Pumpkin Spice Burgers

Pumpkin Spice Burgers

Meet your new favourite fall burger, featuring the unlikely marriage of pumpkin spice and ground pork. The juicy patty is accessorized with warm apple compote, sautéed kale, sharp cheddar and a mustardy maple mayo. If you don’t eat pork, you can swap in ground dark turkey meat.
Ingredients:

Apple Compote
2 Royal Gala apples, peeled, cored, diced
1/3 cup (80 mL) water
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 mL) sugar
1 tsp (5 mL) pumpkin spice

Maple Mayo
1/2 cup (125 mL) mayonnaise
2 tsp (10 mL) maple syrup
1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard
Pinch black pepper

Burgers
2 tbsp (30 mL) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (125 mL) panko
2 tsp (10 mL) pumpkin spice
1 egg
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt, plus more for seasoning
1 lb (455 g) ground pork
3 tbsp (45 mL) canola oil, divided
1 bunch curly kale, stems removed, thinly sliced
1 tbsp (15 mL) apple cider vinegar
4 brioche burger buns, split
4 large slices aged white cheddar

Directions:
For the compote, combine apples, water, lemon juice, sugar and pumpkin spice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened but not mushy, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat. (Compote can be cooled, covered and refrigerated up to 1 week. Warm in microwave before using.)


For the maple mayo, place all ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk to combine. Cover and refrigerate up to 5 days.

For the burgers, melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add panko. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in pumpkin spice and toast until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and cool completely. Stir egg and salt into panko. Add ground pork and mix until combined. Divide into four equal portions and shape into 1/2-inch (1-cm) thick patties. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Wipe pan clean and return to medium heat. Add 2 tbsp (30 mL) oil then kale. Cook, stirring occasionally, until volume has reduced by three quarters, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in vinegar and season with salt. Cook until vinegar has evaporated, about 30 seconds. Transfer mixture to a bowl.

Wipe skillet clean and place over medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 tbsp (15 mL) oil. Add patties and cook until nicely browned and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes per side.

While burgers are cooking, toast buns. Spread maple mayo on bottoms then top with some kale (saving rest for another use), patties, apple compote, cheese and bun tops.  Serves 4

Pepperoni Ragu & Fried Polenta

  

Pepperoni Ragu & Fried Polenta

A good ragù usually takes a half-day of bubbling away to concentrate flavors, but you’re hungry and don’t have time for that. Layering lots of punchy fennel seed, pepperoni and toasty fried Parm, one on top of the other, in a killer tomato sauce is the answer. You can find prepared polenta in tubes at most grocery stores.

Ingredients:

2 tsp (10 mL) fennel seed
1/2 sweet onion, peeled with root end intact
2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
5 cloves garlic, chopped
3 oz (85 g) pepperoni, finely chopped
1/4 cup (60 mL) finely grated Parmesan
8 oz (225 g) medium ground pork
1/2 cup (125 mL) milk
1 can (398 mL) chopped or crushed tomatoes, or tomato pulp
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tube (1 kg) prepared traditional polenta
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tbsp (60 mL) olive oil, divided, plus more as needed
3/4 cup (175 mL) ricotta
2 tsp (10 mL) oil-preserved Calabrian chopped chilies
Directions:
For the ragù, crush fennel seeds in a mortar and pestle or by using the side of a chef’s knife. Grate the onion coarsely using a box grater set over a bowl. Set both aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat. Add garlic and fry until golden, about 1 minute. Add onion and its juices and fry until dry but not browned. Stir in the pepperoni, Parmesan and fennel seed. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is sticky and cheese smells toasty, about 5 minutes.

Crumble pork overtop and stir to combine. Fry until no longer pink, breaking up meat with a fork as you go.

Pour milk over, add canned tomato, and 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce to low, cover and simmer 40 minutes or until very thick. Keep warm.

For The Polenta:  Meanwhile, using a serrated knife, cut polenta into 10 equal-size disks. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp (30 mL) oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high. Fry polenta, working in batches and refreshing oil if necessary, 4 to 5 minutes per side or until golden. Remove to a platter.

Season ricotta with salt and pepper to taste. Combine remaining 2 tbsp (30 mL) oil with chilies.

Spoon an equal amount of ragù over each polenta round. Divide ricotta between them and drizzle everything with the chili oil. Serve warm.   

Serves 10 as an appetizer, or 4 to 5 for lunch

Frikadellen

 

Frikadellen translated in German means "in between".

For centuries people in Germany and beyond have been enjoying frikadellen. Something between meatballs and hamburgers, this delicacy first rose to prominence in Germany during the 1700s. They are not only eaten in Germany, but also in Poland and throughout Scandinavia.

These meat patties can be eaten like burgers on rolls or like meatballs, usually served with potato salad or a cabbage dish. The flavorful and versatile frikadellen is traditionally also eaten cold on picnics, owing 
to their convenient shape and size for sandwiches.
Ingredients:
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 slices stale bread
1/4 cup milk
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 pound ground beef (80% lean recommended)
1/2 pound ground pork
1 egg
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon prepared dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground mace
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Warm milk for 30 seconds in the microwave. Tear bread into small pieces and then pour the warm milk over them. Allow bread to absorb the milk for 10 minutes and then squeeze out as much of the excess liquid as possible. Discard the milk from this process.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and sauté onion pieces until they become translucent. Add garlic and cook one minute more. Remove from heat.

Place onions and garlic in a bowl along with bread, beef, pork, egg, parsley, salt, pepper, yellow mustard, oregano, paprika, ginger, mace, and coriander and stir.

1. Knead mixture until completely blended. Divide into 4 equal parts and shape into balls. Then slightly flatten the frikadellen into patties. Chill patties for 30 minutes.



2. Heat remaining oil and butter in pan over medium-high heat. Fry frikadellen until brown on each side, then reduce heat and cook until internal temperature of at least 160˚ is reached. Total cook time should be about 10 minutes for each side.

Maple Mustard Meatballs

These easy to make meatballs are baked in a sweet and tangy maple syrup and mustard sauce. Serve over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes for a stress-free weekday meal. A great option for potlucks too!

Ingredients

Meatballs:
½ pound ground pork
½ pound ground beef
¼ cup rolled oats
¼ cup milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced

Sauce:
⅔ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup prepared yellow mustard
2 tablespoons ketchup
½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®)
¼ teaspoon salt
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Combine ground pork, ground beef, oats, milk, egg, salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a large bowl.  Shape into 24 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs until evenly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Place meatballs into an 8x8-inch casserole dish and scatter onion over top.                                  

Combine maple syrup, mustard, ketchup, hot pepper sauce, and salt for sauce in a medium bowl. Pour over meatballs and toss to coat.           

Bake in the preheated oven until set and cooked through, about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Homemade Sausages

Homemade Sausages

My friend Thierry posted photos of sausages that he artfully crafted. I asked if he shared his recipes and viola, the ingredient list was posted. Sausage recipes are most often listed with ingredients minus the measurements. Your palate indicates the amount or omission.

    

Breakfast Sausage and Spanish Pork Sausage

Spanish Pork Saussage pictured on the right that you don't need to grill or cook. Can just use it as a paste or spread on a piece of bread... Very tasty.  Have to wait for 1 week before eating. "The longer you wait, the more delicious it becomes" !

Ingredients, 

ground pork, 

salt, pepper, 

white wîne, 

garlic, 

pimentòn (spanish paprika), 

paprika, 

anise seeds, 

fenel seeds, 

ginger, 

cinnamon, 

cloves, 

cayenne, 

oregano

pink pepper.

The sausage on the left is a breakfast sausage.  

Recipe from  Thierry 

Lazy Spring Cabbage Rolls

Lazy Spring Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls are a lot of work. Instead, make just one rice- and pork-filled parcel and divvy it up like a cake. You lose nothing in flavour and save some precious time in return. If you have any doubts as to the freshness of your dried mint, purchase new, or use dried dill instead.
Ingredients:
1 head Savoy cabbage
1 can (796 mL) Italian tomatoes

6 tbsp (90 mL) unsalted butter, divided
1 small onion, peeled and quartered
2 tbsp (30 mL) sweet Hungarian paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1¼ cups (310 mL) medium-grain rice such as Calrose
1½ cups (375 mL) water
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 lbs (905 g) medium-ground pork
¼ cup (60 mL) 4% Greek yogurt, plus extra for serving
2 tbsp (30 mL) dried mint
Finely grated zest of 1 large lemon
Directions:
Carefully remove the 10 largest outer leaves of cabbage; reserve remaining cabbage for another use. Trim the tough centre stem, inches (8 cm) from root end, with a pair of kitchen shears; stack cabbage leaves and cook in boiling salted water for 10 minutes or until pliable.

Meanwhile, purée tomatoes; strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds. Combine tomato purée with 3 tbsp (45 mL) butter, quartered onion and paprika in a medium pot.

Once the cabbage is cooked, measure 1 cup (250 mL) of the cooking water and add to tomato mixture; drain cabbage and set aside.

Season tomato mixture with salt and pepper and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to low and simmer 30 minutes or until the consistency of heavy cream; reserve.

Combine rice and water in a medium pot over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce to medium-low, cover and cook for 15 minutes or until no liquid remains. Scrape into a large bowl and cool to room temperature.

Heat the remaining 3 tbsp (45 mL) butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Add to rice along with pork, yogurt, mint, lemon zest and 1 tbsp (15 mL) salt. Season with black pepper. Using your hands, work the mixture together.

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Spread one-half of the tomato sauce over the bottom of a round 9-inch (23-cm) non-reactive baking dish. Line with the cabbage, being sure to completely cover the bottom and leaving enough overhang to enclose filling. Fill with pork mixture and fold cabbage over to enclose. Top with remaining sauce. Cover dish with foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes or until bubbling and hot in the centre.

Cut into wedges and serve with extra yogurt. 

Serves 8 

Tourtiere Turnover

Tourtiere Turnover

Crisp flaky turnovers filled with a classic tourtière filling are ready to bake and serve. You can bake just a few at a time or the whole batch for a crowd (you can even double the recipe if you really want to stock up). They make a fun addition to a charcuterie platter with pickles and other meats and cheeses, or as a side to a green salad for a plated starter. A spoonful of chili sauce or fruit ketchup is the ideal 
accompaniment. 

Ingredients:
12 oz (340 g) ground beef or pork (or a mixture).
⅓ cup (80 mL) finely chopped onion
½ stalk celery, finely chopped
1 large clove garlic, minced
½ tsp (2 mL) dried savoury
½ tsp (2 mL) dried sage
¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
¼ tsp (1 mL) freshly ground pepper
⅛ tsp (0.5 mL) dried thyme
Pinch ground allspice
½ cup (125 mL) unsalted beef stock or water
1 tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh parsley
1 lb (455 g) frozen puff pastry, defrosted
All-purpose flour
1 egg
2 tsp (10 mL) water

Directions:

1. Cook ground meat in a medium skillet over high heat, stirring and breaking up meat, for about 10 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove from heat and tilt pan to drain liquid to one side of the pan. If there is more than about 1 tbsp (15 mL) liquid, spoon off excess.

2. Return skillet to high heat and add onion, celery, garlic, savoury, sage, salt, pepper, thyme and allspice. Cook, stirring often, for about 3 minutes or until onions are sizzling.

3. Pour in stock and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until most of liquid is evaporated but meat mixture is still moist. Stir in parsley. Transfer to a shallow dish and let cool. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour, or for up to 1 day.

4. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. Divide pastry in half, returning half to the refrigerator. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch (30-cm) square. Cut into 3 strips crosswise and lengthwise to make nine 4-inch (10-cm) squares. See TIP 1.

6. Whisk egg with water in a small bowl. Brush pastry squares lightly with egg wash.

7. Stir meat mixture, break up any clumps. Spoon a heaped tbsp (15 to 20 mL) into the centre of each square. Fold one corner over to form a triangle and enclose filling. Press edges with a fork to seal and crimp. Brush tops with egg wash. Place on lined baking sheets, spacing apart. Place in refrigerator while making 9 more turnovers with remaining pastry and filling.

8. Freeze turnovers on baking sheets until solid, about 2 hours. Transfer to a rigid airtight container, layering with parchment paper, and freeze for up to 1 month. See TIP 2.

9. To serve, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet (use 2 if baking all the turnovers at once) with parchment paper.

10. Arrange frozen turnovers on lined baking sheet, spacing at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Bake, 1 sheet at a time, for about 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and puffed and filling is hot. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Makes 18 turnovers

TIP 1 To make 32 smaller turnovers, cut each 12-inch (30-cm) square of pastry into sixteen 3-inch (8-cm) squares and use a level tbsp (15 mL) of filling for each turnover. Reduce baking time to about 20 minutes.

TIP 2 To bake turnovers without first freezing them, refrigerate assembled turnovers for about 30 minutes to chill. Reduce baking time to about 20 minutes.

Pappardelle With White Ragu

 

Pappardelle With White Ragu

You could be forgiven for thinking ragu bolognese is a tomato and meat sauce, but this version, without any tomato, is closer in spirit to the real deal served in Bologna. There, it is mostly a milk and meat sauce with only a bit of tomato added to balance the dulcet flavours of the milk. The ample wine used here lends an acidic backbone allowing the tomato to be left out entirely. I’ve borrowed some warm spice from a favourite version of a white ragu, made from wild boar, that I tried in Siena a few years ago. The resulting sauce is a favourite at my place. The chicken liver adds savoury depth, but I've made it optionalbecause it’s difficult to purchase singly.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and 

5 sage leaves coarsely grated
2 tsp (10 mL) finely chopped rosemary, divided
4 thin slices of prosciutto, finely chopped
8 oz (225 g) ground pork
1 chicken liver, trimmed of fat and finely chopped (optional)
1 cup (250 mL) dry white wine, preferably a dry Riesling
1½ cups (375 mL) whole milk
Pinch ground cloves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup (60 mL) 18% MF cream
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 lb (455 g) dried pappardelle 

Parmesan cheese to garnish.

Directions:
Heat butter and oil in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat.  Once butter is foaming, add onion, sage and 1 tsp (5 mL) rosemary. Cook, stirring occasionally until the mixture is dry and the onion is translucent but not golden.

Add the prosciutto, stir to break apart and cook for 1 minute longer. Crumble pork over and cook until no longer pink, breaking up the meat from time to time with a fork, about 4 min Stir in the chicken liver (if using) and cook 2 minutes longer. Add wine, bring to a boil and reduce until a scant few tablespoons of liquid remain. Pour milk over, stir in clove and season with salt and pepper. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.

Remove lid (milk will have separated and appeared curdled). If most of the liquid still remains, continue cooking until reduced to about a third of the original Stir in cream, nutmeg and remaining 1 tsp (5 mL) rosemary. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Remove from heat and cover while preparing pasta.

Cook pappardelle in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente. Just before draining, return the sauce to medium heat; drain pasta and add to skillet Toss to coat several times, cooking the sauce and pasta together for about 1 minute. Divide between bowls and top each with a dusting of Parmesan.

Note: Makes 2 large dinner portions or 4 smaller portions as part of a multi-course meal.

Thai-Style Pork Fried Rice

Thai-Style Pork Fried Rice

This Thai-style pork fried rice comes together in under 30 minutes, and it makes a satisfying one-dish meal.
Servings: 4 (as a main course)

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 large eggs, beaten
Pinch salt
1 bunch scallions, finely sliced, light and dark green   

   parts divided
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger
1 pound ground pork
4 cups cooked white rice (from 1-1/3 cups uncooked 

   rice)
1/2 cup frozen peas, defrosted
1-1/2 cups cooked broccoli florets (see note)
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
Sriracha, for serving (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Season the beaten eggs with a generous pinch of salt, add them to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until scrambled. Transfer the eggs to a plate and set aside.

In the same pan (no need to wash it), heat the remaining tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add the light green scallions, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring frequently, for about 1 minute. Add the pork and continue cooking, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 3 minutes.

 

Add the cooked rice, peas, broccoli, fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring to evenly combine, until the rice and vegetables are hot. Stir in the dark scallion greens, cilantro and scrambled eggs. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve with Sriracha, if desired. 

Note: Defrosted frozen broccoli florets will work in a pinch, but they tend to get a bit mushy so fresh-cooked (or leftover fresh-cooked) broccoli is preferable. You can also substitute any other leftover cooked vegetables you have in your fridge.

Gluten-Free Note: To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. Many sauces, condiments, and other ingredients contain hidden gluten so if you're following a gluten-free diet, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are, in fact, gluten-free.

Best Meatloaf Recipe

Best Meatloaf

YIELD

8 servings 

ACTIVE TIME

25 minutes 

TOTAL TIME

1 hour, 50 minutes   

Ingredients:
1 cup fine fresh breadcrumbs (from 6 slices firm white bread; see Cooks' Note below)
1/3 cup whole milk
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped
4 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil, such as grapeseed
2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, divided
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck, preferably 20% fat
1/2 pound ground pork
2 large eggs
1/2 cup ketchup, divided, plus more for serving
Directions:

Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet or 13x9" shallow baking dish with foil. Soak breadcrumbs in milk in a large bowl until ready to use.

Pulse onion, celery, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. (Alternatively, you can finely chop by hand.)

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Add onion mixture, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in Worcestershire, and scrape into bowl with breadcrumb mixture. Add beef, pork, eggs, 1/4 cup ketchup, and remaining 1 1/4 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. pepper, then mix with your hands to combine.

Form meatloaf mixture into a long, well-packed, approximately 5"-wide loaf shape on prepared baking sheet. Brush top of loaf with 1/4 cup ketchup. Bake meatloaf until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 155°F, 60–75 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with more ketchup alongside.

Do Ahead

Meatloaf can be made 3 days ahead; wrap in foil and chill, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Cooks' Note

To make fine fresh breadcrumbs, preheat oven to 300°F. Place 6 slices white sandwich bread on a wire rack set into a baking sheet. Bake until completely dry and just beginning to turn golden, 15–20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, then pulse in a food processor until fine crumbs form.

Breakfast Homemade Sausage

• 2 teaspoons dried sage
• 2 teaspoons salt
  Market Pantry Sea Salt with Grinder
  $2.59
  SEE DETAILS
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• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 2 pounds ground pork
• Add all ingredients to list

Directions

Add a notePrint 

• Prep
  10 m
• Cook
  15 m
• Ready In
  25 m

1. In a small, bowl, combine the sage, salt, ground black pepper, marjoram, brown sugar, crushed red pepper and cloves. Mix well.
2. Place the pork in a large bowl and add the mixed spices to it. Mix well with your hands and form into patties.
3. Saute the patties in a large skillet over medium high heat for 5 minutes per side, or until internal pork temperature reaches 160 degrees F (73 degrees C).

Bill Blass Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped celery
1 onion, chopped
3 tablespoons butter
2 pounds ground beef sirloin
½ pound ground veal
½ pound ground pork
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
⅓ cup sour cream
½ cup soft bread crumbs
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon dried marjoram
Kosher salt 

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 egg
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ cups Heinz chili sauce
3 slices bacon

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan. In a heavy skillet over medium heat, saute the celery and onion in the butter until soft, about 5 minutes. Scrape into a large mixing bowl and cool.
When the onions are cool enough to handle, add the meats, parsley, sour cream, bread crumbs, thyme, marjoram and salt and pepper to the bowl. Whisk the egg with the Worcestershire sauce and add to the mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, combine the mixture and mold into the shape of a loaf.
Place the meatloaf in the prepared pan. Top with the chili sauce and bacon slices. Bake until firm and nicely browned, about 1 hour.

Cabbage Roll Soup

Cabbage Roll Soup

We serve this up with a side of warm bread and a tossed salad for a quick weeknight meal! Like most soups and stews, the leftovers (should you be lucky enough to have any!) are amazing!
Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients:
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound lean ground pork
3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 medium head cabbage, chopped, core removed
1 28oz. can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups beef broth
1 1/2 cups V8 juice or other vegetable juice
1 teaspoon paprika1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
In a large pot brown onion, garlic, pork and beef. Drain any fat.

Stir in chopped cabbage and cook until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.

Add all remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low until rice is fully cooked (25 to 30 minutes).

Remove bay leaf and serve.

BBQ Pork Burgers With Coleslaw Topping

BBQ Pork Burgers With Coleslaw Topping

Ingredients:
Barbecue sauce:
1/2 cup minced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 T. unsalted butter
1 cup ketchup
3 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. dry mustard sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. Tabasco

1 1/2 lbs. ground pork
3 T. fresh bread crumbs
4 sesame hamburger buns, split and toasted

Coleslaw:
2 cups thinly shredded cabbage 
1/4 cup coarsely grated carrot 
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
3 T. mayonnaise, or to taste

Serves 4.

*

Directions:

1. To make the barbecue sauce, in a heavy saucepan cook the onion and the garlic in butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, add the ketchup, the Worcestershire sauce, the mustard, the vinegar, the brown sugar, the chili powder, and the Tabasco, and simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Transfer the sauce to a bowl and let it cool. The barbecue sauce may be made 4 days in advance and kept covered and chilled.

2. In a bowl combine the ground pork, the bread crumbs, and 1/3 cup of the barbecue sauce and form the mixture into four 1-inch-thick patties. Season the burgers with salt and pepper and grill them on an oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals, basting them often and turning them several times, for 8 to 9 minutes on each side, or until they are just cooked through.

3. To make the coleslaw while the burgers are grilling, in a bowl stir together the cabbage, the carrot, the onion, the lemon juice, the mayo, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve on burgers.

American Meatloaf

American Meatloaf

Meatloaf one would think is very American, its origins actually in a German colonial dish of minced pork mixed with cornmeal. Italians cook it a lot as well and in this rendition the cultures blend deliciously with the addition of a pestata to an American classic. Not only does it taste delicious but it is foolproof, moist every time. The leftovers reheat as if just cooked and Italians love to serve it with roasted potato wedges.

Ingredients
2 cups country crusty bread cubes
1 cup milk
2 medium carrots, cut in cubes
2 medium celery, cut in chunks
1 medium onion, cut in chunks
1 ½ pounds ground beef
1 ½  pounds ground pork
1 bunch scallions, cut in slices
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Granna or Grana Padano
1 cup marinara sauce or pureed canned tomatoes
½ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon dry oregano
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Put bread cubes in a medium bowl and pour the milk over. Let soak until bread is soft. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the carrot, celery and onion and pulse to make a fine-textured paste or pestata.

When the bread is soft, squeeze out excess milk and put bread in a large mixing bowl. Add pestata, ground meats, scallions, grated cheese, marinara sauce, parsley, salt and oregano. Mix well with your hands to evenly distribute all of the ingredients. Oil a 10-by-15 Pyrex (or other) baking dish with the olive oil. Form meat mixture into a loaf in the oiled pan.

Baked until browned and cooked through (the center of the meatloaf should read 165 degrees F in an instant read thermometer), about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

Swedish Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS

4 lb. (about 5 large) russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1″ chunks

2 ¼ cups heavy cream

14 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed

Kosher salt and freshly ground black or white pepper, to taste

2 slices (about 3 oz.) crustless white bread, torn into small pieces

12 oz. ground pork

12 oz. ground beef

¼ tsp. ground allspice

1 egg, lightly beaten

½ small yellow onion, minced

3 tbsp. flour

3 cups beef stock

Lingonberry preserves, for serving

*

Directions:

1. Make the mashed potatoes: Place potatoes in a 4-qt. saucepan and cover with water by 1″; bring to a boil over high heat, and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain potatoes and pass through a ricer or food mill set over a bowl; set aside. Meanwhile bring 1 ½ cups cream and 12 tbsp. butter to a boil in a 1-qt. saucepan; pour over potatoes and whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, and keep warm until ready to serve.

*

2. Make the meatballs: Place ½ cup cream and bread in a small bowl; let sit until soft, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl along with pork, beef, allspice, egg, and onion, season with salt and pepper, and mix until evenly combined. Shape mixture into about thirty 1-oz. balls, about 1″ in diameter. Heat remaining butter in a 12″ skillet over medium heat; working in batches, add meatballs and cook, turning as needed, until browned all over and cooked through, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer meatballs to a plate and set aside.

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3. Return skillet to medium-high heat. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until smooth and light brown, about 4 minutes. Whisk in beef stock until smooth, and then bring to a boil; stir in remaining cream and return meatballs to gravy. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring gently, until meatballs are warmed through, about 3 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Serve meatballs and gravy over mashed potatoes with a generous dollop of Lingonberry preserves.