West Coast & Midwest: Autumn "Salads"

     While I was in California with Jenn, we ate at a few trendy little restaurants that were packed with people.  The outside seating seemed to be as large as the inside and in a couple of them, was bordered on the outside by a surrounding hedge.  It reminded me of a scene from the 1995 version of the movie Freaky Friday where Shelly Long roller blades into a swanky place just as the hostess answers the phone by saying, "The Restaurant - How did you get this number?!"  One very fun place was True Food Kitchen, part of a chain on the West Coast.  Started by a doctor, it uses ingredients that promote an "anti-inflammatory diet".  The Autumn Salad I had didn't have any lettuce in it, but it sure had a kick due to the horseradish vinaigrette that dressed it. 

      On the way home after Roy picked me up at the airport, we stopped at a popular restaurant named Napolese.  Needless to say it didn't have any November outdoor seating, but it had a great Roasted Beet Salad.  This Midwest fall "salad" didn't have any lettuce either, and instead of a West Coast spicy punch, it had a satisfying richness.

     In this post, I attempted to copy these two dishes. Regardless of which area they came from, both fit into the fall season and are great sides or even a vegetarian main dishes.  

True Food Kitchen's Autumn Salad

Ingredients for 6 servings

 

1 medium butternut squash

1 head cauliflower

1 pound brussels sprouts

5 carrots

1/2 pomegranate

 

1 (15 oz.) can white kidney beans

 

olive oil to drizzle, salt & pepper to season

 

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup champagne vinegar

1/4 cup prepared horseradish

Directions

     Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Line two baking sheets with foil.  Cut the cap off of the squash, cut it lengthwise down the middle, and scoop out the seeds. Lay both pieces of the squash on one side of a baking sheet.  Peel the carrots, cut off the tops, cut them in half and place them on the other side of the squash on the baking sheet.  Wash the cauliflower, cut into flowerets, and put them on one side on the second baking sheet.  Wash the brussels sprouts, cut off the tough woody part of the base, and if they are large, cut them in half down the middle.  Place them next to the cauliflower on the second baking sheet.  Drizzle the vegetables on both baking sheets with a bit of olive oil.  Toss them around to make sure they are evenly coated and season with salt & pepper.  Cover the cauliflower and brussels sprouts with a sheet of foil, and then put both baking sheets in the oven for at least 50 minutes or until the vegetables pierce easily with a fork and are slightly browned.

     Meanwhile, scoop the pomegranate seeds out and set aside.  Whisk together the oil, vinegar, and horseradish and set aside.  Rinse, drain, and put the beans in a microwave safe bowl.

     When the vegetables are done, take them out of the oven.  Warm up the beans for about a minute in the microware while you are cutting up the carrots into bite sized pieces.  Cut the squash into "squares", removing the peel as you do so. Then, place the beans, carrots, squash, pomegranate seeds, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower in a large bowl.  Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss.  A word to the wise:  it is the horseradish vinaigrette that makes this dish sing, so if the amount of dressing doesn't seem like enough - make a bit more!

 

Napolese's Beet Salad

Ingredient for 6 servings

1 medium butternut squash

5 carrots

3 large fresh beets

1/3 cup golden raisins

olive oil to drizzle, salt & pepper to season

 

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

 

4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts

Directions

      Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with foil.  Peel the carrots, cut off the tops, slice them in half, and place them on one side of the baking sheet.  Cut the cap off of the squash, cut it down the middle, scoop out the seeds, and put the halves next to the carrots.  Cut the leaves off of the beets, wash them well, and trim the bottoms.  Place the beets on a separate sheet of foil.  Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the carrots, squash, and beets.  Season with salt and pepper.  Wrap the beets up in the foil sheet.  Place the baking sheet and the beet foil packet into the oven and bake carrots and squash for at least 50 minutes or until the vegetables pierce easily with a fork.  The beets will need to bake about an additional 15 minutes.

      While the vegetables are baking, whisk together the oil, vinegar, and honey to make the dressing.

     When the vegetables are done, remove them from the oven.  Cut the carrots up into bite sized pieces.  Slice the squash into "squares", removing the skin as you do so.  Cut the skin away from the beets and cube.  Place the carrots, squash,  beets, and raisins in a bowl.  Pour the dressing in, and gently toss.

     Place the vegetable mixture onto a serving platter and sprinkle the goat cheese & hazelnuts over the top.  This is delicious either served warm or at room temperature.

Savory Pumpkin Stuffed Pasta Shells

     Yesterday, I returned to the Midwest after helping Jenn get settled in Southern California.  It's like a different world out there: palm trees line the streets, the temperature hovers around the 70s, and the sunshine is like liquid gold.  Once in a great while, a rare deciduous tree is seen with changing leaves, but for the most part, the area is void of the sensory sights associated with fall. However, people still decorate their homes and shops with life-like looking colored leaves, burlap, and gourds.  The restaurants were all offering autumn salads that featured roasted squash and pumpkin seeds. It occurred to me that whatever part of the country one is in, people still love to celebrate the change of seasons.  Although "Falling for Fall" is spoofed, I confess I tumble in too!  Right now I'm into dishes that highlight squash and autumn colors like the one in this post.  Although the sauce is rich, it has so much flavor that you can drizzle it sparingly on the stuffed shells and not feel guilty! 

Savory Pumpkin Stuffed Pasta Shells

Ingredients for 12 stuffed shells:

12 jumbo pasta shells

2 cups canned pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage

2 cloves garlic, put through a press

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

 

Cook the pasta shells in boiling water according to the package directions.  While they are cooking, combine the pumpkin, shallots, sage, garlic, salt and pepper.  When the pasta shells are ready, drain and rinse with cool water.  Stuff each shell with about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the pumpkin mixture.

Cover a baking sheet with foil and a bit of cooking spray.  Place the stuffed shells on the sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  While they are baking, prepare the parmesan sauce.

Ingredients for sauce

2/3 cup whipping cream

4 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons white wine

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

pinch of salt

pinch of pepper

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

2 cups of arugula for "bed" to rest shells on

Directions:

Place cream, butter, and wine into pan and cook, stirring constantly, over medium low heat for about 2 minutes until well blended and mixture bubbles.  Take off the heat, stir in the parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Place the arugula on a serving platter. Arrange the baked stuffed shell on top.  Drizzle with the sauce and sprinkle the nuts and chopped sage on top.  Pass the remaining sauce at the table.



California Dreaming - Carne Asada Tacos

     The big news around here is that Jenn is moving to California.  She's young, single and ready to spread her wings and fly!  While there is no doubt I will miss her being close to home, I am proud of her adventurous spirit and glad she has this opportunity.  I'm also excited that we now have a wonderful place to visit.  She and I spent last weekend exploring her new city and finding an apartment.  While we were familiarizing ourselves with the area, I discovered a specialty in Southern California - Carne Asada. It's thin, citrus marinated grilled steak served in tacos or burritos.  I had it twice while we were there and each time it was served with salsa and guacamole.  I had to try it once we got home and no one here was disappointed with the results - these are yummy!

 Carne Asada Tacos:  Lime Marinated Steak, Salsa, and Guacamole 

 

Ingredients for enough marinade for 2 pounds of flank, skirt, or flat iron steak:

4 garlic cloves, put through a press

2 teaspoons jalapeño or Serrano pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 teaspoon freshly ground cumin seed

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, leaves and stems, finely chopped

 1/4 cup lime juice 

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pinch pepper

 *This marinade recipe is modified from http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/carne_asada/

Directions:

Take a serrated knife and "butterfly" the steak by cutting it through the middle so it becomes a larger but thinner cut of meat. Whisk the marinade ingredients together.  Place the steak in a glass dish and pour the marinade over it.  Cover and refrigerate at least one hour.

While the steak is marinating, make the salsa and the guacamole...

Ingredients for 2 cups salsa:

3 tomatoes, chopped

3 green onions, sliced

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped

1 tablespoon diced jalapeno or Serrano pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper 



Directions: 

 Combine the salsa ingredients together and serve with chips or tacos

Ingredients for 2 cups guacamole:

2 ripe avocados

2 teaspoons finely chopped jalapeno or Serrano pepper

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, put through a press

2 tablespoons finely diced onion

2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 tomato, chopped

 Directions: 

Put all the ingredients but the chopped tomato into a bowl.  Use the bottom of a glass to smash and combine everything together.  After it is well blended, stir in the chopped tomato.

To Assemble the Carne Asada Tacos:

Grill the steak about 7 minutes per side.  Slice into strips.

Heat corn tortillas in the microwave for about 15 seconds or covered with foil in a 350 degree oven until warm.  Use two tortillas per taco.  Place steak strips, salsa, and guacamole on one side and then fold over.  This is great served with rice and black beans seasoned with a sprinkle of lime juice and a pinch of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Also nice is simple salad made of cabbage, diced tomatoes, and red onions that have soaked in white vinegar for about 10 minutes. Dress the salad with a drizzle of a basic oil and vinegar mixture: 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

An American Mom Makes Argentine Food

     Last year when Allison did a year long study abroad in Argentina, I was thrilled when I got the chance to visit her there.  Caroline and Jennifer went too and we had a wonderful time.  Buenos Aires is the largest city in Argentina and it's full of wonderful things to see and do.  We went to the Evita Museum, Tango Dancing, and Recoleta Cemetery.  We saw the Japanese Gardens and toured the many varied neighborhoods in such as Palermo.  One thing we did a lot of is eat, because the food is fabulous!  About 97% of the Argentine people have a European background and much of the cuisine has an Italian or Spanish influence. Of course the meat is great, but so are the vegetables.  Everything is smaller and tastes better - chicken, lettuce, eggplant.  Even the portion sizes are smaller and frankly, so are the people! 

There was a place about two blocks from Allison's apartment called la Continental.  One restaurant out of a franchise chain, it was like a Panera Bread - sort of fast food only with an extensive menu. Sometimes Allison would meet friends there and they would study while they ate. The girls and I went a couple of times while we were there.  We ordered the typical foods: empanadas, pizza, and milanese. Each type of empanada had its own crimp design along the edge according to what filling is inside.  We loved the cheese and onion ones, but also the meat kind.  Allison's favorite pizza had yellow banana peppers and green olives on it; a surprisingly delicious combination!  The milanesa is similar to eggplant or veal parmesan except very thin steak is used. It's breaded, fried (or baked), and often served topped with marinara sauce, cheese and sometimes ham. Now that she's back in school here in the Midwest, it's senior year career fair-interview time.  I went down to see her last week in order to drop off the standard black business suit, and while I was there I cooked up some of her Argentine favorites.  Since I only had a limited amount of time,  I cut some corners - I used frozen pizza dough, refrigerated biscuits and an easy red sauce. 

Milanesa

For Easy Marinara Sauce:

1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Milanesa Steaks

1 pound very thinly sliced sirloin tip steaks

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

4 eggs

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

2 tablespoons olive oil if frying or cooking spray if baking

8 oz. mozzarella cheese

8 oz. sliced ham (optional) 

1 tomato, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons dried oregano

Directions

Make the super easy sauce first by combining the tomato sauce, oregano, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and let it simmer over medium low heat while you are breading the steaks.

Next follow these steps to prepare the steaks for cooking:

 

In a bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together.  Cut the steak into serving sized pieces.  Use tongs to submerge the steak in the flour so its covered all over.

 

In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and mustard.  Dip the flour covered steak in it.

 

Finally, pour the bread crumbs out onto a plate and coat both sides of the steak with them.

Now they can either be baked or fried.  If baking, spray both the pan with cooking spray and the top of the steak.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the crust is nice and brown.  If frying, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan over medium heat and cook about 10 minutes on each side.  Be careful not to burn the crust and try to turn the steak over only once.

Transfer the steak to a baking pan (if not on already) and ladle sauce onto each piece.  Top with a ham slice (if using), cheese, and a tomato slice.  Sprinkle with some of the oregano.

Place the pan containing the milansea into a 375 degree oven for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted.  These are often served with French fries! Enjoy!

Empanadas

Meat Filled Empanadas

For the meat filling ingredients and directions, please go here: http://yatesyummies.blogspot.com/2012/02/easy-empanadas-for-allison-and-cassie.html

I now use refrigerator biscuit dough because it's so easy to use. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes.

 

I just spread out the dough rounds like a little pizza, fill, and seal with fork tines.

Onion Cheese Empanadas 

Ingredients

2 onions, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 

Directions:

Saute the onion in the olive oil until very soft and just beginning to barely get brown.

Fill each dough round with about a tablespoon of onion and a tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese. Fold, seal, and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until the crust is nice and brown.  

 

Allison's Favorite Pizza

Ingredients for two 12 inch pizzas:

1 batch of the easy marinara sauce from above

2 packages of frozen dough for a 12 inch pizza or a premade crust

8 oz. ham slices

4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup jarred yellow banana peppers

1/2 cup green onives

1 tomato sliced thinly

2 teaspoons dried oregano

Directions

 

Spread the dough out onto a pizza pan, baking stone, or even a cookie sheet. Ladle the sauce on to the pizza and spread it around.  Top each pizza with 2 cups of the cheese, ham slices (if using), banana peppers, green olives, tomato slices, and a teaspoon of oregano.  Bake on the middle rack at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is bubbly.

 

Tailgate Two - Tasty Tips

 Last weekend Caroline volunteered to get together the food that needed to be heated and/or grilled at a tailgate gathering for 25.  Many people at the company she works with were Hospitality and Tourism Management majors from the same university - and it was Homecoming!  I was thrilled to be able to help and she texted me her menu wish list.  Along with the usual hot dogs, hamburgers, and brats, she wanted to serve Spinach Artichoke Dip and Buffalo Chicken Dip.  The group had access to grills, but if a pan is just set right on the grill, the bottom is sure to burn.  The answer was to put rocks in the bottom of an empty pan, pour water in it, and then set the pan with dip in it on top of that.  Caroline said it worked perfectly and every one loved the hot dips on a fall day.  As for keeping the Chipotle-Cilantro Slaw and potato salad cold, she employed the opposite method.  Ice was put in the bottom of an empty pan, and the pans with the slaw and potato salad were set on top of that.  The spinach dip recipe came from the days when Caroline was working in the John Purdue Room for a class toward that above mentioned degree.  The chicken dip is from Jenn Ford, a teacher friend of mine.  Both could be made a bit healthier by substituting low fat cream cheese, light mayonnaise, and Greek yogurt for the real cream cheese, mayo, and sour cream.  The slaw is from Southern Living Magazine and to help it travel well, Caroline kept the dressing in a jar and the peppers in a baggie until the last minute.  The potato salad is a family favorite and a nice change of pace when surrounded by other dishes loaded with mayonnaise.  Below are the recipes - Enjoy!

Put ice in bottom pan to keep it cool

Put rock in each corner w/ water, top with pan

                                

Spinach Artichoke Dip for 12

Ingredients:

8 cups loosely pack fresh spinach

1 (15 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained & quartered

12 oz. cream cheese, cup into cubes

2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

 1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Blend all the ingredients together.  It can help to use the bottom of a glass to work the cream cheese in.  Place in an eight by eight pan and either bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes until brown on top and heated throughout  - or if you are tailgating use indirect grill heat.  This is the best recipe I have found for spinach artichoke dip. I am always asked for it!

 

Buffalo Chicken Dip for 12

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked, diced chicken

16 oz. cream cheese (2 bricks), cubed

1 cup ranch salad dressing

3/4 cup Frank's hot sauce

1 1/2 shredded mild cheddar cheese

 

Directions:

Mix everything together.  Place in an eight by eight pan, bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes until brown on top and heated throughout  - or if you are tailgating use indirect grill heat.

 Chipotle-Cilantro Slaw for 12 from Southern Living

Ingredients:

1 (16 oz.) package shredded coleslaw mix

2 canned chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce, chopped

1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoon sour cream

2 tablespoons fresh  lime juice

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon lime zest

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Place the coleslaw mix and chili peppers in a serving dish.  Whisk the rest of the ingredients together, add to the coleslaw mixture, and toss until coated.  Serve immediately or cover and chill up to one hour. I mix the cilantro in with the dressing, but the original recipe calls for it to be mixed with the slaw first.

Favorite Potato Salad for 12

Ingredients:

1 pound redskin potatoes, washed & cut

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/4 cup diced yellow onion

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender, but not falling apart!  Drain, place in a serving bowl and set aside.  Whisk all the other ingredients together and pour over the still warm potatoes.  This is great served right away, but also good chilled.