Grilled Beef Skewers with Sun-Dried Tomato Relish

Marinate for atleast 6 hours and you'll have an Italian style BBQ!

Cook Time: 12 min 
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 to 6 servings 

Beef:

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons herbes de Provence
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (2 pound) beef tri-tip, trimmed, and cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 48 cubes)


Relish:

1/2 small red onion, finely diced, rinsed, and drained
1/2 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (about 10 to 12 tomatoes)
1 ear of corn, kernels removed, or 1/2 cup frozen and thawed corn
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Special equipment: 12 wooden or metal 8-inch skewers (see Cook's Note)


Directions

For the beef: In a resealable plastic bag or glass bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, herbes de Provence, salt, pepper, and beef. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.


Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Remove the meat from the marinade and season with salt. Thread 4 pieces of meat onto each skewer and grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium-well. Arrange the skewers on a platter.


For the relish: In a small bowl, combine the onion, sun-dried tomatoes, corn, and olive oil. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, add the avocado, feta cheese, and parsley. Gently toss and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve the relish alongside the beef skewers.


Cook's Note: To prevent wooden skewers from burning, soak in water for 30 minutes prior to grilling.

From: foodnetwork.com

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Ingredients

Cookies:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 stick unsalted butter softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

Glaze:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cookies: In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In the large bowl combine the butter and the sugar. Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon the dough (about 2 tablespoons for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.

Glaze: Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. Pack the cookies into a decorative container.

From: foodnetwork.com

Chicken Tetrazzini

One of Giada's famous recipes! Pasta, chicken and cheese! Yum!

Cook Time: 1 hr
Level: Intermediate
Yield: 6 to 8 servings


Ingredients


9 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 pound white mushrooms, sliced
1 large onion, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk, room temperature
1 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature
1 cup chicken broth
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 ounces linguine
3/4 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
1 cup grated Parmesan
1/4 cup dried Italian-style breadcrumbs


Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Spread 1 tablespoon of butter over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish. Melt 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil in a deep large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the hot pan and cook until pale golden and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate to cool slightly. Coarsely shred the chicken into bite-size pieces and into a large bowl.

Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon each of butter and oil to the same pan. Add the mushrooms and saute over medium-high heat until the liquid from the mushrooms evaporates and the mushrooms become pale golden, about 12 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, and thyme, and saute until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until it evaporates, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to the bowl with the chicken.


Melt 3 more tablespoons butter in the same pan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and whisk for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk, cream, broth, nutmeg, remaining 1 3/4 teaspoons salt, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Increase the heat to high. Cover and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens slightly, whisking often, about 10 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 9 minutes. Drain. Add the linguine, sauce, peas, and parsley to the chicken mixture. Toss until the sauce coats the pasta and the mixture is well blended.

Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Stir the cheese and breadcrumbs in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the pasta. Dot with the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown on top and the sauce bubbles, about 25 minutes.

From: foodnetwork.com

Aloha L.A. Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4-6 servings


Ingredients

1 ripe pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes (to yield about 3 cups)
1 1/4 cups light rum
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 2 to 3 large limes)
2 cups ice
1 (1 liter) bottle ginger ale


Directions

Garnish: 2 limes, cut into wedges

Special equipment: a 60-ounce pitcher

In a blender, combine the pineapple, rum, agave nectar, and lime juice. Blend until the pineapple is almost pureed. Pour the pineapple mixture into a large pitcher. Add the ice and stir. Slowly pour in the ginger ale.

Pour the cocktail into glasses and garnish with lime wedges.

From: foodnetwork.com

Italian Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups

Cook Time: 8 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 12 servings


Ingredients

10 cups coarsely shredded cooked chicken (from about 3 purchased roasted whole chickens)
2 cups roasted red and yellow bell peppers, drained, patted dry, and coarsely chopped
1 1/4 cups paper-thin slices red onion
3/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
3/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup drained capers
1 1/2 cups (about) Red Wine Vinaigrette, recipe follows
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
24 butter lettuce leaves (from about 3 large heads)
1 (4-ounce) piece Parmesan, shaved with vegetable peeler

Directions

Toss the chicken, bell peppers, onion, parsley, almonds, and capers in a large bowl with enough vinaigrette to moisten. Season the chicken salad with salt and pepper, to taste.

Arrange 1 large lettuce cup and 1 small lettuce cup on each plate, overlapping slightly. Spoon the chicken salad into the lettuce cups. Drizzle more vinaigrette over the salads. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve.

Do-Ahead Tip: The chicken salad can be prepared 4 hours ahead and refrigerated. Just before serving, spoon the salad into the lettuce cups.

Red Wine Vinaigrette:

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup olive oil

Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually add the oil and blend until emulsified.

Yield: 1 3/4 cups

From: foodnetwork.com

Panettone French Toast

Because I'm already thinking of Christmas! :)

Time: 20 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 to 6 servings


Ingredients

Syrup:
1 cup water
1 packed cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

French Toast:
1 (1-pound) panettone, paper removed
6 large eggs
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
Serving suggestion: powdered sugar and assorted fresh berries

Directions

For the syrup: In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil over high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Boil until the syrup reduces to 1 cup, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the cream and cinnamon. Keep the syrup warm over low heat until ready to serve. (The syrup can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Reheat before serving).

For the French toast: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Preheat a nonstick griddle or large nonstick saute pan over medium heat.

Using a serrated knife, remove the top from the panettone. Cut the bottom of the panettone in half crosswise. Cut each half into 4 equal pieces. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, and sugar until smooth. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter on the griddle. Working in batches, dip slices of panettone into the custard, turning to allow both sides to absorb the custard. Cook the soaked panettone slices until golden brown and firm to the touch, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the French toast to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and panettone slices.

Transfer the French toast to plates. Drizzle the cinnamon syrup over the French toast and place a dollop of mascarpone on top. Lightly dust with powdered sugar and serve with fresh berries.

Cook's Note: The top of the panettone can be reserved and used for toast.

Source

Giada's Cookie Recipes

1. Dried Cherry and Almond Cookies with Vanilla Icing

2. Almond Blueberry Cookies

3. Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

4. Biscotti alla Parmigiana

5. Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

6. Pine Nut Cookies

7. Lemon Nut Cookies

8. Italian Chocolate Sandwich Cookie

9. Peppermint Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

10. Chocolate Chunk Cookies with Pine Nuts

11. Chocolate Hazelnut Smooches

12. Lemon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze