Tiramisu!

2 eggs, separated
2 T. sugar
8 oz. mascarpone cheese
24 ladyfinger cookies
1 c. espresso, cooled
1 T. cocoa powder

Beat 2 egg whites until stiff peaks have formed.  In another bowl, beat 2 egg yolks with 1 T. sugar for 1 minute.  Add mascarpone and mix until there are no lumps.   Fold in egg whites.  Dip half of the cookies in espresso and lay in the bottom of a glass dish.  Spread half of the mascarpone mixture over the cookies.  Repeat with the other half of the cookies dipped in espresso, followed by the remaining half of the mascarpone.  Refrigerate overnight.  Sift cocoa powder over the top before serving.

Mango Quinoa Salad!

1 c. quinoa
2 c. vegetable broth
1 T. cumin
1 poblano pepper, seeded and diced
15 oz. black beans, rinsed
1 c. corn kernels
3 roma tomatoes, diced
1 mango, diced
2 avocados, diced
1 lime, juiced
1 t. black pepper
1/4 c. fresh cilantro
large lettuce leaves

Simmer quinoa with broth, cumin, and diced poblano for 15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.  Toss cooked quinoa with beans, corn, tomatoes, mango, avocado, lime juice, pepper, and cilanto.  Serve hot or cold.  Wrap with lettuce leaves if desired.

Thai Chicken Wraps!

2 t. olive oil
8 oz. chicken breast, chopped
1 t. black pepper
2 T. teriyaki sauce
1 t. sriracha
1 T. grated ginger
1/2 c. peanuts
1 t. salt
2 t. canola oil
9 oz. broccoli slaw
1 T. white vinegar
1 T. curry powder
1 t. sugar
4 large tortillas or wraps

Saute chicken in olive oil with pepper, teriyaki, and sriracha until fully cooked.  Meanwhile, grind peanuts with salt and oil in a food processor until chunky.  Add peanut paste to the chicken and add broccoli slaw, vinegar, curry, and sugar.  Stir and cook is warm and slightly wilted.  Spoon the mixture into a tortilla and wrap.  Serve hot or cool.

Zucchini Boats!

1 large zucchini
1/4 c. ricotta
8 grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 t. black pepper
1 T. balsamic vinegar
fresh basil

Cut zucchini lengthwise and scoop out some of the seeds.  Fill the zucchini with ricotta and top with tomatoes and pepper.  Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.  Drizzle with balsamic and top with torn basil leaves.

Eggs in Purgatory!

1 T. olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 t. black pepper
4 eggs
fresh basil
1 baguette

Saute garlic in olive oil in a large skillet.  Add tomatoes and pepper and stir until bubbly.  Crack 4 eggs into the sauce and cover.  Poach eggs over medium heat for 4 minutes or until whites are set and yolk is still soft. Serve with a crusty baguette for dipping.

Broccoli Bean Salad!

1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
15 oz. kidney beans, rinsed
15 oz. garbanzo beans, rinsed
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. light mayo
1 T. red wine vinegar

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and serve.

Cheese Souffles!

3 egg yolks + 4 egg whites
1 t. dijon mustard
1/2 t. cayenne
1/2 t. nutmeg
1 t. salt, divided
1 1/2 T. flour
1 c. milk
3 1/2 oz. shredded Gruyere cheese
butter and flour for ramekins
1 t. lemon juice

Whisk together egg yolks, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg, and salt.  Add flour.  Meanwhile, bring milk to a boil and pour slowly into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.  Pour the egg and milk mixture into a clean pan and whisk until thick and a bubble appears.  Take off the heat and stir in the cheese.  Cover and refrigerate until cool.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Butter and flour 4 ramekins.  Whisk the egg whites with 1/2 t. salt and lemon juice in a metal mixing bowl on high for 2 minutes or until peaks form.  Beat the cold cheese sauce until smooth and fold in half of the egg whites.  Fold in the rest of the whites and fill ramekins.  Level the tops and make a ridge around the edge.  Lower the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes or until set.

Eggplant Ricotta Bites!

1 eggplant
1 t. salt
1/2 c. flour
2 eggs, whisked
1 c. panko breadcrumbs
1 t. Italian seasoning
2 T. olive oil
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 c. ricotta cheese
1 T. balsamic vinegar
fresh basil

Thinly slice the eggplant into rounds and season with salt.  Pour flour into one bowl, eggs in another bowl, and seasoned breadcrumbs in another bowl.  Dredge the eggplant in the flour, then the eggs, then the breadcrumbs.  Cook the eggplant in a skillet with olive oil until golden on each side.  Add more oil between batches.  Drain on a paper towel.  Spoon ricotta onto each eggplant slice.  Top with diced tomatoes, a drizzle of balsamic, and a torn basil leaf.

Chicken Pot Pies!

1 lb. chicken breasts, chopped
1 t. black pepper
1 t. salt
2 T. olive oil
2 leeks, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 potatoes, chopped
1/2 lb. green beans, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 c. milk
1/3 c. flour
2 c. chicken broth
1 c. frozen peas
2 T. fresh parsley
1 T. fresh thyme
3 sheets phyllo dough
2 T. grated Parmesean

Saute chicken in 2 t. olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper.  Remove from pan and add 2 t. more olive oil.  Saute leeks and celery until soft.  Add potatoes, green beans, garlic, and more salt and pepper can cook for 2 minutes.  Add milk, flour and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.  Add chicken, peas, and herbs.  Spoon into 4 large bowls.  Cut thawed phyllo dough into 4 squares and top each bowl, tucking in the edges.  Brush with olive oil and top with Parmesean.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Quiche Lorraine and Veggie Quiche!

For the crust:
6 T. soft butter
1 t. sugar
1/8 t. salt
1 1/3 c. flour
2 eggs, separated
4 T. cold water

For the filling:
5 oz. cubed panchetta (or shallot, green pepper, tomatoes and cheese)
4 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
1 c. half and half
1 t. pepper

Beat together the butter, sugar, and salt until creamy.  Mix in the flour, egg yolks, and water.  Mix together to make a smooth ball, adding a little more water in necessary.  Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.  Remove dough from the fridge 10 minutes before using.  Roll the dough and press into a quiche pan.  Brush the dough with egg white.  Refrigerate while preparing the filling.  Fry the panchetta or veggies in a skillet until golden brown and leave to cool on a paper towel.  Meanwhile, lightly beat the eggs and yolks in a bowl.  Add the half and half and pepper and beat until mixed.  Scatter the panchetta or veggies and cheese in the bottom in the pastry shell and pour in the egg mix.  Bake for 45 minutes or until the filling is set.

Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits!

3 c. plain yogurt
2 T. honey
16 oz. frozen mixed berries
1 c. granola

Mix honey into yogurt and spoon into small glass cups.  Top with thawed berries in their juices.  Top with an additional dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of granola.

Broccoli Cheese Soup!

1 T. butter
1 onion, diced
1/4 c. melted butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. half and half
3 c. chicken broth
1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 t. black pepper
8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
bread loaves to scoop out for bowls

Saute onion in butter and set aside.  Whisk melted butter and flour for 3-5 minutes.  Add the half and half and continue whisking to make a roux.  Add the chicken broth and simmer for 20 minutes.  Add the broccoli and onions and cook for 20 minutes or until broccoli is tender.  Add nutmeg and pepper and puree with an immersion blender.  Stir in shredded cheese and warm until melted.  Serve in a toasted bread bowl.