Loaded Potato Soup

Yield: 
4 servings (serving size: about 1 1/4 cups)

Recipe Time:
Hands-On:  20 Minutes
Total:  20 Minutes

Nutritional Information

Calories 325
Fat 11.1 g
Satfat 5.2 g
Monofat 4.5 g
Polyfat 0.8 g
Protein 13.2 g
Carbohydrate 43.8 g
Fiber 3 g
Cholesterol 27 mg
Iron 1.3 mg
Sodium 670 mg
Calcium 261 mg




Ingredients
4 (6-ounce) red potatoes
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup prechopped onion
1 1/4 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 bacon slices, halved
1.5 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/3 cup)
4 teaspoons thinly sliced green onions

Preparation

1. Pierce potatoes with a fork. Microwave on HIGH 13 minutes or until tender. Cut in half; cool slightly.

2. While potatoes cook, heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add broth. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk; add to pan with 1 1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; stir often. Cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream, salt, and pepper.

3. Arrange bacon on a paper towel on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a paper towel; microwave on HIGH for 4 minutes. Crumble bacon.

4. Discard potato skins. Coarsely mash potatoes into soup. Top with cheese, green onions, and bacon.

Standing Rib Roast with Cabernet au Jus

Total Time:2 hr 40 min
Prep:30 min
Cook:2 hr 10 min
Yield:6 to 9 servings








Ingredients
1 (3-rib) prime rib beef roast, about 6 pounds
5 garlic cloves, smashed
Fresh rosemary and thyme, roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Olive oil
2 carrots, cut in chunks
2 potatoes, peeled and cut in chunks
1 onion, cut in half
2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinch sugar
1/4 cup water or beef drippings
2 tablespoons chopped parsl

Directions
Buying and trimming: When ordering the rib roast from a butcher, be sure to request a "top choice" roast cut from the small loin end; the best being ribs 12 through 10. Have the butcher cut off the chine/backbone. The rib bones look best if they are shortened and frenched, have the butcher do this for you as well.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place the roast, rib side down, in a large roasting pan. In a small bowl mash together garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil to make a paste. Smear the paste generously over the entire roast. Scatter the vegetables around the meat and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or approximately 20 minutes per pound for medium-rare. Check the internal temperature of the roast in several places with an instant-read thermometer, it should register 120 to 125 degrees F. for medium rare.

Remove the beef to a carving board and allow to rest for 20 minutes to let the juices settle. Note: the internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise about 10 degrees. Remove the vegetables and set aside. Pour the pan juices into a fat separator so you can use the broth for the au jus and save the fat for Yorkshire pudding. Place the roasting pan over medium-high heat. Add the cabernet and scrape up the brown bits in the bottom of the pan. Add sugar, water/beef drippings, reserved vegetables and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook until the wine is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Strain the sauce through a sieve to remove the solids before serving.

Main Ingredient: Beef Meat Carrot
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Dish: Roast
Technique: Roasting
Occasion: Holiday
Who's Dining: For A Crowd
Season: Spring

White Bean Dip

Total Time:15 min

Prep:10 min
Cook: 5 min
Yield: 30 servings
Level: Easy

Ingredients

1 (14 ounces) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 clove garlic

1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 sprigs fresh mint leaves

6 sprigs fresh thyme leaves, stripped from stem

Coarse salt and black pepper

3 tablespoons chives, chopped

Directions

Pulse all ingredients except chives in food processor until a smooth paste forms and transfer to a bowl. Serve on bruschetta and garnish with chopped chives.

Main Ingredient: Beans And Legumes

Course:

Appetizer Dinner

Dish: Dip

Occasion: Party

Who's Dining: For A Crowd

Cooking Style: Easy

Season: Fall

Perfect Crispy Potatoes

Total Time:
45 min
Prep:
10 min
Cook:
35 min
Yield:4 servings

Level:Easy



Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 russet potatoes, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large saute pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the potato cubes and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Saute stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Turn the heat up to high, add the water, stir, and cover the pan with a lid. Steam the potatoes until the water evaporates, about 3 or 4 more minutes. (Every 1 to 2 minutes, open the lid long enough to stir the potatoes so they don't stick.) Lower the heat to medium, and saute another 1 to 2 minutes until all traces of water are gone. Toss in the butter and stir to coat the potatoes. Spread the potatoes out on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven until the potatoes are crisp and browned to your liking, about 15 to 25 minutes depending on how dark you want them. Transfer the potatoes to a serving bowl and serve.


Main Ingredient:: Potato
Course:: Lunch Side Dish
Technique:: Roasting
Who's Dining:: For A Family
Cooking:: Style Easy

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup

This Mexican-inspired chicken, tomato, and bean soup practically cooks itself. I pile the ingredients into a slow cooker while I'm off doing far more glamorous things (like working, picking up dry cleaning, or dropping off a forgotten lunch at school!). My weekday cheat is to use tortilla chips instead of fresh tortillas. My favorite kind are the better-for-you baked white tortilla chips with a hint of lime, but any kind will do. If I'm feeling fancy, I'll add cubed avocado and sour cream before serving. If you have leftover cooked rice in the fridge, a spoonful in the soup is a nice touch, and for a less spicy flavor remove the jalapeno seeds and ribs.

HELATHY: This recipe has been choosen by culinary and nutrition experts to meet a set of nutrition standards designed for healthy lifestyle

Nutritional Analysis                    Per Serving
Calories                                                     275
Total Fat                                                    8 g
Saturated Fat                                          4 g
Protein                                                     22 g
Total Carbohydrate                           29 g
Sugar                                                           7 g
Fiber                                                            6 g
Cholestero                                          l56 mg
Sodium                                               364 mg
  

Total Time: 3 hr 10 min
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 3 hr

Yield: 4 servings







Ingredients
3 chicken thighs, skin removed
10 -ounce can diced tomatoes
with green chiles
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups water
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 jalapeno, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Juice of 1/2 lemon
20 tortilla chips
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions
Place the chicken, tomatoes (and juices), beans, broth, water, onion, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, and chili powder in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Uncover the slow cooker and use tongs to remove the chicken from the pot. Once cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and shred, then return the meat to the pot. Stir in the lemon juice. Crumble a few tortilla chips into each bowl and cover with some soup. Serve sprinkled with cilantro and grated cheese.


Main Ingredient:Chicken
Dish:: Soup
Technique:: Slow Cooker
Cooking Style:: Healthy
Nutrition:: Diabetic,Heart Healthy High Fiber Low Calorie Low Cholesterol Low Fat Low Sodium

Pull Apart Graveyard Cupcakes

Although it looks almost like a cake, this graveyard is made up of individual cupcakes, making it a self-serve party option. Just grab your cupcake and go--no knives necessary.

Total Time:
2 hr 35 min
Prep:
1 hr
Inactive:
1 hr 10 min
Cook:
25 min
Yield:24 cupcakes
Level:Advanced







Ingredients
Cupcakes:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup grape jelly
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
12 ounces (3 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup milk

Frosting:
10 ounces (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, spooned and leveled
3 tablespoons milk
10 chocolate sandwich cookies, coarsely crushed

Decorations:
15 large white marshmallows
1/4 cup finely crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (about 3 cookies)
1 tablespoon black or dark green decorating sugar
One 6.4-ounce tube black decorating icing, with tips
5 oval-shaped vanilla and chocolate sandwich cookies
One 7-ounce tube marzipan
3 round lollipops, wrapped
1/4 cup orange decorating sugar
One 6.4-ounce tube green decorating icing, with tips
Seven 8-inch pieces black licorice

Directions
For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 12-cup standard muffin tins with paper cupcake liners.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Warm the grape jelly in the microwave until loosened, 20 to 30 seconds, and whisk until smooth. Set aside.

Beat together the sugar and eggs in another medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and foamy, about 2 minutes. While beating, gradually pour in the butter and then the vanilla.

While mixing slowly, add half the dry ingredients and then all of the milk. Follow with the rest of the dry ingredients, taking care not to over mix the batter.

Remove 2 cups of the batter and stir in the grape jelly. Evenly fill the liners about two-thirds full, alternating with yellow and grape batter.

Bake until a tester inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out clean and the tops spring back lightly to the touch, 20 to 22 minutes. Place the pan on a rack to cool for 10 minutes, and then remove the cupcakes to the rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.

For the frosting: Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl until fluffy and combined. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth and fluffy. Beat in the milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting has a nice spreadable consistency. Add the crushed cookies and continue to beat until any large chunks are crushed to smaller bits and the frosting has a speckled, greyish look.

For the decorations: Arrange the cupcakes in 4 rows on a large serving plate or cutting board. Fit a marshmallow between each cupcake, 5 marshmallows per row, to fill in the gaps between the cupcakes. Spread the frosting over the whole rectangle so it looks like one cake. Sprinkle with the cookie crumbs and black decorating sugar.

To make the tombstones: Use the black decorating icing and a small round tip to write "RIP" or other one-word epitaphs on the top half of the oval sandwich cookies and stick into the cupcakes randomly around the graveyard.

To make the ghosts: Remove two-thirds of the tube of marzipan and place between 2 sheets of wax paper or parchment. Roll about 1/8-inch thick and cut into 3 rounds using a 4-inch biscuit cutter. You may need to gather and reroll the scraps for all 3 rounds. Drape over the wrapped lollipops and stick into the cupcakes around the tombstone. Using the black decorating icing and the same round tip, dot eyes and a mouth on the ghosts.

To make the pumpkins and leaves: Divide the remaining marzipan into 4 small pieces and roll each into a ball. Roll in the orange sugar until coated and place around the graveyard. Use the black icing to pipe a small stem. Fit the tube of green decorating icing with a leaf or ribbon tip to dot bits of green grass poking through the dirt around the graveyard and pumpkins.

To make a border: Use 6 pieces of the licorice, trimming to fit, to make a border around the cake, leaving the middle of the front side open. Bend the seventh piece into an upside down "U" and stick into 2 cupcakes in the front to make an arched gateway.

Cook's Note: If your decorating icing does not come with tips, you can squeeze some icing into a small plastic bag or piping bag fitted with a small round metal tip or a small metal leaf or ribbon tip.

Main Ingredient: Chocolate
Course: Dessert
Dish: Cupcake
Technique: Baking
Occasion: Halloween

Baked Ziti

Total Time:
1 hr 45 min
Prep:
30 min
Inactive:
5 min
Cook:
1 hr 10 min
Yield:12 servings
Level:Easy






Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, diced
1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
Two 14.5-ounce cans tomato sauce or marinara sauce
One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes with juice
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ziti
1 1/2 pounds mozzarella, grated
One 15-ounce tub whole-milk ricotta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for sprinkling
2 eggs

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and saute until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and cook until browned. Drain off almost all of the fat, leaving a bit behind for flavor and moisture. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper. Stir, bring to a simmer and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove 3 to 4 cups of the cooked sauce to a bowl to cool down.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add some salt. Cook the ziti until not quite al dente.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a bowl, mix 2 cups of the grated mozzarella, the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, eggs and some salt and pepper. Stir together just a couple of times (do not mix completely).

Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Pour it into the bowl with the cheese mixture and toss to slightly combine (there should still be large lumps). Add the cooled reserved meat sauce and toss to combine.

Add half the coated pasta to a large casserole dish or lasagna dish. Spoon half of the remaining sauce over the top, then top with half the remaining mozzarella. Repeat with another layer of the coated pasta and the remaining sauce and mozzarella.

Bake until bubbling, about 20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before sprinkling with chopped parsley to serve.

Main Ingredient:Cheese Tomato

Course:Dinner Main Dish

Dish:Pasta Dishes

Technique: Baking

Healthy Marbled Banana Bread

Save your ripe bananas for this chocolaty cake. Melted chocolate swirled into the batter gives you chocolate in every bite.

Total Time:
2 hr 15 min
Prep:
15 min
Inactive:
1 hr 15 min
Cook:
45 min
Yield:12 servings
Level:Easy





Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting the pan
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 medium very ripe bananas
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly mist a 9-by-5-inch metal loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust well with all-purpose flour to cover the pan completely, tapping out the excess.

Put the chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth, 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds. Set aside to cool slightly while preparing the batter.

Combine the bananas and sugar in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork until mostly smooth with just a few small pieces of banana left. Add the oil and eggs and stir until combined. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix in both flours, the baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in the buttermilk and vanilla.

Stir 1 cup batter into the melted chocolate. Fill the loaf pan with half the banana batter and then half the chocolate batter. Repeat the layers and gently swirl together using a spoon or knife. Bake until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

Cool in the pan 15 minutes, and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.


Cook's Note: To prepare your loaf pan for baking, you can also use a nonstick spray with flour already in it. Flouring the pan helps the bread rise well and prevents any collapse after it comes out of the oven.

Main Ingredient: Banana Chocolate

Course:Dessert

Technique: Baking

Cooking Style: Healthy

Nutrition: Diabetic Heart Healthy Low Calorie Low Cholesterol Low Fat Low Sodium

Mac and Cheese Grilled Cheese with Bacon Two Ways

Total Time:
1 hr 55 min
Prep:
15 min
Inactive:
1 hr
Cook:
40 min
Yield:4 servings
Level:Intermediate






Ingredients
4 cups Easy Mac and Cheese, recipe follows
8 slices country white bread, buttered
4 slices American cheese
8 slices thick-cut smoked bacon, cooked
2 Roma tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch slices, optional
Hot sauce, such as Frank's, optional

Easy Mac and Cheese:
8 ounces elbow macaroni
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
8 ounce processed cheese, such as Velveeta
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp yellow Cheddar
Splash hot sauce, or pinch of cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Evenly spread the Easy Mac and Cheese in an 8-inch square baking dish. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Cut the mac and cheese into 4 equal-size squares.

Preheat a griddle over medium-low heat. Place each mac and cheese square on a slice of bread, top with 1 slice American cheese and 2 slices bacon. Top with a second piece of bread and griddle the sandwich until golden and warm, about 4 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Serve.

For the adults, toss the tomatoes in some hot sauce and add on top of the bacon before griddling your sandwich.

Easy Mac and Cheese:
Cook the macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water to al dente and drain.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepot over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir for a couple of minutes, making sure it's free of lumps and the flour taste is cooked out. Stir in the milk, bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the processed cheese and Cheddar until melted, add the hot sauce and fold in the macaroni. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Main Ingredient:: Bacon Cheese
Course:: Main Dish
Dish:: Macaroni And Cheese
Cuisine:: American

Italian Meatball Meatloaf Sandwiches

Total Time:
1 hr 30 min
Prep:
30 min
Cook:
1 hr
Yield:8 servings
Level:Easy





Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef, pork and veal (a meatloaf mix)
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Three 1-inch slices good-quality stale white bread
Milk, for soaking bread
2 eggs
A couple handfuls grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
1/4 cup grated onion
3 to 4 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
Olive oil cooking spray
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons store-bought balsamic drizzle (or reduce 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in a small pot to about 2 tablespoons of drizzle)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Chicken stock, for warming
Italian-American crusty white bread, for serving
Toppings: lettuce, tomato, red onion, thinly sliced fresh mozzarella and torn fresh basil leaves

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the meat in a mixing bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Trim the crusts off the bread and place in a small bowl, cover with milk and soak to soften. Squeeze the milk from the bread and crumble as you add it to the meat. Then add the eggs, cheese, parsley, grated onion and garlic, and mix to combine. Form into a loaf about 4 inches high and put on the baking sheet. Spray with olive oil.

Mix the ketchup with the balsamic drizzle and Worcestershire. Season with pepper. Spread about 1/3 cup of the ketchup mixture over the top of the meatloaf. Bake until cooked through, about 1 hour.

To reheat, slice the meatloaf 1 1/2 inches thick and put in a pot of warmed chicken stock. Serve the meatloaf hot or cold on thick-sliced Italian white bread with the remaining ketchup mixture and the lettuce, tomato, onions, mozzarella and basil.


Main Ingredient: Pork Veal
Course: Dinner Main Dish
Dish: Sandwich
Technique: Baking
Cooking Style: Make Ahead

Hoagie Dip

Total Time:
25 min
Prep:
25 min
Yield:8 servings
Level:Easy





Ingredients
1 medium onion
2 pickled pepperoncini peppers
1/2 head iceberg lettuce
1 large tomato, halved and seeded
1/4 pound deli-sliced genoa salami
1/4 pound deli-sliced ham
1/4 pound deli-sliced prosciutto
1/4 pound deli-sliced roast turkey
1/4 pound deli-sliced provolone cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 10 -to-12-inch round loaf Italian bread
8 hoagie rolls, cut into pieces, for dipping

Directions
Chop the onion, pepperoncini, lettuce and tomato into bite-size pieces. Dice the meats and cheese.

Combine the chopped vegetables, meats and cheese in a large bowl. Add the mayonnaise, olive oil, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes and stir until everything is all mixed up and tasty. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Carve out the center of the bread loaf to make a bowl (don't cut through the bottom) and cut the scraps into bite-size pieces. Serve the hoagie dip in the bread bowl, with the extra bread and hoagie rolls to scoop it up. Yummers!


Main Ingredient: Meat Bread Lettuce
Course Appetizer: Dinner
Dish: Dip
Who's Dining: For A Crowd

Grilled Sausage with Spicy Sauce

Total Time:
38 min
Prep:
10 min
Inactive:
20 min
Cook:
8 min
Yield:6 servings
Level:Easy




Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 pounds good-quality kielbasa or other smoked sausage, cut into bite-size pieces
3/4 cup ketchup
3/4 cup spicy brown mustard

1 tablespoon hot sauce


Directions
Soak 8 to 10 wooden skewers in water for about 20 minutes.

Preheat a grill to medium and brush with the oil. Thread the sausage onto the skewers, leaving space between each piece. Grill until slightly crisp, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Mix the ketchup, mustard and hot sauce in a bowl. Serve with the sausage for dipping.

Serve this dish with Tangy Corn Relish.


Main Ingredient Sausage
Course Appetizer Dinner
Technique Grilling
Who's Dining For A Family

Cooking Style Easy

Warm Artichoke and Bacon Dip

Total Time:
45 min
Prep:
10 min
Cook:
35 min
Yield:6 to 8 servings
Level:Easy





Ingredients

Pita Chips:
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 to 4 pita breads
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Dip:
Butter, for greasing the baking dish
5 strips thick-cut bacon
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, optional
2 shallots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
One 8-ounce bag frozen artichokes, thawed
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups (16 ounces) mascarpone cheese
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)


Directions
For the pita chips: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder and cumin. Drizzle the tops of the pita breads with the oil and sprinkle with the spice mixture and salt. Cut each pita bread into 8 wedges and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake until crisp and golden, about 10 minutes.

For the dip: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch round ceramic deep-dish pie pan or a 1-quart baking dish.

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and bacon and cook until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. When cool enough to handle, crumble into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside. In the same skillet, add the oil (if needed), shallots, garlic, artichokes, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat until the shallots are translucent and the artichokes begin to brown, about 8 minutes.

Transfer the vegetables to a food processor. Add the mascarpone cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, 1/2 of the cooked bacon pieces and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Pulse until combined but still chunky. Place the dip in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining bacon pieces. Bake until just warmed through (do not let the dip boil), 10 minutes. Serve the pita chips alongside.



Main Ingredient Artichoke Bacon


Course Appetizer Snack


Dish Dip


Cooking Style Easy

California Flatbread

Total Time:
40 min
Prep:
15 min
Cook:
25 min
Yield:6 servings
Level:Easy








Ingredients
4 slices bacon, chopped
3 plum tomatoes, sliced
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
1 pound store-bought pizza dough, at room temperature
6 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups radish sprouts
3 cups baby arugula
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions
Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Add the tomatoes to the drippings in the pan and cook, turning once, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes.

Brush a large rimmed baking sheet with olive oil. Stretch the pizza dough to fit the pan (if the dough shrinks back, let it rest a few minutes before continuing). Prick the dough all over with a fork. Top with the tomatoes, reserving the bacon drippings. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

Remove the flatbread from the oven; top with the goat cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Toss the sprouts and arugula with 1/2 tablespoon of the reserved bacon drippings (rewarm, if necessary), the lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Top the flatbread with the greens and bacon.

• Main Ingredient
 
• Bacon

Whole-Wheat Cherry Tomato and Zucchini Pan Pizza

This healthy, vegetarian pizza is high in protein and loaded with vitamin C, calcium, iron and fiber. Cut up into smaller pieces, it's perfect[ as a healthy hors d'oeuvre].

Prep:
15 min
Cook:
30 min
Yield:One 9x13 pan pizza
Level:Intermediate


Ingredients
1 medium zucchini, sliced 1/16 inch thick (about 8 ounces)
Kosher salt
Cooking spray
One 1-pound ball 100% Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough (recipe follows)
White whole-wheat flour, for work surface
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
1 pint ripe cherry tomatoes, halved
8 pitted kalamata olives, quartered lengthwise
1/4 cup crumbled feta
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
8 basil leaves, torn

100% Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough:
We love using white whole-wheat flour. It's lighter in color and milder in flavor than its regular whole-wheat cousin (a red wheat variety), which can be denser and harsher. Both flours are almost the same, nutritionally; our pizza dough has about 9 grams of fiber per serving. Be sure to check out our Cook's Note, below, a tip on making quick pizza for rushed weeknight dinners.
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (100 to 110 degrees F)
1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 cups white whole-wheat flour, plus more for kneading
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil


Directions
#Set a pizza stone or baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F. Toss the zucchini with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl and let sit.

#Spray the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch metal pan with cooking spray. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and start pressing it into a rectangular shape. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it evenly all the way to the edges. Place the pan on the hot pizza stone and partially bake for about 10 minutes. The bottom should be lightly golden brown and crisp.

#Remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle the crust with the mozzarella in an even layer. Pat-dry the zucchini and shingle the rounds in a single layer over the mozzarella. Spray the cherry tomatoes with cooking spray and toss with 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl, then top the zucchini layer with the tomatoes, olives and feta. Drizzle all over with the olive oil.

#Return the pizza to the oven and bake until the bottom is deep golden brown and the cherry tomatoes have wilted, 18 to 20 minutes,

#Top with torn basil leaves. Cut into 8 squares.

#Per serving (2 squares): Calories: 470; Fat: 17 g (Saturated: 6 g); Cholesterol: 30mg; Sodium: 980 mg; Carbohydrate: 58 g; Fiber: 11 g; Protein: 21 g; Sugar: 5 g


100% Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough:
#Stir together the warm water, honey and yeast in a measuring cup or small bowl. Let sit until a small layer of foam develops at the top, 3 to 5 minutes. (If this doesn't happen, discard and try again with new yeast.)

#Whisk the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl. Add the foamy yeast mixture and olive oil and mix together with a stiff rubber spatula. Form the dough into a uniform ball in the center of the bowl. Be sure to scrape and use any dough stuck to the sides. The dough will be very sticky at this stage. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and keep in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, about 2 hours.

#Lightly dust a baking sheet with flour. Sprinkle a generous amount of flour on a clean, dry work surface. Scrape the dough onto the floured surface and knead for a couple of minutes, working in just enough flour to make the dough less sticky but still moist to the touch. Form the dough into 1, 2 or 4 balls, for large, medium and small pizzas. Place the dough ball(s) on the prepared baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or a dish towel and let rest for 30 minutes. The dough can then be shaped and cooked as desired or wrapped well and frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw frozen dough at room temperature, shape and cook as desired.

Yield: 1 pound pizza dough (serves 4)

Per serving (1/4 pound): Calories: 290; Fat: 5 g (Saturated: 0.5 g); Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 260 mg; Carbohydrate: 50 g; Fiber: 9 g; Protein: 10 g; Sugar: 1 g

NOTE::Keep parbaked pizza shells on hand for quick weeknight meals. Roll the dough balls into rounds and bake on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet at 500 degrees F for about 10 minutes for a softer crust, about 15 minutes for a crisper crust. Remove and let cool. Wrap the pizza shells well and freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, add your favorite toppings to the frozen pizza shell and bake on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet at 500 degrees F until hot.

Beef Tenderloin in Salt Crust

Total Time: 5 hr 40 min

Prep:          25 min

Inactive:     4 hr 35 min

Cook:         40 min

Yield:         10 to 12 servings

Level:         Intermediate

Ingredients

5 cups all-purpose flour

3 cups kosher salt

3 tablespoons fresh ground black pepper

5 egg whites

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs ( parsley, thyme, and/or sage)

1 (6 to 7-pound) whole beef tenderloin, trimmed

1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Place the flour, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites and water and add to the dry ingredients along with 2 tablespoons of the herbs. Combine with a potato masher until the mixture begins to come together. Then knead with your hands for 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large zip-top bag, seal, and let stand at room temperature for 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.

Transfer dough to a floured surface and roll out to 3/16-inch thickness, approximately a 24 by 18-inch rectangle. Trim away extra dough, if necessary. Sprinkle the remaining herbs on the center section of the dough and gently press down.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In order to achieve uniform cooking, fold over slender tail end of tenderloin and tie with kitchen twine. Set a large electric griddle at its highest setting; brush the tenderloin with the olive oil and sear on all sides until well browned, approximately 10 minutes. Rest the meat for at least 5 minutes or until it is cool to the touch so as not to melt the dough.

Place the tenderloin in the center of the dough. Fold top part of dough over, flipping back about 1-inch of dough onto itself. Repeat with the bottom half of the dough. Press together the 2 flaps of dough and seal. Make sure the dough is not too tight around the tenderloin. At the ends of the tenderloin, press together dough to form a seal and cut away any excess. Transfer to a sheet pan, place in the oven and roast to an internal temperature of 125 degrees F, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. The tenderloin will continue to cook 10 to 15 degrees more. Cut salt crust at 1 end and extract meat by pulling out of dough tube. Slice and serve immediately.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Basil-Curry Mayonnaise

Total Time:

1 hr 8 min

Prep:

8 min

Inactive:

20 min

Cook:

40 min

Yield:6 to 8 servings

Level:Easy

    

Ingredients:Beef

Vegetable oil cooking spray

2 teaspoons cumin seeds

2 teaspoons coriander seeds

3 cloves garlic

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus 2 teaspoons

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 (3 1/2 to 4-pound) beef tenderloin, trimmed

Mayonnaise:

1 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup mascarpone cheese, at room temperature

1/3 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves

1 tablespoon curry powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprikaKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

For the beef: Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a heavy baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray. Set aside.

In a mortar and pestle, or spice grinder, finely grind the cumin seeds and coriander seeds. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the spices and cook for a few seconds until aromatic and toasted. Put the spices in a small bowl. Chop the garlic on a cutting board and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Holding a chef's knife at a 45 degrees angle, scrape the garlic and salt together to form a paste. Add the garlic paste to the bowl with the spices. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons salt, black pepper, and oil and stir until smooth. Put the meat on the prepared baking sheet and rub with the spice mixture. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 125 

degrees F, for medium-rare. Remove from the oven and transfer the meat to a cutting board. Cover the meat loosely with foil and let rest for 20 minutes.

For the mayonnaise: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mascarpone cheese, basil, curry powder, and paprika until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

To serve: Slice the meat into 1/4-inch thick slices and arrange on a platter. Spoon the mayonnaise mixture into a small serving bowl and serve alongside the sliced meat.

Cook's Note: The spices can also be crushed by placing them in a small sealable bag and crushed using a rolling pin or the bottom of a small saucepan.

PAIRS WELL WITH

Cabernet Sauvignon
Rich, intense red wine

Find easy pairings for your favorite recipes, Bobby's perfect picks and party ideas.
Wine 101: Get All the Basics

best chips

The best chips you have ever tasted

The secret of good chips is to cook them twice at two different temperatures, so you will need a deep pan and a thermometer for this recipe.

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, preferably Maris Piper
• sunflower oil, for deep frying

To serve

• flaked sea salt
• malt vinegar

Preparation method

1. Peel the potatoes and cut lengthways into roughly 1cm/½in slices. Cut each slice into fairly thick chips and rinse in a colander under plenty of cold water to remove excess starch. (If you have time, it's worth letting the chips soak in a bowl of cold water for several hours, or overnight.) Pat dry with kitchen paper.
2. Heat a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan half-full of the sunflower oil to 130C. It's important to use a cooking thermometer and check the temperature regularly. Alternatively, use an electric deep-fat fryer heated to 130C. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
   Technique: How to cook chips
   Watch technique1:56 mins
3. Using a large, metal, slotted spoon, gently lower half the chips into the hot oil and stir carefully. Fry for ten minutes, or until cooked through but not browned.
4. Remove the chips from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on plenty of kitchen paper. Repeat the process with the remaining chips. (The chips can be left for several hours at this stage.)
5. When ready to serve, reheat the oil to 190C. With a slotted spoon, lower all the par-cooked chips gently into the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until crisp and golden-brown. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
6. Tip into a serving dish and sprinkle with salt and vinegar to serve.