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Tag: extra virgin olive oil

Parsley Pesto Pasta with Roasted Asparagus

When I think of spring, I think of asparagus and I think fresh green pesto. This pasta dish is a combination of both. I made a delicious parsley pesto which is very easy to make. I paired it with delicious roasted or grilled asparagus. It is a great side dish or a meal!

  • 2 cups fresh parsley
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/3 cup pistachios
  • Juice of half lemon
  • ¼ to ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano

Transfer the parsley, garlic, pistachios and lemon juice to a food processor. Process till a smooth paste begins to form. With the top open, drizzle the oil till the pesto begins to form. Transfer to a small bowl and add the salt and cheese. Check for seasonings.

  • 2 bunches asparagus
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the ends off the asparagus and cut the tops into 2 inch pieces. Transfer to a lined cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt. Mix well and roast in oven for 30 minutes for till golden brown. Take out and keep aside.

  • ½ pound pasta, cooked al dente with 1 cup pasta water saved

Transfer pasta to a large frying pan. Add the pesto and the saved pasta water and stir over low heat till all the ingredients have come together. Fold in the roasted asparagus and check for seasonings. Serve with grated cheese.

Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff1

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt
  • 1 pound tri-tip roast, sliced against the grain into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup light red wine like a pinot noir or white wine
  • 1 medium white onion, sliced thin
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef or chicken broth
  • ¼ cup crème fraiche
  • Salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill
  • ¼ cup parsley, chopped

In a large frying pan, heat the two tablespoons olive oil. Add the mushrooms and sauté on medium high heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Saute till the excess moisture evaporates and the mushrooms begin to turn golden brown. Add garlic and salt. Saute for another 3 to 4 minutes and take out of the pan and keep aside.

Reheat the pan with one tablespoon olive oil and brown the beef pieces in two batches on high heat using the remaining olive oil for the next batch. Saute on both sides for a minute or two. Take the pieces out of the pan and keep aside.

Reheat the pan with two tablespoons olive oil. Add the onions and sauté on a medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes till the onions are soft and translucent. Add the tomato paste and flour. Saute for a minute. Add the wine, scraping off all the bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the beef or chicken broth and whisk the liquid in making sure no lumps are formed. Add the mushrooms and beef pieces into the pan. Mix well and add the crème fraiche. Taste for seasonings and add salt in necessary. Garnish with dill and parsley.

Serve on top of a garlic toast.
Beef Stroganoff

Penne with Basil Pesto and Cremini Mushrooms

Penne with Pesto and Mushrooms

  • 2 (10 ounces) packs cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and add the mushrooms. Saute on high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, till the mushrooms are golden brown. Add salt and turn the heat off.

  • ¼ cup fresh or store bought basil pesto
  • ½ pound cooked penne with ½ cup spare pasta water

Add the pesto, penne and the pasta water to the mushrooms. Stir well without turning the heat on. Check for seasonings and serve.

Chicken Mushroom and Chorizo Stew

  • One whole chicken, cut into 8 to 10 pieces, skin off
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Mix the flour with the salt and paprika in a medium shallow bowl. Dredge the chicken pieces in flour and keep aside.

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, add more if needed during browning of the chicken
  • 2 chorizo links, casings off and crumbled
  • 2 large parsnips, peeled and chopped
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, grated
  • 10 ounces, Cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 10 ounces, Shitake mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • 3 to 4 cups mushroom or chicken stock
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped

Heat a large saucepan with the olive oil. Add the chorizo and cook on medium high heat for 2 to 3 minutes or till golden brown. Take the crumbled chorizo out with a slotted spoon. Brown the chicken pieces in batches on all sides on a medium heat. Add more olive oil if necessary. Take the chicken pieces out. Add the parsnips, carrots and garlic. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes till golden brown. Add the salt and smoked paprika. Deglaze with the orange juice and add the stock. Add the chorizo and chicken and bring to a boil. Simmer with lid on for 20 to 25 minutes, till the chicken is cooked through. Take the chicken pieces out and reduce the sauce in the pan so about 2 cups are left. Check for seasonings and add the chicken pieces back, garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

 

Chicken and Mushroom Ragu

Chicken and Mushroom Ragu

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound dark meat ground chicken
  • 10 ounces cremini mushrooms, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium shallots, chopped
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • ½ pound cooked pasta
  • Salt

Heat a large frying pan with olive oil. Add the ground chicken and separate with a wooden spoon while sautéing over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the thyme, garlic and shallots. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes and add the wine. Mix well and scrape the bottom. Add the marinara sauce and cook for ten minutes on a simmer with the lid on. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Check for seasonings and serve hot.

Healthy Shrimp Bisque

Shrimp Bisque

  • 12 ounces jumbo shrimp, deveined and shelled
  • 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt

Heat a large saucepan with the olive oil. Saute the shrimp on high heat for 30 seconds on each side. Sprinkle salt and take out onto a lined platter. Cut each shrimp into three and keep aside.

  • ¼ cup pancetta, chopped
  • 2 large shallots, chopped
  • 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
  • ½ cup carrots, chopped
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 1½ cups seafood or shrimp broth
  • 1½ cups low-fat milk
  • Salt
  • ¼ cup half and half
  • Juice of half a lemon

Add the pancetta into the same saucepan and sauté over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the shallots, garlic and carrots. Saute for another 2 minutes. Add the thyme and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the white wine and scrape off the brown bits from the bottom. Add the broth and milk. Whisk the liquid on high heat and bring to a boil making sure all the lumps are smoothed away. Lower the heat and cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Add the shrimp pieces and cook for 2 to 3 minutes making sure the shrimp is cooked. Add the half and half and turn the heat off. Check for seasonings and add salt if necessary. Add the lemon juice and serve hot with crusty bread.

Steak and Mushroom Tacos

Another delicious summer recipe…

  • 1 pound skirt steak
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix the salt, smoked paprika and garlic powder together. Sprinkle all over the steak and marinate for 2 to 3 hours.

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more
  • 2 cup shitake mushrooms, cleaned and sliced thin
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons chipotle in adobo sauce
  • Salt

Heat a wide frying pan with the olive oil. Brown the steak on both sides on high heat. Keep aside. Cut into bit sized pieces. Add the mushrooms and add more oil if needed. Saute on medium high heat for a minute. Add the onion and garlic. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes on medium high heat, stirring constantly. Deglaze with orange juice and scrape the bottom of the pan. Add the adobo sauce. Mix well. Add the steak pieces and heat through. Serve on top of corn tortillas.