Sesame Stir-Fried Pork Tenderloin with Shiitakes

This quick weeknight dish was packed with flavor. The seasonings had a great balance too. The original recipe notes that tofu can be substituted for the pork to make a vegetarian version.

This recipe was adapted from 177milkstreet.com, contributed by Dawn Yanagihara. I reduced the amount of kimchi and increased the amount of garlic. This dish could definitely gobble up more kimchi- I may incorporate the full amount next time. I served it over brown Basmati rice to make a complete meal. Wonderful!

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

• 1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed of silver skin (can substitute 14 oz extra-firm tofu, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 cups Napa cabbage kimchi, drained, large pieces chopped, with 2 T reserved juice (I used 10.6oz jar of Trader Joe’s kimchi)
• 2 1/2 T soy sauce, divided (I used reduced sodium soy sauce)
• 1/2 tsp coarse salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 to 3 T grapeseed oil, or other neutral oil
• 8 oz fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded, caps sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 3 T mirin
• 1 T toasted sesame oil
• 2 T sesame seeds, toasted
• 5 scallions, thinly sliced
• brown Basmati rice, for serving, optional (I used 1 cup rice cooked in 2 cups stock)

1. Cut the tenderloin in half lengthwise, then slice each half crosswise about 1/4-inch thick.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the pork, 1 tablespoon of the reserved kimchi juice, 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
3. In a 12 or 14-inch skillet over high, heat 1 tablespoon of the grapeseed oil until beginning to smoke. Swirl to coat the pan, then add the pork and cook, stirring, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a clean bowl.
4. In the same pan over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil until beginning to smoke.
5. Add the mushrooms and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid released by the mushrooms has mostly evaporated, about 5 minutes.
6. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, if necessary (I omitted it), and the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
7. Return the pork to the pan with any accumulated juices and cook until the juices evaporate, 30 to 60 seconds.
8. Add the kimchi, mirin, the remaining 1 tablespoon kimchi juice and the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce. Reduce to medium and cook, stirring and scraping up any browned bits, until the kimchi is heated through, about 3 minutes.
9. Stir in the sesame oil, half of the sesame seeds and half of the scallions.
10. Transfer to a bowl or platter, over rice, if desired. Sprinkle with the remaining scallions and sesame seeds. Serve.

One-Skillet Hot Sausage and Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry

This was a crowd-pleasing dish to make with my beautiful CSA Napa cabbage. As suggested in the original recipe, we ate it in flour tortillas but it would also be delicious served over rice. It was reminiscent of one of our family favorites, Thai One-Pot.

This recipe was adapted from Bon Appétit, contributed by Claire Saffitz. I modified the proportions, used scallions instead of chives, and wilted all of the Napa cabbage.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

• 1 1-inch piece ginger, peeled, finely grated
• 6 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 16 to 18 ounces hot Italian sausages, casings removed (I used 6 sausages)
• 2 tablespoons (or more) vegetable oil
• 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 6 to 10 cups very thinly sliced Napa cabbage, divided (I used 1/2 of a large head)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions or chives
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 8 large flour tortillas or mu-shu wraps, warmed (I used Trader Joe’s handmade flour tortillas)
• hoisin sauce and Sriracha, for serving, as desired

1. Using your hands or a wooden spoon, work ginger and garlic into sausage in a medium bowl.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron (I used a 14″ stainless skillet), over medium-high and cook sausage mixture, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned, crisp, and cooked through, 6–8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage mixture to a clean bowl.
3. Increase heat to high and cook mushrooms in the fat in the skillet, tossing often, until browned and starting to release their juices, about 4 minutes (if skillet looks dry at any point, add a bit more oil).
4. Add half of cabbage and cook, tossing often, until cabbage is wilted and tender, about 4 minutes. (I incorporated all of the cabbage, a handful at a time.)
5. Drizzle in vinegar and soy sauce and cook, tossing, until liquid is mostly reduced and skillet is dry in spots, about 2 minutes.
6. Remove skillet from heat and incorporate sausage and remaining cabbage (if reserved) into stir-fry.
7. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with scallions/chives and sesame seeds.
8. Serve stir-fry with tortillas, hoisin sauce, and Sriracha for making individual wraps.

Pasta with Kale, Sausage, & Mushrooms

This quick weeknight dish makes kale a crowd-pleaser. 🙂 It was fabulous.

This recipe was adapted from The New York Times, contributed by David Latt. I used my CSA red kale instead of black kale and I doubled the mushrooms and the garlic. I also modified the cooking sequence. This recipe could easily be adapted to make a vegetarian version by omitting the sausage.

• 1 bunch red or black kale, washed, ribs removed, sliced into 1-inch ribbons
• 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausages
• 8 oz (½ pound) shiitakes mushrooms, washed, thinly sliced
• 8 oz (½ pound) cremini mushrooms, washed, thinly sliced
• 8 garlic cloves, peeled, finely chopped
• 4 shallots, peeled, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups chicken stock or pasta water, plus more to adjust consistency of sauce
• 1 T unsalted butter
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• 1 pound pasta (spaghetti, ziti, penne, or fusilli) (I used La Molisana Pantacce Toscane, 106)
• 1 T Kosher salt for the pasta

1. Sauté with olive oil or grill the sausages to put a crust on the outside, drain on a paper towel, cut into 1/4-inch rounds, then set aside.
2. In a hot pan lightly brown the kale with the olive oil and remove.
3. Add the mushrooms, shallots, and garlic; sauté until lightly browned.
4. Turn down the heat to medium. Return the kale to the pan along with the sausages, stock, and butter. Braise for 15 minutes. The liquid should reduce by half.
5. Taste and adjust the seasoning with sea salt and pepper.
6. Meanwhile, make the pasta in boiling salted water, drain, reserving 2 cups of the pasta water, drizzle with olive oil, season with sea salt and black pepper, toss.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the sausage mixture, toss to coat with the sauce. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water, as desired. Serve with grated cheese.

Charmoula-Spiced Salmon with Za’atar Roasted Vegetables

I am always thrilled to make a healthy and flavorful dish that incorporates TONS of vegetables from my CSA share. This recipe seemed to be created for the box I had just received which contained kohlrabi, baby bok choy, parsley, and cilantro. This dish was loaded with wonderful spices as well. It truly was one of the best salmon dishes I’ve ever prepared.

This recipe was adapted from Food and Wine, contributed by Chef Jared Wentworth of Chicago’s Longman & Eagle. I used one large piece of salmon instead of fillets, grilled the fish instead of pan-cooking, modified the oven temperature, used potatoes and kohlrabi instead of beets, whole carrots instead of baby carrots, and modified the proportions in the sauce. It was beyond delicious!

For the Roasted Vegetables:

• 1/2 pound red potatoes (5) or baby golden beets, scrubbed and quartered
• 1-2 kohlrabi, peeled and cut into medium-pieces (I used 1 1/2)
• 3 large carrots, halved lengthwise and quartered
• 1/4 pound shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and quartered
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons za’atar
• coarse salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 pound baby bok choy, chopped into ribbons (I used 9 heads)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

For the Charmoula
:

• 1/2 cup lightly packed parsley leaves
• 1/2 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves
• 2 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 4 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 T fresh lemon juice
• coarse salt
• freshly ground black pepper

For the Salmon:

• 1 1/3 pound whole wild salmon fillet (or four 5- to 6-ounce salmon fillets)
• coarse salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, optional (I omitted it)
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

To Make the Vegetables:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°, preferably on convection roast.
2. On two large rimmed baking sheets, toss the beets or potatoes, kohlrabi, carrots and mushrooms with the olive oil and za’atar and season with salt and pepper.
3. Roast for about 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
4. Immediately transfer the vegetables to a large bowl and fold in the bok choy until just wilted.
5. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

To Make the Charmoula:

1. In a food processor, combine everything except the salt and pepper and puree until nearly smooth. (I used a mini-food processor.)
2. Scrape into a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.

To Make the Salmon:

1. Season the fish with coarse salt and black pepper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the ground coriander and cumin with the paprika and crushed red pepper. Season the salmon with the spice mixture.
3. Meanwhile, preheat a grill set to moderate heat.
4. Place the fish on the hot grill skin side down and press gently with a spatula to flatten. Cook the fish over moderate heat until the skin is golden, about 3 to 4 minutes.
5. Flip the fish and cook until medium within, about 3 minutes longer.
6. Serve the fish topped with charmoula over the roasted vegetables. Serve extra charmoula on the side, as desired.

Note: The charmoula can be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature before serving.

One Year Ago:

• Shrimp a la Mexicana Tacos

Two Years Ago:

• Pork Tenderloin with Warm Harissa, Couscous, & Roasted Vegetable Salad
• Spaghetti with Corn Carbonara & Crab

Three Years Ago:

• Grilled Pork Chops with Fried Sage Salsa Verde & Sage Potatoes
• Milk-Braised Pork Loin

Four Years Ago:

• Pinchos Morunos or Pork Kebabs with Moorish Seasonings

Sheet Pan Chicken & Mushrooms with Parsley Sauce

This dish was a quick and special weeknight meal. The parsley sauce really made the dish fabulous. I loved the roasted lemon slices as well. We ate it with roasted potatoes and asparagus on the side. Eating it with a green salad and quinoa, suggested by the author, would also be lovely.

This recipe was adapted from Food and Wine, contributed by cookbook author Julia Turshen. I increased the amount of chicken, mushrooms, and garlic. Delicious!

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

• 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
 (I used 10 thighs)
• coarse salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (for each sheet pan) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds (24 oz) mixed mushrooms, such as shiitake and cremini, stemmed and halved if large
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced, plus slices for garnish
• 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley, plus more for garnish, as desired
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced

1. Preheat the oven to 450°, preferably on convection roast, and place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven to heat. (I used 2 sheet pans but may try to use only one next time.)
2. Season the chicken generously 
on both sides with salt and pepper.
3. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil onto each hot baking sheet.
4. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the hot sheet and roast for about 5 minutes, until the chicken begins to brown.
5. In a medium bowl, toss the mushrooms and lemon slices with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
6. Remove sheet pan(s) from the oven and flip the chicken thighs.
7. Carefully scatter the mushrooms and lemon slices 
evenly around the chicken.
8. Return the sheet pan(s) to the oven and roast for about 30 minutes, rotating the pan(s) halfway through, until the mushrooms 
and lemon are browned and the chicken is cooked through.
9. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix the remaining 6 tablespoons of olive oil with the 1/2 cup of parsley, the vinegar and garlic. Season the sauce with salt.
10. Transfer the chicken, mushrooms and lemon slices to a platter.
11. Drizzle with some of the sauce and garnish with lemon and parsley. Serve, passing the remaining sauce at the table.

Two Years Ago:

• Chicken with Mustard

Three Years Ago:

• Roasted Salmon with Herbed Yogurt

Four Years Ago:

• Tortilla Española
• Creamy Tomato Soup with Egg “Noodles”

Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup

When my friend, Julie of Hostess at Heart, posted this mouthwatering soup, I knew that I had to make it for my mushroom-loving Thanksgiving guests. (My family!) It was very well received. 🙂

I adapted the recipe by cooking the wild rice on the stove top in an enameled cast iron pot instead of in the oven. I made it in advance and froze it without any issues. It was earthy, full-flavored, and absolutely fabulous.

Yield: Serves 12

• 1 1/2 cups wild rice
• 4 1/2 cups water
• 
2 sprig fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled, plus 8 additional cloves, minced
• coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
• scant 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.4 ounces dried shiitake mushrooms (I used a combination of dried portobello & shiitakes)
• 6 T unsalted butter
• 24 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 2 medium or 1 1/2 large yellow onions, chopped fine
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1 cup dry sherry
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 1/2 T light soy sauce
• 6 T cornstarch
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 to 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 6 T minced fresh chives, plus more for garnish, optional

1. Bring water, thyme, bay leaf, 2 garlic cloves, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and baking soda to boil in a 4 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and return to a boil. (I used an enameled cast iron pot.)
2. Cover saucepan and cook over low heat until rice is tender, about 55 minutes.
3. Strain rice through a fine-mesh strainer set in a 4-cup liquid measuring cup; discard thyme, bay leaf, and garlic. Add enough water to reserved cooking liquid to measure 4 1/2 cups.
4. Grind shiitake mushrooms in a spice grinder until finely ground. (You should have about 4 1/2 tablespoons.)
5. Melt butter in Dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat.
6. Add cremini mushrooms, onions, minced garlic, tomato paste, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper.
7. Cook stirring occasionally, until vegetables are browned and dark fond develops on bottom of pot, about 15 minutes.
8. Add sherry, scraping up any browned bits, and cook until reduced and pot is almost dry, about 2 minutes.
9. Add ground mushrooms, reserved rice cooking liquid, chicken broth, and soy sauce and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until onions and mushrooms are tender, about 20 minutes.
10. In a small bowl, place 6 tablespoons of simmering liquid from pot and whisk in the cornstarch.
11. Stir cornstarch slurry into soup, return to simmer, and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes.
12. Remove pot from heat and stir in cooked rice, cream, chives, and lemon zest.
13. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

One Year Ago:

• Balthazar’s Cream of Mushroom Soup

Two Years Ago:

• Fresh & Wild Mushroom Stew
• Kabocha Squash Puree with Browned Butter & Sage
• Kabocha Squash Sauté with Bacon & Sage

Three Years Ago:

• Spiced Red Lentil Soup

Four Years Ago:

• Egyptian Red Lentil Soup

Thai One-Pot

I made this quick one-pot dish so that my son could gobble it up before his swim practice. After practice, he used my husband’s phone to text me (repeatedly), “I’m starving! I need more ONE POT!!” He absolutely loved it. Needless to say, he ate all of the leftovers. 🙂

This recipe was adapted from Food and Wine. I lightened the recipe by using ground turkey instead of ground pork. I also used arborio rice. My serving had additional fresh lime juice squeezed all over the top. Tasty!

Yield: Serves 4

• 1 tablespoon canola or sunflower oil
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
• 1/4 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 1/4 pounds lean ground pork or turkey
• 3/4 cup short-grain rice (I used arborio rice)
• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 scallions including green tops, chopped, plus more for garnish
• radishes, cut into thin slices, to taste, for garnish
• 5 tablespoons chopped cilantro or fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
• juice from about 1 lime, plus lime wedges for garnish

1. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderately high heat. (I used a 4-quart covered pan.)
2. Add the bell peppers, shiitakes, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Remove.
3. Add the ground meat to the pan and cook, stirring, until it is no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Spoon off the fat from the pan, if using pork. Season with 1/4 tsp of salt and freshly ground pepper.
4. Stir in the bell peppers and shiitakes, the rice, broth, soy sauce, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the cayenne.
5. Bring to a simmer. Cover. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, without removing the lid, until the rice is just done, about 20 minutes.
6. Remove the pot from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
7. Stir in the scallions, cilantro, and lime juice.
8. Garnish with additional lime wedges, radishes, cilantro, and scallion slices, as desired. Serve.

One Year Ago:

• Curry Noodles with Shrimp & Coconut

Two Years Ago:

• Thai Green Curry with Chicken

Three Years Ago:

• Palestinian Chicken
• Poisson Meunière or Fish with Lemon & Browned Butter Sauce
• Pinchos Morunos or Pork Kebabs with Moorish Seasonings