Mixed Summer Green Salad w/ Red Wine Honey Vinaigrette

The smell of summer is right around the corner.  Time to start prepping.  Anyone have some great recipe ideas??

Mixed Summer Green Salad w/ Red Wine Honey Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• Handful of Mesclun Greens
• Cherry Tomatos
• Sliced English Cucumber
• Sliced Red Onion
• Salt & Pepper
• Handful of Craisens
• Toasted Pine Nuts

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Toss with Red Wine Honey Vinaigrette (See Below).

Dressing

• Tablespoon of Honey
• 2 Tablespoon of Red Wine Vinegar
• Salt & Fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil

Combine Honey, Vinegar and whisk well together. Slowly drizzle in olive oil until well combined.

Add salt & pepper to taste. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese. Refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Roasted Lemon Chicken - A La Raos

In late 2009 I had the privilege of dining at one of the most famous yet inconceivable restaurants in Manhattan to be at.  For those familiar with the famed Italian eatery, Raos, an 8 table room on the upper east side of Harlem filled with posters of famous actors, musicians, an autographed Mike Piazza & Jorge Posada picture, and yes one large Jukebox with tunes from all genres not including what many young children of my generation would even classify as "music". 

The meal was quite memorable as well, starting with trays of Fried Mozzarella, seafood salad, beefsteak tomatoes & onions, meatballs, garlic bread, & fried & grilled calamari.  The wine was flowing, bottle after bottle, Cabernet, Barolo, Sangiovese, and on and on and on....

And then came dinner.  By the time the trays were laid to rest,  I can only remember one dish.  Not to say everything that night wasn't cooked to perfection, in all honesty I think the wine, apps, pasta had just about put me to rest.  But there was one specific dish, not uncommon to something my mother would have cooked growing up.  Yet this special night, the dish so simply known as "Raos Famous Lemon Chicken" would end up being a staple in my kitchen for many years to come.


Raos Famous Lemon Chicken


Ingredients

• 1 large chicken - halved
• 8-10 Lemons (enough to make 1 cup of Lemon Juice
• 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• Handful of chopped parsley
• Salt & Fresh ground pepper

Preparation

Preheat broiler for 15 minutes.  Halve chicken lengthwise and set in roasting pan (see below).

Roast for 30-40 minutes turning once.  While roasting whisk together in a bowl lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, & Salt & pepper.  Set aside in refrigerator.  

After 30 minute remove chicken from broiler (leave broiler on) and set aside on cutting board.

Using a sharp knife remove wing and drumstick, cut breast into 3 pieces and thigh into two.  Toss chicken into lemon mixture and place all ingredients back into roasting pan.  Continue to broil for additional 15 minutes.  

Remove chicken from oven.  Pour remaining mixture into small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Stir in handful of parsley and when slightly reduced pour over chicken and serve.  Goes great with Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic.

Sunday Breakfast!

Sunday morning breakfast has always been somewhat of a tradition in my life.  French Toast, Pancakes or my dad's famous Salami & Eggs have always been a staple (Even Leigh likes that one!).   Since I moved into my 30's it's been the norm for me to wake up early on the weekend mornings, trek out to the market, and fire up the stove to cook a breakfast masterpiece.   This weekend was no different accept for the fact I was a bit more prepared.  Plus after a night of heavy Italian Baked Ziti we needed something light and simple to eat.  


Egg White & Cheese sandwiches over toasted Pita!


Ingredients

• 2 Egg's cracked (egg whites only)
• Salt & Pepper
• Hot Sauce preference
• 1 whole wheat pita halved and toasted
• Handful of shredded cheese (i like mozzarella or cheddar blend)
• PAM spray

Over low to medium heat cook eggwhites over PAM sprayed skillet (non stick preferred).  Use rubber spatula to keep eggwhites from sticking.  Once the egg's become loose flip once.  Be careful not to break!  Layer with cheese (see below)

Flip half of egg whites over other half.  

Layer on toasted pita half, top with hot sauce and cut in half. 

This breakfast goes great with a fresh cup of coffee from our friends over at Rook Roasters!

Enjoy!

Homemade Turkey Baked Ziti

The "Snow-i-cane" of 2010 seems to be coming to an end and once again the weathermen of New York have failed to impress.   I made the strong attempt of walking home from work this evening, attempting to avoid every slush puddle that Manhattan seems to endure on nights like this.   As most would agree there are two main challenges one has to deal with tonight; 1) Staying dry from knee down on your stroll home, 2) As this is Friday evening in the city, what to do for dinner?  

So as most Friday nights have come to be a trek to the supermarket is where I be.  Comfort food is the meal of choice.  Homemade Baked Ziti is where we shall rejoice!

Homemade Turkey Baked Ziti

Ingredients

• 1 lb of 93% ground turkey
• 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• 1 medium sweet onion chopped
• 1 lb of whole wheat ziti
• 1/4 cup of tomato paste
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 package of part skim ricotta
• 1 package of shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup of grated parmigiana cheese
• 1 egg - beaten
• Pinch of dried basil, red pepper flakes, dried sage
• Handful of chopped Italian parsley
• 2 tablespoons of EVOO

Preparation

Heat oil over medium heat.  Add garlic and onion and cook until translucent. About 10 minutes.  Add turkey meat and cook until done.  Add Salt & Pepper to season.  Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, water and red pepper flakes, Basil & Sage.  Bring to a boil and then simmer to reduce. Cooke for 10 minutes.  

In a separate bowl combine egg, parsley, ricotta, and 3/4 package of mozzarella.  Mix well to combine.  

In a large pot bring salted water to a boil.  Add pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes or desired texture.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a deep baking dish (preferably a half lasagna pan) layer sauce than cheese than pasta. 

Repeat twice and top final layer with shredded mozzarella and parmigiana cheese.  Cover and bake for 40 minutes.

Serve and Enjoy!

Just another attempt at Stir Fry

This one goes out to all the wannabe's that need to start somewhere.  You really can't screw this one up!

Broccoli.....String Beans...Mushrooms....Chicken Stir Fry!:)

Ingredients

• 2 Chicken Breasts cut into 1 inch cubes
• Package of Broccoli florets
• Handful of string beans
• Sliced Mushrooms
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• Package of Tofu Spaghetti
• 2 scallions sliced thin (white & green parts)
• Tablespoon of Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons of Sherry
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons of canola oil
• Chili Flakes
• Mae Ploy Chili Sauce
• Teaspoon of corn starch
• 1/2 cup of water
• Toasted Sesame seeds
• S&P

Marinate chicken for 15 minutes in Soy Sauce, Sherry, Sesame Oil, Garlic, Corn Starch.

In a separate pot, preferably a wok, heat up canola oil.  Add water,broccoli, string beans and cook until tender yet still crunchy.  Add chicken into pot.  Add chili sauce, chili flakes and mushrooms & noodles.  Combine well together and cook for additional 30 seconds.  Top with scallions and serve.  Top with sesame seeds.

Total cooking time: 15 minutes

Enjoy!

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup & Blue Cheese Chicken Salad Sandwiches

"Sunday Funday" in Manhattan took on another depressing Spartan loss.  They put up a tough fight but are just lacking the physical toughness that Izzo teams have had in the past.   Post depression will be short lived though as March is just right around the corner.  And as most Green & White teams have in the past...performance in March is all about madness.

Soo...out from the bar into the kitchen for a "fall-ish" evening of comfort cooking.  I'd be lying to everyone if I took credit for this perfect recipe so in honor of the woman whose house I'd like to have for myself I give to thee

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup & Curry Condiments - Courtesy of Ina Garten

Ingredients

• 2 medium to large butternut squash - peeled, seeded and cut into 1" cubes
• 3 small to medium McIntosh apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1" cubes
• 2 small yellow onions - quartered
• 3 cups of chicken broth - simmer in a pot to the side
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• Kosher Salt & Fresh Black Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of yellow curry powder
• Scallions - sliced green & white parts
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Chopped Cashews 
• 1/2 banana - diced

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  In a large roasting pan drizzle olive oil, salt & pepper over cubed squash, apples & onions.  Mix with hands and spread in a single layer over sheet pan.  Bake for 30-45 minutes or until fork tender.  

Remove from oven and puree in batches in a food processor.  Add chicken broth to food processor until you get a good consistency.  Once complete, add pureed soup to stock pot and add remainder of chicken stock until you have a thick soup.  Add curry powder, 1 teaspoon of salt & 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.  

Pour hot soup into bowl. Top with cashews, banana, coconut flakes and scallions. Serve and Enjoy! 

Blue Cheese Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 1 large rotisserie chicken cooled and shredded - both white and dark meat
• 2 stalks of celery - diced
• 2-3 tablespoons of reduced fat Mayonnaise
• Juice of half a lemon
• Handful of Craisins
• Handful of Chopped Pecans - toasted and rough chop
• Kosher Salt & Fresh ground pepper

Condiments

• Whole wheat Pita
• Blue Cheese or Blue Cheese Dressing
• L,T,O & Banana Peppers (optional)

Preparation

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate.  Take one pita and slice in half (optional toasted).  Add Blue Cheese into pita.  Add slice of lettuce, tomato, onion and add chicken salad.  Top with banana peppers and serve with soup.  

Momofuku Noodle Bar

Must try in New York City. David Chang does it right @ Momofuku Noodle Bar. The 2 hour wait is worth it especially when you can have a drink at Company beforehand.

1) Steamed Bun - Simply put...melting bacon (pork belly) in your mouth.

2) Smoked Chicken Wings

3) Soy Marinated Devil Eggs w/Crispy Shallots - For the cholesterol free diet!

4) Ramen - Pork...pork....pork...& more pork! Absolutely wonderful!

5) Craig & Jen getting hungry!

6) Leigh getting angry at me for taking pictures!

The Nikki Special

The entrepreneur in me is always thinking but my great idea might of been put to shame after eating this...

Welcome #1 "The Nicky Special", courtesy of Delfonte's of Brooklyn

A masterpiece of Ham, capicolla, salami, fried eggplant, provolone, hot salad, marinated mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, oil, and vinegar

30 Minute Meals??

Is it me or does the Food Network seem to be moving past all the great cooks? For G-d sake, Mario, Emeril, Morimoto, Jamie....where have you gone?? I do enjoy watching Bobby man the grill but I must say I am starting to get fairly disappointed in all these new mom's who think the recipes they put out in 30 minutes, 5 ingredients, or ten dollars are even close to reality!

Now I must say I do have the guilty pleasure of being addicted to watching the Food Network for most hours of the day so in honor of the fallen men I admire I've made my attempt at creating a Top 10 List of the worst FN shows of all time.

1. Everyday Italian - Good to look at but emphasis on P.A.N.A. C.O.T.A and the lack of chewing her food turn me off.
2. Tyler's Ultimate - Applebees For Real???
3. Paula's Home Cooking - Leigh loves her but the Fried Butter recipe freaks me out
4. Rescue Chef - I wanna be I wanna be like Bobby!
5. Secrets of a Restaurant Chef - Anne Burrell - Yah baby...can I get some salt with that???
6. Worst Cooks in America - I'd rather watch reruns of "Average Joe"
7. Ace of Cakes - It's cool the first time but how many times can you watch someone bake a cake!
8. Semi-Hommade Cooking with Sandra Lee - I guess it was cool in the 1980's!
9. Down home with the Neely's - In fact their restaurant in Memphis is awesome but this show is close to being considered soft porn

And my all time not so favorite Food Network Show......

30 Minute meals, Tasty Travels, $40 a day - Bad voice...bad knives..need I say more.

So to all the aspiring cooks out there..here's my version of my 15-30 minute meal.

Grill Chicken Stir Fry with Sweet Chili Sauce

• 2 Chicken Breasts cut into 2 inch Strips
• 1 Red Bell Pepper cut into Strips
• Package of Broccoli torn apart by hand
• 1/2 Sliced Red Onion
• Chopped Green Onion
• Mae Ploy Chili Sauce
• 2 Cloves of Chopped Garlic
• Pinch of Red Pepper
• Tablespoon of Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper

Heat Olive oil & garlic over low heat (prevent browning of garlic) until fragrant. Add Chicken, pinch of salt & pepper and cook until done. Add pepper, broccoli and Red onion and cook until broccoli is tender yet still crispy. Add 1/4 cup of Chili Sauce continue to cook until well combined. Top with Red Pepper flakes & green onion and serve.

This recipe is extremely quick so if you have time left serve with a salad!

Enjoy!

Super Bowl Sunday Brisket Sandwiches

Due to popular demand I had to bring these back. Been on a hiatus over the last few weeks but excited to get back to cooking some new meals. If anyone has good recipes please send them over swgarten@gmail.com

This one is easy...Click here to see recipe.

Added a bottle of Habanero sauce to kick it up for Superbowl Sunday!