Bacon, Roasted Corn, and Poblano Pasta

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I always love finding a new quick and easy pasta dish that we all enjoy. And this one has moved right up to the top of my list of favorites! My best friend has been making this pasta, sans poblanos, for a couple years now. I finally got around to making it a few weeks ago, and it really “wow-ed” us all.

I used fresh corn, since it was available. But, I know that other folks have used frozen, and it’s still delicious. I roasted my ears of corn, and would probably do so with the thawed kernals as well. Then to combine that sweetness with smokey bacon and roasted poblano peppers? That is in a cream sauce? So, so good. This dish is too good not to enjoy all year long – fresh corn or not!

Bacon, Roasted Corn, and Poblano Pasta

1 pound dried pasta (I used linguine)
6 slices bacon, chopped
¼ cup minced shallots
3 ears of corn, or 3 cups frozen kernals
2 poblano peppers
½ chicken stock
1 cup cream
1 tsp chives or scallions, chopped

Char ears of corn and poblano peppers over an open flame on the grill, in the broiler, or on a grill pan for several minutes. Turning to evenly char all sides. Place the peppers in a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap to steam. Set aside for 10 minutes before peeling, seeding, and dicing. Cut the kernals off the cobs and set aside.

Prepare pasta per package instructions. Meanwhile, in a nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add shallots and sauté until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and deglaze pan with wooden spoon, simmer for 1 minute. Add the corn and poblanos and simmer for 5 minutes more. Stir in the cream and simmer for another minute. Stir in the chives, bacon and pasta.

Serve warm.

Source: adapted from So Tasty, So Yummy

Tangerine Beef Stir-Fry

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I first tried this recipe years ago, back when I got myself on the test recipe list from Cook’s Illustrated. If you’re not aware of the program, visit this site for more information. Basically, once every month or so you get a recipe to try out – then you take a survey, and leave your comments about it. I think it’s so cool to play a small part in the publication that I hold so close to my heart! Definitely check it out.

Of course, as a recipe tester, you can’t share the recipes before their published. But, luckily – this one made it to press several years ago now, so I can share it with you today! The tangerine is such a fun, refreshing twist. We all really enjoy this one! I was a little short on snow peas, but had a few extra mushrooms in the fridge, so I threw them in, and they fit well. That’s the great thing about stir-frys, there’s not many veggies that don’t work in one!

Tangerine-Beef Stir Fry

Two to 3 oranges can be substituted for the tangerines. If available, substitute 1 teaspoon toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorns for the red pepper flakes.

4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar plus 1 additional teaspoon
12 ounces flank steak , cut into 2-inch wide strips with grain, then sliced across grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices
3/4 cup tangerine juice plus 1 teaspoon grated zest from 3 to 4 tangerines
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 medium garlic cloves , minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon black bean sauce
1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (see note above)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion , halved and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
8 ounces snow peas , ends trimmed and strings removed (about 3 cups)
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons water

Combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sugar in medium bowl. Add beef, toss well, and marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour, stirring once. Meanwhile, whisk remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, remaining tablespoon sugar, tangerine juice, sesame oil, and cornstarch in medium bowl. Combine tangerine zest, garlic, ginger, black bean sauce, pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in small bowl.

Drain beef and discard liquid. Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add half of beef in single layer, breaking up clumps. Cook, without stirring, for 1 minute, then stir and cook until browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer beef to clean bowl. Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in skillet and repeat with remaining beef. Rinse skillet and dry with paper towels.

Add remaining tablespoon vegetable oil to now-empty skillet and heat until just smoking. Add onion and mushrooms, and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add snow peas and continue to cook until spotty brown, about 2 minutes longer. Add water and cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Push vegetables to sides of skillet; add zest-garlic mixture to clearing and cook, mashing with spatula, until fragrant, 15 to 20 seconds. Combine zest-garlic mixture with vegetables. Return beef and any juices to skillet and stir to combine. Whisk sauce to recombine, then add to skillet; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 30 seconds. Serve over rice.

Source: Cook’s Illustrated, November 2007

Tropical Quinoa Salad

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A couple of months ago, we finally gave quinoa a try, and am so glad we did. It’s healthy, quick, and takes on any flavor that you add to it. Last week I made coconut shrimp, but wanted something lighter to go with it. My first thought was a mango-lime rice, but wasn’t feeling up to my reigning title as “Starch Queen of the Eastern Seaboard”.  I had a mango, an avocado, and some quinoa – so I whipped up this salad, and everyone gobbled it right up. How awesome is it to hear your 4 year old say “I love quinoa!”?

It was light, yet filling, and flavorful. I think some fresh grilled pineapple would fit nicely into the equation here as well, so feel free to toss some in if you have it handy. That’s the great thing about quinoa, it makes it really easy to “wing it”, and make something fabulous from things you have in your pantry or crisper drawer.

Tropical Quinoa Salad

2 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 mango, peel removed and diced
1 avocado, peel removed and diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Juice of 2 limes
3 Tbsp coconut or olive oil
kosher salt
black pepper

Cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside to cool.

In a small saute pan or in a 425 degree oven, toast the coconut until lightly browned. Set aside.

Combine quinoa, mango, avocado, red onion, toasted coconut, cilantro, lime juice and coconut oil. Toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature, or cover and chill until ready to use.

Alfredo Sauce

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I think it’s safe to say that Alfredo sauce is one of the most comforting things on the planet. Butter, cream, and cheese – what’s not to love in that equation? I vaguely remember buying the jarred stuff when I first started cooking. But, quickly came to the conclusion that cream based sauces shouldn’t be in a jar, and started making my own.

Couldn’t be any easier. Melt some butter (toss in a clove or two of garlic if your feeling spunky), whisk in some heavy cream, and toss in some Parmesan cheese. Voila! Alfredo sauce. I do add a bit of cornstarch, I like a thicker consistency to my sauce – and, it seems to help with separation issues when reheating leftovers. Great with pasta (obviously), but the possibilities are endless as far as mix-ins go. Shrimp, chicken, bacon and chives, Jon’s favorite is crab cake alfredo – talk about good! But, it’s also great just tossed with some fresh pasta and a side salad. Super simple. Can be kept in fridge for up to 5 days, with no issues. If it seems a bit thick when you go to reheat, add a splash of heavy cream or milk to help thin it out to it’s original consistency.

Homemade Alfredo Sauce

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter
2 cups heavy cream
3 tsp cornstarch
2 tbsp cold water
1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
kosher salt
ground white pepper

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Cook, over medium heat until simmering. Combine the cornstarch and cold water, whisk into the cream mixture.

Cook, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens.

Take off heat, and whisk in the Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and white pepper.