Greek Lamb and Feta Lasagna

GREEK LAMB AND FETA LASAGNA

(low calorie! about 321 per serving)

2 tsp olive oil
1-1/2 cups onion, chopped
1-1/2 Tblsp garlic, minced
1 Tblsp fresh rosemary, chopped
9 ounces lean ground lamb
9 ounces ground pork [or lean ground beef]
1-1/4 cups unsalted chicken stock
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 (14oz) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
1-1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
9 no-boil lasagna noodles
Cooking spray
3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 3/4 cup)
3 Tblsp fresh rosemary, chopped

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and next 4 ingredients (through pork); cook 14 minutes or until lamb and beef are browned, stirring to crumble. 
• Add stock to pan; cook 3 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, and tomatoes. Bring to boil; reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.
• Combine ricotta and rind in small bowl. Spread 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture over one side of each lasagna noodle.
• Spread 2 cups tomato mixture in bottom of an 11x7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles, ricotta side up, over tomato mixture; top with 2 cups tomato mixture. Repeat layers twice, ending with 2 cups tomato mixture. Sprinkle evenly with feta cheese. 
• Cover with foil; bake for 40 minutes. 
• Remove foil; let stand 10 minutes. 
• Sprinkle with rosemary.

recipe directly from CookingLight magazine, Marsh 2013 edition 

Elegant Holiday: Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin

ELEGANT HOLIDAY DINNER:

PANCETTA-WRAPPED BEEF TENDERLOIN

with HORSERADISH CREAM

1 (5-6lb) beef tenderloin [this is a $100 slab of meat, so I used ribeye steaks instead]
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp coarsely ground pepper
3 Tblsp olive oil, divided
14 very thin pancetta slices
3 garlic cloves
2 Tblsp chopped fresh rosemary
Whipped Horseradish Cream 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Sprinkle tenderloin [or steaks] with salt and pepper. Cook in 2 tablespoons hot oil in a skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Let cool 5 minutes. 
• Meanwhile, arrange pancetta slices in 2 rows on a large piece of wax paper, overlapping to form a rectangle. Sprinkle garlic and rosemary over tenderloin. Place tenderloin on edge of 1 long side of pancetta. Tightly roll up tenderloin with pancetta, using wax paper as a guide. Discard wax paper. Tie tenderloin with kitchen string, securing at 1-inch intervals. Transfer to an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, and brush with remaining 1 Tblsp oil. [Since I used steaks, I seared each side in the oil, then laid on baking sheet, sprinkled with garlic and rosemary, placed 2 slices of pancetta on top of each one and stuck them in the oven that way]
• Bake at 425 degrees F for 30 minutes or until pancetta is crispy and meat thermometer instered into center of tenderloin registers 120 degrees F (rare). Let stand 10 minutes. Discard kitchen string before slicing. Serve with Horseradish Cream.

WHIPPED HORSERADISH CREAM

1 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup horseradish

2 Tblsp chopped fresh parsley

1/4 tsp salt

• Beat whipping cream at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer 1 minutes or until soft peaks form. 
• Fold in remaining ingredients. 
• Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 8 hours.

"An Elegant Holiday Dinner"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Cherry-Pecan Brie
Tossed Greens-and-Grapes Salad
Easy Asiago-Olive Rolls
Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Whipped Horseradish Cream
Crispy Potatoes with Fennel
Lemon-Garlic Green Beans
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

Elegant Holiday: Green-Grapes Salad and Olive Rolls

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

TOSSED GREENS-AND-GRAPES SALAD

(Salad on top right)

3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1-1/2 Tblsp Dijon mustard
1-1/2 tsp honey
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

1 (15oz) pkg spring greens mix or sweet baby greens
2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
1 cup salted, roasted cashews
2oz Manchego cheese, shaved

• Stir together olive oil and next 5 ingredients in a large serving bowl. Add spring greens and next 3 ingredients, and toss. Serve immediately. 

EASY ASIAGO-OLIVE ROLLS

1 (13.8oz) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
1/4 cup refrigerated olive tapenade
1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
1 Tblsp butter, melted

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Unroll pizza crust dough. Spread olive tapenade over dough, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Sprinkle with cheese and rosemary. Gently roll up dough, starting a 1 long side. Cut into 10 (1-1/4 inch thick) slices. Place slices in a lightly greased 9-inch round cake pan. Brush top of dough with melted butter. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately.

"An Elegant Holiday Dinner"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Cherry-Pecan Brie
Tossed Greens-and-Grapes Salad
Easy Asiago-Olive Rolls
Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Whipped Horseradish Cream
Crispy Potatoes with Fennel
Lemon-Garlic Green Beans
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

Easy Supper Club: Herbed Pork Roast

"Easy Supper Club"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Bacon-Arugula-Apple Bites
Herbed Pork Roast
Roasted Fall Veggies
Puffed Mashed Potatoes
Basil-and-Blue Cheese Salad
Brandy Alexander Cheesecake

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

HERBED PORK ROAST

1 (4-5 lb) untrimmed pork loin roast

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp coarsely ground pepper

Kitchen string

5 Tblsp olive oil, divided

2 Tblsp chopped fresh sage

2 Tblsp chopped fresh parsley

2 Tblsp chopped fresh thyme

1 Tblsp chopped fresh rosemary

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Sprinkle pork with kosher salt and ground pepper. Tie pork with kitchen string, securing at 2-in intervals.
• Cook pork, fat side down, in 3 Tblsp hot oil in a stainless-steel skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Place fast side up, on a wire rack in a aluminum foil-lined roasting pan. Remove kitchen string; make 5 (1/2-inch deep) cuts in pork.
• Stir together sage, next 3 ingredients and remaining 2 Tblsp oil. Stuff herb mixture into slits in pork.
• Bake at 425 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 155 degrees F. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

Thursday: Roasted Fall Veggies & Basil-and-Blue Cheese Salad

Creamy Nutmeg Chicken [crock-pot]

CREAMY NUTMEG CHICKEN

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 Tblsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup onions, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 (10-3/4 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 Tblsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp sage
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp dried rosemary, crushed

• Brown chicken in skillet in the oil. Reserve drippings and place chicken in the slow cooker.
• Saute onions and parsley in dripping until onions are tender.
• Stir in remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour over chicken.
• Cover. Cook on low 3-4 hours, or until juices run clear.

recipe from "Fix-It and Forget-It" Christmas Cookbook @2010

Roasted Vegetables

Discovered this "new" way to cook veggies, and its been a huge hit for the family! The picture is of carrots, but you can use zucchini, squash or whatever your heart desires.

ROASTED VEGETABLES

Veggies of your choice [carrots, zucchini, squash...]
Olive oil
Seasoning [use can use any mixtures: salt & pepper, thyme, rosemary, sage, paprika, cumin...] I used salt, thyme and rosemary

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut veggie into even wedges (almost impossible, picture proves that) and toss with olive oil.
• Lay out on lightly greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with choice seasoning.
• Roast in middle rack for about 20 minutes, tossing half way, or until lightly browned on edges.

FBF: Rosemary and Garlic Olive Oil

FLASH-BACK FRIDAY

ROSEMARY AND GARLIC OLIVE OIL

click on image to see full post from 9/15/12

Grilled Rosemary Lamb Sirloins

GRILLED ROSEMARY LAMB SIRLOIN

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary or 3 teaspoons dried
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 1-inch-thick lamb sirloins (or chops), fat trimmed

• Mix first 6 ingredients in small bowl. Place lamb chops in single layer in 13x9x2-inch glass dish. Pour marinade over. cover with foil and refrigerate 4 hours, turning lamb chops occasionally.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Season lamb with salt and pepper and place on grill. Cover; grill shops to desired doneness, basting often with marinade, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to platter and serve.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Grilled-Rosemary-Lamb-Chops-658#ixzz24zNVdO2d

Rosemary & Strawberry Shortcake Pizza

This is the best thing I've every had. Period. I would eat the entire pizza if no one else was around... I won't mention how many times I've actually made this... The bread is like a scone, and the honey with the strawberries accent the rosemary in perfect unison. Its the best right out of the oven, or the next day when the juices have soaked in completely. Don't go another day without trying this!

ROSEMARY & STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE PIZZA

1 Quart Strawberries, rinsed, then halved or quartered (4 cups)
¼ cup honey 
3 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
4 ½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
1 ¾ cups whipping cream
1 egg white, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp. sugar
Sweetened whipped cream

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
• In large bowl, combine strawberries and honey. Let stand, stirring occasionally, while preparing shortcake.
• For shortcake, in food processor combine flour, ¼ cup sugar, rosemary, baking powder, and salt; pulse to mix (Or whisk together in large bowl.) Add butter to flour mixture; pulse several times. (Or cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives.) 
• While pulsing, add cream, pulsing until dough begins to come together. (Or make a well in center of flour mixture. Pour cream into well. Mix with fork until dough is evenly moistened.)Turn out dough in lightly floured surface. Knead quickly. Roll dough to 9x13 inch rectangle (1/2- inch thickness). 
• Transfer dough to large parchment-lined baking sheet. With sharp knife, score dough (cutting not quite through) in 1 ½ -inch squares. Brush dough with egg white; sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. sugar. 
• Bake 22 to 26 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer shortcake and parchment to wooden board or platter. Spoon strawberries on shortcake. Drizzle with juices.

Recipe directly from ABC Chanel 7 News in Chicago, IL on June 7th, 2012

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Crock-Pot Potato Medley

CROCK-POT POTATO MEDLEY

1 pound of mixed potatoes, (such as red potatoes, golden potatoes and purple potatoes, and the combination is usually called a "medley")
2 tblsp butter, plus 1 tblsp
2 tblsp olive oil
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary

• Wash and slice potatoes in half or into similar sized pieces. Toss in olive oil, thyme and rosemary.
• Melt butter and pour into bottom of crock-pot. Add potatoes on top. Dice the 1 tablespoon into small pieces and place over potatoes.
• Turn crock-pot on low and cook 4 to 4-1/2 hours or until fork tender. Turn to warm until ready to serve

FBF: Rosemary Ribeye Steak & Bread Salad

FLASH-BACK FRIDAY

ROSEMARY RIBEYE STEAK &BREAD SALAD

click on image to see full post from 8/4/11

Purple Mashed Potatoes

I saw these in our commissary and I grabbed them because I've never seen them before and I love experimenting with new foods! Turns out, they are quite popular, and quite loved! I kept hearing they are great when roasted, so I didn't listen and made them into mashed potatoes.

PURPLE MASHED POTATOES

2 pounds purple potatoes, estimated 9-10 pieces
4 tblsp butter
1 tblsp rosemary
2 tsp salt
milk

• Boil potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain.
• In a large kitchen-aid mixer, beat potatoes, butter, rosemary, salt and enough milk to make it right consistency.
• Adjust seasoning to your taste!

Click HERE to see recipe for the cinnamon pork tenderloin

Veal Chops & Spaghetti Squash

VEAL CHOPS WITH THYME AND ROSEMARY

2- 8-oz veal loin or rib chops about 1-inch thick1 tablespoon of vegetable oil3 tablespoons vegetable oil3 cloves garlic, minced2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

• Preheat the oven to 250°F.
• Season the veal chops well with salt and pepper.
• In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil with the garlic, rosemary and thyme spread the mixture over both sides of the chops.
• Heat an oven-proof skillets over medium high heat.
• Heat oil over high heat and when hot, place the chops in each skillet and sear the meat for approximately 3 minutes per side.
• Serve warm and with the spaghetti squash.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Slice spaghetti squash in half across the smaller width. Remove the seeds and "guts" using a big spoon.
• Invert the squash sides on a cookie sheet and cook for 45 minutes.
• Remove squash from oven and let cool for 15 minutes or until easy to handle.
• Use a fork and scrape out the squash and place into a bowl. 
• Sprinkle a couple tablespoons of brown sugar and a few tablespoons of butter and mix thoroughly until it is all melted.
• Serve warm with veal chops.

Chicken Skewers w/ Blackberry Sauce

Another recipes using the wild blackberries!

ROSEMARY CHICKEN SKEWERS W/ BLACKBERRY SAUCE

4 boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons rosemary, chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1-3/4 cup fresh blackberries
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons red currant jelly
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

• In a medium bowl, mix the chicken with the rosemary, wine, pepper and olive oil. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the marinade for later. 
• Thread chicken onto the skewers and season generously with salt. 
• Grill on high heat from 4-5 minutes each side. When done, place on platter and cover with foil to allow the chicken to rest.

For the Sauce:

• Place the remaining marinade and berries into a sauce pan and simmer gently until berries are soft.
• Press the berry mixture through a strainer and discard the pulp.
• Return the juice to sauce pan and add vinegar, jelly and nutmeg and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until reduced to 1/3 cup and has the consistency of syrup.
• Drizzle over chicken and serve.

Portobello Lamb Chops

PORTOBELLO LAMP CHOPS

3/4 cup peach preserves
1 tblsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp salt
4 lamb chops
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
4 large portobello mushrooms

• In small bowl, combine the first four ingredients. our 1/3 cup of marinade into large resealable plastic bag; add lamb chops. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 1-4 hours. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade.
• In small bowl, combine oil and rosemary; brush over mushrooms.
• Grease grill rack and grill lamb chops and mushrooms, uncovered, over medium heat for 8-10 minutes each side. 
• Baste frequently with reserved marinade.
• Make sure meat reaches 145 degrees for medium, 160 degrees medium and 170 for well done.
• Slice mushrooms and serve with lamb chops.

Greek Vegetables

Do you recognize these veggies? I served them with my Grilled Lamb with Brown Sugar Glaze that was posted yesterday. This is an excellent side to any dish. You can use basically any vegetable in the mix to cater to your likeness!

GREEK VEGETABLES

1 zucchini, sliced
1 yellow squash, sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
1 orange pepper, sliced
1/2 bundles asparagus, trimmed and sliced
2 tablespoons oil
1/4 cup feta cheese
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon fried oregano

• Preheat over to 375 degrees F.
• After slicing all the vegetables, toss with olive oil. Split the batch into 2 different bowls.
• In one bowl, toss vegetables with rosemary. In the other bowl, with oregano.
• Then place the vegetables in a roasting pan.
• Roast in the over for 15-20 minutes, or until tender.
• Place vegetables in a bowl and sprinkle feta cheese over top. Serve warm.

Blackberry Cabernet Roast

BLACKBERRY CABERNET ROAST

• 5 pounds eye of round beef roast
• 1-1/2 cups wild blackberries
• 2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons cracked pepper 

Au Jus Sauce

• 1 -1/3 cups wild blackberries
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/3 cups Cabernet Sauvignon

Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

• Pierce all sides of meat using a meat fork every 1 in and place in a large resealable plastic bad.
• Puree blackberries in a blender or food processor. Press through a sieve to remove seeds. Discard solids.
• Combine blackberry puree with Cabernet, garlic, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt and pepper in small bowl. Pour mixture over roast and seal bag.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight, turning roast occasionally.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Drain meat from marinade.
• Sprinkle cracked pepper evenly over meat and place in large roasting pan.
• Pour 2 cups marinade from plastic bag into roasting pan. Discard remaining marinade.
• Roast 15 minutes, reduce oven to 350 degrees F. Continue to roast 1-11/2 hours or until meat thermometer reads 145 degrees F.
• Remove meat from pan. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing thinly across the grain.

Sauce:

• Puree 1/2 cup blackberries in a blender or food processor. Press through a sieve to remove seeds. Discard solids.
• In a saucepan, combine blackberry puree, beef broth and Cabernet, and heat over medium and bring to a simmer, constantly stirring. Boil for about 10 minutes.
• Combine cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water, then add to saucepan. Cook for 1 minute or until slightly thickened.
• Remove from heat and serve with roast.

Rosemary & Garlic Olive Oil

I've read many posts on how to make your own flavored olive oil. Versatile Kitchen has a recipe for chili oil and Inspired by eRecipes Cards has a good one too. This is mine:

GARLIC & ROSEMARY OLIVE OIL

2 cups olive oil
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1 garlic clove, cut into slivers

In a saucepan, heat oil over low heat and add rosemary and garlic. Keep on heat for 30 minutes. It will smell up the kitchen in a delicious aroma!

Strain the oil to remove spring and pieces. Pour into glass jars. Place a fresh spring of rosemary into jars. Cork and store!

There is so many different options for flavors--have fun and experiment!

Rosemary Ribeye Steak & Grilled Bread Salad

ROSEMARY RIBEYE STEAK

This is a wonderful summer-time steak. Fresh rosemary and corn make it meld together and the flavors just pop. Follow the instructions closely to get that perfect steak.

2 ribeye steaks, cut 1 inch thick
1 tblsp olive oil
1 tblsp finely snipped fresh rosemary
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
snipped fresh rosemary (for garnish)

Ready for the grill

Trim the fat from the steaks. Brush with oil. In a small bowl, combine 1 tblsp rosemary, salt and pepper. Sprinkle over both sides of the steaks; rub in with your fingers. Cover and marinate at room temp for 30 minutes.

Sprinkle the steaks with a little more salt right before grilling.

Charcoal grill is the best for the steaks, but you can use gas grill if that's all ya got. Get coals to medium heat and grill, uncovered, for 10 to 13 minutes doe med-rae, 12 to 15 for medium. [For gas grill, preheat oven and cook over medium heat, covered, until at the right doneness] Sprinkle steaks with fresh rosemary before serving.

GRILLED BREAD SALAD

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 ears of corn, husks and silks removed
3 1/2-in-thick slices Italian bread
4 cups baby arugula
1 cup cherry tomatoes


For dressing, combine 1/4 cup oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper. Cover and shake well; set aside.

Brush all sides of corn and bread slices with remaining oil.

Place corn on grill (same time as the steaks) and grill for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally to brown evenly. Add bread slices at the end, and grill for 3 to 4 minutes, or until toasted. (careful--we burned a few!)

In large bowl, toss together the arugula and tomatoes. Cut corn from cob and add to mix. Cut bread into bite-sized slices and add to mix. Shake dressing and add to the salad; toss to combine.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Recipe adapted from Better Home and Gardens "Grill it" Special Interest Publications, 2011