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"A passion for cooking is what I have...Sharing that passion is what I love to do." -Sarah Vasques, The Home Chef

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Broccoli Salad

Published by: Sarah

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  • Feb
  • 22

I recently went to a party where I was reminded of this wonderful salad & requested the recipe. After getting no response, I tinkered in my kitchen & came up with this. 1 Lg. head Broccoli Crown ** 2 Shallots, minced ½ c. Mayonnaise ¼ c. Fine Sugar or Honey ¼ c. Seasoned Rice Vinegar Pinch […]

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I recently went to a party where I was reminded of this wonderful salad & requested the recipe. After getting no response, I tinkered in my kitchen & came up with this.

1 Lg. head Broccoli Crown **
2 Shallots, minced
½ c. Mayonnaise
¼ c. Fine Sugar or Honey
¼ c. Seasoned Rice Vinegar
Pinch Salt
3 slices Pre-Cooked Bacon
1/3 c. Raisins
1/3 c. sliced Almonds, toasted

Cut the broccoli into bite size pieces (including the stems).
Put the stems into a bowl with the shallots.
Blanch the broccoli flowerets in boiling water for 30 seconds.
Immediately shock the broccoli in an ice bath.
Drain & towel dry.
Add to the bowl with shallots.
Microwave the bacon until crisp 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Whisk together mayo, vinegar, sugar (or honey) & salt until smooth.
Pour over broccoli.
Crumble the bacon into the bowl & add the raisins.
Stir to combine.
Refrigerate 1 hour.
Just before serving add the almonds.

 ** The crowns are a close cut with no long stem. The stems referred to in the recipe are from the “spear” part of the cuts.  Feel free to change it up by adding grapes instead of or along with the raisins – sunflower seeds or even toasted walnuts instead of the almonds.

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Baked Zucchini & Tomatoes

Published by: Sarah

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  • Feb
  • 17

The picture above depicts a variation of this recipe with the tomatoes baked on top of the zucchini with fontina cheese. They both are delicious. 8 cloves Garlic, 4 whole & unpeeled Pinch Sea Salt & Pepper Fresh Thyme Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 – 3 bunches Stem-on Cherry Tomato 4 Zucchini’s Preheat oven to 425°. […]

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The picture above depicts a variation of this recipe with the tomatoes baked on top of the zucchini with fontina cheese. They both are delicious.

8 cloves Garlic, 4 whole & unpeeled
Pinch Sea Salt & Pepper
Fresh Thyme
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 – 3 bunches Stem-on Cherry Tomato
4 Zucchini’s

Preheat oven to 425°.
In a food processor combine 4 cloves peeled garlic, sea salt & pepper until smooth. 
Add enough olive oil to make a paste. 
Cut zucchini’s in half lengthwise and place on baking sheet. 
Smear garlic paste on zucchini’s. 
On a separate baking sheet place tomato’s. 
Smash the 4 cloves of unpeeled garlic with the side of a cooks knife.
In and around tomato’s place thyme and smashed garlic. 
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt & pepper. 
Bake all 25 minutes rotating the pans half way through.

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Hearty Mushroom Sauce

Published by: Sarah

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  • Feb
  • 17

This hearty sauce will please even the most steadfast carnivor. 4 oz. Dried Porcini Mushrooms 3 lg. Portabella Mushroom Caps EVOO ½ lb. Shitaki Mushrooms, stems removed & sliced 2 cloves Garlic, sliced 2 T fresh Rosemary, minced ½ – ¾ c. Red Wine 1 (28 oz.) can Crushed Tomatoes Salt & Pepper Cooked Pasta […]

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This hearty sauce will please even the most steadfast carnivor.

4 oz. Dried Porcini Mushrooms
3 lg. Portabella Mushroom Caps
EVOO
½ lb. Shitaki Mushrooms, stems removed & sliced
2 cloves Garlic, sliced
2 T fresh Rosemary, minced
½ – ¾ c. Red Wine
1 (28 oz.) can Crushed Tomatoes
Salt & Pepper
Cooked Pasta of Choice
Romano Cheese

Place dried porcinis in 2 c. hot water & warm on stove. DO NOT BOIL!
Heat a grill pan over medium hi heat.
Brush with EVOO.
Grill portabella caps top side down first.
When portabella are turned season with salt & pepper.
Heat EVOO in a large skillet with the garlic.
Add the Shitaki’s & cook about 8 minutes.
Season with salt & pepper.
When portabella are cooked, remove & slice.
Add to skillet.
Add rosemary & season with salt & pepper.
Add the red wine & cook a few minutes.
Slice reconstituted porcinis & add to skillet.
Add ¾ c. reconstituted water & crushed tomatoes.
Serve this sauce over cooked pasta of choice & top with Romano cheese.

You can make this ahead & refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.

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Easy Steamed Asparagus

Published by: Sarah

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  • Jan
  • 20

This is a very simple way to prepare asparagus that is fool proof. 1 bunch Asparagus, ends trimmed Salt & Pepper Good Olive Oil, optional Dampen 3 paper towels & squeeze out the excess water. Divide the asparagus between the towels and season with salt & pepper. Roll the paper towels around the asparagus & fold in […]

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This is a very simple way to prepare asparagus that is fool proof.

1 bunch Asparagus, ends trimmed
Salt & Pepper
Good Olive Oil, optional

Dampen 3 paper towels & squeeze out the excess water.
Divide the asparagus between the towels and season with salt & pepper.
Roll the paper towels around the asparagus & fold in the ends.
Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
Remove from towels & drizzle with olive oil if desired.

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Crimini & Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes

Published by: Sarah

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  • Jan
  • 10

These hearty tomatoes can be served as a side or a main dish. 2 Ripe Beefsteak Tomatoes, halved & seeded Extra Virgin Olive Oil 20 Crimini Mushrooms, chopped 1 Rib Celery, finely chopped 2 c. Spinach, washed & dried Salt & Pepper to taste 1/2 tsp. Ground Nutmeg 2 T Sherry Vinegar 1 T Dijon Mustard […]

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These hearty tomatoes can be served as a side or a main dish.

2 Ripe Beefsteak Tomatoes, halved & seeded
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
20 Crimini Mushrooms, chopped
1 Rib Celery, finely chopped
2 c. Spinach, washed & dried
Salt & Pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
2 T Sherry Vinegar
1 T Dijon Mustard
½ c. Flat Leaf Parsley, chopped

Sauté mushrooms in olive oil until browned.
Add the celery & cook until softened.
Season with salt & pepper
Add the vinegar & mustard.
Wilt in the spinach
Season with nutmeg.
Cook 1 – 2 minutes.
Add the parsley at the end to finish.
Stuff into tomato halves & serve.

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