Italian-style pasta salad with roasted eggplant, anchovy, and mint

Details here: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/12862-pasta-salad-with-roasted-eggplant-chile-and-mint?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Our modifications: first, to roast the diced eggplant, we increased the temp to 425, but at the 15 min mark, we increased to 450; this is because the eggplant pieces may have been too crowded on two sheets that they started steaming. We roasted for about 30-35 mins until browned and crisp… Continue reading Italian-style pasta salad with roasted eggplant, anchovy, and mint

Summer minestrone soup with zucchini, turnip, and basil

We tried this recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016431-summer-minestrone-with-fresh-basil?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Our modifications: first, instead of canned cannelini beans, we used 1 ¾ cups homemade presoaked cannelini beans, which are not as fully cooked as the canned version (method here: https://piglettedc.tumblr.com/post/622117884905259008/quick-soaking-cannellini-beans-pressure-cooker). As a result, we added the presoaked cannelini beans earlier, at the same stage as the bouquet garni. Second, instead… Continue reading Summer minestrone soup with zucchini, turnip, and basil

Simple steak and tomato salad

We had half a serving of carne asada leftover, so we tossed together this simple salad with Mediterranean flavors: first, combine a finely minced shallot (about ¼ cup), 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar, ½ tsp dried Greek thyme, ½ tsp sugar, and a dash each of salt and black pepper. Second,… Continue reading Simple steak and tomato salad

Pasta with roasted grape tomatoes

This is a great pantry recipe. We used ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan instead of pecorino cheese and ¼ cup matzoh meal instead of bread crumbs. Details here: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1778-penne-with-roasted-cherry-tomatoes?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share When tossing the al dente pasta with the roasted tomatoes, we used about ¼ cup pasta water and 1 additional Tbsp olive oil. We also sprinkled… Continue reading Pasta with roasted grape tomatoes

Pasta with mushrooms and gremolata

Gremolata is an intoxicating combo of garlic, parsley, and lemon zest. We tried this recipe, and it was delicious: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/12791-pasta-with-mushrooms-and-gremolata?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Our modifications: first, based on our pantry, we used 8 oz (½ lb) cremini mushrooms (instead of 1 lb mixed mushrooms), cut into ½" slices. We found the amount of mushroom to be sufficient. Second,… Continue reading Pasta with mushrooms and gremolata

Sicilian-style pasta with anchovies, capers, and roasted cauliflower and cremini mushrooms

First, preheat the oven to 425. Wash ½ head cauliflower (about 2 cups) and cut into medium-size florets (about 2"x1"), pat until bone-dry, and toss in 1 Tbsp olive oil and black pepper. Wash 8 oz (½ lb) cremini mushrooms, pat bone-dry, and cut into large bite-sized pieces (1" thick). Toss with 1 Tbsp olive… Continue reading Sicilian-style pasta with anchovies, capers, and roasted cauliflower and cremini mushrooms

Chicken cacciatore with mushrooms

We tried this recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015416-chicken-cacciatore-with-mushrooms-tomatoes-and-wine?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Based on our pantry, we used ½ cup dried shiitakes (instead of porcini) for the dried mushroom and corresponding 1 cup of mushroom soaking liquid. We also used 29 oz (two 14.5 oz cans) of no-salt diced tomatoes, which we pulsed in our handheld processors. We omitted much of the… Continue reading Chicken cacciatore with mushrooms

Jamie Oliver’s baked eggplant parmesan

We tried this recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1901-jamie-olivers-eggplant-parmesan?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share Based on our pantry, we used 28 oz pureed tomatoes instead of crushed tomatoes. This led to a thicker sauce, which we might in the future dilute with some water or chicken broth before baking. We also omitted the fresh basil, as we did not have any on hand. (Mar.… Continue reading Jamie Oliver’s baked eggplant parmesan

Stuffed shells with bolognese sauce

We followed this NYT recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/6609-manicotti-with-cheese-filling-and-bolognese-sauce?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share As a shortcut, we used 2 ½ cups of premade bolognese sauce (24 oz Rao’s bolognese sauce). To reduce sodium, we used 1 oz finely chopped prosciutto (down from 2 oz). We also used 12 jumbo shells, which we parboiled for 10 mins; the 12 stuffed shells filled a… Continue reading Stuffed shells with bolognese sauce

Stracciatella with spinach

We tried this NYT recipe: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012899-stracciatella-with-spinach?smid=ck-recipe-iOS-share We left the spinach leaves whole. Prior to adding the spinach to the simmering broth, we added 1/3 cup tiny star pasta (pastina) and let it simmer for a few mins. Then we added the spinach, followed by the egg-parmesan-semolina mixture. We also added ½ tsp crushed red pepper… Continue reading Stracciatella with spinach