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Whole wheat Linguine with Shrimp and scallop in cream sauce

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Ingredients:

10 wild shrimps
6 scallops cut into fours
2 strips apple wood smoked bacon
2 tomatoes blanched,skin taken off  and diced
3 garlic cloves,finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup white wine
3/4 cup chicken broth/stock
1/4 cup Freshly grated Parmesan
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and fresh ground pepper

1 lb.Whole wheat linguine(or regular)

Directions:
Bring a pot with water to a boil,add salt and cook the linguine.

While the water is coming to a boil, Heat a saute pan and add butter and oil.Pan sear scallops,then remove them and set aside.
Add shrimps,cook, and take them out and add to scallops.(add more butter if necessary)
To the same pan add bacon,cook it for a minute then add garlic.*
Add wine and chicken stock.
Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes,then add cream,tomatoes and basil.
Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes.
Throw in shrimps and scallops.
Add the cheese,salt and pepper.
Mix it with linguine.
*If you like your sauce to be thicker, add 1 teaspoon of flour before adding wine and chicken stock.

Beef and Chicken Kotleti – Котлеты

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This is a very common Russian/Ukrainian dish that has many variations.For best results,they are made from fresh ground meat such as beef,chicken,pork or turkey.I don’t cook anything with pork, and turkey is kind of dry for me, but it all depends what you like.
These are meat patties that are coated with bread crumbs then sauteed in oil.With breadcrumbs you can make your own(cut the bread in squares and dry them in the oven on 350 degrees,then pulse them in a mini blender until finely ground) or use store bought breadcrumbs like Italian,panko,or original.

Ingredients:
1 lb. fresh ground beef ( I like to use tri-tip for this)
1 lb. fresh ground chicken (thighs)
1 onion grated
2 thick slices of bread
or
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
milk
breadcrumbs for coating
salt and pepper
oil

Optional Ingredients or variations :
1 tablespoon mayo
2 cloves garlic
1 peeled russet potato
parsley,dill,or cilantro

Soak sliced bread in milk,squeeze and drain.
Grind the meat.
Run soaked bread through the grinder .( If you are adding potato or garlic, then you can add it now to the grinder).
Add grated onion,salt,pepper and mayo(optional)
Mix well for a few minutes.Meat needs to have a little bounce to it.
Form the patties in to round or oval shapes.( you can make them medium sized or small ones for appetizer.)
Roll them in breadcrumbs.

On medium heat,heat a skillet  with plenty of oil about 1/2-3/4 inch from the bottom.
Saute the patties on both sides well browned.Repeat with the rest of the patties adding more oil if necessary.

This next step is optional.That is how my family likes them.

Slice half of onion in to thick slices.
Place them on the bottom of medium-large sized sauce pan.
brake apart 2 bay leaves and throw it in to the onions.
Add 1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns.
pour 1/3 cup of water to the sauce pan with onions,bay leaf and pepper.
Fill the pan with sauteed kotleti,cover with lid and bring to boil.Reduce the heat to lowest setting and let in simmer for about 15 minutes.Serve with mashed potatoes,rice,pasta,buckwheat or eat it just like that.

Vareniki with potato filling/Вареники с картошкой

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 Vareniki with potatoes are very popular in Russian/Ukranian kitchens. They are half moon shaped dumplings with a mashed potato and fried onion filling,cooked in water,strained and drizzled with melted butter.Adding mushrooms to the potatoes or on top of cooked vareniki is an option.

dough:
2/3 cups milk or buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 cups warm water
1 1/2 tsp salt
7 cups plus 6 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour

Combine and whisk together milk,eggs,salt and water. add 4 cups flour and using a dough hook,mix it until well combined. then add 1 cup at a time for the rest of the three cups. If the dough is still sticky add flour 1 tablespoon at a time and continue mixing or about 3-5 minutes.place is under a bowl or plastic wrap.

Potato filling:
6 potatoes,peeled,cooked and mashed
1 big or 2 small onions finely chopped
1 stick butter
2 tablespoons oil
salt and pepper

On med-high heat,melt the butter with oil.
Transfer the onions to the pan.
Cook the onions until soft and golden in color.
Add salt and pepper.
Transfer the onions to mashed potatoes and mix well.

Directions:
Cut the dough into 6 pieces. With one piece at a time make a thin log. Cut the log into about 1/2 inch pieces. Dust the rolling pin and the surface with flour. Press down the pieces into a plate with flour (both sides,making a round shape.)
Roll the pieces in to a 1/8 thick rounds.Place about 1 tablespoon of the filling in the middle and fold it making a semi circle the looks like a smile or half man.Place vareneki on well floured pan.*

*You can freeze them for later use.

To Cook:
Bring a pot of water to a boil.Add salt and drop vareniki one at a time.Mix carefully. Cook uncovered until vareneki will rise to the top. Cook for another 3 minutes.Drain the water.
Pour lots of melted butter or mushrooms cooked in butter(about 2 sticks of butter and 8 oz. sliced mushrooms) over the vareniki. It’s delicious when served with sour cream.

Seared Scallops with Pineapple Beurre Blanc Sauce

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This butter based sauce goes with any seafood or fish.It’s basically wine and butter and the rest is your choice depending what note you trying to get.For more luxurious beurre blanc try it with champagne.

With Pineapple juice you can use either store bought or just squeeze some in Juicer like I did.

Makes about 1 1/2 cup of sauce

Ingredients for sauce:
Scallops (up to 12)
2, 3/4 inch pineapple slices juiced or 1/2 cup of pineapple juice
1 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup white wine or champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
1 leek sliced(white parts only)
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
2 sticks butter cut into 1/2 inch cubes ( keep it cold)
salt to taste( I use kosher or Himalayan pink salt)

For 6 Scallops :
Salt and fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
Sauce-
In a medium sauce pan, Heat wine,juice,vinegar,shallots and leeks until it begins to boil.
Let it simmer until the liquid is reduced to two tablespoons.takes about 10 minutes.
Strain the liquid from shallots and leeks, and return back to sauce pan on low heat.

Add butter 2-3 cubes at a time whisking rapidly.
Add heavy whipping cream.
Continue to whisk as you add butter.
When you throw in your last 3 cubes of butter, remove the sauce pan from heat and continue to whisk until the butter is melted.
Now you should have a smooth thick sauce.
Season with salt.

Scallops-
Sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides of the scallops.
Using a saute pan on high heat, melt the butter and oil.
Place the scallops in the pan and let it cook for 3 minutes each side, or until you will have a nice golden crust on the outside and translucent inside. Serve immediately with  beurre blanc sauce over it and pan seared pineapples (optional).

Squirrel Cake with nuts

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 If you like nuts, then this “squirrel cake” is for you.It does take some time to make it.It is fairly sweet and fills you up quickly.

Ingredients for batter:

preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 1/2 cups of your favorite nuts.toasted,cooled, and chopped in a blender (you can have them mixed using variety)
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 sticks butter melted but not hot
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cup flour

Directions for cake batter:
In a mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat eggs on high speed until they will be foamy and pale.Add the sugar,sour cream and butter. Mix on low.

Combine flour,nuts, and baking powder.
Gently combine the flour mixture with the whipped eggs.

Grease a  9 x 2 3/4 spring-foam pan.
Pour half of the batter to the pan and spread it with spoon or spatula.
Bake for about 13-15 minutes.
Repeat with the rest of the batter.

 

Amaretto syrup:
1/2 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Amaretto liquor

combine all ingredients.Let cool

Ingredients for cream:

Inside-
1 can condensed milk ( cook the cans for two hour in water, or use  prepared Dulce DE leches)
2 sticks butter softened at room temp.
4 tablespoons sour cream

Beat together butter with dulce de leche. Add sour cream, and beat again.

Carefully slice the cake to have four layers all together.
Spray or add syrup using a spoon on each layer.
Spread the cream evenly on each layer leaving the top.

Outside-
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder (sifted)

Beat together heavy cream with sugar.Gradually add cocoa powder.
Spread the cream all over the top and sides of the cake.

Decorate the cake as desired. Top it with mixed nuts,chocolate,  sifted cocoa.

“Squirrel Cake” with nuts

Ingredients

  • preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • 1 1/2 cups of your favorite nuts.toasted,cooled, and chopped in a blender (you can have them mixed using variety)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 sticks butter melted but not hot
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cup flour

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat eggs on high speed until they will be foamy and pale.Add the sugar,sour cream and butter. Mix on low.
  2. Combine flour,nuts, and baking powder.
  3. Gently combine the flour mixture with the whipped eggs.
  4. Grease a 9 x 2 3/4 spring-foam pan.
  5. Pour half of the batter to the pan and spread it with spoon or spatula.
  6. Bake for about 13-15 minutes.
  7. Repeat with the rest of the batter.
  8. Amaretto syrup:
  9. 1/2 cup boiling water
  10. 2 tablespoons sugar
  11. 2 tablespoons Amaretto liquor
  12. combine all ingredients.Let cool
  13. Ingredients for cream:
  14. Inside-
  15. 1 can condensed milk ( cook the cans for two hour in water, or use prepared Dulce DE leches)
  16. 2 sticks butter softened at room temp.
  17. 4 tablespoons sour cream
  18. Beat together butter with dulce de leche. Add sour cream, and beat again.
  19. Carefully slice the cake to have four layers all together.
  20. Spray or add syrup using a spoon on each layer.
  21. Spread the cream evenly on each layer leaving the top.
  22. Outside-
  23. 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  24. 1 cup powdered sugar
  25. 3 tablespoons cocoa powder (sifted)
  26. Beat together heavy cream with sugar.Gradually add cocoa powder.
  27. Spread the cream all over the top and sides of the cake.
  28. Decorate the cake as desired. Top it with mixed nuts,chocolate, sifted cocoa.
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Crepes with mushrooms or Creamy Chicken filling

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Crepe stuffed with Creamy Chicken and topped with Mushrooms and onions.

Ingredients for crepes:
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup white unbleached flour
2 cups milk
1 cup water
6 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer combine milk,water,eggs,sugar,salt,and oil.Gradually add flours.  Scrape the sides with spatula if needed and mix well. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight.

Heat a crepe pan or a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Lightly grease with butter or spray oil. When hot, add 1/3 cup of batter to the pan.
Swirl the pan to spread the batter all around evenly. Then, place on the heat and cook for about 20-40 seconds. When the top is no longer shiny, then you will know it is ready to turn. Flip with a spatula and cook for another 15-45 seconds.

Mushroom filling:
serves about 6-8 people

16 oz. sliced mushrooms
1 onion sliced
2 cloves garlic
salt and pepper to taste
extra light olive oil or any other oil.
Shredded cheese Monterrey jack,mozzarella, or both.
butter
Spinach (optional)
Sour cream (optional)

Directions:
Heat a frying pan with a little oil. Add the mushrooms and cook until its no water is left and they start to fry. continue to cook them for 2 minutes. Take them out. Add about 3 tablespoons oil  to the same pan and Add the onions. Saute the onions until soft with a nice golden color.Add the mushrooms(fried) to the onions.Add garlic and spinach (optional) and season with salt and pepper. Cook for another minute.

Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the mushroom filling and cheese on the bottom edge of the crepe. Fold it into an envelope. Repeat with the rest of the crepes.
Heat a small frying pan on low heat .Melt about 2-3 tablespoons butter. Place the folded crepe and fry on low heat until golden in color. Serve with sour cream and dill pickles (optional).

Chicken filling:
serves about 8-10 people


Cooked 2 chicken breasts diced
6 green onions thinly sliced (greens only)
4-5 garlic cloves
7 tablespoons cream cheese
1 cup heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter

Directions:
Melt the butter in a frying/saute pan on med-high heat.Add onions and garlic. Cook 30 seconds and add chicken.Cook it for 3 minutes mixing  often.Add Cream cheese and cream.Mix well until cream cheese is melted for about 4-5 minutes.Season with salt and fresh ground pepper.

Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the  chicken filling on the bottom edge of the crepe. Fold it into an envelope. Repeat with the rest of the crepes.
Heat a small frying pan on low heat .Melt about 2-3 tablespoons butter. Place the folded crepe and fry on low heat until golden in color.

Salmon with Dill Sauce

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I’m a Salmon lover! I love this particular recipe because it’s healthy,light and full of flavor. The fish is juicy (if you don’t over cook it) and with nice lemon and garlic flavor.

Ingredients:
1 half of Wild Salmon fillet or 6 fillets (skin ok)
4-5 cloves garlic crushed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
salt
fresh ground pepper
1 lemon
6 tablespoons olive oil
parchment paper or foil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Place the fish on the baking sheet.
sprinkle salt and pepper.
Squeeze half of lemon on the fish.
drizzle a little bit of olive oil on the wish, and rub all over the fish.

Bake for 13-15 minutes uncovered

While the fish in the oven prepare the sauce.
In a small bowl combine garlic,dill,squeezed lemon juice from the other half,and olive oil.
Add little bit of salt,pepper and mix well.

When the fish is done,transfer on the platter or individual serving plate. Using a spoon pour the sauce over the fish.Serve with rice.

Pizzelle Tubes

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These pizzelle tubes are my favorite from my childhood.Crispy,buttery sweet treats.I like it plain put you can also fill them in with whipped cream, Dulce de leche or jello combined with whipped cream.It took me a while to find this perfect recipe for pizzelles stay crunchy the next day.Thanks to my sister-in-law Lyuba for sharing the recipe with me.

Ingredients:
6 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 sticks butter (melted)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Beat eggs with sugar.
Add butter and mix.
Add baking powder to flour then transfer the flour to the eggs and butter.
Mix to combine all the ingredients until you will get a smooth batter.

Preheat the pizzelle maker, and bake the pizzelles.When done, roll them in to a tube quickly; they become hard fast. Enjoy with coffee or tea!

Filling:
dulce de leche  (everyones favorite)- here is a great way to make it  http://natashaskitchen.com/2012/03/02/dulce-de-leche-cooked-sweetened-condensed-milk/
You can fill them plain dulce de leche or add crushed nuts such as toasted walnuts,hazelnuts or peanuts.
Also you can add 1 stick butter(room temp.) mix using a hand blender or mixer.

Grilled Chicken Tortilla Soup

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This is a very comforting healthy soup. You can either grill the chicken,corn and peppers on the BBQ grill or use electric grill. The recipe is mild because of the kids but you can add some heat by adding jalapenos,cayenne pepper or red chili pepper flakes.

Add the marinate to chicken add rub it in.

Ingredients for chicken:
2 chicken breasts
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seed
1/4 teaspoon dry oregano
3 tablespoon oil
4 tablespoons rum (not the dark one) or tequila

Mix all the ingredients and rub on the chicken to coat well.Let it marinate while you prepare the vegetables.

Grill or broil the vegetables

Ingredients for soup:
4 tablespoons oil
1 onion diced
3-4 garlic cloves crushed
1 zucchini diced
1 yellow squash diced
3 ears of corn the cob (grilled or broiled)
3 bell peppers ( I used red,yellow and green.)
1 can black beans,drained and washed
1 can fire roasted tomatoes 15 oz
1 can Rotel tomato sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
6 cups chicken stock *
salt and pepper to taste
Optional garnishes:
fresh chopped cilantro ( I add to the soup as well)
Shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
avocados
fried Tortilla strips or chips
*I made my own you can get it here http://delightsofculinaria.blogspot.com/2012/01/chicken-noodle-soup.html

Directions:


Grill the chicken

To broil the corn and bell peppers.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees on broil.Line a baking sheet with alumminum foil.
Place the vegetables on prepared baking sheet.
Broil the vegetables rotating them once in a while until all charred around.
When done,take it out from the oven and let it cool down a little.
Then,Cut the kernels of a corn using a knife.

Add caption

Remove the skin,stem and seeds from the bell peppers and chop them

Grill the chicken out side or inside using an electric grill such as George Foreman.

Heat a large soup pot or dutch pan on medium-high heat. add oil.
Then onions and garlic. cooked them for about 5 minutes.
Add all the vegetables and beans.cook for 5 minutes.
Add fire roasted tomatoes,rotel tomato sauce and spices.
Mix and let cook for 3 minutes.
Add stock.
Bring to boil then reduce to low and let simmer for 7 minutes.
Chop the chicken, and throw it in the pot.
Let it simmer for another 3-4 minutes.
turn off the heat, It’s done.

Serve with your favorite toppings listed above.

Slow cooked Beef with vegetables or “Basterma”

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This recipe came to me from my mother.Basterma is a dish very known in central Asia.

Add meat to hot oil.season it.

The meat is cooked first until you get nice brown color,then you add the onions and layer your vegetables. You only add 1/2 cup of water but, you will be surprised how much liquid you will get from all the veggies.The meat is tender and veggies are sweet and soft.

Add onions

Ingredients:
2 lbs. beef ( tri-tip is the best) cut into large cubes
1 1/2 onion chopped
3 carrots sliced into oval shapes
4 potatoes cut into 1/4 inch thick rounds
1 red bell pepper cut into rounds
1 green bell pepper cut into rounds
1/4 head of a cabbage sliced 1/2 inch thick
3 tomatoes sliced thick
1/3 cup oil
salt and pepper
1 1/2 tbsp. ground cumin powder

Arrange potatoes

1/2 cup water

Directions:
Heat oil on high heat. Add beef.

and the rest of the vegetables

Season with salt and pepper. Mix and let it cook uncovered until you will see a nice brown color.
Add onions and cook for about 3-4 minutes
Set  the heat to low add water and arrange the veggies in layers in this order;
-potatoes,salt & pepper
-cabbage, salt & pepper
-carrots,salt & pepper
-bell peppers
-tomatoes salt & pepper
-cumin powder

sprinkle salt,pepper,cumin and close the lid.

Now cover with lid and  turn the heat on high and bring to boil.When it begins to boil bring down to low heat and let cook for 1 1/2 hours.
When it’s all done cooking, gently mix it and serve with chopped cilantro.

Best buttermilk ranch dressing

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This is a dressing that you can add to your salad without guilt.You will know everything that will go in your body.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/3 cup buttermilk
2 scallions chopped
salt and pepper
1-2 garlic cloves
pinch of dried parsley

Directions:
In a blender,pulse garlic with scallions.
add the rest of ingredients and pulse until well combined.
Serve on a salad or use as a dip for veggies.

Watercress salad

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This is very simple and healthy salad loaded with lots of vitamins.It is very beneficial especially if you are trying to lose those extra couple pounds or so.You can mix it with other greens if you’re not used to strong taste.

Ingredients:
1 bunch of watercress
pine nuts
grapes cut in half (or fruit of your choice)
crumbled feta cheese
squeeze of  fresh lemon juice
drizzle of olive oil
salt and fresh cracked pepper
* you can add a little bit of sugar if you like

Toss all the ingredients and serve