Monday, February 25, 2008

Pasta with Sicilian Salsa Verde

Original recipe from Bon Appetit.

1/4 14.5-ounce package multi-grain spaghetti or whole wheat pasta
1/2 cup coarsely chopped Italian parsley
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons drained capers
1 can anchovy fillets
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 garlic cloves, chopped, divided
3 cups thinly sliced savoy cabbage
1/4 12-ounce bag frozen haricots verts (slender green beans), thawed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, puree parsley, 2 tablespoons oil, capers, anchovies,
crushed red pepper and 1/3 of chopped garlic in mini processor.

Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cabbage; sauté until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add haricots verts and remaining garlic; toss 1 minute. Add cheese, pasta, and 1/4 cup pasta cooking liquid, then parsley mixture from processor. Toss until sauce coats pasta, adding more pasta cooking liquid if dry, about 2 minutes. Serve.

Makes 2 servings

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Roast Turkey Breast with Zesty Dry Rub

1 whole boneless turkey breast (6 to 7 pounds)

Dry Rub:
2 teaspoons onion salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Gravy:
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Coat large roasting pan with nonstick vegetable-oil cooking spray. Rub turkey breast on all sides with dry rub. Roll the turkey breast up and tie with butcher's twine. Place in roasting pan.

Roast turkey in the oven for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on instant-read thermometer. Remove turkey to a warm place; let stand 10 minutes.

Gravy: Pour off all but 2 tablespoons drippings from roasting pan. Sprinkle flour over bottom of roasting pan; cook over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits from bottom of pan, for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth; cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Strain gravy through sieve into gravy boat; keep warm.

Cut off each 1/2 of the turkey breast from the bone. Wrap one 1/2 and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 4 months, for later use. Slice other 1/2 of turkey breast and serve with the gravy, and mashed potatoes, if desired.