Barley Risotto with Mushrooms and Roasted Winter Squash

Yield: 4 servings

3 pounds squash (butternut, kabocha, honeynut or Tahitian) peeled, seeded & cut into 3/4 -inch cubes

¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided, plus more to taste

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

1 pound leeks, root and dark green ends discarded, remaining leek halved lengthwise and cleaned, sliced into ¼-inch slices (2 cups)

3 large garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced

½ pound shiitakes mushrooms, stems discarded and mushrooms diced into ¼-inch pieces

1 cup pearled barley, rinsed

½ cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc

4 cups vegetable, chicken or beef stock, preferably Better than Bouillon brand

1 tablespoon lemon zest (zest of 1 lemon), grated on a Microplane

8 sprigs fresh thyme, tied together with butcher’s twine

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (juice of 1/2 lemon), plus more to taste

½ cup finely chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley

1 cup packed freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, not pre-grated, plus more for serving

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position, then preheat the oven to 425ºF.

Add the squash, ½ teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper and 3 tablespoons of olive oil (enough to fully coat all the squash) to a large bowl and mix well.

Spread out the seasoned squash in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan and roast, uncovered, for approximately 40 minutes, rotating after 20 minutes, until nicely caramelized and cooked through. Remove from the oven and set aside.

While the squash is roasting, add 3 tablespoons of butter to a small pot and place over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the leeks, garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and cover with a lid. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, until the leeks are soft and translucent.

Stir in the mushrooms, cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, until the mushrooms start to soften.

Add the final 1 tablespoon of butter and the barley. Stir and cook for about 1 minute until the butter has melted and coated the barley.

Pour in the wine, stir and reduce until no wine remains.

Add the stock, lemon zest and thyme and stir, cover and increase the heat to high to bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for approximately 30 minutes, until the barley is pleasantly chewy with a little body remaining. (There’s no need to stir during these 30 minutes.)

Remove from the heat, discard the thyme bundle and stir in the lemon juice. Then, add the parsley, cheese and roasted squash and stir to combine. Season to taste.

Divide barley amongst bowls and top with shavings of Parmigiano.

Note: make this gluten-free by swapping barley for buckwheat groats & you can make this vegan by omitting the butter and cheese or using plant based products.

Summer Succotash with Bacon

Watch me make this on my YouTube Channel

Yield: 4 servings

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3 slices bacon, halved lengthwise and then cut into ¼-inch slices, crosswise

1 large shallot, peeled and diced small (1/2 cup)

5 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced

Kernels cut from 2 ears of fresh corn (approximately 2 cups) or 2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed

2 cups (frozen) lima beans, thawed

2 medium zucchini or summer squash (3/4 pound), diced small (3 cups)

15 (3-inch) sprigs fresh thyme

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

¾ cup white wine (preferably chardonnay)

¼ cup water

¾ pound grape tomatoes, halved

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon sized pieces

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (juice of 1 large lemon)

20 medium fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

¼ cup thinly sliced fresh chives, for serving

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Add the bacon to a large sauté pan. Place the sauté pan over medium-low heat. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until much of the fat has rendered off, and the bacon is just beginning to get nice and crispy.

Add the shallot and garlic. Stir and cook until the shallot is soft and translucent, approximately 3 minutes.

Add the corn, lima beans, squash, thyme, salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are just beginning to caramelize, approximately 5 minutes.

Add the white wine, water, tomatoes and butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, until much of the liquid has evaporated and thickened and the tomatoes are starting to break down, approximately 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, remove the thyme sprigs and stir in the lemon juice and basil.

To serve, divide succotash among shallow bowls. Sprinkle over chives.

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Note: to make vegetarian, simply omit bacon and begin with the (shallot and garlic) second step.

Seared Chicken Thighs with Coconut, Tamarind and Spiced Vegetables

Watch me make this on my YouTube Channel!

Yield: 4 servings

1¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided

1 teaspoon neutral oil, such as grapeseed oil

2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, excess fat trimmed and pat dry

2 tablespoons minced garlic, grated on a Microplane

2 tablespoons minced ginger, grated on a Microplane

2 teaspoons cumin seed

1 teaspoon coriander seed

1 teaspoon brown mustard seed

¼ teaspoon ground turmeric

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 medium yellow onions, peeled, halved and thinly sliced lengthwise

3 large carrots, peeled and medium diced

3 medium delicata squash (2 pounds), ends trimmed, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced into 1/3-inch half moons

1 (5.4-ounce) can coconut cream

3 tablespoons tamarind concentrate

1 teaspoon dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

½ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Season the chicken all over with 1 teaspoon of salt.

Adjust an oven rack to the middle-lower position and preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Open a few windows and/or turn on the oven hood/fan; it might get a little smoky!

Heat a heavy 5.5 quart Dutch oven over medium-high until hot, then add the oil. It will most likely start to smoke. Swirl the pan to distribute the oil and place the chicken thighs skin side down in the pan. Cook until the skin turns golden brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken and transfer to a plate, skin side up.

Reduce heat to medium. Add the garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, mustard seed, turmeric, cayenne and black pepper. Stir continuously until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the onion, carrots, squash and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to soften, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Remove from heat and place the chicken atop the vegetables, skin side up.

Transfer to the oven and cook, uncovered, until the thighs reach an internal temperature of at least 175 degrees, approximately 30 minutes.

While the chicken is cooking, add the coconut cream, tamarind, brown sugar, lime juice and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt to a small bowl. Stir to combine until the brown sugar and salt have dissolved. Set aside.

After 30 minutes, remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Transfer the chicken to a plate, skin side up. Stir the coconut tamarind sauce into the vegetables.

To serve, add a scoop of vegetables to a shallow bowl. Top with cilantro leaves, followed by a chicken thigh (skin side up).

Chicken Teriyaki Pilaf with Butternut Squash and Mushrooms

Watch me make this on my YouTube!

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Teriyaki Chicken:

1/3 cup soy sauce

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

3 tablespoons mirin

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger, grated on a Microplane

¼ teaspoon freshly grated garlic, grated on a Microplane

1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

Add all ingredients, except chicken, to a medium saucepan (do not put over heat) and stir until sugar has dissolved. Add chicken and stir to coat. Let sit at room temperature while you prep the pilaf.

Pilaf:

2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as grapeseed oil

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger, grated on a Microplane

1½ tablespoons minced garlic

1 large shallot, peeled and thinly sliced

1 pound cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 cup Jasmine rice, rinsed and drained well

1¼ cup chicken stock

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

3 tablespoons white miso

2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced medium

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 scallions, thinly sliced on a bias, white and green parts

2 teaspoons sesame seeds

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add the oils, ginger, garlic and shallot to a 5.5 quart dutch oven and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until shallots are soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have given up their liquid and are soft, approximately 5 minutes.

Add rice, stir to combine and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add stock and rice wine vinegar. Stir to combine. Add miso and stir until incorporated fully. Add squash and pepper and stir to combine. Level rice mixture with a spatula. Add the chicken thighs (but not the sauce – keep the sauce in the saucepan!) in a single layer on top of the mixture. Cook, uncovered, until mixture is simmering all the way through (center and sides – everywhere!). Once a simmer is achieved, cover and transfer to oven. Bake for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven (keep covered) and let rest, covered, for 20 minutes.

While the pilaf is resting, put the teriyaki sauce over low heat and reduce, stirring occasionally, until 1/3 cup sauce remains. Remove from heat. (You may want/need to reheat sauce if you wait a long time before serving pilaf).

Pour teriyaki sauce over the chicken. Top with scallions and sesame seeds and serve!

Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Pomegranate Seeds

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

 

1 (3½-4 pound) butternut squash, peeled, seeded, then cut into 1-inch cubes

½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for drizzling

2 large yellow onions, peeled and diced small (3 cups)

⅛ teaspoon crushed red chile pepper (chile flakes), or to taste

1 teaspoon yellow curry powder

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme

3 large garlic cloves, peeled and chopped roughly (1 tablespoon)

⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock

½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped roughly, for serving

Crème fraîche, for serving

Pomegranate seeds, for serving

 

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position, then preheat the oven to 475ºF.

Add the squash, salt, a few good cranks of pepper and a healthy drizzle of olive oil (enough to fully coat all the squash) to a large bowl and mix well.

Spread the seasoned squash in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan and roast, uncovered, for approximately 30 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes, until nicely caramelized and cooked through. Remove from the oven and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the onions, chile flakes, curry powder and thyme to a small pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are soft and translucent.

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.

Add the cinnamon, roasted squash and stock to the caramelized onions. Cover, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and orange juice and purée with an immersion blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Spoon the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley, a dollop of crème fraîche, and some pomegranate seeds.

Summer Squash Salad with Pecorino Romano and Capers

Watch me make this on my YouTube Channel!

Yield: 6 servings

Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 medium shallot, peeled and diced finely (3 tablespoons)

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salad:

3 small zucchini or summer squash (mix of both, preferably)

Kosher salt, to taste

1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained

Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, not pre-grated, for serving

¼ cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley

1. In a small container with a tight fitting lid, combine the vinaigrette ingredients, close the lid tightly, and shake well to combine. Or, whisk to combine the ingredients in a small bowl.

2. Using a mandoline or your vegetable peeler, carefully slice the zucchini lengthwise into 1/16-inch thick slices lengthwise. The slices will resemble wide pasta noodles. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Place the zucchini in a medium bowl.

4. Whisk the olive oil into the shallot mixture and add the capers. On a plate, loosely arrange some zucchini slices into a small pile, then spoon some of the caper vinaigrette over the top.

5. Lastly, using a vegetable peeler, top with some shavings of cheese and some of the parsley.