STILL PICKING A POPE Panzanella Salad

Nothing but black smoke to report today.

STILL PICKING A POPE
Panzanella Salad
Makes 8 (1 cup) servings

It's worth it to take your time when making important decisions or preparing a great salad.  I've added an extra step to toast the bread, rub it with garlic and brush it with oil -- this keeps the bread crunchy and improves the overall experience of this classic Italian salad.

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper1/2 lb. Italian or French bread, sliced 3/4" thick
1 clove garlic
2 large tomatoes, cut into 1” pieces (4 cups)
1 cucumber, peeled, halved and sliced
2 yellow peppers, roasted, sliced
Small red onion, peeled, quartered, sliced
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped

Heat oven to 400˚F.  Reserve 1 Tbsp. oil.  Mix remaining oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.

Place bread on baking sheet.  Bake 5-6 min. on each side or until crisp and golden brown around edges.  Cool 5 min.  Cut garlic on diagonal at one end.  Rub bread slices with garlic.  Brush bread with reserved oil.  Cut into 1-inch cubes.

Gently toss bread and vegetables with dressing in large bowl.

 

 

 

 

Papal Maple Cookies

Let the conclave begin!

Papal Maple Cookies


Create some excitement with this tender cookie that's both sweet and salty.

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus extra in small bowl for flattening cookies)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp. water
Additional Kosher salt for sprinkling

HEAT oven to 375°F.

BEAT butter, sugar and vanilla 3 min. or until light and fluffy. Add combined flour and salt; beat until combined.

SCOOP 1 Tbsp. portions of dough 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Dip flat-bottomed glass into bowl of sugar. Flatten cookies, one by one, dipping glass into sugar each time.

BAKE 12-13 min. or until bottom and edges are brown. Cool on baking sheet 1 min. before removing with spatula to wire racks.

MIX powdered sugar, maple syrup and water. Working quickly, brush onto cookies and sprinkle lightly with Kosher salt.

Tip:
I use #70 cookie scoop.

Inaugural Merriments Blueberry Muffins

Inaugural Merriments Blueberry

 

Muffins

 

Makes 12 muffins

 

A delicious, healthy snack that the First

 

Lady would approve of.

                                 

1 c flour

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

1/2 c. whole wheat flour

2/3 c. sugar, divided

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 cup OJ

1/2 cup canola oil

1 container (6 oz.) vanilla-flavor

Greek yogurt

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. fresh orange zest 

1 cup fresh blueberries

1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

 

 

Heat oven to 400ºF.  Spray 12 cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Mix flour, oats, whole wheat flour, ½ cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda

and salt in large bowl.

 

In separate medium bowl whisk orange juice, oil, yogurt, egg and zest.  Add to

dry ingredients with blueberries and stir just until moistened.  Spoon evenly

into prepared pan.  Combine remaining sugar with nutmeg; sprinkle evenly

over tops of muffins.

 

Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

 

 

 

Maverick Meatloaf

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/us/obama-expected-to-select-hagel-for-defense-post.html?ref=politics&_r=0

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/09/opinion/chuck-hagel-under-attack-in-vietnam-and-on-capitol-hill.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0

When McCain was labeled a maverick, it was a good thing.  Now, not so much.  Hagel apologized for the gay remarks and he is clearly not anti-Semitic.  The only thing he hates is WAR, because the man has had combat experience.  I think we should support his nomination.

Maverick Meatloaf
Makes 10 servings

It's gutsy making meatloaf with so much garlic, but this lean meatloaf slices beautifully and tastes just as good the next day on a toasted bun.

1-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 lb. lean ground pork
2 eggs
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped parsley
5 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Mix all ingredients in large bowl.  Shape into loaf in foil-lined pan.

Bake 1 hour or until done (160˚F).  Let rest 10 minutes, loosely covered with foil, before slicing.

Leftover idea:
Serve cold meatloaf, thinly sliced, on toasted Kaiser rolls with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and onion.

NO CONTROVERSY Slow-Cooked Chicken with Pan Gravy

http://www.sj-r.com/thedome/x1665856929/Illinois-Senate-committee-approves-bans-on-guns-clips
 
 Attention:

• people who sleep with handguns under their pillows for safety
• people who are passionate about thte 2nd amendment in case they need to overthrow a tyrannical government
• hunters

NOBODY is going to take away your pistols, handguns or rifles in Illinois.

House Bill 1263 bans the possession and sale of semi-automatic assault weapons
House Bill 815 bans the possession and sale of large-capacity ammunition magazines

NO CONTROVERSY Slow-Cooked Chicken with Pan Gravy
Makes 6 servings

The best weapon is a great dinner.

1 whole chicken (4 lb.)
1 diced peeled carrot, celery stalk and shallot
5 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
2 sprigs rosemary
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup white wine
1 Tbsp. cold butter (optional)

Rinse chicken with cold water; pat dry.  Sprinkle chicken inside and out with Kosher salt and pepper.  Place in 4 to 6 qt. slow cooker.  Sprinkle with vegetables, garlic and lemon juice.  Tuck rosemary between wings.  Cover.  Cook on HIGH 5 hours (do not open cover or stir during cooking time).

Remove chicken and cover with foil.  Skim fat from pan drippings (see note).  Place defatted drippings in medium skillet.  Bring to a boil and reduce by half.  Stir in cornstarch that has been mixed with the wine.  Continue to cook and stir until thickened.  Stir in butter if desired; keep warm over very low heat.

Cut chicken into serving pieces.  Serve with pan gravy and your favorite starchy side dish, such as mashed potatoes, rice or egg noodles.

Note:
I love this item:  Chefs Essentials Grease Separator, $15.95.
http://www.chefscatalog.com/product/28736-chefs-grease-separator.aspx

COMPROMISE Chunky Chipotle Chicken Chili

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/31/us/politics/obama-accuses-republicans-of-blocking-tax-deal.html?ref=politics&_r=0

 

Hoping that our elected officials can make a deal that we all can live with.

COMPROMISE Chunky Chipotle Chicken Chili

Everyone wins with this recipe:  it’s easy to prepare, it serves a crowd, and it’s healthier than most chili recipes.

Makes 16 (1 cup) servings

1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size chunks

1 onion, finely chopped
1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (28 oz.) tomato sauce
1 can (19 oz. each) black beans and kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen whole kernel corn
4 chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, minced, plus 2 Tbsp. adobo sauce
1 tsp. ground cumin

Place all ingredients in slow cooker.  Cook on HIGH 2 hours, then reduce heat to LOW and cook 3 to 4 hours or until chicken is no longer pink.

Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream and fresh chopped cilantro.

Notes:

For milder chili, use fewer chipotle chilies.
Use reduced fat shredded cheese and sour cream for a healthier dish.  Try no-salt-added diced tomatoes and tomato sauce if you're trying to reduce sodium.

Soul-Searching Spanish Salmon Sauté

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/09/republican-soul-searching-probably-mostly-pointless/

Is it really pointless to search your soul and figure out what's wrong with your agenda?

Soul-Searching Spanish Salmon

Sauté

If you search your soul, you know it's best to eat heart-healthy fish a few times a week.  This is a dish that is not only healthy but delicious.

Makes 4 to 6 servings

2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (10 oz.) mild diced tomatoes with green chilies (Ro*Tel)
1-1/2 lb. salmon fillet (3/4-inch thick), seasoned with salt and pepper
1 fresh lime, halved
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Heat oil in medium skillet on medium-high; add garlic.  Cook 1 minute or until garlic is fragrant.

Add tomatoes; bring to boil.  Add salmon.  Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer 10 minutes or until barely pink in center.  Squeeze half of lime over salmon; sprinkle with cilantro.

Serve salmon with crisp green salad and remaining lime, cut into 4 wedges.

Tip:
If you prefer a spicier dish, use hot diced tomatoes with green chilies, or add 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, seeded and minced, with tomatoes.