Shrimp and Tomato Fettuccini Alfredo is one of our favorite seafood dinners. I start this fettuccini dish by cooking the shrimp in butter and garlic. Then, I add lots of cream, Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, …
Shrimp and Feta Panzanella Salad is one of our favorite summer salads. I start this salad by boiling some shrimp. Then, I toss the shrimp with toasted baguette cubes, fresh veggies, and creamy feta cheese. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, …
Birria Tostadas with Pickled Onions are one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this dish by braising tender short ribs in a spicy pepper broth. Then, I top crispy tortillas with the beef, pickled onions, cilantro and queso fresco. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that most of the components of these tostadas can be made a day or two in advance. Then, right before serving, all I have to do is toast the tortillas and assemble the tostadas. Secondly, I like that this beef birria freezes so well. And, lastly, we all love the rich beef birria, crispy tortillas, and creamy cheese.
The Equipment I Used
A Blender- You’ll need this to puree the chilies.
A Pot- I like to use my enameled cast iron Dutch oven to make the beef, but you can use an oven safe casserole. Just cover it with a lid or aluminum foil.
The Ingredients I Used
Short Ribs- I used short ribs for the birria, but you could also use chuck roast.
Chilies- You’ll need ancho and guajillo chilies to make the birria beef. I like the India Tree brand.
Chicken Stock- I always use my own homemade chicken stock. The recipe is below.
Tortillas- I use flour tortillas, but you can also use corn tortillas.
Queso Fresco- Store the leftover cheese in the freezer for next time.
Spices- Cinnamon, cumin, bay leaves, oregano and Cloves add lots of great flavor. But don’t worry neither one has a strong flavor. You will not notice their specific flavors. But they add great flavor to the beef. I don’t usually enjoy cinnamon in savory dishes, but in this case, it’s just perfect.
How I Made my Tostadas
First, I made the adobo sauce.
Then, I braised the beef.
Finally, I assembled the tostadas.
Birria Tostadas with Pickled Onions
Birria Tostadas with Pickled Onions
Short ribs braised in adobo sauce and served on crisp tortillas with pickled onions and queso fresco.
½tsp. eachgarlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper
2bay leaves
2sprigs of fresh thyme
1cupchicken stock
To Assemble the Tostadas:
8six- inch flour tortillas
1tbsp.olive oil
1cupcrumbled queso fresco cheese
1lime, cut in wedges
1cupchopped cilantro
For the Pickled Onions:
1red onion, halved and thinly sliced
¼cuprice wine vinegar
2tsp.sugar
Instructions
Begin by making the adobo sauce: Remove the seeds and stems from the peppers and then toast them in a cast iron skillet on high heat for a few minutes, until you can smell their aroma.
In a three quart sauce pan boil the peppers along with two cups of water, for five minutes. Drain the peppers, and then put them in the blender along with two cups of fresh water, the vinegar, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, and cloves. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
For the Birra beef topping: Dry off the short ribs and sprinkle them with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven on medium heat. Sear the ribs, a few at a time, on all sides. When they're all browned add them all back to the pot along with half the adobo sauce (you can freeze the rest for another use), the chicken stock, the bay leaves and the thyme. Cover the pot and bake them for three hours, or until they're very tender.
While the beef braises, make the Pickled Onions: Simply stir all the ingredients together in a bowl.
Also, right before serving, bake the tostada shells: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Brush the tortillas on both sides with the oil and bake on a sheet pan for ten minutes.
Remove the meat from pot and shred it. Pour the liquid in the pot into a measuring cup. The fat will rise to top. Remove and discard the fat. Put the beef in a bowl and stir in some of the liquid so that the beef is moist but not real drippy.
To assemble the tostadas: top each tortilla with some of the beef, cilantro, queso fresco, and pickled onions. Serve with lime wedges.
4½lbs.chicken breasts and wings with skin and bones
10cupswater
2peeled onions
2peeled carrots
3peeled parsley roots
1tbsp.kosher salt
4stalks celery
1peeled parsnip
2tbsp.garlic cloves
1cupfresh parsley and fresh dill
Instructions
Put the chicken and the salt in a large, tall pot and cover with ten cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
Add all the vegetables and herbs and simmer for two and a half hours. Pour the soup through a strainer to remove everything but the broth.
Summer Tomato and Feta Shakshuka is one of our favorite summer breakfasts. I start this dish by making a spice filled tomato and red pepper sauce. Then, I nestle fried eggs in the tomato sauce and melt feta cheese over everything. We like this dish …
Nacho Fries with Cheddar Sauce are one of our favorite appetizers. I start these fries by deep-frying sliced up potatoes. Next, I make a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. Finally, I top the fries with a fresh tomato salsa. We like these French fries for several …
Farfalle with Pesto and Tomatoes is one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this dish by making a basil and pine nut pesto. Next, I toss the pesto with farfalle pasta, arugula, tomatoes, olives and feta cheese. Finally, I garnish the dish with fresh basil leaves and some minced red onion. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I really like that this is a meatless meal. While we enjoy eating meat, we also like having a few meatless dinners every week. Secondly, I like that I can make this entire meal in less than thirty minutes. And, lastly, we all love the fresh summer flavors in this dish.
The Equipment I Used
A Large Pot- I like to use a big pot to cook my pasta.
A Big Bowl- Use a big bowl to toss the pasta.
A Food Processor- You’ll need this to make the pesto.
The Ingredients Needed for Farfalle with Pesto and Tomatoes
Farfalle – I used farfalle pasta because I like the way the pesto clings to the wavy farfalle pasta. And I used my favorite Barilla brand farfalle.
Kosher Salt- I use Diamond kosher salt to salt my cooking water.
Pine Nuts- Store these in the freezer so that they keep well.
Arugula- Use baby arugula.
Olive Oil- Use a good quality, mild extra virgin olive oil.
Kalamata Olives- Be sure to remove all the pits.
Garlic- I like to buy the peeled cloves and store them in my freezer.
Pasta Water- Be sure to save some of the pasta water to thin out the pesto.
How I Made my Farfalle with Pesto
First, I made the pesto.
Next, I boiled the farfalle.
Finally, I added in the feta, tomatoes, and olives.
If you like pesto, you need to try this fresh and delicious Farfalle with Pesto and Tomatoes.
Farfalle with Pesto and Tomatoes
Farfalle with Pesto and Tomatoes
Farfalle pasta tossed with a basil pesto and tomatoes.
Begin by cooking the farfalle: Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the kosher salt and the farfalle.
While the farfalle cooks, make the Basil Pesto: Heat a small skillet on low heat, and cook the pine nuts (both for the pesto and the garnishes) until toasted about five minutes.
Put a half of the pine nuts in a food processor, and process until finely chopped. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the pasta water, and process until everything is minced and combined. Add the pasta water, and process until a creamy sauce is formed.
Drain the farfalle and pour it into a large bowl. Add the pesto and stir until combined. Also add in the tomatoes, arugula, feta, olives, and the rest of the pine nuts. Garnish the dish with the red onion and basil leaves.
Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad is one of our favorite summer salads. I start this simple Caprese salad by making a red wine vinegar vinaigrette. Next, I arrange creamy fresh mozzarella and colorful heirloom tomatoes on a platter. Finally, I add fresh basil leaves and cherry …
Lamb Gyros with Cilantro Sauce are one of our favorite summer dinners. I start my gyros by mixing together ground lamb and spices. Then, I bake this mixture in a loaf pan. After letting the cooked lamb cool, I slice it thinly and grill it. …
Leek and Bacon Cheddar Quiche is one of our favorite dinners. I start this quiche by making my foolproof butter pie crust. Then, I make the rich cheddar custard quiche filling. Finally, I bake the quiche until it’s golden brown. We like this quiche for several reasons. First of all, I like that it’s easy enough for every day, but fancy enough for company. Secondly, I like that I can serve this cheddar quiche for brunch or dinner. And, lastly, we all love the rich and delicious flavors in this quiche.
The Equipment I Used
A Pie Dish- You’ll need a ceramic or metal pie dish to make this quiche.
A Food Processor- I use a food processor to make the crust. You could also make the crust in a bowl.
A Rolling Pin- You’ll need this to roll out the crust.
The Ingredients Needed for Leek and Bacon Cheddar Quiche
Flour- For the crust, use all- purpose flour. I use the King Arthur brand.
Butter- I always use Kerry Gold Irish butter. Be sure to use unsalted butter. And your butter should be very cold.
Bacon- Use a good quality bacon.
Leeks- Be sure to wash these very well. I like to slice them and then soak the slices in cold water. Drain the leeks and repeat soaking them until the water runs clear.
Milk- Be sure to use whole milk.
Cream- Use heavy cream. Do not use light cream or half and half. You can, however, use creme fraiche.
Cheddar- Use extra sharp cheddar. I like the Cabot brand.
Eggs- Be sure to use large eggs.
How I Made my Cheddar Quiche
First, I made the pie crust. You may not use all the ice water, so add it slowly.
Next, I made the custard.
Finally, I baked the quiche until it was no longer runny in the center.
If you like quiche, you need to try this rich and delicious Leek and Bacon Cheddar Quiche.
Leek and Bacon Cheddar Quiche
Leek and Bacon Cheddar Quiche
Tender leeks, smoky bacon, and extra sharp cheddar cheese all folded into a smooth custard encased in a buttery dough.
8tbsp.cold, unsalted butter, cut into ½ inch pieces
¼ to ½cupice water
For the quiche filling:
½poundchopped bacon
1cupsliced leeks, well washed
1cupwhole milk
½cupheavy cream
8ouncesextra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
3largebeaten eggs
1tsp.kosher salt
¼tsp.black pepper
Instructions
For the quiche crust:
In a food processor, pulse together the flour and salt.
Remove the lid and sprinkle on the butter, and then pulse until the butter is the size of small peas.
With the food processor running, pour just enough ice water in , just until the dough sticks together when you pinch it. You may not need the whole half cup of water.
Empty the dough onto a floured board and gently roll it into a ball and the refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough out on a floured board and then lay it in a pie pan. Refrigerate it until you are ready to fill it.
For the quiche filling:
Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large skillet, fry the bacon until it's cooked through, but not crispy. When the bacon is cooked remove it with a slotted spoon and let it drain on paper towels. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan and cook the leeks until softened.
In a 2- quart saucepan, heat the milk until it's almost boiling. Remove it from the heat and let it cool 5 minutes. Add the heavy cream and the cheese and stir until melted. Then, stir in the eggs, salt, and pepper.
Fill the pie crust with the bacon and leeks and spread them out in an even layer. Pour in the egg mixture.
Bake for 50 minutes, or until the middle of the quiche is not runny.
Garlic Scape Pesto Pizza is one of our favorite summer pizzas. I start this pizza by making my garlic scape pesto. Since garlic scapes are only available in early summer, I can only make this pesto this time of year. Next, I make pizza dough …