Pico de Gallo

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I hate to admit it, but I used to dislike cilantro. I thought it tasted like soap. Thankfully, I’ve since come around and now I can’t get enough of the stuff. One of my favorite uses for it, which I find myself making often around here, is pico de gallo. Obviously, it’s a great condiment for any Mexican dish. But, it is also a wonderful accompaniment to serve on top of broiled fish or grilled chicken. Not to mention it’s totally figure friendly.

I’ve found that I get pretty decent results year-round with Roma tomatoes. Of course this summer is at it’s prime with summer tomatoes, but it’s nice to be able to have a fresh tomato salsa in these dreary winter months that is edible! I like a more predominant onion flavor in my salsa, so I use white onions. If you like a milder onion flavor, try using red onion or scallions instead. If you don’t like things spicy, remove the “ribs” and seeds from the jalapeno before chopping. Or, if you want to kick the heat up a notch, try using a serrano or habenero pepper in place of the jalapeno.

Pico de Gallo

5 Roma or plum tomatoes, diced
1/2 white onion, diced
1/2 cup cilantro, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
1 lime, juiced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Let sit 20 minutes to let flavors meld before serving.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

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This year for Thanksgiving we made a turkey and a ham. Both turned out fabulous, and leftovers were gobbled up. But, after my husband’s family had gone home – I was left with the bottom portion of the ham shank. I remembered a dish that my mom always used to make with leftover ham. It was a recipe that her mom often made. I knew I wanted to try my hand at it with the remnants of the ham.

Her version included thinly sliced potatoes, layered with a thin sprinkling of flour and plenty of butter. Everything melds to a delicious mess, but I wanted to try my own spin on it. I looked up a couple of recipes, and decided on one that used a cream sauce. The original recipe didn’t call for ham, so of course I added that. I also have a surplus of frozen peas, (as I keep forgetting we have plenty, and end up buying yet another bag every other week at the grocery store) so I added some of those as well. I assembled the casserole mid-afternoon, and placed it in the refrigerator to keep until we were ready to bake it in the evening. I had our book club meeting that night, so Jon put it in the oven and baked it himself. Everyone enjoyed it, especially little Will. He devoured huge quantities of it for 3 nights in a row, until it was gone.

I always enjoy recipes that allow me to use my mandoline. But, if you don’t have one, the potatoes can easily be sliced thinly with a knife.  Also, don’t be alarmed if the dish looks a bit liquid-ey when removed from the oven. After you let it cool for about 10 minutes, it thickens right up. This is the definition of comfort food to me, folks. Add this to your menu to add warmth to one of these cold winters nights!

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
5 cups milk
6 cups potatoes, thinly sliced
2 cups ham, diced
1 cup frozen peas
5 oz cheddar cheese, shredded

In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Place half of potatoes in a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Pour half of sauce over potatoes. Sprinkle the ham, as well as the peas, in an even layer over the sauce. Repeat layers. Cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees F for 90 minutes or until potatoes are tender and top is lightly browned. The last 5 minutes of cooking, remove the foil and sprinkle the cheddar cheese onto the top. Return to the oven and bake until cheese is browned on top.

Source: adapted from AllRecipes

Baked Oven Fries

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I think potatoes have kind of gotten a bad rap. And, that makes me sad. Yes, while they are wonderful deep fried – they can be great when done with a more healthful approach as well. I’ve been making baked oven fries for as long as I can remember being active in the kitchen. They’re so simple, and make the perfect side to so many meals. You can be simple with the seasonings – going for just salt and pepper. Or, spice it up! I love adding oregano, Herbes de Provence, or Montreal Steak seasoning to switch things up a bit.

The key to the awesomeness of these fries, the uber-crispiness, is a result of a soak in the hot saltwater. The undisputed best place in the world for Boardwalk fries is Thrashers, in nearby Ocean City, MD. They do a soak in salt water, which I always knew was the key to their greatness. They also don’t serve ketchup, which most people might find kind of odd. Salt and vinegar only! Anyways, the original recipe calls for regular hot water. Which, is fine too. But, if you’re a sodium hound like I am, add a little salt to the water as well. Either way, make sure the water is good and hot. I’m no AB, but, I think the hot water starts to break down the starches or something. Helping the fries along in their quest for crispiness. I promise you’ll make these again and again!

Baked Oven Fries

3 russet potatoes (about 24 oz. total), peeled and cut lengthwise into even sized wedges
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

Preheat the oven to 475? F and move an oven rack to the second-lowest position.  Place the potato wedges in a large mixing bowl.  Cover with hot water and add 1 tablespoon of salt, stir to combine. Soak for 10-20 minutes.  Put 2 tablespoons of the oil onto a heavy, rimmed baking sheet.  Tilt the sheet side to side to evenly coat the pan with oil (a pastry brush can also help with this).  Set aside.

Drain the potatoes.  Spread the wedges out on layers of paper towels or on clean kitchen towels.  Pat dry with additional towels.  Wipe out the now empty bowl so it is dry.  Return the potatoes to the bowl and toss with the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, the remaining salt, and pepper.  Arrange the potato wedges on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.

Bake until the bottoms of the potatoes are spotty golden brown, 15-20 minutes, rotating the baking sheet after 10 minutes.  Using a metal spatula and tongs, flip each potato wedge keeping them in a single layer.  Continue baking until the fries are golden and crisp, 10 -15 minutes.  Rotate the pan as needed to ensure even browning.

When the fries are finished baking, transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain some of the grease.  Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.  Serve warm.

Source: adapted from Cooks Illustrated; via Smells Like Home, and Annie’s Eats.

Egg Salad

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I can’t believe I’d never made egg salad prior to this. You think it’s something that your grandmother made, and it is, but for good reason! It’s a quick, inexpensive lunch or dinner. I’ve always been a huge fan of deviled eggs, but I never make them for just us. Egg salad is a wonderful way to get those flavors without all the work. Plus, it’s VERY open to adaptation. You could easily make it more healthy by using yogurt for some/all of the mayonnaise. I’m also really looking forward to playing around with the flavorings. I added a bit of curry powder for this batch – but tons of flavor combinations are possible. The sky is the limit! Next time I think I’ll be adding some chipotle peppers to the mix. Mmm, or some of my best friend’s mother’s pepper relish. I’m hoping to score another jar this year!

I served it on rye toast this go round. I wouldn’t suggest toasting the bread as much as I did. For something with a delicate texture ,like egg salad, you need a relatively soft bread. So, if you’re going to toast, heed my advice and tread lightly. It would probably be wonderful in a whole-wheat tortilla with some additional veggies – tomatoes and sprouts, perhaps? Or, there’s always the classic presentation on a bed of lettuce or greens. However you mix it up, or serve it – it’s sure to please. A definite classic that everyone needs in their recipe box!

Egg Salad

Makes about 3 cups (5 sandwiches)

8 eggs
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons minced red onion
½ stalk celery, chopped fine (about 3 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt
Ground black pepper

1. Place eggs in medium saucepan, cover with 1 inch of water, and bring to boil over high heat. Remove pan from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, fill a medium bowl with 1 quart water and 1 tray of ice cubes (or equivalent). Transfer eggs to ice water bath with slotted spoon; let sit 5 minutes, peel and dice medium.

2. Mix all ingredients together in medium bowl, including pepper to taste. Serve. (Can be covered and refrigerated overnight.)

Source: adapted from Brown Eyed Baker