shrimp and orzo salads

In an effort to break through my mayo-hating barrier, and further, forget about its certain qualities that I love to detest, I gave in to Ina Garten's recipe for shrimp salad, which I had been feverishly eyeing for a long time. Too long. 

Throwing caution to the wind, I whipped it up on one 

of those sunny summer days which have become such a rarity. And I don't think whipped would be the right word, seeing as it took me hours to peel, devein, and wash every shrimp- each of which added to the growing doubt of my ill-fated taste buds. But I was determined to put myself out there, into a whole new world of condiments. In the end, though, the salad was delicious. The shrimp were moist and flavorful, and the hints of orange and dill added fresh and unique flavors. I'll admit, I'm slowly inching towards that mayo jar again. One step at a time. 

To add the "cherry on top" of my self-discovering experience, the orzo salad that I paired with the shrimp, from Giada De Laurentiis, was also great. Being chock full of fresh herbs, it tasted just like summer! Yes, it tasted like a season indeed. 

You can find the recipes here-

Orzo Salad

Roasted Shrimp Salad

tuna and beans

June is almost here! That means the end of school, and the start of summer. For some reason, I haven't really been able to grasp the idea of it yet- maybe because the weather keeps being so lousy, or the fact that my neighborhood grocery store has yet to stock up on peaches (which remind me oh so much of what seems to be the never-arriving pie season). To top it off, I'm still getting as much, if not more work from my teachers than I had earlier this year. In spite of these, what I consider, devastations, my spirit has yet to be downtrodden. I've already placed my order for my first ever subscription of Cook's Illustrated magazine, and the new issue should be coming in time for the warm weather! Oh, the anticipation!

And how could I forget? I visited my grandmother last weekend and -gasp!- I received my very own Le Creuset pot! She decided she didn't use it as much as I would- though I've only used it once in the past two weeks. It was quite an important decision, though, deciding what meal to "christen" it with (I resolved that any use of a Le Creuset deserved such consideration, even though it had technically been "christened" before. I saw no reason to recognize this).

As I'm still waiting for the seasonal fruits and veggies to be available, I have to rely on the classics. My dad has been making this tuna and beans dish for years- it's incredibly simple, but full of flavor- plus, it can be made year-round. First, I chopped about 2 medium cloves of garlic, and sauteed them in a small/medium saucepot just for a minute. Then, I added a 15oz can of chopped tomatoes (you could use about 2 large, fresh tomatoes instead), and a can of chickpeas, and let this simmer for about 10 minutes. Then, a can of good tuna in olive oil goes in (I used Genova- you want to drain some of the oil, but not a lot), and it cooks with the beans just until hot. Voila, it's ready! You can always add some salt, pepper, or (fresh) basil if desired.

pignoli cookies

Wow, so much time has gone by and I haven't had time to make a single post, sorry! Spring break passed way too quickly, and the months have just seemed to fly by. During which, I went to the Hamptons for a week. Some of my favorite parts of the Hamptons, like the  little shacks with delicious corn on the cob, and the tons of people, make it a fun scene. Plus, Levain Bakery has a shop in the Hamptons. Oh! I can't even begin to explain my enthusiasm for little orchards and fruit stands along the side of winding roads. Unfortunately, I came a week too early. A week. If only I waited a few more days, I would have left a few pounds heavier, full of cookie, and other summery treats. Ok, so I admit I hit the Manhattan bakery right on my way home, but it's not the same! 

Anyway, summer will be here soon- pie season! I can't wait. School has been keeping me so incredibly busy now that it's the second half of the year, and I haven't even been able to cook many new things nowadays- I'm working on it! A couple weeks back I made these cookies for my Italian class and they were delicious! They have a great unique nutty flavor from the almond paste, and with the pine nuts, it's unbeatable. 

magnolia bakery

So as I begin to explain yet another one of my bakery obsessions (which, I insist are all deliciously justified) I will, yet again, warn you. Don't even think about going in the bakery if you want to a) watch your sugar (some even argue the cupcakes are too sweet- a complaint I would never make) or b) ever, ever maintain a diet in the future. 

On a lighter note, though, Magnolia Bakery is one of the best, and most well known bakeries in the city- especially for their cupcakes. Okay, I admit they're kind of overrated- their most popular cupcakes are plain vanilla with classic vanilla buttercream- nothing new. However, I'm really a sucker for the experience. My favorite part is walking into the cozy bakery and catching a whiff of treats coming out of the oven, then deciding what to get as you hesitantly reach for a cupcake, withdraw, and pick another one; last week I knocked over a tray of them in the process. And though I have Magnolia's cookbook, I think that making their treats at home is never quite the same as greedily taking a bite out of one as you walk out of the bakery on your way home. The taste is the same, but my favorite part- the way the bakers always manage to get the icing to sit on top of the cupcakes in such a perfect, swirly, picturesque way, simply cannot be mastered at home. Or at least by me. 

So, I conclude with their most famous recipe, and a hope that you can get your icing to be structured as you please

Magnolia's Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream

From Magnolia Bakery

Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cup self rising flour

1 1/4 all purpose flour

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

6 to 8 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line two 12 cup muffin tins with cupcake papers

In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside. 

In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not overbeat. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended. Carefully spoon batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about three quarters full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Cool the cupcakes in the tins for 15 minutes. Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing. At the bakery we ice the cupcakes with either vanilla or chocolate buttercream. 

**To make the icing, place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla. On the medium speed of an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until the icing is thick enough to be of good spreading consistency. You may not need to add all of the sugar. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix thoroughly. 

year-round paninis

While reading the newspaper (or, uh, my AOL homepage news) a month ago, I came across an article about how people on average only eat about 10 different meals per year. Of course, as a likely decision of a foodie, I was determined to prove that I was different, and so I created a food table. It was perfect timing- January 1st. So, for the past month, I've recorded each dinner I had eaten every night. I hardly have any "staple" recipes in my house- I like to try new things, see. But a few years ago I came across Giada Di Laurentiis' grilled vegetable paninis. The recipe itself really served as more of an inspiration for further experimenting as opposed to being followed to a T, and is very versatile. I usually substitute whatever vegetables I have on hand, and just used sliced whole wheat bread instead of a baguette, but to each his own. This is a must.

Though Giada doesn't grill her paninis, I insist that you do. Whether it be with a panini pan, press, or a George Foreman grill, grill them; the cheese melts and the bread gets warm and crusty- YUM. 

Grilled Vegetable Paninis

Adapted from Giada Di Laurentiis

1/4 cup olive oil

2 small japanese eggplants or 1 medium to large regular eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

2 zucchini, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

1 yellow onion, chopped (not finely)

Salt and ground black pepper

2 baguettes (I usually use presliced whole-wheat bread- BreadAlone's Whole Wheat Sourdough is my favorite)

1/2 cup Basil Pesto

8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

2 tomatoes, sliced

1/2 cup roasted red peppers

8 large basil leaves, optional

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the oil over the eggplant, zucchini, and onion slices, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the eggplant, zucchini, and onions until they are tender and grill marks appear, about 4 minutes per side. Cool completely.

Cut each baguette into 6 pieces. Working with one baguette piece at a time, slice in half and spread both sides with pesto. Working with the bottom slice of the baguette, stack 2 slices of eggplant, 2 slices zucchini, 1 slice onion, 1 slice tomato, 1 slice mozzarella, and 1 slice of roasted pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place top half of baguette on top and continue with remaining baguette. **Place in a panini press or pan, and grill until flattened and cheesy!**

simple stuffed mushrooms

A while ago, I presumed that after my tests were over, I could have a bit of fun trying out complex recipes while my family, very encouragingly, keeps telling me to just go out and buy whatever it is that I have a hankering for instead of befouling the kitchen with dirty dishes yet again. So, and I can see how this would be rather anticlimactic, I decided to relax with a book, and go with simple meals. 
 I normally only eat stuffed mushrooms at my relative's house on holiday, and I always had thought that they seemed rather complex to make. However, I stumbled on this recipe which turned out to be incredibly easy, and I conveniently had all of the ingredients on hand. Between my lack of enough mushrooms for the recipe, and the moist, delicious flavor of the stuffing, each cap was irresistibly stuffed over an inch above its surface. 

This recipe is great side to make for an easy dinner, and is sure to impress. 

Artichoke-Stuffed Mushrooms

From Cooking Light

1 1/2 pounds large fresh mushrooms

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup soft bread crumbs (I toasted whole wheat bread, and then ground it into crumbs)

1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (I used a package of frozen artichoke hearts, thawed)

3 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Rinse and pat mushrooms dry. Remove stems, and chop; reserve mushroom caps

Sauté mushroom stems, onion, and garlic in hot oil in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes or until onion is tender

Add wine, and cook 2 minutes or until liquid evaporates. Stir in breadcrumbs. Remove from heat, and let cool.

Combine onion mixture, artichoke, and next 5 ingredients. Spoon 1 teaspoonful into each mushroom cap. Place on a lightly greased rack in a roasting pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. 

brioche, light and fluffy

I have been so busy with schoolwork that I haven't had much time to post, but I have a lot to report on. First, I think i'm the only person who wasn't aware that finals take place for a whole two weeks. Yep, two weeks of studying, testing, and then school work. Exciting, huh? I can't pretend that I'm not looking forward to it at all, though- ok, maybe not the studying itself, but the fact that I get to enjoy my beloved brioche whilst I bury my nose in my books.

So it all started about a year ago when I bought myself Ina Garten's Barefoot in Paris cookbook. As i've repeatedly stated, I love Ina, and I've never made a recipe of hers that has dissappointed. So, you can imagine my frustration about deciding just what recipe to make from her cookbook (her flawless pictures are partly to blame for my indecision). A year later, I, shamefully, have yet to make anything from the book. I finally decided enough was enough, and though I have somewhat of an i-can't-make-bread fetish, I fearlessly took my yeast out of the cabinet, and turned that oven on to 375 º. 

And everything went against the odds- my yeast rose, my dough was perfectly kneaded, and it fluffed up just the right amount. To top it off, I was able to enjoy a slice of hot brioche right out of the oven. It was delicious- light, soft, and not too buttery, but just enough to make me yearn for more still a day later. This recipe is incredibly easy, for those, including me, who thought that they would never be able to make brioche. I can't wait to use it for french toast, and I have some other good ideas in mind...