaves, sage, rosemary, nutmeg, salt and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. You want the consistency to be thick. Pour the wine mixture over the tri-tip in the slow cooker. Add the potatoes, carrots and cipollini onions to the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker and cook on the high setting for 5 hours. You will want the tri-tip to be fork tender. Transfer the roast to a serving platter. Arrange the vegetables around the tri-tip or place them in their own separate serving bowl. Strain the remaining sauce and skim off any excess fat from the surface. Serve the sauce with the roast. Leftovers make great sandwiches! Serves 8
*In order to easily peel the cipollini onions blanch them for 2 minutes in boiling water. Transfer them to an ice water bath and the skins will slip right off.
Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake
I don’t know one person who can resist this weekend morning cake.
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Chopped Pecans
3/4 Cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
2 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Softened Butter
2 Eggs
8 Ounces Sour Cream
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Prepare a Large glass baking pan (13x9x2) by greasing it with butter or olive oil. In a medium size bowl combine the nuts, chocolate chips, 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar and cinnamon. This is for the filling. Set aside. In a small size bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large size bowl combine 1 cup of the sugar and butter. Beat with an electric mixer on a medium speed for 1 minute. Add the eggs and beat for another minute. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat for 30 seconds. Add the flour mixture and beat for 1 minute. The batter will be thick, but the consistency should be smooth. Remove 1 cup of the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Distribute the filling over the top of the batter. Finally spoon the 1 cup of reserved batter over the filling in small mounds. Bake for 55 minutes until done. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before serving. Serves 8
Onion Rings
I allow myself the treat of eating onion rings about once a year. They are so naughty, but so good. Here is a great basic onion ring recipe. I made them with grilled burgers this evening.
INGREDIENTS
3/4 Cup Unbleached Flour
2/3 Cup Milk
1 Egg
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
4 Sliced Medium Yellow or White Onions
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
Deep Fryer or Large Skillet Filled With Vegetable Oil
To make the batter combine the flour, milk, egg and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium size bowl. Whisk the batter until it is nice and smooth. In a large skillet or deep fryer heat the oil to 375° F. Slice the onions into 1/4 inch thick slices and separate into rings. Using tongs or a fork, dip the onion rings into the batter. Drain off the excess batter. Fry the onion rings in the hot oil for 3 minutes. Be careful to fry only a few at a time so that you do not crowd the pan. You will want the onion rings to be golden brown. Stir once with a fork to make sure the rings stay separate. Remove the onion rings from the oil make sure to drain on a paper towel. Transfer to a serving platter and salt with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Serves 6
Garlic Chicken
So much garlic and so good. If you’re a garlic lover then you will truly enjoy this chicken dish. Just make sure that your partner eats this dish along with you. A tasty way to keep the vampires away!
INGREDIENTS
12 Chicken Thighs
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
3 Heads of Garlic (Separated Into Cloves)
1 Chopped Parsley Sprig
1 Teaspoon Herbes de Provence
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Place the chicken thighs in a Dutch oven. Salt and pepper the chicken thighs. I a medium size bowl mix the remaining ingredients and spoon them over the chicken. Place aluminum foil over the top of the Dutch oven. You don’t want the garlic to burn. Bake for 80 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving platter. Serve with toasted French bread or mashed potatoes. Serves 6
Victoria’s Risotto
This is my favorite risotto which should take only about 30 minutes to make from start to finish. My risotto is such a great dish for either a side dish or the main course.
INGREDIENTS
1/4 Cup Cooked Peas
1/4 Cup Diced Green Bell Pepper
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Minced Garlic Clove
2 Minced Shallots
2 1/2 Cups Beef Broth or Vegetable Broth
1/2 Cup Red Wine
1 Cup Arborio Rice
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
2 Tablespoon Butter
1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
In a heavy saucepan, over a medium heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic and shallots until they are soft. Add the kosher salt. In a separate saucepan bring the beef or vegetable broth and red wine to a fast simmer over a medium low heat. Add the rice to the olive oil pan. Stir well until all of the grains are coated and the rice becomes translucent. Add 1/4 cup of the broth mixture to the rice. Stir the rice well until the liquid is absorbed. The rice should still look moist and creamy. Add another 1/4 cup of the broth mixture to the rice and stir until the liquid is absorbed. Then pour in about a third of the remaining broth and stir well. Simmer for 10 minutes over a low heat. Stir occasionally. Add the rest of the broth and cook for another 10 minutes. The risotto will absorb the last of the liquid quickly. The risotto will be done when the kernels are soft, but with just a little bite at the center. There should be no liquid in the bottom of the pan and the risotto will be creamy and moist. If you need a bit more liquid then add a tablespoon or two of water. Stir in the cooked peas. At the very end add the butter and stir the risotto rapidly to incorporate. Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with diced green bell peppers and serve warm. Do not stir in the grated Parmesan cheese as it will make the risotto sticky and dry. Instead let each person top their own serving with Parmesan cheese if they wish. Serves 4
Everyday Meatballs
I love these basic meatballs especially topped on a pile of pasta covered in a red sauce. Just a basic gal I guess.
INGREDIENTS
16 Ounces Hot or Mild Ground Italian Sausage
1 Lightly Beaten Egg
1/3 Cup Bread Crumbs
1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 Cup Milk
1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Chop the onion into fine pieces. In a large bowl combine the egg, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, milk and chopped onions. Add the sausage to the bread crumb mixture and mix well with your hands and shape into 20 meatballs. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the meatballs on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Serve over your favorite pasta and favorite sauce. Also is great for making a delicious grinder. Serves 6
Weekend Coffee Cake
The perfect morning to make an easy, but delicious coffee cake for breakfast. I used apricots, plums and blueberries for the fruit, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Cup Butter
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
3 Beaten Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Buttermilk or Sour Milk
1 Sliced Plum
2 Sliced Apricots
2 Cups Blueberries
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Prepare a large baking plan by greasing sides and bottom. In a large size bowl combine the flour, brown sugar and salt. Cut in the butter. You want the mixture to look like coarse crumbs. Stir in the baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. In a medium bowl combine the eggs and buttermilk. If you don’t have buttermilk use sour milk by adding 2 tablespoons of either lemon juice or vinegar to regular milk and let it sit for 5 minutes. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until moistened. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Arrange the plum and apricot slices to the top of the batter. Finally, sprinkle the blueberries on the top of the batter. Bake for 45 minutes or until done. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm. Serves 8
