Turkey Breast Southwest Style

If you think the recent election showed how petty politics can be, believe me, the squabbles over nonsense are nothing new. Take Thanksgiving. In 1939, it was on the last Thursday in November. But retailers wanted to have more days for Christmas shopping so they convinced president FDR to change the date to the 4th Thursday. Republicans refused to comply with a Democratic president's plan! GOP states continued to celebrate on the last Thursday and for years there were two Thanksgivings!

Even after a joint resolution of Congress, some states refused to comply. It wasn't until 1957 that every state celebrated on the 4th Thursday. The last holdout was Texas.

Mmmmm.

I am happy to celebrate this coming Thanksgiving with everyone else on the 28th, the 4th Thursday. So, with a wink and a nod to Texas, here's a recipe for Southwest style turkey breast for those who don't want to roast a whole turkey on Thanksgiving or any other time. (If you do, double the seasonings and juice).

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Turkey Breast, Southwest Style

1 half turkey breast about 3 pounds

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, mashed

2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup apricot or orange juice

salt if desired

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Rinse and dry the turkey and place it skin side up in a roasting pan. Combine the olive oil, garlic, oregano, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper and brush the turkey with this mixture. Sprinkle with salt if desired. Place the turkey in the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 350 degrees. Roast for 20 minutes. Pour the juice over the turkey. Roast for another 40-65 minutes, basting occasionally, or until a meat thermometer stuck into the thickest part of the breast reads 160 degrees. Remove the turkey from the oven and let rest for about 15 minutes before carving.

Makes 4 servings.

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Just a Sandwich, Egg and Pesto

Sometimes you just want a sandwich for dinner, right? Maybe you’re tired or it’s too hot to cook or you want a quick meal. Whatever.

My Mom made sandwiches for dinner and so do I. It can be as satisfying as a tradtional dinner but much easier and such a good choice when you don’t feel like fussing.

Here’s one to try:

Avocado, Egg and Tomato Sandwich with Pesto Mayonnaise

• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise

• 4 teaspoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

• 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped

• 4 slices Tuscan-Italian style bread

• 2 teaspoons butter

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 1 avocado, sliced

• 1 tomato, sliced

In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, basil and garlic and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate until ready to use (may be made 2 days ahead). Toast the bread slices lightly. While the bread is toasting, heat the butter in a small pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and looks foamy, pour in the eggs and cook, moving the egg around slightly to allow wet portions to reach the bottom of the pan. When the egg is almost cooked, flip it over, cook briefly and remove from the pan. Spread some of the pesto mayonnaise on 2 slices of the toasted bread. Top each with half the cooked egg. Top with slices of avocado and tomato. Cover with remaining bread slice. Cut sandwiches in half.

Makes 2 servings

Roasted Soy and Honey Glazed Salmon

We eat salmon so often that I have dozens and dozens of recipes — I could write another book!

I usually try a new recipe each time I make salmon but every once in a while I come back to a few favorite recipes that we like eating again and again: Roasted Salmon with Orange-Mustard Butter; Pistachio Crusted Salmon and Roasted Salmon with Lemon, Rosemary and Coriander.

And this one:

ROASTED SALMON WITH HONEY AND SOY

• 4 salmon filets, each about 5-6 ounces

• 3 tablespoons butter or olive (or avocado) oil

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Sriracha), or more to taste

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• chopped scallion for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the salmon in a deep baking dish. Place the butter, garlic, honey, soy sauce, hot sauce and lemon juice in a saucepan and cook over high heat for 4-5 minutes or until thickened to the consistence of heavy cream. Spoon the sauce over the salmon and roast for about 10-12 minutes or until nicely glazed. Sprinkle with chopped scallion.

Makes 4 servings

Vegetables in Coconut Curry

One of my favorite meatless meals is a dish I ate when traveling in Malaysia: stirfried vegetables in coconut curry sauce. I’ve made this dish often over the years, substituting vegetables here and there, but the recipe is basically the same every time and always a winner!

It’s perfect when served over either cooked rice or noodles.

Stir-fried Vegetables with Lemongrass and Coconut Curry

• 2 stalks lemongrass

• 2 baby bok choy

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 8 asparagus spears, cut into bite size pieces

• 2 medium carrots, shredded

• 1 small red bell pepper, cut into bite size pieces

• 3 tablespoons water

• 1 large shallot, chopped

• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 small chili pepper deseeded and chopped

• 1 cup bean sprouts

• 1 teaspoon curry powder

• 2 pinches ground cinnamon

• 1/2 cup coconut milk

• 1/4 cup vegetable stock

• salt to taste

• cooked rice

Remove the soft, inner core from the lemongrass bulbs and chop them into small pieces. Set aside. (Use the leaves for other purposes). Wash each bok choy leaf, snapping it off the stem to make individual pieces. Dry the leaves and set them aside. Heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a wok or stirfry pan over medium-high heat. Add the bok choy leaves, asparagus, carrots and bell pepper and stirfry for one minute. Add the water, cover the pan and cook for about 2 minutes or until crispy and tender. Dish out the vegetables and set them aside. Discard any pan liquid. Heat the remaining tablespoon vegetable oil in the pan. Add the shallot, ginger, garlic, chili pepper and lemongrass and stirfry briefly. Return the vegetables to the pan. Add the bean sprouts and toss the ingredients to distribute them evenly. Sprinkle the ingredients with curry powder and cinnamon and toss. Pour in the coconut milk and vegetable stock. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Bring the ingredients to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes. Pour the vegetables and sauce over the rice and serve.

Makes 4 servings

Braised Breast of Veal

Climate change brings warmer winters, that’s for sure. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the kind of rich, slow-cooked, hearty stew that we wanted when it snowed or it was bitterly cold outside!

I’ve made this dish using large cubes of veal but like it best with a whole breast (so I can gnaw on the bones).

BRAISED BREAST OF VEAL

• one breast of veal, about 3-1/2 pounds

• all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

• 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

• 2 medium onions, peeled and cut into chunks

• 1 large clove garlic, chopped

• 1 cup white wine

• 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary (or 2 teaspoons dried rosemary)

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Rinse and dry the veal and press the meat into the flour to lightly coat the entire surface. Heat the vegetable oil in a large ovenproof saute pan or casserole over medium heat, add the meat and cook for about 4 minutes per side to brown the outside. Remove the meat to a plate and set aside. Add the carrots, potatoes and onions to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes to cook them slightly. Add the garlic and cook briefly. Return the meat to the pan, moving the vegetables around so they sit on top of and around the meat. Pour in the wine. Place the rosemary sprigs in the pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Cover the pan and place in an oven. Turn the heat to 275F OR keep the casserole on the cooktop, lower the heat and cook at a simmer for about 2 hours or until very tender.

Makes 4 servings 

Stirfried Couscous with Chicken, Dried Apricots and Pistachios

Stirfried Couscous with Chicken, Dried Apricots and Pistachios

This is one of the dishes from my class last night at Temple Beth El in Stamford, Connecticut. It was such a lovely evening! The focus was foods for Tu B’Shevat (sort of an Israeli Earth Day), which is always such a big winner as far as food is concerned because we get to eat lots of fruit, including dried fruit, which I love. And everyone who attended the demo seemed to love too.

The recipe is Stirfried Chicken with Dried Apricots and Pistachios, from my book, Hip Kosher. As I explained, this is a versatile dish! I used couscous but you can also use rice or any other whole grain, like farro or barley.

And you can use different fruit — figs, dried cranberries and so on.

I’ve made this dish with lamb chunks too and it’s also delicious.

Or go vegetarian. Leave out the meat and use tofu or peas or water chestnuts and so on.

Pistachios are my favorite for this but cashews would work too.

I say this dish is perfect for Tu B’Shevat but really, it’s for all-year.

Stir-Fried Couscous with Chicken, Dried Apricots and Pistachios (from Hip Kosher)

• 1-3/4 cups Israeli couscous

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 16-20 ounces boneless chicken, cut into bite-size chunks

• 4 thick scallions, chopped

• 1 cup chopped dried apricots

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 cup shelled pistachios

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Make the couscous according to the package directions. Set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a wok, stir-fry pan, or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and stir-fry for about 4 minutes or until the meat is white and cooked through. Dish out and set aside. Place the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the pan. Add the scallions and cook for 1–2 minutes or until softened. Add the apricots, cumin, and cinnamon and cook briefly, stirring constantly. Add the couscous and chicken and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes to distribute the ingredients well. Stir in the pistachio nuts. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat hot or let cool to lukewarm.

Makes 4 servings.

Spinach Pie

Every Hanukkah in our family, we retell the story of Judith, who played a major role in the Maccabees’ victory some 2000 years ago. According to the story, Judith visited Holofernes, a general in the enemy camp; he fell in love with her and asked her to dine with him.

During the meal Judith gave him great quantities of cheese, which made him very thirsty! To quench his thirst he drank so much wine that he fell asleep and Judith cut off his head with his own sword.

Thus was she able to get word to the Maccabees about the best time to strike.

Note: there are dozens of artworks depicting the event, including this well-known painting which hangs in the Uffizi gallery.

Since that fateful victory we have been making merry every year with an 8 day Hanukkah celebration.

Our celebrations are known to include latkes!

But did you know that the first “traditional” Hanukkah ingredient was cheese!

And that’s because of Judith.

Long ago it was Cheese Latkes that Jewish cooks prepared for Hanukkah.

But so many people couldn’t afford cheese so they substituted potato. Not bad, that.

Still. I always serve something made with cheese, every Hanukkah.

This year, how about this Cheese-loaded Spinach Pie to to remember the brave, intrepid Judith?

Cheese Loaded Spinach PIE

•  1 tablespoon butter

• 1/4 cup chopped red onion

• 6 ounces fresh spinach

• 1 partially baked 9-inch pie crust

• 3-4 ounces grated Swiss cheese

• 4 large eggs

• 2 cups half and half cream

• salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and looks foamy, add the red onion and cook for 1-2 minutes to soften it slightly. Add the spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until the spinach is completely wilted. If there is liquid in the pan, continue to cook until the spinach is dry (alternatively, place in a strainer and press out the excess liquid). Place the spinach inside the partially baked pie crust. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Beat the eggs and cream together with salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the ingredients in the pie crust. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and set.

Makes 6-8 servings

Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Kugel

Back in September I posted a recipe for a dish (Couscous with Seven Vegetables) that is traditional on Rosh Hashanah among the Jews of North Africa. We love the dish so much that I made it several times, changing the spices a bit each time. Then, one time, I decided to use the same vegetables and seasonings but instead of serving them over couscous, mix them into a kugel.

It worked perfectly!

Of course the texture of kugel vs braised vegetables over couscous is quite different. But the flavors are reminiscent of each other and just as delicious, either way.

This is a good side dish for Thanksgiving. First, it goes so well with turkey. It’s a good choice for any vegetarians who might be at your table. and also, you can make it in advance

Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Kugel 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 small onion, sliced

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger

• 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices

• 1 medium tomato, cut into chunks

• 1 small parsnip, peeled and cut in 1/2-inch slices, optional

• 1/2 cup cut up bite sized butternut squash

• 1/2 teaspoon ras al hanout (or use 1/4 teaspoon harissa plus 1/8 teaspoon each of ground ginger, turmeric and cinnamon)

• 3/4 cup vegetable stock

• 1 cup diced zucchini

• 1/4 red bell pepper, cut into bite sized chunks

• 1/2 cup raisins

• 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained

• Salt to taste

• 12 ounces egg noodles

• 3 eggs

Preheat the oven to 375F. Heat the olive oil in sautepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, for about 4 minutes or until softened and beginning to brown. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for a minute. Add the carrot, tomato, parsnip and squash and stir the ingredients. Stir in the ras al hanout. Add the stock, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low and cook for about 15 minutes. Add the zucchini, bell pepper, raisins and chickpeas. Cook for about 10 minutes more, or until vegetables are tender. Add salt to taste. Cook the noodles according to the manufacturer’s directions. Spoon the vegetables and pan fluids into the noodles and mix to distribute the ingredients evenly. Beat the eggs and mix them in. Place inside a baking dish and bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the top is crispy.

Makes 4 dinner servings, 8 side dish servings

Pot Roast for the Win

It’s cold outside.

Also, the world is terrifyingly unstable.

I’m not in my usual mood of experimenting with new recipes — at least not for dinner — so we’ve been eating foods that are easy, familiar and comforting.

Like this chuck roast.

CHUCK POT ROAST

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 3-4 pound chuck roast

• 4-6 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks

• 12-16 baby potatoes

• 2 medium onions, sliced

• 6-8 plum tomatoes, cut up

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 1 cup red wine

• 1 cup beef broth

• salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme

Preheat the oven to 250F. Heat the olive oil in a large oven-proof casserole. Sear the meat surface on both sides (about 2-3 minutes per side) using heat heat on a cooktop. Remove the pan from the cooktop. Scatter the carrots, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and garlic over and around the meat. Pour in the wine and broth. Sprinkle the ingredients with salt and pepper. Place the thyme sprigs on top. Cover the casserole. Place in the oven. Cook for about 4 hours or until the meat is tender.

Makes 4-6 servings

Chicken Salad

This salad is my go-to whenever I want a light but filling meal. Chicken isn’t a constant — sometimes I use leftover salmon, beef or lamb instead — but the proportions are just right for 2-3 people (you can double it of course).

If you’re fasting for Yom Kippur, this is the kind of dish that’s perfect for the occasion. Substantial but not heavy and not salty.

Chicken Salad

• 4-5 small waxy potatoes (such as Baby Yukon Gold or Red Bliss)

• 3-4 ounces fresh greens

• 2 stalks celery, chopped coarsely

• 1/2 avocado, cut into bite size pieces

• 10-12 cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half

• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber

• 2 cups diced cooked chicken

• 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil

• 3 tablespoons wine vinegar

• freshly ground black pepper to taste

Place the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with water, bting to a boil and cook for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Let cool, peel and cut into bite size pieces. Place the greens in a salad bowl. Add the potatoes, celery, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber and chicken and toss the ingredients to distribute them evenly. Pour in the olive oil and toss to coat the ingredients. Pour in the vinegar and toss. Sprinkle with pepper to taste. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 2-3 servings