Tag: recipe

Deliciously Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe

Whether it is time for lunch or dinner, a side dish that can be paired with your meal is always an essential piece of the dinner table tableau. Plus, once you have this deliciously creamy baked mac and cheese recipe from Food 52 in your back pocket, you’ll never find yourself without a reliable side dish at your disposal.

Because this recipe has you baking the mac and cheese, it makes it simple to prepare the ingredients alongside the remainder of your meal, mix them together in your preferred casserole dish, and cook in your oven at whatever time aligns with your main course. Though, the freshly-grated cheeses included in this recipe serve to make this dish upstage your primary protein if you’re not too careful.

This recipe only calls for about 15 minutes of prep time, which can easily be done as you prep or cook your other ingredients. The cooking time is stated as being 30 minutes with the resulting dish suited to serve 4-6 people, but you can always multiply the ingredients so as to whip up a larger batch. In fact, if you’re a fan of cheesy leftovers, that might just be a great idea.

Baked Mac and Cheese Ingredients:

5 cups of whole milk

10 tablespoons of unsalted butter

½ cup of all-purpose flour

1 additional tablespoon of all-purpose flour

3 ounces of aged provolone, grated

4 ½ ounces of asiago fresco, grated

4 ½ ounces of fontina, grated

¾ pound of fresh mozzarella, grated

1 pound of cavatappi pasta

Kosher salt, to taste

Directions for Baked Mac and Cheese:

                          1. You’ll begin this recipe by setting a large pot of water on your stove to boil and then cook your pasta. Set the pot to high heat, add a small dash of salt, and cover it almost completely so as to let the water reach its boiling point.
  2. Set another large pot on another burner, but set this one to medium heat. Melt your butter in the pot and add in your flour, whisking it for 1 to 2 minutes. While whisking constantly, add in your milk and you will begin to notice a paste form. Continue adding your milk until all 5 cups are used, and be sure to whisk the pot throughout the process until it’s completely smooth with no lumps. Simmer the pot until your milk, butter, and flour sauce begins to thicken to the consistency of a thin gravy.
  3. While your sauce is busy thickening, reduce your heating element from medium to low. Add in your grated fontina, provolone, and asiago cheeses. Stir them into the sauce until all of the grated cheeses have melted completely. At this point, taste the sauce and adjust the salt accordingly. Be sure to keep your pot on the lowest-possible heat so as to only warm the sauce, and preheat your oven to 450°F.
  4. At this point, your pasta water should be boiling. The salt you’ve added before should make the pasta water taste like a highly-seasoned soup broth. Cook your pasta for half the time that’s suggested on the box. You’repurposefully undercooking the pasta so that it will finish cooking in the oven with the cheeses.
  5. After it’s properly undercooked, drain your pasta and add it to your cheese sauce. Stir the noodles into the sauce thoroughly, and carefully transfer your mixture to a large, shallow baking dish. It’s preferred that your baking dish have more surface area so as to allow for more small crispy bits that truly elevate the texture.
  6. Sprinkle your fresh mozzarella cheese on top of your pasta and bake it for 10 to 15 minutes, until you begin to see the sauce bubbling up around your noodles. Then, broil your mac and cheese for 1 to three minutes until your mozzarella is brown and crispy.
  7. Remove it from the oven, let it cool slightly, and serve immediately.

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Maple Compound Butter Seared Steak Recipe

Welcome winter the right way with this meticulous and delicious recipe for Seared Steak with Maple Compound Butter from Food52 the next time you need a hearty meal that blends savory and sweet flavor notes in the best way imaginable.

Many agree that the perfect steak should have a juicy, pink interior (though the “pinkness” is often debated) and a gorgeous, textured outer crust. This particular recipe relies on the convenience of sous vide cooking so that the steak is cooked for just the right amount of time before it gets a quick sear on an electric cooktop. This particular recipe’s steak cooking times can be altered depending on your exact heating element, as this specific recipe makes use of theLG Studio Electric Cooktop.

What really sets this recipe apart from the pack is the blend of autumn and winter that rests in the delicious maple compound butter. It has just the right touch of sweetness, making it ideal to complement the savory meat. In order to achieve the best results in this savory and sweet flavor pairing, you’ll want to use the best-quality maple syrup that you’re able to find. It’s traditionally accepted that the darker the syrup, the better in terms of pronounced flavors.

As for the steaks themselves, this recipe doesn’t intend to reinvent the wheel. Salt and pepper always go a long way for seasoning, as proper steak preparation relies more on focus, patience, and finesse than anything else.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup of pure maple syrup
  • 2 12 oz. sirloin, strip, or ribeye steaks
  • Kosher Salt
  • Freshly-ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

Directions:

  1. Because it’s unwise and rarely a good idea to juggle too many tasks while properly cooking a steak, you’ll want to first prepare the maple compound butter for this recipe before touching your favorite cut of steak. To begin, you’ll blend your softened butter with your maple syrup in a bowl.
  2. Once the butter is fully mixed, transfer it all to a piece of parchment paper and roll it up, shaping it into a log shape. Place it in the refrigerator and chill it for at least a few hours until it’s firm.
  3. This recipe suggests preheating your sous vide appliance to your desired steak temperature, which will depend on the level of doneness you prefer. As you do this, you’ll want to season your steaks generously with salt and pepper on both sides of the cut. After they’re properly seasoned, transfer them into plastic sous vide bags and seal them tightly.
  4. Next, you will cook them according to your sous vide appliance’s directions for their necessary time in order to reach the right temperature. Once cooked, remove them from the bags, setting them aside.
  5. Take a cast-iron skillet and rub its interior with your vegetable oil. Afterward, place your skillet on the stovetop and heat it as high as your burner will allow until the oil just begins to smoke.
  6. Place your steaks carefully in the pan and cook them for 30 seconds. Then, flip them over and cook for an additional half of a minute. Flip the steaks again, cook one side for 15 seconds and then flip one last time, cooking them for an additional 15 seconds. With this method, you should have a nice sear on both sides of the steak, but if not then you can continue cooking and flipping the steak 15 seconds at a time until your desired sear appears.
  7. After you’ve flipped your steak for the final time, add about 1 tablespoon of maple butter on top of each piece of steak. Remove them from the pan and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. Once plated, be sure to add some extra compound butter on the side.

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Roasted Chicken With Lemon Curd, Garlic & Chiles

Excellently-roasted chicken that’s properly seasoned and cooked with herbs is the perfect hearty dinnertime meal for this time of year, and this particularly delicious recipe from Food 52 hits the savory and sweet spot needed for the fall or winter season.

One of the impressive choices this recipe makes is using the traditionally sweet lemon curd for a savory pairing, thus adding a tart-full richness to herb-encrusted sheet pan chicken thighs. What’s left is a medley of tender chicken, seasoned vegetables, and garlic-spread sourdough toast that will be sure to surprise and delight anyone eating alongside you at Sunday night dinner.

Ingredients For Roasted Chicken Thighs:

  • 6 bone-in chicken thighs with the skin still on
  • 3 garlic heads with the top third sliced off
  • 7 carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
  • 4 sprigs of rosemary
  • 3 tablespoons of lemon curd
  • 2 teaspoons of urfa biber or ¾ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
  • 2 lemons, each halved horizontally
  • 1 loaf of sourdough, toasted
  • Kosher salt, for taste
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • Freshly ground black pepper, for sprinkling
  • Flaky salt, for sprinkling

Directions for Roasted Chicken Thighs:

  1. You’ll begin this delicious recipe by patting your bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with a dry paper towel, so as to soak up any excess juices from the packaging. Then you’ll set the chicken thighs on a small tray or plate and season them all over with salt. Then set them aside as you prep the other ingredients.
  2. At this point, open your oven and position one rack in the center and one in the top slot. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  3. Place your garlic heads (with each head’s top third sliced off) on a rimmed sheet pan alongside your peeled and cut carrots. Drizzle this garlic and carrot-filled sheet pan generously with olive oil, season it with salt and pepper, and toss it all together to coat fully. Lastly, turn the garlic so that the cut-side is facing downward.
  4. Next, finely chop enough sprigs of rosemary to yield 1 teaspoon. Transfer your chicken thighs (with the skin-side facing upward) to the sheet pan with garlic and carrots. At this point, you’ll carefully peel back the skin on the chicken thighs and evenly spread the lemon curd on the top of each thigh. Next, evenly sprinkle your chicken with the chopped rosemary and follow it by sprinkling the urfa biber or red pepper flakes. Smooth the skin back over the lemon curd and season your thighs with salt and pepper. Lightly-drizzle the thighs with oil, place the remaining rosemary sprigs onto the sheet pan, and add your lemon halves with the cut-side facing downward.
  5. Roast this filled sheet pan on the center rack for 25 minutes. Throughout the cooking process, rotate your thighsand shuffle the ones near the edges of the sheet tray toward the middle and vice versa. Flip over your lemon and garlic heads after the initial 25 minutes are through, and then continue roasting for 5-7 more minutes. You should be sure to keep a watchful eye on the chicken thighs and roast them until the skin is golden. If you want extra crispy skin, you can place the sheet pan under the broiler for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  6. Lastly, to finish things off, you’ll bring your sheet pan to the table, set it atop a trivet, divide the pieces among three plates, and sprinkle it all with flaky salt. Squeeze the roasted garlic from its papery sheaths and spread it onto the sourdough toast. Squeeze the lemons all over, and enjoy!

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Portobello French Dip with Horseradish Aioli

A classic sandwich that is always sure to hit the spot is the french dip with the combination of savory flavors to be found in between its bread and in the dip itself. But now you can enjoy a meatless alternative that packs enough of a punch with the horseradish aioli it’s paired with thanks to this recipe from Pinch of Yum.

A traditional french dip sandwich utilizes the combination of flavors found in beef, onions, and cheese as well as the “dip” itself. The sandwiches are typically lightly dunked in a brothy type of sauce known as an au jus, and while they’re originally of American origin, they are named after the type of bread they are often made with. This particular recipe is an excellent twist on the old classic thanks to the texture of the portobello mushrooms, deliciously caramelized onions, and spectacular aioli.

Ingredients

Roasted Mushrooms

4 portobello mushroom caps, sliced into thin strips

2-3 tablespoons of olive oil

1-2 teaspoons of Montreal steak seasoning (alternatively salt and pepper)

Caramelized Onions and As Jus

2 tablespoons of butter

1 large onion, thinly sliced

¼ cup of white wine

1 tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce (omit if vegetarian/vegan)

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 cups of beef or vegetable broth

Salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to taste

Horseradish Aioli

½ cup of mayonnaise

1 teaspoon of horseradish

1 clove of garlic, grated

Pinch of salt

French Dip

4 crusty sourdough rolls or a baguette cut into 4 sections

Provolone cheese slices 

Recipe

  1. You’ll begin this dish by preheating your oven to 450°F so that you can start roasting your mushrooms. Toss your mushroom slices with oil and seasoning and roast them in the oven for 20-30 minutes.
  2. While the mushrooms are in the oven, melt your butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s melted, add in your onions, and sauté them until they’ve softened. Then, turn the heat down so that you can caramelize the onions for 20 minutes or so. Stir them occasionally and continue this process just until they’re a deep golden brown.
  3. Now you’ll begin making the au jus. Add your wine to the pan on onions and let it sizzle out. Next, add your Worcestershire and soy sauces, stir the skillet and then add your broth. Simmer the combination until it’s reduced slightly. Pull out the onions with a set of tongs, and set them aside for later. Season the au jus to taste.
  4. Take your bread of choice and prepare them to be toasted. Butter the pieces if you’d like, and then pile your mushrooms onto the bread pieces, cover them with cheese, and return them to the oven on the same roasting pan for 5 minutes or just about enough time to toast the bread and melt the cheese. Be sure to keep a watchful eye during this delicate process so as not to burn anything.
  5. Keep your horseradish ingredients at room temperature and combine the mayonnaise, horseradish, garlic, and salt in a small bowl. Then, set it aside.
  6. Your final step is to top the sandwiches off with caramelized onions, placing a dollop of horseradish aioli onto the sandwiches. Serve alongside the au jus for dipping, and enjoy!

Notes:

If you are preparing this recipe for a strict vegetarian or vegan, you can easily substitute the Worcestershire sauce for a vegan alternative or soy sauce. Similarly, you can omit the stage in the cooking process that calls for the buttering of the bread prior to toasting.  Additionally, feel free to substitute water for white wine.

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End of Summer Garden Salsa Recipe

When the summer season begins to wind down, the summer garden harvest has a tendency to leave behind an overwhelming pile of produce, but luckily A Fresh Legacy and Smitten Kitchen have recipes to ensure that you make the most of your summertime yield. This garden salsa recipe is perfect to make the most of your remaining summer garden crop.

“Quick, Easy Garden Salsa” Recipe (Smitten Kitchen)

If your garden is aboud with pounds of whole tomatoes come summer’s end, then this garden salsa recipe is the way to make the most out of that popular garden vegetable!

Garden Salsa Ingredients:

10 to 12 whole tomatoes (peeled)

½-¼ of a large white onion

1 fresh jalapeño (trimmed)

1 clove garlic (peeled)

½ cup of fresh cilantro leaves (chopped)

½ teaspoon of kosher salt

Juice from half of a lime (2-3 tablespoons)

Garden Salsa Directions:

  1. Begin your summertime salsa by placing your whole tomatoes in a large mixing bowl and press them so that their juices expel and they become open and crushed. Using a colander, separate the excess tomato juice from the whole tomatoes, and set the juice aside.
  2. Finely chop your white onion, jalapeño, and garlic. Remove the seeds from the jalapeño at this stage if you want your salsa to be on the milder side of spicy, as jalapeño seeds are known to hold more of that fiery kick.
  3. Add your onion, jalapeño, and garlic to a blender or large food processor along with your chopped cilantro leaves and salt. Grind or blend the ingredients with a few pulses and then add in your drained tomatoes and lime juice and continue pulsing the machine until you reach your desired consistency. If the salsa mixture ever seems too thick, add some of your reserved tomato juice one tablespoon at a time.
  4. Adjust seasoning to taste, and then serve in a salsa bowl alongside tortilla chips and enjoy. Leftovers of this fresh salsa can keep up to one week in the refrigerator.

“Summer Yogurt Dip” (A Fresh Legacy)

This recipe is perfect for gardens that yield cucumbers and herbs. The yogurt base pairs particularly well with the herbal notes of mint leaves, leaving you with a refreshingly cool summer dip.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups of peeled & grated cucumbers (3-4)

½ tablespoon of a freshly juiced lemon

½ cup of plain yogurt

1 clove garlic

A handful of fresh mint leaves (finely chopped)

½ teaspoon of sumac

Directions:

  1. Combine your ingredients together in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon. Begin with your yogurt and place the remaining herbs, vegetables, and juice atop the dairy-based yogurt.
  2. Sprinkle the sumac on top of your mixture.
  3. Serve the yogurt dip alongside crusty bread or as a side with other raw vegetables from your garden such as zucchini, squash, or carrots.

“Baked Summer Vegetable Dip” (A Fresh Legacy)

This recipe takes about 20 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes of cooking time to produce a roasted tray of various summer vegetables. Feel free to add your excess to the sheet tray, because with this recipe, there’s not much that can go wrong.

Ingredients:

Half a pound of tomatoes (approximately 2-3)

1 capsicum (roughly chopped)

1 zucchini (chopped into large pieces)

2 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)

Large drizzle of olive oil

⅓ cup walnuts

3 stems and leaves of fresh basil

Directions:

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F.
  2. On a baking pan with a parchment paper lining, add your tomatoes, capsicum, zucchini, and garlic. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, toss them together, and then bake for 20 minutes.
  3. Remove them from the oven, allowing them to cool. Then, place the contents of the bake into a food processor or blender with your walnuts and basil leaves.
  4. Pulse the food processor until it’s all well-combined, and pour the dip into a bowl.
  5. Serve alongside pita bread triangles or similar starches such as crackers.

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Sauce Recipes to Elevate Your Next Meal

It’s often said, “The proof is in the pudding.”  When it comes to creating new, flavorful dishes, we’ve found that the proof is actually in the sauce.  Finding a dip or dressing that can elevate a boring grain bowl or a few pounds of unseasoned meat can be the difference between a regular dinner and an outstanding dining experience.  The right sauce recipe or dip can take a bunch of ingredients and evolve them into a dish that will leave your family and/or friends raving over your culinary prowess.

The beauty of most of these recipes from BonAppetit.com is that regardless of whether you’ve got a well-stocked fridge or just a couple of kitchen staples, it’s entirely possible to create a killer sauce that can provide for a menagerie of delicious meals. Leftover dips can be thinned to make a dressing for salads.  Thicker sauces can be used as sandwich spreads.  We recommend experimenting with all of these sauces at home. Below are tops on our lists – and may you never have to worry about flavorless meats and veggies again.


Chili Crisp

Fair warning!  This tangy, spicy, crunchy, and addictive sauce is so versatile it will give all of your other sauces and condiments a run for their money.  Throw it on eggs, meat, seafood, and salads for a fiery, flavorful kick.  This recipe can also be adapted to suit your tastes – try different chilies and spices and substitute ingredients for different crunches to your heart’s content.

Cilantro Chutney

Earthy, bright, fresh and delicious, This chutney is whipped up in minutes and can be used to step up everything from rice to roasted vegetables and even eggs.  Get creative with garlic, mint and other spices/herbs if you dare!  We can’t wait to try this with Indian appetizers such as Samosa and Pakoras, as sandwich spread, or just a dip for traditional naan.

All Day Every Day Sauce

Talk about simple!  Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice and salt.  Throw it on meats and veggies for a simple boost of flavor.  Too simple?  When you’re ready, toasted nuts, minced herbs, spices (cumin, turmeric, or coriander), and/or finely chopped dried fruit (raisins, apricots, and/or dates) in this sauce will bring vegetables and proteins to a level you’ve never experienced before!

Salsa Macha

Salsa Macha is a very thick and unusual salsa from the state of Veracruz along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.  Described as a chile-spiced peanut butter, you’re going to have to resist putting this sweet and savory sauce on everything from breakfast foods to Mexican entrees.

Coconut-Chile Palapa Sauce

Looking for something to bring a funky sweet and spicy element to boring grilled fish, chicken, noodles, eggs – really anything? Then look no further than this spicy, sweet, earthy, and garlicky Filipino condiment.

Caramelized Shallot Dip

Never use that dried stuff again – welcome to the world of intensely flavorful shallot dip. The taste of real onions brings an earthiness you’ll love, and the crunch of fresh ingredients is perfection.  Use it as a dip for pita chips, throw it on a baked potato, fries/tots, whatever.  And trust us that those “everything” bagels will never be the same!

Tzatziki

Strange name, sure, but if you’ve had Greek food, you know that delicious yogurt and cucumber goodness you can’t get enough of. Use it on grilled meats (homemade gyros?) or roasted vegetables.  This one even stands alone as an appetizer dip, and we certainly wouldn’t judge you for eating it straight from the spoon.

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