Serves 8
4 tablespoons unsalted butter 
1 butternut squash (about 2 ½ pounds) 
1 ½ cup Gruyere or Swiss cheese, grated 
½ cup parmesan cheese, grated 
1 ½  teaspoon kosher salt 
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
1 cup heavy cream 
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs 
 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 
2. Brush a 9 X 13-inch baking pan with 1 tablespoon butter melted butter. 
3. Peel the squash, then cut in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Slice each half into ¼ inch slices.
4. Combine the cheeses and salt and pepper in a small bowl.
5. Arrange half the squash in the bottom of the buttered baking dish and sprinkle half of the cheese on top. Layer the remaining squash on top and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. 
6. Pour the cream evenly over squash and cheese. 
7. Melt the remaining 3 Tbs of butter and toss with the Panko crumbs in a bowl.  Sprinkle Panko crumbs over the top layer of cheese.  
8. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 35-45 minutes until the squash is soft when pierced by a fork. Remove the foil and continue to cook until the breadcrumbs have browned, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately or refrigerate and warm in the oven before serving. 

Alternatives: Use Yukon Gold or Red Bliss potatoes instead of squash. You can also substitute cauliflower or broccoli for the squash. 

Here is a perfect holiday cocktail. A little sweet and a little sour. Best of all, this cocktail will help you use up any leftovers of my delicious Cran-Raspberry Sauce 

makes one 5 ounce cocktail
​
3/4 ounce maple syrup
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 ounce cran-raspberry sauce (or other raspberry sauce or favorite fruit jam)
3 ounces whiskey- Jack Daniels is perfect!
optional: 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Ice cubes for mixing and serving

Optional additions
¼ cup seltzer water
**1 egg white

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with 5 ice cubes, combine together the maple syrup, lemon juice, cram-rasp sauce, whiskey, and bitters (if using).
2. Fill a 7 ounce glass with ice. Cover your shaker and shake your cocktail for 30 second. Pour into your glass of ice. Top with the seltzer, if using, and give it a stir. Serve immediately.

**If using egg white (which is traditional for this drink) put in a shaker with all the ingredients and the ice. Leave the seltzer out.

I am so glad you will be joining me for my class "Holiday Pies". This class is a demonstration class. If you would like to follow along and make the apple pie recipe with me, you should plan to have all of your ingredients measured according to the recipes. 

I will demonstrate my Apple Galette recipe at the end of class and provide the recipe to you then so you can prepare it on your own. 

Enjoy!

​Serves 2-4

2 Tbs olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large red onion cut into ¼ inch thick wedges
4 garlic cloves, smashed
1 lemon cut into ¼ inch thick rounds
1-2 lbs sword fish-1 inch thick steaks
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about ½ cup)
2 Tbs fresh herbs-dill, basil, parsley, or mint)

1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees. 
2. Brush a sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the tomatoes, onion, garlic, lemon, and swordfish all in a single layer onto the pan. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes.
3. Remove the pan from the oven. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with crumbled feta and fresh chopped herbs. Serve right from the pan!

Variations: Adjust your protein cooking time as needed. Thin pork chops-boneless or bone-in, sirloin tips, salmon fillets, chicken breads, boneless chicken thighs. Fennel bulb, red peppers, green beans, broccoli, or cauliflower florets. 

​This recipe is a variation of my "Gremolata Stacked Potatoes" from my cookbook "Beautifully Delicious". I simply substituted sweet potatoes. Easy and delicious!
Gremolata is a traditional Italian herb paste that is a simple combination of five ingredients: parsley, garlic, lemon, Parmesan, and extra virgin olive oil. With its bright, citrusy flavor, gremolata transforms ho-hum recipes into amazing dishes! Here I’ve combined gremolata with thinly sliced sweet potatoes and roasted them to create a tasty side dish. It’s simple, delicious, and gorgeous!   
Serves 6
 
½ cup loosely packed chopped flat-leaf parsley
Zest of 1 lemon
2 small minced garlic cloves
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
1 pinch pepper, freshly ground
4 medium sweet potatoes (I try to buy longer, thinner potatoes to fit niceley into the muffin tins when sliced and stacked)
 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray 12 standard muffin cups generously with cooking spray or, if you don't have muffin tins, line a baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. To make the gremolata, combine the parsley, lemon zest, garlic, Parmesan, oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl and set aside. 
3. Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly (about ⅛ of an inch) using a sharp knife or mandolin. Add the potato slices to the gremolata and toss to coat. I use my hands to be sure to coat the potatoes evenly. Stack the potatoes to fill each muffin cup over the rim by about ½ inch (if you are not using a muffin tin, place the stacks on you foil lined baking pan). Press the stacked potatoes down firmly.
4. Bake until the tops and edges of the potatoes are browned and the centers are tender when pierced with a fork, about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Cut around each stack with a sharp knife and remove them with a spoon. Serve hot.

These can be made one to two days in advance and reheated, covered, in a 300 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until heated through. Serve two or three stacks per person.

​Serves 6


2 pounds fingerling potatoes-or other small potatoes
4 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
¼ pound thick-cut bacon, diced-or diced pancetta
½ cup parsley, chopped
salt and pepper
 
 

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Drizzle a rimmed baking sheet with 2 tablespoons oil. Place the potatoes onto the baking sheet and shake the pan to coat the potatoes on both sides with oil. Season with the salt and pepper.
2. Place the pan into the oven and cook for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
3. While the potatoes are cooking, heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the bacon. Cook until the bacon begins to brown. Add the sliced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside. 
4. When the potatoes are fork tender, remove the pan from the oven. Gently press down on each potato to “smash” it and flatten a bit. Be careful to not flatten too much. You don’t want the potatoes to break apart losing their shape.
5. Warm the bacon and garlic on the stove. Add the potatoes in a single layer. Turn the potatoes over to coat both sides with the garlic and bacon. Place the potatoes onto a warmed platter. Continue with the remaining potatoes and place onto the platter. Drizzle any remaining garlic and bacon onto the potatoes and sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot. 

Additions: Add 1 teaspoons chopped rosemary when cooking the garlic.

Serves 6

​​1 ½ cups plain whole fat Greek yogurt
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup mint leaves, chopped fine
½ cup parsley, chopped fine
1/8  teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 pounds butternut squash or other winter squash (or use a few different kinds of winter squash-(I love Delicata squash-no need to peel!)
2 tablespoon Extra Virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons toasted pistachio nuts, roughly chopped (pecans, walnuts, or almonds are fine to use too)

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. 
2. Place the yogurt, minced garlic, mint, parsley, coriander, cumin, lemon juice, and honey in a bowl and stir to combine well. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
3. Peel the butternut squash, cut in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds. Cut the squash into ½ inch thick pieces (slices or cubes is fine).
4. Toss the squash with the olive oil and season with plenty of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spread the squash in one layer on one or two rimmed baking pans. Roast until fork tender and browned on some of the edges, about 20 minutes.

Place the cooked squash onto a serving platter. Drizzle with half of the yogurt herb sauce (serve the remaining sauce at the table). Scatter the top with pistachio nuts. Serve hot or warm.

Adapted From: Marcella Hazan's cookbook "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking" 

​Serves 6
Anchovy Sauce
 
6 Tbs butter3 tsp garlic chopped course
*4 flat anchovy fillets, chopped very, very fine
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
 
Chicken 
2 eggs
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded or cut to scaloppine*
1 ½ cups of fine, dry, unflavored breadcrumbs spread on a plate.
2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs olive oil
Salt 
 
Sauce
1.  Put the butter and garlic in a small saucepan and turn on the heat to medium.  Cook the garlic until it becomes colored a pale gold, then turn the heat down to very low, and put in the chopped anchovies. Cook, stirring the anchovies and mashing them against the sides of the pan, until they begin to dissolve into a paste.  Add the chopped parsley, stir and cook for about 20 seconds, then remove from heat and set aside.
 
Chicken

1. Lightly beat the eggs in a deep dish, using a fork or a whisk.
2. Lightly salt each piece of chicken.  Dip each piece of chicken in the egg, coating both sides and letting excess egg flow back into the plate as you pull the chicken away. 
3. Place each piece into the breadcrumbs and press the chicken firmly against the crumbs, using the palm of your hand.  Your palm should come away dry, which means the crumbs are adhering to the meat.
4. Put the butter and oil into a large fry pan and turn on the heat to medium high.  When the butter foam begins to subside, place the chicken pieces in.  Cook until a dark golden crust forms on one side, then turn them and do the other side, altogether about 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. 
5. Add the anchovy sauce to the pan and turn the chicken to coat. Transfer to a warm platter.  erve promptly. 

 
*To make Scaloppine (two methods)
 
In this recipe, the chicken must be pounded flat and thin so they will cook evenly.  Note that you should not mash the chicken by bringing the pounder down hard against the breast.  What you want to do is to stretch out the meat, thus thinning and evening it.  Bring the pounder down on the slice so that it meets it flat, not on an edge, and as it comes down on the meat, slide it, on one continuous motion, from the center out word.  Repeat the operation, stretching the slice in all direction until it is evenly thin throughout.
You may also choose to cut the breast in half by butterflying the breast.  Once it is opened, separate the top half from the bottom half creating two pieces of chicken.

*Anchovies-I like to use anchovy paste in a tube instead of the fillets to save some work. If using the paste, use 2 tablespoons.

Serves 6-8
1 butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut into ½” cubes
4 tablespoons olive oil
10 large thinly sliced garlic cloves
4 cups chopped baby arugula 
1 tablespoon chopped sage or rosemary
1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Kosher salt
Pepper, freshly ground
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta
 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl combine the butternut squash and olive oil with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper.  Divide the squash between 2-3 sheet pans.  Cook for 10-12 minutes or until it is just fork tender. Remove from the oven and set aside uncovered. As an alternative to roasting, steam the squash for 8-10 minutes in a large covered sauté pan with ¾ cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt.   
2. Place 3 tablespoons olive oil and the garlic slivers in a large sauté pan.  Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until softened and lightly browned, about 5-8 minutes.  
3. Add the chopped arugula, sage, and parsley to the garlic and toss for 3 minutes or until the arugula is wilted and the sage is fragrant. Add the cooked squash into the pan and toss gently to combine and heat through.  Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Place the squash onto a platter and sprinkle the shredded parmesan cheese on top.  

Optional: Top with Greek yogurt (1 ½ cups Greek yogurt, 1 garlic clove-crushed, 1 tsp lemon zest, salt to taste. 
 

Serves 8-10
1  6-7 pound bone-in/skin-on turkey breast
4 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
2 Tbs chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 Tbs chopped fresh thyme, 1 tsp dried
Salt and freshly ground pepper 
Let the turkey stand at room temperature for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

1. Preheat an oven to 425°F. 
2. Mix butter, 1/2 tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper in medium bowl with the chopped herbs until thoroughly combined.
3. Carefully separate turkey skin from meat over breast; avoid breaking skin. 
4. Work the butter mixture under skin on both sides of breast and rub skin of turkey to evenly distribute butter over breast. 
5. Spray a V-rack with nonstick cooking spray and set inside large roasting pan. Place turkey in rack with skin side facing up; pour 1 cup of water into roasting pan. Roast turkey for 30 minutes. 
6. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Continue to roast turkey until thickest part of breast registers 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer, about 1 hour longer. 
7. Transfer turkey to carving board, cover with foil, let rest for 20 minutes or up to one hour. Carve and serve.

Serves 6
 
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ½ pounds celery root, peeled, cut into ½” dice 
½ pound baking potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice- 
2 garlic cloves
​1 cup chicken stock
¾ cup heavy cream, warmed
3 Tbs fresh scallions, minced 

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, celery root, potato, garlic, and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes. If stock remains, drain in a colander set over a bowl and reserve the cooking liquid. 
2. Mash the celery root and potato with a potato masher or put through a potato ricer. 
3. Add as much of the warmed cream and reserved cooking liquid as necessary to form a soft puree.  Season with salt and pepper.
4. Transfer the puree to a serving dish and top with the minced scallions.

 
Notes: For a low-carb option, use cauliflower in place of potato.

This recipe is from the wonderful cookbook "Spice" by Ana Sortun. Ana is a celebrated Boston based chef who I had the pleasure of working for at the beginning  of my cooking career. If you are in the Boston area you must seek out her restaurants Oleana, Sarma, and Sofra Bakery

Serves 4
 
4 medium carrots
2 Tbs butter
½ vanilla bean or ½ tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbs lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Peel the carrots and slice on the bias into ¼ inch thick slices.
2. Melt the butter medium heat in a 4 quart saucepan. Slit the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds with a knife into the butter.  If using extract, add it to the butter. 
3. Add the carrots and ½ cup of water to the pan and cook over medium heat until they soften and become lightly glazed, about 10 minutes. 
4. Add the lemon juice and stir.  Season with salt and pepper.

Serves 4
2 cups cooked rice 
½ can unsweetened coconut milk-I like Thai Kitchen or other thick coconut milk)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh, frozen or dried fruit 

1. Combine the  cooked rice, coconut milk, sugar and salt in a 4 qt saucepan over medium-low heat.
   
2. Cook, stirring frequently to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking until thick and creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Serve warm or cold, topped with fruit.

I will not take credit for this great recipe. All the credit goes to Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen. You will find lots of really great recipes in that book and on her website https://smittenkitchen.com/

 ​Serves 8

Crust-Go to the recipe at Smitten Kitchen for Deb's dough recipe or you can use 1/2 of the dough recipe from The Art of the Pie. I prepare the entire recipe from Art of the Pie and freeze one of the dough rounds for later use.

Fruit Filling
​3 1/2 cups berries, stone fruit, or other fruit, chopped or thinly sliced, or any combination thereof
Pinch of salt
Juice of half a lemon or lime (optional)
1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
1/2 to 1 1/2 tablespoons tapioca flour/starch (see Note, below)
 
To Finish
1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water (optional)
Turbinado or coarse sugar for sprinkling
 
Make Filling: 
Combine fruit, salt, citrus juice (if using), sugar, and starch in a medium bowl and set aside.
 
Assemble Galette: 
1. Heat oven to 400°F and flatten the parchment paper that you wrapped your dough in on a large baking        sheet.
2. On a floured counter, roll the dough out into a large round-ish shape, about 14 inches across. Gently            transfer it to the parchment paper in the pan. 
3. Spoon fruit filling and any juices that have collected into center, leaving a 2- to 3-inch border uncovered. 
4. Fold this border over fruit, pleating the edge to make it fit. The center will be open.
5. For a darker, glossier crust, beat egg with 1 teaspoon of water and brush it over the crust. Sprinkle it all        over with turbinado or coarse sugar.
6. Bake galette for 30 to 35 minutes, or golden all over and the fruit is bubbling and juicy. Cool for at least      20 minutes on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
 
Do ahead: Fruit galettes keep at room temperature for a few days and up to a week in the fridge.
 
Note: This recipe is abundantly flexible.
* Fruit: Use whatever fruit you like to bake with.
* Flavors: Use another kind of citrus or none at all; you could add zest or vanilla to the crust. You could slick the bottom of the crust with jam or marzipan.
* Flour: Replace 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat or rye flour.
* Sweetness: The filling is lightly sweetened; you can add up to 3 more tablespoons sugar without putting it over-the-top. For an even less-sweet galette, you could replace the sugar on the crust with poppy or sesame seeds.
* Thickeners: Tapioca flour or starch is my favorite for a clear, unchalky set. If you don’t have it, use an equal amount of cornstarch. Different kinds of fruit have different pectin levels, and might need more or less thickener. For apples or blueberries, use 1/2 tablespoon level. For peaches or fresh cherries, use 1 tablespoon. For strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and rhubarb, use 1 1/2 tablespoons.

This recipe is from the best selling book "The Art of the Pie" by Kate McDermott. I recommend her best selling book "Art of the Pie"  www.artofthepie.com.” ​

6 cups (11/2-2 lbs) fruit, fresh or frozen
½ -1 cup sugar-depending on sweetness of fruit
1 small grating of freshly ground nutmeg
1/3 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1-2 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca (or tapioca flour) if fruit is very juicy
1 recipe double crust pie dough-Recipe here
1/2 tablespoon butter
1 egg white plus 1 tablespoon water, fork beaten
1-2 teaspoons sugar
 

1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. Put the fruit, sugar, nutmeg, salt, lemon, tapioca or flour in a big bowl and mix lightly until the fruit is well coated.
3. Roll out the bottom dough and place in your pie pan.
4. Add the fruit filling and dot with the butter.
5. Roll out remaining dough, lay over the fruit, and cut 5 to 6 vents on top, or cut strips and make a lattice top. Trim excess dough from edges and crimp.
6. Brush crust with some egg wash and sprinkle evenly and lightly with 1-2 teaspoons of sugar.
7. Bake for 15 minutes at 425F. Reduce heat to 375F and bake for 35-40 minutes more.

Look for the steady bubbling of the fruit filling through the vents or lattice work to make sure the filling is fully cooked. Remove the pie from the oven. Cool the pie completely before serving so the filling can set up. 
Notes

• If using frozen fruit, keep the fruit frozen until ready prepare the pie.
• Be sure to taste the fruit and adjust the sugar and seasoning accordingly.
• You can adjust the amounts up or down depending on the size of pan you are using.

This recipe is from the best selling book "The Art of the Pie" by Kate McDermott. I recommend her best selling book "Art of the Pie"  www.artofthepie.com.” ​

1 recipe double crust pie dough-Recipe here
​About 10 cups heritage apples-(leave skin on) quartered and cored, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices, or chunk them up into pieces you can comfortably eat. 
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
2 gratings of nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tablespoon artisan apple cider vinegar or 1-2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1-2 tablespoons calvados or other apple liqueur (optional)
1/2 cup flour
1 recipe double-crust pie dough (ingredients above)
1 knob butter, the size of a small walnut, cut into small pieces for dotting the top of the filling
1-2 tsp sugar, for sprinklin on top of the pie

Egg Wash
​1 egg white plus 1 tablespoon water, fork beaten

1. Slice apples in 1/2 inch slices or chunk them up into pieces you can comfortably get into your mouth!
2. In a large mixing bowl put all ingredients except butter and mix lightly until most of the surfaces are covered.
3. Pour into an unbaked pie crust, mounding high and dot with butter.
4. Roll out second crust and place on top; crimp edges with a fork.
5. Cut vent holes.
6. Paint with egg white wash.
7. Sprinkle some extra sugar evenly on top.
8. Pre-heat oven to 425F and bake for 20 minutes.
9. Reduce heat to 375F and bake for 40 minutes longer. Check to see that the filling is bubbling beneath the vent holes. If you don't see the filling bubble, bake 5-10 minutes longer or until the filling bubbles.
10. Remove from the oven and cool for at least 1 hour.

Apples (from Liz): Choose a few types of apples, one that is sweet and one that is a bit tart, one soft, and one that holds its shape. Granny Smith or Honey Crisp are tart, crisp apples that combine well with Corland. I throw in a Macintosh or two as well. Your local farm stand may have heritage apples you can choose from.

I will not take credit for this perfect pie crust recipe. Thank Kate McDermott-Art of the Pie® for this recipe. 
I recommend her best selling book "Art of the Pie"  www.artofthepie.com.” 

2-1/2 cups (363g) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp (3g) salt
*8 Tbs (112g) of Kerrygold or other salted or unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon size pieces
*8 Tbs (112g) leaf lard (where to get it: https://fannieandflo.net/ )very cold shortening can be substituted for lard
8 Tbs (118g) of ice water (This is an average but sometimes the dough takes more or less.)
*(For ALL BUTTER dough use 14 Tbs (196g) of Kerrygold or other salted or unsalted butter for your total fat)

1. Put all ingredients but the ice water in a large bowl.
2. With clean hands, blend the mixture together until it looks like coarse meal with some lumps in it that looks like cracker crumbs, peas, and almonds. The lumps make flakey pies.
3. Sprinkle ice water over mixture and stir lightly with a fork.
4. Squeeze a handful of dough together. Mix in a bit more water if it doesn’t keep together.
5. Divide the dough in half and make two chubby disks about 5 inches across.
6. Wrap the disks separately in plastic wrap and chill for about an hour.
7. Take out one disk and put it on a well-floured board, pastry cloth, parchment paper or plastic wrap.
8. Sprinkle some flour onto the top of the disk. Thump the disk with your rolling pin several times.
9. Turn it over and thump the other side.
10. Sprinkle more flour onto the top of the crust if needed to keep the pin from sticking and roll the crust out from the center in all directions.
11. When it is an inch or so larger than your pie pan, brush off the extra flour on both sides. Fold the dough over the top of the pin and lay it in the pie pan carefully.
12. Donʼt worry if the crust needs to be patched together; just paint a little water where it needs to be patched and “glue” on the patch piece.
13. Put the filling in the pie and repeat the process with the other disk.

 
Notes
This recipe will make one double-crust pie or two single-crust pies for 9" pie pans. Leaf lard is available at some butcher shops, farmers markets and also by mail-order. It will take about 5-7 minutes to put the dough together. Minimum chill time is 20 minutes but 1-2 hours is great. After chilling, dough discs may be frozen for up to 1 month. Be Happy and Make Pie!

Serves 2 
​
Meatballs:
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork or sausage meat
2 large eggs
​1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
4 cloves garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon dried garlic

Vegetables:
3 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
Kosher salt and black pepper 8 ounces portobello mushrooms, sliced
2 medium tomatoes, each cut into 6 wedges
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about ½ cup)
2 Tbs parsley, chopped

1. To prepare the meatballs, place the meatball ingredients in a bowl and combine. Divide into eight meatballs-about 4 ounces each. 
2. Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic clove, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and toss all together. Place onto the sheet pan in one layer. Place the meatballs on top. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
4. Sprinkle the feta over the meatballs and vegetables. Serve hot.

Variations: Adjust your protein cooking time as needed.
Try: Thin pork chops-boneless or bone-in, chicken thighs, or sirloin tips.
Red pepper, fennel bulb, leeks, sliced red or yellow onion (cut into 1/2 inch wedges). 
Serving ideas: Serve as is or serve over pasta, baked polenta, or spaghetti squash.

Serves 4-6
 
1 cup basmati rice
2 cups frozen peas
3 large eggs
½ cup fresh herbs, chopped (any combination of-parsley, cilantro, dill, mint, lovage)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

1. Place a trivet and 1 cup of water into the inner pot of a 6-quart electric pressure cooker. You can also use an 8-quart. 
2. Place the rice and 1 cup of water in an oven-proof container and cover with a lid
    or foil. Place the covered container onto the trivet.
3. Place the frozen peas into a separate oven-proof container and cover with a lid or foil. No added 
   water is necessary.  Place this container on top of the rice container.
4. Place the three eggs at the level of the peas. 
5. Close the instant pot, seal the valve, and cook at high pressure for 5 minutes. Release the pressure naturally for 5 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure using Quick Release and 
   remove the cover.
6. Place the eggs in an ice bath for 5 minutes. Remove the shells and quarter each egg.
7. Combine the rice, peas, herbs, and butter in a large bowl. Let the butter melt and stir the ingredients 
   gently. Place the egg slices on top to garnish. 

 
Add Veggies:
Dice red peppers, broccoli, asparagus, and 
marinated artichokes are all delicious additions.
 
Serve Cold:
You can serve this salad cold with your favorite vinaigrette. 

This instant pot recipe is from one of my favorite recipe authors. Explore Urvashi Pitri's website twosleevers.com and cookbooks to find recipes that are easy and always delicious. 
 
Serves 4
1 14- ounce can diced tomatoes
5-6 cloves garlic
1-2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon ground cumin
*1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs (or use breast, bone-in, or whatever works for you. If frozen, add 1-2 minutes to total time)
To finish
4 ounces butter cut into cubes (use coconut oil if dairy free)
4 ounces heavy cream (use full-fat coconut milk if dairy free)
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/4-1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1. Place all ingredients into an Instant Pot in the order listed, EXCEPT for the butter, cream and 1 teaspoon of the garam masala, mixing the sauce well before you place the chicken on top of the sauce. If it's frozen, push it into the sauce a bit so it defrosts better
2. Close the cooker and set for 10 mins on high, and let it release pressure naturally for 10 minutes. After that, release all remaining pressure. 
3. Open up the pot and remove the chicken carefully and set aside.
4. Blend together all the ingredients, preferably using an immersion blender
5. Let the sauce cool just before adding the cut up butter, cream, cilantro, and garam masala and stir until well incorporated. Adding the butter and cream into the boiling sauce will make your sauce very thin. If that happens, just put it in the fridge for a little and let it thicken up. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
6. Take out half the sauce and freeze for later or store in the fridge for 2-3 days
7. Add the chicken back in and heat through. Break it up into smaller pieces if you need but don't shred it.
8. Serve over rice, or zucchini noodles
   meld together and there you go. Add some fresh cilantro on top.

 
*double the amount of chicken if you want because there is plenty of sauce for a double batch! 

This recipe is featured in my cookbook "Beautifully Delicious-Cooking with Herbs, and Edible Flowers". 
Make dessert or breakfast special with these beautiful crepes. Delicate and light, they provide the perfect landing place for fresh fruit, sweetened yogurt, and honey. I use pansy, calendula, violet, rose, bachelor button, and dianthus petals.  

Makes 8 crepes 
 
⅔ cup milk
⅔ cup water
3 eggs
3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1 cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons additional melted butter (for the pan)
1 cup edible flower petals 

Fresh fruit or fruit jam

1. Place milk, water, eggs, and melted butter in a blender and mix until smooth. Add the flour and salt to the blender and mix, scraping down the sides of the jar as needed. The batter will be thin.
2. Heat an 8-inch crepe pan or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, brush very lightly with melted butter. Pour ¼ cup of batter into the pan while tilting it to cover the surface with the batter. If using a 10-inch pan, prepare crepes with 1/3 cup of batter.
3. Sprinkle the batter with flower petals and place whole flowers face up. Cook for 30-45 seconds. Turn crepe over and cook another 30 seconds. Remove the crepe and place on a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining batter. Cooled crepes can be stacked if needed.
4. Fill crepes with jam, sweetened ricotta, chocolate sauce, or fruit. You can drizzle with maple syrup, honey, or other sauce.

 
Variation
 
Herb Crepes with Lemon Yogurt Cream      
Replace the edible flowers with freshly chopped herbs and cook crepes as above. Dill with savory ricotta, cheese, or other savory filling. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Herb options: parsley, chive, basil, dill, tarragon, and cilantro. Add smoked salmon or smoked trout to your crepe for a special brunch dish.

15 Minute Meal Tips

• Keep recipes simple for quick preparation 
• Cut ingredients into smaller pieces 
• Cook with fresh herbs and spice mixes for quick flavor 
• Double and triple recipes for freezing and leftovers
• Buy pre-cut vegetables from freezer section or salad bar
• Keep your knives sharp
• Buy multiple cutting boards
• Cook with wide, shallow pans
• Use cast iron pans for quick thawing frozen ingredients
• Consider owning a crockpot, electric pressure cooker, and an air fryer
• Stock up on quality frozen vegetables
• Keep thin cuts of meat and seafood in the freezer for quick thawing and cooking
• Buy pre-chopped vegetables from the grocery store salad bar
• Collect spice mixes to use for flavorful seasoning 

15 Minute Meal Pantry

The Flavor Builders
Vinegars: red wine, cider, rice, balsamic
Oils:  extra-virgin olive oil, olive oil, coconut, avocado oil, dark sesame oil
soy sauce, Bragg’s aminos
Dijon mustard
avocado mayonaise
dried herbs (thyme, dill, oregano, basil, bay leaf)
curry paste and powder, Fajita and Taco Seasoning
Better Than Bullion- chicken, beef, and vegetable stock
whole and diced canned tomatoes, tomato paste in tube

Vegetables
fresh garlic, onions, red peppers , cherry tomatoes 
baby arugula, baby spinach, red cabbage, kale, sprouts
fresh herbs: basil, cilantro, flat leafed parsley, rosemary
red potatoes, sweet potatoes

Dairy
feta cheese
parmesan cheese
fresh mozzarella
cheddar
butter
full fat plain yogurt
heavy cream

Meats/Poultry
eggs
ground meat-beef, pork, turkey, chicken
thin chicken breast or thighs
thin pork chops, pork tenderloin
sirloin tips
salmon, haddock, scrod
raw shrimp
​
Freezer-quick thaw
frozen shrimp-raw, salmon
sirloin tips, chicken tenders, boneless chicken thighs, pork tenderloin, sausages, ground beef 
berries
petite peas, broccoli

Grains-Starches
quinoa, bulgur, farro
canned beans- cannellini, chick pea, butter beans
pasta- thin cuts or fresh
potatoes-small or cut small

​Servings 6
2 tablespoons olive oil 
2 pounds ground beef
2 cups onions, chopped-about 1 large onion
4 garlic cloves, chopped 
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
½-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper or chipotle powder (for a smokey flavor)  
3 15.5-ounce canned beans, drained and rinsed-red, black or white beans, and garbanzo beans can be mixed 
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes with juice
3-4 cups broth-chicken, beef, or vegetable-Add more or less broth depending on how thick you like your chili. 
2 ounces dark chocolate
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
For serving:
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup sour cream
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 bunch scallion, chopped

1. Heat an 8-quart pot or Dutch oven over medium flame, with olive oil.  Add the ground beef and cook until browned. I like to leave the meat in larger chunks, but you can break it down as it cooks if you like it finer. When fully cooked, remove the ground meat and set aside. Leave 3 tablespoons of fat in the pan.
2. Add the onions and sauté 5 minutes or until the onions are soft. 
3. Add the garlic and spices and cook stirring for 1 minute until fragrant. 
4. Add the beans, tomatoes, broth, and chocolate to the onion mix. Bring the chili to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. To thicken the chili, roughly puree 2 cups of the chili using an immersion or regular blender. Add the puree mix back into the chili along with the cooked beef. Heat to warm through. 
6. To serve, ladle the chili into bowls. Serve with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, and scallions on the side. 

 
Additions: Red peppers, zucchini, butternut squash, mushrooms, shredded chicken.

Makes 3 cups
¼ cup almonds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
1 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp chili powder 
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon fennel seeds
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 tomatoes from 1 can of whole peeled tomatoes
1/3 cup of raisins
1 tablespoon molasses
1 small corn tortilla, torn into pieces
2 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 ounce dark chocolate, 72%
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
 

1. Heat a small sauté pan over medium heat.  Add the almonds and toast, stirring occasionally for 4 minutes or until they begin to brown.  Add the sesame seeds in the pan and cook with the almonds for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally. When cool, place the toasted almonds and sesame seeds into a blender or food processor and process until fine.
   
   
2. Using a large sauté pan, heat the oil and the onion over medium heat. Cook for 5-8 minutes or until onions have softened. 
   
   
3. Add the garlic, chili powder, cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, cumin, coriander, and crushed red pepper. Cook for 3 minutes stirring occasionally.  Add tomato, raisins, molasses and balsamic vinegar. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
   
4. Add the tomato spice mixture, tortilla, and ½ cup of broth to the ground almonds and sesame seeds and process all until pureed.  Return the mixture to the sauté pan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Add the chocolate and stir until melted.  Add the remaining 1-1/2 cups broth.  Reduce the heat to low. Simmer, uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to blend. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot over chicken, fish, pork, or roasted vegetables.  

​6-8 servings
 
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60-70% cacao), chopped, chips are fine to use also
¼ cup strong coffee or espresso
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
3 egg yolks
½ cup heavy cream or whipping cream
3 egg whites
¼ cup sugar
 

1. Using a 4-quart saucepan or double boiler, fill 1/3 of the pan with water.  Bring the water to a gentle simmer.  Place a heatproof bowl on top of the pan, make sure the bowl does not touch the water. Place the chopped chocolate and coffee into the bowl. Melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally to combine. Remove the bowl from the heat.
   
   
2. Beat the soft butter into the melted chocolate.  One by one, beat in the egg yolks.  Set mixture aside to cool.
   
   
3. Place the heavy cream into a separate bowl and whip into soft peaks, set aside. Note: heavy cream will whip quicker when the cream is cold, and the mixing bowl is cold.
   
   
4. In a clean bowl and using clean whisks, whip the egg whites until they form soft peaks.  While beating, sprinkle in the sugar by spoonfuls and continue beating until stiff shining peaks are formed. 
   
   
5. Pour the cooled chocolate mixture down the side of the egg white bowl, and gently fold them together using a rubber spatula.  When almost blended fold in the whipped cream.  

 
Spoon the mousse into an attractive serving bowl, individual cups, or small chocolate cups.  Cover and chill for several hours.  Will keep refrigerated for 2-3 days.