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Category Archives: Vegetarian

Fig and Apricot Compote

Fig and Apricot Compote I made this compote for Thanksgiving. Our tradition is to open wine sometime in the afternoon- while I am still cooking. Around 3 I take the cheese and crackers out. I usually make a fig compote cooked in red wine, brown sugar and fresh thyme. It is delicious, especially with some aged goat cheese. We also drink Kir Royale with the cheese and crackers. I love the tradition and look forward to it every year.

The other thing I did different was the compote. I made this one with dried figs and apricots. I decided to use orange and lemon juice with honey. I served it with a variety of Spanish cheeses including manchego, an aged goat cheese and another one- can’t remember the name.

Definitely make this for your next holiday get together. It is quick, easy and delicious. You can make this in advance and keep it in the fridge. Enjoy!

  • ½ cup dried mission figs, cut into thin strips
  • ½ cup dried apricots, cut into thin strips
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

In a small saucepan, add the figs, apricots, orange juice, lemon juice, honey and salt. Bring the liquid to a boil and turn it down to a simmer. Reduce the liquid till the compote is thick and syrupy. It will take about 15 minutes. Taste for seasonings and serve with cheese.

Moroccan Style Potato Gratin


1/3 cup finely grated Gruyere cheese
¼ cup finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano
2 cups heavy cream
2 medium garlic cloves, mined
2 tablespoons harissa
Salt
Pepper
4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine cheeses in a large bowl. Transfer 1/3 of cheese mixture to a separate bowl and set aside. Add cream, garlic and harissa to cheese mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add potato slices and toss with your hands until every slice is coated with cream mixture, making sure to separate any slices that are sticking together to get the cream mixture in between them.
Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with butter. Pick up a handful of potatoes, organizing them into a neat stack, and lay them in the casserole dish with their edges aligned vertically. Continue placing potatoes in the dish, working around the perimeter and into the center until all the potatoes have been added. The potatoes should be very tightly packed. If necessary, slice an additional potato, coat with cream mixture, and add to casserole. Pour the excess cream/cheese mixture evenly over the potatoes until the mixture comes halfway up the sides of the casserole. You may not need all the excess liquid.
Cover dish tightly with foil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until the top is pale golden brown, about 30 minutes longer. Carefully remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and return to oven. Bake until deep golden brown and crisp on top, about 30 minutes longer. Remove from oven, let rest for a few minutes, and serve.
I modified this recipe from NYTimes.

Manchego and Smoked Paprika Mashed Potatoes

  • 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into small squares
  • Salt
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ¾ to 1 cup half and half
  • 2 cups shredded Manchego cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Pepper
  • ½ cup green onion, chopped

Add the cut potatoes to a deep pot and cover with water. Add at least 2 tablespoons salt and the garlic cloves. Place a lid on the potatoes and bring to a boil. Uncover and cook until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain potatoes and garlic and put them through a food mill and add back to the hot pot. Add butter, half and half and smoked paprika. Check for seasonings, add pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and let cool all the way. Add the grated cheese and mix well. At this point, the potatoes can be refrigerated and made at least a day in advance. Once ready to bake, take out of fridge at least 30 minutes in advance. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or till heated through. Garnish with green onions and cilantro.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Orange Cream & Cranberries

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Orange Cream

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Transfer the sprouts on to a lined baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle salt. Mix well and roast for about 20 minutes till soft and golden brown.

  • ¼ cup cream
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Zest of one orange
  • Salt
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries

Heat a wide frying pan with the oil. Add the garlic and orange zest. Saute on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cream and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the Brussels sprouts and cranberries and mix well. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add salt to taste and serve.

Brussels Sprouts and Pomegranate Seeds with Orange Tahini Dressing

I like to experiment different dishes before Thanksgiving- this one is a winner. Delicious roasted Brussels sprouts in an orange tahini dressing.
3 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half

Roast the Brussels sprouts with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt and pepper in a 400 degrees oven for 15 minutes, till golden brown. Set aside and let cool.

1 cup pomegranate seeds

½ cup chopped walnuts

½ cup fresh parsley, leaves picked and cleaned

Salt

 

 

 

Dressing

2 tablespoons tahini, room temperature

Juice of one large navel orange

Juice of one lime

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, grated

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, check for seasonings and adjust if necessary.

Transfer the sprouts, pomegranate seeds, walnuts and parsley to a serving bowl. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of dressing, mix well and add more dressing if necessary or fix seasonings by adding salt and pepper. Serve room temperature.

Moroccan Inspired Cranberry Orange Sauce


2 cups organic cranberries
2 cups orange juice
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons harissa
2 navel oranges, supremed
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Transfer the washed cranberries into a medium saucepan. Add the orange juice, sugar, salt and harissa. Bring to a boil and lower heat to a simmer. Cook on a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or till the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Check for seasoning and cool completely. Add the orange supremes and fresh parsley and serve.

Cranberry & Pineapple Salsa

Great take on cranberry sauce!

  • 16 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1½ cups pineapple juice
  • ¾ cups brown sugar
  • 1½ cups fresh pineapple, cut into small chunks
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • ½ cup green onions, chopped

Add the cranberries, pineapple juice to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar, fresh pineapple, salt and paprika. Cook on low heat for ten minutes until the sauce is thick. Check for seasonings and let cool. Can be frozen at this point for up to a week. Add the cilantro and green onions right before serving.