The Hungry Wife

Sicilian Eggplant Pasta:  Eggplant Parmesan, is there nothing better?  And if you love to eat that dish, then you’re going to love this Sicilian Eggplant Pasta!  The Hungry Wife version of a rustic Southern Italian specialty pairs the crunchiness of fried eggplant with smooth fresh mozzarella that melts into the hot pasta.  The eggplant’s crisp egg coating prevents it from absorbing excess oil when frying.
Sicilian Eggplant Pasta, continued…

In the classic, Italian-type frittata, everything is stirred together in a bowl before you pour it into the hot skillet.  With dill, mint and feta, this Zucchini Rice Frittata has Greek and Balkan overtones.  Use this Zucchini Rice Frittata recipe as a basic template, and try different cheeses, vegetables, or herbs, or use croutons or potatoes instead of rice – or no starch at all.  If you wish, puree eight ounces of tofu in the blender with the eggs, water, and salt for a nutritious boost of soy protein.

Leftovers are good served either cold or at room temperature.  If you do not have an ovenproof skillet, instead of placing the skillet under the broiler, cover and cook the skillet on the stove top until frittata is firm.
Zucchini Rice Frittata, continued…

Chicken Parmesan – no good recipe collection is complete without it.  Recently a The Hungry Wife fan asked about a good Chicken Parmesan recipe, and this is what popped into my head.  Although we have not made it recently enough to have pictures, it is unforgettable.  Chicken Parmesan does not need to be complicated, and there are a lot of recipes out there that can make it harder than it seems.

This Chicken Parmesan recipe is perfectly portioned for two people, but can easily be made for extra servings.  All you have to do is increase ingredients to reach the desired serving size and instead of using an ovenproof skillet to bake the chicken, place chicken that has already been cooked in skillet into a 9 x 13-inch pan and cover with sauce and cheese and cook as directed in the recipe.  This also works if you do not have an ovenproof skillet.  No need to go buy one, simply use a casserole dish to finish that baking portion.

For many people, Chicken Parmesan is a comfort food.  To make it all the more special, be sure to cook up your own sauce with the recipe provided.  If you are short on time, you can use jarred pasta sauce.
Chicken Parmesan For Two, continued…

Huge turnips came in this weeks CSA delivery.  I was pretty excited about this root vegetable, but also a little apprehensive about what to do with them.  I had to dig deep into my recipe collection, but I found some nice ways to prepare turnips and gave one of them a try.

Growing up in upstate New York, where there is a relatively short growing season, many of the local organic farmers grow root vegetables that sweeten in the ground as the air turns frosty.  This typically winter produce, is best featured by roasting the parsnips, carrots, beets, turnips, and rutabagas to draw out their natural sweetness and flavor.

If you would like to make this a more substantial vegetable side dish, try cooking up some greens and serving the roasted turnips on top of them.  The Hungry Wife suggests using hardy greens that last late into the growing season, such as Swiss or ruby chard, collards, kale, turnip greens, or mustard greens.  To prepare them, you can sauté some minced garlic in olive oil, and add some crushed red pepper as desired, and your choice of greens.  Cook, stirring them often, for about 15 minutes, until they are tender.
Oven Roasted Turnips, continued…

This Pasta with Easy Summer Sauce only requires a bit of chopping, and the green beans in the recipe cook right along with the pasta.  Here in Columbia, South Carolina it gets hot.  Really hot.  They call Columbia “famously hot” after all, and they weren’t joking.  The temperature is reliably around 90 everyday, and it’s only May.  So, what could be better in hot weather than a sauce that needs no cooking at all?

Pasta with Easy Summer Sauce, continued…

Artichoke Lasagna Rolls are a perfect way to use up left over lasagna noodles.  I always seem to have a few left in the box – not enough for a whole pan of lasagna.  You may assemble the rolls ahead and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake them.  Any leftover Artichoke Lasagna Rolls reheat nicely – just microwave them for 1 to 2 minutes.  When I made this recipe, I only had no-boil lasagna noodles in the pantry.  So, instead of making rolls I simply made lasagna the classic way (by layering sauce, noodle, ricotta mixture, mozzarella ect.), just on a smaller scale using the 8×8 dish.

Sometimes you need scaled-down recipes.  Maybe you live alone or with just one other person.  Maybe the rest of the family is out doing something else, and you don’t really feel like preparing a lot of food.  No matter why you’re on your own, this is a recipe to turn to.  Artichoke lasagna rolls are also awesome if you are looking for low-fat recipes.  Coming in with 545 calories, 12.7 grams of fat, 8.4 grams dietary fiber, 10 mg cholesterol, and 547 mg sodium per serving, Artichoke Lasagna Rolls and good for you too.  You don’t have to be a non-meat-eater to appreciate the deliciousness of the low-fat recipe.
Artichoke Lasagna Rolls, continued…

This Folly Beach Garlic Shrimp is designed to be made for a crowd who enjoys seafood, and its great as an appetizer or as the main dish.  You could even make some angel hair pasta or linguine and toss the Folly Beach Garlic Shrimp with it for a nice pasta dish.  Personally, I feel you don’t even really need to measure the ingredients.  I just add as much or as little as I want of each ingredient, so don’t be afraid to play around until you find that perfect combination for your palette.  Also, I do not use very many bread crumbs, instead, just more of a dusting as compared to what is in the actual recipe.

Folly beach is located on the historic Folly Island in Charleston SC.  This low-country location is famous for its shrimp and its surfing.

Folly Beach Garlic Shrimp, continued…

Many cuisine-related sources carry forward a folklore which describes hummus as one of the oldest known prepared foods with a long history in the Middle East. Its historical origins are not known for sure, but what I know, is that I love hummus. I love hummus in all forms, and want to share my love of hummus with you. Traditional hummus is made from cooked, mashed chickpeas, blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic.

Not only does hummus taste terrific, but its good for you too.  Hummus is high in iron and vitamin C, and also has significant amounts of folate and vitamin B6. The chickpeas make it a good source of protein and dietary fiber; the tahini consists mostly of sesame seeds, which are an excellent source of the amino acid methionine, complementing the proteins in the chickpeas. Depending on the recipe, hummus carries varying amounts of monounsaturated fat. Hummus is useful in vegetarian and vegan diets and like other combinations of grains and pulses, when eaten with bread it serves as a complete protein.

The recipe that follows is a little different from the traditional hummus recipes, but is equally as delicious.  If you can find tahini, it is preferred over using the sesame seed oil, but incase you have a hard time finding tahini, there is a substitute.  Also, make sure you buy light olive oil.  I made this using extra virgin olive oil, and it was potent.  Still tasted good, but the olive oil was a little too strong.  Next time I will definitely use a lighter version.  There are many variations of hummus, and I plan to share with you as many as I possibly can.  For now, if you are looking for a quick, nice tasting hummus to make for a party or when company comes over, look no further.

Hummus, continued…

Pizza has become a quintessential American comfort food, and this Zucchini & Fresh Tomatoes with Fontina Pizza fits right in.  Ever since Italian immigrants started making pizzas in their neighborhoods, it’s been a hit.  Now you can find it topped with all sorts of vegetables, cheeses, seafood, meats, and even eggs and fruits.  There are pita pizzas, French bread pizzas, English muffin pizzas, taco pizzas, and Hawaiian pizzas.

Pizza goes great with soup and salad.  It’s often eaten for breakfast and is probably one of the healthiest fast foods you can buy.  Unless of course your like me, and prefer your pie with extra-cheese.  I love eating this pizza, mainly because I don’t feel bad after eating that extra piece.  This nice thing about this pizza is that if you buy pre-made dough, you can make it in a hurry.  Want it a little more organic, then try your hand at making your own dough.
Zucchini & Fresh Tomatoes with Fontina Pizza, continued…

As a child you may have been told to eat your vegetables because they’re good for you.  Research shows that eating certain fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and fish can reduce your risk for various diseases, such as cancer, and can promote good health.  Being healthy allows you to have more time to do things you enjoy and to live a longer and healthier life.

The Whole Grain Gain

Whole grains are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and hundreds of disease-fighting phytochemicals.  They contain many substances that have been linked to a lower cancer risk.  These include soluble and insoluble fiber, antioxidants, phenols, lignans, phytoestrogens, and saponins.

According to the USDA Food Guide, eat at least three servings of whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta every day.  Other whole grain foods include oatmeal, plain popcorn, wild rice, kasha, and tabbouleh (bulgur wheat).  Get adventurous and try different grains such as quinoa and millet too.  Beans, legumes, and seeds such as flax seed are also great sources of fiber and phytochemicals.

Cut Back on the Fat

Choosing foods rich in poly- and monounsaturated fats, or “good” fats, (olive oil, nuts, salmon) and avoiding those high in saturated and trans fats (processed baked goods, fast food, high-fat meats) may help lower your risk of cancer and may help to decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Vary Your Veggies and Focus on Fruits

Fruits and vegetables not only fill you up, they are full of substances that help prevent and fight disease.  In particular, tomatoes, garlic, dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, romaine; and leaf lettuces; mustard and collard greens; chicory; and Swiss chard); cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kale), and berries may reduce your cancer risk.

Eating five to nine servings a day of a variety of fruits and vegetables is the best way to obtain all of the potential disease-fighting benefits.  You’ll also get a boost of fiber and important vitamins and minerals.

Drink the Best Beverages

While no single beverage or food can prevent or cure diseases, research has shown that some have effective properties.  Both green tea and purple grape juice contain compounds that may lower the risk.  Green tea is an excellent source of catechins, a potent antioxidant that is thought to protect against cell damage.  Grape juice is a rich source of resveratrol, a type of natural plant chemical called a polyphenol that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Choose low-fat or fat-free milk, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese.  If you don’t eat milk products, be sure to include other calcium-fortified foods and beverages in your diet.

This Texas Caviar recipe came from my mother in law and is a favorite among company.  This is a version of salsa that is tasty and filling. It is loaded with fiber and protein, which also makes it balanced. Black-eyed peas, also called cowpeas or crowder peas are a pale-colored dry bean, with a black spot that gives them their name.  Black-eyed peas are an excellent source of calcium, vitamin A and folate. They are low in fat and sodium and contain no cholesterol.  The grilled corn adds a really nice and subtle smoky flavor to the Texas Caviar.  Serve it with baked tortilla chips or pita chips for a low-fat option.

Texas Caviar, continued…

This Green Tea Smoothie is another favorite of ours on hot sunny days.  Fruit of any color is delicious in a smoothie made with green tea, but at The Hungry Wife we lean toward pale green honeydew, and sometimes we add kiwi, too.  Be sure to use a food processor when making smoothies with kiwi: Blenders are more likely to crush the bitter kiwi seeds for this Green Tea Smoothie.

Green Tea Smoothie, continued…

Beets – If root vegetables are underrated, they are probably considered the worst of the lot.  So much so, in fact, that many people have never cooked fresh ones (since boiling them can sometimes make a bit of a mess in the kitchen).

Once solution to this dilema, try baking beets whole, wrapped in foil (bake at 400 degrees, on a baking sheet, about 1 hour or until tender).  Not only will you discover a whole new flavor, but cleanup is a snap.  And when you try them, make a few extra.  They are a delicious and colorful addition to many dishes: You can dice or slice them and add to a salad; cut in julienne, toss in butter and serve as a side dish or garnish or marinate them and serve as part of an antipasto plate (with a slice of salami, some good olives, a bit of cheese, etc.).  Or puree the baked beets smooth or coarse, season with a touch of nutmeg and work in a piece of sweet butter, and discover a whole new vegetable dish.

One nice part of buying these at farmers’ markets is that you can often find them with their green tops attached.  To prepare the greens, cut them from the roots, wash well, trim off thick stems, and steam or saute in butter.  And a new development, found at some farmers’ markets, is golden beets, which taste like red beets but lack their pigment, betanin.
Orange Glazed Beets, continued…

Pantry List:  Having basic cooking ingredients at home saves time and makes it easier to eat well day in, day out.  With a well-stocked pantry, you can whip up creative meals with items on hand and shorten your shopping list when preparing a complicated meal.  Consider buying pantry items in bulk from a reliable local store where stock rotation ensures the freshness of food.  That way you get the quality and quantity you want and you’ll save money and consume less packaging.

The staples below are suggestions of foods good to keep on hand.  I certainly do not stock them all, just the things that I use most regularly.  I hope you’ll use the list for inspiration and as a reminder when it’s time to shop for food.

Shelf Items

1. Grains

Barley, bulghur, buckwheat groats (kasha), cornmeal, couscous, grits, millet, oats, popcorn, quinoa, rice (arborio, brown, white).

Note:  Transfer packaged or bulk grains to glass jars with tight-fitting lids for storage: it’s easier to see how much you have on hand and helps protect your grains from insects.  Milled grains, like flours and meals, have a shorter shelf life than whole grains, so unless you use them up within a month, they should be refrigerated or frozen in closed containers.

2. Beans

Dried – Black turtle beans, black-eyed peas, chick peas, red kidney beans, cannellini (white beans), lentils (red, brown), limas, navy or pea beans, pintos, split peas (green, yellow).

Canned – Butter beans, black beans, chick peas, kidney beans, cannellini.

Note:  When buying dried beans, look for those with uncracked shiny coats and good color.  Red the labels on canned beans.  Some are sodium-free, some are organic, some have additives and preservatives.

3. Pasta

Asian – Rice noodles, soba noodles, udon noodles.

Italian – Spaghetti, linguine, penne, ziti, farfalle, orzo, lasagna noodles.

Note:  Dried pasta, if stored in a well-sealed container, can last a lifetime, so stock a range of shapes and sizes: tiny pasta to add to soups and stews, chunky pasta to toss with vegetables, and long noodles for saucing.

4. Nuts and Seeds

Almonds, cashews, hazelnuts (filberts), peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, walnuts, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, tahini, peanut butter.

Note:  Nuts and seeds are terrific to have on hand for cooking, snacking, and for quick, nutritious additions to cereal, yogurt, and fruit salads.  I possible, buy them in bulk, since the tend to be expensive.  Check that they are crunchy, smell fresh, and have good color and sheen.  Always store refrigerated.

5. Oils

Canola, olive (regular and extra-virgin), dark sesame oil.

Note:  Experiment with different brands because the flavor varies.  Oils that are used often can be stored in dark bottles or in a closed cupboard.  Oils that are used less frequently should be stored in the refrigerator.

6. Spices and Herbs

Allspice, annatto (achiote), basil, bay leaves, black pepper, cardamom, cayenne, caraway, coriander seed, cinnamon (ground and stick), cloves, cumin seed, curry powder, dill, fennel seed, five-spice powder, garam masala, marjoram, mint, mustard seed, nutmeg, Old Bay Seasoning, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, tarragon, thyme, turmeric.

Note: An extensive spice collection is a real asset.  Is there anything more frustrating than having everything you need for a recipe except one pesky herb or spice?  since the flavor and fragrance of herbs and spices fade over time, buy in small quantities or store refrigerated in well-sealed containers.  For best flavor, purchase them whole and grind them as needed.

7. Condiments

Chinese chili paste, chinese fermented black beans, fermented black bean sauce, fish sauce (nuoc mam), fruit spreads, hoisin sauce, mustard (Dijon, spicy brown, yellow), soy sauce, hot sauce, vinegars (apple cider, red wine, balsamic, rice wine), wasabi powder.

Note: Condiments add depth, heat, pungency, flavor, and complexity and can make a so-so dish suddenly delicious.  Those that contain fresh ingredients, oil, or high percentages of sugar or other sweeteners should be refrigerated.

8. Canned and Jarred Goods

Artichoke hearts, capers, coconut mik (unsweetened), olives (Spanish, kalamata, black), pinientos, roasted red peppers, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, salsa, tomato juice, tomato paste, whole tomatoes, tomato sauce, clams, clam juice.

Note:  Read the labels and experiment with different brands to find your favorites.  I think canned goods that are free of additives and preservatives taste best.

9. Wines and Liqueurs

Chinese rice wine, dry red and white wines, liqueurs (amaretto, Grand Marnier, Frangelico), Marsala, mirin, sake, sherry.

Note:  Sometimes a splash of wine or liqueur can add the perfect touch to a dish.  If not used regularly, store them in the refrigerator.

10. Frozen Foods

Black-eyed peas, lima beans, peas, corn, okra, puff pastry, filo dough, tortillas (wheat, corn) tempeh.

Note:  Keep frozen foods well wrapped to avoid freezer burn.

11. Miscellaneous

Dried fruits (raisins, currants, apricots, dates, figs, dried cherries) – Store refrigerated in a closed container, if not using quickly.

Dried Mushrooms– Store in a cool, dry place

Fresh Garlic – Store in a vented jar.

Seaweed (Hijiki, Nori) – Store in a dry place

Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Store in a closed container or plastic wrap in the refrigerator.

Moosewood Restaurant New Classics, Copyright 2001, Moosewood, Inc., Clarkson Potter, Publishers.