Sara’s Weeknight Meals Season 2

Makes 4 servings Suggested Accompaniment Serve with a Chardonnay Ingredients Four 6-ounce boneless, skinless filets of salmon seasoned with extra virgin olive oil to coat and a liberal sprinkling of salt and pepper Sweet Pea Hummus (recipe below) Crostini (recipe below)… 2 ears of fresh corn shucked, grilled and cut off the cob 4 large handfuls of baby arugula, rinsed and spun dry in a salad spinner ½ cup chopped cucumber 2 tablespoons Moscato vinegar or the juice of a more »

Hand’s-On Time: 30 minutes Total Preparation Time: 1 hour to an hour and a half Ingredients 12 ounces (about 2 cups) 65% cacao dark chocolate, chopped, or chocolate chips 12 ounces (about 2 cups) white chocolate, chopped, or white chocolate chips 35 peppermint candies (about 1 cup crushed) NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT CHILL THE BOTTOM DARK CHOCOLATE LAYER FOR MORE THAN 5 to 8 MINUTES (OR UNTIL IT JUST STARTS TO SET UP) OR THE WHITE CHOCOLATE LAYER WILL NOT … more »

Makes 2 cups Hands-on Time: 10 minutes Total Preparation Time: 20 minutes Ingredients 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crumbled 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 2 cups walnuts Directions… Melt 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter with 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crumbled, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne. Pour this mixture over 2 cups walnuts, tossing to coat them. Bake the nuts on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cook’s Notes You could more »

Makes 96 marshmallows Hands-On Time: 45 minutes Total Preparation Time: 4 hours Ingredients… About 1 cup confectioners’ sugar for dusting 3 (1/4-ounce) packages unflavored gelatin 1/2 cup cold water 2 cups granulated sugar – combined with seeds of 1 – 2 vanilla bean pods 1/2 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup hot water (about 115°F.) 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 large egg whites (at room temp)* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Variations: Add cinnamon, ginger or pumpkin pie spice to confectioners more »

Makes about 10 cups, 6 servings Hands on time: 25 minutes Total preparation time: 40 minutes Suggested Accompaniment Tossed Green Salad Ingredients… 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 6 ounces ham 1 large onion 4 medium celery stalks 1 large green bell pepper 3 garlic cloves 1 tablespoon Creole Seasoning (recipe follows) 1 pound fully cooked smoked andouille sausage Two 15 1/2-ounce cans red kidney beans 6 cups chicken broth 1 Turkish bay leaf 1 1/2 cups cooked white or brown rice more »

Makes about 10 cups, 4 – 6 servings Hands on time: 50 minutes Total preparation time: 60 minutes Suggested Accompaniment Tomato and Frisée Salad Ingredients… 2 pounds yellow summer squash (about 6 medium) 1 large yellow bell pepper 4 medium carrots 1/2 pound Yukon gold potatoes (about 2 medium) 1 medium onion 2 tablespoons unsalted butter Kosher salt 4 cups homemade vegetable or chicken stock, or canned broth Zucchini Crisps (recipe follows) 12 large, fresh basil leaves Freshly ground black more »

Makes 6 1/2 cups, 4 servings Hands-On Time: 20 minutes Total Preparation Time: 30 minutes Suggested Accompaniments Grilled vegetables, drizzled with olive oil and topped with feta Ingredients… 1/4 cup Garlic Croutons (recipe follows, add preparation time) or store-bought garlic-flavored croutons 6-inch piece seedless (English) cucumber 1 large green bell pepper 1 garlic clove 3 cups canned tomato-clam juice, chilled 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar 1 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon more »

Basic Stuffing Makes 8 servings Ingredients… 2 cups onion, chopped 1 cup celery, chopped 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon ground sage 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme 12 cups white bread (or whole wheat bread) (about 1 pound), cut into half inch cubes and toasted in a 400F oven for 5-7 minutes or until slightly golden. 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 1/2 cups chicken or turkey more »

HOW DO YOU DEFROST A TURKEY? It’s best to thaw your turkey in a refrigerator that’s 40 degrees or cooler. A good rule of thumb is to allow 24 hours of thawing time for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. If you’ve run out of time, you can defrost the turkey in a sink filled with cold water. Thaw the turkey breast side down, in its unopened wrapper, in enough cold water to cover it completely. Change the water … more »

Makes 4 servings Hand’s-On Time: 30 minutes Total Preparation Time: 45 minutes Suggested Accompaniments Gingered Spinach Yogurt, tomato. fresh limes and mint Ingredients 1 1/2 lb ground beef 2 cups minced onion 2 tablespoons minced gingerroot 3 cloves garlic minced 1/2 cup cilantro chiffonade 1 large egg 1/2 tablespoon garam masala 2 tablespoons minced green chile pepper 1/2 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper Kosher salt 3 tablespoons canola oil Directions… Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Form into more »

Makes 6 servings Hands-On Time: 20 minutes Total Preparation Time: 1 hour Suggested Accompaniments Fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Fresh Lime Juice Ingredients… 1 lb boneless chicken thighs Kosher salt 3 cups white basmati rice 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock 2 cups coconut milk 4 tablespoons canola oil 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1-inch piece cinnamon stick 3 cloves 2 cup finely chopped white onion 2 tablespoons minced gingerroot 3 cloves garlic minced 1 tablespoon freshly ground coriander seed more »

Makes 6 Servings Hands-On Time: 15 minutes Total Preparation Time: 45 minutes Suggested Accompaniments Basmati Rice Sautéed Zucchini Ingredients… 6 cloves garlic, peeled 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes 2 tablespoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons ground turmeric 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 6 (4-ounce) wild striped bass fillets, skin on and 1 1/2 to 2- inches thick Sea salt 3 tablespoons canola oil 2 white onions, sliced thinly 1 fresh green chile, mild-to-moderately hot, including seeds, such as a Calistan more »

Makes 4 Servings Hands-On Time: 25 Minutes Total Preparation Time: 25 Minutes Ingredients 1 c all-purpose flour 3/4 pound medium sea scallops Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/2 c vegetable oil 1/3 c fresh grapefruit juice 1 small shallot 1 T unseasoned rice vinegar 1/8 t sugar 1 small grapefruit (preferably pink) 2 small heads butter lettuce 1 ripe Hass avocado 20 medium chives or 1 medium scallion, green part only 1/4 c sunflower seeds Directions… 1. Spread more »

Makes 4 Servings Hands-On Time: 40 Minutes Total Preparation Time: 50 Minutes Ingredients… 1 c cherry tomatoes 3 pickled cherry peppers 1/2 seedless(English) cucumber 1 small head iceberg lettuce 1 small onion 5 T extra virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves 3/4 t ground cumin 1/2 t ground coriander 1/4 t cayenne pepper One 15 1/2 oz can chickpeas 1 large egg 2 T well-stirred tahini 1/2 t kosher salt 1 recipe Creamy Garlic Dressing Two Ways 3/4 cup panko more »

Makes 4 Servings Hands-On Time: 30 Minutes Total Preparation Time: 35 Minutes Ingredients 1 pound russet Potatoes (2 medium) 5 T extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper One 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pound beef sirloin steak (about 1 1/2 inches thick) 1 large onion Blue Cheese Dressing (recipe follows) or store bought dressing 5 oz baby spinach (about 8 cups packed) Directions… 1. Scrub and peel the potatoes. Grate using the shredding disc of more »