Va Bene – Yes, Any Meal Here Goes Well!

Last Wednesday the 22nd, during the 9 days, my good friend and mentor Irving Schild, and I had lunch at Va Bene (1589 2nd Avenue – between 82 and 83 – New York, Tel: 212.517.4448)- Tevere 84‘s dairy sister restaurant.

Irving ordered Fettuccine Alfredo Alla Doppia Crema, house-made fettucine in white sauce. The fettuccine, he said, were cooked just right, the sauce flavorful but not overwhelming. In fact he liked the food enough that he took his wife Regina there, for dinner, last eve when they came back to Manhattan for an overnight stay from their summer home.

I had the Ravioli a la Giudia, their house-made ravioli filled with artichokes in a delightful tomato sauce. My ravioli were perfectly flavorful and juicy.  Both dishes were generously garnished – in front of us – with grated Parmeggiano cheese.

The right ambiance, delicious food, and fair pricing, make this dairy restaurant one worth visiting again and again… and again!

CS

Spinach and Gorgonzola Salad

When I was growing up in Uruguay, my mother a”h must have been a fan of Popeye for she truly believed that having lots of spinach would make me stronger. In fact, almost every day, spinach would make its appearance on our table – in some incarnation – as a main ingredient (cooked or otherwise) in at least one dish at lunch or dinner, or at both! For many years, after leaving my parents’ home I refused to touch spinach until… the kids came along. After all these years, and with kids of their own, they still haven’t forgiven me for all the spinach I made them eat! As I get older, however, I appreciate more and more what fresh spinach leaves can do for a salad.

Yesterday an out of town friend came to visit, and knowing how much I like almost every cheese, brought me a Gorgonzola, which he picked up at CityMarket in Philly’s Center City. We used it in the following, easy, and fast to make dish.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 4 ounces walnut haves
• 8 ounces young green beans, trimmed
• 7 ounces baby spinach leaves
• 5 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

For the Dressing

• 4 tablespoons walnut oil
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 3/4 tablespoons sherry wine (I used Tio Pepe Kosher Sherry)
• 1/4 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Heat the honey in a small frying pan, add the walnuts and stir-fry over medium heat for 3 minutes,or until the nuts are glazed. Drop them on a plate and let cool.
2. Meanwhile, cook the beans in a saucepan of lightly salted boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain, refresh under cold waterand shake dry. Put in a large bowl with spinach leaves.
3. Mix the sherry and vinegar well. Whisk all the dressing ingredients together (including the sherry/vinegar combo) and season with salt and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss well. Arrange the salad in serving bowls, scatter over the Gorgonzola and glazed walnuts and serve immediately.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS

Potato, Mushrooms and Sour Cream Pie

Another 9 Days dish that can easily be made parve:

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter (or margarine, if you prefer to keep it pareve)
• 1 pound potatoes, thinly sliced and parboiled
• 2 cups sliced mixed mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
• 1 tablespoon snipped chives, plus extra for garnishing
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/2 cup sour cream (for a pareve dish, substitute with this pareve sour cream recipe, or with Tofutti Sour Cream)
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Grease a shallow round ovenproof dish with butter. Layer a quarter of the potatoes on the bottom of the dish. Arrange a quarter of the of the mushrooms on top of the potatoes and sprinkle with a quarter of the rosemary, chives and garlic. Continue making layers in the same order, finishing with a layer of potatoes on top. Pour the sour cream over the top of the potatoes. Season to to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Cook in a preheated oven at 375 F., for about 45 minutes or until the top potatoes are golden brown and piping hot.
3. Garnish with snipped chives and serve immediately

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS

Scrambled Eggs with Salmon

Since I did not get a chance to post about the superb grilled meat dishes I enjoyed together with some dear friends (Irving Schild and his wife Regina!) on the 4th, on a Pennsylvania lake, I’ll just keep those recipes for after the 9 Days. Let me assure you, however, that they were absolutely mouth watering and are well worth waiting for. Meanwhile, for the rest of the 9 Days we’ll regale you with some of our favorite dairy, vegetarian and fish recipes.

Scrambled Egg with Salmon

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 8 eggs
• 1/2 cup MimicCreme
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnishing
• salt and pepper
• 3 1/2 ounces salmon, cut into small pieces,
• 2 tablespoons butter (or margarine, if you will follow with a meat dish)
• slices of toasted bread
• 4 sprigs of dill, for garnishing

Directions

1. Break the eggs into a large bowl and whisk together with the MimicCreme and dill. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the salmon pieces and mix to combine.
2. Melt the butter in a large non-stick skillet and pour in the egg and salmon mixture. Using a wooden spatula, gently scrape the egg away from the sides of the skillet as it starts to set. Swirl the skillet slightly to allow the uncooked egg to fill the surface.
3. When the eggs are almost cooked but still creamy, remove from the heat and spoon onto the prepared toast. Serve immediately garnished with a sprig of dill.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS

Strawberry Yogurt Pots

Today is the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz, the beginning of the Three Weeks period that culminates on the 9th of Av. Five tragic events in Jewish history occurred on this day:

• The first set of tablets on which the 10 Commandments were inscribed were broken by Moses when he descended from Mount Sinai.
• The regular daily sacrifice at The Temple in Jerusalem was abolished.
• The Romans made a breach in the walls of Jerusalem during the siege of the Second Temple.
• A Roman soldier, Apostomus, publicly burned a Torah scroll.
• An idol was placed in the Temple of God, and this caused its destruction and our  2000 year old exile.

Though the next three weeks are somber ones, while they invite reflection and self analysis, we must still eat. Why not have a delicious, easy to make, summer dessert as part of the post fast meal tonight?

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 6 ginger cookies
• 6 ounces strawberries
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 ounces Greek yogurt
• 4 tablespoons whipping cream
• 4 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
• grated zest
• juice of 1 lemon

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a small sauce pan, transfer to food processor with ginger cookies and process to fine crumbs.
2. Divide the mixture between 4 glasses and press into the base of each. Chill in refrigerator.
3. In the meantime, put the strawberries and granulated sugar in a saucepan ans cook, stirring continuously, for 3 minutes, then allow it to cool.
4. In a bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, cream, confectioner’s sugar, lemon zest and juice.
5. Fill the glasses with the yogurt mixture and top each with the strawberries. Chill for 3 hours.

Have an easy fast, gentle reader!

CS

Kusa b’Jibn: Zucchini-Cheese Frittata

I found the following delicious recipe in Poopa Dwek‘s Aromas of Aleppo:

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds zucchini or yellow squash chopped (about 5 cups)
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 6 eggs, beaten
• 1 pound Muenster cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon butter, cut into 6 pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a large skillet saute the squash and onion in the vegetable oil for 8 minutes, or until the squash is crisp-tender.
3. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheese, squash-onion mixture and salt. Stir well
4. Pour the contents into a 2-quart baking dish. Dot the top of the mixture with butter. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until lightly browned.

Enjoy, gentle reader. Enjoy!

CS

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Something to Break Today’s Fast With

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Beer Cheese Soup

With Shavuoth fast approaching what better than a delicious dairy soup? From Pam Reiss‘ Soup – A Kosher Collection:

Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1/2 small yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cups beer
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1 cup half and half
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup, air popped popcorn for garnish

Directions

Use whatever beer you like to drink. Using a lighter beer will make the flavor of the soup subtler  than a dark beer. It’s a rich soup, so go easy!

Over medium low heat, sweat the vegetables in olive oilfor 12 to 15 minutes, until they are wilted but not brown.

Add the beer and bring it to a simmer. Allow the soup to simmer gently for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, milk and half-and half. Whisk the this mixture, along with the salt and pepper, into the soup and bring the soup back to a simmer. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the flour to cook and the soup to thicken.

Using a whisk, add the cheese to the soup slowly, mixing well. Whisk until the cheese is completely incorporated

Serve the soup with popcorn for a garnish.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS

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Spaghetti with Ricotta

Anyone who’s been following this blog knows that I am a hardcore carnivore, but I also like pasta with cheese. With the Nine Days fast approaching, it’s time to look for some succulent dairy recipes, here’s one that is easy to make and delicious.

(Adapted from The Big Book Of Pasta)

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz dried spaghetti
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh-flat  leaf parsley
• 1 1/2 cups freshly ground almonds
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• pinch of grated  nutmeg
• pinch of ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup pareve broth*
• 1 tbsp pine nuts
• salt and pepper
• fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs, to garnish

Directions

1. Bring a large, heavy bottom pan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti, return to a boil, and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until tender but still firm to the bite.
2. Drain the pasta, return to the pan, and toss with the butter and chopped parsley. Keep warm.
3. To make the sauce, mix the ground almonds, ricotta cheese, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sour cream together in a small pan  over low heat to form a thick paste. Gradually stir in the olive oil. When the oil has been fully incorporated, gradually stir in the stock, until sauce is smooth. Season to taste with pepper.
4. Transfer the spaghetti to a warmed serving dish, pour over the sauce, and toss together well. Sprinkle over the pine nuts, garnish with the parsley sprigs, and serve warm.

* Parve Chicken Free Broth

Ingredients

• 4 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 parsnip (8 – 12 inches)
• 1 large carrot
• 1/2 large red onion
• 1/2 medium sweet onion
• 1/2 clove garlic
• 1 stalk celery
• 4 oz mushrooms
• 1/4 tsp tumeric
• Seasonings to taste

Directions

1. Take out a pot large pot. This will allow room for boiling, stirring and simmering without making a spill on the stove top. Chunk up the parsnips, carrots, and onions. Coarsely chop the garlic, mushrooms and celery. Pour the water into the pan. Turn heat on to medium high flame.
2. Add all vegetables. (You can run everything through the food processor using the shredding blade. This goes a lot faster and reduces the simmer time as it increases the surface area of the veggies). When the water becomes warm stir in the turmeric. Bring to boil and boil for 2 – 3 minutes. Reduce heat to simmer. (If you are using an electric stove top you can bring everything to a boil and immediately reduce heat to simmer as it will take 2-3 minutes for the temperature to fall to a simmer)
3. After about 15 minutes begin to add your seasonings – pepper, rosemary, ginger – whatever you like but IN SMALL AMOUNTS as you can always add more but cannot take it out. Be sure to get your seasonings set within the first 45 minutes. This will allow the seasonings to blend and incorporate into the soup. Let simmer for a total of 2 – 3 hours.
4. Strain through a professional kitchen sieve or use a colander lined with coffee filters. Use the broth just like you would chicken broth.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS

Penne with Creamy Mushrooms

Last evening I had pasta, it was absolutely delicious! I like to cook with wine and this was just a perfect experiment that succeeded fully.

Penne With Creamy Mushroom

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons butter (or margarine if you prefer to keep it pareve or will use use during a meat meal)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 shallots, sliced
• 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup Velouté sauce (or MimiCreme if you prefer to keep it pareve)
• 2 tablespoons Port wine
• 4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 12 ounces dried penne
• salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnishing

Directions

1. Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large, heavy bottom skillet. Add the shallots  and cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally , for 4 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the mushrooms and cook over low heat for an additional 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, sprinkle in the flour, and cook, stirring for 1 minute.
2. Remove skillet from heat and gradually stir in the Velouté sauce (or MimiCreme) and Port wine. Return to the heat, add the sun-dried tomatoes and grated nutmeg, and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large bottom pan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, return to a boil, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender but still firm to the bite. Drain the pasta well and add the mushroom sauce, cook for 3 minutes, then transfer to a warmed serving dish. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy; I did!

CS

Vichyssoise

It can be served cold or hot, but I prefer it cold; it’s perfect for summer and… perfect for Shavuos!

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 3 large leeks
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 lb potatoes, chopped
• 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock *
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• pinch of ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 egg yolk
• 2/3 cup light cream
• salt and white pepper
• freshly snipped chives, to garnish

Directions

1. Trim the leeks and remove most of the green parts. slice the white part of the leeks very finely.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the leeks and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, without browning.
3. Add the potatoes, stock, lemon juice, nutmeg, coriander, and bay leaf to the pan, season to taste with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, until all the vegetables are very soft.
4. Let the soup cool a bit, remove and discard the bay leaf, and then press through a strainer or process in a food processor or blender until smooth. Pour into a clean pan.
5. Blend the egg yolk into the cream, add a little of the soup to the mixture, and then whisk it all back into the soup and reheat gently, without boiling. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Cool and then chill thoroughly in the refrigerator.
6. Serve the soup sprinkled with freshly snipped chives.

–oOOoOOo–

* Vegetable Stock

Yield: 8 1/2 cups

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sunflower or corn oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped leek
• 2/3 cup finely chopped carrots
• 4 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup finely chopped fennel
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped
• 10 cups water
• 1 bouquet garni

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onion and leek and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes, until softened. Add the remaining vegetables, cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add the water and bouquet garni, bring to a boil, and simmer for 20 minutes,
2. Strain the stock into a bowl, let cool, cover and store in the refrigerator. use immediately or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

Since I was a kid this soup was a favorite of mine, considering that very few dishes were deemed acceptable to my palate, that’s saying a lot about Vichyssoise. Try it, and you’ll be hooked too.

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS