Showing posts with label side dishes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label side dishes. Show all posts

Monday, June 30, 2014

Corn Souffle

Ingredients: 5 eggs, whisked 1 can, creamstyle corn 1 can, corn kernels 1 C flour 1 T baking powder salt 1 C cream 1 C milk Preparing the souffle: Stir together all the ingredients. Pour into buttered casserole. Bake 45 to 60 minutes, in moderate oven.

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Fresh Corn Custard

Ingredients: 8 ears of corn (about 4 cups of kernels), kernels cut from the cob Butter, at room temperature, to coat ramekins 3 large eggs, beaten 1 1/2 cups half and half 3 T butter, melted 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, preferably white 1 T minced fresh tarragon Preparing the corn custard: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Fill a tea kettle and bring the water to a boil. Select a baking or roasting pan large enough to hold a 1 1/2 quart souffle dish or 6 8-ounce ramekins. Butter the souffle dish or ramekins. Meanwhile, puree the corn kernels in a food processor. Set a strainer over a large bowl and scrape the pureed corn into the strainer. Use a large heavy wooden spoon to press the corn milk into the bowl, stirring and rubbing the puree to extract as much liquid as possible. Stir the eggs and the half and half into the milk. Add the butter, salt, pepper and tarragon and mix well. Pour the custard into the souffle dish/ramekins and set in the large pan Set in the oven and pour enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the dish. Bake until the custard is just turning golden brown at the edges and the custard is just set. Remove from the oven, transfer to a rack and cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 6

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Chicken with Spinach, Chevre and Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce

Ingredients: 1 garlic bulb 1 T butter extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 thyme sprig 4 bone-in skin-on chicken breasts or 4 large chicken thighs 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half 10 ounces baby spinach leaves 5 ounces fresh chevre 1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted 1 T minced fresh Italian parsley Prepare: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Put the garlic bulb into a small ovenproof container, press the tablespoon of butter on top of the bulb, slowly drizzle about 3 tablespoons of olive oil over it and add enough water to the pan to come up about inch. Season with salt, add the thyme sprig, cover the container and set in the oven. Bake until the garlic is as tender as soft butter. To test, quickly press your thumb into a clove, at its fattest part. If there is plenty of give, the garlic is tender. Remove from the oven and let cool. Increase the heat to 375 degrees F. Brush the chicken all over with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set in a roasting pan and bake until the chicken reaches about 145 to 150 degrees at its thickest part. Remove from the oven, cover with aluminum foil and let rest 10 minutes. While the chicken cooks, pull the garlic from its cooking liquid and set it on a work surface. Pull out the root end and use the heal of your hand to press out all the pulp. Use a fork to mash the pulp into a smooth puree. Pour the cream or half-and-half into a small saucepan set over medium-low heat and whisk in the roasted garlic puree. Heat through, taste and season with salt and pepper. Set aside and keep warm. Pour about cup of the garlic cooking juices into a wok set over medium high heat. Add the spinach and cook, tossing all the while, until the spinach wilts, about 2 to 3 minutes. Use tongs to transfer the spinach to a serving dish or individual plates. Scatter chevre on top of the spinach and set the chicken on top. Taste the sauce, heat through if needed and spoon over the chicken and spinach. Sprinkle the pine nuts on top, if using, add the parsley and a few turns of pepper and serve immediately. Serves 3 to 4

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Saturday, November 23, 2013

Salt-Baked Potatoes

Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups plus 1/8 teaspoon salt 4 russet potatoes, scrubbed and dried 2 sprigs plus 1/4 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary 1 whole head garlic, outer papery skin removed and top quarter of head cut off and discarded 4 teaspoons olive oil 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened Preparing the potatoes: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Spread 21/2 cups salt in even layer in 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Gently nestle potatoes in salt, broad side down, leaving space between potatoes. Add rosemary sprigs and garlic, cut side up, to baking dish. Cover baking dish with foil and crimp edges to tightly seal. Bake 11/4 hours; remove pan from oven. Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees. Carefully remove foil from baking dish. Remove garlic and set aside to cool. Brush exposed portion of each potato with 1 teaspoon oil. Return uncovered baking dish to oven and bake until potatoes are tender when pierced with tip of paring knife and skins are glossy, 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, once garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze root end until cloves slip out of their skins. Using fork, mash garlic, butter, 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (or pinch table salt) and minced rosemary to smooth paste. Remove any clumped salt from potatoes (holding with kitchen towel if necessary), split lengthwise, top with portion of butter, and serve immediately. Serves 4

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Thursday, June 28, 2012

Fried Pickles With Ranch Dressing Dipping Sauce

Ingredients for quick pickle:
2 cups red wine vinegar
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
3/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 red Fresno chile, split in half 6 Kirby cucumbers (about 2 pounds)

  * * * * * *

 Ingredients for coating and frying:
canola oil or peanut oil, for frying
3 cups quick pickles, drained
1 cup flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 cup panko, pulsed in food processor
1 teaspoon dried dill
1 teaspoon garlic powder
kosher salt

 * * * * *

Ingredients for buttermilk ranch dipping sauce:
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 T chopped fresh chives
2 T lemon juice
1 T chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper  

 * * * * * *

Preparing the fried pickles: 
In a large heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan, heat enough oil to cover 1/2-inch of the skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with a wire rack. 

In a large zip-top bag, add the drained Quick Pickles and flour and shake until well coated. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. 

 In a shallow baking dish, add the panko, dill, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt. 

 In batches, dip the floured pickle chips into the eggs and then into the panko, making sure they are fully coated with the seasoned breadcrumbs. 

Place the coated pickles on the prepared baking sheet until all the pickles are coated. 

Working in batches, fry the pickles until they are golden brown, 1 or 2 minutes, turning once. Drain the pickles on a paper towel-lined plate (or another baking sheet lined with a wire rack). 

Sprinkle them with kosher salt as soon as they come out of the oil and serve immediately alongside some dipping sauce. 

In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, mustard seeds, coriander seeds, celery seeds, peppercorns, garlic, chile and 2 cups water and bring the mixture to a boil to dissolve the sugar and salt. 

Using a mandolin, slice the cucumbers 1/4-inch thick and place in a large heat-safe bowl or container. Once the mixture boils, pour the liquid over the sliced cucumbers, making sure the cucumbers are submerged. Let the cucumbers sit in the liquid as it comes to room temperature, for about 20 minutes. Drain the pickles, reserving the liquid. 

Serve as is or fry them. 

 * * * * * *

Preparing the buttermilk ranch dipping sauce: 
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until fully incorporated. Adjust the seasoning. The dressing can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a week.

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Escarole with Garlic and Pine Nuts

Ingredients: 1 head escarole, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds 4 T extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 2 T pine nuts Preparing the escarole: Bring 3 quarts water to a rolling boil. Separate the escarole leaves and rinse thoroughly. Drop leaves into the boiling water and boil, covered, until tender, about 35 minutes When the escarole is tender, drain thoroughly and let dry. In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil until hot but not smoking. Roughly chop the escarole. Add the garlic to the hot pan and saute until the garlic begins to soften and turn a light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the pine nuts and cook until the nuts are lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the escarole and stir until well cooked and very soft, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve. Serves 4

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Saturday, May 5, 2012

Polenta and Peas

Type your summary here. 4 cups water 3 bay leaves 2 sprigs rosemary sea salt 1 cup corn grits 2 T extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 2 leeks, white and light green parts sliced thin, OR 1/2 cup sliced ramp stems (1/2 inch pieces) and 2 cups chopped ramp leaves (1 inch pieces) 1 cup frozen peas black pepper, freshly ground 3 ounces fresh goat cheese Preparing the polenta: Add the water, bay leaves, rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove bay leaves and rosemary, raise heat and return to a boil. Slowly pour the corn grits in, whisking as you go. Continue whisking, once mixture is boiling, lower heat and cook for 20 to 25 minutes or until mixture is thick and creamy. To prevent lumps and the mixture sticking to the pot, whisk every couple of minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and additional salt to taste. Cover pot while you cook the peas and leeks. * * * * * * * Preparing the peas and leeks: In a skillet or frying pan, warm remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add leeks and a pinch of salt and sauté for 3 minutes. Stir in the peas and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes or until leaves are wilted and peas are heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon polenta into a serving dish and spoon the peas and leeks over the polenta. Top with crumbled goat cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Serves 2

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Potato Pea Salad with Tarragon and Mustard Seed

This dish can be served warm or refrigerated. Ingredients: 1 pounds of fingerling potatoes or new potatoes 2 cups fresh peas 1 cup packed Italian parsley 1/4 cup packed tarragon leaves 1 garlic clove 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/8 cup lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 T whole grain mustard 1 T capers 5 scallions 1/2 cup chopped celery lemon zest Preparing the potato salad: Place potatoes in a pan with enough water to cover by about an inch with one tablespoon of sald and cook for 20 minutes or until it's fork tender. In a food processor, pulse parsley, tarragon, garlic until finely chopped. Add olive oil, salt and lemon juice. Pulse a few more times and set aside. In small pot blanch fresh peas 2 minutes, in heavily salted water. Drain potatoes and peas and place both in one large bowl. Add chopped scallions, capers, whole grain mustard and celery. Fold in the parsley and tarragon mixture. Pepper to taste.

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Sunday, April 22, 2012

Potato Pierogis

I like to serve this alongside borscht garnished with fresh dill. Ingredients for pierogi dough: 4 pounds all purpose flour 1 T extra virgin olive oil 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F) nonstick cooking spray * * * * * * Ingredients for mashed potato filling: 2 pounds red potatoes kosher salt 1 stick butter 4 ounces cream cheese 3 ounces sour cream 1 T granulated garlic 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon white pepper 1 pound soft European farmer's cheese milk to thin, if necessary nonstick cooking spray To Serve: 4 ounces olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, julienned and sauteed sour cream 1 ounce clarified butter 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley Preparing the pierogi dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, olive oil, eggs, salt and 2 1/2 cups warm water. Start the mixer on slow for a minute, and then switch to high for another couple of minutes until the dough pulls away from the bowl. Then slow the mixer down to medium speed and slowly add the remaining 1 cup warm water. Once the water is absorbed, return the mixer to high and let the dough beat for 10 minutes. Remove from the bowl. Cut the dough into 4 pieces. Form into balls, spray with nonstick spray, wrap in plastic wrap and let rest in a warmer area for 20 minutes. Spray the counter or large cutting board with the nonstick spray and begin to roll the dough with a rolling pin. Roll until a consistent thickness of 1/4-inch. Then spray with nonstick spray. Use about a 3-inch circle cutter and press down hard and give a slight twist to completely separate from the rest of the dough, continue this throughout the entire piece. Remove the scraps and in-betweens, save, re-ball and re-roll. Then flip the circle cut-outs; they are ready to be stuffed. * * * * * Preparing the mashed potato filling: Boil the red potatoes, leaving the skin on, in a stock pot with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Once the potatoes are soft, drain off the water and place in the mixer bowl with the dough hook or paddle attachment. Add the butter right away so it will start to melt. Then add the cream cheese, sour cream, granulated garlic, onion powder and black and white peppers into the bowl and mix on a medium speed. Mix until smooth and free of all lumps. Add the farmer's cheese and mix on high for a couple minutes until a little fluffy. Season with kosher salt. Loosen with milk, if necessary. Set aside to cool. * * * * * Assembling the pierogis: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Place about 1 teaspoon of the potato and cheese filling in the center of all the cut-outs. Then pick up the dough with two hands and fold over the filling. Slightly pull out both sides at the base of the fold, then continue to pull, then pinch, and form and seal as you continue around the half moon. Double check for any areas that aren't smooth or completely sealed. Repeat. Place on the prepared baking sheet. In a large saucepan bring three-quarters of a gallon of water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a rapid boil. One by one, drop in the pierogis. Par-boil them until they float, about 5 minutes. Then place them back on the baking sheet to let cool. The pierogis can be made ahead to this point. They can be refrigerated or frozen, but bring to room temperature before continuing. * * * * * When ready to serve: Cover the bottom of a saute pan with olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, saute the pierogis; they should sizzle once they hit the oil. After a minute or so, flip them, looking for a golden brown color. Plate with the sauteed onions and a side of sour cream for dipping. Drizzle with the butter and sprinkle with the parsley. Serves 8 to 10

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Roasted Parmesan-Crusted Green Beans

Ingredients: 1 pound haricots verts extra virgin olive oil kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cup grated parmesan Preparing the green beans: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Trim off the tough end of the beans and arrange the beans on a nonstick cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top and bake until the cheese melts and forms a crisp shell over the beans, about 10 minutes. Let the beans sit a few minutes for the cheese to cool slightly. Lift the beans out onto a platter and serve. Serves 4 as a side dish

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Buttermilk Corn Bread

Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, plus more for greasing 2 cups yellow cornmeal 3/4 cup all purpose flour 6 T sugar 1 T baking powder 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/4 cups buttermilk 1/3 cup sour cream 2 large eggs Preparing the cornbread: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch by 9-inch by 2-inch metal baking pan. Blend the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a processor for 5 seconds. Add the butter cubes. Blend until the butter is reduced to tiny pieces, 15 to 20 seconds. Whisk the buttermilk, sour cream and eggs in a large bowl to blend. Add the dry ingredients from the processor and stir until evenly moistened. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the corn bread until the top is golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool the bread on a rack at least 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Grilled Eggplant with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

Ingredients: 1 cup sherry wine vinegar 1/3 cup sugar extra virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 medium eggplants Preparing the eggplant: Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals or heat a gas grill. In a non-corrosive saucepan, reduce the sherry wine vinegar and sugar by boiling rapidly until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. It should be thick and syrupy. Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a small saute pan, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until browned. Slice the eggplants vertically in 12 very thin slices with the skin on. Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and grill them until they are just about to burn, the duration will depend on how hot the grill is. You want some char here, nearly black is good. This can also be done in a skillet. Drizzle the vinegar syrup over the eggplant slices and garnish with the garlic. Serves 4 to 6

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Wheat Berry Salad wth Bacon and Mushrooms

Ingredients: 2 cups wheat berries 3 bay leaves 1 bundle fresh thyme kosher salt 4 ounces slab bacon, cut into lardons extra virgin olive oil 1 red onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice a pinch crushed red pepper 1 sprig fresh rosemary, leaves picked and finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped 1 1/2 pounds assorted mushrooms, sliced (shiitake, cremini or oyster work well) 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup chicken stock 1 bunch fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped Preparing the wheat berry salad: Put the wheat berries in a medium saucepan and toss in the bay leaf and thyme bundle. Fill the pan with water and season abundantly with salt. Bring the water to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the wheat berries until they are soft, 1 hour. Drain the wheat berries and reserve. In a large straight-sided saute pan, render the bacon until almost crispy. Add a few drops of olive oil and add the onions. Season the onions with salt, a pinch of crushed red pepper and the rosemary. Bring the pan to a medium heat and cook the onions for 6 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer. Add the mushrooms and stir to coat with the oil. Season the mushrooms with salt and cook them for 5 to 6 minutes. Add the wine and cook until the wine has reduced by half. Toss in the wheat berries and the chicken stock. Cook until the stock has reduced almost all the way but the salad is not dry. Stir in the parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.

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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

French Casserole Potatoes

Ingredients:
3 T unsalted butter
1 T olive oil
4 onions, sliced
2 pounds potatoes, thinly sliced
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
fresh thyme sprigs, leaves picked
2 cups beef stock

Preparing the potatoes:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Melt half the butter with the olive oil in a saute pan, and gently fry the onions until soft and lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Spread half the onions in the bottom of a casserole. Lay a layer of sliced potatoes on top, season with salt and pepper, and scatter with thyme leaves. Build another layer of onions, then a final one of potatoes, and finally pour over the stock. Cover the pan with foil, and bake until all the liquid has been absorbed, 2 to 3 hours, removing the foil for the last hour for a crisp top.

Serves 6

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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Low Fat Ranch Dressing

Thinly slice snow peas (about 1/2 pound for this amount of dressing), refresh in ice water bath, spin dry and drizzle with this dressing.

Ingredients:
1/3 cup non-fat buttermilk
3 T low fat mayonnaise
2 T chopped fresh dill
2 T finely chopped red onion
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Preparing the dressing:
Combine all ingredients and refrigerate.

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Sunday, February 19, 2012

"The Maple Kind?"



Maple Bacon Ingredients:
3/4 pound thick-cut smoked bacon (16 slices)
1 to 2 T maple syrup

Preparing the bacon:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and arrange the bacon in one layer on the baking rack. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bacon begins to brown.

Remove the pan carefully from the oven (hot grease in the pan). Brush the bacon slices with maple syrup and bake for another 3 to 5 minutes, until the bacon is a warm golden brown. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and serve warm.

Serves 4 to 8

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Friday, February 17, 2012

Beet Chutney

Serve with roasted meats or chicken or Indian curries.

Ingredients:
8 to 10 ounces Chioggia beets, roasted and peeled
extra virgin olive oil
1 T freshly grated ginger
1 or 2 serrano peppers, minced
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
a pinch of ground cayenne
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 T red wine vinegar
white granulated sugar, to taste
2 T chopped fresh cilantro

Preparing the chutney:
Cut into 1/8 inch dice and put into a medium bowl. Add the ginger, serranos and orange zest, toss and season with salt and pepper.

Stir in the vinegar, taste, correct for salt and taste again. If it seems a bit flat or flavorless, add a teaspoon of sugar, stir and taste again. Repeat 2 or 3 times until the flavors blossom. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

Makes 1 cup

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Roasting Beets

Ingredients:
1 pound golden beets, washed and trimmed
extra virgin olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparing the beets:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Wash the beets and coat them lightly with olive oil. Set in a small pan. Roast, shaking the pan periodically, until the beets are fully tender when pierced with a knife, 30 to 60 minutes. Let cool and using fingers, slip off the skins. Season with salt and pepper.

Serves 4 to 6

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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Potato Kugel, Italian Style

Ingredients:
6 potatoes, peeled
4 T extra virgin olive oil
1 cup pancetta, diced
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 egg
1/2 cup freshly grated pecorino
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
1/2 cup parmesan, cut into chunks
1 cup bread crumbs
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparing the potato kugel:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Boil the potatoes until fork tender and let cool.

Heat up half the olive oil in a saucepan. Add the diced pancetta and chopped onions. Cook until the onions are golden in color and the pancetta is crisp.
In a mixing bowl, mash the potatoes. For a creamier texture, use a potato ricer.

Add an egg, the cooked onions and pancetta, the grated parmesan, parmesan chunks and salt, and black pepper, to taste. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Grease a baking dish with the remaining olive oil and add half the bread crumbs to the base of the dish and set aside.

Transfer the potato mixture to the baking dish and spread the mixture evenly over the pan, packing the mixture so it serves as a solid bed. Add the remaining bread crumbs on top. Bake for 20 minutes or until the bread crumbs are golden brown.

Serves 4 to 6

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Butternut Squash Tortellini With Butter Sauce

Ingredients for the tortellini:
1 butternut squash, approximately 2 pounds, cubed, about 3 cups
2 T extra virgin olive oil, plus 2 T
1 1/2 teaspoon herbs de Provence
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
2 large shallots, chopped, about 1/2 cup
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
4 small amaretti cookies, crushed, about 1/3 cup
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 package small wonton wrappers or fresh pasta dough

* * * * * *

Ingredients for brown butter sauce:
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
2 T torn fresh sage leaves
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries, or chopped dried cherries, or mixture of both
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preparing the tortellini:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. On a foil-lined baking sheet toss together the butternut squash, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, herbs de Provence, salt, and pepper. Bake in the oven until soft and golden, about 25 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Cook the shallots and garlic until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.

In a food processor, combine the butternut squash mixture, the shallot mixture, and the ricotta cheese and pulse a few times to blend. Add the crushed amaretti cookies, the nutmeg, and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pulse until smooth. The tortellini filling can be made one day ahead.

To make the tortellini, lay out 6 wonton skins, keeping the remaining skins inside the package or under a very lightly dampened paper towel. Place 1 tablespoon of squash mixture in the middle of each skin. Dip a pastry brush in a little water and wet the edges of the skin. Gently fold the square wrapper into a triangle, making sure the edges are securely closed and there are no air pockets inside. Dampen the two bottom corners of the longest side of the triangle and gently bring them together, pressing lightly to secure. Place the formed tortellini on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Before laying out another 6 wonton sheets, be careful to dry the work surface. This will help keep tortellini from sticking to the baking sheet. Continue until all the butternut squash mixture is used. There should be approximately 36 tortellini. (The tortellini can be formed, frozen on the baking sheet, transferred to a tightly sealed plastic bag or container and stored for up to six months. To cook, simply toss the frozen ravioli into the salted boiling water and cook for 4 minutes.)

To make the sauce and serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.

Add the sage, walnuts and cranberries and let cook until the butter starts to brown, about 3 minutes. Turn the heat off and season with salt, and pepper.

Stir to combine. Then, gently place the tortellini in the boiling water and gently stir. When they begin to float they are done, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, gently spoon the tortellini onto a serving platter. Top with the brown butter sauce, sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Serves 4 to 6

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