Sunday
Lasagna
Ingredients
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
1.In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
2.Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4.To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
5.Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Super Seven Spinach Salad
Ingredients
1 (6 ounce) package baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup cubed Cheddar cheese
1 Fuji apple - peeled, cored and diced
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/3 cup blanched slivered almonds
3 tablespoons poppy seed salad dressing
Directions
In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, Cheddar cheese, apple, red onion, cranberries and slivered almonds. Toss with poppy seed dressing just before serving
Monday
Chicken Sausage with Potatoes & Sauerkraut
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces (4 links) cooked chicken sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into 2- to 3-inch pieces
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 1/2 cups sauerkraut, rinsed
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 bay leaf
Preparation
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and onion and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add potatoes, sauerkraut, wine, pepper, caraway seeds and bay leaf; bring to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Green beans
Ingredients
1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds
3 tablespoons butter
5 small shallots, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped
Directions
1. Place the slivered almonds in a dry skillet over low heat, and cook and stir constantly until the almonds are lightly toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully, because they burn easily. Remove the almonds and set aside.
2. Heat butter in a skillet over medium-low heat, and cook and stir the shallots and red bell pepper until softened, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle the shallot mixture with sugar, salt, and pepper, and reduce heat to low. Cover, and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the shallots caramelize, 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Place a steamer insert into a saucepan, fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer, and bring the water to a boil. Add the green beans, cover, and steam until just tender enough to pierce with a fork, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the green beans, place them into the skillet with the shallot mixture, mix well, and gently stir in the toasted almonds.
Tuesday
Fiery Tex-Mex Chipotle Cheeseburgers
Ingredients
For Chipotle Mayonnaise:
1 1/2 teaspoons chipotles in adobo sauce (recommended: La Victoria)
3/4 cup mayonnaise (recommended: Best Foods)
For Burgers:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
2 tablespoons Tex-Mex chili seasoning (recommended: McCormick's)
2 teaspoons chipotles in adobo sauce (recommended: La Victoria)
1/4 cup beer of choice
Salt and pepper
2 slices pepper Jack cheese (recommended: Tillamook)
Hamburger buns, toasted
Lettuce, tomatoes, onions
Sliced avocado, optional
Directions
NOTE: Chipotle chiles are smoked, dried jalapenos and are often found packed in adobo sauce which is a spicy dark red sauce made from tomatoes and herbs. Chipotles in adobo can be found in the Mexican foods section of the grocery store.
For the chipotle mayonnaise: Remove peppers from can (you may want to use rubber gloves if sensitive to peppers). Carefully split open and scrape out seeds. Finely chop peppers; set aside. In a small bowl, stir together 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped chipotle peppers and mayonnaise; set aside covered in refrigerator until ready to use.
For the burgers: In a mixing bowl, stir to combine ground beef, chili seasoning, 2 teaspoons chopped chipotles, and beer. Wet your hands to prevent sticking and shape into 4 patties slightly larger than the buns; set aside covered in refrigerator if not cooking immediately. Set up grill for direct cooking over high heat. Brush and oil grill before cooking. Season burgers with salt and pepper and place on hot oiled grill. Cook 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium. Place cheese slices on burgers 2 to 3 minutes before burgers are done. Serve hot on toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, sliced avocado, if desired, and a dollop of chipotle mayonnaise.
INDOOR: Follow instructions for preparing burgers. Preheat broiler. Place burgers on wire rack over foil-lined baking sheet or broiler pan. Broil 6 inches from heat source for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium. Place cheese slices on burger 1 to 2 minutes before done. Serve hot on toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, sliced avocado (if desired), and a dollop of chipotle mayonnaise.
Baked sweet potato fries
Ingredients
Olive Oil, for tossing
5 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch long slices, then 1/4-wide inch strips, using a crinkle cut knife
Oil
1 tablespoon House Seasoning (recipe follows)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with parchment. In a large bowl toss sweet potatoes with just enough oil to coat. Sprinkle with House Seasoning and paprika. Spread sweet potatoes in single layer on prepared baking sheet, being sure not to overcrowd. Bake until sweet potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
For the House Seasoning: Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Wednesday
Oven-Roasted Mushroom Soup
Ingredients
1/3 cup(s) olive oil1
1/2 pound(s) shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and caps roughly chopped into large pieces
1 1/2 pound(s) cremini mushrooms, roughly chopped into large pieces
3/4 teaspoon(s) salt
3/4 teaspoon(s) coarse-ground pepper
1/2 cup(s) very finely chopped shallots
3/4 cup(s) white wine
3 cup(s) low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 teaspoon(s) chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoon(s) heavy cream
1 tablespoon(s) lemon juice
Directions
1. Roast the mushrooms: Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Place the olive oil in a large (about 16- by 13-inch) nonstick roasting pan. Add the mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and toss. Roast on the lowest shelf in the oven for 20 minutes. Add the shallots, stir to combine, and continue to cook for 10 more minutes. Remove about 1 1/2 cups of the mushrooms, set aside and keep warm.
2. Make the soup: Remove the roasting pan from the oven and pour in the wine; stir, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the roasting pan. Add the low-sodium chicken broth, 2 cups of water, and thyme leaves. Return the pan to the oven and let cook, simmering, for about 20 more minutes. Remove pan from the oven and transfer its contents to a large serving bowl.
3. Finish the soup. Remove 3/4 cup of the mushrooms with a slotted spoon; puree with 1/4 cup of the soup liquid in a blender. Stir the puree, cream, lemon juice, and remaining salt and pepper into the soup. Serve hot, topped with the reserved mushrooms.
Salad with blueberries
Ingredients
2 quarts mixed salad greens
1/4 cup fresh lime or lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey or sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh blueberries, divided
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
a few grinds of pepper
Directions
Clean the greens and spin or blot dry. Mix together lime or lemon juice, honey and salt. Mash 1/2 cup blueberries into the juice and honey mixture. Stir in yogurt, pepper and oil. Taste for seasoning. Dress salad just before serving: divide greens onto 4 large salad plates, spoon dressing over and scatter reserved blueberries on top.
Thursday
Spinach-Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Ingredients
Kosher salt
1/2 cup orzo
4 cups spinach, thinly sliced
10 medium radishes, quartered
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1/2 red onion, quartered and thinly sliced
1/4 cup pitted oil-cured olives, chopped
1/2 cup packed fresh mint, chopped
1/2 cup packed fresh parsley, chopped
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions
Preheat the broiler. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water and shake dry. Meanwhile, toss the spinach, radishes, cucumber, onion, olives, mint, parsley and 1/3 cup each lemon juice and olive oil in a large bowl. Add the orzo and season with salt and pepper. Toss the shrimp with the remaining 2 tablespoons each lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl. Arrange on a foil-lined broiler pan and broil until slightly pink, 1 to 2 minutes. Turn and broil until just cooked through, 2 to 3 more minutes. Divide the salad among plates. Top with the shrimp, sprinkle with the feta and season with pepper.
Friday
Spinach Ravioli With Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 ounce Italian salami, finely diced, or pulsed in a food processor
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 28-ounce can San Marzano plum tomatoes, drained, juices reserved
5 or 6 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
Pinch of sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds frozen spinach-and-cheese ravioli
1 ounce ricotta salata or parmesan cheese, grated
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the salami and garlic and cook, about 1 minute. Crush the tomatoes into the pan with your hands and cook until slightly dry, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved tomato juice, basil, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Increase the heat to high and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3/4 cup water and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let simmer while you cook the ravioli. Add salt to the boiling water, then add the ravioli and cook as the label directs; drain. Divide the ravioli among shallow bowls, spoon the sauce on top and sprinkle with the cheese. Garnish with more basil.
Broccoli and Peppers
Ingredients
1 pound broccoli florets
1 sliced red bell pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 sliced garlic cloves
2 to 4 crushed dried red chiles
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Cook 1 pound broccoli florets and 1 sliced red bell pepper in salted boiling water until just tender, about 3 minutes; drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool, then drain again. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 2 sliced garlic cloves and 2 to 4 crushed dried red chiles and cook 30 seconds. Add the broccoli and bell pepper and cook 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Saturday
Ragda patties
Ingredients:
250 gms green or white peas, soak in water overnight and pressure cook till soft
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 large tomato, finely chopped
3-4 green chillis, slit length wise
1 tsp grated ginger
1/4 tsp asafoetida/hing
1/4 tsp turmeric pwd
1/2 tsp cumin pwd
1 tsp coriander pwd
garam masala pwd (2 cloves, 1/2″ cinnamon, 1 cardamom)
1 tbsp tamarind paste (optional)
fresh coriander leaves for garnish
salt to taste
1/2 tbsp oil
Directions
1. Heat oil in a vessel, add the cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add green chillis and grated ginger and saute for 4-5 seconds. Immediately add the asafoetida, followed by the onion. Cook on medium heat for 4-5 mts.
2. Add the spice pwds (except garam masala pwd) and salt. Combine well. Add the tomatoes and cook until soft.
3. Add the boiled peas (keep aside 3 tbsps of boiled peas and mash them). Add a cup of water and cook on high for 3-4 mts. Reduce flame and cook on simmer for 7-8 mts. Add the mashed peas and combine. Add the tamarind paste, combine and cook for 4-5 mts.
4. While the ragda is simmering, add garam masala pwd. The gravy will begin to thicken. Adjust the salt. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
5. Serve hot with bhatura or rotis or proceed to prepare Ragda patties or Masala Puri.
How to make Ragda Patties Chat:
Aloo Tikki Recipe – Combine 2 mashed potatoes (should be cooled completely), 2 bread slices (remove sides), pinch of red chili pwd, 1 tsp green chilli-ginger paste, salt to taste. Make small patties/cutlets and shallow fry till golden brown on both sides.
Take a wide serving plate. Place two aloo tikkis, spoon some warm ragda over the tikkis. Next spoon green chutney and sweet tamarind chutney. Spoon sweetened curd/dahi (purely optional). Sprinkle some chopped onion and tomatoes. Finally finish off with sev and coriander leaves. Serve immediately. Best savored when ragda is warm.
