Vegetarian Nachos

Vegetarian NachosINGREDIENTS: 5.5 ounce bag of Food Should Taste Good or other sturdy chips (super thin ones can break when you pile up the nachos) 6 ounces freshly shredded cheddar cheese 1 avocado 1 medium-sized plum tomato, cut in a 1/4-inch dice juice of 1 lime 1 clove garlic, minced with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup refried beans or mashed black beans DIRECTIONS: Preheat over to 375°F. Scatter the chips in one layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Dollop large spoonfuls of refried beans across the cheese-covered chips. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and oozing. While the cheese is...

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Zucchini Gratin with Salsa Verde

Zucchini Gratin with Salsa VerdeINGREDIENTS: Salsa Verde: 1 teaspoon fresh oregano 1/4 cup coarsely chopped mint 1 cup coarsely chopped parsley 1 small clove garlic 1 anchovy 1/2 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon capers, drained 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt Black pepper to taste Gratin: 2 pounds zucchini 1 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 cup sliced shallot 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon fresh thyme 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese DIRECTIONS: - Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the squash into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Toss the slices in a large bowl with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and let sit for 30...

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Reduced Fat Alfredo Sauce

Reduced Fat Alfredo SauceINGREDIENTS 1  cup 1% low-fat milk  1 1/2 tablespoons butter 1 1/2 tablespoons flour 3  tablespoons Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1  dash pepper DIRECTIONS: Melt butter in sauce pan on stove top with medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour. This will create a yellow paste. Gradually add milk, whisking until incorporated and no lumps are present. Continue to whisk until hot. Usually 3-5 minutes. The longer you cook the base (without the cheese) the thicker the sauce will be. Add Parmesan slowly, again whisking until incorporated. Add crushed garlic...

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Chocolate Peanut Granola Bars

Chocolate Peanut Granola BarsINGREDIENTS: 1 2/3 cup rolled oats (GF certified) 1/3 cup brown rice flour 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup peanuts 1/3 cup honey 1/3 cup peanut butter 1/3 cup brown sugar 6 tbsp butter DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350F. Combine oats, flour, nuts, chocolate in a mixing bowl. Melt the butter in a measuring cup and mix in honey and sugar. Combine it with the dry ingredients and then mix in the peanut butter. Grease a 9x9 baking tray. Press the mixture down in the pan firmly. Bake for 25 minutes. Put it in the fridge and let it cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Makes 12 bars. We made these because Marina really...

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Fava Bean Timbale

Fava Bean Timbale1 cup fresh fava beans - shelled and peeled 1 cup fresh corn kernels 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon (optional) 2 medium cucumbers - peeled, seeded and cubed 1 cup purple cabbage - finely shredded lime 8-10 radishes - cubed handful cilantro leaves 3 tablespoons chives - finely chopped 2 tablespoons sesame seeds - unhulled and optionally toasted zest of 1 orange - optional sea salt and freshly ground black pepper I used raw fava beans in this recipe, but you can also blanch the shelled beans in boiling water for a minute before peeling them. Chop fava beans into 2-3 pieces each. Mix them with corn kernels, tarragon,...

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Lobster Rolls

Lobster RollsINGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon butter, softened 4 hot dog buns or kaiser rolls, split 4 lettuce leaves 1 1/2 pounds cooked and cubed lobster meat 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice 1 dash hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™) 2 green onions, chopped 1 stalk celery, finely chopped salt and pepper to taste 1 pinch dried basil, parsley or tarragon DIRECTIONS: Lightly butter the insides of the buns or rolls and line with lettuce leaves. Set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lime juice, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper until well blended. Mix in the green onion and celery, then lightly mix in the lobster...

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Fresh Cherry + Dark Chocolate Chunk Scones

Fresh Cherry + Dark Chocolate Chunk SconesINGREDIENTS: makes about 16 scones 3 1/4 cups flour 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cups cold butter, cut into pieces 1 cup buttermilk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and chopped 6 ounces high-quality dark chocolate, chopped melted butter for brushing DIRECTIONS:   Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and powder. Using your fingers, a fork or a pastry blender, cut in butter until it forms coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla, just somewhat...

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Raspberry Almond Cake

Raspberry Almond CakeINGREDIENTS: (makes 1-9inch bundt cake) 6 cups almond flour ( I used Honeyville, if you use Bob's Red Mill brand the texture will be slightly more crumbly) 1 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 6 eggs 1 cups ghee, or oil of our choice 3/4 cups honey 2 tsp pure almond extract 1 pint fresh raspberries DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9inch bundt pan. Combine dry ingredients into a bowl. Whisk wet ingredients in a separate bowl then add to dry ingredients until a smooth batter has formed. Gently fold in raspberries into batter and pour into greased pan. Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick or knife comes out clean when inserted...

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Lemon Basil Pizza

Lemon Basil PizzaINGREDIENTS: 1/2-pound of your favorite pizza dough (see notes) About 1-1/2 cups loosely packed, fresh basil leaves, washed and dried 1/4-pound thinly sliced, fresh Mozzarella cheese 1 small Meyer lemon, sliced as thinly as possible 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar Coarse sea salt DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and get either a pizza pan or stone ready to use. Stretch the dough to about an 8-inch round and place it on the pan or stone. (When I use a pan, I like to lightly coat the bottom with olive oil, about 1 tablespoon -- it adds a nice crispness to the crust.) Gently press a single layer...

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Zucchini & Tomato Gratin

Zucchini & Tomato GratinINGREDIENTS: Serves 2 1 1/2 TB olive oil 1 small-medium (about 1/2 lb) zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds 1 very small onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 c tomato sauce 1 1/2 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded 1-2 TB fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Salt and pepper DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375F. Add oil to a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat; when oil is hot, add zucchini slices and sauté until browned on both sides (about 2-3 minutes per side). Transfer zucchini to plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil; turn heat down to low and add onion and garlic. Sauté until onion...

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Four Cheese Baked Skillet Rigatoni

Four Cheese Baked Skillet RigatoniINGREDIENTS: 1 pound mini rigatoni pasta 1 shallot, sliced 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed 1/2 teaspoon olive oil 5 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup flour 2 cups milk 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese 8 ounces freshly grated gruyere cheese 8 ounces freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese 8 ounces freshly grated fontina cheese 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grate cheeses, placing them together in a large bowl. Boil water and prepare pasta according to directions, cooking for 3-4 minutes less than called-for time. Heat a...

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Chicken and Mango Kebabs

Chicken and Mango KebabsINGREDIENTS: 6 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup fresh lime juice Zest of 1 lime 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch cubes 3 ripe but firm mangoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes DIRECTIONS: Whisk the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt and sugar together in a large bowl. Add the chicken cubes and the mango pieces and toss to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (400-450 F). Oil the grates lightly...

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Egyptian Lentil Soup

Egyptian Lentil SoupINGREDIENTS: olive oil spray 1 large onion, diced 3 celery ribs, diced 2 large carrots, diced 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon ground hot chili 1/2 teaspoon hot curry powder 2 litres chicken or vegetable stock 1 450g can diced tomatoes 2 cups red lentils Salt and pepper to taste Greek yoghurt Lemon Chives Tin of chickpeas DIRECTIONS:   Spray a light coat of olive oil into a large saucepan, and put it on a medium-high heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots, and garlic and saute until soft, about 10-15 minutes. Add the cumin, coriander, chili powder, and...

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