Blueberry Salsa
This fruity salsa is a refreshing side to grilled meats and fish.
INGREDIENTS
2 Cups Coarsely Chopped Fresh Blueberries
1 Cup Whole Fresh Blueberries
1/4 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
3 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Cilantro
2 Seeded & Minced Jalapeno Peppers
1/3 Cup Diced Red Bell Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
Add all of the ingredients to a large serving bowl. Toss well and cover and chill for 6 hours. Makes about 3 cups.
Grilled Sausage & Pepper Salad
Forget the bun and have grilled Italian sausage, feta cheese and sweet, roasted peppers in a green salad that is ideal for summer weekend eating. Serve with crusty bread.
INGREDIENTS
4 Italian Sausages
1/2 White Onion Cut Into Thick Rings
1 Head Chopped Romaine Lettuce
4 Ounces Crumbled Feta Cheese
3 Whole Fire Roasted Red Peppers (Drained & Chopped)
Preheat your grill (or grill pan) to a medium high heat. Grill the sausages and onions for 15 to 20 minutes. You will want the sausages to be cooked through. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. When the sausages are cool enough to handle, slice them thickly on the bias and cut the onion into chunks. In a large size serving bowl toss the romaine lettuce, feta cheese and red peppers. Spoon the romaine mixture onto plates and top with the sausages and onions. Serve with your favorite vinaigrette dressing or serve plain. Serves 4
Delicious Grilled Steak
Memorial Day is almost here. Time to get your grill on!
INGREDIENTS
1/2 Cup of Your Favorite Steak Sauce
1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
4 Cloves Minced Garlic
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
2 Medium Size Rib Eye Steaks
In a medium size bowl mix together the steak sauce, balsamic dressing, garlic and oregano. Place the steaks into a ziplock bag. Pour 3/4 cup of the mixture into the ziplock bag and all over the steaks. Set aside 1/4 cup of the mixture. Seal up the ziplock bag and place into the fridge for about an hour. Preheat your grill to medium high. Remove the steaks from the fridge and drain the marinade. Throw away the marinade. Place the steaks onto the hot grill and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Less cooking time for rarer; more cooking time for well done. Remove from the grill and place onto a serving platter. Drizzle the steaks with the reserved 1/4 cup marinade mixture. Serves 4
Lamb Chops & Beans With Chile Butter
All I can say is YUM!
INGEDIENTS
8 Lamb Loin Chops (1 Inch Thick)
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
15 Ounces Cannellini Beans (Cooked, Rinsed & Drained)
1 Stalk Chopped Celery
2 Chopped Green Onions
Chile Butter
1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
Trim the fat off of the lamb chops. Sprinkle the chops with the kosher salt and pepper. For a charcoal grill, grill the chops on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals until desired doneness. Turn once halfway through grilling. Allow 12 to 14 minutes for medium rare and 15 to 17 minutes for medium. For a gas grill, preheat the grill. Reduce the heat to medium. Place the chops on a grill rack over the heat. Cover and grill as directed. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan combine the beans, celery, green onion and 2 tablespoons of the Chile Butter. Cook over a medium heat until heated through. Stir occasionally. Stir in the lime juice. To serve, top each lamb chop with a slice of Chile Butter and serve with the bean mixture. Serves 4
Chile Butter
1/2 Cup Softened Butter
1/4 Cup Snipped Fresh Cilantro
2 Fresh Jalapeno Chile Peppers (Seeded & Finely Chopped)
1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
1 Clove Minced Garlic
In a small size bowl stir together all of the ingredients. Place on waxed paper and form into a log. Wrap well and chill for 1 hour or overnight. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 1 month.
Asparagus With Toasted Almonds
Barbeque season is officially here although I fire up the barbeque all year round. While you’re thinking about all of those delicious main dishes that you’re going to make this weekend don’t forget the sides. Here is a great side dish that even makes a nice light lunch.
INGREDIENTS
1 Large Bunch Asparagus
1/2 Cup Toasted & Sliced Almonds
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
Zest of 1 Lemon
1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Dill
1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
1/4 Cup Grated Pecorino Cheese
In a medium size sauté pan heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over a low heat. Stir in the almonds and cook for a couple of minutes. You will want them to turn color, but not too dark or burnt. Remove from the oil and place on paper towels to dry. Snap off the woody bottoms of the asparagus. Wash and dry the asparagus. Cut the asparagus spears into thirds or leave whole. Place the asparagus in a medium size bowl and coat with the rest of the olive oil. Place the asparagus in a large size sauté pan over a medium high heat. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes until the asparagus in a bit charred, but still firm. Place the cooked asparagus back into the bowl and add the salt, toasted almonds, dill, parsley and lemon zest. Combine well. Finish off with grated pecorino cheese. Transfer to a serving bowl. Serves 4
Spinach & Strawberry Salad
Don’t be afraid to mix fruit and greens. This salad is absolutely refreshing and will go nicely with all of those wonderful things you’ll be cooking over the weekend. This salad is also good to take along on a picnic because the spinach holds up rather well.
INGREDIENTS
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/4 Raspberry Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Honey
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
8 Cups Loosely Packed Flat-Leafed Spinach (About 2 Large Bunches)
2 Pints Rinsed, Hulled & Sliced Strawberries
1/3 Cup Thinly Slices Scallions (White & Green Parts)
1/2 Cup Walnuts (Optional)
Wash and dry the spinach. You want to make sure that there is no grit left in the spinach. In a medium size bowl whisk the vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. In a large size serving bowl gently toss the spinach, strawberries, scallions and dressing. Serve immediately. Serves 6
Make-It-Yours Burgers
Create all kinds of burgers, from the straightforward to the exotic and grill until your heart’s content. If you don’t have a grill I’ve included oven instructions below.
Basic Ingredients (Serves 4)
Meat
Liquid (Optional)
Seasoning
1/3 to 1/2 Cup Stuffing (Optional)
Bread
Spread And/Or Toppers (Optional)
Meat (Choose One or Combine)
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Pork
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Lamb
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Veal
1 Pound Ground Beef Plus 8 Ounces Ground Italian Sausage
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Salmon
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Turkey (Use a Liquid; Brush Turkey Burgers
Lightly With Vegetable Oil Before Grilling; Cook Turkey Burgers to 165º F)
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Chicken (Cook Same As Turkey)
Liquid (Choose One or Combine)
2 Tablespoons Apricot Preserves (Chop Large Pieces)
2 Tablespoons Barbecue Sauce
2 Tablespoons Chutney (Chop Large Pieces)
1 Lightly Beaten Egg
1 Lightly Beaten Egg White
2 Tablespoons Milk
2 Tablespoons Steak Sauce
Seasoning (Choose One or Combine)
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Basil
1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
2 Cloves Minced Garlic
2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Onion
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1 Teaspoon Steak Seasoning
2 Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 Teaspoons Soy Sauce
Stuffing (Choose One or Combine)
Cooked Crisp Crumbled Bacon
Crumbled Feta Cheese
Crumbled Blue Cheese
Shredded Provolone
Shredded Mozzarella
Shredded Smoked Cheddar
Shredded Cheddar
Shredded Monterey Jack
Cooked Sliced Fresh Mushrooms
Chopped Roasted Red Sweet Peppers
Bread (Choose One)
4 Split Kaiser Rolls
4 Split Onion Rolls
4 White Hamburger Buns
4 Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
2 White or Whole Wheat Pita Bread Rounds – Halved
4 Split Brioche Buns
4 Split Port Muffins
4 Split English Muffins
Spread (Choose One or Combine)
Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Yellow Mustard
Dijon Mustard
Basil Pesto
Barbecue Sauce
The Possibilities Are Endless!
Toppers
Cheese Slices
Tomato Slices
Onion Slices
Caramelized Onions
Pickle Slices
Cooked Bacon
Roasted Peppers
Fresh Basil Leaves
Spinach Leaves
Lettuce Leaves
Avocado
The Possibilities Are Endless!
Combine meat, liquid and seasoning in a large size bowl. Mix well. Shape the meat mixture into four 3/4 inch patties. To stuff them, divide the mixture into eight portions and shape them into 1/4 inch thick patties. Place the stuffing on the centers of the four patties. Top with the remaining patties. Pinch the edges to seal.
For a charcoal grill, grill the stuffed or unstuffed patties on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 14 to 18 minutes or until done (160º F to 165º F). Turn only once halfway through grilling. If you’re using a gas grill then preheat your grill. Reduce the heat to medium and place the patties on the grill rack over the heat. Cover and grill as directed.
Serve the burgers on bread with spread and toppers. Makes 4 burgers.
If you don’t have a grill or would rather use your oven then broil your burgers. Preheat your broiler and place the patties on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil for 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 12 to 14 minutes or until done (160º F to 165ºF). Turn only once.
Deep Dish Rhubarb Pie
Many people are hesitant to cook with rhubarb. Rhubarb is, botanically speaking, a vegetable, and eaten like fruit. The stalks are best picked when they are young and ready for eating in the spring and early summer. The leaves should be thrown away as they are poisonous.
INGREDIENTS
2 Pounds Pink Rhubarb
2 Ounces Gingerroot
8 Tablespoons Sugar
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
Powdered Sugar
Pastry:
2 Cups Unbleached Flour
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
8 Tablespoons Butter
7 Tablespoons Water To Mix
Milk To Glaze
Preheat your oven to 425º F. Trim and thickly slice the rhubarb. Place in a large size bowl. Chop the ginger and add to the sliced rhubarb. In a small size bowl combine the sugar and cornstarch. Add the sugar & cornstarch mixture to the rhubarb mixture. Set aside. In a large size bowl combine the flour, kosher salt and ground ginger. Cut in the butter. Add 7 tablespoons water to make the dough manageable. Roll the dough out to fit the top of the pie plate. Transfer the rhubarb mixture to a 3 cup pie pan. Cover the pie pan with the pastry dough. Crimp and decorate the edges. Brush the pastry with milk. Place onto a baking sheet and bake at 425º F for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350º F and bake for 20 to 30 minutes more until the crust is pale golden and the rhubarb tender. Sprinkle with powdered sugar to serve. Make 1 deep dish pie.
Avocado & Grapefruit Salad
For a beautiful salad use both pink and yellow grapefruit in this refreshing salad.
INGREDIENTS
2 Grapefruit
2 Peeled, Pitted & Chopped Avocados
1/4 Thinly Sliced Red Onion
1 Head of Bibb or Butter Lettuce
Carefully peel the grapefruit. Make sure to remove all of the white pith. Working over a large size bowl to catch any juice, cut along the side of each membrane to release the segments. Let the segments drop into the bowl. Add the avocados and onion and toss well. Arrange lettuce leaves on a platter. Spoon the grapefruit, avocado & onion salad over the top of the lettuce leaves. Dress the salad with any dressing that you prefer or eat without dressing as the grapefruit juice may be enough for you. Serves 4
Tuna & Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Here is a quick and light pasta salad that everyone will love. If you want to lower the calories then use a low-fat mayonnaise.
INGREDIENTS
8 Ounces Regular or Whole Wheat Bow Tie Pasta
6 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
3 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
3 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Basil or 1 1/2 Teaspoons Dried Basil
2 Chopped Garlic Cloves
2 Sliced Cipollini Onions
1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
12 Ounces Canned Tuna (Drained & Flaked)
1 Cup Thawed Frozen Peas
2 Cups Halved Cherry Tomatoes
1/3 Cup Chopped Red Onion
In a large size pot, filled with salted water, cook the bow tie pasta, over a high heat, to al dente. Remove from the heat and drain, but DO NOT rinse. Rinsing pasta is a big No No. Let the pasta cool for 5 minutes. In a large size bowl combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, basil, garlic and pepper. Mix well. Add the drained tuna, cipollini onions, thawed peas, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion and the drained pasta. Mix very well and chill for 1 hour. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve either as a main course or as a side dish. Serves 4
