Tag Archives: winter foods

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Provolone

Well, we are well into the holidays season and still a few parties to go from now until New Year’s.  I thought I would share my all time favorite crowd pleasing appetizer recipe . Variations of this recipe abound but if you have never tried it , you definitely should. It’s easy to make and assemble in advance for a party, which is a plus in book for any party recipe.

From by the bay wishing you happy holiday food memories!

Maryann

blog bacon date

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Provolone

24 pieces


Ingredients

24 pitted Medjool dates

12 slices bacon

2 ounces provolone cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the bacon slices in half with a scissor. Cut the provolone cheese into 24 small sticks approximately 1” x 1 ¼”. Place cheese into the date. Wrap date with a ½ slice of bacon and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes and turn the dates over and bake for 15 more minutes until the bacon is crispy. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Variations

You can make these with other sharp cheeses such as Manchego, Parmesan or Soft Gorgonzola.

 

Onions Celeste

Onions Celeste was a dish my mother made when I was growing up. It was a family favorite for years and then we eventually moved on. I’m not sure where the original recipe came from my mother was given this recipe from one of her friends. The original recipe called for canned cream of chicken soup. Not too long ago, I took out this recipe to surprise my mother but updated it and it is now once again a family holiday favorite. It satisfies my desire for creamed onions but with much less work. Mom was thrilled to enjoy an old favorite ! It’s a perfect side dish for holiday entertaining. Give this yummy retro classic a try!
From by the bay, wishing you celestial food memories!

Maryann

 

 

blog onion celeste

Onions Celeste
Serves 6

4 oz chopped pancetta
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 large red onions, sliced thinly

8 oz grated gruyere cheese

1 recipe béchamel sauce ( approximately 1 ½ cups)

8 slices buttered toasted French bread

Directions

In a large heavy skillet over medium heat cook the pancetta until crispy. Remove from pan with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. In the same pan heat the butter and sauté onion until soft and starts to caramelize which would be about 20 to 30 minutes. Spoon the onions into a butter baking dish 8” by 8” along with the pancetta. Pour the béchamel sauce over the onions , add the cheese and stir. Top with the buttered toast and bake in a 350F oven for approximately 25 minutes. You can also prepare this recipe up to a day in advance and refrigerate without the buttered toast. Bring to room temperature and top with toast and place into the oven.

Bechamel Sauce

Makes 1 ½ cups

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons flour

2 cups whole milk

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg

Directions

In a medium sauce pan add the milk and heat until it is about to boil. While the milk is heating, in another sauce pan , heat the butter until melted. Add the flour and mix until smooth. Cook the mixture for about 5-6 minutes until it becomes a golden color. Slowly add the hot milk to the flour mixture whisking continuously. Bring to a boil and then cook for another 10 -15 minutes continuing to whisk until the sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat and add the salt and nutmeg.

 

Red Wine Braised Pork and Chestnut Stew

At this time of year, I find joy in putting some great ingredients together and letting them braise slowly in the oven. This is inspired by a dish I had once in a London restaurant. When I returned from my trip, I worked on recreating my meal. Over the years I have tweaked the ingredients. I believe this version is actually better than the original! I attribute it to the final ingredient added in this last version the juniper berries, it adds a nice herbal under note to the favor of the stew. On the next cold wintry night fill your kitchen with the warmth and fragrance of this delicate stew.


From by the bay wishing you warm food memories!

Maryann


blog pork and wine



Red Wine Braised Pork and Chestnut Stew

Serves 4-6


2 ½ lbs cubed pork loin

¼ cup flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 bottle red wine

2 bay leaves

4 juniper berries

1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped

15 oz whole roasted chestnuts from jar


Directions


Preheat oven to 350F. Mix flour together flour with salt and pepper in bowl. Add pork cubes and coat well. In dutch oven heat both oil and butter, sauté pork cubes until browned on all sides. Add garlic and sauté another minute. Next add the red wine, bay leaves, juniper berries, sage and chestnuts. Bring to a boil, then turn off flame. Cover and place into the oven for 2 ½ hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with noodles, rice or steamed spinach.

 

 
 

The ABC’s – Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

This aromatic, velvety, orange colored soup is a perfectly satisfying lunch or dinner along with your favorite salad or it could be a great starter to a special meal. Either way, you’ll want to try this flavorful soup made with sweet potatoes, carrots and red lentils. Not only is this soup delicious it’s packed with vitamins such as A, B and C. How good is that?From by the bay, wishing you aromatic food memories!
Maryann
blog sweet potato lentil soup
Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup
Serves 6
Ingredients
4 cups low sodium vegetable stock
3/4 cup red lentils
2 leeks, cleaned and sliced in rings
4 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, plus extra for garnish
1 lime
optional: creme fraiche
Directions
In a stock pot add all ingredients except cilantro and lime. Bring to a boil , reduce heat to simmer and cover. Simmer until the potatoes and lentils are cooked about 20 to 30 minutes.
Let cool, then puree in a food processor with the juice of the lime and 1/2 cup chopped cilantro. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.  Reheat to serve . Add a teaspoon of creme fraiche and a few cilantro leaves as garnish and serve.
*Note : I suggest vegetable stock , but you can also use chicken stock.

Porcini Mushroom and Chestnut Dressing

Once the holidays end, I think we forget how good a side dish dressings are during the winter. This dressing recipe is inspired by my mother. I tried to recreate one of her food memories from her childhood. My grandfather cooked with many Italian influences that he gathered from both his childhood and his days working at sea. This recipe is based on my mother’s memory combined with my own Italian food memories. The results is a delicious combination of ingredients featuring both porcini and baby bella mushrooms combined with chestnuts . It’s a perfect complement to roasted pork or poultry. This one is for you Mom with all my love !

From by the bay wishing you porcini food memories!

Maryann

 

 

blog chestnut stuffing

 

 

Porcini Mushroom and Chestnut Dressing

Serves 6 to 8

 

Ingredients

8 cups country bread, cut into ½ inch cubes with crust, approximately 1 loaf bread

1/2 cup olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons olive oil

1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms

4 ounces pancetta, cubed

8 ounces mushrooms such as Baby Bella, cleaned and sliced

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

2 leeks, cleaned and sliced in rings

2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced

11/2 tablespoons fennel seed

1 jar whole roasted chestnuts, 14.8 ounces

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

2 cups low sodium chicken stock

1 cup porcini liquid

1/2 cup parsley, chopped

2 teaspoons fine sea salt

1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions

In a medium bowl add the dried porcini mushrooms and cover with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degree F. On two baking sheets toss the bread cubes  with 1/2 cup olive oil and then spread the bread in a single layer on two rimmed large baking sheets. Bake about 10-12 minutes until bread is golden brown. Set aside to cool, then place in a large mixing bowl. In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons olive oil, add pancetta and cook until crisp, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove pancetta with a slotted spoon and place in the mixing bowl with the bread. To the same skillet used for the pancetta heat the remaining tablespoon olive oil over medium heat and then add the leeks. Saute until softened about 10 minutes, separating the leek rings, then add the Baby Bella sliced mushrooms and red chili flakes and saute until softened another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add to the bowl with the bread and pancetta. To this bowl add the chestnuts crumbling them.  Add the cheese, thyme leaves, fennel seeds and parsley to the bowl.  Take the bowl with the porcini and remove the porcini mushrooms keeping the soaking liquid. Coarsely chop the porcini mushrooms and add to the bowl with the dressing.  Strain the soaking liquid to remove any dirt or grit at the bottom of the bowl and add one cup of this liquid to your dressing. Add 2 cups of chicken stock. Mix the ingredients together and season with salt and pepper. If dressing is not moist add some additional chicken stock. Mix well. The dressing can be made up to this point one day in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake. To bake the dressing, remove from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes, until dressing is heated through the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and serve warm.

blog chestnut stuffing 2

Leftover Eggnog? Try Eggnog Pancakes!

blog eggnog pancakes

Every year as I am looking towards the holiday, I’m stocking up on all kinds of food items for entertaining my family and friends. Once we get past Christmas I’m beginning to see what I still have left and how to use it. Something I buy every year is eggnog, I can’t help myself, but no one really seems to drink it anymore. It doesn’t stop me from buying it though, in fact, I like to use eggnog to transform something ordinary into a delicious holiday or post holiday treat. This year was no different as I looked into the refrigerator to see a bottle of eggnog with a mid january expiration date, I decided  to make pancakes for a weekend brunch with fantastic results. The eggnog gave a richer egg taste to the pancakes, but the pancakes were still light and fluffy. I think it’s the perfect comfort food for a cold January weekend morning to bring some warmth and a little post holiday cheer into your day.

 

From by the bay wishing you, eggnog food memories!

Maryann

 

 

Eggnog Pancakes
Serves 4-6


Ingredients
11/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
2 cups eggnog
2 large eggs, at room temperature
optional: confectionery sugar and maple syrup

Directions
In a medium bowl combine all dry ingredients and mix. To this add the eggnog and eggs and combine. Do not over mix. Batter will be a little lumpy.  Set aside for 20 minutes. Heat a griddle pan and spread 1/4 cup of batter for each cake, Cook two minutes on the first side until the edge starts to bubble and flip and cook another minute. Place on baking sheet and keep warm in oven until all cakes are made and ready to serve. Serve with confectionery sugar and maple syrup