Cherry Tomato Spaghetti with Toasted Pine Nuts

Cherry Tomato Spaghetti with Toasted Pine Nuts

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
3 cups red cherry tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
8 ounces dry whole wheat spaghetti
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 ounces fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Procedure:

In a large skillet, heat 2 teaspoon oil over medium. Add tomatoes - cook until tomatoes begin to wrinkle, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in sliced garlic and garlic powder - cook 30 seconds, cover and reduce heat to low. In a large pot of boiling salted water, add pasta and cook according to the package directions. Drain. Add pasta, remaining oil, basil, pine nuts, salt and pepper to the tomato mixture - toss well to combine. Scatter the top with cheese right before serving. Makes 4 servings.

Lemon-Lime Meringue Ice Cream Pie in Toasted Pecan Crust

Lemon-Lime Meringue Ice Cream Pie in Toasted Pecan Crust

Ingredients:

For the Lemon-Lime curd:
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons fresh key lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons grated key lime zest
Pinch of salt

For the pecan crust:
1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons butter, melted

For the ice cream filling:
3 cups vanilla bean ice cream, slightly softened and divided

For the meringue:
4 large egg whites, room temperature
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tablespoons granulated sugar

Procedure:

To make the lemon-lime curd: In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and egg yolks. In a medium metal bowl, add butter and set bowl over large saucepan of simmering water - making sure the bottom is not touching the water. When the butter has melted, whisk in sugar, lemon juice, lime juice, lemon zest, lime zest and salt. Slowly whisk in egg mixture. Continue whisking until the mixture is thick and a thermometer inserted into the curd registers 178°F to 180°F, about 8 minutes. Scoop mixture into a small bowl and place plastic wrap on top of curd - place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours.

To make the crust: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a medium bowl, mix together pecans, sugar and butter until well combined. Scoop mixture into a 9″ glass pie dish lightly coated with nonstick spray - press pecan mixture over the bottom and up sides. Bake until crust is lightly toasted, about 12 minutes - it is okay if the crust begins to slide down, just use the back of a spoon to press crust back into place as soon as it is ready. Remove and place pie dish on a wire rack to cool. Place crust in the freeze for 30 minutes.

To assemble the filling: Using 1 1/2 cups softened ice cream, drop dollops all over the cold crust - use an off-set spatula to spread ice cream into an even layer. Quickly spread lemon-lime curd over ice cream - freeze until firm, about 2 hours. Drop dollops of the remaining softened ice cream over the firm curd - use an off-set spatula to spread into even layer. Cover and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.

To make the meringue: Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites in medium bowl until frothy. Beat in cream of tartar. While the eggs are whipping, gradually add the granulated sugar. Beat until stiff peaks form. Scoop meringue over the frozen pie and use an off-set spatula to spread the meringue all over the top, making sure that the meringue goes to the edge to seal. Place pie in the heated oven just until meringue is golden in spots, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully remove and cut into wedges to serve.
Makes about 8 servings.

Chicken and Bacon Roll-Ups

Chicken and Bacon Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
4 multi-grain flatbreads (we used a brand called Flat Out)
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
2 cups chopped tomato
8 apple smoked bacon slices, cooked and drained
2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast

Procedure:

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, tarragon and lemon juice until combined. On each flatbread, spread about 2 tablespoons of the mayonnaise mixture on top. Scatter each flatbread with an even amount of the lettuce and tomatoes. Crumble 2 bacon slices, per serving, over the lettuce and tomatoes. Sprinkle an even amount of chicken on top of the bacon. Carefully roll each flatbread up and cut in half to serve. Makes 4 servings.

Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups

Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
3 tablespoons chicken broth
1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1/2 cup chopped water chestnuts
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1/8 teaspoon salt
12 Bibb lettuce leaves
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
4 teaspoons sliced serrano chile

Procedure:

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, broth, and ginger to pan - cook, stirring often to break up the meat, until the chicken is done, about 8 minutes. Drain and scoop the chicken into a large bowl. Toss in the water chestnuts, red onion, green onions, cilantro, juice, sugar, fish sauce and salt - gently mix to evenly coat. To serve, evenly divide the chicken mixture between the lettuce leaves - scatter the top of each with the chopped peanuts and chilies. Makes 4 servings.

Chicken Chilaquiles

Chicken Chilaquiles

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1/2 cup chopped green onions
4 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers, divided
1 ounce fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
11 ounce can tomatillos, drained
4.5 ounce can chopped green chiles, drained
12 6″ corn tortillas

Procedure:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, toss together chicken, green onions, 2 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, Parmesan, chili powder, salt and pepper. In a food processor, add milk, cilantro, tomatillos and chiles - process until smooth. Heat tortillas according to package directions. Spread about 1/3 cup of the tomatillo mixture into the bottom of a 7″ x 11″ baking dish coated with nonstick spray. Arrange 4 tortillas in dish and top with half of chicken mixture. Repeat layer with remaining tortillas and chicken mixture, ending with tortillas. Evenly pour the remaining tomatillo mixture over the top of the tortillas - scatter the top with the remaining Monterey Jack cheese. Bake until bubbly, about 20 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Saté Burgers

Saté Burgers

Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup finely chopped dry-roasted peanuts
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 pound ground pork
3/4 pound ground turkey

Procedure:

In a large bowl, mix together cilantro, peanuts, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, cumin, salt, cayenne pepper sauce, garlic, pork and turkey. Evenly divide the mixture into 6 portions and patch each to about a 1/2″ thick patty. Preheat grill. Carefully move the patties to the grill and cook about 7 minutes on each side or until done. Remove and let briefly sit for 5 minutes before serving. We served this over a bed of nutty brown rice and spinach.