Serves: 6

Escudella is a hearty Andorran winter stew consisting of vegetables, meat, and pasta. It is a dish that has its roots in Spanish, French, and Catalonian cuisine.

• Ingredients

1 Ham bone
4 Veal bones
4 oz Salted pork
½ Chicken (cut into bite sized pieces)
½ lb Veal (cut into bite sized pieces)
½ lb Potatoes (peeled and diced)
2 ¼ Quarts of water
4 oz Finely chopped onions
3 Tbsp Olive oil
1 Medium leek (chopped)
½ lb Carrot (finely diced)
½ lb Green cabbage (finely chopped)
4 oz Rice
3 oz Elbow/Ciocchetti pasta
4 oz Great Northern beans (cooked)
Pinch of saffron threads

• preparation

Blanch the salted pork in hot water to remove excess salt. Dice the pork into small pieces.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped onions.
As soon as the onion begins to brown, add the salted pork pieces, chopped chicken, and veal.
Add the chopped potatoes, carrots, and leek to the skillet.
and the chopped green cabbage.
In a large saucepan, create a broth by adding the ham and veal bones to water.
Simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes. Add the saffron and salt.
Remove the bones from the broth and discard them.
Add the vegetable and meat mixture from the skillet into the broth.
Add the beans, rice, and pasta.
Cook for about fifteen minutes until the pasta and rice become tender.
Serve the hot stew into bowls with crusty bread.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1/4 cup apricot jam
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon white vinegar
4-8-ounce salmon steaks
4 sprigs fresh parsley

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine the apricot jam, horseradish, and vinegar.
Rinse salmon steaks under cold water and pat dry. Lay steaks on a lightly oiled baking pan. Spoon the sauce evenly over tops of steaks.
Bake the salmon steaks for ten minutes. Remove center bone to test for doneness.
PRESENTATION
Skin and bone the salmon steaks. Place each steak in the center of warm plates.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

For the barbecue sauce:

2 teaspoons corn oil
1/2 cup yellow onions, diced
2 teaspoons garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup ketchup
1 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 boned loin of pork, 3 to 3 ½ pounds
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and slivered
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place oil, onion, chopped garlic, cumin cayenne pepper in a dutch.
Cook over low heat while stirring for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Set aside.
Line a roasting pan with foil. Season pork loin with salt and pepper. Place in the roasting pan.
Spoon 1 cup of the barbecue sauce over pork. Place in oven.
Baste with additional sauce every 20 minutes until roast is done and all sauce is used, about 1 1/2 hours or until the center of roast has reached a temperature of 155 degrees.
Let roast rest 15 to 20 minutes, loosely covered with aluminum foil. Place pan juices in a bowl and set aside for 5 minutes.
Skim off any fat that rises on top.
Stir in any natural juices that are released from pork roast. Heat sauce and serve alongside pork.
Remove any fat. Slice the roast. Serve with the sauce.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces (170g) bacon, roughly chopped
3 pounds (1 1/2 kg) beef brisket, trimmed of fat (chuck steak or stewing beef) cut into 2-inch chunks
1 large carrot sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 large white onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons flour
12 small pearl onions (optional)
3 cups red wine like Merlot, Pinot Noir, or a Chianti -- for a milder sauce, use only 2 cups of wine
2-3 cups beef stock (if using 2 cups of wine, use 3 cups beef stock)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (divided)
2 bay leaves
1 pound fresh small white or brown mushrooms, quartered
2 tablespoons butter

• preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat the oil in a large dutch oven or heavy based pot. Sauté the bacon over medium heat for about 3 minutes, until crisp and browned. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large dish and set aside.
3. Pat dry beef with paper towel; sear in batches in the hot oil/bacon fat until browned on all sides. Remove to the dish with the bacon.
4. In the remaining oil/bacon fat, sauté the carrots and diced onions until softened, (about 3 minutes), then add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain excess fat (leave about 1 tablespoon in the pan) and return the bacon and beef back into the pot; season with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper. Sprinkle with flour, toss well and cook for 4-5 minutes to brown.
5. Add the pearl onions, wine and enough stock so that the meat is barely covered. Then add the tomato paste, bullion and herbs. Bring to a simmer on the stove.
6. Cover, transfer to lower part of the oven and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, or until the meat is fall apart tender (adjust the heat so that the liquid simmers very slowly).
7. In the last 5 minutes of cooking time, prepare the mushrooms:
Heat the butter in a medium-sized skillet/pan over heat. When the foam subsides, add the remaining 2 cloves garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds), then add in the mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes, while shaking the pan occasionally to coat with the butter. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Once they are browned, set aside.
8. Place a colander over a large pot (I do this in my clean kitchen sink). Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully empty its contents into the colander (you want to collect the sauce only). Discard the herbs
9. Return the beef mixture back into the dutch oven or pot. Add the mushrooms over the meat.
10. Remove any fat off the sauce (if any) and simmer for a minute or two, skimming off any additional fat which rises to the surface.
11. You should be left with about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat the back of a spoon lightly.
If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of stock. If the sauce is too thin, boil it over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until reduced to the right consistency.
12. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper, if desired. Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables.
13. If you are serving immediately, simmer the beef bourguignon for 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.
Garnish with parsley and serve with mashed potatoes or noodles.
14. To serve the following day, allow the casserole to cool completely, cover and refrigerate.
The day of serving, remove from refrigerator for at least an hour before reheating. Place over medium-low heat and let simmer gently for about 10 minutes, basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

6

1 quart soufflé mold or 6 6-ounce soufflé molds
1 teaspoon soft butter
1 teaspoon flour

Soufflé:
1 tablespoon butter
3 1/2 teaspoons flour
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
5 eggs
1 cup crumbled saga blue cheese or Roquefort cheese
1/2 cup finely copped toasted walnuts
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter the inside of a 1 quart (7 inch round) soufflé dish or individual soufflé dishes. Coat with flour. Shake any excess out.
In a heavy saucepan melt the butter over moderate heat. Whisk in flour. Cook roux, whisking constantly for 3 minutes. Add milk. Cook while whisking until sauce becomes thick. Remove pan from heat and transfer to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Separate the eggs. Mix egg yolks, cheese and chopped walnuts in the thick cream sauce.
In a bowl, with an electric mixer, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar until they hold stiff peaks. Gently fold into the cheese mixture.
Pour soufflé mixture into mold or divide between individual molds. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes for a large soufflé, about 15 minutes for the small soufflé.
Serve soufflé with mesclun salad or your favorite salad.

Serves: 6

Serve with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Pan-Roasted Root Vegetables.

• Ingredients

6 short rib of beef (5 to 7 pounds)
2 sprigs rosemary
6 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
1 stalk celery, halved
3 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons fresh coarse ground black pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
4 shallots, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
5 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1⁄2 cup ruby port
4 cups full-bodied wine, such as cabernet sauvignon
6 cups veal stock (veal stock is really best but you can substitute good homemade beef stock)

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 325°F
Bind each rib with cotton kitchen twine. Place the rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf between the two celery halves and bind with kitchen twine.
Season the short ribs with 2 teaspoons of the salt and the pepper.
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over a high flame until it smokes.
In two batches, brown the short ribs well on both sides, about 3 minutes per side, pouring off all but 3 tablespoons of oil between batches.
Remove the ribs and set aside when done.
Lower the flame to medium, and add the carrots, onion, shallots, and garlic to the pot and saute for 5 minutes, until the onion is soft and light brown.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the flour and stir well to combine. Add the port, red wine, and the celery-herb bundle.
Raise the flame to high and cook until the liquid is reduced by a third, about 20 minutes.
Return the ribs to the pot (they will stack into two layers).
Add the stock and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt; if the stock doesn’t cover the ribs by at least 1 inch, add water up to that level.
Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, transfer to the preheated oven, and cook for 3 hours. Visit the pot occasionally and stir the ribs, bringing the ones on the bottom up to the top -- they’re done when the meat is fork tender and falling off the bone.
Transfer the ribs to a large platter and remove the strings.
Skim any fat from the surface of the sauce, and then strain through a sieve into a medium saucepan.
Discard the solids.
Over medium heat, bring the sauce to a strong simmer and reduce the liquid until slightly less then half (4 cups) remains, about 1 hour.
Return the ribs to the pot, simmer for 10 minutes to reheat, and serve.

Serves: 4

A delicious salmon recipe adapted from Canadian Living Magazine. Tested till perfect.

• Ingredients

1 tsp fennel seeds
4 small skin-on salmon fillets, 1 pound (450 g) total
1 tsp (5 mL) olive oil
Pinch each salt and pepper
lemon wedges

Sweet Corn Barley Risotto:

2-1/2 cups (625 mL) vegetable broth
2 tsp (10 mL) olive oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup (250 mL) pot barley
1 cup (250 mL) fresh corn kernels, (about 2 cobs) or frozen corn kernels
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup (125 mL) grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh chervil or parsley
1 tsp (5 mL) lemon juice
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt

• preparation

Sweet Corn Barley Risotto:
In saucepan, bring vegetable broth and 2-1/2 cups water to simmer; keep warm. Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook onion and garlic until onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Add barley; cook, stirring to coat, for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium; stir in corn and green onions. Add hot broth mixture; cook, stirring occasionally, until creamy and barley is tender but still slightly firm in center, about 45 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese, chervil, sour cream, lemon juice, pepper and salt.

Meanwhile, using bottom of heavy skillet, crush fennel seeds. Arrange fish on greased rimmed baking sheet. Brush with oil; sprinkle with fennel seeds, salt and pepper. Broil, 6 inches (15 cm) from heat, until fish flakes easily when tested, about 7 minutes. Serve with risotto and lemon wedges to squeeze over top.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

2 large conchs, cleaned
1/2 large onion, diced
1 large tomato, diced
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 lime

1 1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp tomato paste
pepper sauce or red pepper flakes to taste
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
7 cups water

• preparation

Tenderize the conch to 1/8-inch thickness, using a meat mallet.
Place the conch in a pot of water. The water should just cover the conch. Boil for 20-30 minutes.
In a large pot, add the oil and allow to heat up for a minute.
Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Let the roux simmer for about 5 minutes. Don't let the roux burn!
Add the tomatoes, onions, thyme, pepper sauce/red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir and let simmer for a minute or two.
Add the potatoes, tomato paste. Stir and let simmer for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, take the conch out of the water and cut it into small chunks.
Add the water, conch and the juice of 1 lime to the large pot.
Cover the pot and simmer until the potatoes are done, about 30 minutes.
Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary.

Serves: 8

Named after the French Comtesse Du Barry (1743-1793).Her name has become associated with a number of dishes based on cauliflower.

• Ingredients

5 ounces butter
8 ounces leeks ( white part), chopped
5 ounces flour
2 1/2 quarts water
1 pound cauliflower, cut into small pieces
1 pound veal bones
6 egg yolks
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk

• preparation

In a soup pot, melt butter and add he leeks. Stir over medium heat for 5 minutes. Do not brown. Add the flour and cook slowly for 5 minutes. Whisk in the water.
Add the cauliflower and veal bones. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Combine the egg yolks with the heavy cream. Boil the milk and whisk into the egg yolk mixture. Strain.
Skim the butter off the top of the soup.
Remove the bones, puree and strain soup.
Add the egg yolk and milk mixture, mix well and season.
For garnish add cooked small bunches of cauliflower and chopped chervil leaves.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds cooked chicken, boned and skinned
8 ounces blanched sweetbreads
8 ounces sautéed mushrooms
1 ounce butter
1 1/2 ounces flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
12 wedges lemon
4 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 cup bread crumbs
2 ounces heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
Oil for frying

• preparation

Dice chicken meat, sweetbreads, and clean mushrooms into small cubes.
Prepare a roux from butter and flour. Add chicken broth and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add cubed chicken, sweetbreads, and mushrooms. Season with lemon juice, cayenne, and salt. Mix egg yolks, heavy cream and cornstarch and fold into boiling mixture.
Pour onto a greased sheet pan 1/2 inch thick and cover with buttered parchment paper.
Chill well cut into 1 1/2 ounce rectangular pieces. Dip into flour, egg white, and breadcrumbs, and deep fry at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
Serve with lemon wedge or a cocktail sauce. Allow two croquettes per person.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/2 Tablespoon butter
2 ribs celery, diced
3-4 large carrots diced
1 clove garlic, minced
10 cups chicken home-made stock or broth
1 teaspoon salt, to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper , to taste
1/8 teaspoon dried rosemary ,or more, to taste
1/8 teaspoon dried sage
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 batch homemade egg noodles , or 5 cups dry egg noodles, farfalle or other bite-size pasta
3 cups rotisserie chicken *
1 teaspoon better than bouillon chicken flavor , (or more, as needed), or chicken bouillon cube

• preparation

1. In a large stock pot over medium-high heat, add butter, diced celery and carrots to. Saute for 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
2. Add chicken stock and season with rosemary, sage, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper. Taste and add a spoonful of “better than boullion” chicken or chicken bouillon cubes as needed.
3. Bring broth to a boil. Add noodles (either uncooked homemade egg noodles, or dry store-bought pasta) and cook just until noodles are al dente.
4. Add chicken meat from the rotisserie chicken. Taste the broth again and add more seasonings, if needed
5. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, depending on the freshness of the chicken you used.
Notes
Stock:Homemade stock gives the best results.
Chicken: Using a rotisserie chicken (or your own whole roasted chicken) is the best method because you can use the meat for the soup and the bones to make homemade chicken stock. To use raw chicken meat, add raw chicken thighs, breasts, or tenders right to the boiling broth in step 3 (before adding the noodles). Cooking time will differ depending on the chicken you use but cook for about 5 minutes before adding the noodles.
Make ahead: This soup is best made ahead of time when you are using homemade egg noodles (they don’t get soggy like regular store bought noodles). If using regular dry noodles I recommend making the broth (steps 1-2) first, and then the day of serving boiling the broth and noodles and adding the chicken.
Freezing Instructions: Allow the soup to cool completely and store it in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or over medium heat on the stove. If using store bought noodles I would suggest undercooking the noodles before freezing the soup, to avoid them getting soggy upon reheating.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 chicken, about 3 pounds, cut into serving pieces
6 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
1 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed
2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium-size onion, peeled and quartered
4 small carrots, peeled and cut into 2 inch lengths
8 small new potatoes, halved
4 leeks, white and light green parts only, washed and cut into 2 inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste
2 teaspoons chopped Italian parsley

• preparation

1. Heat the olive oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from the pot and set aside.
Place the chicken broth, coriander seeds and garlic in the pot and bring to the boil. Add the chicken, lower the heat, partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

2. Add the onion, carrots, potatoes, leeks and 1 teaspoon of salt, partially cover and simmer until the chicken and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Divide the chicken and vegetables among four large bowls, ladle the broth over them

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1 large red onion, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices, separated into rings
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried
6 medium size heads Belgian endive, trimmed, halved lengthwise
1 medium size head radicchio, cut into 8 wedges
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
chopped fresh parsley

• preparation

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to skillet; sauté until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side.
Transfer chicken to platter (do not clean skillet). Tent chicken with foil.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and oregano; sauté until onion softens, about 10 minutes. Using tongs, transfer onion to plate. Reduce heat to medium.
Add endive to skillet and sauté until beginning to brown, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add radicchio.
Cover skillet and cook until radicchio begins to brown and endive softens, about 5 minutes.
Return onion to skillet. Sprinkle vegetables with sugar. Stir until sugar melts, about 1 minute. Transfer vegetables to plate. Add vinegar to skillet; boil until slightly thickened, scraping up any browned bits, about 2 minutes.
Add chicken to skillet; turn to coat with glaze. Arrange chicken on platter. Arrange vegetables around chicken. Drizzle remaining glaze from skillet over vegetables. Top with parsley.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 to 1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef
2 (14 oz.) cans kidney beans
1 (19 oz.) can stewed tomatoes
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon oregano
Sprinkle of cayenne pepper

• preparation

Heat oil in a frying pan. Saute onion for 2 minutes; add ground beef and cook and stir until beef is well done.
Wash and drain kidney beans. Drain some of the juice from the tomatoes.
In a large pot, combine beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, chili powder, salt and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce and cook slowly for an hour. Stir regularly.
Recipe can be doubled. Freezes well.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

3 pounds cod fillets
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup white wine
1 1/2 pounds cleaned spinach
2 cups Mornay sauce
1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese

• preparation

Bone and skin the fillets. Cut into 8 equal portions. Arrange in a buttered baking pan. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the wine over. Cover with foil, and bake at 350 F (180 C) until flaky.
Blanch the spinach in salted boiling water. Drain and squeeze out excess of water. Mix a small amount of sauce into spinach. Spread the bottom of an oven proof serving dish with chopped spinach.
Arrange the fish on top, and pour the remaining sauce over. Sprinkle with cheese, and brown under a broiler.

Serves: 4

Bird's eye chilis range from 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale. Compare this to a typical jalapeno pepper, which averages 5,000 SHU, and the bird's eye pepper is anywhere from 10 to 20 times hotter. That's quite a lot of heat!

• Ingredients

1 lb thick cod fillets, skinless and boneless
2 dl of coconut milk
2 small carrots
1 red pepper
4 spring onions
2 pinches of grated lime zest
1 fresh bird's eye chili
4 pinches of curry
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
1 tablespoon of peanut oil
1 pinch of salt

• preparation

Peel the spring onions, wash them and cut them into oblique slices, including the green part. Brush the carrots, wash them and cut them into very thin oblique slices. Wash the pepper and cut it into very thin slices. Wash, sort and cut the pepper into strips.
Rinse the fish fillets, pat them dry and cut them into 2 cm wide strips. Heat the oil in a 23 cm cast iron casserole dish and brown the spring onions, carrot and pepper.
Add the coconut milk, lemon zest, chili pepper, salt and curry. Mix and add the cod strips. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
Finally add the coriander, mix and remove from the heat. Pour the soup into 4 plates and serve.

Serves: 4

Recipe adapted from Chef
Pascal Aussignac

• Ingredients

Cod
1 600g cod fillet, with trimmings and bones kept
100g of coarse sea salt
Aioli
1 baking potato
1/2 head of garlic
3 free-range eggs
35ml of extra virgin olive oil
salt
pepper

Stock
1 fennel, sliced into 8 wedges with tops removed for stock
1 leek, finely chopped
500g of carrots, peeled and sliced into thick chunks, peel set aside for stock
250g of green beans, ends trimmed
1 head of broccoli, cut into large florets
2 courgettes, sliced into thick chunks
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 celery sticks, peeled and sliced into thick chunks, peel set aside for stock
6 sage leaves
2 sprigs of fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 tsp of salt
1 pinch of black peppercorns
1.5l of mineral water
1 1/2 heads of garlic

• preparation

1.For the aioli sauce, bake the potato in the oven at 180˚C/gas mark 4 until cooked through
2.Meanwhile, start on the stock. Fill a large saucepan up with the 1.5 litres of mineral water and place the vegetable trimmings (fennel tops, carrot peel, celery peel) into the pan
3.Rinse the fish trimmings and bones under cold water and add to the pan with the herbs, black peppercorns, salt, halved onion, leek and 1 1/2 of the garlic heads, sliced open. Cover the pan and simmer on a very low heat
4.After 20 minutes, cook each vegetable one by one in the stock until tender. Set aside the vegetables once cooked, leaving the stock to simmer
5.To prepare the cod, slice the cod into four chunks. Sprinkle a tray with coarse salt and lay the fish on top, sprinkle with more salt to cover the fish. Place in the fridge for half an hour
6.Remove the potato from the oven and scoop out the flesh. Place the 1/2 a head of garlic in a pestle and mash with a mortar. Then, add the flesh of the potato, 2 tablespoons of the stock, an egg yolk, and keep on crushing the mix with the mortar
7.Once smooth, start to incorporate the olive oil incrementally, like you would do for a mayonnaise. Season to taste and set aside
8.Poach the cod chunks in the broth on a very gentle simmer. Add all the vegetables into the broth after 5 minutes of cooking
9.Serve the cod with the vegetables and drizzle with the aioli sauce

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

3/4 cup flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1 tablespoon melted shortening
2 small chopped scallions
1/2 cup grated cheddar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 425F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Add cornmeal and blend well. In a separate bowl, combine and beat milk, egg, and shortening.
Pour the wet ingredients over dry mixture. Stir to blend. Add the scallions and cheese.
Drop the mixture by large tablespoons onto the chili, leaving some space between mounds of batter.
Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

½ cup plain white rice
1 cup water
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 pinch salt
2 eggs, separated
2 ½ cups milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• preparation

In a heavy bottom pot, combine rice and water. Heat to boiling, stirring once or twice. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 14 minutes, or until all water has been absorbed.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Blend ½ cup sugar, cornstarch and salt. Beat egg yolks slightly. Add egg yolks and milk to sugar-cornstarch mixture. Whisk to blend. Stir in rice, lemon Juice and raisins. Pour into a 1 ½ quart casserole or baking dish. Place dish in a pan containing boiling water about 1-inch deep.
Bake about 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally, or until pudding is creamy and most of the liquid is absorbed. Remove pudding from oven, leaving it in the pan of hot water. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Remove from pan when cool. Serve at room temperature.
To make Meringue rice pudding:
Beat egg whites with ½ teaspoon cream of tartar until stiff and glossy. Add 1/4 cup icing sugar. Continue beating for a minute. Spoon Meringue over surface of rice pudding. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/4 cup (60 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
1 lb (454 g) stewing beef cubes
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp (5 mL) dried thyme
1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried oregano
1 bay leaf
4 large carrots
2 stalks celery
1/2 small rutabaga, peeled
2 cups (500 mL) beef stock
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) tomatoes
4 potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup (250 mL) frozen peas or beans
1 tbsp (15 mL) red wine vinegar
1/4 cup (60 mL) fresh parsley, chopped

• preparation

In heavy plastic bag, shake together flour, salt and pepper. In batches, add beef and shake to coat, reserving any remaining flour. In Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown meat all over, in batches and adding up to1 tbsp (15 mL) more oil if necessary. Transfer to plate.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Add onions, garlic, thyme, oregano, bay leaf and remaining flour; cook, scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan, until softened, about 5 minutes. Return beef and any accumulated juices to pan.

Meanwhile, cut carrots, celery and rutabaga into 2-inch (5 cm) chunks. Add to pan along with stock and tomatoes; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer over medium-low heat or in 325°F (160°C) oven, stirring once or twice, for 1-1/2 hours. Add potatoes; cook for 1 hour or until tender. Add peas and vinegar; cook for 2 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Stir in parsley.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1/3 cup oil
3 cups sliced onions
1 quart beef stock
1 package onion soup mix
1/3 teaspoon thyme
8 toasted sliced French baguettes
3/4 cup grated Swiss cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• preparation

Cook the onions over medium heat in the oil until brown. Add the beef stock, onion soup mix and thyme and boil 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Place the toasted bread croutons in individual onion soup bowls or large oven proof casserole. Ladle the soup over and sprinkle with the cheese.
Bake on the top rack of the oven at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until brown. Serve hot.

Serves: 14

• Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 pounds lean ground pork
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground all spice
1 teaspoon dried savory
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Knorr brown sauce mix
1 recipe never fail pie crust

• preparation

In a large dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add onions and stir for 5 minutes. Do not brown. Add the beef and pork, stirring to blend. Cook until no longer pink.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, allspice and savory.
Allow the mixture to cool. Remove any excess of fat and place in a food processor. Pulse to finely chop the meat. Return to dutch oven.
Combine water, Worcestershire and brown sauce mix powder. Stir well to dissolve. Add to meat. Mix and heat to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
Taste the mixture and season if necessary. Cool for 30 minutes or longer.
Divide meat between 3 pastry lined 9 inch pie plates.
Cover with top crust, trim, crimp edges to seal and cut steam vents. Bake for 10 minutes in 425 oven.
Reduce to 350 degrees and bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Note: Meat pies freeze well unbaked. Cover the ready-made pies with foil. and freeze.

Serves: 4

scotch bonnet is one of the hottest chili pepper and makes the stew very flavorsome.

• Ingredients

2 lbs (800g) goat meat, diced (with bones or without)
3 cups flour (approx.), one for coating goat meat and two for dumplings
Salt and pepper
1/4 ooking oil
1 cup spring onions, sliced
4 small scotch bonnets, chopped
1 cup celery, sliced
6 carrots, peeled and sliced into about 1/2 inch rounds
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp ground cumin

• preparation

1. Season some flour with salt and pepper and coat the goat meat with it.

2. Heat cooking oil in a large pot and brown the meat.

3. Add a quart (1 litre) of water and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce to medium heat add spring onions, scotch bonnets, celery and carrots. Cook for 30 minutes.
5. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for an additional hour.

6. Just before the hour is up, make the dumplings by mixing the two cups of flour (and the allspice and cumin, if desired) with approximately 1 cup of water, added gradually, until a soft dough is formed. Each dumpling should be bite-sized.

7. Add the dumplings and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
8. Serve with naan bread (or other essential carb of your choice).

Serves: 6

The sweet and sour spicy sauce is a perfect complement to pork.

• Ingredients

1/2 cup beer
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tablespoon dried
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 2-pound boneless pork loin roast
1/2 cup whipping cream

• preparation

Whisk first 7 ingredients to blend in a baking dish. Add pork and turn to coat. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour or cover and refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Transfer pork to a roasting pan; reserve marinade.
Roast until thermometer inserted into center registers 150 degrees, about 55 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes. Strain marinade into heavy medium saucepan. Add cream and juices from roasting pan.
Boil sauce until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Slice pork; arrange on platter. Drizzle some sauce over. Serve with remaining sauce separately.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons canola oil
1 4-5- pound round or shoulder beef roast, trimmed of excess fat
2 yellow onions, coarsely chopped
3 carrots, coarsely chopped
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
5 whole cloves
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup red wine

1 1/2 quarts boiling beef stock
3 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons carrots, peeled and cut into very small dice
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
3 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
lemon slices for garnish
shredded lettuce for garnish

• preparation

Heat the oil in a large stockpot or dutch oven over high heat, add the meat, and turn to brown well on all sides.
Remove the meat and add the onions, chopped carrots, chopped garlic, parsley, cloves, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the vegetables are soft and lightly colored , 10 to 15 minutes.
Return the meat to the pot and add the wine and just enough of the simmering stock to barely cover the beef.
Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the beef is very tender but not falling apart, about 3 hours. Remove from heat and cool the beef in the stock.
Remove the meat from the stock and shred or cut it into strips that are about 1/4 inch wide and 2 inches long; reserve.
Strain the stock into a bowl through several layers of cheesecloth; add to a pot and simmer for 10 minutes with the diced carrots, minced parsle and minced garlic.
In a large bowl, combine the shredded beef with 1 1/2 quarts of the stock and vegetables, the dissolved gelatin, Worcestershire, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste; mix well.
Dip the lemon slices into the mixture to coat with liquid, then arrange them on the bottom of a loaf pan 9 by 5 by 3 inches or a 2- quart mold. Pour in the beef mixture.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least 12 hours and as long as 2 days.
Before unmolding, scrape off any congealed fat that has formed on top.
Run a thin knife blade around the inside of the pan and briefly dip the bottom of the pan in a container of hot water for a few seconds to loosen the beef. Cover with a serving platter, invert and tap the pan all around to unmold.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Surround with the shredded lettuce just before serving. To serve, divide into inch-thick slices.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds lamb shoulder, cubed
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons hot curry paste
1 (14-ounce can) coconut milk
2 tablespoons tomato sauce
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1/2 cup cubed bananas
Serve with rice and curry

• preparation

Heat oil in an oven-proof skillet and brown lamb and onion on high heat.
Stir in curry paste, coconut milk, and tomato sauce. Add water to cover meat. Simmer on low for 1 1/2 hours. Add remaining ingredients.
Simmer until lamb is tender.
Serve with rice and chutney.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

6 lamb shanks, about 1 1/4 pound each
to taste salt and pepper
3 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons crushed black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
8 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock
3 cups dry red wine
2 heads garlic, halved crosswise
4 ribs celery, cut into large dice
4 carrots, cut into large dice
1 large onion, peeled and cut into small wedges
1 cup mushrooms, thickly sliced


ROASTED GARLIC AND WHITE BEAN PUREE
Makes about 3 cups

1 1/2 cups dry Great Northern beans
1 onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 rib of celery, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 cloves of garlic (1 smashed and 1 minced) and 1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
6 cups chicken broth
Coarse salt and pepper, to taste
1/3 cup heavy cream

• preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees.
Season shanks with salt and pepper. In a large, high-sided oven proof pot, heat the oil until barely smoking.
Sear the shanks in batches until brown on all sides. Put all the shanks in the pot; add peppercorns, bay leaves, stock, wine, garlic, celery, carrots, onions and mushrooms.
Put the pot in the oven and cook until meat is tender, about 2 hours. (can be made a day ahead).
Remove the shanks, mushrooms and onions and set aside. Cover with foil.
Strain the braising liquid into a medium saucepan. Degrease carefully and simmer to reduce the cooking liquid to about one third.
Pour sauce over the shanks and vegetables.
Serve with roasted garlic and white bean puree.

ROASTED GARLIC AND WHITE BEAN PUREE

1. Soak the beans overnight. Or place beans in a pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat; remove from heat and set aside, covered, for 1 hour.
2. Drain the beans; transfer to a 2-quart pot with the diced onion, celery, carrot, smashed garlic, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, 5 cups of broth, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat; simmer until beans are very tender, about 90 minutes. If the mixture becomes dry, add some of the remaining broth.
3. Drain the beans; discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Warm the beans in a pan over medium heat. Add the cream, thyme leaves, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let simmer. Cook until the cream is reduced and is almost dry on the beans, about 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Puree the beans in a food processor. Adjust seasonings.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

4 pounds lamb shoulder, cut into 2 inch pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons flour
salt and black ground pepper to taste
1 bouquet garni
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Garnish:
1 pound carrots, peeled
1 pound white turnips, peeled
8 ounces green peas
8 ounces green beans, trimmed
8 ounces pearl onions, peeled
1 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In oven-proof skillet, heat up oil to a smoking point. Brown the lamb pieces. Add onions. Mix with he lamb and brown lightly. Sprinkle the meat with the flour and mix well. Place in the oven for 5 minutes to brown the flour.
Take out of the oven, cover the meat with water. Add tomato paste, garlic, bouquet garni, salt and pepper.
Cover pot, and cook the stew in the oven for 30 minutes.
Evenly shape the carrots, turnips, and potatoes into small footballs. Cut the beans into 1 inch pieces.
Add potatoes and all vegetables to stew. Continue baking until meat and vegetables are tender.
Transfer stew to a serving dish. Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 small leg of lamb (about 3 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon salt marinade (see below)
4 ounces lean fat back, diced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 1/2 cups beef bouillon
1 ounce butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup red wine (preferably Pinot noir or Burgundy)
1 ounce flour

For marinade:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup onion, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped leeks
1 teaspoon black or white peppercorns
1 teaspoon juniper berries
2 bay leaves
4 whole cloves
1 sprig fresh rosemary

• preparation

Combine the marinade ingredients in a large plastic or non reactive container.
Trim the leg of lamb, remove the shank bone and rub with salt. Immerse in the marinade, and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
Turn the lamb once or twice to distribute marinade.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cover the bottom of a cast iron stew pot with the fat back. Lay on the fat back, together with lemon zest, marinade, and bouillon.
Cover and place in the oven for 30 minutes.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Add flour, and whisk to make a roux.
Cook over medium heat to brown lightly. Allow to cool. Add red wine to roux and add to lamb. Mix to combine with all ingredients. Continue cooking lamb in oven for 20 minutes or until meat is tender.
Transfer lamb to serving platter. Cover and keep warm.
Add cream to sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Strain sauce through a china cab.
Slice lamb and arrange on a serving platter. Pour some sauce over. Serve remaining separately.
Oven brown potatoes are usually served with the dish.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 red peppers
2 (10 oz) cans condensed chicken broth
4 inch (10 cm) piece fresh unpeeled ginger, thinly sliced, about 1 cup (250 mL)
6 to 8 stalks lemongrass, about 2 bunches
2 cups container whipping or table cream
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
1 tablespoon salt
1 pound bay or sea scallops
1 pound frozen or defrosted, raw shelled medium-size shrimp
2 pounds fettuccine
1 tablespoon ( 15 ml) each of butter and vegetable oil

• preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450F (230C). Slice peppers in half and remove seeds.
Place cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with foil. Roast, uncovered, until peppers are partially charred, from 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, pull up edges of foil, wrap around hot peppers and seal. Set aside to cool.
2. Meanwhile, pour broth into a wide saucepan. Add ginger. Thinly slice root ends from lemongrass and discard. Remove any dried outer leaves. Pound stalks to flatten slightly. Slice into 1/2-inch (1-cm) pieces. Add to broth. Place over high heat. When boiling, reduce heat to medium or medium-high so broth gently boils. Boil, uncovered, until reduced to 1 cup (250 ml). This should take at least 20 minutes. Broth will taste very strong. Saving broth, strain and discard ginger and lemongrass.
3. Return broth to saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add cream. In a small dish using a fork, stir cornstarch with water to form a smooth paste. Whisk into hot cream broth and whisk almost constantly until thickened, from 3 to 4 minutes. Taste and stir in lemon juice, if you like. Cover and remove from heat. If making ahead, refrigerate in a sealed jar for up to 2 days.
4. About 15 minutes before serving, bring a large pot of water and salt to a boil. If using sea scallops, slice in half. Rinse frozen shrimp with cold water to remove clinging ice crystals. Then drain and pat dry. Prepare roasted peppers by draining juice accumulated in foil into a small bowl. Peel off charred skins and discard. Slice peppers into bite-size strips and add to juice. Set aside.
5. When water is boiling rapidly, add pasta and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until al dente, from 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil and butter in a wide frying pan set over medium- high heat. Add seafood and stir-fry until scallops are lightly browned and shrimp are bright pink, about 4 minutes. Stir in peppers and juice. Drain pasta well. In a large bowl, stir pasta with cream sauce until coated. Place in pasta bowls and spoon seafood mixture over top.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 cup lentils
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 ounces Button Mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced
2 large eggs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup Marinara sauce

• preparation

Combine the lentils and 2 quarts water in a medium stockpot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils are soft about 20 minutes. Drain the lentils and allow to cool.

Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil to a large frying pan and sauté the onions, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, and salt over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and just beginning to brown. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 more minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and allow to cool to room temperature. When cool, add the lentils to the vegetable mixture.

Add the eggs, Parmesan, bread crumbs, parsley, and walnuts to the cooled vegetable mixture and mix by hand until thoroughly incorporated. Place in the refrigerator for 25 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil into a 9×13-inch baking dish and use your hand to evenly coat the entire surface. Set aside.

Shape the mixture into mini burgers (about 1 1/2 inches), making sure to pack the vegetable mixture firmly. Place in the prepared baking dish, allowing 1/4-inch of space between the burgers.

Roast for 30 minutes, or until the mini burgers are firm and cooked through.
serve with marinara sauce.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatelli
1 quart milk
4 ounces ( 8 tablespoons) (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere or Emmenthal cheese, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (2 medium)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan to a boiling point . Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere or Emmenthal and Cheddar, Dijon mustard and pepper. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

Serves: 4

Malt is germinated cereal grain that has been dried in a process known as "malting". The grain is made to germinate by soaking in water and is then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air. Malting grain develops the enzymes required for modifying the grain's starches into various types of sugar, including monosaccharide glucose, disaccharide maltose, trisaccharide maltotriose, and higher sugars called maltodextrines. It also develops other enzymes, such as proteases, which break down the proteins in the grain into forms that can be used by yeast.

• Ingredients

1 Tablespoon (15 mL) Brown sugar
3 Tablespoon (45 mL) Malt extract
2 Tablespoons (30 mL) Molasses
25 Gram (1 oz) Butter
250 Milliliter (1 cup) Milk
100 Grammes (3 1/2 oz) Whole wheat flour
350 Grammes (plus extra for bench) Bread flour
Salt To Taste
14 Grammes (1 Tbsp) Active dry yeast
225 Grammes (1 1/2 cups) Seedless raisins

• preparation

1. Place the sugar, malt extract, molasses, butter, and milk in a pot and heat gently until the butter has just melted.
2. Set aside to cool, below 95ºF.
Mix the flours, salt, yeast and raisins in a mixing bowl. Pour in the malt/milk mixture.
3. Mix thoroughly; the mixture will be soft and a little sticky. Turn the mixture onto a floured surface and knead gently for 5-6 minutes.
4. Divide the dough in two, and shape into a loaf. Place the shaped dough into two greased 450g/1lb loaf pans or loaf dishes.
5. Shape into the dishes so that the top is smooth and level.
6. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.
7. Let rise for a couple of hours, or until the dough has risen to the top of the dishes. Preheat your oven to 190ºC (375ºF).
8. Remove the plastic wrap and bake for 30-40 minutes.
9. The loaves are done when they reach an internal temperature of 195º.F. Cool on a wire rack.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 cups finely chopped celery
1 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup finely chopped leek (white and pale green parts only)
1/2 cup dry white wine
9 cups vegetable broth
4 cups diced green cabbage
2 cups diced zucchini
3/4 cup small pasta
3 cups packed, coarsely chopped fresh spinach
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• preparation

Combine celery, onion, leek and wine in heavy large pot over medium heat.
Simmer until vegetables are tender but not brown, stirring frequently, about 12 minutes.
Add broth and bring to boil. Add cabbage and zucchini and simmer 10 minutes. Add pasta; cover and simmer until pasta is just tender. Add spinach and cook 5 minutes.
Stir in sliced basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls.
Pass Parmesan cheese separately.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish
1 large onion, medium diced
6 to 8 cloves garlic, pressed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 heaping teaspoon sweet paprika
1 (14.5-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
3 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
1 quart vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 (5-ounce) package pre-washed baby spinach

• preparation

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until the onions begin to turn translucent; lower heat if browning starts to occur. Add spices and saute a minute or so. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, broth, and sugar. Season with a couple pinches of salt and 10 grinds fresh pepper. Stir well. Chickpeas should be just covered with liquid. If level is shy, add some water so the chickpeas are just covered.
Bring to a simmer, then lower heat to low and gently simmer for 45 minutes.
Remove soup from heat. Use a potato masher to mash up some of the chickpeas right in the pot. Stir in the spinach and let heat through until wilted, just a couple minutes.
Season again, to taste, with salt and pepper.
Serve soup, drizzled lightly with extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.

Serves: 6

the national dish of Belgium! Mussels or moules are usually cooked or steamed and served with frites-Fench fries.

• Ingredients

5 pounds fresh mussels
2 ounces butter
2 ounces chopped shallots
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 1/2 cups dry white wine

• preparation

Clean and wash mussels under cold running water and debeard.
Heat the butter in a kettle. Add shallots and cook for 5 minutes. Add half of the parsley, pepper, wine, and mussels.
Cover and steam until mussels open.
Serve in soup bowls with the strained cooking liquid. Sprinkle with remaining chopped parsley.

Serves: 12

The hearty Provencal soupe au pistou, or pistou soup is a wonderful rustic mediterranean soup full of fresh flavors of the South of France.
Borlotti beans:


A variety of kidney bean, this is a large plump bean that is pinkish-brown in color with reddish-brown streaks. Borlotti beans are widely used in Italian cooking and have a sweetish flavour with a smooth creamy texture. They work well in salads, soups and casseroles. The dried variety needs to be soaked in cold water before cooking.

• Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion
3 cloves of garlic
3 medium leeks
1 small fennel bulb
3 carrots
1 stick of celery
3 courgettes
2 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 fresh bay leaves
250 g baby green beans
1 x 400 g tin of chopped tomatoes
1 x 400 g tin of cannellini beans
1 x 400 g tin of borlotti beans
70 g small macaroni

PISTOU SAUCE
5 cloves of garlic
6 sprigs of fresh basil
60 g Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• preparation

Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, then trim and slice the leek. Chip and chop the fennel, carrots, celery and courgettes, then pick and roughly chop the parsley leaves.
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and sauté the onion, garlic and leek for 5 minutes.
Add the other chopped ingredients, the bay, green beans and chopped tomatoes. Drain and add the beans. Cover with water, season and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
Add the pasta and simmer until cooked, adding water if the soup is too thick.
For the pistou sauce, peel and add the garlic to a pestle and mortar, pick in the basil leaves and add some sea salt. Pound until puréed, then finely grate in the Parmesan and muddle in the extra virgin olive oil to make a paste.
Serve the soup with a dollop of pistou.

The pistou sauce can also be made in a food processor or blender,

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

6 shallots , halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil , divided
1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper , divided
3 cups cherry tomatoes
3 cloves garlic , thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped chives

Cheesy Polenta:
2/3 cups cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (approx)
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F.
On baking sheet, toss together shallots and half each of the oil, salt and pepper; roast for 8 minutes. Meanwhile, in bowl, toss together tomatoes, garlic and remaining oil, salt and pepper. Remove pan from oven; add tomato mixture. Return to oven; roast until vegetables are softened, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Cheesy Polenta: Meanwhile, in saucepan, bring 3 1/2 cups water to boil; whisk in cornmeal, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring frequently, until thick enough to mound on spoon, about 10 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and goat cheese.
Spoon Cheesy Polenta into shallow bowls; top with tomato mixture. Top with more Parmesan, if desired, and chives.

Recipe adapted from Canadian Living Magazine section: ON THE TABLE IN 30 MINUTES

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 cup sliced almonds
6 fillets of pompano, boned
1/2 teaspoon salt pepper
1/4 cup flour
6 ounces butter
3 ounces oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
lemon slices

• preparation

Spread sliced almonds on a baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
Skin the pompano fillets. Wash under cold running water. Season both sides with salt and pepper . Dredge in flour.
Heat 2 ounces of the butter and oil in a large skillet and brown the fish. Turn the pompano and cook until the flesh is tender. Arrange the fillets on a serving platter.
Melt the remaining butter in a clean frying pan until brown. Add the lemon juice to melted butter and pour over the fish.
Sprinkle with the parsley and sliced toasted almonds.
Decorate with lemon slices. Decorate with lemon slices and serve immediately.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 pounds pompano fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
8 ounces shrimp quenelle forcemeat
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
5 ounces dry white wine
5 ounces fish stock
6 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 ounce beurre manié
3 ounces heavy cream
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pound diced canned tomatoes
1 ounce butter

• preparation

Flatten pompano fillets with a mallet. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread quenelle forcemeat over half of each pompano fillet and fold other half over.
Butter baking pan. Sprinkle with shallots. Arrange fillets on top in one layer.
Add wine and fish stock. Arrange mushrooms on top of fish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer fillets onto serving platter.
Reduce cooking liquid by one third. Stir in beurre manié and cream. Reduce to a medium consistency. Add lemon juice. Season to taste. Saute tomatoes in butter.
Arrange around pompano. Pour sauce over fish. Serve hot.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

6 fillets of pompano, boned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup flour
6 ounces butter
3 ounces oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
6 lemon slices

• preparation

Skin the pompano fillets. Wash under cold running water. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Dredge in flour.
Heat 2 ounces of the butter and oil in a large skillet. Brown the fish on one side.
Turn the pompano and cook until the flesh is tender. Arrange the fillets on a serving platter.
Melt the remaining butter in a clean frying pan until brown. Add the lemon juice to melted butter and pour over the fish.
Sprinkle with the parsley. Decorate with lemon slices.
Decorate with lemon slices and serve immediately.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

8 pork scallopine, thinly sliced from loin or tenderloin
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped dill pickles
1 tablespoon capers, drained
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 1/2 cups brown sauce
For chestnut puree:
1 pound canned whole chestnuts
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon honey

• preparation

Season pork scallopine with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour.
Heat butter in a non-stick frying pan. Brown pork scallopines about 3 minutes on each side.
Set aside on a plate.
Add mushrooms, pickles, capers and vinegar to pan. Heat for 5 minutes.
Add brown sauce.
Add pork slices and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
Chestnut puree:
Drain and rinse chestnuts. Puree in a food processor with cream and honey until smooth.
Serve pork with garnish and chestnut puree.

Serves: 8

A flavorful and delicious pot roast

• Ingredients

FOR BROWNING MEAT

3 to 4 pounds chuck roast, tied
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Olive oil

FOR AROMATICS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced (1 1/2 cups)
1 medium carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped (3/4 cup)
1 rib celery, coarsely chopped (3/4 cup)
2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
1 dried bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
3 sprigs fresh thyme

FOR BRAISING MEAT
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 1/4 cups water

FOR GARNISH VEGETABLES
3/4 pounds turnips, about 3, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch wedges
3/4 pound small new potatoes
3/4 pound carrots, 4 to 5 medium, peeled and cut into 3-inch lengths. Halve thick ends lengthwise, then cut into 3-inch lengths

• preparation

Pat meat dry with paper towels, then season on all sides with salt and pepper. Heat a Dutch oven over high heat for 2 minutes. Then add enough oil to barely coat bottom of pot and heat until shimmering. Sear the meat until golden brown, turning to cook all sides evenly, about 8 minutes. Don't be tempted to turn the meat too soon or it will tear; instead wait until it easily releases from the pot. Once it is nicely browned all over, remove it from the pot. If there are lots of blackened bits on the bottom of the pot, wipe it clean with a paper towel, or deglaze with a little water then discard.
Reduce heat to medium. Add the olive oil and all of the aromatics, and cook, stirring fairly often, until the onion is translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. You may need to increase the heat after a minute or two if the onion isn't softening, but only slightly. If the garlic or onion begins to burn, add a little water and stir up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Sprinkle the flour into the pot, and stir to coat everything evenly; cook the flour just long enough to remove the starchy taste without taking on any color, about 30 seconds. Add vinegar, tomato paste and water, and bring to a boil. Deglaze pot, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Put the roast in the pot; the water should come only about 1 inch up the sides of the meat. Reduce the heat so the liquid is simmering, not boiling, and cover the pot tightly with the lid. While the meat is braising, turn it every 30 minutes; the meat should be almost tender (a sharp knife inserted in the center should meet little resistance) after 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove the meat from the pot. Strain braising liquid through a fine sieve, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible (discard solids).
Return the roast and the strained liquid to the pot. Nestle the garnish vegetables around the roast, submerging them a bit in the liquid (the liquid should almost reach top of vegetables). Bring the liquid to a boil, then simmer until the vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. The meat should be very tender by now and give no resistance when pierced with a knife (The meat will be firm enough to slice; if you want it be falling-apart tender, cook 30 minutes more).
Transfer the meat and vegetables to a serving platter, leaving the sauce behind (there should be about 1 cup). Cover and keep warm near the stove. If the sauce is too thin, heat until reduced (but be mindful of the saltiness, since the more sauce is reduced the saltier it will taste) or thicken it with a bit more flour, whisking until smooth. Add a small amount of vinegar if necessary to balance the flavors. Let roast stand for about 20 minutes, then slice to desired thickness. Spoon some sauce over pot roast and vegetables to moisten and serve with remaining sauce on the side.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

8 oz bacon slices
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cups cubed peeled potatoes
1 small carrot, grated
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 cups 2% milk
8 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
2 green onions, thinly sliced, optional

• preparation

1. Partially freeze your package of bacon so that it holds together easier while slicing.
2. Use a sharp knife and cut the frozen bacon into long strips about 1/4 inch wide.
3. Turn the bacon and cut the strips into pieces also about 1/4 in wide.
4. Sprinkle with pepper.
5. Fry in a large saucepan over a medium high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan.
Save 1/4 cup of bacon dripping in the saucepan. Add butter and mix in the flour cooking over medium heat for a minute while stirring occasionally. Add the vegetables, seasonings and broth and milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes.
Stir in cheese until melted. Serve with bacon bits and garnish with green onions.

Serves: 6

The little dark (greenish black brown) lentils called lentilles du Puy are really the best for this, because they hold shape so well. You may find other small lentils, like those little black lentils, work too.

• Ingredients

1/3 cup spelt
1/3 cup pearl barley
1/3 dark green lentils
3 leeks, white portion only
2 carrots, chopped
2 bay leaves
1/2 t. of fresh or dry thyme
1 head of garlic, all the cloves peeled
1 28 oz. can of tomatoes/or your own canned tomatoes,chopped
Sea salt
Olive oil

• preparation

Rinse your grains and lentils off in a fine colander, set aside.

Put about a tablespoon of olive oil, about 1 teaspoon of sea salt, the herbs, leeks or onions, and carrots in a heavy bottomed soup pot. Turn the heat on fairly low and cook them covered for about five minutes, so they soften but don’t brown. This is called sweating.

Add the whole can of tomatoes, juice and all, then add about 5 cups of water. Bring this to a simmer.

Add the grains, lentils and all those garlic cloves (The garlic cloves are the secret weapon! If you or your family is garlic shy, don’t worry, the soup doesn’t taste very garlicky when it’s done.)

Simmer covered until the grains are tender, about 45 minutes, depending on the grains. Add more water if necessary, to keep it at the thickness you prefer.

Test for seasoning. Add some fresh ground pepper, and serve in bowls drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Don’t skip the olive oil swirl. It really makes it, somehow.

It’s that easy, and that good. I usually double this recipe for leftovers.

Note re: leftovers: The grains soak up all the liquid when the soup is sitting in the fridge, leaving the soup a semi-solid mass–so you’ll have to add a good deal of water when you go to reheat. This doesn’t effect flavor at all. It’s an excellent leftover type soup.

Serves: 6

Can be prepared 2 days ahead.
The leftover meat is also delicious served cold the next day with a green salad.

• Ingredients

5 ounces pork, back fat sliced 1/8 inch thick
2 1/2 pounds braising beef such as top round or top sirloin
MARINADE:
2 medium onions, sliced
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 tomato, quartered
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 bouquet Garni
20 peppercorns, crushed
3 cups dry red wine
3 tablespoons Cognac

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 ounces bacon, diced
2 tablespoons flour
1 pound tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped
salt
6 ounces black olives, preferably Niçoise or Kalamata, stoned .

.

• preparation

Cut the back fat into small strips 3 mm (1/8 inch) wide and 2.5 cm (1 inch) long.
Make deep incisions all over the surface of the beef and insert the back fat.
Prepare the marinade:
combine all of the ingredients except the olive oil in a non-aluminium container.
Immerse the beef in the liquid and drizzle the olive oil over the surface. Leave to marinate for at least 12 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Remove the beef from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Strain the marinade reserving the vegetables and bouquet garni; drain well. Reserve the marinade.
Heat the vegetable oil in a cast iron casserole over high heat. Add the meat and brown on all sides.
Remove the meat from the pan; set aside. Add the diced bacon to the pan and brown it.
Then add the reserved vegetables and cook until golden. Sprinkle with the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
Add the marinade and stir to blend. Return the meat to the pan, along with the tomatoes, the bouquet garni and a pinch of salt. Add a little water if necessary to cover the meat.
Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and place in the oven for about 3 hours, turning the meat every hour, until it is very tender when pierced with the point of a knife.
Do not allow the liquid to boil. If the olives are salty, simmer in water for 2 minutes.
Drain and refresh under cold water. When the meat is tender, remove it from the pan and cover with a warm damp tea towel, to prevent it from drying out.
Discard the bouquet garni. Skim the fat from the cooking liquid. Add the olives to the pan and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust the seasoning.
To serve, carve the beef into thin slices. Arrange overlapping slices on a deep serving platter.
Spoon the vegetables and sauce over the beef

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 pound salt cod, desalted
2 medium onions, quartered
7 large cloves garlic (3 halved, 4 minced)
2 bay leaves
12 ounces potatoes
2/3 cup milk
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt ground black pepper to taste

• preparation

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
Oil a small (4 cup) gratin dish. In a saucepan, combine 2 quarts water with the onions, the halved garlic and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, add the salt cod, and cover the pot tightly. Turn off the heat and let the fish sit in the water 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the water and set aside the water for cooking the potatoes. When the fish is cool enough to handle, pick out any bones and remove any skin. Flake the fish. Transfer to a food processor.
Simmer the potatoes until very tender. Drain the potatoes and mash. Add 1/3 cup of the milk and 1/4 cup of the olive oil to the potatoes and combine well. In a saucepan, heat another 1/4 cup of the olive oil over medium-low heat and add the minced garlic. When garlic begins to sizzle, remove pan from heat. Add the garlic and oil, along with the the salt, to the salt cod in the processor.
Combine the remaining 1/3 cup of milk and 1/4 cup oil and add to processor in slow stream. Continue to process until fluffy.
Add the salt cod purée to to the potato mixture and combine well. Season with pepper.
Spoon the mixture into the gratin dish, drizzle with 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, and bake until the top begins to brown. Serve hot.

Serves: 8

Can be made 1 day ahead.

• Ingredients

1 pound dried white beans
5 bacon slices, coarsely chopped
4 pound boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of fat, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 pound kielbasa, cut into 1-inch-thick slices
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup sliced peeled carrots
6 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon dried thyme
2 cups chicken broth
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups coarse fresh breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
Chopped fresh parsley

• preparation

Place beans in large saucepan. Add enough cold water to cover by 3 inches. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Cover and soak beans 1 hour. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Return beans to pan. Add enough cold water to cover beans by 3 inches. Bring to boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until beans are almost tender, about 30 minutes. Drain.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cook bacon in heavy large ovenproof pot until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to large bowl. Discard all but 2 tablespoons bacon fat from pot.
Brown pork shoulder and kielbasa in potl. Using slotted spoon, transfer pork and kielbasa to bowl with bacon. Add onions, celery and carrots to pot. Sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; sauté 1 minute. Mix in broth, tomatoes with juices and tomato paste; bring to boil. Stir in meats from bowl, then drained beans.
Return to boil. Cover pot. Transfer to oven; bake until pork is tender, about 1 hour. Stir in wine. Season with salt and pepper. Mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan and oil in bowl. Sprinkle crumb mixture over cassoulet.
Bake cassoulet uncovered until pork and beans are very tender and topping is golden and crisp, about 45 minutes. Garnish cassoulet with parsley.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

3 single racks of lamb
1 medium onion
1 large carrot
1 stalk of celery
6 peppercorns
2 bay leaves
3 cups veal stock
coarse salt and pepper to taste
1 pound Swiss chard
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
12 cloves garlic, peeled
6 sprigs fresh rosemary

• preparation

Remove the eye from each rack of lamb, leaving a bit of the cap fat (the layer of fat that covers the eye) on the meat and chopping the bones. Reserve the bones and meat scraps.
Peel and trim onion and carrot. Wash and trim celery. Dice the onion and cut the carrot and celery crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices.
Combine vegetables with the lamb bones and scraps, peppercorns, and bay leaves in large roasting pan.
Roast, stirring occasionally until golden brown. Remove from oven and place over medium high heat. Add 6 cups of water and the veal stock and bring to a boil.
Simmer for 45 minutes. Remove from heat. Strain liquid in saucepan and discard the solids. Skim fat from top of the liquid. Simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Wash the chard and remove any tough stems. Place in boiling salted water to cover and blanch for 30 seconds.
Drain and refresh under cold running water. Wrap in a clean kitchen towel and twist to squeeze out all moisture. Unwrap and set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Heat the oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium heat.
Season the lamb with chopped rosemary and salt and pepper. Place, fat side down, in the hot pan and sear until nicely browned. Add garlic and sear the remaining sides until just browned, turning garlic as lamb sears. Place pan in oven and roast until medium rare on an instant read thermometer. Remove from oven and place on rack to rest for 5 minutes. Lightly cover and keep warm.
Carefully, pick garlic out of the pan, making sure no grease is attached, and add to the reserved sauce.
Place over medium heat to heat through. Wipe lamb roasting pan clear of excess grease.
Return to medium heat and add reserved chard. Saute, adding 1 tablespoon olive oil, if necessary until heated through. Season with salt and pepper.
Place equal portions of chard in the center of each of 6 warm plates. Slice each rib eye into 6 pieces.
Arrange 3 slices on top of chard. Spoon some sauce, along with 2 garlic cloves per serving over the lamb. Place a rosemary sprig in the center.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

8 chicken thighs
salt and white pepper to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup water

• preparation

Rinse the chicken thighs and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, over medium high heat, heat olive oil. Add thighs, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients; boil 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 15 minutes.
Uncover and continue cooking until thighs are tender. Transfer thighs to a serving dish. Spoon off the pan drippings; add the water and cook, stirring constantly. Pour over thighs and serve immediately.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 lb. dried black beans Sometimes you can find fresh, raw beans in Costa Rica!
1 tablespoon oil
1 medium onion peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped celery1 cup chopped carrots
1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped
1 jalapeno pepper seeded and chopped small
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
8 cups or more chicken broth
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper
2 hard-boiled eggs sliced in quarters
1 radish sliced thinly
1 avocado sliced thinly
A few dices of red bell pepper
A dollop of sour cream per dish

• preparation

Wash the beans and place in a large stockpot.
Cover with water and bring to a boil.
Boil for three minutes and then turn off the heat and allow to sit for one hour.
While waiting for the beans, saute in canola oil, the onion, celery, carrot and peppers. Once they soften add the garlic.
Drain and rinse the beans and then return to the pot.
Add the broth and the sautéed vegetables, ginger, salt and pepper and the cilantro.
Bring to a boil and then turn the heat down, partially cover and simmer until the beans are tender.
This should take about 2 to 3 hours.
Garnish with a spoon of sour cream, a slice of avocado, chopped green onions, sliced radishes, chopped hard cooked egg and a bit of diced red pepper.
Serve with warm corn tortillas.

Serves: 5

spaghetti squash can be micro waved.

• Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash (2-1/2 lb/1.25 kg)
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper
4 cups (1 L) grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 mL) red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp (1 mL) hot pepper flakes
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) white kidney beans or navy beans, drained and rinsed
3 tbsp (45 mL) chopped fresh parsley

• preparation

Halve and seed squash. Bake, cut side down, on greased baking sheet in 400°F (200°C) oven until flesh is tender when pierced, about 1 hour. Using fork, scrape strands into bowl; stir in half each of the salt and pepper. Keep warm.

Meanwhile, in 13- x 9-inch (3 L) glass baking dish, toss together tomatoes, garlic, oil, vinegar, hot pepper flakes and remaining salt and pepper. Roast in 400°F (200°C) oven for 30 minutes.

Stir in beans and parsley; continue baking until beans are heated through and tomatoes are shrivelled, about 10 minutes. Mound squash on platter; spoon tomato mixture over top.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1 pound lean steak
1 tablespoon oil
1 large chopped onion
1 veal kidney
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
6 ounces mushrooms
1 ounce package brown sauce mix
1 recipe never fail pie crust

• preparation

Cut the steak into 1 inch cubes.
In a cast iron pot, brown cubed beef chuck or steak in oil over high heat to brown. Stir in the onion. Reduce heat to medium.
Cut the veal kidney into 1 inch cubes. Saute in oil over high heat. Transfer the kidneys to the beef. Add the tomato paste to the beef mixture. Add the cubes mushrooms, salt and pepper.
Mix the cold water with the Knorr demi glace mix or brown sauce mix. Stir into the beef mixture.
Simmer for 30 minutes over low heat, or until meat is tender.
Ladle the steak and kidney pie mix to an oven proof baking dish. Cool mixture.
Roll Never fail pie crust over the meat. Seal edges. Bake at 350 F until crust is brown.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup dried green lentils
3 cups organic vegetable broth
4 cups chopped, stemmed kale
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

• preparation

In Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat; cook onion, garlic and ginger, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add carrot, cumin and cinnamon; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in lentils to coat.

Add broth and bring to boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils are al dente, about 10 minutes.

Add kale and raisins; simmer, covered, until lentils are tender, about 10 minutes. Uncover and cook until almost no liquid remains, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle with walnuts.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

2 carrots
8 slices peeled ginger, 1/8-inch thick
1/2 pound snow peas
2 scallions
2 pounds pork tenderloin
1/3 cup peanut oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons red wine (pinot noir or Burgundy wine)
1/4 cup soy sauce

• preparation

Cut the carrots into julienne strips. Blanch in salted boiling water until barely tender. Drain and set aside.
Cut 8 slices of ginger on the diagonal, then cut into julienne strips. Snap off the stems from the snow peas and remove the string.
Chop the scallions including some of the green top. Cut the pork into thin slices and then into 1/4 inch strips. Stir-fry.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add the pork and stir while cooking. After 1 minute, add the blanched carrots, the snow peas, and the ginger. Stir and cook for 5 minutes. Add the scallions and the garlic and then the wine and the soy sauce.
Simmer for 5 minutes.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

1 cup quick-cooking polenta
Four 1-inch thick bone-in pork chops (about 2 1/2 pounds total)
Four 1/4-inch thick slices smoked mozzarella (about 3 1/2 ounces)
4 teaspoons anchovy paste, divided or 4 teaspoons finely chopped capers
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 pints grape tomatoes cut in half (about 3 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup vegetable broth
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup milk
Chopped flat-leaf parsley, for sprinkling

• preparation

Preheat broiler on high and set oven rack 4 inches from heat. Line broiler pan or rimmed baking sheet with foil.

In a medium saucepan, prepare polenta according to package directions. While polenta is cooking, prepare the pork chops.

Place chops flat on cutting board and, using a sharp paring knife, make a horizontal slit 3 to 4 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches long
in the side of each chop.

Spread each mozzarella slice with 1 teaspoon anchovy paste. Stuff a piece of mozzarella inside each chop, press the pork closed, and secure with a toothpick.

Rub the chops with 1 tablespoon oil, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and place on the foil-lined pan.
Broil until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm remaining 1/4 cup oil. Add garlic, tomatoes, and broth.
Cover and cook until tomatoes softened and just beginning to burst, 5 to 6 minutes.
Stir in 1 tablespoon butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.

When the polenta is cooked, whisk in enough milk to thin the polenta to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Serve pork chops over polenta, topped with tomato pan sauce and parsley.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

For the sauce:
5 fresh red chillies
3 garlic cloves
5 pieces fresh ginger, peeled
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chicken stock

For the chicken and rice:
1 3-4 pound whole chicken, excess fat removed
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
5 scallions
1 thumb-size piece ginger, peeled and cut in 6
8 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups Thai fragrant rice, rinsed and drained
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• preparation

For sauce:
Combine the ingredients in a blender and pulse in a food processor until smooth but not pureed. Set aside.

To make the chicken and rice, rub the chicken with the salt. Place the scallions and 2 pieces of ginger in the cavity. Place the chicken in a kettle, add the stock and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered skimming off any foam, until the chicken is cooked through, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Transfer the chicken to a platter and allow to cool slightly. Discard the scallions and ginger from the cavity of the bird and remove and discard the skin.
Remove the breast meat, legs and wings. Discard the carcass. Slice the breast meat and separate the drumstick from the thigh. Return the meat to the platter and keep warm.
Measure 4 cups of the stock the chicken cooked in, retaining the rest for another use. In large saucepan, heat the oils over medium-high heat and add the garlic and remaining ginger slices.
Cook stirring for 2 minutes. Add the rinsed rice and toss until coated. Add the 4 cups of stock and bring to a boil.
Simmer, covered until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender about 15 minutes.
Transfer the rice to a serving platter. Top with the chicken, garnish with the scallions and serve immediately with the chili-ginger sauce on the side.

Serves: 3

The recipe is adapted from The French Market by Joanne Harris and Fran Warde.

• Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds (700g) potatoes, cut into 3 cm cubes
1/2 pound (250g) savoy cabbage, finely sliced
1 clove of garlic,crushed
1-2 green chiles, seeded and chopped
salt to taste
coarsely ground black pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 tbs olive oil
1/2 pound (200g) cherry tomatoes
6 ounces (150g) Camembert, finely sliced
olive oil, extra to oil baking dish

• preparation

Preheat oven to 180°C.
Steam or boil potatoes until just tender, drain and place in bowl. When cool enough, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes.
Combine potatoes, savoy cabbage, garlic, chiles, egg, 3tbs olive oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. and mix well.
Oil oven proof dish.
Spoon mixture into dish.
Arrange cherry tomatoes and Camembert on top.
Bake for 45 minutes until golden.

Serves: 6

Ribollita is the name of the famous Tuscan soup, a traditional Italian recipe from the cities of Florence, Arezzo and Pisa.


"Ribollita" means "reboiled", that is, you cook it once, then let it rest for a couple of hours, then cook it again by reboiling it.

• Ingredients

400 g (14 oz) of dried cannellini beans or 800 g (1 ¾ pounds) of canned cannellini beans.
300 g (10 oz) of stale bread. In Italy, we use Tuscan ciabatta bread, which is traditionally salt-free.
400 g (14 oz) of cavolo nero (Dino Kale)
250 g (9 oz) of savoy cabbage or green cabbage
250 g (10 oz) of Swiss chard
250 g (~10 oz) of potatoes (1 medium potato or 2 small potatoes)
180 g (6,4 0z) of peeled tomatoes
1 large onion
2 carrots
1 celery stalk
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
2 springs of fresh thyme
about 2 liters (8 ½ cups) of vegetable broth or hot bean cooking water (the kind you get when using dried cannellini beans)
70 g (5 tablespoons) of extra-virgin olive oil
Fine salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste

• preparation

1 - DRIED BEANS - This recipe calls for dried cannellini beans. If you are using this ingredient, soak the dried cannellini beans in plenty of cold water the night before.

Once the beans are tender, drain and cook in at least 3 liters (12 ¾ cups) of water - scented with a sprig of rosemary - over medium-low heat for at least 1 hour.
Then drain the beans, saving the cooking water. Keep half the beans whole and puree the other half with an immersion blender. Set aside.

CANNED BEANS - If using canned beans, remove the liquid and rinse under cold water. Blend half of them and set aside.


2 - On a cutting board, chop the onion, carrot and celery into small pieces.

Then peel the potato and cut it into fairly large pieces.

3 - Wash and slice the cabbage, chard and kale.

Place the peeled tomatoes in a bowl with their juice and mash with a fork. Set aside.


4 - In a large saucepan, saute the carrot, onion, and celery with 4 tablespoons of EVO oil over medium heat for about 1 minute.

Then add the potatoes and a sprig of thyme and rosemary. Cook over medium heat, stirring, for about 3 minutes.

Finally, add the tomatoes.

5 - Stir and cook over medium heat for about two minutes. Then add the cabbage, chard, and kale.

At this point, add 2 liters (8 ½ cups) of bean cooking water (or vegetable broth if using canned beans).


6 - Cover and cook on a low heat for about 2 hours. If the ribollita soup gets too dry, add a ladle of hot water or hot vegetable broth.

After about 2 hours, the soup will be cooked and the vegetables will be soft. At this point, add the cream of beans and stir.

7 - Cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Now add the whole beans that have been kept aside.

After another 10 minutes or so, season with salt and pepper, stir and remove from heat.

The ribollita soup is almost ready.


8 - Cut the stale bread into large slices or pieces.

Now take a pot or high-sided casserole that is larger than the one that holds the vegetable soup.

Place the stale bread slices on the bottom and add a few ladles of soup.

9 - Repeat adding a layer of bread and a layer of soup until the pot is full.

Allow to cool at room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

PLEASE NOTE: This time in the refrigerator is necessary to allow the bread to absorb all the liquid from the soup and to give the ribollita its typical thick consistency.

At the end of this time, take the pot. The bread will have absorbed the soup and will be completely melted. The soup will be semi-solid.

Return to the heat and bring to a boil. Serve hot.

Serves: 5

• Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
1 onion, cut in 1/4-inch dice
1 clove garlic, minced
2 carrots, cut in 1/4-inch dice
2 celery stalks, cut in 1/4-inch dice
1 19 oz -can plum tomatoes, chopped
4 sprigs of fresh thyme
4 cups chicken broth (1 L)
1/2 cup pearl barley (125 ml)
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper

• preparation

Put a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and onions and sauté for 5 minutes over medium heat while stirring occasionally. Add garlic, carrots and celery and continue to sauté until softened.
Add tomatoes, thyme, chicken broth, barley and bay leaves and simmer until the barley is tender, about 30-40 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Serves: 6

You can make the chili up to four days ahead; store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently to serve.

• Ingredients

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 large red onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt
1 Tbs. hot paprika
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 Tbs. ground cumin
1 28-oz. can peeled chopped tomatoes
2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cups fresh (or frozen) corn kernels (from about 4 medium ears)
1 medium red bell pepper, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced crosswise
1 medium jalapeño, thinly sliced crosswise into rounds
1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds
1/4 cup small basil leaves
6 scallions (white and light-green parts only), thinly sliced; more for garnish
Sour cream, for serving (optional)

• preparation

Heat 2 tablespoons. of the oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy-duty pot over medium-high heat until hot, about a minute. Add the garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the paprika, chili powder, and cumin, cook for 1 minute, and then add the tomatoes and their juice. Stir, smashing the tomatoes against the side of the pot to break them up slightly.
Add 2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Stir in the chickpeas, corn, bell pepper, jalapeño, and 2 teaspoons salt and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.

While the vegetables cook, heat the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil in an 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels.

Stir the basil and scallions into the chili. Serve the chili with a dollop of sour cream (if using), more scallions, and the almonds.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 large red onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt
1 to 2 Tbs. hot paprika
1 Tbs. chili powder
1 Tbs. ground cumin
1 28-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cups fresh (or frozen) corn kernels (from about 4 medium ears)
1 medium red bell pepper, quartered, cored, and thinly sliced crosswise
1 medium jalapeño, thinly sliced crosswise into rounds
1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds
1/4 cup small basil leaves
6 scallions (white and light-green parts only), thinly sliced; more for garnish
Sour cream, for serving (optional)

• preparation

Heat 2 Tbs. of the oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy-duty pot over medium-high heat until shimmering hot, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and onion, season with 1 tsp. salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the paprika, chili powder, and cumin, cook for 1 minute, and then add the tomatoes and their juice. Stir, smashing the tomatoes against the side of the pot to break them up slightly. Add 2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Stir in the chickpeas, corn, bell pepper, jalapeño, and 1 Tbs. salt and cook until the peppers have lost their raw crunch, 8 to 12 minutes (at this point, if the chili looks too thick, add an additional 1 cup of water).

While the vegetables cook, heat the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil in an 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the almonds and cook, stirring constantly, until goldenbrown, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels and immediately season them with 1/2 tsp. salt.

Stir the basil and scallions into the chili. Serve the chili with a dollop of sour cream (if using), more scallions, and the almonds.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
3 cups water
2 cups diced zucchini
1 cup diced carrot
1 cup drained canned cannellini beans
3/4 cup diced celery
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1-14 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup uncooked macaroni
4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

• preparation

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until lightly browned.
Add water and next 10 ingredients. Cover, reduce heat and cook 25 minutes.
Add pasta; cover and cook an additional 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls, and sprinkle with cheese.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

3/4 cup (175 mL) no-salt added vegetable broth
1 tbsp (15 mL) sodium-reduced soy sauce
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 large russet potatoes, about 700 g total
2 tsp olive oil
1 pkg (227 g) button mushrooms, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1-1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 can (540 mL) lentils, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup (60 mL) milk
2 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp grainy mustard

• preparation

In small bowl, whisk together broth, soy sauce, cornstarch and half each of the salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside.

Using fork, prick potatoes all over. Microwave on high, turning once, until fork-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; cook mushrooms, onion, carrot and thyme, stirring occasionally, until softened and no liquid remains, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in lentils; cook for 1 minute.

Stir in broth mixture; cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in 3 tbsp of the parsley. Scrape into 6-cup (1.5 L) casserole dish.

Peel potatoes. Using potato masher, mash together potatoes, milk, half of the butter and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir in remaining parsley and the mustard. Spoon over mushroom mixture, spreading to edge; dot with remaining butter. Broil on centre rack until top is golden, 3 to 5 minutes.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/4 cup ( 1/2 stick) butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 large garlic cloves, chopped
6 cups chicken stock or broth
4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled butternut squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
4 cups 1-inch pieces peeled acorn squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh sage
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons sugar

Croutons
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
24 1/4-inch-thick baguette bread slices
1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh sage

• preparation

For soup:
Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth, all squash and herbs; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree soup in blender. Return soup to same pot. Stir in cream and sugar; bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill. Rewarm over medium heat before serving.)
For croutons:
Preheat broiler. Butter 1 side of each bread slice. Arrange bread, buttered side up, on baking sheet. Broil until golden, about 1 minute. Turn over.
Sprinkle cheese, then thyme and sage over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until cheese melts, about 1 minute.
Ladle soup into bowls. Top each with croutons and serve.