July 4th Menu

Our country’s most important celebration is just around the corner. July 4th is the day we really should be taking a good long look at how lucky we are to live in this great country and to reflect on what our forefathers had in mind when the Constitution of the United States of America was written. After spending 5 weeks in Europe this past spring I realized how much better off we are in America even through these turbulent times. So with that said here is a great menu to celebrate the holiday. Enjoy!!

Cedar Plank Grilled Shrimp with Mango-Pineapple Salsa

Tortilla Chips to Accompany Mango-Pineapple Salsa

Marinated and Grilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri 

 

Beer Can Chicken

Grilled Moroccan Potato Salad – Roasted Lemon Vinaigrette

Vegetable Couscous

Swamp Cabbage Slaw

Assorted Pickled Veggies (Yucatan Pickled Onions, Pickled Beets, Pickled Jalapeños, Bread and Butter Pickles and more)

S’Mores Tart

This is a menu to feed a crowd. So fire up the grill and get ready for a fabulous 4th of July.

Happy 4th of July !!

camille@camillecooksforyou.com

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Appetizers, Beef, Beer, Cedar Plank Grilling, Charcoal Grill, Chicken, Chocolate, Condiments, Couscous, Dessert, Dessert/Pastry, Desserts, Food For Thought, Graham Cracker Crust, Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate, Hints and Tips, Italian Meringue, Lemon, Mango, Meat, Pickled Fruit, Pickled Vegetables, Pickled Veggies, Pickling, Pie, Pineapple, Poultry, Recipes To Share, Salad, Salad Dressing, Salsa, Sauces, Shrimp, Tarts, Vinaigrette, Vinaigrettes and Dressings | Tagged , , | Comments Off on July 4th Menu

Easter Brunch and Dinner

Easter Brunch and Easter Dinner were always a big deal in our home when growing up. Mom would be up very early to prep for the day. This after being up late the night before making her traditional and famous 24 egg Frittata and her delicious, also traditional and famous, Easter Pizza (Satoni/Calzone) while us kids would be coloring Easter Eggs. The Frittata and Easter Pizza would be our brunch after Easter Mass along with an array of freshly baked Sweet Rolls from the bakery on Belmont Avenue. As soon as brunch was gobbled up Mom would start on Easter Dinner: Homemade Ravioli, Marinara (Gravy) with Meatballs, Braciola (Flank Steak that has been pounded thin and filled with Prosciutto, Parmesan Cheese, Parsley, Garlic and Hard Boiled Egg. Then rolled and tied),  Pork Butt and Beef Pot Roast. Next would be the Leg of Lamb with Roasted Potatoes. Of course there would be several different Vegetables: Braised Artichokes, Asparagus, Roasted Peppers and an Italian Salad. Whew! Now that was a lot of food!

We would have dessert an hour or so after dinner since we were pretty much stuffed. Mom would make her traditional Easter Lamb Pound Cake which was served along side seasonal  Fruits and Nuts in their shells – Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, Pecans, Hazel Nuts.

There would be the five of us plus Grandpa, Uncle Dom, Auntie JiJie and Uncle Epol. This was the standard guest list but almost always someone else would be invited to share our feast. Oh how I miss Easter with my family.

My Mother lived for these feasts. She never tired or got bored when it came to preparing for all of this food. Sometimes people ask me why she made so much. That was the way of our family: All of my Aunts on both sides prepared menus like this for the holidays. My grandparents and many of my Aunts and Uncles were immigrants that grew up during the depression. Needless to say, their tables were not always bountiful when they were children. Food is and was the way they showed their love for their families.

Here is my take on some of my Mother’s recipes plus a few of my originals for your Easter Celebration.

Easter Frittata

Easter Frittata

Satoni (Easter Pizza, Calzone)

Satoni Ready For The Oven

Satoni Sprinkled With Jimmies

Sliced Satoni Ready For Brunch

Homemade Ravioli

Homemade Ravioli

Homemade Ravioli 

Ravioli in Marinara

Roasted Marinara with Meatballs

Roasted Marinara 

Meatballs Italiano

Roasted Leg of Lamb

Leg of Lamb Ready for the Oven 

Roasted Leg of Lamb

Asparagus Mimosa

Asparagus Mimosa

Potatoes Au Gratin

Potatoes Au Gratin

Coconut Cake

Coconut Cake

Happy Easter!  

camille@camillecooksforyou.com

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Asparagus, Brunch, Cake, Coconut, Dessert, Dessert/Pastry, Desserts, Dinner, Easter, Easter Pie, Easter Pizza, Egg Dishes, Eggs, Entree, Food For Thought, Fresh Pasta, Frittata, Ham, Italian Dishes, Italian Food, Italian Sausage, Lamb, Lamb Sauce, Lamb Stock, Marinara, Meat, Meatballs Italiano, Menus, Potato | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Easter Brunch and Dinner

Pasta Carbonara

 

It’s no secret that I love Pasta. I was raised on it and I have cooked it all of my adult life. I make my own pasta and I’ve made it for restaurants I worked in. So, no surprise here – Pasta is my favorite food in almost any form and preparation.

I posted this picture on FaceBook a while ago and the requests for the recipe have been tremendous. I love this recipe.

Many Carbonara recipes you read use pancetta instead of bacon. I use bacon because I love the smokey flavor. You will notice I do not add any salt to the sauce. The reason being is that there is enough salt in the bacon, prosciutto and Parmesan cheese for the whole dish. Plus I cook my pasta in salted water. (NEVER RINSE YOUR PASTA>)

The whole story of the origin of this dish and its place in cucina romana is vague. The origin of carbonara is much discussed, yet no one really knows. There are several competing theories, but all are anecdotal.

This is my favorite version since my parents’ families are from the Abruzzo region:  Although thought of as a typical Roman dish, the name is said to come from a dish made in the Apennine Mountains of the Abruzzo by woodcutters who made charcoal for fuel. They would cook the dish over a hardwood charcoal fire and use penne rather than spaghetti because it is easier to toss with the eggs and cheese.

Serves 4 As An Entrée, 8 As A First Course

8          Ounces Thick Sliced Smoked Bacon Cut Into Julienne Strips Crosswise

1          Cup Thinly Sliced Red Onion

½         Cup White Wine (Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Chablis)

1          Cup Crème Fraiche or Heavy Cream

1          Cup Parmesan Cheese, Finely Grated

6          Ounces Prosciutto, Thinly Sliced and Cut Into Julienne Strips Crosswise

1          Cup Fresh or Frozen Sweet Peas (Thawed if frozen)

1          Large Egg, Lightly Beaten

½         Teaspoon Fresh Coarse Ground Black Pepper

1          Pound Pasta, Cooked Al Dente (Homemade Pasta or Dried Pasta)

1          Cup Reserved Pasta Water

Have your pot of salted boiling water ready to cook the pasta. While you are waiting for the water to boil begin the recipe.

In a large sauté pan sauté the bacon until most of the fat is rendered. Add the red onion and sauté until onion begins to turn translucent. Deglaze the pan with the white wine and reduce by half. Add the crème fraiche or heavy cream and cook until slightly thickened, approximately 3 minutes. Add the Parmesan cheese and cook until completely incorporated. Add the prosciutto and peas and cook until just heated through. Add the egg and quickly stir to incorporate the egg. Don’t let it scramble. Add the freshly ground black pepper.

Add the pasta hot out of the water and toss to combine with the sauce. If it seems a little too thick for your liking add a bit of the reserved pasta water. You want this to be creamy but not thin and runny.

Serve immediately.

Hint and Tips: You want the pasta to be hot and right out of the boiling water when you toss it in the sauce. I suggest that you make the sauce up to the point of adding the lightly beaten egg. Move the sauce off of the heat. Cook your pasta and before draining take out about a cup of the pasta water and set aside. Just before you add the pasta to the sauce incorporate the egg into the sauce. The hot pasta will cook the egg.

You can use whatever shape pasta you like. I love Spaghetti or Fettuccini for this recipe.

Buono Appetito

camille@camillecooksforyou.com

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Bacon, Cream, Creme Fraiche, Eggs, Food For Thought, Italian Dishes, Pasta, Prosciutto, Wine | Tagged | Comments Off on Pasta Carbonara

Quinoa And Roasted Chicken Salad With Roasted Lemon Cilantro Vinaigrette

Here is a quick and easy recipe to have on hand for the weekend or weekday lunches. I used Tri-Color Quinoa but that’s not necessary if you have regular on hand or can’t find the tri-color. All of the ingredients are kind of a suggestion. If you have other vegetables, such as asparagus, green beans, corn, peas, etc., go ahead and use them. You could easily turn this into a vegetarian dish by leaving out the chicken.

If you don’t  have the time to roast the lemons for the vinaigrette use fresh lemon juice. (NEVER USE BOTTLED LEMON JUICE.)

Quinoa And Roasted Chicken Salad With Roasted

Lemon Cilantro Vinaigrette

Roasted Lemons

Have a great weekend and enjoy this refreshing, good for you, delicious salad.

camille@camillecooksforyou.com

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Chicken, Chicken Salad, Cilantro, Grains, Lemon, Luncheon Salads, Pickled Vegetables, Pickled Veggies, Pickling, Salad, Salad Dressing | Tagged , | Comments Off on Quinoa And Roasted Chicken Salad With Roasted Lemon Cilantro Vinaigrette

Fat Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday

Big week coming up: Tuesday is FAT TUESDAY and the last day of Mardi Gras. Wednesday is Valentine’s Day. Wednesday is also Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent. Here are a few recipes to celebrate Fat Tuesday and Valentine’s Day. There are also recipes for the first day of Lent.

As you can see from the photos, I made the Dark Chocolate Cake in 2 different forms – Round and Heart Shaped. Lucky me just so happens to have heart shaped cake pans.

FAT TUESDAY

Duck and Andouille Sausage Gumbo

Valentine’s Day Treats

Dark Chocolate Cake with Ganache

Linzer Heart Cookies

Lenten Dinner

Sautéed Red Snapper with Vegetable Couscous

with Beer Can Chicken

Busy Week Ahead

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Andouille Sausage, Cake, Chicken Stock, Chocolate, Confectioners Sugar, Cookies, Corn, Couscous, Dessert, Dessert/Pastry, Desserts, Dinner, Duck, Entree, Fish, Food For Thought, Frosting, Gumbo, Ham, Ham Stock, Hints and Tips, Kielbasa, Menus, Red Snapper, Soup, Tasso Ham | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Fat Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday

Super Bowl Party Treats

The long awaited, end of the season, BEST party of the year is fast approaching. Here are several ideas for Super Bowl 52 Party Treats that will please the crowd and make you the hit of the Super Bowl Party.

Click on to the title of the recipe or picture to get to the recipe.

Kalamata Olive Tapenade

Goat Cheese Crisps

Fried Calamari

Crab Cakes

Buffalo Style Chicken Wings

Buffalo Style Chicken Wings

 

Wild Mushroom and Brie Quesadillas

quesadilla-with-fresh-salsa

Corn Fritters

Conch Fritters

BBQ Pork Ribs

BBQ Ribs

 

Pulled Pork Soft Tacos

Triple Chocolate Brownies

Don’t forget the few good old standbys like Onion Dip and Potato Chips, Pigs in the Blanket, Deviled Eggs and Nachos Grande. I know you all know how to make these delicious Super Bowl Treats.

Happy Super Bowl 52!

camille@camillecooksforyou.com

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Ancho Chili Preserves, Appetizers, BBQ Ribs, BBQ Sauce, Blue Cheese, Brie, Brownies, Calamari, Charcoal Grill, Chocolate, Cocktail Sauce, Condiment, Condiments, Corn, Corn Fritters, Dessert, Dessert/Pastry, Desserts, Food For Thought, Fritters, Goat Cheese, Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate, Hints and Tips, Hors d'oeuvres, Maryland Crab Cakes, Maryland Lump Crab Meat, Mini Chocolate Chips, Mushrooms, Olives, Pork, Quesadilla, Recipes To Share, Remolaude Sauce, Sauces, Seafood, Unsweetened Chocolate | Comments Off on Super Bowl Party Treats

Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Wild Mushroom Sauce

What to do on a cold winter day? Make Ravioli! But instead of traditional ravioli let’s make something different. I have a huge jar of dried wild mushrooms and I made a delicious mushroom duxelles with them along with fresh wild mushrooms. Filled fresh pasta dough with the duxelles and served these delicious pillows of love with a wild mushroom sauce. So good, so good!

Making the ravioli is easy but it takes a whole lot of time. You could make the dough and the ravioli the day before (keep them in the refrigerator over night) and then make your sauce the next day.

To make this mouth watering dish you will need:

1 Recipe Pasta Dough

1 Recipe Wild Mushroom Duxelles Filling for Ravioli

1 Recipe Wild Mushroom Sauce

 

Buon Appetito!

camille@camillecooksforyou.com

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Chicken Stock, Creme Fraiche, Food For Thought, Mushrooms, Pasta, Pasta Dough, Ravioli, Ricotta Cheese, Sauces | Tagged | Comments Off on Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Wild Mushroom Sauce

Christmas Dinner 2017

Christmas is a week away and I have finally settled on my Christmas Dinner Menu. My favorite entree for Christmas Dinner has always been Prime Ribs of Beef.  This year I decided to get away from the ALWAYS and do something a little different. Of course it involves meat and I am going in the direction of Roasted Tenderloin of Beef. I also have some non-beef eaters dining with us so I’ve added Roasted Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp  served with Pesto and Tomato Marmalade.

Christmas Dinner

Charcuterie, Cheeses, Condiments

Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons and Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano

Roasted Tenderloin of Beef with Cabernet Sauce and Sauce Béarnaise

Roasted Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp with Pesto and Tomato Marmalade

Haricot Verts with Pecans

Potatoes Dauphinoise

Dessert

Christmas Cranberry Tart with Crystalized Ginger and Ginger Gelato

Charcuterie, Cheeses, CondimentsAntipasti

 

 Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons & Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano

Roasted Tenderloin of Beef with Cabernet Sauce & Béarnaise

Sauce Bearnaise

Roasted Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp with Pesto and Tomato Marmalade

Haricot Verts with Pecans

Potatoes Dauphinoise

 Christmas Cranberry Tart with Crystalized Ginger

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year To All!

camille@camillecooksforyou.com

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Antipasti, Beef, Caesar Salad Dressing, Cheese, Condiment, Condiments, Cranberries, Cranberry Citrus Compote, Cranberry Tart, Dessert, Dessert/Pastry, Desserts, Dried Cranberries, Entree, Food For Thought, Fruit Desserts, Hints and Tips, Meat, Pancetta, Pate Sucre, Pistachio, Potato, Potato Dauphinoise, Salad, Salad Dressing, Sauces, Seafood, Tenderloin of Beef, Vinaigrettes and Dressings | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Christmas Dinner 2017

Chicken Cobbler

Here is a new take on an old favorite. Instead of topping a chicken or turkey pot pie with puff pastry or pastry crust I decided to top this delicious dish with a cobbler topping. What a surprise – I like it better this way than any other. The recipe is easy and quick as long as you have all the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator. This is a great way to use up left over chicken (or turkey).

Makes One 9” Deep Dish Pie

For Cobbler Filling

4          Tablespoon (1/2 Stick) Unsalted Butter

2          Cups Sliced Carrots, Sliced Crosswise ¼” Thick

1          Cup Sliced Celery, Sliced Crosswise ¼” Thick

½        Cup Finely Diced Spanish or Vidalia Onion

1           Leek, White Part Thinly Sliced

1          Cup Medium Diced Yukon Gold Potato, Peeled

1          Cup Fresh White Pearl Onions, Peeled, or Frozen and Thawed

1          Cup Fresh Corn Cut From the Cobb or Frozen and Thawed

1          Teaspoon Coarse Sea Salt

½         Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

4          Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour

2          Cups Homemade Chicken Stock or Canned Low Sodium Chicken Broth (Heated)

1          Cup Half and Half (Heated)

1          Cup Petite Green Peas

3          Cups Shredded Cooked Chicken Breasts

For Cobbler Topping

2          Cups All-Purpose Flour

3          Tablespoons Granulated Sugar

2          Teaspoons Baking Powder

½         Teaspoon Fine Sea Salt

½         Cup Unsalted Butter (1Stick), Cold and Cut Into Bits

1          Cup Buttermilk

Heavy Cream for Brushing Top

Preheat oven to 375°F.

For Cobbler Filling

In a large sauté pan melt the butter over medium heat.  When butter starts to sizzle, add the carrots, celery, onion, leek and potato.  Add the salt and pepper.  Sauté until vegetables begin to soften, stirring often, about 10 minutes.  You do not want the vegetables to brown. Add the corn and pearl onions and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often.  Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to combine.  Cook, stirring the whole time, for 5 minutes.

Slowly add the chicken stock stirring the whole time to combine.  Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring often.  Add the half and half; stir to combine, bring back to a simmer and cook for 5 more minutes until the sauce is thickened and the vegetables are cooked through.  Add the peas and chicken and stir to combine. Transfer the pot pie mixture to a 9” deep dish pie dish. Set aside.

For Cobbler Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. With a pastry cutter or your finger tips, cut butter into the flour mixture to form lumps that are the size of small peas.

Pour the  buttermilk over the flour mixture. Stir with a fork until the mixture comes together and a soft sticky dough is formed. Divide the dough into 8 to 10 equal parts and arrange over the filling. Brush the dough with heavy cream.

Place the baking dish onto a sheet pan lined with parchment to catch any drippings. Bake until the top is gold brown and the filling is hot and bubbling, about 60 minutes. (If the top is browning too fast, loosely cover with foil.)

Remove from the oven and let the cobbler rest 15 minutes before serving.

camille@camillecooksforyou.com 

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Chicken, Chicken Cobbler, Chicken Stock, Cobbler, Corn, Dinner, Entree, Food For Thought, Pastry, Poultry | Tagged | Comments Off on Chicken Cobbler

Thanksgiving Feast 2017

Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away and I know many of you are starting to get ready for the “Great Thanksgiving Feast of 2017”. I am sharing a menu with you that has some new ideas and a few of the old standards: Standards that we must have on this day of feasting. 

Click on to the photo or recipe title and you will be directed to the recipe.

Thanksgiving Feast 2017

Wild Mushroom Soup with Roasted Chestnuts

Roasted Turkey with Dried Fruit Stuffing

Turkey Gravy

Roasted Corn Pudding

Haricot Verts & Sautéed Pecans (French Green Beans)

Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes and Turnips with Fresh Sage

Cranberry Citrus Compote

Traditional Pumpkin Pie Topped with Italian Meringue

Apple-Pear Pie

Sweet Potato Pecan Tart with Whipped Creme Fraiche

Wild Mushroom Soup with Roasted Chestnuts

Roasted Turkey with Dried Fruit Stuffing

Roasted Turkey Stuffed with Andouille Sausage and Cornbread

Golden Cornbread and Dried Fruit Stuffing 

Roasted Corn Pudding

Haricot Verts & Sautéed Pecans (French Green Beans)

Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes and Turnips with Fresh Sage

Cranberry Citrus Compote

Apple-Pear Pie

Apple Pie Made With Love

Traditional Pumpkin Pie Topped with Italian Meringue

Sweet Potato Pecan Tart with Whipped Creme Fraiche

camille@camillecooksforyou.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR

Posted in Accompaniments, Ahh Haa Moments, Apple Pie, Apples, Brine, Chicken Stock, Corn, Cranberries, Cranberry Citrus Compote, Creme Fraiche, Dessert, Dessert/Pastry, Dried Fruit, Entree, Food For Thought, Gravy, Hints and Tips, Italian Meringue, Menus, Pastry Crust, Pears, Pecans, Pie, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Pie, Recipes To Share, Sage, Side Dishes, Sides, Stuffing, Tarts, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Pies, Turkey, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Thanksgiving Feast 2017