Cherry Tomato Caprese On A Stick!
Ingredients
· 1 package 8-inch bamboo skewers or smaller
· 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
· 2 (1 pound) tubs bocconcini (small balls of fresh mozzarella), drained
· 24 leaves fresh basil
· Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
· Salt and pepper
· 2 Tablespoons of Balsamic glaze
Directions
For caprese sticks, skewer 1 tomato and 1 bocconcini bites, placing basil leaves between them. Drizzle these sticks with extra-virgin oil and balsamic glaze, season with salt and pepper, to your taste. Makes 24 skewers, so this would serve 8 with 3 skewers per person
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Beefsteak Tomato Tart with Manchego Cheese & Basil
Beefsteak Tomato Tart with Manchego Cheese & Basil
Servings: Serves 6
Ingredients
· 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
· 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter , very cold, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon sugar
· 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk , very cold
· 1 1/2 pounds beefsteak tomatoes , sliced 1/4 inch thick
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· 1 small onion , peeled and sliced into thin rings
· 1/2 cup heavy cream
· 2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
· 2 cloves garlic , minced
· 1 teaspoon kosher salt
· 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
· 1 cup grated Manchego cheese (about 4 ounces)
Directions
To make crust: In a food processor with knife blade attached, combine flour, butter, salt and sugar. Pulse 6 to 8 times, just until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Add milk 1 Tbsp. at a time, pulsing as you go, until mixture forms a ball. Remove dough from processor and shape into a 5-inch disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour (or wrap again in foil and freeze up to 6 weeks).
Preheat oven to 400°. On a floured board, allow dough to sit, unwrapped, until just pliable, about 15 minutes. With a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a large circle, moving it a quarter turn with every roll to make sure it's not sticking underneath (dough should be 1/4- to 1/8-inch thick.
Ease dough round into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press tightly into the sides of the pan (dough should exceed the edge by 1/2 inch). Using the rolling pin, cut excess dough against the tart pan to create a perfectly even edge. Chill 30 minutes before cooking.
With the tines of a fork, poke holes throughout the bottom of the crust. Cover with foil; top with pie weights or uncooked beans or rice. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until edge of crust is light golden. Remove crust from oven and carefully remove weights and foil. Return to oven to bake 5 to 10 minutes more. Cool on rack. Keep oven on at 400°.
To make filling: Meanwhile, place tomato slices on a paper-towel-lined surface and let sit 5 minutes, flipping once. In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until golden brown, 7 to 12 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil to skillet and, in batches (careful not to crowd), sauté tomato slices until just golden, 2 to 3 minutes each side; transfer to plate with the onions. Add cream, basil, and garlic to the remaining juices; increase heat and cook until liquid is reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper; add 3/4 cup cheese. Stir to combine
Pour reduced liquid into prepared pie shell. Top with onions and tomatoes; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cook until tart is hot and cheese is melted, 10 to 15 minutes.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Summer Entertaining Postcard
Here is my most recent postcard that I had mailed out. If you would like to be on my mailing list, please e-mail me and I will put you on it. Thank you! and remember, Good food is Always in Style!
for the best catering in the San Francisco Bay Area, always choose Butler For Hire Catering, http://www.butlerforhire.com/
What's for dinner tonight? Cherry, Almond & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Cherry Port Braising Sauce
Almond-Dried Cherry & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Cherry Port Braising Sauce
Cherry Port Braising Sauce
· 1 cup Port Wine
· 2 cups pitted fresh cherries or frozen pitted cherries
· 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
· 2 tablespoons honey
· 1 stem of fresh rosemary
· 4 stems of fresh thyme
Combine all ingredients and bring mixture to a low boil for approximately 10 minutes and remove from heat and set a side to cool. Proceed to stuffing the chicken while the sauce cools
Almond-Dried Cherry & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Ingredients
· 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
· 6 ounces goat cheese
· 1/4 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
· 1/2 cup slivered almonds, divided
· 1 teaspoon orange zest
· 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
· 1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
· 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
· 1 large egg, lightly beaten
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
Flatten chicken between wax paper with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin to an even thickness. Combine goat cheese, dried cherries, 1/4 cup slivered almonds and orange zest. Place 1/4 of mixture at one end of each chicken breast and roll, tucking in ends; sprinkle with salt and pepper. On a plate, combine remaining 1/4 cup chopped almonds and panko bread crumbs. Dip each breast in egg and roll all side in bread crumb mixture. Place in freezer for one hour. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden on all sides (about 6-8 minutes). Pour Cherry Port Braising Sauce over the chicken and place pan in preheated 375 F oven until chicken is no longer pink, juices run clear and temperature reaches 170 F on an instant-read thermometer (about 20 minutes).
Amount: 4 servings
Texas Themed 40th Birthday Party
Slider Party! Pulled Pork Sliders, Cheeseburger Sliders, Paella Sliders and Buffalo Chicken Sliders
One of the tables, simple red and white gingham...perfect for summer!
Our friendly bartender Ted...always service with a smile!
I think I've seen enough cowboy hats this year....lol, where do you think you are? Texas?
Crab Cakes with chiptole lime aioli
My ever famous Tuna Tartare....seems to be at every party, because it's wonderful!
Are you hungry yet?
Grilled vegetable salad with orange vinaigrette, goat cheese and pistachios
Buffalo chicken sliders with bleu cheese sauce
Tower of mini macaroni and cheese, OMG! I think I died and went to heaven
Western, summer themed buffet table included these great red splatter tin plates
Pork Sliders, Cheeseburger Sliders
Paella Sliders, made with chicken, shrimp & chorizo with peppers, onion and Saffron aioli, how fancy!
Tomato caprese salad with fresh basil, tomatoes, red onion, mozzarella & balsamic vinaigrette...is that a cow on the ladies shirt? Wow, what people will do for attention....lol
Ladies Cocktail Birthday Party
Ladies cocktail birthday party this past June. How gorgeous this setting is...So chic!
Chilled pea and tarragon soup "Shots" with goat cheese crostini
Chicken Pecan and Dried Cranberry Salad in crunch Phyllo cups
Cheesecakes and cupcakes....oh my!
Chilled Asian peanut noodle salad in mini chinese take out boxes with chopsticks
Puff pastry bites with asparagus, brie and ham....how French!
Petite cheddar cheese burgers with rosemary onion jam and baby pickles....who could resist?
beautiful candlelit display....the food is too pretty to eat, but I'm sure you could manage it
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Ladies Who Lunch...Baby Shower
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