Skillet Phyllo Pie with Butternut Squash, Kale, & Feta

This is another “healthyish” cast iron skillet recipe from Bon Appétit. It was almost my entire CSA box in a pie. 🙂 I incorporated CSA leeks, butternut squash, and Toscano kale. Very seasonal- perfect.

I had an abundance of kale, so I made the pie in a large (12-inch) skillet. I also incorporated kohlrabi greens. Because this recipe is very adaptable, the finished pie size can be modified depending upon the volume of filling. Any other greens would work too.

The recipe was adapted from Bon Appétit, contributed by Anna Jones. The lemon zest was essential. We had a green salad made with my CSA romaine lettuce on the side. 🙂

Yield: 6 servings

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 2 large leeks, white and light green portions, cut into 1/4-inch half-moons and soaked OR 2 medium red onions, finely chopped
• 1/2 small butternut squash (about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds), peeled, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 bunch Tuscan kale, ribs and stems removed, thinly sliced into 1/4-inch crosswise ribbons (I used about 8 cups) 
• 2 to 3 large eggs, beaten to blend (I used 3 eggs for a 12-inch pie)
• 3 ounces Parmesan, grated (I used Parmigiano-Reggiano)
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (I used the zest of one lemon)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces frozen phyllo pastry, thawed (half a 1-pound package)
• 4 to 6 ounces fresh goat cheese or feta, crumbled, divided

1. Place a rack in lower third of oven; preheat to 400°, preferably on convection.
2. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium. Add leeks or onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 6–8 minutes.
3. Add squash and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost tender, 8–10 minutes.
4. Mix in thyme and red pepper flakes and transfer to a large bowl; let cool.
5. Wipe out and reserve skillet.
6. Add kale, eggs, Parmesan, and lemon zest to squash mixture and gently mix to combine; season with salt and pepper.
7. If using 6 ounces of cheese, incorporate 2 ounces into the kale-squash mixture.
8. Working quickly so that the phyllo doesn’t dry out, layer phyllo sheets inside reserved skillet, letting 2-3 inches hang over the edge. (I placed them in a circular fashion. I also brushed some oil between every few layers.)
9. Spoon kale-and-squash mixture into phyllo and dot top with cheese.
10. Brush edges of phyllo lightly with oil and fold over filling, overlapping slightly, leaving center exposed.
11. Cook pie over low to medium-low heat until bottom of pastry is just golden (carefully lift up on one side with a heatproof rubber spatula so that you can take a peek), about 3 minutes.
12. Transfer skillet to oven and bake pie until kale is wilted and tender and phyllo is golden brown and crisp, 20–25 minutes.
13. Let pie cool in skillet at least 10 to 15 minutes before slicing into wedges.

Do Ahead: Pie can be baked 6 hours ahead. Let cool; store uncovered at room temperature.

Ina Garten’s Caramelized Onion, Tomato & Goat Cheese Tarts

One of my friends frequently serves these tarts when entertaining with rave reviews. She describes them as “flavor bombs!” 🙂 I loved them so much, I have also served them on more than one occasion myself.

The tarts can be formed into rectangles on sheet pans, or into rounds on pizza tins. Square pieces are perfect appetizer portions. As they are a bit time consuming to prepare, the tarts can be assembled a day prior to baking and serving. To limit the amount of moisture on the crust, it is important to not to incorporate too many tomatoes.

The recipe was adapted from Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, via Food Network.com, contributed by Ina Garten. I doubled the recipe, modified the proportions, and made large tarts rather than individual tarts.

Yield: Two 12-inch tarts

• 1 package (17.3 ounces/2 sheets) puff pastry, defrosted
• extra virgin olive oil
• 8 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (about 3 large onions)
• 6 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 tablespoons dry white wine
• 4 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
• 6 to 8 ounces garlic-and-herb goat cheese (I used Trader Joe’s herb-goat cheese)
• 1 pound Campari or small “on-the-vine” tomatoes (about 3 per tart), or 2 large tomatoes, cut into 8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices
• 6 tablespoons julienned basil leaves, divided

1. Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll it lightly to an 12 by 12-inch square. Fold the corners in to form a circle. Repeat with the second pastry sheet. (Alternatively, the pastry can be kept in a rectangle, lightly rolled until smooth.)
2. Place the pastry circles on 2 pizza pans lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until ready to use. (If using rectangles, place the pastry on 2 rimmed sheet pans lined with parchment paper.)
3. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F, preferably on convection.
4. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium to low heat and add the onions and garlic. Saute for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are limp and there is almost no moisture remaining in the skillet.
5. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the wine, and thyme and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned. Remove from the heat.
6. Using a sharp paring knife, score a 1/4-inch-wide border around each pastry.
7. Prick the pastry inside the score lines with the tines of a fork and sprinkle 4 tablespoons of grated Parmesan on each round, staying inside the scored border.
8. Place 1/2 of the onion mixture on each tart, again staying within the scored edge.
9. On each tart, crumble 3 to 4 ounces of goat cheese on top of the onions.
10. Place tomato slices over each tart. Brush the tomatoes lightly with olive oil and sprinkle each with 2 T basil, salt, and pepper.
11. Finally, scatter 4 or 5 shards of Parmesan on each tart.
12. Bake for 25 minutes on convection, or until the pastry is golden brown. The bottom pan may need an extra few minutes in the oven.
13. After removing from the oven, garnish each tart with the remaining tablespoon of basil and more grated Parmesan.
14. Serve hot or warm.

Sweet Summer Corn- Two Ways

I typically enjoy our amazing Long Island summer corn simply on the cob after boiling it for two minutes in salted water. No butter, no extra salt. It’s perfect. 🙂 But, I must admit that both of these dishes brought sweet corn to another level and were absolute crowd-pleasers.

The first dish, pictured above, is Ina Garten’s Chipotle Parmesan Sweet Corn. It was buttery and indulgent. We ate it as a side with grilled chicken. The second dish, photo below, is Mexican-Style Corn with Citrus Cream. I served it on a separate occasion as an appetizer with tortilla chips.

The Chipotle Parmesan Sweet Corn Recipe is from Ina Garten’s Cook Like a Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooks via barefoot contessa.com. The Mexican-Style Corn with Citrus Cream recipe was adapted from Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food. The street corn had more of a spicy kick compared to the buttery chipotle corn.

Ina Garten’s Chipotle Parmesan Sweet Corn

Yield: Serves 6 to 8 as a side dish

• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup shallots, halved lengthwise, peeled, and thinly sliced crosswise (3 large shallots)
• 8 cups white or yellow corn kernels (8 to 12 ears) (I used 9)
• 1/4 tsp chipotle chile powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• freshly squeezed lime juice from 1 lime (about 2 T)
• 1 T freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

1. Standing the cob upright inside the center of a medium to large shallow bowl, cut the corn kernels off of the cobs. (This prevents the kernels from scattering all over the counter.)
2. Heat the butter in a large (12-inch) sauté pan over medium heat. Once melted, add the shallots and cook for about 5 minutes, until tender and fragrant.
3. Add the corn, chipotle powder, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper.
4. Raise the heat to medium high and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the corn to brown lightly, until the corn is tender but still firm.
5. Off the heat, stir in the lime juice and Parmesan.
6. Taste for seasonings and transfer to a large shallow serving bowl. Serve hot.

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Martha Stewart’s Mexican-Style Corn with Citrus Cream

Yield: Serves 4 to 6 as an appetizer

• 8 ears corn, husked and silks removed
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1 T fresh lime juice
• pinch or two cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 cup minced cilantro, or more, to taste
• coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija or goat cheese
• tortilla chips, for serving

1. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high. Clean and lightly oil the hot grill.
2. Grill the husked corn cobs, turning occasionally, until kernels are tender and charred in spots, about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, combine sour cream, lime juice, cayenne, chili powder, and cilantro in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Cut off the tips of the grilled corn cobs and stand in a wide, shallow bowl. Using a sharp knife, cut the kernels off the cobs.
5. Combine the corn kernels with the sour cream mixture.
6. To serve, top with the crumbled goat cheese. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping, as desired.

Note: This dish can be served warm or at room temperature

Arugula Salad with Peaches, Basil, Goat Cheese & Pine Nuts

I have a quite a few summer recipes to share. 🙂  I loved this simple salad so much, I had to post it first. I’ve already made it a couple of times! It is composed of many of my seasonal favorites. Bright, fresh, creamy, crunchy and absolutely perfect.

This recipe is from The New York Times, contributed by Lidey Heuck. I used half of the dressing. I made the salad with white peach slices, but it would also be wonderful with sliced nectarines or mango. The author also suggested substituting cherries, strawberries, plums, raspberries or even cherry tomatoes. Lovely.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6 as an appetizer or side salad

• 1/4 cup (4 T) pine nuts or walnuts
• 2 to 4 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 to 2 T champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 5 ounces baby arugula
• 2 ripe peaches, pitted and cut into 1/4-inch slices (about 10 ounces)
• 1/2 cup julienned fresh basil leaves
• 2 ounces creamy goat cheese, crumbled (about ½ cup), plus more to taste

1. In a small sauté pan, toast the pine nuts over medium heat, tossing often, until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. (I used a small cast iron skillet.) Remove from the heat.
2. In a small liquid measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. (I used 4 T olive oil and 2 T vinegar but used about half of the dressing on the salad and reserved the remaining dressing.)
3. Place the arugula in a large salad bowl. Pour just enough dressing over the greens to moisten, and toss to coat.
4. Add the peaches, basil, goat cheese and toasted pine nuts and toss to coat.
5. Toss gently and serve immediately.

Ina Garten’s Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Ina Garten uses the genius idea of roasting all of the vegetables in this lasagna filling, as well as using no-boil lasagna noodles, to remove the excess liquid that often makes a vegetable lasagna too watery. Perfect comfort food.

This recipe was adapted from Make It Ahead: a Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten, via The Kitchn, contributed by Emma Christensen. I used a mandoline to slice the eggplant and zucchini. I also increased the garlic and goat cheese, modified the technique, and used the noodles without pre-soaking them.

It was very cheesy and indulgent so we gobbled it up with a giant green salad. 😉

Yield: Serves 10

• 1 1/2 pounds eggplant (1 medium/large), unpeeled, sliced lengthwise 1/4-inch thick using a mandoline
• 3/4 pound zucchini (2 medium/large), unpeeled, sliced lengthwise 1/4-inch thick using a mandoline
• 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 T dried oregano
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 12-14 ounces no-boil lasagna noodles (I used Trader Joe’s)
• 16 ounces fresh whole-milk ricotta
• 10 ounces creamy garlic-and-herb goat cheese, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 4 1/2 cups, 40 oz, bottled marinara sauce (I used Trader Joe’s Italian Marinara with Barolo Wine)
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella, very thinly sliced (I used pre-sliced and cut them in half)

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F preferably on convection roast.
2. Arrange the eggplant and zucchini in single layers on 3 sheet pans lined with parchment paper. (I had 1 2/3 trays of eggplant and 1 1/3 trays of zucchini.)
3. Brush them generously with the olive oil on both sides, using all of the oil.
4. Sprinkle with the oregano (I crush it in my hands), 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper.
5. Roast for 25 minutes, rotating after 15 minutes.
6. Sprinkle the garlic evenly over the vegetables, and roast for another 5 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked through.
7. Remove all 3 trays from the oven and lower the temperature to 350°F, preferably on convection.
8. Combine the ricotta, goat cheese, eggs, basil, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed.
9. Spread 1 cup of the marinara in a 9×13×2-inch baking dish.
10. Arrange a third of the vegetables on top, then a layer of the noodles (6 noodles per layer), a third of the mozzarella (9 1/2 pieces per layer), and a third of the ricotta mixture in large dollops between the mozzarella.
11. Repeat twice, starting with the marinara.
12. Spread the last 1 1/2 cups of marinara on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan.
13. Place the dish on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
14. Remove the foil and bake an additional 30-35 minutes, until the lasagna is browned and bubbly.
15. Allow to rest for 10 minutes and serve hot.

Make-Ahead: Assemble the lasagna completely and refrigerate for up to 1 day or freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost (if necessary) and bake before dinner.

Zucchini & Black Bean Tacos

I love a hearty vegetarian taco! This one was a wonderful way to enjoy the bounty of summer zucchini (and home-grown jalapeños!) as well.

This recipe was adapted from Martha Stewart Living. I increased the spices, steamed the tortillas, and included avocado and cilantro in the toppings. The mashed black beans, sour cream and goat cheese added wonderful creaminess to the filling. Simple, fresh and delicious.

I’m sharing this one (belatedly!) with my friends at Angie’s Fiesta Friday #134 this week. Enjoy!

Yield: Serves 4

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 medium or large zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch rounds if medium or sliced & halved or quartered if large
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup finely chopped white or yellow onion (from 1 medium onion)
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 T tomato paste
• 1 can (15 ounces) organic black beans, rinsed and drained
• 8 corn tortillas
• sour cream, crumbled goat cheese, sliced radishes, pickled jalapeños and carrots, and lime wedges, for serving (I also included Trader Joe’s Fire Roasted Diced Green Chiles)
• fresh cilantro and avocado slices, for garnish

1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. (I used a 4-quart pan)
2. Add zucchini in a single layer; sprinkle with cumin and coriander. Cook, turning once, until golden, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Season with salt and pepper; cover to keep warm.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining oil, onion, and garlic to skillet; cook, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes.
4. Add tomato paste; cook 1 minute.
5. Add beans and 1/2 cup water, season with salt and pepper, and simmer, smashing some beans with a spoon, until heated through.
6. With tongs, toast each tortilla over a burner until charred in places; wrap in a towel. Alternatively, warm the tortillas in a microwave, covered with a damp towel and plastic wrap, for approximately one minute, or until warm and pliable. (I used my tortilla warmer with the microwave method.)
7. Fill with sour cream, beans, zucchini, and cheese. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
8. Serve, with jalapeños, carrots, radishes, avocado slices, and lime alongside, as desired.

One Year Ago:

• Greek-Inspired Zucchini Salad

Two Years Ago:

• Grilled Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage & Corn Slaw

Three Years Ago:

• Zucchini-Leek Soup with Creme Fraiche & Cilantro
• Oaxaca-Style Mushroom & Cheese Quesadillas

Watermelon Salads

My kids and I love summer watermelon. We usually just chomp on slices of it at the beach, but I recently incorporated it into two refreshing summer side salads.

The first was an adaptation of the classic Middle Eastern Tabouli Salad substituting watermelon for tomatoes. What a great idea! 🙂 The second was another classic Middle Eastern way of serving watermelon- with feta and basil. I made it for a party and was unable to capture it in a photo. You can (will have to!) imagine how pretty it looked. I had been unaware of how wonderful watermelon pairs with feta cheese- so simple and tasty.

The tabbouleh recipe was adapted from Martha Stewart Living and the watermelon-feta salad recipe was adapted from Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes from London’s Ottolenghi by Yotam Ottolenghi. Fresh, seasonal and delicious.

Tabbouleh with Watermelon

Yield: Serves 4

• 1 1/4 cups water
• coarse salt
• 3/4 cup bulgur wheat (I used coarse red bulgur)
• 1 1/2 to 3+ cups peeled and coarsely chopped watermelon
• 2/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced on the bias
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 ounces soft goat or feta cheese, crumbled

1. Bring water and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in bulgur, and remove from heat. Let stand, covered, for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork, and let stand, uncovered, until cooled, 15 to 30 minutes. (I spread the cooked bulgur out on a rimmed baking sheet to speed the cooling process.)
2. Transfer bulgur to a bowl, and toss with watermelon, parsley, scallions, oil, lemon zest and juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
3. Gently fold in cheese. Serve.

Watermelon, Basil & Feta Salad

Yield: Serves 4

• 10 oz block feta (preferable sheep’s milk)
• 4 to 5 cups of large-dice watermelon cubes
• 3/4 cups basil leaves, chiffonade
• 1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced
• olive oil, for drizzling

1. Slice the feta into large but thin pieces, or just break it by hand into rough chunks.
2. Arrange all of the ingredients, except for the olive oil, on a platter or bowl, mixing them up a little.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the top and serve immediately.

One Year Ago:

• German-Style Bacon & Shallot Potato Salad

Two Years Ago:

• Green Couscous with Arugula

Three Years Ago:

• Gazpacho
• Tzatziki