Archive for April, 2008
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Shrimp Salad with Cucumber & Mint
Ingredients:
-2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
-1 cup fresh mint leaves
-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-1 large English cucumber, seeded and diced
-zest of 1 lemon
-salt
-ground black pepper
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil
2. Add the shrimp and let cook for 4 minutes, then drain
3. Transfer the shrimp to a dish and [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Salads, Seafood by Svetlana
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Green Pea Soup
Ingredients:
-1 teaspoon olive oil
-1 onion, chopped
-2 1/2 cups chicken broth
-3/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
-1 (10-oz bag) frozen peas
-5 teaspoons plain yogurt
1. In a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium-low heat
2. Add the onion, and cook, stirring a few times, until softened, about 5 minutes
3. Add the broth, tarragon, [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Soups by Svetlana
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Crab Salad in Wonton Cups
Ingredients:
Wonton Cups:
-18 wonton wrappers, thawed
-2 teaspoons canola oil
-1/4 teaspoon salt
Dressing:
-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
-1 teaspoon grated lime zest
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
-2 tablespoons olive oil
Crab Salad:
-1/2 pound lump crabmeat
-1 stalk celery, finely chopped
-1/2 cup peeled and finely diced mango
-1/4 cup sliced scallions
-2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1. Preheat the oven [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Appetizers, Seafood by Svetlana
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Marinated Feta & Olive Skewers
Ingredients:
-2 teaspoons fennel seeds
-2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
-3 tablespoons orange juice
-1 teaspoon black peppercorns
-4 ounces feta cheese, cut into 24 cubes
-24 fresh mint leaves
-12 pitted green olives, cut in half
-1/4 large English cucumber, cut into chunks
-24 skewers
1. In a medium bowl, combine the fennel seeds, orange zest and juice, and pepper
2. Gently stir in [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Appetizers by Svetlana
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Blueberry Blast Smoothie
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup milk
-1/2 cup yogurt
-1 cup frozen blueberries
-2 teaspoons honey
1. Put all the ingredients into a blender and process until smooth
No Comments » - Posted in Smoothies by Svetlana
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
Strawberry Sauce for Pancakes
Ingredients:
-2 pints fresh strawberries
-1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1. Place the strawberries in a food processor and process them into a chunky puree
2. Transfer the puree to a small saucepan over low heat and heat just until warm
3. Stir in the lemon juice and maple syrup
4. Serve over pancakes
No Comments » - Posted in Dips/Salsas by Svetlana
Sunday, April 27th, 2008
Fruit & Yogurt Plate with Mint Syrup
Mint Simple Syrup:
-1 cup packed fresh mint leaves, choppedd
-1 cup sugar
Fruit Salad:
-1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, cubed
-1 1/2 cups fresh papaya, cubed
-2 kiwi, peeled, halved, and sliced
-1/2 cup fresh blueberries
-2 tablespoons lime juice
-2 teaspoons lime zest
-2 cups vanilla yogurt
-2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
-4 teaspoons ground flaxseeds
1. To make syrup: Bring mint, sugar, and 1 [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Desserts by Svetlana
Sunday, April 27th, 2008
Parsley & Walnut Pesto
Ingredients:
-3 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
-1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon black pepper
-4 garlic cloves, chopped
1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth
2. Refrigerate before use
No Comments » - Posted in Dips/Salsas by Svetlana
Saturday, April 19th, 2008
Zesty Shrimp Linguine
Ingredients:
-8 oz linguine, uncooked
-3/4 cup Kraft Italian Dressing, divided
-2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
-1 small onion, thinly sliced
-1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained, quartered
-1 pound uncooked cleaned large shrimp
-1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
-1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1. Cook pasta as directed on package
2. Meanwhile, heat 1/2 cup of the dressing in a large skillet on [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Main Dishes, Seafood by Svetlana
Saturday, April 19th, 2008
Crunchy Asian Broccoli Coleslaw
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup Kraft Italian Dressing, divided
-2 packages (3 oz each) ramen noodle soup mix
-2 packages (12 oz each) broccoli slaw
-4 green onions, sliced
-1/2 cup roasted sunflower kernels
-1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1. Mix dressing with seasoning packet from 1 of the soup mix packages
2. Break apart noodles; place in large bowl
3. Add slaw, onions, sunflower kernels [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Salads by Svetlana
Saturday, April 19th, 2008
Lemon Cheesecake
Ingredients:
-2 cups Honey Maid Graham Cracker Crumbs
-1 1/4 cup sugar, divided
-6 tablespoons butter, melted
-4 packages (8 oz each) Cream Cheese, softened
-1 cup sour cream
-grated peel of 1 lemon
-juice of 1 lemon
-4 eggs
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
2. Mix graham crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the butter
3. Reserve 1/4 cup of the crumb [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Desserts by Svetlana
Saturday, April 19th, 2008
Tuna Cakes
Ingredients:
-2 cans (6 oz each) tuna in water, drained, flaked
-1 package (6 oz) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken
-1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
-1/2 cup shredded carrots
-1/3 cup mayonnaise
-2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
-3/4 cup water
1. Mix the tuna, stuffing mix, cheese, carrots, mayo, relish and water in a bowl
2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Appetizers, Seafood by Svetlana
Saturday, April 19th, 2008
Roasted Beet Salad
Ingredients:
-8 medium beets, trimmed and scrubbed
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-6 cloves garlic, minced
-6 cups salad greens
-3 tablespoons prepared balsamic vinaigrette
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. Toss together beets, olive oil, and garlic in a baking dish
3. Bake 40 minutes, or until beets are tender; cool
4. Scrape skin from beets with paring knife
5. Slice into rounds
6. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Salads by Svetlana
Saturday, April 19th, 2008
Fresh Cucumber Pickles
Ingredients:
-2 cucumbers, peeled, halved, and cut into thick slices
-1 cup cider vinegar
-3 tablespoons sugar
-1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
-1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
-1 teaspoon kosher salt
-3/4 teaspoon whole yellow mustard seeds
-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
-7 whole black peppercorns
1. Combine all ingredients in 1 quart plastic storage container with lid
2. Cover, and shake to coat
3. Refrigerate [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Appetizers by Svetlana
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Chicken-Peanut Soup
Ingredients:
-1 (32 oz) container chicken broth (about 4 cups)
-2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
-2 red potatoes with skin, cut into small cubes
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-1 onion, finely chopped
-1 red or green chile, finely chopped
-1/2 green bell pepper; seeded and finely chopped
-1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
-salt
-pepper
-1 lime
1. In a medium pot, cover the chicken broth [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Soups by Svetlana
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Coconut Banana Bread
Ingredients:
-2 cups flour
-3/4 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 cup sugar
-1/4 cup butter, softened
-2 large eggs
-1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)
-1/4 cup plain yogurt
-3 tablespoons dark rum
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon flaked sweetened coconut
-1/2 cup powdered sugar
-1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Lightly spoon [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Desserts by Svetlana
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
-1 pound spaghetti
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-3/4 pound chicken cutlets, cut into thin strips
-1 small head Napa cabbage, shredded
-1 bunch scallions, chopped
-Shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced
-6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
-1 (2 inch) fresh ginger, peeled and grated
-1 teaspoon black pepper
-1/3 cup tamari (dark soy sauce)
-2 tablespoons sesame oil
-2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1. Bring a large [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Main Dishes, Poultry by Svetlana
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
Lemon Topped Cheesecake
Ingredients:
-1/4 cup butter, melted
-3 packages (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
-1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
-6 eggs, divided
-2 tablespoons grated lemon peel, divided
-1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
-2 tablespoons butter
1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Mix graham crumbs and melted butter until well blended; press firmly onto bottom of pan
3. Beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup of [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Cakes, Desserts by Svetlana
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
Scallop & Mango Skewers
Ingredients:
-1/2 stick unsalted butter
-1/4 cup chopped jasmine tea leaves
-32 sea scallops (about 2 pounds)
-8 skewers
-2 mangoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
-salt
-pepper
1. Preheat a grill to medium-high
2. Melt the butter with the tea leaves in a small saucepan over low heat
3. Dip a scallop into the butter mixture and then pierce it through the center [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Appetizers, Seafood by Svetlana
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
Watercress Salad with Frisee, Cucumber, & Radishes
Ingredients:
-1 English cucumber, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced diagonally
-2 teaspoons rice vinegar (not seasoned)
-2 teaspoons olive oil
-1/2 teaspoons salt
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
-2 ounces frisee, trimmed
-1 bunch watercress, trimmed and stems discarded
-2 ounces baby spinach
-6 radishes, sliced, then thinly cut
1. Toss the cucumber with vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl
2. Let stand for 10 [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Salads by Svetlana
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
Apple, Ginger, Sweet Vidalia & Coconut Salad
Ingredients:
-2 Granny Smith apples, quartered lengthwise, cored, and thinly sliced crosswise
-1 small Vidalia onion, quartered lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
-1 piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into small pieces
-1/2 cup fresh coconut, finely grated and peeled
-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-3 tablespoons fresh basil, shredded
-salt
-pepper
-lemon verbena oil (recipe follows)
1. Toss the apples with the onion, ginger, coconut, [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Salads by Svetlana
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
Shrimp Salad With Sugar Snap Peas, Watercress, & Fresh Mint
Ingredients:
-1 pound shrimp, large, shelled, and deveined
-8 ounces sugar snap peas
-5 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
-salt
-pepper
-1/4 cup fresh mint, packed and chopped
-2 tablespoons warm water
-1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
-1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
-1 bunch watercress, stems discarded
1. Toss shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper
2. Broil [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Salads by Svetlana
Sunday, April 13th, 2008
Avocado & Grapefruit Salad
Ingredients:
-1 grapefruit
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-salt
-pepper
-2 large avocados
-2 heads baby romaine
-3 tablespoons cilantro leaves
-pink peppercorns, crushed
1. Hold the grapefruit over a bowl to catch the juices, and peel it thickly, removing all white pith
2. Cut the grapefruit between the membrane into sections
3. Whisk the juice with the olive oil, sea salt, and pepper to make the [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Salads by Svetlana
Saturday, April 12th, 2008
Citrus Scallops
Ingredients:
-2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
-1 pound large scallops
-2 tablespoons flour
-1 cup white wine
-1 tablespoon chopped onion
-1 tablespoon chopped green bell pepper
-1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
-4 cherry tomatoes, quartered
-2 tablespoons lemon juice
-1 tablespoon lemon zest
-2 tablespoons butter
1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat
2. Lightly coat the scallops in flour, and cook [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Seafood by Svetlana
Saturday, April 12th, 2008
Yogurt Raisin Clusters
Ingredients:
-1 package (3oz) cream cheese, softened
-5 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
-3 tablespoons plain yogurt
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/2 cup white chocolate chips
-2 cups raisins
1. Combine cream cheese, sugar, yogurt and vanilla in top of double boiler
2. Place over boiling water and blend until lukewarm and smooth
3. Add chips and continue stirring until completely melted and smooth
4. Remove from [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Cookies, Desserts by Svetlana
Saturday, April 12th, 2008
Mocha Morsels
Ingredients:
-1/4 cup boiling water
-2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
-2 teaspoons instant coffee powder
-6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
-1/2 cup sugar
-2 eggs
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 cup flour
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
-1 cup raisins
-1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1. In saucepan combine water, unsweetened chocolate and coffee powder
2. Warm over low heat to melt chocolate; set aside
3. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Cookies, Desserts by Svetlana
Thursday, April 10th, 2008
Mango Cake
Ingredients:
-2 cups flour
-1/2 cup sugar
-2 teaspoons cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon salt
-3/4 cup oil
-2-1/2 tablespoons vanilla
-3 eggs, beaten
-1 cup chopped ripe mango
-1 cup raisins
-1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts
-1/2 cup shredded coconut
1. Preheat oven to 325°F
2. Sift flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt into a large mixing bowl
3. Mix in oil, vanilla and eggs until [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Cakes, Desserts by Svetlana
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
Citrus Pesto
Ingredients:
-1 bunch of fresh basil, stemmed (about 3 cups)
-1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
-1 garlic clove
-grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
-grated zest and juice of 1 orange
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
-1/2 cup olive oil
-1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1. Blend the basil, pine nuts, garlic, lemon zest and juice, orange zest and [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Dips/Salsas by Svetlana
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
Baked Caprese Salad
Ingredients:
-1 baguette, sliced into 30 slices
-1/4 cup olive oil
-5 Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
-1 1/4 pounds fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
-fresh basil leaves
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F
2. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking sheet, brush with some of the olive oil, and sprinkle with salt
3. Bake until the bread is pale golden and [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Appetizers by Svetlana
Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Triple Chocolate Tart
Ingredients:
Crust:
-1 1/2 cups flour
-1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-1/8 teaspoon salt
-6 tablespoons butter, softened
-1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling:
-12 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
-1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
-1 tablespoon butter
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt into medium bowl; set aside
2. Beat butter and confectioners’ sugar with mixer until soft and creamy
3. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Cakes, Desserts by Svetlana
Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Papaya-Avocado Salad
Ingredients:
-4 ripe papayas, divided
-2 avocados, diced
-1/3 cup unsalted cashews chopped
-1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro or fresh mint
-4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
-1 medium shallot, finely chopped
-1 cup packed arugula, coarsely chopped
1. Halve 2 papayas and scoop out seeds
2. Set halves aside’
3. Peel remaining 2 papayas, halve and scoop out seeds
4. Cut peeled papaya halves into dices, [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Salads by Svetlana
Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Citrus-Basil Cocktail
Ingredients:
-2/3 cup sugar
-4 large basil sprigs, plus more for garnish
-2/3 cup fresh lime juice
-1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
-1/3 cup fresh orange juice
-2 tablespoons frozen raspberries
-1 cup gin
1. Bring sugar and 1/3 cup water to a simmer in saucepan
2. Stir in basil, and remove from heat
3. Let steep 30 minutes
4. Pour lime juice, lemon juice, orange [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Refreshments by Svetlana
Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Tabbouleh With Mint & Pistachios
Ingredients:
-1/4 cup fine bulgur
-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
-1/4 teaspoon honey
-1 1/3 cup finely chopped pistachios
-1 cup finely chopped curly parsley
-1 cup cucumber, finely chopped (about 1 small cucumber)
-1 medium tomato, finely chopped
-4 green onions, finely chopped
-1/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint
-3 tablespoons olive oil
1. Place bulgur in large bowl and add 1/3 cup boiling water
2. [...]