Lentil, split pea and barley soup with smoked turkey

Winter is at our doorstep, and with it comes days like today when the only reasonable thing to make is a huge pot of soup.  Here's my recipe for a delicious hearty soup.  You can easily make this vegetarian by omitting the smoked turkey wings.

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 C. diced onion

1 C. diced carrots

1 C. diced celery

1 tbs. kosher salt or smoked fleur de sel

1 tsp. black pepper

1 tbs. Italian seasoning

72 oz. chicken stock

1/3 C. each- barley, lentils and split peas, rinsed

16 oz. can diced tomatoes with herbs

2 bay leaves

2 smoked turkey wings

Optional- rind of Parmesan cheese

Heat olive oil on medium high heat in a large soup pot.  Add onion, carrots and celery.  Saute for 2 minutes, add remaining ingredients (including rind) and stir to combine.  Cover and simmer on medium low heat for at least an hour before serving.  

Thanksgiving 101 class, book talk at the Westport Library, and caramelized onion, bacon corn muffins

There are a few spaces left in Monday's Thanksgiving 101 class.  Learn how to prepare for, organize and cook a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.

Register at www.timetoeat.tv

I will be giving a book talk and book signing on Thursday, December 1 at the Westport Public Library at 10:00 a.m.  Pick up great tips and ideas to streamline your nightly dinnertime dilemma.  

For more information, visit http://www.westportlibrary.org/events/chef-nicole-gives-you-more-time-eat?date=2011-12-01.

Here's my recipe for sweet corn muffins with caramelized onions and bacon.  

2 box corn muffin mix

1 egg

2 tbs. butter

1/2 C. creamed corn

1 C. cooked crumbled bacon

1 caramelized onion:

        1 onion

        1 tbs. olive oil

        1 tbs. brown sugar

        1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

        pinch of kosher salt

Saute onion and olive oil in a large nonstick pan on medium high heat.  Add brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and kosher salt and cook 6-8 minutes until onions are soft.  Remove and chop before adding to corn mix.

Preheat oven to 400.  Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.  Spray mini muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray and spoon corn mixture into tins.  Bake 10-12 minutes until muffins are firm.  

    

Lemon chicken francaise with artichoke hearts and mushrooms

We had friends over the other night and I wanted to try something new.  The beauty of this dish is a) most of it can be prepared in advance and b) the actual cooking time is very short.

6 thinly sliced pieces of chicken breast
1/2 C. flour
1 tbs. garlic powder
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. 4S seasoning or Adobo salt
zest from 1 lemon
1 can artichoke hearts, sliced
1 C. sliced mushrooms
juice from 1 lemon
1/2 C. white wine
1/2 C. water or chicken stock
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
1/2 C. flat leaf parsley, chopped for garnish

Preheat oven to 375.  Add oil and 1 Tbs. butter to a large nonstick saute pan on medium heat.  On a plate, combine flour, garlic powder, black pepper, seasoning salt and lemon zest.  Dredge chicken pieces in flour and set aside.  When butter has melted, add 2-3 pieces of chicken to the pan and saute for 2 minutes per side.  Remove chicken and place in a casserole pan.  Continue sauteing chicken.  Once all chicken pieces have been sauteed, place casserole pan in the oven, covered with foil.

In the same pan, add 2 tbs. of the flour mixture with remaining butter.  Stir for 1 minute.  Add white wine and water and stir until sauce thickens.  If sauce is too thick add a little more water.   Add mushrooms and artichoke hearts and cook for 2 minutes or until mushrooms have just softened.  Remove chicken from the oven and pour sauce over pan.  Garnish with parsley before serving.

Seriously healthy cookies!!

A friend brought some delicious coconut chocolate cookies she made last night, I was inspired to play off her recipe and create these delicious, airy cookies that are so healthy, you can even eat them for breakfast!

2 eggs
1 C. almond flour
1 C. shredded coconut
1/2 C. wheat germ
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tbs. cinnamon
3 Tbs. agave or honey
1/4 C. apple sauce
1 mashed banana
3 tbs. oil
1/4 C. dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mixture will be moist, but if mixture seems too wet, add another 1/2 C. almond flour. Bake on a Silpat mat for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are firm to the touch.

Peach black bean salsa

I did a cooking demonstration at the Westport Farmers' Market yesterday and made a delicious fresh peach and black bean salsa, here's the recipe. Don't forget to register for an upcoming class at www.timetoeat.tv, the new season is listed below.

1 ½ C. peeled diced peaches
2 C. cooked black beans
½ C. finely diced tomato
½ C. diced red pepper
½ finely diced onion
½ bunch cilantro, chopped
2 tbs. olive oil
Juice from 1 lime
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
Kosher salt to taste
Cayenne pepper (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, season to taste with salt and add a little cayenne if you like heat!

NOTE- this salsa is delicious on any protein or served as a side salad tossed in with cooked quinoa.

Time to Eat! Upcoming Class Schedule at Christopher Peacock Cabinetry


Sept. 14 Back to School-15 Minute & Make Ahead Meals
Sept. 28 15 Minute Meals
Oct. 12 Hearty Fall Soups
Oct. 26 Fall Harvest Dinner Party
Nov. 9 Easy Dinner Party
Nov. 14 Thanksgiving 101- How to plan for and create a stress-free meal
Dec. 7 Holiday Hors' D'oeuvres and Desserts in a hurry!
Dec. 14 Cookies as Gifts

Curried barley salad

Here's one of the recipes I'll be making at The Westport Farmers' Market tomorrow, Thursday, September 8th from 11-1. Come on by for a taste.


1 C. uncooked pearl barley

2 C. water or stock

1 C. cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

1 C. grated zucchini, drained

1 C. chopped tomato

½ bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped

¼ C. Golden raisins

Juice from ½ lemon

1 Tbs. finely chopped garlic

1½ tsp. curry powder

1 tsp. turmeric

½ tsp. Smoky paprika

2 tbs. Olive oil

Kosher salt to taste

Combine barley and water in a pot with a lid; simmer for 30-40 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Or, try using a rice cooker. Add 2 1/2 cups water per cup of barley.

While barley cooks, combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside until barley is cooked. When barley is cooked, fluff with a fork and gently combine with vegetables. Season to taste with salt. Salad can be served warm or cold.

Learn more about Nicole Straight and Time to Eat’s cooking classes at www.timetoeat.tv.

Lentil, brown rice soup with turkey kielbasa... Perfect for the rainy weather.

The kids are (finally) back in school and like clockwork, the weather has turned cool and rainy. Today was the perfect day to make a large pot of soup. This is one of my favorite soups to make, and the addition of turkey kielbasa is a great addition. Feel free to omit it for a hearty vegetarian soup.

1 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 C. diced onion
2 C. sliced turkey kielbasa
2 cubes frozen garlic
1 C. rinsed lentils
1 C. uncooked brown rice
20 oz. diced tomatoes with juice
56 oz. chicken or vegetable stock
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs. each kosher salt, pepper and Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
2 chopped carrots
3 stalks celery, chopped

Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven with a lid on medium high heat. Add onion and kielbasa and saute for 4-5 minutes until kielbasa begins to turn golden brown. Add garlic, lentils and brown rice. Stir to combine and add remaining ingredients. Cover and reduce heat to medium low. Cook for 45 minutes. If soup looks too thick, add more stock, taste and add more salt or pepper as needed.

Curried garbanzo beans with cauliflower

One of my daughter's has recently decided she's going to become a vegetarian WITH the exception of 1) bacon cheeseburgers and 2) beef tacos.

I decided to make a vegetarian curry tonight using two of her favorite foods, garbanzo beans and cauliflower. As I was beginning the process, she wandered into the kitchen and asked if she could help. I happily obliged, and this is what we came up with.

1 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 C. diced onion
8 oz. diced tomatoes with juice
2 cubes frozen garlic
2 cubes frozen ginger
2 C. canned garbanzo beans, rinsed
1/2 tsp. tumeric powder
1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 C. light coconut milk
2 C. raw cauliflower florets
1 C. shredded carrots
juice from 1/2 lime
salt to taste

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick pan with a lid on medium high heat. Saute onions and add diced tomatoes, garlic and ginger. Stir to incorporate, and add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat to medium, stir and cover. Let cook for 15 minutes until cauliflower is soft.

Note- almost any vegetable can be added to this dish, as well as diced chicken or shrimp.

We all enjoyed this delicious vegetarian dinner and there's plenty left over for tomorrow's lunch.

Tandoori spiced chicken salad

We were invited to a bbq last weekend and I made this delicious tandoori spiced chicken salad. This chicken salad is best made 1 day in advance so the flavors have time to combine.

Pickled lime, mint and cilantro chutney can be purchased at an Indian grocery store.

2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 Tbs. tandoori spice
2 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 Tbs. hot pickled lime
2 tsp. mint chutney
2 tsp. cilantro chutney
1 C. plain Greek yogurt
1/2 C. dried cranberries
1 C. finely diced celery

Preheat oven to 450. Combine tandoori, paprika and salt in a bowl and rub on chicken. Wrap chicken in foil packets and bake for 15-18 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. In a large bowl, combine lime, mint, cilantro and Greek yogurt. Add celery and cranberries. Shred chicken with 2 forks and add to bowl. Stir to combine, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Take-a-Break With CT bites and Chef Nicole

Take-a-Break With CT bites and Chef Nicole



Take-a-Break With CT bites and Chef Nicole

Tuesday, May. 3, 2011 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

The CTbites team, including Chef Nicole, an award-winning chef and owner of Time to Eat cooking school, cookbook writer, and regular guest on local and national television, discuss great ideas for good, healthy home cooking.

9:30 am, coffee
10:00 am, speaker

Author Photo: Kate Eisemann

location: McManus Room

Breakfast cookies

Mornings in our house are usually very hectic, and while I love the idea of a warm healthy breakfast, most mornings I'm just hoping the kids have brushed their hair before leaving the house. I made these yesterday and the kids (and I) loved them, they're the perfect grab-n-go breakfast or snack.

1/2 C. (1 stick) unsalted butter softened
3/4 C. firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 C. maple/agave syrup
2 eggs
2 ripe bananas
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
3/4 C. wheat germ
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. ground apple or pumpkin pie spice
pinch of salt
3 C. Quaker Oats (old fashioned, uncooked)

Optional mix-ins- ¼ C. each- dried cherries, toasted almonds, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter, sugar and maple/agave syrup on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy.

Add eggs, bananas and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, wheat germ, baking soda, apple pie spice and salt; mix well. Add oats and optional mix-ins; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto Silpat lined cookie sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack and after a few minutes store in a ziplock bag to keep cookies soft.

Pork carnitas with roasted corn and cilantro cabbage salad

I saw a yummy looking recipe the other day in a magazine that I’d been carrying around in the bottom of my purse for a couple weeks. Generally, I look at the picture, read the title and wing it. This was the case with tonight’s dinner and everyone loved it!

1 pork loin
1 tsp. olive oil
zest from 1/2 lime
1 tsp. each cumin and chili powder
pinch of kosher salt and pepper

2 C. frozen corn
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. each cumin and chili powder

½ head napa cabbage, finely chopped
¼ C. chopped cilantro
juice from 1 lime
¼ C. olive oil
pinch of kosher salt and pepper
-optional- thinly sliced radish

corn tortillas

-optional- sliced avocado

Heat grill to high, and oven to 350. While grill heats, rub pork loin with olive oil, lime zest, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Grill pork for 4 minutes per side, remove and wrap in aluminum foil and place in oven for 15 more minutes.

While pork cooks, place frozen corn on a cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil, cumin and chili powder and bake for 15 minutes or until corn turns crisp. Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in the oven for 5 minutes.

Assemble salad by combining cabbage, cilantro, lime, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Season to taste.

Remove pork from oven, thinly slice and pour juice over pork. Place pork, cabbage salad and a little corn on a tortilla.

Curried bulgur salad with golden raisins, pine nuts and green beans

Another great salad to serve or bring to any party. Use your Vidalia chopper for quick prep.

3 Tbs. olive oil
½ C. finely diced onion
2 tsp. curry powder
1 C. finely diced carrot
2 C. bulgur wheat
16 oz. (2 C.) chicken stock
1 C. golden raisins
½ C. dried apricots, diced
½ C. toasted pine nuts
1 C. fresh green beans, roughly chopped
salt and pepper to taste
½ C. finely diced English cucumber

Heat olive oil in a pot on medium high heat. Add onions and sauté for 1 minute. Add curry powder, carrot and bulgur and stir to combine. Add chicken stock, raisins, apricots, and pine nuts. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 20 minutes until liquid has absorbed. Remove from heat, add green beans, season to taste with salt and pepper and keep covered another 20 minutes. Add bulgur to a large bowl and toss in diced cucumbers. Cover and let cool completely before serving.

(Easy) Cold Soba noodle salad

As the weather gets warmer and potluck season begins, I love to bring this dish. It a snap to make, can be made a day in advance and packs a ton of flavor. You can also make the dish vegetarian by omitting the chicken.

For salad:
1 package soba noodles
1½ C. frozen shelled edamame
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
2 C. cooked chicken, diced
3 Tbs. chopped cilantro leaves
1 Tbs. chopped fresh basil

For dressing:
½ C. chunky peanut butter
2 Tbs. rice wine vinegar
2 Tbs. soy sauce
Shiracha-optional to taste
2 cubes frozen garlic
3 cubes frozen ginger
½ C. sesame oil
2 Tbs. black sesame seeds

Boil soba noodles for 4-5 minutes, drain and rinse in cold water, set aside. Combine noodles with remaining salad ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl, combine all dressing ingredients and whisk until thoroughly combined. If dressing is too tangy, add a bit of honey. Add dressing to salad and toss. Refrigerate at least an hour before serving.

Thai meatballs with dipping sauce

I made these tonight for my family and they were a huge hit! Although they have lots of flavorful ingredients, they were not too strong for little palates.

These meatballs are delicious served in a lettuce leaf or eaten over rice and the flavorful dipping sauce is incredible!

FOR MEATBALLS:
1 lb. ground pork
1 lb. ground turkey
3 finely chopped scallions
1/4 C. chopped cilantro
3 cubes each- frozen garlic and frozen ginger
3 Tbs. fish sauce (nap pla)
3 Tbs. vegetable oil

FOR SAUCE:
1/4 C. fresh lime juice
1/4 C. rice wine vinegar
2 Tbs. soy sauce
2 Tbs. fish sauce
3 Tbs. each- chopped cilantro and mint
1 grated carrot
1/2 peeled, grated cucumber
2 Tbs. sweet chili sauce
1 Tbs. brown sugar

1 head butter lettuce, leaves carefully removed
1/4 C. dry roasted peanuts

Preheat oven to 375. Combine all ingredients -except vegetable oil- in a bowl, hands work best. Heat oil in a large nonstick pan on medium high heat. While oil heats, roll meat into balls, about 2" wide. When oil shimmers, add meatballs and cook 2 minutes per side or until meatballs are golden brown. Remove from pan and add to a casserole pan. Cover with foil and finish cooking in the oven for 20 minutes.

While meatballs cook, assemble sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Assemble meatballs by placing 1 meatball in a lettuce leaf, spoon sauce and a few peanuts before eating.

Mexican cabbage slaw

We made delicious black bean and brown rice burritos last night. The kids had wanted to make guacamole, so while they mashed away, I made a crunchy and refreshing salad to go with the burritos. The salad is really a snap to make, just throw everything in a bowl and toss.


1/2 head shredded Napa cabbage
1/2 head shredded purple cabbage
2 chopped scallions
1 finely sliced red pepper
1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped
1/4 C. toasted Pepitas (pumpin seeds)
1/2 diced green apple
1/4 C. Ume plum vinegar (if you don't have it, use red wine vinegar)
1/2 C. olive oil
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder

Combine all vegetables in a large bowl, add vinegar, oil , cumin and chili powder and toss well to combine.

This salad can easily be made Asian by using sesame oil, 2 cubes of frozen ginger and toasted sesame seeds. OMIT the Pepitas, cumin and chili powder.

Pan seared chicken with white wine cream sauce

Made a delicious dinner tonight for a gaggle of my daughter's friends. The running joke is that while kids would never eat these things at home, when they come to our house they gobble it up.

I made steamed green beans and thinly sliced crispy roasted potatoes to accompany the chicken.

Here's my recipe for pan roasted chicken and crispy potatoes.

2 split chicken breasts
olive oil
kosher salt
pepper
smoky paprika
1 C. chicken stock
1/4 C. white wine
1/4 C. chive or plain cream cheese

2 Russet potatoes
olive oil
kosher salt
pepper

green beans

Preheat oven to 425. Thinly slice 2 Russet potatoes. Place on a Silpat lined cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil, kosher salt and pepper. Place in lower 1/3rd of oven.

Heat a cast iron/Le Creuset pan on high heat. Season chicken breasts with kosher salt, pepper and smoky paprika. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the pan and when hot place chicken breasts skin side down in pan. Cook for 2 minutes until chicken is seared and golden brown. Turn breasts, add chicken stock and place pan in the oven. Cook for 10 minutes, add white wine and cream cheese and whisk to combine.

Turn potatoes carefully to crisp on both sides and continue cooking chicken for another 10-12 minutes. 5 minutes before chicken is cooked, steam green beans.

Banana blueberry oatmeal muffins with dark chocolate chunks

I had a bunch of bananas that were begging to be turned into muffins. This recipe is so easy and makes delicious fluffy muffins, great for breakfast or a snack.

1 1/2 C. flour
1 C. rolled oats
1/2 C. granular sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
pinch salt
1 egg
3/4 C. milk
1/3 C. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C. mashed banana
1/2 C. fresh blueberries
1/4 C. dark chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 400. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl, mash bananas and add wet ingredients, but not blueberries or chocolate chunks.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stir to combine and add blueberries and chocolate chunks. Spoon into muffin tins and bake for 14-16 minutes until golden brown and when touched, the top springs back.

Pasta with asparagus, brussel sprouts and chicken with garlicky bread crumbs

Last night was one our (now) typical Monday's school, homework, basketball practice at dinnertime!!!

I threw this dish together based on what was in our refrigerator. If you have leftover cooked chicken, use it, I had bought some poached chicken at Trader Joe's and used that. Although the kids didn't want the pasta mixed with the veggies, they ended up mixing it in their bowls...

elbow pasta
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 cubes frozen garlic
1 pint brussel sprouts, quartered
1/2 C. chicken stock or water
1/4 C. creme fraise or sour cream
2 C. cooked chicken, cut into small cubes
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1/3'rds
1/2 C. Italian bread crumbs
1 tsp. garlic salt
Parmesan cheese
kosher salt and pepper

Boil pasta in salted water. While the pasta boils, heat olive oil in a large nonstick pan on medium high heat. Add brussel sprouts and garlic cubes. Stir to combine and add chicken stock and creme fraise. Saute for 3 minutes, add chicken and season with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, garlic salt and a drizzle of olive oil.

Reduce heat to medium and add asparagus. Stir to combine and cook for 1 more minute. Drain pasta and add to pan. Garnish with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese before serving.

BLT Soup

I made this soup tonight for some friends and it was a big hit. The cool crunch of the romaine and bread crumbs pair perfectly with the smoky, bacon in this tomato soup.

1 sourdough baguette
1 C. Italian breadcrumbs
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 head romaine lettuce
3 tbs. pesto
1 C. sour cream
8 oz chicken stock
48 oz. pureed tomatoes with juice
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 C. grated Parmesan
3/4 lb. bacon- save drippings
black pepper

Cut bacon into 1" pieces and cook in a pan on medium high heat, stirring frequently until bacon is crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and cool on a few paper towels. Save drippings in pan and set aside.

Preheat oven to 400. Slice baguette into 1" slices and brush with drippings. Place on a cookie sheet and bake in oven until crisp, about 4 minutes.

Combine 1/2 C. sour cream with pesto and place in a squeeze bottle if you have one. Thinly slice romaine lettuce and set aside.

Add bread crumbs to a small pan with 2 Tbs. bacon drippings and garlic salt. Toast over medium heat until crumbs begin to brown, about 4 minutes. Cool and set aside in a bowl.

Combine chicken stock, bacon drippings, pureed tomatoes and Italian seasoning in a large soup pot over medium high heat. Stir to combine and add crumbled bacon pieces. Cook for 5-6 minutes, add sour cream and Parmesan, stir to combine and process with an immersion blender until smooth. Season to taste and add pepper. Continue cooking, covered on medium low heat until ready to eat.

Ladle soup in a bowl, add a spoonful of breadcrumbs, a large pinch of shredded romaine and a squeeze of the pesto aioli. Add a sourdough round to the side of the soup and serve.

Turkey shepherd's pie

My daughter rarely makes requests for dinner, however the other night she asked me to make shepherd's pie. I was happy to oblige, but wanted to make it a bit healthier and we had to eat early as she had her orchestra recital that same night.

Here's my recipe for easy and delicious Turkey Shepherd's Pie.

2 C. mire aux poix, I bought the fresh pre-chopped carrot, celery and onion mix from Trader Joe's
2 Tbs olive oil
1 C. frozen peas
1 C. frozen corn
2 lbs. ground turkey
kosher salt and pepper
3 Tbs. beef demi-glace, available in most supermarkets
1 C. chicken stock
mashed potatoes, I used frozen mashed potatoes from Trader Joe's and doctored them up with milk and butter, and they were great!

Preheat oven to 375. Saute mire aux poix in olive oil in a large nonstick pan until vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, remove from pan and add to a large bowl. Add frozen peas and corn.

Saute ground turkey in the same pan for 3-4 minutes, add demi-glace and stir to combine. Add chicken stock and continue cooking until turkey is cooked through, about 8 minutes. Remove turkey and add to vegetables, stir to combine.

In another pot, warm potatoes with milk and butter, and cook for 6-7 minutes on medium heat.

Add turkey mixture to a deep casserole pan and spread potatoes over mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes.