A Kitchen Keeper Original - Gougères

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...These light and tender morsels are in danger of extinction. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help keep this recipe relevant and make sure that these silky, egg rich pastries remain on our tables for years to come. Please understand, I have nothing against salsa or chips and dips and pesto. I've been known to down a beer or two and confess that beer nuts are not safe in my presence. There are, however, times when I want something a bit more classic, something with culinary chops and a history that commends its presence on my table. The French gougères has much to recommend it. These savory cheese puffs are made with the same pate a choux dough that is used to prepare cream puffs and eclairs, but the addition of cheese or other savories make them a wonderful appetizer or hors d'oeuvres to serve with wine or champagne. They are very easy to make and I also  serve them with more pedestrian meals of soup or stew. I must warn you that they are additive and the puffs should come with a "once bitten" warning attached to them. I've just finished making a gazillion of these to share with friends tomorrow. I know they will love them and I suspect you will too. These are best served directly from the oven, but I understand that that is not always possible, so I have a few tips to share with you. The dough can be refrigerated for a day before it is formed and baked. Once baked, the puffs can be frozen until needed. Frozen puffs should be thawed and reheated in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes before serving. If you plan to bake them ahead of time, make a slit in the bottom of each puff and turn them upside down to let moisture escape.  I make it a point to reheat the gougères before serving them. Five minutes in a 350 degree oven does the trick. While I prefer to use Gruyere cheese, cheddar or blue cheese can be substituted and, if you wish, a filling can be piped into the puffs. I bake my trays of gougère on the lowest rack of the oven and I only bake one tray at a time. It may be my imagination, but I think the puffs get better lift that way. I really hope you will give this recipe a try. I like to share my addictions with others. Here's how these simple cheese puffs are made.

Chicken Cheesesteak Hoagies

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...The season at the lake begins this weekend, and we traditionally gather with other summer residents to celebrate the start of the new season. There's always a lot of food and good-natured merriment as we catch up on the exploits and adventures of the past winter season. The Silver Fox and I don't own property here, but we've stayed in most of the cabins on the lake and, as renters, we're nearly as familiar with these properties as their owners. We are especially fortunate because these folks have adopted us and consider us part of their community. I'm trying to stay out of the kitchen this weekend, so I've done a lot of cooking ahead of time, hoping that will allow me mingle, rather than mash and mix. I like the dishes I contribute to have my signature on them. To that end, they must be delicious, but not fussy or complicated. This year I settled on two sandwiches. One chicken, the other beef. The chicken sandwich is patterned after a Philadelphia cheesesteak, and once its components are sliced and diced, it comes together quickly and makes great party food. I use the oven to cook all the ingredients and then simply spoon the filling into lightly toasted rolls and serve the sandwiches warm. The filling is held together with cheese, and while I use provolone, any mildly flavored cheese can be used. I do hope you'll give these hoagies a try. If you are busy, all of the vegetables can be purchased sliced and ready to go, and a shredded rotisserie chicken can easily take the place of the cutlets used in the original recipe. Even starting from scratch, the sandwiches come together in about 30 minutes, so they'd be perfect for a week night supper as well. Here is how the hoagies are made.

No Matter What You've Heard... - My Recipe Rotation - Pasta Puttanesca

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I hope some of you share my affliction. I have a habit of falling in love with certain dishes and making them so often that more temperate souls tire of them and pray they'll be put them to rest. I get all of that, save for the "put to rest" part. I've been making Puttanesca for better than 40 years now and have yet to tire of it. As a matter of fact, just thinking of it lightens my step. Granted, I love the heady favor of capers and olives and I have never been able to resist any form of noodle, but I think this sauce is really special. Before featuring the recipe for the first time, I did some research that dispelled a lot of notions about the origins of this Neapolitan favorite. Here is what I found and originally posted.

Ladies of the evening are credited with creating this pasta dish. While that makes the origins of the dish more interesting, there's not a lot to support the claim. Pasta Puttanesca did not become popular until the 1960's. A more likely truth can probably be found in the purses of frugal Italian housewives. The sauce is made with a handful of ingredients, many of them leftovers, and by using a bit of this and a bit of that, a filling and delicious pasta could be made for pennies. I'm not completely immune to kitchen fable and romance. My favorite story regarding the origins of the dish comes from the book "Top 100 Pasta Sauces" by Diane Seed who reported, "My introduction to this famous pasta dish occurred when I overheard two elderly priest discussing the pros and cons of spaghetti alla puttanesca ("whore's spaghetti") as they deliberated over the menu in a Neapolitan restaurant. Made of ingredients found in most Italian larders, this is also known as spaghetti all buona donna - the good woman's spaghetti - which can be misleading if one is not familiar with the ironic insult "figlio d'una buona donna" - son of a good woman." Now how does that explain how this particular sauce got its name? In the 1950's Italian brothels were state owned. Italian prostitutes were, for all intent and purposes, civil servants, but they were only allowed to shop once a week and could not shop with "good" Italian housewives. Their meals were made from odds and ends and tinned goods in the kitchens of the brothels. This sauce became one of their specialties. They did not create it, but they sure made it popular. When I was working and my ravenous teens could not wait for a "real" meal, this became one of my go-to suppers. I could have it on the table in 20 minutes and quell the revolution before it gained a foothold in my kitchen. I made this at least once a month back then and it is still a favorite of mine on days when the clock runs out before my schedule does. It's perfect for a Lenten Friday supper. Here's the recipe.

Pasta Puttanesca...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
1 pound spaghetti
2 tablespoons salt
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided use
1/2 to 1 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
4 teaspoons minced anchovies (about eight fillets) or 1 heaping tablespoon anchovy paste
1 can (28-oz) diced tomatoes, drained, reserve ½ cup juice
3 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup black olives (kalamata) pitted and chopped coarse
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves and or basil

Directions:
1) Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Meanwhile, mix garlic with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl; set aside. When water is boiling, add salt and the pasta; stir to separate the noodles. Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain then return pasta to pot. Add 1/4 cup reserved tomato juice and toss to coat.
2) While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add garlic mixture, pepper flakes and anchovies to pan. Cook, stirring, frequently, until garlic is fragrant but not brown. Stir in tomatoes and simmer for 8 minutes.
3) Stir capers, olives, and parsley into the sauce. Pour sauce over pasta and toss to combine, adding more tomato juice to moisten if necessary. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle an additional tablespoon of olive oil over pasta before serving. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 to 5 servings.

                    

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                   One Year Ago Today:                                                    Two Years Ago Today:

         The World's Best Lemon Bread                                            Weekly Menu for 10-27-2013

              Three Years Ago Today:                                                    Four Years Ago Today: 

             Spiced Harvest Pancakes                                                      Turkish Tomato Rice

Spaghetti Carbonara

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...A much longer day than anticipated led to a much simpler supper than I had planned last night. This recipe has never failed me and this version of pasta carbonara seems to end up on my table whenever I am pressed for time and need to serve something that is fast and easy, but also delicious. The recipe comes from Cook's Illustrated magazine and like most all of their recipe, it is flawless in its execution. So, if you like bacon, pull out that red gingham tablecloth, grab a bottle of Chianti, some crusty bread and a bagged salad and you can have a feast in minutes. The recipe is self-explanatory, so, without further ado, here is how this stellar version of pasta carbonara is made.

Italian-Style Potato Wedges

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...We're still at the lake, and since this our last night with friends, a special dinner seemed to be in order. The guys, who were suppose to be fishing, came back from ye old fishing hole with grass fed T-bone steaks instead of salmon. I can't help but wonder what kind of bait they used. At any rate, since the steaks would be grilled, that left the TWO burner range and small oven for preparation of what was suppose to be a special meal. These potatoes wedges are perfect to serve with plain grilled meat or poultry and they are simple to make. The potatoes, along with fresh sweet corn and a Caesar salad, could all be prepared in the small kitchen without straining the kitchen or the cooks and left time enough to make a blackberry shortcake for dessert. It was a lovely meal and the company was great, but now that the smoke is clearing from the valley, it is time for us to head home with grateful thoughts of friends who took in orphans of the storm. I do hope you'll give these gutsy potatoes a try. The recipe comes from a blog called Creme de la Crumb, which you can find here. I think you'll love them for their flavor and ease of preparation. They are especially good when served with a remoulade or green goddess-type dressing for dipping. Here is how they are made.

Parmesan Oyster Crackers

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...There was no joy in Mudville last night. Our football team, the Oregon Ducks, got whooped and somehow, my guy still swears it just happened, the commiseration party moved from the parking lot to our home. Now I must tell you that football is taken seriously here and this was a desolate crowd. I've been to Irish wakes that were more upbeat than this impromptu get-together. When it became apparent that the crew of Monday morning quarterbacks was going to hash the game to pieces, I called for pizzas and brought in a cooler that we use to hold beer for unexpected guests. Mother Hubbard's cupboard was pretty bare, but I had a bag of pretzels for immediate consumption and some oyster crackers that I could play with while they had their first round of beer. Tyler Florence has a recipe for Parmesan oyster crackers that I often use when I'm in a crunch and I decided to go with that, 'cause, from the kitchen's perspective, this was definitely 4th down. These flavored crackers are simple to make and while they are wonderful with soup, they also make a great snack. If you know you'll find the gang on your couch come game day or movie night, you might want to keep this recipe in mind. Here is how the crackers are made.

Table for Two - Nigella's Lemon Risotto

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I suspect there is an, as yet, unidentified recessive gene that explains why some of us like rice. While I am selective in its preparation, I happen to love the stuff, and given my druthers, I'd have a bowl of fried rice for breakfast and  pearl (rice) balls for lunch whenever I could. As a matter of fact, I've featured over 300 recipes on the blog that use rice as a major ingredient. Never satisfied, I'm adding another recipe to that category tonight. I, quite by chance, stumbled on Nigella Lawson's recipe for Lemon Risotto. It caught my eye because it was scaled to feed two people as a main course and I'm always on the lookout for recipes that can be added to my Table for Two collection. I think you'll enjoy this dish. It is creamier than most risottos and  it's packed with subtle flavor. If you eat it as soon as the cream and cheese enrichments are added, you'll have an exceptional meal, but do be forewarned,  if you allow the rice to sit and cool, it loses its fresh flavors and becomes goopy. I do hope you'll give this recipe a try. It is not difficult to prepare  and it makes a marvelous light meal for two. Here is how the risotto is made.

Tuscan Tomato Bread Soup

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I have a confession to make. I am at heart a bread, soup and salad kind of gal, and, should the occasion ever arise, my last meal request would include all three, with a glass of good red wine thrown in to wash it all down. I'm fond enough of soup that it's not limited to my winter kitchen. While my summer versions  are lighter than their winter cousins, warm weather does not keep soup from my table. The soup I'm featuring tonight is Anne Burrell's take on a Tuscan peasant favorite, Pappa al Pomodoro, and it is perfect for a a warm summer evening when tomato vines are heavy and dripping with blood red fruit. While the soup is nearly effortless to make, there is one pitfall that you should try to avoid. Bread should not be added to the tomato base more than 30 minutes before you plan to serve the soup. Not only will it soak up the liquid if allowed to sit too long, it will also become slimy and the once pleasant texture will become downright unpleasant. If you can avoid that hurdle, I think you'll really like this soup. It is a personal favorite of mine and we have it several times a month when local tomatoes are plentiful. If you have never had a bowl of this peasant favorite, I hope you will give this near effortless version a try. Here is how the soup is made.

Cobb Salad

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...It was really warm today. I used that as an excuse to scrap my preplanned menu and make a really simple supper for the Silver Fox tonight. It consisted of two courses, one of which was a Tomato Bread Soup that I'll share with you next week, and the other was the Cobb Salad that is tonight's featured recipe. These days, air conditioning moots the argument that it is too hot to cook, but I do think appetites wane when the thermostat soars, so lighter food become the order of the day. I had most of the elements for a classic Cobb Salad in the refrigerator and I knew it would be perfect for our main course tonight. The salad, originally designed to use up leftovers, was created in the kitchen of the Brown Derby. It quickly became the restaurants most popular dish and you can still find their original recipe using your computer search facility. This is a composed salad, meaning the ingredients are separately arranged on a bed of lettuce rather than being tossed together. While I've made this salad for years, it is different every time I make it. I use the recipe below as a rough guide, but the final iteration always depends on what is in my refrigerator. Years ago, when the world and the Silver Fox and I were young, I frequented a store called the High-Low in Chicago. It was one of the first large supermarkets in town and they sold the "heels" of cold cuts and cheese. They were kept in a bargain bin, the contents of which determined what would go into my Chef and Cobb salads. I no longer have need of those bargain bins, but the thought of them still makes me smile. I do hope you'll give this version of the salad a try this summer. Here is how it's made.

Mexican Chicken Wraps

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This version of Mexican wraps is simpler than others I've shared with you. Despite the ease with which they come together, you'll find them to be quite tasty and I suspect your family will enjoy them as much as mine did. I used deli-sliced chicken and cheese to make these, because that's what I had on hand, but leftover chicken and grated cheese could also be used. If you have no coleslaw mix, any crisp shredded lettuce would be a fine substitute, and while I used diced fresh tomato in my wraps, I don't think they added much to the mix and I will not use them the next time around. The tomatoes would be better used in a fresh salsa that can be served as a dipping sauce for the wraps. These are fast and easy to prepare and they might be a worthy addition to your "meals in minutes" summer recipe collection. Here is how they are made.

Waist Watchers Special - Bean and Broccoli Soup with Cheese

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This nutritious, low-calorie soup comes together quickly and is great to serve with a salad or more substantial man-sized sandwich. It is thickened with pureed beans, and while it does use cheese, the beans help keep the quantity needed to thicken the soup under control. The soup will probably need more salt than is suggested in the recipe and you'll definitely want to use a really sharp cheese to flavor it. I use both cheddar and Parmesan cheese to get the taste I want in this type of soup. It takes about 20 minutes to make this, and I know that those of you who try it will be pleased. The Silver fox calls this Shrek Soup, a moniker that needs no further explanation. Color and calories aside, I hope you'll give this simple soup a try. You won't regret it. Here is how it's made.

Waist Watchers Special - Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I hate dieting and the restrictions associated with it. I don't do well with plans and prepackaged meals, so when I pack on pounds, I have to come up with recipes that work for me, but do not scare off the Silver Fox, a committed carnivore, who views most greens and meat substitutes as "stuff". C'est la vie. While I consider these mushrooms to be a main course, he views them as a side dish meant to keep meat from getting lonely on  his plate. That actually has worked out well for both of us. At any given meal, there is at least one dish we can share and it makes creating diet meals a lot easier for me. Over the past three months, I've found or created recipes that make dishes I actually enjoy and I now have a collection of diet-worthy recipes to share with those of you who are also in waist watcher mode. These stuffed mushrooms are the first recipe in what I hope will become a weekly feature on One Perfect Bite. They are easy to make and quite satisfying, though I suspect you will want to add additional herbs and spices to the ingredient mix. I do hope you'll give these mushrooms a try. Here is how they are made.

Pizza Bianco

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I think you'll enjoy this pizza, but I really think it has been misnamed. If you make this pie according to directions, you'll end up with something that is more like a loaded focaccia than a standard pizza pie. I get around it by cheating. I could have made my preferred crust, but I've been so busy this week that I bought pizza dough at the market and once it was rolled, proceeded to make the filling and topping and shamelessly called the pie my own. No one was looking. It is hard to go wrong with the flavor palate presented in this recipe, though I do think caramelized onions would kick the pie up notch or two. If you are looking for new pizza combinations, you might want to give this simple recipe a try. Here is how the pizza is made.

Spring Vegetable Risotto

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I feel almost guilty posting this recipe when so many of you are still buried in snow, but the blooms of daffodils and Thundercloud plum trees have announced the arrival of spring here the the Pacific Northwest and I wanted my kitchen to reflect the change of season. I decided to make this wonderful lemon flavored risotto, prepared with a handful of spring vegetables, to mark the occasion. This is one of my favorite dishes, and when I am home alone I can make a meal of it. When the Silver Fox is home, I'll make lamb chops to round out his plate and keep one of the world's most committed carnivores happy. While risotto is not hard to make, it demands some attention from the cook. The liquid must be added in stages and the rice must be stirred as it cooks, but once you've established a rhythm, those lovely grains will reward you with a delicious and savory treat. It is important to serve the rice just as it has finished cooking. This is not a dish that keeps well and the rice will become gummy if it sits and is allowed to cool. I do hope you'll give this flavorful spring risotto a try. Here is how it's made.

Frugal Foodie Friday - Fresh Tomato and Basil Quiche

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...We have a family owned Italian market in town and during the winter months they provide fabulous fresh vegetables at a reasonable cost. While I like to think of myself as a locovore, there are certain fruits and vegetables we would never have in the winter if I adhered strictly to my convictions. Tomatoes are one of them. Now I am a gal with standards, so the cardboard flavorless tomatoes generally found in supermarkets never make it to my table, but I have been known to pay a king's ransom for heirloom tomatoes in the depth of winter. Fortunately, for me anyway, last week's storm and a lack of customers made it possible for me to buy Brandywine tomatoes at summer prices. This quiche is one of the ways I used them, and I wanted to share this recipe with you because it is inexpensive to make and its cost makes it an ideal candidate for a Frugal Foodie Friday feature. It is perfect for lunch or a weekend brunch, and leftovers can be frozen for up to 2 months. I do hope you'll give this recipe a try. The quiche is delicious and easy to make and I really think you'll be pleased with it. Here is how it is made.

A Super Simple Dip for Super Bowl Sunday - Jalapeno Popper Dip

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This dip really does taste like jalapeno poppers. I've seen the recipe for it for years, but today, for whatever reason, the spirit moved me and I decided to give it a test run. If you like a dip with some bite, I suspect you'll enjoy this, both for its flavor and its ease of preparation. It is effortless to make and my only complaint regarding the recipe is that it makes too darn much for a party of two. The Silver Fox and I are not great snackers, but we tried the dip on some crackers and then thinned it with some milk and used the remainder of it to make an other worldly mac n' cheese. Feel free to use cheddar or a blended Mexican cheese when you make this. Interestingly, the dip can be served hot or cold. If, however, you decide to serve it cold, cut back a bit on the crumb topping. The topping is lovely for the warm version of the dip because it adds some color to an otherwise pale dish, but its a bit much for the cold version. If you are looking for simple something something to serve while watching the Super Bowl and you enjoy heat, why not give this easy recipe a try. Here is how the dip is made.

Simply Scrumptious Blueberry and Almond Cheese Puff

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This lovely tart is a scrumptious treat that's as easy to make as it is to eat. Commercially prepared puff pastry is perfectly acceptable to use in its preparation, and its use certainly makes assembly of the tart nearly effortless. There is also a bit of room to play with this recipe. You can swap raspberries for blueberries and mascarpone can, of course, replace the cream cheese that serves as the base of the tart filling. I do, however, strongly suggest you serve the tart the same day it is made. You'll find it loses its shard-like crispness and appeal if it sits around too long. I do hope you'll give this recipe a try. I know those of you who do will love this crisp tart. Here is how it's made.

Frugal Foodie Friday - Mushroom and Leek Frittata with Fontina Cheese

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I've been planning menus for the holidays and after testing last night, I've decided to serve this relatively inexpensive frittata for breakfast on Christmas morning. It is simple to make and absolutely delicious. Mushrooms provide most of the flavor, but the use of Fontina cheese makes the frittata really interesting and the combination is perfect for a light, but special meal. Fontina is considered one of the most versatile cheeses in the world because its mild, earthy flavor and buttery texture make it perfect for cooking or eating out of hand. If you are unable to find Fontina or need something less expensive, mild provolone or gouda would be good substitutes. The frittata can be assembled quickly and if you prepare its various elements ahead of time, the final assembly will take all of five minutes. In terms of cost and effort this is a perfect light entree for a Frugal Friday feature. I hope you'll give this recipe a try. You won't regret it. Here is how the frittata is made.

Mushroom and Leek Frittata with Fontina Cheese...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Bon Appetit magazine

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 medium leeks, whites and pale-green parts only, chopped
8 ounces crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, thinly sliced
12 large eggs
1/2 cup crème fraîche or sour cream
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
3/4 cup shredded Fontina cheese, divided
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Directions:
1) Place a rack in upper third of oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 10 inch nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until softened and all liquid has evaporated, 8-10 minutes.
2) Meanwhile, whisk eggs, crème fraîche, and parsley in a large bowl; mix in 1/2 cup cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
3) Increase heat to medium-high and add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to skillet. Pour egg mixture over mushrooms, shaking pan to evenly distribute mixture. Cook frittata, without stirring, until its edges begin to set, about 5 minutes.
4) Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese over eggs and transfer skillet to oven. Bake frittata until golden brown and center is set, 25-30 minutes. Yield: 6 servings.

                    

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             Double Ginger Snaps                                                                          Figgy Pudding

                 Three Years Ago Today:                                                           Four Years Ago Today: 

                Fettuccini with Corn Pesto                                                             Linzer Cookies

Potato and Carrot Gratin

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming...I wanted to bring you up to date with some news that may affect the frequency with which I'll be posting here. I have been scheduled for two corneal transplants, the first of which will occur next week. I've prepared the blog as best I can for contingencies that may follow surgery, and using a combination of old, new, borrowed and blue posts, I should be able to follow a near normal posting schedule. I think! At least that's the plan. The next few months are going to have a circus aspect about them. We are also in the process of selling our home and that leads to craziness and cooking of a different sort. I'll be featuring more recipes for breads and desserts in an attempt to keep the house from smelling like a pizza parlor and, hopefully, we'll be back on a more normal track by January. I hope all of you will continue to stop by.

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Our last big get-together before the first of the year is going to be tomorrow evening. I have planned a fairly elegant, but easy-on-the-cook menu, and much of what I'll be serving can be made well-ahead of time. While very rich, this potato and carrot gratin is a wonderful accompaniment to a roast or grilled meat and it can be made the day before it is to be served. There is, of course, a catch. The potatoes and carrots must be thinly sliced and you will need a mandoline or other slicing device to cut them. These are delicious when made with heavy cream, but half-and-half or light cream can be substituted if you are watching calories or counting fat grams. The potatoes can be table ready in about and hour. The recipe was developed by Alexis Touchet for the Huffington Post and I do hope you'll give it a try. You will not be disappointed. Here is how the potatoes are made.

Potato and Carrot Gratin...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Alexis Touchet via Huffington Post

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes
1 pound carrots
1-3/4 cups heavy cream
1-3/4 cups whole milk
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
1-3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
2 cups coarsely grated Gruyere (about 6 ounces)

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees F with rack in middle. Spread butter into a 15- by 10-inch (4-quart) baking dish.
2) Peel potatoes and carrots, then cut both into 1/16-inch thick slices with slicer and transfer to a 6-quart heavy pot.
3) Add cream, milk, garlic, salt and pepper and bring just to a boil over moderate heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
4) Spread mixture evenly in baking dish, then sprinkle with cheese and bake until vegetables are tender and top is golden brown in spots, 25 to 30 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Yields: 8 to 10 servings.

Cook's Note: Gratin can be baked 1 day ahead. Cool completely, then refrigerate, covered. Bring to room temperature before reheating, uncovered, in a 350 F oven, 20 to 30 minutes.

If you have enjoyed your visit here, I hope you'll take a minute to...

      

One Year Ago Today: Rigatoni with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Two Years Ago Today: Dondurma - Elastic Ice Cream

Three Years Ago Today: Tomato Jam

Four Years Ago Today: Mile-High Apple Pie with Cranberries

Frugal Foodie Friday - Baked Pizza Pasta

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This is a great casserole to keep in mind for game day. It is one of those easy, economical and rib stickingly good meals that is loved by hungry men and teenagers around the world. The casserole, with its crisp edges and bubbling cheese,  resembles those pasta dishes that come from the ovens of neighborhood trattorias. There is no trick to making this basic beauty. Any tubular pasta can be used and while I think the zucchini adds a lovely crisp texture to the dish, any vegetable can be used in its place. Ground turkey or sausage can replace the ground beef and  if you are feeling really adventurous, swap provolone for the mozzarella called for in the recipe. The only constants in this recipe should be the use of fire roasted tomatoes. They add some heat  to the dish and  take it up a notch or two without adding fire to the belly. I do hope you'll give this recipe a try. This baked pasta is a perfect meal to serve on Frugal Foodie Friday. Here is how the casserole is made.

Baked Pizza Pasta...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Muir Glen Test Kitchen

Ingredients:
1/2 lb extra lean ground beef
1 cup chopped sweet onion
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (14-1/2 ounce) cans fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces tubular pasta, cooked and drained
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
cooking spray

Directions:
1) Heat oven to 375. Spray a 2 quart rectangular baking dish.
2) Cook beef, onion and garlic in a non-stick skillet set over medium heat, stirring frequently, until cooked. Add zucchini and cook 2 minutes longer.
3) Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Heat to boiling.
4) Add pasta and toss to combine. Spread in prepared dish. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered, about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Yield: 6 servings.

If you have enjoyed your visit here, I hope you'll take a minute to...

      

One year Ago Today: Orange Spiced Cashews

Two Years Ago Today: Honey Muffins

Three Years Ago Today: Candied Walnuts

Four Years Ago Today: Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Lasagna