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!

Grilled Turkey Caesar Burger

Grilled Turkey Caesar Burger

adapted from America's Test Kitchen™

I prefer to use 85% lean turkey because it does not dry out as much as the 93% when grilled.

Makes 2 servings with extra dressing                      

10 WW pts / burger + 1 WW point / Tbsp of dressing

12 oz, ground turkey
1/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese, + 1 1/2 Tbsp. shaved
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 anchovy fillet, rinsed and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/8 tsp.Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. olive oil, divided
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
4 leaves romaine lettuce, cut into 1½‑inch pieces

1. Divide turkey into 2 lightly packed balls, then gently flatten into ¾‑inch-thick patties. 
2. Using your fingertips, press center of each patty down until about ½ inch thick, creating a slight divot. Freeze patties for 30 minutes. 
3. Meanwhile, whisk together the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, anchovies, minced garlic, and Worcestershire in bowl; set aside.
4. Preheat the grill to high.
5. Brush each side of patties with 1/2 oil and season with salt and pepper. 
6. Turn all but primary burner off.
7. Place burgers, divot side up, over hotter part of grill and cook (covered if using gas) until well browned and meat easily releases from grill, about 5 minutes. 
8. Gently flip patties and continue to cook until well browned on second side and meat registers 160 degrees, 5 minutes. Transfer burgers to platter and let rest while preparing toppings.
9. Toss romaine with 1tablespoons dressing and shredded Parmesan in bowl to combined. 
10. Season to taste with salt and pepper to taste. 
11. Serve burgers open faced topped with romaine mixture, passing remaining dressing separately.

Enjoy!

Roasted Broccoli Flavor Bomb

Roasted Broccoli Flavor Bomb

adapted from Bon Appetit November 2019

I used to be afraid of anchovies thinking it would make everything taste fishy. I have since learned that the little fish filet just add a salty, umami flavor.

Be careful when you take the pan out of the oven. The handle will be very hot. I like to slide an oven mitt over the handle to remind myself and everyone else that the handle is hot.

Makes 2 servings                                                                  1 WW pp / serving

1/2 lb. broccoli
Cooking spray
Kosher salt

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 anchovy fillets
1/2 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about ¼ cup)

Lemon wedges (for serving, optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400°. 
2. Trim  the bottom, woody part of broccoli stem.  Cut off the stem and peel the tough outer layer from stem. Quarter the stem lengthwise and cut it at a 45° angle into ¾"-thick slices. Cut the florets into bite size pieces.
3. In a pan coated with cooking spray cook the broccoli with a pinch of salt; tossing occasionally, until broccoli is bright green and lightly charred, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. 
4. Wipe out skillet; recoat it with cooking spray.
5. Cook onion and garlic, stirring often, until onion is beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. 
6. Add anchovies and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until it is broken down, about 2 minutes.
7. Return broccoli to skillet and toss. 
8. Transfer to oven and roast, tossing once, until broccoli is browned and tender, about 20 minutes. 
9. Scatter Parmesan over hot broccoli. 
10. Serve with lemon wedges alongside if using.

Enjoy!.

Thai Marinated Chicken Tenders

These chicken tenders were mildly spicy and a great part of our Thai dinner. This recipe was adapted from one that I saved long ago but I have no idea where it came from.

Malaysian Beef Skewers and Thai Chicken Tenders

Thai Marinated Chicken Tenders

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 cup chopped basil

2 tsp dried mint

2 Tbsp grapeseed oil

1 Tbsp Iguana Mean Green Jalapeno Sauce or your favorite green hot sauce

1 tsp sugar substitute

1 tsp anchovy paste

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders

Combine all marinade ingredients and whisk to combine. Place the chicken tenders and marinade in a resealable plastic bag and marinade over night.

Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165F.

Enjoy!

Chicken Caesar Sandwiches with Fig, Prosciutto, Parmesan and Arugula Salad with Chive Dressing

I am on a chicken kick this week. Although chicken thighs are higher in fat and calories than chicken breasts sometimes you just have to go for the flavor. Besides there are many worse things I could be eating.

Use the garlic dressing as sparingly or heavy as you like. Roasting the garlic bring out the sweetness. I prefer to use anchovy paste instead of mashing my own anchovies since it tends to have a milder flavor because it is mixed with vinegar and spices. My boys are not anchovy fans so I tend to go for the more subtle flavor. The original recipe called for double of what I added. Remember 1 anchovy fillet is equal to 1/2 tsp anchovy paste.

As far as the salad goes, we love roasted figs stuffed with gorgonzola and wrapped in prosciutto. I am trying to find healthier ways of eating them while they are in season.

Chicken Caesar Sandwiches with Garlic Dressing
adapted from Food & Wine June 2015

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 lemons, cut in half
2 Tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped rosemary
1 garlic clove, minced
1 head of roasted garlic, cooled
6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/2 cup crème fraîche
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tsp anchovy paste
Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
Romaine lettuce leaves
Your favorite buns, toasting optional

Combine 2 Tbsp olive oil with the lemon juice, rosemary and minced garlic. Put the chicken thighs in a resealable bag and add the marinade.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 425°. Arrange the lemon halves cut side down on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool.

To make the dressing, squeeze the garlic cloves from their skins into a small bowl and mash until smooth. Squeeze the flesh from the roasted lemons into the bowl and add any juices from the baking sheet. Add 1/2 cup of olive oil, the crème fraîche, cheese and anchovies paste and stir until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and grill, until cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let rest for 10 minutes.

To make the sandwiches, arrange romaine leaves on the bottom half of each bun. Top each with chicken thighs. Spoon the dressing generously over the chicken . Close the sandwiches and serve immediately with more dressing on the side.

not the greatest pic but you get the gist 

Fig, Prosciutto, Parmesan and Arugula Salad with Chive Dressing
adapted from Gourmet July 1998 and Food & Wine June 2015

Vinaigrette
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp chopped chives
1 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Salad
1 bag baby arugula
2 fresh figs
3 thin prosciutto slices , sliced into long strips
Parmesan shavings

For the vinaigrette, combine all of the ingredients and which until well incorporated.

For the salad, place the arugula in a bowls. 

Trim tough stem ends from the figs and cut each fig into 6 wedges. 

Toss arugula with about vinaigrette to taste and mound in center of each of individual plates. Arrange long prosciutto pieces in a ring around each mound of arugula, overlapping ends to secure . Arrange figs and Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings on and around salad and drizzle salads with more vinaigrette.