DONNA'S DAILY DISH
  • Blog
  • Recipes 2025
  • Recipes 2016-2024
  • Contact

the leaves are changing

10/29/2023

0 Comments

 
The leaves in our area are beginning to reach their peak color. The last few days have brought a touch of warmer weather to be followed by autumn’s chill. My husband and I are trying some seasonal cocktails that use both apple cider and bourbon. After a weekend reunion with college friends and carb loaded meals, my husband wanted some lighter meals last week. I was able to accommodate him with dinners where white beans made for filling meals, but also offered protein and fiber.
 
First up this week was Autumn in New England Cocktail from “America’s Test Kitchen.” For the recipe you’ll need 2-4 fresh sage leaves, 1/4-ounce maple syrup, 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce apple cider and 1/4-ounce cider vinegar. I used apple cider from Melick’s Town Farm that was included in last week’s CSA share. 
The sage leaves, along with the maple syrup, are muddled in a cocktail shaker. I used a quart mason jar for this step. Next, add ice, bourbon, apple cider, vinegar and ice. Shake vigorously for five seconds. Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass that is filled with ice. Garnish with sage sprig and enjoy. This was a lovely cocktail. My sage is now in our cold frame and came in handy for this drink.
 
From The New York Times I was able to find on their cooking app, a recipe for Braised White Beans and Greens with Parmesan from Lidey Heuck. For the recipe you’ll need olive oil, small fennel bulb, small yellow onion, fresh rosemary or thyme, fresh garlic, red pepper flakes, either escarole, kale or Swiss Chard, cannellini beans, vegetable or chicken broth, kosher salt, pepper, lemon juice, mozzarella (optional) and Pecorino Romano or Parmesan Cheese.
 
For my preparation I opted for escarole. I had to visit two food stores before I was able to find fresh fennel. For the broth, I used chicken.
 
This thirty-minute recipe starts by sautéing diced fennel, onion and minced rosemary until tender. Next, the minced garlic and red pepper flakes are added. In several increments, I added the escarole and covered the pan until the greens wilted. When done, the beans, broth and pepper are added and mixed in. After the pan reaches a boil, the heat is reduced and simmers for 6 to 8 minutes. You’re looking for the liquid to reduce and thicken; you can also mash some of the beans.
 
The heat is turned off and the final ingredients of lemon juice, mozzarella (if using) and Pecorino Romano cheese are added; taste for seasoning. Yum, what a delicious meal. The suggested servings is four, but my husband and I enjoyed this so much that there was just about a cup and a half left. A perfect meal following a busy weekend.
 
I had a box of assorted mushrooms in my CSA share from Redifarms in Westfield, NJ; I wish I knew what varieties. Nevertheless, I needed a recipe in which to showcase these beauties. From Yasmin Fahr and The New York Times cooking website, I found Skillet Chicken with Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions.
 
For this thirty-minute, one skillet meal you’ll need olive oil, sherry vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, red-pepper flakes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs, yellow onions, cremini mushrooms, flat leaf parsley or dill leaves, Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese.
 
For the recipe I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The chicken is cut into 3-inch pieces. Next, in a large bowl make a sauce using oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, red-pepper flakes and salt. The chicken is seasoned with salt and pepper and tossed with the marinade.
 
In a hot cast-iron or heavy skillet, the onions are cooked for a minute or two before adding the mushrooms and cooking for several minutes more. Once the onions begin to color, move them and the mushrooms to the outer rim of the pan and cook the chicken in the center. Whatever marinade remains, pour over the pan vegetables. To finish the dish, another layer of flavor is add by stirring in the sherry vinegar.  Season with salt; after taking off the heat top with the cheese and parsley. I served it over pasta.
 
What a delicious and flavorsome dish. The vinegar added a brightness with the chicken and mushrooms providing a contrast in textures. My husband and I enjoyed this simple, by elegant meal.
 
My sister-in-law was very generous during her recent visit and brought us several pounds of North Carolina shrimp. I found in The New York Times cooking app, a recipe for Lemony Shrimp and Bean Stew, from Sue Li. For the recipe you’ll need fresh lemon zest and juice, sweet or smoked paprika, fresh garlic, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, one pound of large shrimp, unsalted butter, leeks, one can of cannellini beans, chicken or vegetable stock, fresh parsley and toasted bread.
 
The shrimp are coated with a mixture of lemon zest, paprika, garlic, salt and pepper. Using a large a skillet, cook the shrimp with melted butter for 2-3 minutes. Remove the shrimp, add the leeks; cook until softened. Next, the beans and broth are added and simmered for 8-10 minutes. The shrimp and their juices are added back to the pan followed by chopped parsley and lemon juice. I sliced some Italian bread, drizzled with olive oil and toasted it under the broiler for several minutes and served the stew in pasta bowls with a slice of the toasted bread to sop of the juices. Wow, what a great, easy supper. The lemon juice added a brightness to the sauce, the shrimp were perfectly cooked and the smoky paprika added complexity to the sauce. This was a delightful weeknight meal. 

Autumn in New England Cocktail
​“How to Cocktail,” (book)
From America’s Test Kitchen
 
 
Serving: 1
 
Ingredients:
2-4 fresh sage leaves, plus small sage sprig for garnishing
¼-ounce maple syrup
2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce apple cider
¼-ounce cider vinegar
 
Directions
In a cocktail shaker, add sage leaves and syrup; muddle. Add bourbon, apple cider and vinegar; shake. At this point you can keep mixture chilled. To serve, double strain the cocktail into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with sage sprig.
autumn_in_new_england_cocktail.pdf
File Size: 40 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


​Braised White Beans and Greens with Parmesan
By Lidey Heuck
The New York Times
 
Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
 
Ingredients
¼ cup olive oil
1 small fennel bulb, trimmed, cored and small-diced
1 small yellow onion, small-diced
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary or thyme
5garlic cloves, minced
¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more to taste
1 large or 2 small bunches escarole, kale or Swiss chard, stems removed (10 to 12 ounces)
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed
2 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup shredded mozzarella (optional)
3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan, plus more for serving
Toasted country bread, for serving
 
Preparation
  1. In a 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the fennel, onion and rosemary, and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
 
  1. Begin adding handfuls of the greens, cooking and stirring until leaves wilt.
 
  1. Add the white beans, broth and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to low and simmer, mashing some of the beans with a wooden spoon, until the liquid has reduced and thickened, 6 to 8 minutes.
 
  1. Off the heat, stir in the lemon juice, then the mozzarella, if using, and Pecorino Romano. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Divide among shallow bowls and top with more Pecorino Romano. Serve with toasted bread and a dish of red-pepper flakes on the side.
braised_white_beans_and_greens_with_parmesan.pdf
File Size: 60 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Lemony Shrimp and Bean Stew
By Sue Li
The New York Times
 
Time: 30 Minutes
Yield: 4 Servings
 
“With minimal prep and a quick cook time, this shrimp stew feels elegant for such an easy weeknight meal. You can also take the dish in a number of directions: Substitute the shrimp with an equal amount of flaky white fish or even seared scallops, or stretch the dish into a meal for six by stirring in some butter and serving over cooked spaghetti or rigatoni. A good glug of your best olive oil would also be a welcome.”
 
Ingredients
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest and 2 tablespoons juice
1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
2 garlic cloves, grated
Kosher salt and black pepper
1-pound peeled, deveined large shrimp (tails removed)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (½ stick)
2 large leeks, trimmed, then halved lengthwise, white and light green parts sliced crosswise ½-inch thick (or 1 large onion, minced)
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed
2 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Toasted bread, for serving (optional)
 
Preparation
  1. Combine lemon zest, paprika, garlic, ¾ teaspoon salt and ¾ teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat.
 
  1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. When butter is foaming, add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until pink and starting to curl, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to a plate; set aside.
 
  1. Add leeks, season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium until leeks are soft and starting to brown on the edges, 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans and chicken broth and bring to a boil over high. Lower heat and simmer, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in reserved shrimp and any juices from the plate, parsley and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Serve with toasted bread.
lemony_shrimp_and_bean_stew.pdf
File Size: 63 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Skillet Chicken with Mushrooms and Caramelized Onions
By Yasmin Fahr
The New York Times
 
Yield: 4 servings
Total Time: 30 minutes
 
Ingredients
5 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper
1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3-inch pieces
2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
¾ pound cremini mushrooms, stems removed and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley or dill leaves and fine stems, roughly chopped
¼ cup grated Parmesan or pecorino (optional)
Bread or cooked pasta, for serving
 
Preparation
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons vinegar, the honey, mustard, red-pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt; whisk until smooth. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper, then add to the mixture, coating it well. Set aside at room temperature, stirring it once while you make the onions.
  2. Heat a 12-inch cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-high until very hot, 1½ to 2 minutes, then add the onions in an even layer. Season with salt, then cook, mostly undisturbed, for 4 minutes more, stirring every minute or so. Add the mushrooms, season with salt, and stir to combine. (It will look crowded, and that’s OK.) Allow to cook mostly undisturbed until the mushrooms shrink and start to brown, about 4 minutes, stirring every minute or so.
  3. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and allow the onions to cook until they start to color, stirring and lowering the heat as necessary to avoid burning, about 2 minutes. Push the onions and mushrooms to the edges of the skillet, then add the chicken pieces to the center. Pour any remaining marinade (there will be very little) over the onions and mushrooms. Cook undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes, then combine the chicken and vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes more. (Reduce the heat to medium if the onions look like they are burning at any point.)
  4. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, stirring and scraping up anything on the bottom of the skillet. Season to taste with salt.
  5. Remove from the heat and top with the parsley and cheese, if using. Serve with bread or pasta.
skillet_chicken_with_mushrooms_and_caramelized_onions.pdf
File Size: 60 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Index
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    ​meet donna

    A former teacher, shop-a-holic, empty-nester redefining quick, family approved dinners.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Blog
  • Recipes 2025
  • Recipes 2016-2024
  • Contact