Bok Choy with Mushroom in Oyster Sauce

Bok Choy with Mushrooms in Oyster Sauce

adapted from Wegmans.com

This vibrant dish features tender-crisp bok choy and a savory medley of wild mushrooms all brought together by a rich, umami-packed oyster sauce. The stalks of the bok choy provide a refreshing crunch, while the leaves become delicate and silky after being lightly blanched.

Makes 2 servings

3 oz. bok choy, chopped or 1 baby bok choy sliced in half longitudinally
2 tsp.garlic flavored olive oil, divided 
1 oz sliced mixed wild mushrooms, washed

1 oz. water chestnuts, sliced

1/4 tsp toasted sesame oil,
21/2 tsp. Homemade chicken stock or canned broth

1 Tbsp. oyster sauce

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil
2. Add the bok choy and blanch for 2 minutes.
3. Transfer to an ice bath and set aside.
4. Heat skillet containing 1 tsp. oil until shimmering; Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 min. 
5. Add the remaining olive oil and water chestnuts; Cook, stirring, about 15 sec. 
6. Add broth and oyster sauce; Stir to combine and cook 2 min. 
7. Add sesame oil and bok choy; Stir to combine and cook 1-2 minutes to heat through.
8. Top with the cashews and scallions prior to serving.

Enjoy!

Creamy Udon Noodles with Umami Butter

Creamy Udon Noodles with Umami Butter

Adapted from Food & Wine

Experience the ultimate savory comfort with this Creamy Udon with Umami Butter, a dish that strikes a perfect balance between a silky Italian carbonara and a rich Japanese miso ramen.

Shichimi togarashi is a popular Japanese spice blend meaning "seven-flavor chili," typically containing seven ingredients like red chili pepper, sansho pepper, sesame seeds, orange peel, ginger, and seaweed (nori).

Makes 2 servings

2 Tbsp. butter, divided
1 1/2 anchovy fillets, divided

2 1/2 tsp. anchovy oil from the anchovy can or jar
1/4 cup panko
1/2 lb. fresh or frozen udon noodles
1 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp. white miso
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
1/16 tsp. shichimi togarashi, plus more for garnish
1 large egg yolk
2 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. thinly sliced scallions (about 1 scallion), plus more for garnish
Fresh grated truffles, grated (optional)

1. Melt 1 tsp. butter in a skillet. 
2. Add the anchovy oil and 1/2 anchovy fillet and cook, stirring constantly, until anchovies dissolve, about 1 minute. 
3. Add panko, and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. 
4. Transfer panko mixture to a small bowl; set aside. 
5. Wipe skillet clean.
6. Bring a pot of water to a boil. 
7. Add noodles, and cook according to package directions until tender yet chewy.
8. Drain the pasta retaining at least 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and cover to keep warm.
9. Melt remaining butter in skillet over medium; Add garlic and remaining anchovy fillet and cook, stirring often, until anchovies dissolve, about 2 minutes. 
10. Whisk together miso and 2 Tbsp. reserved cooking liquid until smooth; Stir into butter mixture. 
11. Add cooked noodles, cheese, and togarashi;Stir vigorously until sauce is smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
12. Place egg yolk in a small bowl, and whisk until smooth; While whisking, gradually add 2 Tbsp. reserved cooking liquid to temper yolks. 
13. Remove skillet from heat, and gradually stir in half of the egg yolk mixture. (Store the remaining half of the yolk mixture and egg white in the refrigerator to be added to additional eggs for breakfast.)
14. Return skillet to heat over medium, and add scallions; Cook, stirring vigorously, until sauce thickens and clings to noodles, about 1 minute. 
15. If needed to thin sauce, stir in additional reserved cooking liquid 1 tablespoon at a time. 
16. Divide noodles among bowls; sprinkle with evenly divided panko mixture. 
17. Garnish with additional cheese, togarashi, and scallions before serving.

Enjoy!

Panko Crusted Baked Fish

Panko Crusted Baked Fish

adapted from Food Network Magazine October 2019

This crispy baked fish features a light and airy panko topping seasoned with fresh parsley and lemon zest. A thin coating of mayonnaise—mixed with briny capers and lemon juice—ensures the fish stays incredibly moist while providing a tangy flavor profile that perfectly complements the golden crust.

This can me made with any lean mild white fish such as flounder, cod, catfish,rockfish or swai.

Makes 2 servings

2 Tbsp. mayonnaise

1/4 tsp. lemon zest

1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. capers, chopped

Kosher salt & Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 Tbsp. parsley, chopped

2 tilapia fillets (4-6 oz. each)

1. Preheat the oven to 450F
2. Set a rack on baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray. 
3. Mix mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt & freshly ground pepper to taste in a shallow bowl. Set half of the mayo mixture in a separate bowl and set aside to be used as a sauce.
4. Mix the panko, parsley, salt & freshly ground pepper to taste in dish. 
5. Pat dry tilapia fillets; Spread the mayonnaise mixture from only one of the bowls on the fish, then press into the panko mixture. 
6. Place the fish crumb-side up on the rack; mist with cooking spray. 
7. Bake in preheated oven until crisp about 15 minutes.
8. Serve fish with the sauce.

Enjoy!

Homemade Marinara Sauce

Homemade Marinara Sauce

adapted from Food Network

This homemade marinara is a rustic, slow-simmered masterpiece that balances bright garden flavors with a deep, savory soul.

Makes about 1 3/4 cups

1 1/2 tsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. grated yellow onion
1 1/2 garlic cloves, minced
Sall pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1 14.5 oz. can whole tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp. dried basil 
1 small bay leaf

1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1. In a pot, combine the oil, onion, garlic and red pepper over medium heat; Cook, stirring, 3 to 4 minutes. Hand crush the tomatoes into the pot along with their juices; Add 1/4 cup water to the can to rinse out the remaining tomatoes and add to the pot.
2. Stir in the basil, bay leaf, salt and pepper. 
3. Bring the sauce to a low simmer and then reduce heat to low.
4. Cover and cook about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
5. Partially remove the cover and cook for 15 more minutes or until desired consistency.
6. Discard the bay leaf.
7. Use chunky as is or puree in a blender or small food processor for a smoother consistency.
8. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!

Truffle Risotto

Truffle Risotto

adapted from Emerils.com

A bowl of truffle risotto is truly indulgent. Each pearl of Arborio rice is meticulously slow-cooked, releasing its starches to create a silky, sauce enriched with Parmesan cheese and cream. The mushroom stock and the wild mushrooms enhance the mushroom flavor while the grated fresh grated truffles that finish this dish provide adeep, earthy aroma, blooming as they meet the gentle heat of the rice.

Makes 2 servings

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. minced shallots
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 cup mixed wild mushrooms, sliced
1 cup Arborio rice
1 1/2 cups mushroom broth
2 Tbsp. heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus 2 Tbsp. for garnish

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 truffle, grated
In a saute pan, heat the olive oil; Saute the shallots, garlic and mushrooms for 1 minute. 

Stir in the rice and saute for 1 minute.

Add the mushroom broth 1/2 cup at a time., stirring constantly until most of the liquid has been absorbed before adding the next 1/2 cup; Repeat until all of the broth has been used and is fully absorbed into the rice, about 20 minutes. 

Stir in the cream, cook for 2-3 minutes. 

Fold in the most of the truffle shavings (reserving a little for garnish)and cheese; Season with salt and pepper. 

Spoon the risotto into a shallow bowl and garnish with truffle shavings, cheese and chives.

Enjoy!  










Yield: 4 servings

Mushroom Broth

Mushroom Broth

adapted from Holy Cow Vegan

Any type of mushrooms work for this, including porcini mushrooms, oyster mushrooms or a mix. 

Makes 4 cups

1/2 cup dried shiitake mushrooms  
2 bay leaves
1 tsp. allspice berries
2 tsp. black peppercorns
2 tsp. dried rosemary 
2 tsp. dried sage 

1 tsp. dried thyme 
4 cups water
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt

1. Place all the ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat. 
3. Cover the pan with a tight lid.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer, and let the stock simmer undisturbed for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
5. Turn off the heat, strain reserving the mushrooms for another use.
6. Use stock in your favorite recipes.

Enjoy!

Easy Creamed Spinach

Easy Creamed Spinach

adapted from Food & Wine

This sophisticated take on creamed spinach transforms a classic steakhouse side into a gourmet experience. Vibrant, blanched spinach leaves are folded into a velvety reduction of heavy cream, balanced by the savory warmth of minced garlic. The flavor profile is elevated by a the cognac which adds a deep, oaky richness and the anisette introduces a subtle, aromatic hint of licorice that cuts through the cream's density. The final dusting of freshly grated nutmeg provides an essential warm finish that rounds out the earthy greens.

Makes 2 servings

1/2 cup Homemade chicken stock or canned broth
3.4 of an 8-ounce bag baby spinach
1 Tbsp. butter
1/2 large shallot, minced
1 medium garlic clove, finely grated

1/3 tsp. dried thyme
1 1/2 tsp. cognac
3/4 tsp. annisette
1/4 cup heavy cream
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt & white pepper

1. In a pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil; Add the spinach, cover and cook for 1 minute. 
2. Toss the spinach with tongs, cover and cook for 1 minute longer, until just wilted. 
3. Drain the spinach and let cool.
4. Place the spinach in a kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
5. In a a high sided pan, cook the butter, shallots, garlic and time over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent but not browned, about 5 minutes. 
6. Remove the pot from the heat and add the cognac and annisette. 
7. Remove the pan from the heat and ignite the alcohol with a long match, then return to the heat. 
8. Stir in the drained spinach and cream. 
9. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. 
10. Season with a nutmeg, salt and white pepper.

Enjoy!