five hour bolognese sauce

Lately I have been very passionate about making the perfect bolognese sauce. After not eating meat for ten years, I am trying to make up for lost time in the meat department. This bolognese was amazing and everything I could have asked for on my first adventure with bolognese. 

Ingredients

1/2 pound pork

1/2 pound beef

1 tablespoon salt

4 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil 

1 cup onion (diced)

1 cup carrot (diced)

1 cup celery (diced)

2 cups milk

1 1/2 cup dry white wine

2 cups diced canned tomatoes 

Directions

1 hour before making, mix salt in with the meat. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery in oil and butter  for 10-15  minutes. Add meat and brown for at least 10 minutes. Pour in milk and cook for 1 hour stirring frequently, waiting till milk evaporates. Add wine and cook for another 45 minutes, stirring frequently.  Add tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 hours on low heat. Salt and Pepper to taste. 

crispy roast chicken with herbs

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken
1/2 tablespoon salt
3-4 tablespoons butter
handful chives (chopped)
teaspoon fresh rosemary (chopped)
teaspoon fresh thyme (chopped)
pepper
fingerling potatoes (cut in half)

Directions
preheat the oven to 450
Place chicken outside of fridge for 30 minutes before cooking, pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. In a saucepan melt butter with chopped herbs. Let cool until the butter herb goodness solidifies. Set the chicken in a cast iron frying pan. Make incisions in the chicken, but try to not tear the skin. Using your fingers, work the butter into the chicken, making sure to get under the skin. Make sure to cover the entire bird with butter. Place the potatoes around the chicken and  roast for 30-40 min depending on the size. Insert a meat thermometer and wait till it gets to 170-175 degrees.

Bob + Sami's Kale Salad

Greetings from sunny Santa Monica, where the dollar store has organic produce on Wednesdays.  Like all food hipsters Sam and I have been eating a lot of kale recently and marinated kale is one of the easiest ways to turn plants into food.  This recipe is also infinitely flexible: after you tear up the kale and let it soak in olive oil and salt for an hour or so you can dump in whatever you’ve got laying around.  For the acid in our dressing we used lemon juice, but vinegar or limes or anything acidic will do.  We took a tour through the farmers market this morning and grabbed a few things that looked good—corn, apples, and some white and gold beets.  On the way home we bought a can of garbanzo beans and some almonds to give our salad a little more substance.  We hope you enjoy our riff on this marinated kale salad even though it hasn’t got any eponymous butter. 

For the salad—

Kale

Corn

Golden Beets

Apples

Almonds

Garbanzo Beans

For the dressing—

Olive Oil

Lemons

Shallots

Garlic

Salt and Pepper

Start by marinating the kale in olive oil and salt.  While that is resting throw the beets and the corn in the oven and make the dressing.  Add thinly sliced shallots or onions, mashed up garlic, and salt and pepper to the lemon juice.  After the corn is done I like to give it a little texture by stripping off the husks and burning it over the burner on the stove.  Julienne the beets and apples, then combine everything.  This salad will keep in the fridge for a few days so you can bring it to your Labor Day barbecue and watch the Yoga babes swoon. 

Oven-Fried Chicken

I am back from the mountains and now have all the time in the world to blog my favorite recipes. I only cooked three times this summer, and now feel like I need to make up for lost time. As much as I love fried chicken, I can't eat it every night. This chicken is a healthier version of fried chicken, and some people have even said it is better! This is an easy recipe that will definitely be a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup olive oil

2 lemons (juiced)

salt and pepper

8 bone-in chicken thighs (skin attached)

1 cup flour

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp old bay (optional)

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried thyme

preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together milk, olive oil, lemon juice, and s+p. Add the chicken and mix. Leave the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes. Mix dry ingredients in shallow bowl. Take chicken pieces out of liquid and dredge in flour mixture. Lay on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cook for 30-40 minutes turning after 15 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with coarse salt. 

eggs and bacon in cupcake tins

Nicole and I made these this morning for breakfast. They were tasty and a perfect addition to a brunch party. You can add many things to this recipe, or just keep it simple with eggs and bacon! If you are a pork eater then I recommend using the real deal bacon. I just haven't ventured that way yet...

Ingredients

butter

8 eggs

8 pieces turkey bacon

8 slices bread

gruyere cheese (grated)

sliced scallions

salt and pepper

Directions

1. preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter cupcake tins.

2. with a rolling pin, flatten pieces of bread. with a cup, cut out circular pieces of the bread.

3. cook bacon for 4-5 min, without making it crispy.

3. break eggs in a bowl and mix. add, scallions, cheese, and salt/pepper

4. lay the bread in the tins making sure to reach the top of the tins (may need to cut pieces in half). brush melted butter over bread.

5. put bacon down first, then egg mixture.

6. bake in oven for about 25 min.

beer can chicken

Beer can chicken is something that I have always been curious about. Then, when I saw it in cooks illustrated, I knew that I would have to make it. I made mine with a delicious glaze on top and it was so good. Just try and remember to not get tall can of beer (24 ounce) and stick with a 12 or 16 ounce beer. I was so excited at the liquor store that i got a 24 ounce beer and let me tell you.... the chicken just would not fit on that can. Make sure you give yourself a lot of time for this meal.

Ingredients

1 whole chicken

4 tablespoons salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 can beer

glaze

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon water

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup orange marmalade

3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons dijon mustard

1 teaspoon pepper

Directions

preheat oven to 325 degrees

1. separate skin from chicken with fingers. Combine salt, baking soda, and pepper. Sprinkle over chicken and give it a nice rub down. Let the chicken sit in fridge for at least 30 minutes.

2. Open beer, and drink 1/4 of it. In a roasting pan, spray can with cooking spray and stick chicken on top carefully. Chicken should be sitting upright. Stick in oven for 90 minutes.

3. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring all glaze ingredients except for the cornstarch and water to a boil, and cook for 5-7 minutes. In a small bowl combine water and cornstarch. Turn off heat and add the cornstarch mixture.

4. Remove chicken from oven after 90 minutes and turn oven to 500 degrees. Place 1 1/2 cup water in roasting pan and return to oven for an additional 25 minutes.

5. brush chicken with half the glaze and stick back into the oven for 5 more minutes. Remove from oven and brush the rest of the glaze on.

6. Serve it up and enjoy!

-Devin

chicken tetrazzini

Ingredients

olive oil

1 tablespoons butter

4 boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces.

salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 handfuls of mixed fresh mushrooms, cleaned and chopped

1 cup white wine

spaghetti1 1/2 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 cup basil torn

Directions

1. preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. cook spaghetti

3. season chicken with salt and pepper

4. heat a saucepan with a splash of olive oil and butter, add chicken and brown. Add garlic and mushrooms, sauté for 30 seconds stirring. Then add the wine and turn down the heat. Simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through. Add the cream, bring to a boil, then turn off heat.

5. add the drained pasta cream sauce and stir well. Toss in basil and 3/4 of the cheese. Transfer to an ovenproof dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for 15 minutes.

-Devin

roast chicken with root vegetables

The first time I roasted a chicken, I truly felt like a real woman. All this time that I was trying to wow my guests with fancy mac'n'cheese, and all I really needed to do was roast a chicken? It was a day that I will never forget. Of course two days prior, I asked every cook I knew what their techniques were. I settled on one that my friend Heather told me about... but I added butter (oops). Roasting a whole chicken should definitely come back in style, because let me tell you it is absolutely delicious. Make sure you are always cooking for someone you care about, because everyone knows that the way to someone's heart is through their stomach.

Ingredients

1 3- 3 1/2 pound chicken (organic)

1 lemon (sliced)

sprig of oregano

sprig of thyme

3 sprigs of rosemary

salt and pepper

5 tablespoons butter (room temp)

olive oil

8 fingerling potatoes

1 onion

3 carrots

1 whole head garlic

1 sweet potato

15 brussel sprouts

olive oil

thyme

rosemary

Directions

preheat oven to 400

1. chop all vegetables and coat in olive oil. cut head of garlic in half, lengthwise. place in large shallow baking dish (pyrex or roasting pan)

2. take chicken out of fridge for at least 30 min before cooking. Rub down with salt and pepper.

3. stuff cavity with lemon, thyme, rosemary, and oregano

4. Rub butter all over chicken and under the skin on both sides. Stuff rosemary under skin of chicken.

4. place chicken on top of a wire rack and sit wire rack on top of vegetables and dish.

6. cook chicken in oven breast side up for 25 min, turn oven down to 375 and flip chicken and mix

vegetables. cook for another 25 min, flip chicken again and mix vegetables. Chicken should be back to breast side up. Cook for an additional 30 min. With a meat thermometer, make sure chicken reaches 180 degrees.

wait 20 min to serve

Chicken should be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

-Devin

albondigas soup

The first time I had albondigas soup was at restaurant in San Juan Bautista called Jardines. If you are ever in area, you need to make it here. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful. I always have to get the soup without meatballs because they are made from beef. I have not ventured to this animal, and honestly I have no desire to. I have been eating so much poultry lately that at times I feel like I might get some wings. The world of poultry has opened up my cooking world to so many new dishes. I made this soup with turkey meat. Oh and also, chicken broth tastes so much better than veggie!

This recipe is from my Mama, the best cook and mother I know.

Ingredients

meatballs

1 lb ground turkey meat

1 egg, beaten

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 carrot, minced

1/2 cup cooked rice

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

pinch cayenne

1 teaspoon cumin

Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup onions, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

6 cups chicken broth

1 can diced tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

1/2 cup cilantro chopped

1 large zucchini, chopped

Directions

1. mix all meatball ingredients. roll into balls in the palm of your hand (should make about 20-25)

2. In large pot, sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. cook for 3-5 minutes then add spices. Add broth, tomatoes, and cilantro. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Turn up heat and drop meatballs into soup one at a time. return to a simmer and cook for another 10 minutes.

4. Add zucchini and cook for 15 more minutes.

fried chicken that changed my life

Fried chicken. This was the piece of meat that all former vegetarians tell me about. For most it is bacon, but for me I knew it was going to be fried chicken. It had been nine years since I had made the decision on a road-trip with my mom that I was going to stop eating meat. I had seen a chicken truck that had cages that were 6 inches tall. The chickens were obviously on their way to the slaughter house, and I decided that I would not eat meat for a while until i knew where my meat came from. Well, nine years later I decided it was time to get some healthy chicken and start frying! I know that I will be a responsible carnivore, and urge you all to do the same. Support your local farmer (especially if you live in the bay area).

Ingredients

2 whole chickens ( each cut into 8 pieces)

4 cups buttermilk

1 bottle tobasco

conola oil (you need enough to fry chicken in 2 1/2 inches of oil)

2 cups flour

1/2 cup corn starch

1 1/2 tablespoon old bay seasoning

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

3/4 tablespoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon coriander (ground)

salt and pepper

Directions

1. Salt and pepper the chicken and add it to a bowl. poke chicken with fork and pour tobasco and buttermilk on top. Let sit for at least 3 hours, but try for overnight.

2. While the oil is heating up, Mix the flour, cornstarch, 1 teaspoon salt, and all other ingredients in a shallow bowl.

3. Coat the chicken with the flour mixture, shaking off the access flour.

4. When the oil reaches 325 degrees, fry in batches for 10 min, or until crispy.

5. Drain on a paper towel and make sure you serve this to someone that you love (my parents)!

the best shrimp pizza you will ever have!

I have tried many different recipes to find the perfect pizza dough. But honestly, whole foods makes a pretty good one. So when you don't have the time to make your own pizza dough, head over to your overpriced grocery store and pick up some (it's under 2 dollars).

I called my Mom while I was eating it to tell her that she needed to cook it soon. She asked me who I was making it for and I told her myself. She then preceded to laugh and tell me that I needed a boyfriend to cook for. If I had a boyfriend to cook for, then I wouldn't have leftovers. Why would I ever want to do that?

This shrimp pizza is loaded with goodies, so try it out. You and the people you are cooking for will be impressed.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

6 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

salt and pepper

3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons heavy cream

2-3 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 pound whole large shrimp cut into 1/4 inch pieces

2 tomatoes, sliced

1 cup cheddar cheese

1 pizza dough

oregano (optional)

Directions

preheat oven top 425 degrees

1. In a small skillet, combine olive oil, parsley, and garlic. Remove from heat when garlic starts to sizzle. Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

2.In a different skillet, melt butter. Add heavy cream and tomato paste, mix. Add Shrimp and cook for 5 min. Add garlic parsley sauce and turn off heat.

3. Lay out dough on baking sheet. Add tomatoes, then cheese, then shrimp sauce (make sure to get all of it). Sprinkle with oregano and bake till crisp, about 25-30 min.

butternut squash lasagna

Pasta Ingredients

3 cups 00 pasta flour

4-5 eggs

3 tablespoons warm water

Filling Ingredients

1 butternut squash, cut in half (de-seeded)

3 tbsp olive oil

1 shallot, finely sliced

3 tbsp fresh sage leaves

salt and pepper

2 cups grated mozzarella plus 1 cup for topping

2 cups ricotta cheese

1/2 cup parm plus 1/2 cup for topping

Sauce Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
1 shallot, minced
1/4 cup flour
4 cups milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Lasagna Directions

1. preheat oven to 400.

2. lay butternut squash on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, cook for an hour.

3.To make the pasta, Mound the flour in the center of a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the eggs. Using a fork, beat the eggs together and then begin to incorporate the flour, starting with the inner rim of the well, and add warm water. Mix with hands and knead for 5 min. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before using. Use pasta maker to create long strips.

4. remove from oven and peel skin, puree in food processor with sage leaves.

5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, boil pasta noodles for three minutes (or you can use lasagna sheets from the store :( )

6. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and saute 2 minutes. Add flour and whisk to combine; cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk. Cook, stirring regularly for about 5 minutes. Season well with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low.

7. Mix mozzarella, ricotta, and parm together.

8. Lower oven to 350

9. Spread about 3/4 cup of white sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Top with lasagna noodles, then another 3/4 cup of sauce. Pour in butternut squash puree and 1/4 of the cheese mixture,repeat three times. Add the remaining mozzarella and the parm. Bake 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and golden brown.