Sorghum Syrup-Glazed Scallops

Have you seen sorghum berries or sorghum syrup mentioned on restaurant menus lately?  Wondering what exactly it is?  Well here is a primer on that-which-is sorghum.  An ancient grain whose tall grassy-like stalks produce not only berry-like grains which can be cooked or even milled to a gluten-free, high fiber flour, but whose end product, sweet sorghum syrup, is making a resurgence in the culinary world.

The sweet syrup, which is similar to molasses or can syrup, is wonderful simply drizzled on pancakes or a buttery biscuit, but also as a glaze on roasted vegetables, meats and even seafood.  Try it in place of your maple syrup in lightly sweetened vinaigrettes, or even in baking in place of molasses or honey.

For this simple recipe I seared jumbo sea scallops until browned, seasoned them with a touch of salt and pepper, and then brushed a touch of sweet sorghum syrup right on top of each scallop.  Served on a bed of your favorite roasted vegetables or cooked grain pilaf, this simple idea is merely a starting point with my brand new bottle of North Georgia-grown sorghum syrup.

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‘Broccoli Bolognese with Orecchiette’

Recipe Courtesy of Bon Appetit Magazine

The titling of this recipe is both clever and thoughtfully worded. Notice that broccoli comes before pasta in the wording–aptly so because the blanched, chopped broccoli and stems definitely out weigh the amount of pasta. And as you know, a traditional Bolognese sauce is a tomato-based sauce with ground meat–this veggie-heavy version combines the cooked broccoli with just the right amount of crumbled Italian sausage.  A touch of butter, garlic and Parmesan cheese make for a simple yet lovely sauce.

(To view this recipe, click on the following link: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/broccoli-bolognese-with-orecchiette )

Butter, Sage & Orange Roast Chicken

This supremely fragrant compound butter is a wonderful accompaniment not only to a roast chicken, but to a turkey breast, your favorite grilled fish or even a family-sized platter of roasted veggies.  Simply a mixture of unsalted butter, chopped fresh sage and orange zest rubbed underneath the skin of the bird before roasting at a high heat.

There are many theories out there in regards to roasting a chicken–do you start it at a high heat and then reduce the heat to low? Do you slow-roast the chicken the entire time? Or, if you’re like me, I roast my prepped chicken in a hot oven for the duration of the cooking time.  I think that method produces a moist interior and crispy, browned skin each and every time.

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‘Swiss Chard & Feta Pasta’

Recipe Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living Magazine

This unique pasta dish comes together in about the time it takes to cook your pasta.  With its Sicilian flavors including citrus zest and juice, pine nuts, dried fruit and the freshest greens you can find, the pasta also includes chopped anchovies and garlic; both of which melt right into the initial drizzle of hot olive oil, leaving behind flavor and the perfect amount of saltiness.  Swiss chard greens are suggested, but I could see Lacinato kale or baby spinach working as well. And did I mention that you finish the pasta off with crumbled feta cheese?  I know what you’re thinking–tonight’s dinner….here we come!

‘Ricotta & Orange Blossom-Stuffed Dates’

Recipe Courtesy of www.WanderingSpice.com

Medjool dates are nature’s version of candy.  Super sweet and versatile, I keep dried dates in my fridge for a quick and easy appetizer idea like this one, just to have on hand as a snack, or a lovely addition to a quick bread, cookies or even chopped into a salad.  This delectable small bite involves pitted dates filled with a creamy and floral-scented mixture of ricotta cheese and orange flower water.  Not to mention a touch of pure vanilla extract for another level of added natural sweetness. Topped off with a sprinkling of pistachios or almonds, this small bite is a wonderful idea for your next dinner get together.

‘Green Salad with Za’atar & Lemon Vinaigrette’

Recipe Courtesy of Salad for President: A Cookbook Inspired by Artists by Julia Sherman

One of the most creative, visually stunning, and exciting cookbooks I have purchased recently is Julia Sherman’s Salad for President: A Cookbook Inspired by Artists.  Beautifully written and photographed salad recipes of all sorts….salads for special occasions, everyday salads, simple salads, you-name-it.  Inspired by artists that the author knows along with modern, international-oriented ingredients, I just can’t wait to make every salad in the darn book!  Whimsical hand-drawn pictures fill the pages of the book as well which add yet another level of beauty to the publication itself.

On of the first recipes I made from the cookbook was perhaps one of the simplest.  A mixed green salad tossed with a light lemon and Dijon mustard vinaigrette, served with a sprinkling of fragrant za’atar right on top of the dressed salad. The za’atar mixture adds a bit of crunch thanks to its sesame seed component, but also that sumac-scented blend of flavor that is both distinct and smile-inducing.

‘Sauté de Veau Marengo’

Recipe Adapted from 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck

Recipe Adapted from Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck

This Sauté de Veau Marengo is a classic Provençal veal stew with tomatoes and mushrooms.  What makes this stew Provencal in nature is the use of flavorful and hearty ingredients common in southern France–ingredients like tomatoes, fresh herbs, white wine, mushrooms and citrus. (Yum is what you are thinking, and yum is exactly right.)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, any dish that involves braising meat until super tender is high on my favorites list, as is anything with Provençal flavors. The orange peel in this dish might sound odd to you, but it actually gives a hint of citrusy brightness to the stew, which is lovely with the tomatoes.  Feel free to use pork or beef cubes in this dish if you prefer, but the naturally smooth and tender taste of the veal is merveilleux.

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Pasta with Lacinato Kale Pesto

What a wonderful way to use two of my favorite ingredients: Tuscan (or Lacinato) kale and a simple homemade pesto sauce.  The leaves of sturdy Tuscan kale are first blanched to soften their texture, then whizzed in a food processor with garlic, olive oil, buttery pine nuts, bright lemon zest and a pinch crushed red pepper for heat. After the pesto is smooth and bright green, grated cheese is added and… voila: a healthy and versatile pesto sauce is born.  Perfect on al dente whole grain pasta, but also a lovely add-in for scrambled eggs, grilled chicken or even mixed into goat cheese and baked for a simple appetizer idea.

‘Poulet Chasseur’

Recipe Courtesy of Mimi Thorisson’s French Country Cooking cookbook

You can never go wrong with serving a classic French chicken dish like this one.  Fresh herbs, tender chicken, sliced mushrooms, wine….you get my drift.  But let’s talk specifics here.  Fresh tarragon and chicken pair very nicely–tarragon has an anise-flavor to it that is super fragrant and distinct.  The recipe itself starts out with a nice sear of chicken (I decided to use chicken breasts, but dark meat cuts are what the dish is traditionally made with); next comes the sauté of garlic, onions and shallots, then a deglazing of the pan with both white wine and rich Cognac or brandy.

The mushrooms cook in this lovely mixture of wine plus broth, and you finish the sauce off by enriching it with a pat of butter and the fresh tarragon.  Searing chicken first, then finishing off the cooking process in the oven is a wonderful way to ensure a browned crust, and a super-moist interior.  I like serving a classic chicken-and-sauce recipe like this one with fluffy mashed potatoes and a simple green salad.

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Lemony Broccolini & Capicola Bundles

These adorable bundles of yumminess are elegant enough for company but simple enough for any weeknight dinner menu.  Crispy broccolini spears are wrapped in thinly sliced sweet ham (I used capicola ham, but prosciutto or even pancetta would work well), seasoned with a touch of salt and pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and then roasted on a bed of sliced lemons.  Thin French green beans or even asparagus would be another veggie idea to try cooking this way.

(To view this recipe, click on the blue title of the blog post above*)