Cuisine & Recipes

This simple and flavorful pasta dish with a Mediterranean flair is ideal whether sitting down to dinner with the family or celebrating with guests. Chef Fabrice suggests complementing this with a glass of 2001 Spottswood Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Serves 4.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil

4 ounces unsalted butter

1 large sweet onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice

2 red bell peppers, deseeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 vine ripe tomato, diced

5 cloves of garlic, minced

A sprig of rosemary

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 small jar of Spanish olives (green olives stuffed with pimientos), drained

2 6-ounce cans of Bumble Bee Prime Fillet Solid White Albacore, drained

1/2 pound rigatoni pasta

1 tablespoon thinly sliced chives

Dry aged parmesan, grated

Pinch of crushed red hot pepper flakes (optional)

Directions: Bring water to boil in a large pot according to package directions in preparation for cooking the rigatoni pasta. Heat 2/3 of the olive oil and 4 ounces of unsalted butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat until nearly hot but not smoking. Add diced onions and cook for approximately 5 minutes until soft. Add diced red bell peppers, reducing to low-medium heat and cook until peppers are soft. Add diced tomato, minced garlic and 1/3 teaspoon of rosemary sprig leaves. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

Cover and cook over low heat for another 10 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of dry white wine and simmer for 5 minutes. Then, add drained whole olives and Bumble Bee Prime Fillet tuna in solid pieces to sautéed mixture. Cover and cook until tuna is heated through (approximately 3 to 5 minutes).

Cook the rigatoni pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions or until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander, leaving behind a little moisture. Toss the pasta, tuna sauce and water, then place in a serving dish or on individual plates. Drizzle remaining olive oil over the top and garnish with thinly sliced chives and grated dry aged parmesan. Top with a pinch of crushed red hot pepper flakes, if you prefer a little more bite.

Recipe by Chef de Cuisine Fabrice Poigin, Bertrand at Mister A’s, San Diego
Enjoy!

Ingredients

For the shortcake:
2 1/2 c Biscuit mix; bisquick
4 oz Cheddar; sharp shredded
2/3 c Milk
1/3 c Butter; melted

For apple topping:
3/4 c Brown sugar; packed 3 ts Cornstarch
1/2 ts Cinnamon; ground
1/4 ts Salt
1 c Water
4 c Apples; peeled cored sliced

For topping:
1 x Heavy cream; whipped

Heat the oven to 425 degrees F. Combine the biscuit mix and the cheddar cheese then stir in the milk and butter. Spread the dough into two greased 8-inch layer pans and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Combine the brown sugar cornstarch cinnamon and salt in a large saucepan. Stir in the water and cook until clear and thickened. Att the apples cover and simmer until the apples are tender. Spoon half of the apple mixture over one layer. Top with the second layer and remaining apples.

Serve warm with whipped cream for a topping.

Yield: 6 Servings

For more information on cooking guidelines & recipes visit http://www.recipestation.com/

Ingredients:

3 1/2 lb Spaghetti 1 medium squash
1 tb Skim milk
1 c fresh Broccoli flowerets
1/2 c fresh Part skim ricotta cheese
1 c Zucchini small sliced
1 tb Parmesan cheese
1 c Mushrooms, sliced
1/2 ts Imitation butter flavoring
1 c Carrot, sliced
1/4 ts Salt
1 Clove garlic, crushed
1/2 ts Italian seasoning
3/4 ts Reduced calorie margarine
1/8 ts Coarsely ground pepper

Wash squash; cut in half lengthwise and discard seeds. Place squash cut side down in a Dutch oven; add 2 inches water. Bring water to a boil cover and cook 20 minutes or until squash is tender. Drain squash and cool. Using a fork remove spaghetti-like strands. Measure 3 cups of strands; set aside. Remove remaining strands for other use. Steam vegetables 5 to 7 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain well. Combine squash strands and vegetables tossing gently. Cover to keep warm; set aside. Saute garlic in margarine in a small saucepan; remove from heat. Add milk cheese.
Butter flavoring and seasonings to saucepan. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until mixture is hot (do not boil). Spoon cheese mixture over vegetable mixture tossing gently. Food Exchanges per serving: 1 food exchange + some free vegetables 1/2 high-fat meat + 1/2 fat exchanges.

Yields 6 servings

(about 77 calories 4.5 grams protein 2.5 grams fat 10.3 grams carbohydrate 7 milligrams cholesterol 171 milligrams sodium and 331 milligrams potassium per serving).

Source: "Southern Living: 1986 Annual Recipes" Oxmoor House 1986. Shared by: June Hoffman 7/93

Ingredients: 

8 oz Cream Cheese Room Temp.
4 oz Blue Cheese Crumbled
4 oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 ts Dijon Mustard
1 ts Worcestershire Sauce
1/8 ts Garlic Powder
1/4 ts Salt
1/2 c Finely Chopped Pecans 
2/3 c Currants
3/4 c Chopped Parsley
1 x Assorted Crackers
1 x Apple Wedges

Place the cream cheese blue cheese cheddar cheese mustard Worcestershire garlic powder and salt in a mixer bowl and beat at low speed just until well mixed. Stir in the pecans and currants. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate the cheese mixture for 30 minutes or until slightly firm then shape into a ball. Roll in the chopped parsley to coat well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Let stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Place on a platter surrounded with crackers and apple wedges.

Yield: 12 Servings  

For more information on cooking guidelines & recipes visit www.RecipeStation.com - Search for Quick Recipes

1 lb Gorganzola or Bleu Cheese 1 lb Ricotta cheese
2 Cloves chopped garlic 1 c Chopped walnuts
4 Fresh sage leaves

salt to taste cheese cloth

Chop garlic. Add to 1/4 C of water in a small saucepan. Reduce to 2 tablespoons. Beat cheeses together. Add garlic mixture and salt if desired. In a double layer of cheesecloth - put sage leaves in a pattern in the center. Sprinkle nuts on top.

Put cheese mixture on top of nuts. Gather cheesecloth and form into a ball. Tie together. Put the cheeseball in a strainer over a dish and let sit in the fridge overnight to drain. Unwrap and serve!

Servings: 6

For more information on cooking guidelines & recipes visit http://www.RecipeStation.com

Ice Cream cakes are always something special. They are a perfect blend of rich and creamy ice cream with moist cake and smooth frosting. These dessert delights are easy to make when you utilize store bought ingredients and a bit of imagination.

First things first write out your shopping list. You will need:

1. Angel Food Cake

2. Your Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream

3. Frozen Whipped Topping

4. Fresh fruit or chocolate as garnish

When you bring home all your ingredients place the cake and the ice cream in the freezer for about one hour. Allow the frozen whipped topping to thaw on the counter and slice the fresh fruit or chocolate into decorative piceces to garnish the top of the cake.

After about an hour remove the ice cream and allow it to thaw for about 20 minutes. Then remove the cake from the freezer and cut into three horizontal layers.

Mix the ice cream with a wooden spoon until it is smooth and creamy then frost between the layers of cake with your favorite flavor of ice cream. Once the cake is assembled frost the outside with the thawed frozen whipped topping. You can then garnish the cake with fruit or chocolate.

Place the cake back into the freezer until ready to serve.

Source: www.gourmayeats.com

The eighth Chinese mid-lunar moon marks the Moon's birthday and is believed to be the only night of the year when the moon appears perfectly round. At the time of the Moon Festival, special moon-viewing parties are held with much wine and feasting, and poems composed to the moon. Moon cakes are generally packaged in boxes of four cakes and are a traditional gift from one family to another.

The reason why moon cakes are so meaningful goes back to the 14th century when China was overrun by the Mongol invaders who ruled the country in a cruel and oppressive fashion. The women of the households devised a clever way to organize an uprising. They inserted messages in the filling of the moon cakes given and received during the Moon Festival, conveying secret instructions to patriots who could be depended on to join in the struggle that ended in war and liberation.

Moon cakes are not easy to make, as special, elaborately carved wooden mounds have to be used to shape them. Most Westerners find the filling made from solid lotus seed paste unpalatable, especially with the salted egg yolk in its center. If possible, try to find moon cakes with a filling of preserved melon and melon seeds. For anyone with a sweet tooth this is irresistible, especially when cut into thin wedges and nibbled while drinking clear, fragrant Chinese tea.

It is the packaging of moon cakes that makes them tempting, usually square red and gold tins with Chinese characters and motifs printed on them, and containing four individually wrapped cakes. For the determined cook, the pastry should be very rich and preferably made with at least a proportion of lard. Some popular fillings are candied fruits or sweetened lotus seed paste.

Taken from: www.asianonlinerecipes.com, a Free Asian Recipes website dedicated to all things on Asian Cooking and Culinary Guide with thousands of Cooking Tips. Source: www.isnare.com

Ingredients needed:
1/2 c Butter or margarine     

2/3 c Sugar

2 x Eggs     

1 x Apple peeled and chopped

1/2 c Grated sharp Cheddar cheese     

1/3 c Chopped Walnuts

2 c Flour     

1 ts Baking Powder

1/2 ts Baking Soda     

1/2 ts Salt

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 deg F.

2. Cream butter and sugar beating until light. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir
in apples cheese and nuts.

3. In separate bowl combine flour baking powder baking soda and salt. Gradually and gently stir into apple mixture.

4. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

Yield: 8 servings.

Source: http://www.RecipeStation.com

Lemon Chicken

2 10-3/4 ounce cans of condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup water 1/4 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

6 cups carrots sliced thick 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

8 cups cooked egg noodles

Grated parmesan cheese

Mix soup, water, lemon juice, mustard, garlic powder and carrots in crockpot. Add chicken and stir to coat. Cover and cook on low 7 to eight hours. Serve over hot egg noodles and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Nacho Chicken and Rice Wraps

2 10-3/4 ounce cans of condensed cheedar cheese soup

1 cup water

2 cups thick and chunky salsa or picante sauce

1-1/4 cups uncooked long grain white rice, regular or converted

2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes

10 10-inch flour tortillas

Combine soup, water, salsa, rice and chicken in crockpot. Stir, cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours. Spoon 1 cup of mixture down center of each tortilla. Fold sides than bottom of tortilla over filling.

Honey Mustard Chicken

2-1/2 pounds your favorite chicken pieces

1/4 cup honey

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/2 cup dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon curry powder

Place chicken in crockpot. Combine honey, lemon juice, mustard and curry powder in a small bowl. Brush over chicken pieces. Cover and cook 8 to 10 hours. Serve with fresh sliced tomatoes and brown rice.

Fruity Barbecue Chicken

1 whole chicken cut up

1 8 ounce bottle Russian dressing

1 packet dry onion soup mix

1 10 ounce jar apricot preserves

Place chicken in crockpot. Combine dressing, soup mix and preserves, pour over chicken. Cover and cook 8 to 10 hours. Serve with potatoes and a green salad.

For a different flavor, remove chicken from crockpot and place on a charcoal grill for a short time.

Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice

2 10-3/4 once cans of condensed cream of chicken soup

1-1/2 cups water

1 6 ounce package long grain and wild rice

3 cups of thickly sliced carrots

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

Combine soup, water, rice and carrots in crockpot. Add chicken and stir to coat. Cover and cook 7 to 8 hours.

Recipes by: Frank Flohr (aka Chef Phronc) is passionate about cooking and is a self proclaimed "Chef". Frank shares his passion for cooking at ChefPhronc's Whats Cooken Serving up a full plate of cooking tips, free recipes, resources and culinary information. Unleash the hidden "Chef" inside you!

Indian curry is over 5,000 years old and the term 'curry' which is an English word is derived from the South Indian Tamil word 'kaikaari' or its shortened version 'kari'meaning vegetables cooked in spices.Basically curry is a gravy dish or a stew like dish with spices and seasonings and flavoured with hot and sour tastes.Today ,curry has become the symbolic British word for Indian dishes that could be eaten with rice or rotis.

Authentic Indian curry,one of the world's fasted growing ethnic food trends, combines flavours,textures and pungency which are unique. Each region of India has its own distinctive style of seasoning while preparing a curry and a common factor in all the regional styles of cooking curry is marination and slow cooking which ensures the flavor and color of herbs and spices to meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables.

1. Spices: are derived from plants and are aromatic dried bark, roots, buds, seeds, berries or fruits. When spices are heated the aroma and flavour is released. Its advisable not to store spices in glass jars as they will lose their aroma and potency before the expiry date. Store in air tight containers.
2. Curr : the authentic indian curry often combines the following spices, coriander, turmeric, fenugreek, cloves, ginger, red and black pepper as well as other spices. One of the popular spice blends used in Indian curries is called "Garam Masala".
3. Bhuna: bhuna is a Hindi term for cooking the various spices (Masala) in hot oil to release the natural oils and flavours of the spices and remove the raw taste.It literally means 'fry in oil' and most important process in cooking a perfect Indian curry.
4. Tadka/Bargar: bargar is a Hindi term for the process of frying whole spices is and is a technique used for the same reasons as Bhuna, to cook out the raw taste from the spices. The oil used should be hot and the spices added whole.It is important to take care to not burn the spices. The spices are cooked the moment they colour and start to float do not let them blacken. This process can be very quick especially with the small spices like cumin seeds and mustard seeds.
5. Masala: means mixture of spices sauteed in oil or ghee. Perhaps the most famous and varied is Garam masala, a major spice blend of Indian cookery where each home has its own spice blends. It is often added towards the end of the recipe, almost like a garnish.
6. Curry Powder: is made with many spice blends. Quite a few dishes in western countries like America and U.K call for curry powder which basically consists of turmeric, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, mustard seeds, five spice powder (cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, bay leaf and cumin), with red chili powder.You can mix your own curry powder according to your tastes or buy it ready made at your grocery store.The use of curry powder is minimal in India and most are unaware of curry powder.
7. Turmeric: called 'haldi' in Hindi is a deep yellow powder obtained from grinding a dried plant root.Its known for its colour and earthy flavour in many Indian and Asian dishes.Turmeric has anti-oxidant properties and is widely known for its digestive properties and to fight against leukemia.
8. Cumin: called 'jeera' in Hindi is a spice with a huge variety of culinary uses. It's a very important element in Indian and ayurvedic cooking.Indian curries and dry vegetables are mostly flavored with whole cumin seeds. Cumin is considered to have digestive properties and is also considered to have cooling properties.
9. Tandoori: describes a style of food unique to the north Indian state of Punjab. A tandoor is a cylindrical clay oven used in northern India and Pakistan in which food is cooked over a hot charcoal fire. Temperatures in a tandoor can approach 480°C (900°F). It is not uncommon for tandoor ovens to remain lit for long periods of time to maintain the high cooking temperature. Tandoori chicken is marinated before cooking and despite an intense dry heat, the oven produces succulent moist meat with the famous red spicy seasoning on the outside.
10. Authentic Indian cooking: calls for the use of a number spices, many in small quantities as per the recipe requirement and added at particular intervals throughout the recipe, rather than in one go as a paste or curry powder.This process is difficult and time-consuming art to master in today's 'time-poor' lifestyleTandoori describes a style of food unique to the north Indian state of Punjab.

Much of making curry is knowing what spices blend well and experimenting. After you've made a couple of different curries, it's hard to go wrong, Get some good fresh spices and a coffee grinder, dry roast the spices and grind them to make your own curries. There is no substitute for this authentic way of making a typical Indian curry.

For more information about Indian Cuisine, visit http://indiacuisine.blogspot.com, a blog by Sailaja Gudivada, a herbalist, an avid foodie and, an enthusiastic Indian cook.

So you need some great party ideas, huh? Why not start with some excellent appetizers first?
It's true! Perhaps, you may find this idea so simple that you might overlook this phase. But hey! :) Is there such a "great" party without delicious food?

Food should always be the center of any party! It's no secret; everybody loves eating!

So are you ready to get started? Put your hat on! We are going to build that menu from scratch! On your marks... ready... Goooo... :)

Marinated Chicken Wings
1 cup dry sherry

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

48 chicken wings

In a large bowl combine sherry, soy sauce, garlic powder and ginger; set aside. Disjoint chicken wings into 3 parts each. Discard the tip end or save to use for soup stock at a later time. Marinate chicken pieces in sherry mixture in the refrigerator at least three hours, but not longer than 24 hours.

Arrange 20 pieces at a time in a single layer on a heat- resistant, non-metallic serving platter. Heat, uncovered, in Microwave Oven 12 to 14 minutes or until chicken is well cooked. Turn chicken pieces over after 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining pieces as needed.

Tip: Uncooked chicken pieces can either be stored in refrigerator for 2 to 3 days or may be frozen for 3 months. Cooked pieces may be reheated.

Serving Size: 12

Colorado Potato Supremes
4 russet potatoes

8 teaspoons whole seed or grainy mustard

6 ounces brie cheese

2 tablespoons finely chopped chives or green onion tops

Preheat oven to 400F. Prick potatoes in 5 or 6 places with he tines of a fork. Bake potatoes 50-60 minutes, until tender and skins are crisp. Cut potatoes crosswise into 4 thick slices. With a melon baller or small spoon, scoop out a little potato from the center.

Season with salt and pepper; spread each hollowed out center with 1/2 teaspoon mustard. Cut up brie into 16 chunks; place one piece in each center. Sprinkle with chives. Place on baking sheets. Bake 15-20 minutes until cheese has melted and browned in spots. Serve warm.

Makes 16 appetizers.

Crisp-Fried Pasta Nibbles

Pasta -- in desired shapes

Oil for deep frying

Garlic salt *

*Note: Another seasoned salt may be used instead of garlic salt.

Cook pasta in boiling salted water until almost tender. Drain and pat dry on paper towels. Heat oil in deep Sauté pan or heavy skillet to 375F. Add pasta, a few pieces at a time, to hot oil and fry until lightly browned and crisp. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with garlic salt. Serve immediately, or cool then store in airtight container. Makes 12 appetizers.

Meatballs with Mint Dipping Sauce
2 pounds lean ground beef, lamb, or beef/sausage combination

3 beaten eggs

1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion

1 1/2 cups bread crumbs

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2 teaspoons salt

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Oil for frying

Mint Dipping Sauce:
1 cup plain yogurt

1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped

1/4 cup finely chopped green onions

1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced, or 1/4 teaspoon dry

2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

Prepare the Mint Dipping Sauce and refrigerate. Combine the yogurt, mint, green onions, garlic and ginger; cover and chill until ready to use. Mix all the meatball ingredients together by hand until well combined.

Form the mixture into approximately 1½ ounce balls either by hand or with a meat baller. Pour just enough oil into a non-stick frying pan to cover the bottom and heat. Add the meatballs, in batches if necessary, and cook through, browning them on all sides. Drain them on paper towels. The meatballs can be cooked a day or two ahead of time, or cooked and frozen weeks ahead of time, and reheated in the oven or microwave. Serve hot with chilled Mint Dipping Sauce.

Makes about 40 appetizers.

These amazing appetizer recipes will make your party memorable!

Copyright 2005 by Jonathan Teng
About the Author

Jonathan loves eating! If you are like him, then you definitely need to visit http://www.easy-recipes-secrets.com - the special place where he reveals 3 BIG secrets to make any recipe a pure success! For more delicious recipes and cooking tips, subscribe to his free newsletter at: http://www.easy-recipes-secrets.com/free-recipes-newsletter.html