Monday, August 16, 2010

Recipes of the Week - August 16th

Stuffed Chard with Fresh Marinara http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/eating-well/stuffed-chard-with-fresh-marinara-recipe/index.html
Reminiscent of the stuffed cabbage of yore, the mild flavor of chard makes these beef-stuffed rolls perfect for the whole family. Make It a Meal: A side of whole-wheat spaghetti to soak up the sauce plus a glass of Syrah.

  • 1 pound 90%-lean ground beef
    1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
    2 medium shallots, minced, divided
    1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
    1 teaspoon garlic powder
    1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
    8 large Swiss chard leaves, stems removed (see Tip)
    1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
    1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
    1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
    1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)
Gently mix beef, breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon shallot, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl until just combined. Divide the mixture into 8 oblong 3-inch portions.
Overlap the two sides of a chard leaf where the stem was removed and place a portion of beef there. Tightly roll the chard around the beef. Place each roll, seam-side down, in a large nonstick skillet. Pour in broth, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a roll reads 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes. Discard any remaining broth.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining shallot, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the shallot is soft, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and thickened, about 8 minutes. Serve the chard rolls topped with sauce and Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Remove chard stems, including the widest section of the rib at the base of the leaf, by making narrow triangular cuts.

Eggplant Bruschette http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Eggplant-Bruschette-233960

The eggplant and garlic in this recipe are roasted until they are so soft, they create a spread that nearly melts into the crisp slices of baguette.

  • 1 baguette
    4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    1 1/2 garlic cloves, whole clove left unpeeled
    1 small eggplant (1/2 lb)
    1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
    1/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
    1/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano
    1/4 teaspoon coarse gray sea salt
    1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
    1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
    2 tablespoons finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F.
Cut off and discard 1 end of baguette, then cut 12 (1/4-inch-thick) crosswise slices from baguette (reserve remainder for another use). Lightly brush 1 side of each slice with some oil (about 1 tablespoon total) and arrange, oiled sides up, on a baking sheet. Toast until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. While toasts are still warm, rub oiled sides with cut side of garlic clove half, then transfer to a rack to cool. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
Halve eggplant lengthwise and make shallow 1/2-inch-long incisions all over cut sides with tip of a paring knife. Arrange eggplant, cut sides up (without crowding), in a shallow baking dish and add unpeeled garlic clove. Sprinkle thyme, rosemary, oregano, sea salt, and pepper over eggplant, then drizzle eggplant and garlic with 2 tablespoons oil.
Bake until garlic is very tender, 30 to 35 minutes, then transfer garlic to a cutting board and continue to bake eggplant until very tender, 20 to 25 minutes more. When garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze flesh from peel onto cutting board.
Transfer eggplant to cutting board and let stand until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Scrape out flesh with a spoon onto cutting board, discarding peel. Finely chop eggplant and garlic together and transfer to a bowl. Add parsley and remaining tablespoon oil, then stir until combined well. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste.
Top toasts with eggplant mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

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