Italian Lentil Sauce

I haven’t written on my blog in a long time! But, even though I have not been posting publicly, I am still writing and connecting with other foodies. 

I have discovered the joys of a WhatsApp chat. Now I am part of several cooking and recipe exchange groups.

I feel like the women (mostly) on the chats are among the best cooks I have ever encountered. I have learned so much from them!

Now, when I want a recipe, I go to the chat, before even attempting to find it through an internet search.

Today, I shared that I recently made a delicious Italian lentil sauce. One of the women asked if I would post my recipe. I am feeling so inspired by the group, that I thought I would post it here for future reference.

I regret that since I wasn’t expecting to write it up, I forgot to take pictures.

I also have to confess, I am having trouble using the new fangled block design in WordPress. So please forgive any weird additions or subtractions. It feels like I need to learn how to blog all over again!

Lentil Pasta Sauce

Ingredients

1 onion chopped
1 pepper chopped
1 lb. lentils
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 6 oz. can tomato paste.
Optional: Wine, “a splash”
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon Italian spice blend
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed (adjust to your taste)
Water: I use 3 cups water to 1 cup lentils. 

Instructions

Sauté onions and peppers. Add lentils, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, wine (optional), salt, pepper, water and the rest of the spices. Cover and simmer until done. Usually, I add the crushed garlic near the end. Adjust seasonings and serve. 

Stove top: bring to boil, cover and then simmer until done. Add garlic and adjust seasoning. To get the right texture and consistency, it is important to add enough water to cook the lentils, but not too much that it will seem more like a soup. 

Pressure Cooker: 7 minutes to pressure and then release the pressure quickly by running cold water over the lid when done.

Crockpot: Cook on low until done. When using a crockpot, less water is required.

Serve with brown rice or pasta.

It is a real hit! My husband (almost) didn’t miss the meat. But, he actually thanked me for making it.

Enjoy!

Love,

Carol & family

 

I made a picture with the recipe so that I wouldn’t forget it.

Here is a picture of the final product. (I can’t figure out how to make a caption for the picture)

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Simple and Good Braised Chicken

Simple and Good Braised Chicken

This is such a simple chicken recipe, that it risked being called “Chicken With No Name.” It is endlessly adaptable, depending on available ingredients, personal preferences, time and circumstances. I have made it several times over the past few weeks, and it is always a hit.

Ingredients:

1 chicken cut in parts, skinned

Optional: leave skin on and sear the chicken pieces until browned for added flavor

2 -3 carrots, sliced

2 onions, sliced

2 celery stalks with leaves, cut in 1″ pieces

Optional: 1-2 parsnips, or other vegetables. Don’t add too many vegetables, or else the chicken will be overwhelmed. The more simple, the better the outcome.

Salt, to taste. Add the salt sparingly after it is cooked. Kosher chicken tends to be salty, and too much salt ruins the flavor.

1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Optional: paprika adds a nice flavor and color

2 bay leaves (I love bay leaves, so I like to add more)

1-2 cloves of garlic, crushed, near the end

1/2 cup water Optional: use chicken broth, or wine

Optional: 1 can crushed tomatoes or tomato paste for a thicker broth

Optional: 3-4 potatoes, peeled and cut in quarters

Optional: Thicken broth with 1-2 tablespoons of flour or starch. I usually dissolve the starch in a small amount of broth, and then add it to the dish and simmer until thickened.

Optional: If you REALLY want to be fancy, brown the starch or flour in fat, and then gradually add the liquid and stir or whisk until desired thickness. This takes a bit of time and skill, so I don’t recommend it if you are time challenged. It is something I do only for special occasions and for the right audience. My family does not like thicken sauce, and I find that it makes the leftovers “gloppy.”

Instructions 

Place carrots, onions, and celery in the bottom of the pot. If you have the time, you could saute the vegetables until browned, however, I did not. Add the chicken pieces on top of the vegetables and sprinkle with pepper, garlic powder, and if using, paprika or other desired spices. Then add the liquid, and, the (optional) tomato puree or paste.

I place the chicken on top of the vegetables so that the stock almost steams or roasts the chicken.

The secret is to cook the chicken with only a minimal amount of liquid or stock. And, only add a minimal amount of salt after it is cooked. Too much salt, or liquid, and the taste is altered. I also only add crushed fresh garlic at the end. In general, less is more with this chicken recipe. The beauty is in its simplicity.

Stove top: bring to boil and let simmer until done. Add crushed garlic, salt and adjust seasonings to taste.

Crockpot. Cook on low until done. Add crushed garlic, salt and adjust seasonings to taste.

In pressure cooker: 7 minutes to pressure and then use the quick release method by running cold water over the lid when done. Add crushed garlic, salt and adjust seasonings to taste.

This week, I made it in the crockpot overnight. I adjusted the seasonings when I got up this morning before going to work. I forgot to take a picture of it in the crockpot. So, I only have pictures when I made it on the stove top.

Here are the pictures:

Layered in the pot before cooking. I see I added parsnips too.

The first time around, my husband ate straight from the pot!

Another live action shot of Jay eating from the pot.

Everyone was soooooo happy! Raizel said, “I am obsessed with this chicken. It is scary good!”  My husband said, “This chicken is killer!” It is one of the few times that there were actually no leftovers.

It is fast, easy, all natural and simple — cooking for the time challenged at its best.

Enjoy!

Shabbat In 2 Hours: Mashed Potatoes

Shabbat In 2 Hours: Mashed Potatoes

This is almost one of my non-recipe recipes.

My family loves mashed potatoes. However, mashed potatoes are something that need to be made fresh and served immediately. As I am time challenged, I find it difficult to make anything that requires precise timing. Up until now, I rarely made them.

This past week, I was so excited to have discovered cooking the potatoes in the crock pot. The potatoes cooked while I was at work. Then, when I came home, I mashed them just before Shabbat. In very little time, we had wonderful, fresh mashed potatoes.

I know that this seems like such a little thing. But, it was very exciting for everyone. Sometimes, it is the little things in life that count.

Ingredients

potatoes, whole and unpeeled

water to cover

salt, pepper to taste

olive oil, to taste

Optional: butter or margarine

Optional:sauteed onions

Optional: fresh crushed garlic

Optional: spices as desired

Optional: paprika, for added color

Instructions

Place whole potatoes in crock pot, and add water to cover. Since I made this early in the morning, I added more water than necessary, to avoid overcooking. However, overcooking is not a high risk proposition. Since they are going to be mashed, overcooking will not harm the final outcome.

When I got home, the potatoes were cooked, and not even over cooked!  I peeled them, and mashed them, adding the cooking water to desired consistency. As I mashed them, I added the salt, pepper and olive oil.

Placed whole in the crock pot, cover with water.

I peeled them after they were cooked.

Mashed and ready to serve!

The variations of mashed potatoes are endless. So far, I have not been too adventurous.

My plan was to leave some of the potatoes whole for a potato salad for lunch on Shabbat day. However, that turned out to be unnecessary.  Everyone in the family devoured the mashed potatoes! I actually ran out.  A definite hit!

Now, everyone is looking forward to having them for Shabbat dinner again.  I am so happy that it will be possible to make this dish more often.

Enjoy!

 

Pan Seared Tuna Steaks

Pan Seared Tuna Steaks

Please excuse the double posting of this recipe.

For some reason, I posted this recipe today, but, rather than posting with today’s date, it backdated it.

In the past, when this occurred, it caused an error message.

So, I am posting it again, in an attempt to help fix the error.

Just in case, this is the link to the post that accidentally was backdated:

http://wp.me/p3GhIj-Jn

During the 9 Days, I learned how to cook fresh tuna steaks successfully for the first time.

In the past, I have only rarely tried to make fresh tuna. And, the few times when I did, it came out very dry and without flavor.

This time, I searched online for how to cook fresh tuna.

I think that it really helped me to understand how to cook fresh tuna better.

In addition, I used the stovetop grill on our new stove. Everything tastes better grilled on cast iron.

This recipe is based on the sites that I found, and the links are posted below.

According to what I read online, the key to grilling fresh tuna is to only cook it for 4-6 minutes per 1/2 inch stake.

Since I was concerned about over cooking it, I only cooked it for 4 minutes per side.

I have discovered that cooking tuna is a little like cooking a medium steak: you want to have a layer of pink inside.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon fennel

1 tablespoon coriander

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

Lemon juice

Spray oil

Instructions

Blend spices together. I do not have a mortar and pestle so I used a wooden rolling pin and crushed the spices.

Heat grill on high. Spray oil the grill. When hot, place fish on grill, 4 minutes per side.

When done, add lemon juice and fresh herbs.

I set the timer for 4 minutes and I really think that’s what made the difference. Rather than guessing, it made it more precise and hopefully more predictable outcome.

Seasoning the tuna before cooking

 

 

Cooking the first side on the griddle

Successfully flipped over and cooking the second side.

Voila! The final product.

Success!

My husband said, “This is fantastic! You totally nailed it!”

He also said, “This is the most perfect way to grill tuna.”

A ringing endorsement. This recipe is definitely husband approved.

Enjoy!

References:

This was where I learned how to cook fresh tuna and where I got the recipe from:

http://www.bhg.com/recipes/fish/basics/how-to-cook-tuna/

http://www.jamieoliver.com/videos/how-to-cook-tuna-steak-jamie-oliver/#K1iHiohobdmYK6yH.97

 

Broiled Salmon

During the 9 Days, which just passed, we do not eat meat or poultry.

Instead, fish becomes a staple.

This recipe for salmon is my “go to and tried and true standby.” 

It’s simple, fast and easy, with a touch of elegance. 

Ingredients 

Salmon fillets or salmon stakes

Pepper

Garlic 

Lemon and/or lime zest

Lemon and/or lime, juiced

Optional: fresh crushed garlic 

Optional: chopped fresh herbs

Instructions 

Rinse fish and place on tray. Sprinkle pepper and garlic to taste.

Broil until done.

Zest and juice a lemon and if using a lime. While fish is still warm, pour zest and lemon and/or lime juice over fish.

Voila! Fast, easy, all natural fish with a gourmet touch.

Here are the pictures:

fish on tray with spices

lemon zest and fresh squeezed lemon juice

final product. My husband liked it so much, he took a bite before I could take a picture.

This recipe is a hit every time! 

Needless to say, it was gone by the next day.

Enjoy!

Zucchini Tofu Napoleon — Joint Post

Zucchini Tofu Napoleon

The blogging world has opened up so many new culinary opportunities.

The beauty of blogging is that I get to virtually visit the kitchens of people all over the world and then adapt the recipes to suite my family’s taste. Hence, I recently posted a recipe which I called Lentils Napoleon. Here is the link: https://cookingforthetimechallenged.wordpress.com/2016/08/09/lentils-napoleon/

I adapted the recipe based on The Eggplant Napoleon recipe posted by Dolly, who is behind the apron of koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com.

Here is the link to her wonderful blog: https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/

Here is the link for her post on Eggplant Napoleon:

https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/07/31/eggplant-napoleon/

However, I must apologize for an inadvertent culinary faux pas: Lentils Napoleon is really a misnomer.

Through this joint post, I have learned that my lentil dish should have been named Lentils with Cumin and Sumac.

And, how did I learn this?

Because Dolly, who is a dedicated teacher, kindly reminded me that “Napoleon” really refers to anything baked in thin layers interspersed with something creamy.

My lentil dish was certainly not that. I simply liked the spices she used and thought I would use lentils instead.

BUT, my malapropism has led to this current hands-on learning experience.  Dolly is a genuine educator: she suggested that we do a joint post on a “real” Lentils Napoleon.

Our goal is to post as simultaneously as possible both of our recipes, using the culinary concept of layering vegetables interspersed with something creamy, the real culinary definition of Napoleon-style dishes.

Here is the link to Dolly’s post on Beets and Beans Napoleon. I am sorry but I don’t know how to make a short link:

Beets and Beans Napoleon – koolkosherkitchen

https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/08/19/beets-and-beans-napoleon/

For me, this has been a real opportunity to see how unique we all are.  We infuse our own special spark into everything we do.

Raizel’s painting from camp.

 

Based on a more careful reading of Dolly’s post, and some online research, I discovered that Wolfgang Puck, the original creator of Beets Napoleon, used goat cheese between layers of beets.

For this post, I decided to use thinly sliced zucchini between a tofu-lentil creamy layer.  I thought that tofu, with a dash of vinegar, would recreate a more goat cheese-like texture. In addition, I had run out of lentils, and I didn’t feel like shopping for more.

Raizel was my hands-on helper in this activity. She came home from camp this week, and was very excited when I suggested we make this dish for our joint post.

Raizel helped with the actual cooking, and she also took some of the photos. Raizel has a unique gift for coming up with recipes that are often quite good. But, photography is one of her passions; and of course, she loved using my phone as a camera!

Lentil-Tofu Napoleon

Ingredients:

For Tofu-Lentil Layer:

1 lbs. firm tofu

Spice mix:

1 tablespoon garlic salt

1-2 teaspoons garlic power

1 teaspoon pepper, and cumin

½ teaspoon coriander, and sumac

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Optional: 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Optional: fresh cilantro

Optional: Leftover Napoleon Lentils

Vinegar to taste, in order to get a slightly tangy taste for the tofu. I used red wine vinegar, but I think that apple cider vinegar would be good too.

Vegetable Layer:

3 Zucchini, sliced thinly

2 cloves garlic, crushed

Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions:

Lentil Tofu Creamy layer: Slice the tofu about 5 mm thick and sprinkle spices on top. Spray oil grill, and cook the tofu until done.

I took the leftover lentils from when I first posted the recipe and pureed it together with the tofu and added the vinegar.

The vinegar gives it a nice tang and a creamy texture.

Then I adjusted the seasoning.

Raizel said, “It looks terrible but it tastes great.”

Vegetable layer: Slice the zucchini is thin slices. I have a wonderful compact grater/slicer that I used. It is very sharp and is able to slice 2 different thickness. It also has 3 blades for various grating. Raizel actually sliced the zucchini and she did it very well!

Sauté zucchini in pan, sprayed with olive oil. Add crushed garlic and salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat oven to 350*F.

Layer zucchini in a small, lightly oiled dish. Next add layer of tofu-lentils, and continuing layering until near the top. Top layer should be of zucchini.

Bake covered for 20 minutes or until cooked.

I made this in individual servings. I think that it could be made in a larger pan, and then sliced when cooked. However, it might be difficult to  maintain the desired layered look. Wolfgang Puck, I believe, used a cookie cutter to get a uniform and attractive serving portion.

Serve with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.

Here are the pictures. Since I made it with Raizel and she likes photography, we took quite a few.

 

Tofu marinating with the spices.

Raizel slicing the zucchini. Go Raizel!

Sauteing the zucchini.

Raizel placing the tofu on the grill.

Raizel cooked the tofu by herself!

Pureeing the tofu

Ready to cook!

Voila! The final product!

 

The verdict:  The recipe objectively came out great. However, subjectively, is was not well received.

After it was so beautifully prepared, my husband reminded me that he does not like anything creamy. Raizel, who was very excited and very enthusiastic during the whole process, also didn’t eat it. Despite her protestations, Raizel does not like anything creamy either.

In the end, I was the only one who ate it. I thought it tasted great.

I also ate the leftover tofu “cream” during the week, as a spread on rice cakes.

Overall, I would say that this recipe is delicious, but for someone else’s family.

What did I learn?

I have my own song in the kitchen. 

Everyone has their own song.

For my family, simple is best.

Finally, I had lots of fun discussing and planning this with Dolly. We had a bonding experience!Thank you Dolly!

 

 

Pan Seared Tuna Steaks

During the 9 Days, I learned how to cook fresh tuna steaks successfully for the first time.

In the past, I have only rarely tried to make fresh tuna. And, the few times when I did, it came out very dry and without flavor.

This time, I searched online for how to cook fresh tuna.

I think that it really helped me to understand how to cook fresh tuna better.

In addition, I used the stovetop grill on our new stove. Everything tastes better grilled on cast iron.

This recipe is based on the sites that I found, and the links are posted below.

According to what I read online, the key to grilling fresh tuna is to only cook it for 4-6 minutes per 1/2 inch stake.

Since I was concerned about over cooking it, I only cooked it for 4 minutes per side.

I have discovered that cooking tuna is a little like cooking a medium steak: you want to have a layer of pink inside.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon fennel

1 tablespoon coriander

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon salt

Lemon juice

Spray oil

Instructions

Blend spices together. I do not have a mortar and pestle so I used a wooden rolling pin and crushed the spices.

Heat grill on high. Spray oil the grill. When hot, place fish on grill, 4 minutes per side.

When done, add lemon juice and fresh herbs.

I set the timer for 4 minutes and I really think that’s what made the difference. Rather than guessing, it made it more precise and hopefully more predictable outcome.

Seasoning the tuna before cooking

Cooking the first side on the griddle

Successfully flipped over and cooking the second side.

Voila! The final product.

Success!

My husband said, “this is fantastic! You totally nailed it!”

He also said, “this is the most perfect way to grill tuna.”

A ringing endorsement. This recipe is husband approved.

Enjoy!

References:

This was where I learned how to cook fresh tuna and where I got the recipe from:

http://www.bhg.com/recipes/fish/basics/how-to-cook-tuna/

http://www.jamieoliver.com/videos/how-to-cook-tuna-steak-jamie-oliver/#K1iHiohobdmYK6yH.97

Lentils Napoleon

This recipe is an adaptation of  Eggplant Napoleon made by Dolly at koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com

I wanted to make something fast, easy, and flavorful, which also included sumac. 

Before blogging, I had never heard about this spice. Now, however, Raizel, my budding gourmet, loves it! She often requests recipes with sumac, and she will even suggest a recipe so that I can specifically include it. Dolly said that sumac has a lemony taste. That was how I enticed my husband to try it.

Raizel and I are also big fans of cumin. 

So, I took the spice combination that Dolly used for the eggplant and substituted lentils instead. I suspect that other beans could be used too. 

What is nice about the red lentils is that they break apart, and then can be used like a spread.

If you are not already acquainted with Dolly, please go and check out her wonderful blog. I am a big fan!

Eggplant Napoleon – koolkosherkitchen from https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/07/31/eggplant-napoleon/?c=316#comment-316

Ingredients:

2 cups red lentils

4 cups water

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon coriander

1/4 teaspoon sumac

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Optional: chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

Wash and rinse lentils. Add water. Cook until tender. Add spices.

The secret is to make sure not to add too much water. I actually did, as you can see from this picture, so I needed to drain the water out before adding the spices.

Lentils cooking in the pot.

 

Spiced lentils, without garnish

Served with fresh herbs.

This was a hit. My husband said, “this is killer. I usually don’t even like these spices.”

I have been eating it this week, and it is delicious served with rice or on crackers. Thank you Dolly!

Enjoy!

Grilled Zucchini

I am still adjusting to my new kitchen and appliances. I find that my new microwave and oven cook differently. 

However, I am happy to say that my new stove has a wonderful feature that I am really enjoying.

It has a cast iron grill as a center burner. The flame is longer than a regular burner. Now, I can grill or cook over a larger surface, and use less oil. It’s like having a built in frying pan, only better.

So, tonight I made grilled zucchini. It was fast, easy, low fat and delicious!

Ingredients 

Zucchinis, sliced diagonally 

Spray oil.

Instructions 

Spray oil grill. Cook zucchini until done as desired.

Here are the pictures:

lay zucchini slices on grill, without crowding

turn over to cook on other side when done.

final product– grilled & yummy!

Everyone loved them! My husband said, “these are great!”

Yaffa, who loves zucchini, specifically asked to take them for lunch the next day. She said, “they’re my favorite!”

Fast, easy and very little to clean. Less storage space required too!

Lentil Mushroom Soup

During Sheva Brachot, I served 2 soups.  This was the second soup that I served.  It can be made with either red or green lentils. I find the red lentils have a finer texture, but the green lentils are more hardy.

Lentil Mushroom Soup

Ingredients:

1 onion

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 celery stalks, sliced

8 oz. mushrooms, sliced

4 bay leaves

2 cups lentils, red or green

1 tablespoon salt, to taste

Optional: pepper and or garlic, to taste. I usually do not add either, unless the vegetables are not flavorful.

Water to cover

Optional: chopped fresh cilantro or parsley to garnish

Instructions:

Sauté onions and mushrooms. Add lentils, bay leaves, and salt.

Add water and then bring to a boil, cover and simmer until lentils begin to soften.

Next, add the celery and carrots. Continue to simmer until done.

Adjust seasoning to taste.

In pressure cooker: bring to pressure for 5 minutes. Released the pressure quickly by running cold water over the lid when done. Then, add carrots and celery and simmer until done.

Crockpot. Add all ingredients into crockpot. Cook on low until done. If desired, add carrots and celery half way through the cooking, and then continuing cooking until done. Less water is required.

It is important to add just enough water, but not have it be too thick or too thin.

Here are the pictures:

This was another hit!  Many of our guests requested second helpings.

Enjoy!