Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Ingredients

1 stick of unsalted butter

1 1/2 lbs fresh broccoli cut into florets

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

S&P

4 tablespoons flour

6 cups low sodium chicken stock

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Directions

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add broccoli, onion, carrot, and S&P and cook for 10 minutes. Add the flour and cook for another few minutes until the flour turns a blonde color. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Pour in the cream and the cheddar. Puree the soup with an immersion blender.

Potato Soup with Shrimp

I haven't been updating my blog as often as I used to. Well, that's because I have an awesome job that is keeping me busy these days. However, today I couldn't resist as I bought a handy dandy emersion blender. Also, I'm not taking a picture of it.....I have been told my pics are not doing my good cooking justice....lol, oh well, I'm just having fun....

Ingredients

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small red onion, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

2 tablespoons flour

10 red potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 cups 2% milk

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

1 lb cooked shrimp (no tail)

Finely chopped dill and grated cheddar for topping

Directions

In a large pot melt the butter and saute the onion and carrot for about 5 minutes on medium high heat so that the onion is slightly golden and translucent. Add the flour and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly until the flour gets a blonde color.

Add the potatoes and stir regularly for about 5 minutes. Then add the milk and chicken stock. Cover and cook for 15 minutes. You can then add the heavy cream and season with the S&P.

Use the emersion blender to make the soup creamy....about 10 minutes with a strong arm. Then add the shrimp and heat through. Serve with dill and cheddar on top.

Ravioli alla Vodka

Ingredients

1 lb pasta

48 oz tomato sauce

1/2 cup vodka

1/3 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Combine all (but the pasta) into a medium pot and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes. For the tomato sauce, I cheated and used a jar of Classico.

Cook the pasta to package directions in a large pot, drain well and put back in the pot and add the sauce. Stir to combine. For the pasta I used packaged ravioli, but you can use penne or any other large-ish sized pasta.

Penne Carbonara

Ingredients

1/2 lb pancetta, diced into 1/4'' cubes

S&P

6 eggs - room temperature

1/2 cup heavy cream - room temp

1 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan

1 lb mezze penne

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Cook pancetta in a large pan until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with a paper towel.

In a medium bowl whisk the eggs with cream until combined. Season with S&P and stir in 1 cup of the paremesan. Reserve 1/4 cup for garnish and for additional sprinkling at the table.

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain quickly and return to the large pot (don't drain thoroughly). Immediately add the egg cream mixture. Stir to combine and then add the parsley and pancetta.

Pork & Sesame Noodles

Marinade

4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon peanut oil

1 tablespoon sesame oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1'' ginger, minced

2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped

Ingredients

2 boneless pork chops, each cut in half making a total of 4

1 lb whole wheat fettuccine

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 tablespoons peanut oil

4 green onions chopped on an angle

1 red bell pepper, diced

1'' ginger, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon chili paste

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

3 tablespoons hot water

1 teaspoon black sesame seeds for garnish

1 teaspoon regular toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

Whisk together all ingredients for the marinade. Put the pork and the marinade in a ziplock bag. Refrigerate for 1 hour, up to 6 hours.

Grill over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side. Set aside to cool a bit and then slice into thin pieces.

Bring a big pot of water to boil - add a tablespoons of peanut oil into the water. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions and add an additional minute. Drain pasta and toss with sesame oil.

While pasta cooks heat the rest of the peanut oil in a medium pot. Add the green onions, red bell, ginger, garlic and chili paste. Cook for 3 minutes, until fragrant. Add the brown sugar, peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce and hot water. Stir until all is melted and combined.

In a large mixing bowl combine the pasta, pork and peanut sauce. Garnish with the sesame seeds. This can be served hot, room temperature or chilled.

Chicken Marsala

Ingredients

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)

1 cup flour

S&P

1/4 cup EVOO

4 oz sliced up ham

8 oz baby bella mushrooms, quartered

1 small shallots, sliced

1 medium summer squash, cut into 1/2'' cubes

1/2 cup Marsala wine

1/2 cup chicken stock

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/8 cup finely chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

Directions

Pound out the breasts to 1/4''. Put them in a ziplock bag - makes it easier. Put the flour in a large pie tin and season with fresh ground pepper and sea salt - mix to combine. Dredge the chicken in the flour.

Heat the oil over high heat. Cook the chicken 5 minutes on each side. Remove to a platter and cover.

Add the ham to the pan with the drippings. You can also use prosciutto instead of ham. I happened to have ham handy....also it's cheaper. Saute the ham or prosciutto for about a minute so it renders. Then add the mushrooms (I said quartered, half the smaller ones) squash, shallots, parsley and S&P. Cook for about 5 minutes and then add the Marsala. Cook for two minutes and then add the chicken stock. Cook for another minute. Put the chicken back into the pan to warm through.

Roasted Pasta Primavera

Ingredients

1 cup baby carrots

2 medium zucchini, cut into strips

1 yellow squash, cut into strips

1 red bell pepperm cut into strips

1/8 cup EVOO

S&P

2 teaspoons herbes de Provence

1 lb farfalle

1 cup grape tomatoes cut in halves

1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan

1/2 cup freshly grated asiago

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 F.

In a large bowl (the same one you will use to combine the entire dish later) toss all the the vegetables with the EVOO, S&P and herbs. Transfer the veggies to a baking sheet evenly in one layer. Cook for 20 minutes.

At the same time, cook pasta to package directions and drain. Before you drain reserve a half cup of the starchy pasta water.

Toss the pasta with the veggies in that large bowl you started off with. Add the cherry tomatoes and some of the pasta water. Top with the grated cheeses.