Brainy Shish Kebab "Kabob"... if you like

 

A Shish Kebab typically consists of meat and vegetables on a skewer and is usually grilled. It can contain lamb, beef, fish, or chicken as well as vegetables like green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Also, you can try pineapple in the mix. 

The term shish kebab comes from the Turkish words şiş kebap that mean "skewer" and "roast meat," and shish kebab is a signature Turkish meal. Kebabs were a natural dietary solution for nomadic tribes in what's now Turkey. Unusual meats were marinated not only to tenderize them but also to get rid of some of the gamey flavor.

For this dish, you will need: your choice of meat, vegetables, onion, peppers and or mushrooms. Instead of using skewers, you can actually get the same effect cooking in the oven. Its quick and easy. Cut up your meat, veggies etc. into bit size chunks, place in a glass baking dish coated with olive oil.  

Add your seasonings/spices: garlic powder, salt, ground pepper, paprika, (using amounts you prefer) and dried herbs. Pour additional olive oil over the top and mix with hands to get all meat/veggies coated well with oil and seasonings. Roast in your oven (375f) or grill in your broiler (broiler/grill option will be hotter depending option settings).

Serve in a pita pocket or plated with rice or couscous... 

~ Tutti a Tavola!

Mixing it up Brainy Cajun Style...

 

Yes, you read it right, 'jambagumbo'. And, its just as you imagine, jambalaya and gumbo combined.  But, one might just think of it as a really juicy jambalaya. Its not only juicy but its hot and spicy as well.

For this dish you will need: wild rice, long grain rice, onion, tomatoes, Italian sausage and shrimp. To begin, saute one chopped onion and two cloves of garlic in olive oil. Once browned, push aside and add 1lb of bulk Italian sausage (sweet/mild or hot depends on what you like). When the sausage is brown, bring the onion/garlic back in and stir.

Next add 2 cups of diced tomatoes (or use one small can of diced tomatoes) and 1/2 cup of beef stock. Then add your spices and add only as much as you like in terms of heat: red pepper flakes, paprika, cayenne pepper, a pinch of salt and dried sweet basil.

Let simmer while you cook the rice: a blend of wild rice and long grain. Start the wild rice first, 1/2 cup boiled in 1 and 1/2 cup of beef stock. When it becomes slightly tender, add 1/2 cup of long grain rice add water to replace any lost liquid. Boil together until fully tender. Then drain and add to the sausage sauce.

To finish, take a package of frozen pre-cooked 'large' shrimp, thawed and rinsed, de-tail and add to the pot. Lastly, let this mixture gather flavor on low heat for about 20 minutes.

Set the table and get ready to jambagumbo!  And, don't forget a bottle of Louisiana hot sauce...

~ Tutti a Tavola!

Spicy Noodle Bowl with Pork... Brainy Style!

 

 

This is a 'noodle bowl/pot' dish. In case you didn't know, the concept of the ramen 'noodle bowl/pot' dish with marinated meat, stock/broth, some fresh veggies and a hard boiled egg was actually imported from China to Japan.

Today, this noodle dish is recognized as a Japanese 'delish' experience that consists of Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat or (occasionally) fish-based stock/broth, often flavored with soy sauce or miso.

Of course, as a 'brainy' gourmet, I used angel hair pasta broken in half rather than ramen noodles... why not, pasta was originally from China anyway. Of course, you can use traditional ramen noodles.

To begin, you will need: pork loin, angel hair pasta, fresh green beans (optional), onion, orange bell pepper (optional), and spinach blended with arugula. 

Most ramen bowls have bright colors: green, orange and yellow colors (boiled egg)... but you can be brainy and improvise/substitute ...which means use ingredients you/everyone in your house likes. 

Start by marinating a pound more or less of boneless pork loin (depending on number of guests) in whatever your favorite 'spicy' seasonings happen to be. For this version, 'fig' infused balsamic vinegar was used along with garlic powder or paste, cayenne pepper flakes and or cayenne paste, sea salt and minced ginger.

In the meantime, start your 'soup'. Get a full quart of beef stock, 4 tbs of soy sauce, 1 tbs of garlic paste, and 1 tbs of ginger paste or more if you like,.. set to boil. As for the cayenne paste, use at your own discretion in the soup; however, if used in the marinate, then omit from soup. 

Next, add half an onion and orange bell pepper julienne cut to the rolling boil of soup stock. Lastly, add one cup of julienne cut young green beans and then some shredded spinach leaves. 

When the meat marination time is up, either broil the pork loin in the oven or cook on the stove in a skillet. Check the pork and add necessary beef stock to keep the meat moist and juicy. Once, it is pink on the inside (use knife checking the densest portion) a little searing seals in the flavors. 

Back to your spicy ramen soup... add four handfuls of angel hair pasta broken in half directly to the boiling soup stock with all its added spicy flavors.

Take out a deep serving dish and ladle in the pasta with julienne veggies topping with the seared pork loin. Pour out the spicy soup stock over the top and also any tasty drippings from the meat. Top with fresh chopped arugula and serve. 

~ Tutti a Tavola!

Brainy Elegant Parpardelle with Asparagus...

 

Ahh, Italia...

A Quick Delicious Pasta Dish ~ Egg Pappardelle Pasta from Rustichella d'Abruzzo with Capers, Red Peppers and Tomato Garlic Sauce! Yes, even with a long title like that this pasta dish is fast and frugal.

To begin, you will need to buy or take from the pantry a package of wide egg noodles... preferably the 'Egg Pappardelle Pasta from the Italian food product provider ~  Rustichella d'Abruzzo.

Next, using a deep fry pan, gently saute the bacon (thick sliced) and or very mild Italian sausage in olive oil on med. heat until it crumbles. Drain off the extra fat that accumulates to save for future cooking.

Add to the skillet, half a jar of drained capers, and one chopped roasted red pepper, one med can of diced tomatoes, dried herbs: rosemary, mint, sage and oregano along with garlic powder.

As the sauce simmers, start salted water to boil in which you will cook the pasta. Returning to the sauce in progress, add a little less than 1/4 cup of heavy cream to the sauce, and a small pat of butter.

As a colorful and tasty side, fry a few spears of fresh green asparagus in 3 tbs of diced bacon in olive oil until blackened on edges. And, put out the grated Parmesan cheese...

~ Tutti a Tavola! 

 

Brainy Boneless Pork Loin with Sun Dried Plums...

 

 

 

The title or name of this dish says it all!

Basically, all you need to whip this up in about 45 min is a 1 lb boneless pork loin, beef stock, a few dried plums, mushrooms, one onion, one carrot, one parsnip, and fresh string beans

To begin: open the pork loin (cut down the middle and gently spread open) to lay out flat until you have a fillet (do not pound). Season with Himalayan sea salt, garlic powder and dried herbs. Sear the loin on all sides in a skillet of olive oil. Once you have done that, remove the seared loin and set it aside to rest.

Next, chop one onion and half pound of mushrooms. In another skillet brown the onions/mushrooms in olive oil and a dollop of butter. Once browned, remove from the heat.

Turn your attention back to the loin, add the mushrooms and lay in as many sun dried plums as you can fit. Top with a 3/4 cup of beef stock and let simmer while you prepare the root veggies and fresh green string beans.

Wash the beans and cut off stem tops if needed. Peel the carrot and parsnip, then julienne slice.  Using the onion/mushroom skillet, add olive oil, 2 dollops (tbs) of cold pressed coconut oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Stir fry the veggies until just tender and slightly blackened. As the pork is nearly finished, get ready to serve on a low lipped plate, pouring out the rich liquid with mushrooms and plums.

~ Tutti a Tavola!

Brainy Piccata with Buckwheat Groats and Lemon Pesto...

 

When in Italy, do as they do... Cook with your senses and your heart! 

 

You will need to buy a package of boneless chicken breasts: 

Butter
Heavy cream
Chicken stock 

Green Olives
Red Pepper Flakes

Dried Herb Seasonings
Lemon Pesto
Fresh Garlic
Onion
Salt

Start this dish by chopping your onion and garlic. Then take your best covered skillet melt in 3 tbs of olive oil and coconut oil.  Add the chopped onion and garlic. Turn the heat to med- high. Once the edges brown lay in your boneless chicken breasts cut into wide strips. Dash in your seasonings, salt (according to your dietary allowances and or on brand of olives you will be using) and pepper flakes. Sizzle both sides of the strips on high heat; add 1/4 cup of chicken stock and cover. 

Allow this to cook on med. for 5min. Uncover for a moment, turn up the heat to high to let the juices intensify. Then add 1/3 cup heavy cream and as  many diced green olives as you like. However, if they are a salty brand go easy; do a taste test. Cover and simmer on low for 8-10 min.

In the meantime, start a pot of water boiling (with a pinch of salt). This will be to cook a side of brown rice mixed with buckwheat groats. I like to use the boil in the bag method and nowadays you can even get this type in the organic section of your food mart. Once tender, remove and drain. Whether you use groats or pasta, pour out the scrumptious Piccata, garnish and serve with room temp lemon pesto. 

Blessings~

Brainy Skillet Lasagna... with Ragu!

Have a taste for lasagna but don't have the time or patience to make it, then try skillet lasagna, you won't be disappointed. I prefer a 'ragu' (chunkier meat) sauce because it lays better on the large noodles.

Ragu sauce is one of the most popular and beloved sauces in Italy. It is made from tomatoes and ground or chopped meat cooked for a long time. For this Ragu dish you will need: 1 lb. quality beef stew meat (or ground beef if you prefer).  One large jar of either fresh jarred stewed tomatoes or canned, 3/4 cup of beef stock, one whole onion, 1 tbs garlic paste, 3 tbs of tomato paste and herbs: rosemary, oregano, and mint. And of course, ready to use lasagna noodle pasta.

To get started: gently saute the onion (chopped) along with garlic paste. Add your meat, if using stew meat make sure the chunks are small or not too big and brown the meat a bit before adding the stock. Let this simmer for about 25 min. making sure the liquid is yet covering the meat. You can add more stock if needed. Next, add the jarred tomatoes and 3 tbs of paste. Let this simmer for about 45 minutes until the beef is tender.

You can add the 'dry' pasta directly to the skillet as they will cook in the bubbling meat and tomato sauce. However, you can also boil the pasta separately and then add the boiled pasta to the skillet and serve. Its a lot quicker that way.  I don't add mozzarella cheese to this dish but of course you can. We prefer it served with grated Parmesan which is shaved and put on the table.

~ Tutti a Tavola!