Pasta Gratin with Salmon and Wilted Greens

You can use leftover fish for this delicious recipe, or use canned salmon as I did for an economical meal. I used Silk Almond Coconut Blend instead of cow's milk and it was perfect, rich and had a faint sweet flavor. When combined with wilted greens, pasta and a creamy sauce it's a winner!

Recipe

2 tablespoons olive oil
12 ounces mixed greens (or spinach), washed and tough stems removed
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 ounces farfalle (bow-tie pasta)
14.75 oz. can Salmon
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons rice flour (or all-purpose)
2 cups milk
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400-degrees.

Heat 1 T. of the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add the greens, still wet from rinsing, and cook covered for about 4 minutes until wilted. Add 1/4 tsp. each of the salt and pepper and mix well. Spoon spinach into a 6-cup gratin dish.

Bring 2 quarts of salted water to a boil in a large pot and add the pasta. Stir and cook for about 10 minutes until tender but still slightly al dente. Drain, then cool by running cold water over it for 30 seconds; drain well. Toss the pasta with the fish, breaking up the fish into bite-size pieces, and spread it on top of the spinach in the gratin dish.

Heat the remaining 1 T. oil and butter in a large saucepan. Add the flour and mix well. Cook for 30 seconds, whisking, then add the milk and bring to a boil, still stirring with the whisk. Remove from heat and add the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper and mix well. Pour the sauce over the fish and pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Put in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until hot and browned on top.

– inspired by Jacques Pépin, "Essential Pépin"

Arroz con Pollo with Salsa Verde

This is a solid 5 star recipe that I have been preparing for years! The first time I made it was in 2007 for my friend's dear mother who was battling cancer and did this ever wake up her appetite – she almost ate the whole thing by herself! It's that good.

Feel free to use whatever parts of the chicken you like best, bone in or not, skin on or not – a whole fryer cut up, or a few breasts and six thighs (boneless/skinless) like I did. I always have a tough time finding dried chorizo but a local butcher makes it fresh so I use that instead. Definitely make the salsa verde to garnish this dish, it's fresh, nutty, spicy hot and worth it! If you have whole almonds on hand it's easy to make your own blanched, roasted nuts (see instructions below). Serves 6 to 8 and is delicious hot or at room temperature and reheats well.

Recipe

8 to 10 pieces chicken
4 T. olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 tsp. ground cumin
1-1/2 T. dried oregano
2 tsp. sweet paprika (I used a sweet smoked paprika)
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 lb. chorizo (if dried, cut in 1" pieces)
1 large sweet onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 c. long grain white rice
(1) 15-oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes with liquid
3 c. chicken broth
1 c. pimiento stuffed green olives (I used a 5.75 oz. jar manzanillo sliced olives with pimiento)

Salsa Verde:
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
1/4 c. fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 c. blanched almonds, toasted
1/2 c. olive oil
1 lime, juiced

Rinse and dry the chicken with paper towels. In a large enough bowl to hold all the chicken mix 2 tablespoons of the oil, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, paprika and cayenne. Rub the chicken pieces with the spice paste and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. In a heavy, ovenproof casserole heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and fry the chorizo over medium heat until it is crispy and renders its fat. Remove the chorizo with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Put the chicken in the pan, skin side down, and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes (you may have to do this in two batches); remove from pan and set aside. Saute the onion, garlic, bell pepper and bay leaves until the vegetables are very soft and almost dissolved, about 10 minutes. Stir in the rice so the grains are well coated. Add the tomatoes and broth, season with salt and pepper. Return the chorizo and chicken to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes. Cover and transfer pot to the oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken is done and the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Scatter the olives on top of the chicken and rice and serve with salsa verde.

SALSA VERDE:
Pulse all the ingredients (except olive oil) in a food processor. With machine running, slowly pour in the olive oil to form a loose paste.

BLANCHED, ROASTED ALMONDS:
Pre-heat oven to 325-degrees. Heat 2 cups water to boiling, remove from heat, and add whole almonds (make sure they're completely covered by the water). After 3 minutes remove almonds to a strainer and run under cold water to cool. When cool enough to handle, squeeze between your thumb and forefinger and skins will slide right off. Spread nuts on an ungreased sheet pan and put in the oven for 20 minutes until lightly browned, stirring halfway through. Remove from oven and cool before using.

– inspired by Tyler Florence, Food Network

Eggs Jeanette

A nice (and very simple) first course or light supper for Easter. Serve with chilled pinot grigio and fresh, warm French bread. This is a recipe that Jacques' mother used to make when he was a child.

Recipe

6 hard cooked eggs, peeled
1 to 2 T. milk
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 T. fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 T. peanut oil

DRESSING:
2 T. reserved egg yolk mixture from above
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 T. water
pinch of salt
pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1/4 c. grapeseed oil (or olive oil)

Cut the eggs in half, remove yolks and mash with a fork, or put through a food mill. Chop the garlic with the parsley and mix in with the yolks, then add the milk, garlic, salt and pepper – mixture should be moist and hold together. Stuff the whites with the yolk mixture, reserving about 2 T. for the dressing. Don't pile the filling too high, level off before frying so they sit flat in the skillet.

Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet. When the oil is hot add the egg halves, stuffed side down, and fry over medium heat for 2 minutes until browned (do not cook the white side!).

Make the dressing by adding all of the ingredients (except the oil) in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly pour in the oil and mix until well incorporated. Pour the dressing on a flat plate and arrange the eggs on top.

– Jacques Pépin, "Essential Pépin"

Lima Bean Ragout

Another satisfying, simple, delicious recipe from Jacques Pépin's new cookbook, "Heart & Soul in the Kitchen." I was skeptical that no spices were used except for salt. I don't know why I doubted the Master because every Jacques recipe I make is superb. This one is no exception. Serve on its own with a crusty piece of French bread to mop up the sauce, or with meats or fish. Serves 8.

Recipe

1 pound dried baby lima beans
1 bouillon cube (chicken or veg)
6 cups water
1-1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. leeks, including greens, 1-inch slices
1 c. peeled carrot, 1-inch slices
2 c. chopped onion (1-inch pieces)
1 c. celery, 1-inch slices
1 c. fennel stalks and fronds, 1-inch pieces
1/2 c. salsa

Rinse the beans under cold water, drain, and add to large stock pot. Add the bouillon cube, water and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to lower, cover, and cook for 1 hour.

Add the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook, covered, for another hour. Eat!

– Jacques Pépin, "Heart & Soul in the Kitchen"

Red Cabbage, Pistachio & Cranberry Salad with Blue Cheese

A simple salad with bold, complementary flavors dressed with peanut and walnut oils and apple cider vinegar. The cabbage holds up well to the dressing and keeps for at least a few days.

Recipe

1 head red cabbage (about 1-1/2 lbs.), wilted leaves and larger ribs removed
1/2 c. pistachios
1/2 c. dried cranberries
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Sriracha Sauce (or Tabasco)
1 T. cider vinegar
2 T. peanut oil
1 T. walnut oil
1/3 c. blue cheese, crumbled
3 T. chives, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Quarter the cabbage and remove the core, then cut into thin strips. Put in a bowl and add the pistachios, cranberries, salt, sriracha, vinegar and oils. Mix well and let the salad sit for about an hour to blend the flavors. To serve, top with blue cheese and chives.

– Jacques Pépin, "Heart & Soul in the Kitchen"

New Year Quinoa Bowl

I'm starting 2016 healthy and happy with a tasty Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl topped with roasted red pepper and almond sauce. Feel free to add any of your favorite ingredients. I could eat this every day … and probably should!

Recipe

SAUCE:
(1) 16-oz. jar roasted red peppers, drained
juice of one lemon
1/3 c. olive oil
1/2 c. whole almonds
1 clove garlic
salt to taste

BOWL:
Tri-Color Quinoa, cooked (1 c. quinoa to 2 c. water)
medium shrimp, cooked
fresh spinach, chopped roughly
cucumber, chopped roughly
avocado, sliced
feta cheese, chopped or crumbled
kalamata olives, pitted, whole
freshly ground pepper (optional)
parsley (for garnish)

Put all of the sauce ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside.

Cook the quinoa (1 c. quinoa to 2 c. water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and cook for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed). Arrange the quinoa and rest of your ingredients in a bowl, add a healthy dollop or two (or three!) of sauce, and top with parsley.