Grilled Meats and Vegetables over Saffron Orzo

Cook Time: 20 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 6 servings


Ingredients

For marinade:
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup fresh lemon juice, from about 5 lemons
2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons smoked salt, or kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

For grill:
3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
2 ears corn, husked and cut into thirds
1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, wiped clean
1 red bell pepper, halved and cored
1 yellow bell pepper, halved and cored
1 orange bell pepper, halved and cored
Saffron Orzo, recipe follows


Directions

In a medium bowl, combine the marinade ingredients.



In a large bowl, combine half the marinade with the chicken breasts, chicken thighs, and shrimp. Toss to combine. Cover and let marinate for at least 1 hour. If marinating for longer than 1 hour, make sure to refrigerate.



Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Brush the corn with reserved unused marinade and wrap in foil. Toss the mushrooms with 1/4 cup of the reserved unused marinade. Grill the chicken breasts and thighs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 7 minutes a side. Grill the corn inside the foil, for about 5 minutes a side. Grill the peppers for about 5 minutes a side. Grill the shrimp and the mushrooms, about 2 minutes a side. Brush the grilled peppers with the last of the reserved unused marinade. Slice the peppers and mushrooms before serving, if desired.



Arrange grilled meats and vegetables over the saffron orzo on a large platter and serve immediately.



Saffron Orzo:

4 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon saffron threads
1 pound dried orzo
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, bringing the stock to a simmer. Add the saffron, stir, and allow the saffron to bloom, about 5 minutes. Return the heat to medium and the stock to a boil, then add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain orzo and transfer to a large bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parsley. Toss to combine.

Yield: 6 servings


From: foodnetwork.com

Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

Prep Time: 40 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 to 6 servings


Ingredients

* 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 pound sweet Italian turkey sausage
* 2 red bell peppers, sliced
* 2 yellow onions, sliced
* 1 teaspoon kosher salt
* 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
* 4 garlic cloves, chopped
* 2 tablespoons tomato paste
* 1 cup Marsala wine
* 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
* 4 to 6 fresh Italian sandwich rolls, optional


Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook until brown on both sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain.


Keeping the pan over medium heat, add the peppers, onions, salt, and pepper and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the oregano, basil, and garlic and cook 2 more minutes.


Add the tomato paste and stir. Add the Marsala wine, tomatoes, and chili flakes, if using. Stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release all the browned bits. Bring to a simmer.


Cut the sausages into 4 to 6 pieces each, about 1-inch cubes. Add the sausage back to the pan and stir to combine. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.

Serve in bowls. Or, if serving as a sandwich, split the rolls in half lengthwise. Hollow out the bread from the bottom side of each roll, being careful not to puncture the crust. Fill the bottom half of the roll with sausage mixture. Top and serve sandwiches immediately.


From: foodnetwork.com

Red Pepper Cheesecake

Cook Time: 1 hr
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 to 6 servings


Ingredients

1/2 cup ricotta cheese (4 ounces)
1/2 cup cream cheese (4 ounces)
1/4 cup goat cheese (2 ounces)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 egg
Pinch kosher salt
1/2 cup thin strips roasted red bell peppers
4 pitas
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup apricot jam
1 to 2 teaspoons hot water
Special equipment: 1 (4 1/2-inch diameter) springform (cheesecake) pan


Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.


Wrap the outside of the cheesecake pan with 2 layers of heavy-duty foil. Place the ricotta, cream cheese, and goat cheese in a food processor. Pulse to mix. Add the sugar, egg, and salt and pulse a few times until well mixed. Stir in the red pepper strips.


Pour the cheese mixture into the cheesecake pan. Place the cheesecake pan in a roasting pan. Pour enough hot water in the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan. Bake until the cheesecake is golden at the edges and the center of the cake moves slightly when the pan is gently shaken, about 45 minutes (the cake will become firm when it is cold.)


Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool for 1 hour. Refrigerate until the cheesecake is cold, at least 3 hours and up to 2 days.


To make the pita chips, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.


Cut the pitas into 8 triangles each (like a pie). Drizzle the pita with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until crisp and golden, about 12 to 15 minutes.


To serve, combine the jam and the water in a small bowl and stir until the jam is liquefied. Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan. Place on a serving plate. Drizzle the jam mixture over the top of the cheesecake. Serve with the pita chips alongside.


From: foodnetwork.com

Chicken and Orzo Frittata

Cook Time: 30 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

* 3/4 cup orzo pasta
* 6 eggs
* 1/3 cup whole milk ricotta
* 1/4 cup creme fraiche
* 2 cooked chicken breasts, cubed (about 2 cups)
* 4 scallions, chopped
* 1/4 cup chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
* 1/3 cup diced roasted red bell peppers
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the
orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring
occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.

In a large bowl combine the eggs, ricotta, and creme fraiche and stir
until the eggs are beaten and the ingredients are combined. Add the
cooked orzo, chicken, scallions, parsley, red bell peppers, salt, and
pepper. Stir to combine.

Pour the mixture into a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes.
Turn on the broiler. Place the pan under the broiler until golden on
top, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let set for 5 minutes.
Cut into wedges and serve with a side salad.

From: foodnetwork.com

Roman-style Chicken

Cook Time: 40 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

* 4 skinless chicken breast halves, with ribs
* 2 skinless chicken thighs, with bones
* 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus 1 teaspoon
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus 1 teaspoon
* 1/4 cup olive oil
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced
* 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
* 3 ounces prosciutto, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, chopped
* 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
* 1/2 cup white wine
* 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
* 1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves
* 1/2 cup chicken stock
* 2 tablespoons capers
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Directions

Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In
a heavy, large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the
oil is hot, cook the chicken until browned on both sides. Remove from
the pan and set aside.

Keeping the same pan over medium heat, add the peppers and prosciutto
and cook until the peppers have browned and the prosciutto is crisp,
about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the
tomatoes, wine, and herbs. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the browned
bits off the bottom of the pan. Return the chicken to the pan, add the
stock, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer,
covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 to 30 minutes.

If serving immediately, add the capers and the parsley. Stir to
combine and serve. If making ahead of time, transfer the chicken and
sauce to a storage container, cool, and refrigerate. The next day,
reheat the chicken to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the capers
and the parsley and serve.

Dirty Risotto

Ingredients

5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
2 ounces pancetta, chopped
1 link (about 6 ounces) spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
4 ounces button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
3/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves


Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer. Cover the broth and keep warm over low heat.

In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sausage and saute until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Add the onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms and saute until tender, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the rice and stir to coat. Add the wine and simmer until the wine has almost completely evaporated, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup of simmering broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes.

Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of broth to absorb before adding the next, until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 25 to 30 minutes total. Remove from the heat.

Stir in 3/4 of the Parmesan. Transfer the risotto to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with the parsley and remaining Parmesan and serve immediately.

From: food network