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Pasta and Vodka

IMG_6409 IMG_6410 IMG_6412Pasta is probably my favorite go to meal, and I mean Vodka? really? Add a little cream and a can of tomatoes and you’ve got a spectacular meal. You’ll also need a little fresh basil and parmesan to finish it off. It’s an easy meal and if you have the cream and cheese in the house you’re good to go. I always stock the tomatoes and I happened to have the cream in the house and there is always a bottle of Vodka in the freezer right? Fresh Basil is a wonderful layer but if you don’t have it you’ll still be fine. This pasta cooked up in no time and it was heavenly. Perfect Sunday night dinner or Meatless Monday night dinner.

Enjoy!

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Ingredients:

1 lb. pasta ( rigatoni type of noodle is perfect)

3 cloves garlic, minced

*1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper– I love the heat but use at your own discretion

1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

1 tablespoon olive oil

app. 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of kosher salt for sauce (taste for salt) you’ll also need about 2 teaspoons to cook the pasta in

1/3 cup Vodka

1 28 ounce can whole tomatoes, I prefer San Marzano type so look for that

1/2 cup heavy cream

a few fresh basil leaves, cut up into smaller pieces

Directions:

Prepare pasta according to directions on box,  I always throw in about 2 teaspoons of salt to it. When pasta is ready , just drain. I made the sauce while the pasta was cooking.

Place a large skillet type pan on the stove (see pics) Add the olive oil and heat until it shimmers ( app. 1 minute) add the garlic and red pepper (if you’re using it). Cook garlic and red pepper and cook, stirring until soft and fragrant but not browned, this should be less than a minute. Add the vodka and cook down the vodka until it is nearly evaporated. Add the tomatoes and remaining 3/4 teaspoon of kosher salt (start here and add to your own taste) bring to a boil (breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon as they cook down) A little trick I use is to use a potato masher and push down on the tomatoes while they’re cooking, just be careful and do it slowly because you wouldn’t want to get burned by some hot tomato sauce.  Lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the cream , basil and grated Parmesan and bring to a boil , then reduce and let flavors marinate for about another 1/2 hour on a very low heat. I continue breaking up the tomato bits. Add the cooked pasta to pot and stir to coat the pasta!!!!  Serve it up!!!!! A-mazing meat-less meal.

*if you like sauce “less tomatoey” without big chunks of tomato you can use an immersion blender once it’s cooled down < I will usually wait a bit till it’s just warm then add the cream then use blender stick or actual blender. If you really like “no chunks” use crushed tomatoes , I like the chunks but my grandkids don’t so I will use immersion blender or just crushed tomatoes .

No Breading Chicken Parmesan

So delicious and so perfect. I used thin chicken breasts to start , if you’re using thicker ones you’ll have to monitor the timing of them a bit more and you can just use a meat thermometer to do so. This really couldn’t be easier and it was super tasty and is a cheese lovers delight. It’s lightened up from traditional breaded and fried chicken parm. *if you’re chicken breasts are too thick you can pound them with a meat mallet to the desired thickness — this is a very useful tool. Just place chicken cutlet between 2 pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound to desired thickness.

Prep and ingredients are super easy .

This recipe is for 4.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 – 2 pounds of thin chicken breasts — you can use thicker ones –read directions above for pounding chicken breasts

1 egg

3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 tbsp. garlic powder

1/2 tbsp. onion powder

1 Tablespoon Italian Seasonings — It comes in one jar and is available in most spice sections in supermarkets —

pinch kosher salt

1/4 tbsp. freshly ground black pepper

and because we like a little extra kick I add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes

3/4 -1 cup Jarred Marinara or if you have home made that’s good too . I prefer Raos Arabiata or Marinara for jarred sauce.

Shredded Mozzarella — probably 1/2 cup to 1 cup depending on how much cheese you like — I like a good sprinkle of cheese — see pics.

A little olive oil for drizzle in pan before cooking

Directions:

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees

I used a large baking dish and sprayed with cooking spray and drizzled a bit of olive oil to bottom of pan — just a little

Beat egg in a wide enough bowl for dipping chicken

In a second wide bowl combine the parm cheese and spices and mix

Dip each piece of chicken in the egg and then the cheese, coating both sides. Place in prepared baking dish.

Bake for 20 minutes — since cutlets are thin this should be fine because you’ll be cooking more with sauce and cheese. If thicker cutlets you may need a bit more time.

Top each piece with sauce and shredded mozzarella. ( you can spread a little sauce in between chicken as well . I served over spaghetti and needed a little more sauce so this was enough. If you want you can heat up extra sauce in a small saucepan for spaghetti. Bake for another 10-20 minutes till chicken is 160 degrees when checked with meat thermometer and cheese is melted and bubbly. I like my cheese just slightly browned so you can turn to broil for a minute or so depending on your broiler but be careful you don’t want to burn the whole thing.

I served over pasta and had enough sauce for us.

That’s it folks — enjoy!

Mushroom Barley (egg noodles)- Side Dish

cookingwithcandioct7 003this is an old recipe of mine that I’ve played around with and it makes a perfect side dish anytime of the year. not too difficult to make , takes a little playing around but pretty easy . I used Manischewitz egg noodles in a toasted barley shape this time. you can use pearl barley which is available in almost every supermarket out there. i have to say this product worked very well. Not exactly Mushroom and Barley?? but barley shape egg noodles

Great for Rosh Hashana and actually any other time for dinner as well. It’s delicious!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1  3/4 cup Pearl Barley or any kind you can find ( I used Manischewitz egg noodles in a toasted barley shape) it doesn’t have to be toasted it can just be regular barley shape noodles. I love to use this product , it’s usually found in kosher section.

1 lb. fresh mushrooms sliced

1/2 spanish onion chopped

2 – 3 cups chicken stock

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Kosher Salt

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

I use a very little bit of vegetable oil ( maybe 1 tablespoon) and saute onions, then mushrooms till cooked down. I salt and pepper generously here. I remove the mushroom/onion mixture from saute pan, wipe the pan clean with a paper towel . melt butter or margarine in pan, brown the barley/noodles for about 4 – 5 minutes, move it around as you brown it. in the meantime transfer mushroom/ onion mixture to a 9 x 13 baking dish (spray with pam) when barley/noodles is browned place in dish with mushrooms and onions and mix well. add 2 cups of chicken broth. cover with aluminum foil, and bake in oven covered at 350 degrees for app. 45 minutes. remove from oven, and add a little broth, depending on how dry it is, i would say i added about 1/2 cup , you may need to add more, add the 1/2 cup and mix well and see if you need more, not too watery, keep it dryer. cover, and i put it back in oven for 10 to 15 minutes. taste for salt and pepper. and there it is. very delicious.

Rosh Hashana 2023

You know that summer is officially over when it’s time to prep for the Jewish Holidays. At least in my house anyway. Time to wind it down and ready myself. The first night of Rosh Hashana is Friday September 15 this year. Yom Kippur starts on Sunday September 24.

It’s still summer and hard to wrap your head around it but before you know it it will be here.

Once again I will write up a list of recipes for you to check out and one by one I will try and post as many as I can for you.

Enjoy your families and have a Happy Healthy New Year from our house to yours. Remember if you have any questions get in touch either through this website or my instagram or facebook — DM me and I will try and get back to you as soon as possible. I will also be posting Rosh Hashana recipes on Cooking with Candi. Check out my instagram for daily posts. I may try and add a few new recipes here but for now this is the tried and true “oldies but goodies” version.

I am on Instagram as Cookingwithcandi and FB — I try and respond promptly . Also you can just ask questions in the comment section of my blog.

Shanah Tovah

Recipes:

Un- stuffed Cabbage — I highly recommend this delicious main dish — pretty simple to make and beats trying to make stuffed cabbage but tastes just as good.

Happy New Year Brisket— Brisket is always a winner and this one never fails

Chicken Marbella— probably one of my most favorite Chicken Holiday Dishes

Honey Roasted Chicken— equally delicious and a little different flavor

Old School Meatballs— yummy Sweet and Sour meatballs sure to please whole family

A Noodle Pudding from Ellen-– another delicious kugel from an old friend and great cook

Another Noodle Pudding from Marcy — this one’s excellent if you’re looking for a kosher non-dairy kugel

Noodle Pudding with Apricot Nectar— probably one of the best kugels of all time

Noodle Pudding from Julie— delicious as well

Mushroom Barley-– check out this delicious side dish — everyone loves this all year round

Kasha Varnishkes— a crowd favorite and an old school recipe — perfect comfort food

Julie’s Honey Cake— another winner from a great cook

Grandma Sally’s Mandel Bread-– also from a friend and a wonderful recip

Applesauce and Raisin Cake — sweet and delicious as your new year should be

Don’t let the Apples go Bad Cake-– simple and delicious perfect for the Jewish New Year

Shrimp Scampi–Classic

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This photo was taken with a Spanish type rice. Any rice , pasta or all by itself — perfection on a plate!

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Finished Product

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Getting Ready to Cook

This is one of my all time favorite recipes and the easiest, quickest to prepare. Buy shrimp from a reputable fish store or Whole Foods type of market and have them clean and de-vein them. My husband Joel is an ex-seafood guy and he always cleans and de-veins the shrimp. It is a collaborative effort in our house.  Once the shrimp and prep is done this recipe takes all of 15 minutes to cook.

Ingredients are simple and you probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry. Directions are super simple and so easy to follow, you will look like a “super chef” and impress the pants off of everybody!

Perfection on a plate.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

2 Tablespoons olive oil

4 minced garlic cloves

1/2 cup dry white wine–use whatever you have open as long as it’s not too fruity, if you don’t want to use wine use chicken broth or vegetable broth

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper– about 10-12 turns on the pepper mill

1 1/2 lbs. large or extra large shrimp .shelled– we are big fans of Mexican White Shrimp and I used under 10’s which means there are approximately 10 to a pound.

1/2 cup ( app.) chopped fresh Italian parsley

Freshly squeezed juice of half a lemon

*pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Cooked Pasta or Rice — I used brown rice this time around

Directions:

In a large skillet, melt butter along with olive oil. Add garlic and saute until fragrant , app. 2 mins.

Add wine or broth, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper and bring to a simmer.

Let wine reduce by half, app. 3 minutes.

Add shrimp and saute until the shrimp just turn pink, 2-4 mins. on each side depending on their size. Squeeze the lemon over the shrimp, I stirred the shrimp in the sauce one final time and served over brown rice and using a large spoon poured any excess sauce over the shrimp (as much or as little as you’d like) I then sprinkled with a little fresh chopped parsley and Voila!!!!

This shrimp would be delicious served over rice , pasta or all by itself.

Enjoy!

Summer Salad — Arugula, Farro and Peaches

This is a delicious salad filled with farro, manchego cheese ( or feta, parmesan, goat or any cheese you like) I just happen to love Manchego and marcona almonds, peaches and chives or scallions whichever you have or prefer or none at all. I will give you some substitutions in the ingredients section. The local peaches in Colorado are ripe and beautiful now so perfect for this lovely salad. And you can add any protein you like and it makes a perfect lunch or dinner salad.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3/4 -1 cup farro — should be about 2 -2 1/2 cups cooked

5-6 ounces arugula ( I prefer baby arugula)

2 peaches , chopped

1/4 cup chives, chopped or chopped up scallions or none

I used a handful of marcona almonds and chopped them, you can use almonds or walnuts I love Marcona

I used Manchego Cheese, and just used a bit of it — don’t want to overwhelm the salad with cheese , I cut up Manchego into small pieces but feel free to sprinkle crumbled feta, shaved Parm, gorgonzola etc.

Dressing:

3 Tablespoons Champagne Vinegar or White Vinegar

2 Teaspoons Honey

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

a few grinds of fresh black pepper

5 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

Directions:

Cook Farro according to directions on package. I just place in small saucepan with water to cover by about 3 inches, add a little kosher salt, bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain well and allow to cool. I try and make the farro ahead of time and put in container so it’s ready to use.

In a small bowl or glass jar place all ingredients for dressing, shake or whisk .

When ready to eat place all ingredients in a large bowl, add dressing ( you’ll probably use all of it) Toss and Serve.

Delicious fresh tasting Summer Salad.

White Bean Caprese Salad

An easy side salad for the lazy hazy last days of Summer and really good anytime of the year. White Beans from the can which is always in my pantry works to make this an easy simple delicious side salad. You can add some arugula or just serve alongside any protein and it’s perfection with simple ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 14 oz. can white beans such as cannellini, rinsed

app. 5 oz. small cherry or grape tomatoes , halved

app. 5 oz. small mozzarella balls such as cilliegine which is available in most grocery stores in an 8 oz. container. You can also use any good quality fresh mozzarella torn into bite size pieces.

1/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves , I like them cut up

2 Tablespoons olive oil, plus more if needed —

Kosher Salt and Black Pepper to taste and sometimes a pinch or two of crushed red pepper if you like a little kick

2 Teaspoons good – quality balsamic vinegar, plus more if needed

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, cheese and 1/2 the basil. Gently toss together.

Add the olive oil and season the salad with salt and pepper. Gently stir to combine.

Drizzle the salad with the balsamic vinegar and top with the remaining basil and taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.

Add a drizzle or so more of oil and vinegar if needed.

Enjoy!

Green Goddess Salad

I first came upon this recipe from Melissa Benishay on Instagram . It is simple , delicious and nutritious. I make it my way which means I pretty much follow her recipe but add chicken, chopped bacon (sometimes), feta, scallions and cucumbers. I also will add chopped up jalapeños for a spicy kick and avocado would be perfect as well. You can make this completely vegan of course but I just like to zuzh it up a bit. Add whatever you like and make it your way. Enjoy!

The ingredients are interesting and you may need to buy a few of these items. For the dressing

Lemons — which give it the fresh taste and the acid it requires

Olive Oil– for the good Fat

Rice Vinegar– a bit of sweet flavor and tang

Shallot– for the sweeter onion flavor

Garlic– because it’s garlic– need I say more

Basil–for that pesto like consistency and flavor

Spinach– for extra nutrients and a lot of green color and don’t tell my hub

Nutritional Yeast– I know I know why???? Because it adds cheesy like consistency and B12 vitamins –it’s kind of like powdered cheese and full of flavor but vegan and has now become a shelf staple in my house for vegan cheese sauces, vegan dips, soups, scrambles, stews and you get the drill.It’s super nutritious and full of protein, B Vitamins, and anti-oxidents.

Walnuts– a nutty base

Salt– to pull it all together and highlight all the layers of flavors and way to bland with no salt

*you’ll need a blender for this one

You can make the dressing ahead like I do in the morning or the day before and it will keep in the fridge for 2-3 maybe 4 days.

Salad Dressing Ingredients:

juice of 2 lemons

1/4 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar

2 largish cloves of garlic

1 smallish shallot

1/3 cup chives

1/4 cup walnuts, cashews, or nut of your choice — I always have chopped walnuts so that’s my nut of choice

1 cup fresh torn Basil Leaves

1/3 cup Nutritional Yeast– I got mine at Trader Joes but you can get this in almost any supermarket

1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

For the Salad:

I like 1 head ofIceberg Lettuce chopped up and finely diced or you can use a head of green cabbage

3-4 mini cucumbers finely diced–optional see above paragraph on ingredients

1/4 cup chives, finely diced — also optional I used green onions/scallions tonight — use what you have even red onion diced is fine

1 bundle green onions / scallions

Directions:

Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl once they’re chopped up

Add all liquid dressing ingredients to a blender give it a whirl, and then add dry dressing ingredients and blend until smooth.

Yummmmmmmm and Thank You to Melissa Benishay or Baked by Melissa as most of you know

Cucumber Avocado Salad

Light and easy — Cucumbers and Avocado Salad with a light lime dressing. This side salad will disappear very quickly and you’ll be wanting more.

I made it without the green onion so feel free to add it or not it was just as yummy without. Just happen to have avocado and cucumber in the house but next time I will make sure to add a little green onion!

Ingredients:

2 English Cucumbers –Slice Cuke in 1/2 — scoop out seeds and slice or use any cucumbers you like I just like to remove seeds and cut smaller cukes into smaller pieces — it really doesn’t matter how you slice them up– if I use kirby type cucumbers (as pictured) I cut into smaller pieces — totally up to you– it’s all good — small Persians work well here and you’ll probably need 3 or 4 — I don’t scoop out seeds from the Persian cucumbers

1 large avocado pitted, peeled and cut into chunks or slices whichever you prefer

*1/3 cup green onion , chopped

2 Tbsp. Lime Juice from 1 medium lime

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 tsp. Kosher Salt or Sea Salt

1/8 tsp. black pepper

Directions:

In a medium sized salad type bowl, combine sliced cucumbers , avocado and if you’re adding green onions.

Drizzle with lime juice, olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. I sliced cucumbers and dressing earlier than right before I served it added the avocado so it wouldn’t brown. The lime juice should prevent it from turning brown though.

That’s it and very delicious side salad .

A Berry Patriotic Trifle

I made this for the Fourth of July a few years ago and it was so very pretty and pretty yummy too. I honestly didn’t care how good it tasted because it looked that good but it really was very yummy. Very easy to make and no baking involved. Perfect for the Fourth or Labor Day or really any old time . Actually this would be lovely made with all blackberries , all strawberries and just serve it any old time if you’re not feeling the Patriotic theme. It’s delicious and an easy solution for dessert for those summer bbq’s.

You’ll need a Trifle Bowl — worth the investment.

Happy Fourth of July America!

Ingredients:

1 store bought angel food cake

For the syrup:

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup water

1/4 tsp. Almond Extract

Whipped Cream Cheese:

2/3 cup sugar

1 lb. Cream cheese , at room temperature

2 cups Heavy Cream, at room temperature

Fruit:

2 pints blueberries

2 pints strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions:

Heat 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice , and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond extract.

Cut the pre made angel cake into 1 ” slices

Brush both sides of the sliced cake with syrup — I put on a rimmed baking sheet to do this

Cut the slices into 1″ cubes

Beat 2/3 cup sugar and the cream cheese with a mixer with paddle attachment on medium speed until smooth and light. Add the cream and beat on medium-high speed until smooth and the consistency of whipped cream

Arrange half of the cake cubes in the bottom a 13 cup trifle dish. Sprinkle evenly with a layer of blueberries. Dollop half of the cream mixture over the blueberries and gently spread

Top with a layer of strawberries

Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries. Then sprinkle with more blueberries

Top with remaining whipped cream and finish with the remaining strawberries and blueberries, arranging them in a decorative pattern. Cover and refrigerate for at least a few hours. Overnight is perfect and what I recommend.

Like I said any berries will do , it’s a lovely dessert.