Sarah's Musical Kitchen

Chowder! Manhattan Style

sarahsellers — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:14:21 +0000

Ever since our trip to Boston, back in December, Matt and I have been on a Chowder kick! Whether it be stock full of clams or a basic corn chowder, there’s something so comforting about that creamy bowl of goodness. The beauty of chowder is that it doesn’t have to be made with cream, and I recently made the best Manhattan Style Chowder I have ever had!

I’m sure it doesn’t come as a surprise that I’m addicted to Food Network. If ESPN isn’t on the tube, it is most definitely set on the food channel. Being from the south I feel the most connected to Bobby Flay’s food. His take on southern cuisine is pure heaven to my taste buds. A recent episode of Throwdown had him challenging a Brooklyn native and his Manhattan Fish Chowder. Matt, being the lover of chowder that he is, fell in love with the recipe Bobby Flay created and insisted I make it for his birthday. He had never had a tomato based chowder before and wanted to compare it to the creamy favorite. The only problem was, the recipe isn’t posted anywhere online.

After watching the episode “Manhattan Fish Chowder” multiple times I came up with the best rendition I could come up with. I have to say, the results were absolutely delicious. Bobby Flay has yet to disappoint and I’m excited to share another delicious creation of his. So, give it a try…if you are a chowder lover, you will LOVE this recipe!

Bobby Flay’s Manhattan Fish Chowder

Ingredients

3 Pieces applewood smoked bacon – diced

1 Large yellow onion – diced

4 Medium Carrots – diced

4 Pieces Celery – diced

Salt & Pepper

3 Large garlic cloves divided – diced

1 Cup dry white wine

1 Tbls tomato paste

1 Cup frozen corn kernels

1 28oz Can whole plum tomatoes

6-7 Sprigs of fresh thyme

2 Cups seafood stock

1.5 Tbls Olive Oil – divided

1-2 Pounds fingerling potatoes

1.5 Pounds Halibut (any white fish will do) – cut into bit sized chunks

1/2 Cup parsley divided – chopped

1 Tsp red pepper flakes

Preheat oven 400 degrees

Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat and cook the diced bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

In the bacon fat saute the onion, carrot, and celery until slightly softened. Salt and pepper to taste. Add 2 garlic cloves and saute for 30 seconds. Add the wine and reduce until almost completely evaporated to about 1/4 cup.

Add the tomato paste and saute for 2-3 minutes. Puree the plum tomatoes in a blender or food processor, then add to the veggie mixture. Cook another 2-3 minutes. Add the seafood stock and thyme and bring to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

Slice the fingerling potatoes (longways) and place on an oiled baking sheet. Brush with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until nice and golden brown.

Heat remaining 1 Tbls of oil in a cast iron over medium high heat. Salt and pepper one side of the Halibut. Lay seasoned side down into the skillet and sear 2-3 minutes.

Add the seared fish and 1/4 cup of chopped parsley to the chowder and simmer until fish is cooked through, about 5 minutes.

For the relish mix the remaining garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and reserved bacon in a small bowl and lightly drizzle with oil.

Ladle the Chowder into separate bowls and top with 4 potatoes and a spoonful of the bacon relish.

I also made Paula Deen’s AMAZING crab cakes to complete the meal. Check out the recipe here!

*Side Note: I did not make the Lemon Dill sauce. Instead, I purchased some yummy remoulade from Central Market. It was sooo delish!!

Interpol – since we’re talking Manhattan Chowder I had to showcase my favorite band from New York, Interpol. This is one of those bands who’s music opens up to me in different ways with every album and with every listen. My love for these NYC boys started with “Turn on the Bright Lights” and has intensified with every album after. Their music and lyrics have a way of just creeping in to my soul and I just can’t get enough.

The above picture of Bobby Flay is credited to Harrah’s Photostream on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40686769@N03/3942792090/

A Taste of Pakistan

sarahsellers — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:39:47 +0000

A great thing about my job is that I work for such a diverse company. We have many different cultures that love to share the flavors of their world. One of the girls I work with is from Karachi and I love to sample the food that she makes. I attempted to make one of the signature dishes of her country, Sindhi biryani, yet a much more simplified version, and I thought I would share my experience!

Kiran’s Biryani

Ingredients

1 Cup Basmati Rice

1 Whole Kosher Chicken in Pieces – skin off

1 Tbls Olive Oil *See After Thoughts

1 Medium Yellow Onion – diced

5 Peppercorns

5 Whole Cloves

1 Tsp Cumin Seeds

2 Russet Potatoes – peeled & cut into medium sized chunks

1 Tbls Ginger Garlic Paste (Usually sold in Indian markets – I just combined minced garlic and ginger)

1 Small Bunch of Cilantro

4 Green Chilis – seeds intact (for a less spicy dish remove seeds and veins) *I used 3 serrano and one jalapeno

One package of Garlic Naan

Directions

Soak the Basmati Rice in water for at least 30 minutes. Boil the whole chicken pieces in a pot of salted boiling water for 15-20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees. Remove the meet from the bone and cut into bite size chunks. Set aside.

Combine the cilantro and chilis in a food processor and blend until thoroughly chopped. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large dutch oven, saute the onions, peppercorn, cloves, and cumin in the olive oil, over medium heat, until softened with a hint of color. Add the potatoes to the onion mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the ginger garlic paste and saute until the ginger is no longer fragrant. Add the cilantro mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add the chopped chicken and soaked rice to the onion mixture. Add 1.5 cups of water and cook until mostly evaporated.

Cover and bake in oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the rice is completely cooked.

Serve with Naan Bread

After Thoughts

After trying the dish it was definitely similar to what Kiran makes, but not as good. It was a bit too spicy and dry. When I went back to work I told Kiran about the dish and she said I didn’t use enough olive oil. She didn’t know the exact amount, but said to use at least 4-5 tablespoons of oil (as opposed to my one). Next time I will coat the bottom of the dutch oven with plenty of oil, and I’ll either reduce my number of serranos, or swap them out with jalapenos.

Overall the dish was good, not great, but good and I will definitely be trying it out again.

Erykah Badu is one of my all time favorite artists. Her voice and style are so uniquely hers, and she’s a Dallas chick to boot! I’m excited about New Amerykah, Pt. 2 and loving the new single! So check out “Up in the Air” featuring Lil Wayne.

The opening photo is a beautiful shot of a food merchant off the beaches of Karachi. Courtesy: *Muhammad*’s photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/etobicokesouth/399149846/

A Culinary Masterpiece

sarahsellers — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:39:05 +0000

Sunday night Matt and I had the pleasure of dining at Stephan Pyles in downtown Dallas and it was absolutely decadent. For those of you who have followed my posts I’m sure it doesn’t come as a huge surprise that Southwest and Mexican Cuisine are my absolute favs. So what better way to spend Valentine’s Day then with one of the founding fathers of Southwest Cuisine!

We usually reserve either Valentine’s Day or our Anniversary to spend at an ultra swanky restaurant that we’ve always wanted to try. Stephan Pyles was definitely one of those places. I’ve been to quite a few 5 star steak houses and they have been absolutely delicious, but this was my first true culinary experience. The creativity in the food was so exceptional that I was literally left speechless.

The restaurant had a great feel from the moment we drove up. The outside has a very modern feel with its large glass windows and front steps illuminated by candle light. The interior is very open but surprisingly intimate and romantic. The staff was on point from the hostess to our personable bread server. Our server Gina was exceptional not only in her knowledge of the entire menu but also how comfortable she made us feel. I didn’t feel intimidated by the menu language or extensive wine list. She was happy to answer all of our questions, and when she couldn’t answer them, Stephan Pyles did himself.

Now for the food! The bread service started us out on a very high note. The blue corn muffins with serrano chilis were out of this world. The flavors meshed together so well and the pop of the chili hit the back of the throat just right. The focaccia bread and poblano cornbread were equally amazing. Following the bread service was a palate cleanser of Sushi grade Tuna topped with blood orange and herbs…delicious!

The meal for the evening was a four course set menu and we both started out with the signature Southwest Caesar Salad. The presentation consisted of pieces of romaine lettuce tossed in a spicy Caesar dressing and served with a side of jalapeno polenta croutons and a parmesan crisp. Amazing! For the second course Matt had the seared scallops and I had the INCREDIBLE Tamale Tart!!!! I can’t even begin to describe how divine this dish was. A tamale-like tart shell was filled with a roasted garlic custard, topped with diced peppers, cilantro, basil, and jumbo lump crabmeat. There were also two sauces spooned on the plate underneath the tart. I don’t know what was in it, but it was delicious!

Matt and I both chose the Cilantro Crusted Hake for our entree. The dish was beautiful with a vegetable puree and broth serving as the base, layered with root vegetables, and topped with the perfectly cooked Hake and crispy sweet potato crisps. What I particularly loved was the cilantro crust. It was like a large, silky cilantro leaf perfectly placed on top of the fish. The fish was so perfectly cooked and flavorful. Needless to say Matt and I cleared both of our plates!

To top of the evening we both had the Sabayon with praline ice cream and caramelized bananas. The Sabayon was pure heaven. It was a silky piece of chocolatey, hazelnut perfection. Soooo good!

The entire meal was so delicious and beautifully plated. The flavors in each and every bite were so rich and pleasing to the palate. The evening really was perfected when Chef Pyles stopped by our table to say hello and explain how he made the cilantro crust!!! I was definitely giddy! Matt and I had an amazing time and can’t wait to go back to Stephan Pyles. Go and treat yourself…you won’t be disappointed! Happy eating!

Here are a few pictures of the food. Excuse the quality, they were taken with my phone!

Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse – I love this song and Amy Winehouse! It has such a cool vibe and Amy’s voice really perfects the song. So grab a class of wine, turn it up, and get your dance on!!

I would like to credit the picture above to Flickr’s thebradsblog photostream. Check out the photostream here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thebradsblog/4289449841/

Pork Chops and Cupid

sarahsellers — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:59:29 +0000

I love Valentine’s Day. All of the beautiful flowers, red and pink colors everywhere, and the opportunity to wine and dine your favorite sweetheart always puts a smile on my face. There are some amazing restaurants in the Dallas area, unfortunately some of the best are always some of the most expensive.

Last year Matt and I decided to stay in for Valentines and create our own culinary atmosphere. We ended up making some amazing sirloins top with seared scallops and shrimp with roasted red potatoes and spinach on the side. I love cooking with my husband, it just makes the result that much more special.

Since we stayed in for Valentines and our Anniversary last year we didn’t have our usual special occasion night out at a swanky restaurant. So this year we’ve decided to reinstate the tradition and try Stephan Pyles in downtown Dallas! I’ve heard some amazing things about this restaurant and have always been a fan of Chef Pyles work. Needless to say, I’m very excited!! It will be a fixed menu this evening and I’m sure it will be delectable. Check back for my review later next week!

For the romantics that are dining in this evening and still need some ideas, I thought I would post one of my favorite romantic meals by Giada De Laurentiis. It is so simple and absolutely delicious! Give it a try with a side of mashed potatoes. Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Pork Chops with Fennel and Caper Sauce

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
4 boneless (2-inch-thick) pork chops (about 2 pounds total)
3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning meat
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning meat
2 fennel bulbs with fronds, thinly sliced (about 8 ounces or 2 cups)
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus 1/3 cup
1/2 cup white wine
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their juices
1/2 lemon, zested
2 tablespoons capers

Directions

In a large, heavy skillet heat the olive oil over high heat. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Add the pork to the pan and brown on both sides, about 4 minutes each side. Remove the pork from the pan, cover loosely with foil, and set aside.

Add the fennel, shallots, and 1/3 cup parsley to the pan and cook over medium heat until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the wine. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes and stir. Add the pork back into the pan, nestling the chops between the fennel and tomatoes so they are mostly submerged in the pan juices. Cook until the fennel is tender and the pork is done, about 12 to 15 minutes.

Place the pork on a serving dish. To finish the sauce, add the lemon zest, remaining 1/3 cup parsley, capers, and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Spoon over the pork chops and serve immediately.

Norah Jones is one of my favorite artists and biggest inspirations. Not only is she an amazing songwriter and pianist, but her vocal tone is so crisp and uniquely hers. My girlfriend and I backpacked Europe in 2005 and on the way to Naples I was listening to her debut album, Come Away with Me. We were gone for a month and I was really missing Matt. When this song came on I just started crying and new at that moment he was the man I wanted to spend my life with. I ended up singing this to him at our wedding. It was a very special moment.

I would like to credit the beautiful picture above to Flickr’s Andrew Jalali’s photostream. Check out the photostream here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ac_jalali/224445041/

Top 5 Must Haves for a Snowy Day

sarahsellers — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:58:34 +0000

It snowed in Dallas yesterday, and I’m not talking about the normal snow (a few flakes and no stickage), it was REALLY coming down. Living in the south we don’t experience cold temperatures like our friends in the North, and we definitely do not see snow like this. It is so beautiful and all it makes me want to do is curl up on the couch, turn on a good flick, and eat!

Nothing says winter to me like comfort food (or beverages). There are just certain types of foods that you don’t eat as much in the summertime, especially when it tops out at 100 degrees on a cool day. Here are a few of my favorite wintery treats.

Coffee/Hot Chocolate

Coffee is something I must have everyday, all year round, but I love the winter specials at Starbucks! My current drink is a Tall Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte…and it’s only 90 calories! I was sad to see the Pumpkin and Creme Brule Latte’s go, but there are plenty more delicious flavors to tide me over till next season.

My absolute favorite winter drink is hot chocolate, and nothing says “childhood” to me better than Swiss Miss. I don’t drink hot chocolate in the summer months so I love to savor a delicious and chocolaty cup when it’s cold outside!

Soup

I still eat soup during the spring and summer months, but not nearly as frequently as I do in the winter time. I love everything about soup. It’s comforting, hardy, and I love how it gets better and better the longer it sits! Here are just a few of my favorite soups. Click on the links to see my favorite recipes or restaurant for each.

Clam Chowder - I don’t have a lot of experience making chowder. The last recipe I tried was decent, but way too clammy. I’m giving it another try on Matt’s B-Day next month so check back for the results!!

Lobster Bisque – What’s better than a creamy soup with Lobster?!?! Enough said

Tomato Basil – The best thing about Tomato Basil soup is that it’s just as good with fattening cream as it is with almost zero fat. Check out my favorite low fat recipe. I could eat the entire pot!

Chicken Noodle – The best chicken noodle soup is definitely what mom makes, but you also can’t beat a simple can of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup! Nothing makes you feel more at home when your sick, or just want a hot meal on a cold day.

Chili – I had to save the best for last! What’s better than meat, chilis, and tomatoes in a bowl…and I love how many different ways you can make chili. The tastiness is endless!

Casseroles

I love love love casseroles. Their easy, fattening, stuffed full of flavor, and you can make so many different kinds! The ultimate comfort food!

Squash – My favorite! Click on the link to see my blog post solely dedicated to my favorite Holiday food.

Potato & Broccoli – More family staples at Thanksgiving and Christmas! My next project is to gather all of the ingredients from the women in my family so I can share these amazing recipes!

Tuna Noodle – I don’t have a particular recipe that I use for this one on a regular basis, but the latest one I tried was pretty tasty!

Italian

I definitely eat Italian food year round but it usually involves lighter sauces and smaller portions.

Lasagna – COMFORT!!! The first time I made lasagna I painfully realized how time consuming it is (I think we ate at midnight). Now that I’ve found a recipe I love it’s gone from being a chore to a relaxing and enjoyable experience. My favorite place to eat Lasagna, click on the link, inspired me to find a recipe to make at home and it gets better every time!

Fettucini Alfredo – my father, hands down, makes the best Fettucini Alfredo! It’s so much fun to watch him make it and put ALL of that amazing cream into the sauce. Again, another task for me is to get the recipe from him and compile a family cookbook!!

Chicken Parmesan – You cannot go wrong with this Italian staple. Anything breaded and covered with cheese is alright by me!

Warm Pie & Cobbler

Pecan, Pumpkin, Peach Cobbler

I can’t even pick my favorite recipes for each of these amazing desserts!!! Oddly enough I just tasted my first pecan pie a few years back and I couldn’t believe what I had been missing all of these years! Pumpkin, peaches, and ice cream don’t even need an explanation! Pure heaven!!

Radiohead is my favorite band of all time. Their musical genius is beyond any band that I’ve ever been exposed to. I remember like it was yesterday the day I listened to them for the first time. I was in middle school and was the top sellers for our school’s fundraiser. My prize was a “Barber Shop Mix” CD with the unedited version of Creep on it. Up to that point my musical exposure was Whitney Houston and Gospel music. Needless to say (I still love Whitney and Gospel!!) they changed me! Their music transports me to another planet and seeing them live is unlike any musical experience I have ever had. Oh and my husband and I got engaged on our trip to LA to see Radiohead! What better band to listen to anytime, but especially on days like today.

I would like to credit the beautiful picture above to Flickr’s Sonja57’s photostream. Check out the photostream here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonja57/4349316510/

MyTunes on Myspace!

sarahsellers — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:17:58 +0000

Alright I’ve done it again. I’m singing to meet one of my favorite artist, Norah Jones. Help me qualify by listening to my rendition of “Don’t Know Why”. It’s not painful I promise.

CLICK HERE

JUST FOR FUN: Help me get 100 plays of my recording so I can win a contest to meet Alicia Keys!

sarahsellers — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:49:57 +0000

Help me win this contest to meet Alicia Keys! I just need 100 plays of my song to qualify.

Just CLICK HERE and you will go to MySpace.com to hear me sing “No One”. This is a karaoke contest that Myspace.com is doing with Alicia Keys…FUN!

Ye Ole’ Boston

sarahsellers — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:57:52 +0000

My husband and I went to Boston in December and had the most amazing time. It was such a wonderful trip and I can’t say enough good things about the city of Boston. The highlight of the trip was definitely the amazing seafood, most of all, the Lobster!

Living in Dallas the extent of my Lobster feasting is when Central Market or Sprouts has a sale on Lobster tails. I rarely order it out because of the considerable cost. We probably ate it in some capacity every day of the trip, but my favorite were the Lobster Rolls!! I had never had one until Boston and now I’m officially hooked. The only problem is, where can I get a quality Lobster Roll in Dallas?

Well, I’ve heard of a few places that apparently have New England Style quality rolls, but that I will have to judge for myself. The first place Matt and I tried out was Sea Breeze Fish Market and Grill in Plano and I must say, everything was pretty tasty. The store is very charming with a distinct cafe feel. With their selection of fresh fish for purchase, small number of tables for dining, and a nice selection of beer and wine, the atmosphere lends to an enjoyable dining experience.

Sea Breeze was recently voted the Best Clam Chowder in Dallas by D Magazine and I definitely know why. We ordered a bowl to share for an appetizer and it was exceptional. It had that perfect level of creaminess and the clams were not too fishy at all. The ingredients were simple and very very tasty. It was the most authentic New England Clam Chowder we’ve had in Dallas for sure. It is a must try.

Now for the star, the Lobster Roll. I will start off by saying, I know I am not in Boston, so therefore I do not expect a Boston quality roll, but I hope to find one pretty damn close! At first site the amount of Lobster meat was reduced by half of what you get in New England. If there was the same amount of meat the $13.99 price would undoubtably be doubled making it less attractive for a lunchtime meal. The bun was authentic and toasted to perfection, but my biggest complaint was the amount of butter. I am not one to say, you can never have enough butter. In fact, I prefer butter as a light backdrop of flavor, not the main attraction. It was so intense that at times it’s all I could taste. It felt like the lobster was fighting to push it’s flavor through. The meat itself tasted fresh and thankfully there wasn’t too much mayonnaise added to the mixture. Overall, I would give the Clam Chowder a 5 out of 5 and the Lobster Roll 3.5 stars out of 5. I will definitely go back to Sea Breeze. There were multiple things on the menu that made my mouth water. Now, I must scope out the next spot in my quest to find the best Lobster Roll in Dallas!

Boston Highlights

Hotel Marlowe 4 Stars

Thanks to our friend Eric for this great recommendation. The hotel was beautiful, the room was perfect, and the restaurant was delicious. Oh and the free cocktail happy hour was the icing on the cake. We will definitely stay there again!

Legal Sea Foods 5 Stars

Consumed: Clam Chowder, Lobster Bisque and the Seafood Trio Roll with lobster, crab, and shrimp

Verdict: 5 Stars on everything and the best Clam Chowder of the entire trip

Union Oyster House 4 Stars

Consumed: Fried Oysters, Clam Chowder, Lobster Newburg, Lobster Sampi

Verdict: 5 Stars for the oysters – the most succulent fried oysters I’ve ever had. 4 Stars for the Chowder and Scampi. 3.5 Stars for the Newburg – unfortunately it was so rich I could barely eat it, but don’t worry…no lobster was wasted!

Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub 4.25 Stars

Consumed: Soup of the Day, Clam Chowder, Fish and Chips

Verdict: 4 Stars for the soup – delish! 4.5 Stars for the Fish and Chips – the steak fries were amazing!!

Bambara 5 Stars

Consumed: Spicy Tuna Tartare and Grilled Flatbread with roasted garlic, goat cheese, oven dried cherry tomatoes, arugula, and aged fig vinegar!

Verdict: 5 Stars and unbelievable! We stopped in to have a quick appetizer before we headed in to Boston from Cambridge and it set our palets souring!! Amazing!

Tapeo Restaurant and Tapas Bar 4.5 Stars

Consumed: Scallops in Saffron Cream, delicious Stuffed Chicken with Sherry Cream Sauce, and Red Sangria!!

Verdict: 5 Stars for the Scallops – the Saffron Cream was decident! 4 Stars for the yummy chicken. 10 Stars :) for the Sangria – love love loved the Sangria, so fruity and delicious!

The Blackstone Grill 4 Stars

Consumed: Fried Clams, Clam Chowder, Broiled Fisherman’s Platter with scrod, shrimp, lobster, and quohogs.

Verdict: 4 Stars for everything! Yet again we were not dissapointed. The Fried Clams were delish and the broiled seafood was so fresh and succulent. They were out of scallops for the dish and our amazing waitress brought us out a side dish of lobster meat! This was a perfect example of the amazing hospitality we recieved in Boston the entire trip from waitresses, to our concierge, to people on the street that we asked for directions.

Pagliuca’s Restaurant 4.5 Stars

Consumed: Mussels, Caesar Salad, Traditional Lasagna, and Chicken Verdicchio

Verdict: 4 Stars for the Mussels – delicious but some of them didn’t taste 100 percent fresh. 5 Stars for the entrees – the best Lasagna and Chicken Verdicchio I’ve ever tasted!! The best Italian food I’ve ever had (in the States of course)!

Modern Pastry 5 Stars

Consumed: Ricotta Cannoli

Verdict: AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! 5 Stars a million times. The best cannoli I have ever tasted!! The perfect end to our last dinner of the trip.

Cisco Brew Pub in the Boston Airport 5 Stars

Consumed: Lobster Roll

Verdict: 5 Stars!! Believe it or not this was the best Lobster Roll of the trip…in the airport! God I love Boston!

I can’t forget to mention the pubs that quinched our thirst!

The Bell in Hand Tavern

Durty Nelly’s

Solas Irish Pub

The Wine Bottega

DropKick Murphy’s: Nothing screams Boston more than lobster, chowdah, and DropKick Murphy’s!

Holiday Hangover

sarahsellers — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:21:08 +0000

It’s been too long since my last post. Once Thanksgiving hit, the last few months of 2009 were just a whirlwind. I must say this holiday season was an exceptionally good one. The food was phenomenal and the family time was really special. The joy of having a large family is the multiple events to attend. Of course that means more holiday food! I ate enough casseroles and desserts to last me through 2010.

With all of the delicious calorific food that was consumed my waist line was not happy with the end result. But what is a girl to do when tempted with such deliciousness?!?! Well, my heavy appetite has yet to subside and the freezing cold weather that Dallas has been seeing has yet to pull me out of hibernation mode. So, now is when I turn to my favorite magazine for scrumptious and healthy good eats…Cooking Light. I can’t say enough good things about this publication…and lovely website as well. Not only do they offer great cooking techniques but the food is healthy and truly delicious.

Since we are in the new year I thought it would be appropriate to share with you my favorite comfort food but with a healthy twist. No, I did not make a health induced resolution this year, but after the over indulgence that was Thanksgiving and Christmas, it is time to get back on track.

I love carbs, especially pasta, so any way that I can make it healthier but still enjoyable to eat I am all for. Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food but all that cheese and meat can really crank up your daily caloric intake. This recipe is definitely in my top 5 from Cooking Light. I stumbled upon this while trying to find a healthy alternative to my favorite Lasagna, Chicken and Mushroom Lasagna from Patrizio. It satisfies my need for a classic comfort food with all the creamy and cheesy goodness, and it’s really not too terrible for you. So give it a try, you’ll love it!

Mushroom Lasagna with Creamy Béchamel

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

MUSHROOM FILLING:

2 cups boiling water
1 cup dried porcini mushrooms (about 1 ounce)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
8 cups sliced shiitake mushroom caps (about 1 1/2 pounds)
3 cups sliced cremini mushrooms (about 1/2 pound)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Côtes du Rhône or other fruity red wine
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 3/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

**Addition – Buy a rotisserie chicken, take the meat off the bone and shred the chicken, then mix the chicken into the mushroom filling. It just adds that extra level of comfort and flavor!!

**Tip – Porcini and Shiitake mushrooms can be very pricey, you can make this with all cremini and it’s just as delicious. I usually forgo the Porcini mushrooms (add a bit of chicken stock in place of the porcini liquid), reduce the shiitake to about a pound, and replace with additional cremini mushrooms. Either way will work and won’t sacrifice the taste of the dish.

BÉCHAMEL:

3 cups 1% low-fat milk
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

REMAINING INGREDIENTS:

Cooking spray
1 (8-ounce) package precooked lasagna noodles
1 cup (4 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

**Tip – I’m partial to using old school lasagna noodles that you have to boil. I’ve had mixed results using precooked lasagna noodles, they usually turn out a bit tough. Either way is delish!

Preparation

To prepare filling, combine water and porcini in a small bowl; let stand 30 minutes. Drain porcini through a sieve over a bowl, squeezing porcini to extract liquid. Reserve 1 1/2 cups liquid; discard remaining liquid. Rinse porcini, and drain. Chop coarsely; set aside.

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add shiitake mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sauté 5 minutes or until mushrooms release moisture and begin to brown. Stir in porcini, wine, and soy sauce. Cook 4 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates, stirring frequently. Stir in parsley and rosemary. Add the reserved porcini liquid; bring to a simmer. Cook until liquid is reduced to 3/4 cup (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

(The right picture includes the Rotisserie Chicken – Refer to Addition under ingredients)

To prepare béchamel, place milk in a 4-cup glass measure. Microwave at HIGH 3 minutes or until hot, stirring after 2 minutes. Melt butter in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, stirring with a whisk, and cook 1 minute or until bubbly, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly with a whisk. Bring to a simmer; cook over low heat 8 minutes or until sauce slightly thickens, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Spread 1/2 cup béchamel in bottom of an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over béchamel; top with 1/2 cup béchamel. Top with 1 cup mushroom mixture. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat layers three times (dish will be very full). Cover with foil; place baking dish on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover lasagna; bake an additional 15 minutes or until cheese melts.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 304 (30% from fat)
Fat: 10.3g (sat 5g,mono 3.5g,poly 0.9g)
Protein: 17.5g
Carbohydrate: 37.4g
Fiber: 3.7g
Cholesterol: 21mg
Iron: 3.5mg
Sodium: 671mg
Calcium: 304mg

Black Eyed Peas – “I Gotta Feeling”

What better way to bring in the new year with a fun song to get you ready to take on 2010! Crank it up and start your year off right. Cheers!

Thanksgiving means Squash Casserole!!!

sarahsellers — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:42:08 +0000

I love the holidays, especially Thanksgiving. Who wouldn’t love an entire day dedicated to giving thanks over a feast of meats, casseroles, and desserts galore. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Thanksgiving in my family is definitely an event. Whether it’s my father’s feast of meats, or my Grandmother’s casserole smorgasboard, I am never left unsatisfied. This year will be spent at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house in Oklahoma for the biannual Thanksgiving/family reunion. Every other year the entire family comes together from Oklahoma, Texas, New York, Salt Lake City, and Tennessee. It’s quite an event and I must say the food can’t get any better anywhere else. I can’t wait to take lots of pics on Thursday and share all of the good eats with everyone this weekend, but for now I wanted to share my favorite dish that has become a Hibbard family staple.

The origins of this recipe started with my amazing Aunt Janice. She was a wonderful woman full of spirit and love, and her Squash Casserole reflected all of the love she conveyed. The recipe has been passed throughout the family but for the most part has maintained it’s original flavor. I made just two small changes, even though it tastes amazing with it. You really must make this recipe, it’s the best casserole I have ever had!!

Aunt Janice’s Squash Casserole

2 pounds yellow squash, sliced

1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

2 jalapenos, seeded an deveined, finely diced

1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of chicken soup

1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained

1 can (4 oz) diced pimentos

1 cup sour cream

1 stick of butter, melted

1 package pepperidge farms cornbread stuffing mix (plain)

1-2 cups colby or cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil a large pot of water. Slice the squash, onion, and jalapenos. Boil the squash in the water until slightly tender. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and saute the onions and jalapenos until tender.

In a large bowl mix together the cream of chicken soup and the next three ingredients, through the sour cream. Set aside. In a medium microwave-safe bowl melt the butter and mix the package of cornbread mix until coated.

In a 9×13 casserole dish spoon half of the cornbread mixture on the bottom of the pan or until covered, but not too thick of a layer. Drain the squash and add to the creamy mixture, along with the onion mixture, and spoon into the pan on top of the cornbread mixture. Top with the cheese, then top the cheese with the cornbread mixture, forming a nicely covered layer, but again, not too thick (you don’t want the casserole to be too dry).

Place in the oven, uncovered, on the middle rack and bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly.

Enjoy!

Kings of Leon: I absolutely love this band. My old roommate first introduced them to me back in 2003 and I’ve been hooked ever since. These Tennesse boys can rock out to great tracks like “Holy Roller Novocaine” and “Red Morning Light”, then slow it down with songs like their newest hit “Use Somebody”, the video shown below. The following video is my favorite cover of Kings of Leon’s “Knocked Up” by Lykke Li. Turn the sound up and enjoy!