Cheesy Kale, Sausage, and White Bean Casserole

MMM, this is delicious.

Cheesy Kale, Sausage, and White Bean Casserole

1T olive oil

4 smoked sausage links sliced into 1/2 ” rounds

1 carrot peeled and diced

1/2 c diced yellow onion

1 rib celery diced

1 can white beans rinsed and drained

3 c fresh baby kale

2 T flour

1/4 t salt

1/8 t black pepper

1 c chicken stock

3/4 shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 c panko bread crumbs

 

In a large saute pan heat olive oil over med h high heat. Add sausage, carrot, onion and celery, saute until onion is soft. Add Beans and kale, continue to saute until kale is wilted. Add flour and stir and cook about 2 more minutes. Add stock and bring to a simmer, sauce will thicken, add 1/2 c cheddar cheese and stir until melted.

 

Preheat oven to 350

Pour mixture into a baking dish, top with panko and remaining cheese.

 

Bake for 30 minutes.

Slow Cooker Chicken with Tomatoes, Olives and Peppers

 

This is a fairly light dinner made in the crock pot with lots of deep flavors.

Slow Cooker Chicken with Tomatoes, Olives and Peppers

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 large can crushed tomatoes

2 green bell peppers sliced thinly

1 onion sliced thinly

3.5 oz large green olives about 1/2 c ( I used Sicilian spiced)

2 T brine from olives

1/4 t red pepper flakes

1 t Italian seasoning

1/4 c white wine (optional)

1 T lemon juice

Add all ingredients to a crock pot, cook on low for 6 hours, serve over noodles or rice.

Mediterranean Layered Dip

 

Everyone has had 7 layer dip and its delicious, here is a little twist, same idea but Mediterranean flavors. Make this as easy or as difficult as you want, use store bought ingredients or make your own Hummus and Tzatziki Sauce.

On a large plate or shallow bowl layer the following ingredients or be creative and add your favorites, anything goes.

Hummus

Tzatziki sauce or Greek Yogurt

Chopped Tomatoes

Chopped Kalamata Olives

Chopped Pepppadew Peppers or Roasted Red Peppers

Crumbled Feta Cheese

Chopped Fresh Parsley or Oregano

Lemon Zest

Serve with Pita, Celery or Pretzel Crisps

 

Other ideas, Pine Nuts, Roasted garlic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Tabouli

 

 

Peach and Cream Muffins

My good friend just brought me back a bunch of delicious peaches from Georgia and I wanted to use them before they started to go bad. I made these yummy muffins which are great for breakfasts, snacks or dessert.

Preheat oven to 375

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 white sugar

1T baking powder

Pinch of salt

(Whisk these ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.)

1/2 c of melted butter (cooled slightly)

1c heavy cream

1/4c water

2 large eggs

1/2 of pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 c of fresh peaches peeled and diced

In a bowl whisk together melted butter, cream, eggs, water and vanilla. Get your dry ingredients  and mix together in a large bowl and then make a small”well” in the middle, pour in the wet ingredients and stir by hand until incorporated but not over mixed (there may be some lumps). Add peaches and mix gently. Divide batter into 12 large muffin tins or 18 for smaller snack sized muffins, bake until golden brown about 20-25 minutes (check by inserting a toothpick into the muffin, it should come out clean)

Fig, Pistachio, and Goat Cheese TOasts

 

I love figs, I didn’t used to. I thought all figs tasted like Fig Newtons. Then I tried a fresh fig, delicious, juicy and just the right amount of sweetness to be the perfect accompaniment to any kind of cheese. Unfortunately they are hard to find around here so when I do I buy some. I found them at Fresh Market the other day and made this delicious appetizer. I would also be great with a salad for a light, vegetarian dinner or lunch.

1 loaf French Bread

6 figs sliced into 1/4 ‘ pieces

1 c crumbled goat cheese

1/3 c pistachios crushed

2-3 T olive oil

2 T honey

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, slice the bread in half horizontally. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle or brush with olive oil, sprinkle on the goat cheese and then place the figs on top and sprinkle with pistachios. Place in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes 0r until cheese starts to melt. remove from oven and drizzle with honey. Cut into slices for appetizers or halves for meal portions.

 

Mexican Corn Salad

A smokey, sweet, fresh and zesty side to go with steaks or grilled chicken.

Mexican Corn Salad

5 ears of fresh corn on the cob,husks and silk removed

1 T olive oil

1/4 c crema ( a mexican sour cream found in the dairy section) or 3 T sour cream and 1 T mayo

1/4 t smoked paprika

zest of 1 lime

juice of 1 lime

1/2 cup crumbled Queso Fresco ( mexican crumbling cheese) you could substitute Parmesan or Feta but use less as they are stronger cheeses

1 T chopped parsley or cilantro

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 Drizzle olive oil over corn and rub in ensuring all sides are coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. roast for about 20 minutes or until corn starts to char.

Let corn cool so you are able to handle it and remove niblets from cob with a sharp knife. Mix together with remaining ingredients, season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.

* you could grill the corn as well, that was my intention before it started pouring down rain.

Red White and Blue: Berry Basil Sangria

This is a light and refreshing sangria that is perfect for summer and the festive colors make it the go to drink for the 4th of July. Want to make a pitcher for the kids, substitute the wine with white grape juice.

1  1.5 liter bottle of Pinot Grigio

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1/4 c basil

1 c white grape juice

1 c strawberries washed and cut into quarters

1 cup blueberries

1/2 liter club soda

Place Strawberries and blueberries in a large pitcher, cover with 1 cup of wine and place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour- overnight.

In a small sauce pan add sugar, water and 4 large basil leaves. bring to a boil and stir until sugar dissolves and then turn off heat and let cool. This is a basil simple syrup. It is great for many mixed drinks. I like it with Gin and tonics.

Add 1/2 basil simple syrup (straining the leaves out) the rest of the wine, grape juice, and club soda to the pitcher with the fruit.  Taste and add more simple syrup if needed ( This will depend on your tastes and the sweetness of your wine) Add some more fresh basil leaves. Serve over ice. Garnish with more basil and fruit if desired.