I love Kinfolk Magazine... and pesto. So imagine my delight when this beloved publication came out with a new video, artfully walking the viewer through making the perfect batch of proper Italian pesto (using the recipe from another one of my food-world favorites, Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks).
Craving pasta with pesto - or, pesto in your morning omelette? Watch now.
Classic Pesto from Kinfolk on Vimeo.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
A Healthy Super Bowl Snack: Garlic-Ginger Chicken Wings
Super Bowl Sunday is next week. Unlike the past couple of years, I won't be in New York City (or Boston, for that matter) partaking in a darling friend's fabulous shindig with dip, chili, wings, and the such.
I'll be in snowy Utah, my two current main men (four-legged) on either side. Maybe some others. We'll see.
Anyways, there will likely be no braised chicken thighs and Marquis-Philips like last year, or margaritas, chips, queso, and guacamole-til-the-cows-come-home like the year prior. But wings? Perhaps. My way. Lighter, a bit less spicy, but not lacking in flavor. At ALL.
Forget the messy barbecue sauce, or hot and spicy Buffalo marinade. My go-to glaze when broiling chicken wings (or thighs, breasts, drumsticks...) is inspired by the cuisines of the Far West. Garlic for a kick, fresh ginger for a sweet note with tang, combined with a mixture of a neutral oil (such as grapeseed), soy or tamari sauce, and maple syrup.
While I simply combined all the ingredients in a bowl, it leaves bits of garlic and ginger (which I prefer). For a smoother glaze, purée the liquids together with the garlic and ginger before adding the chicken.
Indonesian-Inspired Chicken Wings
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
One 2 1/2-inch section fresh ginger, peeled and finely sliced
1/4 cup grapeseed oil or other neutral cooking oil
1/4 cup soy sauce, preferably wheat-free
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 3/4 pound chicken wings, split
In a large bowl, combine the garlic, ginger, oil, soy sauce, and maple syrup. Stir together well. Add the chicken wings and marinade for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Place the wings, skin side down, in a glass baking pan and top with marinade. Bake the wings for 50 minutes to 1 hour, flipping halfway through, or until the meat just pulls away from the bone when pulled.
Spoon remaining marinade in pan on top. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes. Serve.
Servings: 4
Dairy-free, Low-fat, Gluten-free
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A Long Time Waiting: Simple Risotto
Yes, I've been a little MIA. Between the holidays and a busy start to the new year, cooking and writing here has (sadly) taken a back seat to life. Hopefully that will change!
I've recently fallen back in love with risotto. A real Italian may be horrified with the approach I've taken (OK, using a little freedom when it comes to ingredient choice), though the outcome both tries was utterly delicious.
Adventure One: Last weekend, when visiting a dear friend and her husband in Boston, the plan was to make a wild mushroom risotto. It was only after we poured our second glass of St-Germain and Sauvignon Blanc (and emptied the bottle) did we realize we had no more white wine. Oops. Red would have to suffice. Thankfully, between the dried morels, morel broth, and button mushrooms (oh, and plenty of Parmigiano!), it was delicious. The perfect complement to a Rioja on a bitter, bitter cold winter night.
Adventure Two: The second adventure in risotto-making took place last night, on the Upper East Side. Two friends, a mad craving kale and butternut squash from the greenmarket, and a good bottle of California chardonnay. I proceeded to lead a brief cooking lesson in risotto 101 to my attentive "student." The outcome (made with a New Zealand sauvignon blanc) was delightful. And even more so the next night. Yes, leftovers with my beefalo!
Below is my simple risotto recipe. It's not an authentic risotto per se - but it's easy to remember and versatile when it comes to adding the flavoring of choice. So what's next for me? I'm looking forward to trying a beet risotto topped with lemon zest, poppy seeds, and creme fraiche. Or perhaps zucchini and caramelized onion. Feeling indulgent? Bacon and Parmigiano - a gluten-free, carbonara-inspired dish that satisfies a craving for comfort food.
Simple Risotto
1/4 cup olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
3 small cloves garlic, minced
3 cups finely chopped vegetables (here I used 1 small butternut squash, and a bunch of dinosaur kale, finely chiffonaded)
3 cups arborio rice
2 cups white wine
Salt, to taste
4-5 cups chicken stock, warm, if necessary
1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano
Pistachios or toasted pine nuts, for garnish
In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and turn to medium. Cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the vegetables (I added the squash. I'd rather have roasted it and waited until the rice had cooked halfway, when I added the vegetables) and cook until halfway tender.
Add the rice and cook until the outside each grain is translucent. Add one cup of white wine and cook, stirring continuously, until the liquid is absorbed. Add remaining wine and continue cooking and stirring. Season with a pinch of salt.
Once the liquid is absorbed, begin adding the stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously, until the rice absorbs it. Continue until the rice is nearly al dente. Add any greens or cooked vegetables, and add any more stock, if needed. Once just done, add 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano and season to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with remaining cheese and nuts, if desired.
I've recently fallen back in love with risotto. A real Italian may be horrified with the approach I've taken (OK, using a little freedom when it comes to ingredient choice), though the outcome both tries was utterly delicious.
Adventure One: Last weekend, when visiting a dear friend and her husband in Boston, the plan was to make a wild mushroom risotto. It was only after we poured our second glass of St-Germain and Sauvignon Blanc (and emptied the bottle) did we realize we had no more white wine. Oops. Red would have to suffice. Thankfully, between the dried morels, morel broth, and button mushrooms (oh, and plenty of Parmigiano!), it was delicious. The perfect complement to a Rioja on a bitter, bitter cold winter night.
Adventure Two: The second adventure in risotto-making took place last night, on the Upper East Side. Two friends, a mad craving kale and butternut squash from the greenmarket, and a good bottle of California chardonnay. I proceeded to lead a brief cooking lesson in risotto 101 to my attentive "student." The outcome (made with a New Zealand sauvignon blanc) was delightful. And even more so the next night. Yes, leftovers with my beefalo!
Below is my simple risotto recipe. It's not an authentic risotto per se - but it's easy to remember and versatile when it comes to adding the flavoring of choice. So what's next for me? I'm looking forward to trying a beet risotto topped with lemon zest, poppy seeds, and creme fraiche. Or perhaps zucchini and caramelized onion. Feeling indulgent? Bacon and Parmigiano - a gluten-free, carbonara-inspired dish that satisfies a craving for comfort food.
Simple Risotto
1/4 cup olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced
3 small cloves garlic, minced
3 cups finely chopped vegetables (here I used 1 small butternut squash, and a bunch of dinosaur kale, finely chiffonaded)
3 cups arborio rice
2 cups white wine
Salt, to taste
4-5 cups chicken stock, warm, if necessary
1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano
Pistachios or toasted pine nuts, for garnish
In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and turn to medium. Cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the vegetables (I added the squash. I'd rather have roasted it and waited until the rice had cooked halfway, when I added the vegetables) and cook until halfway tender.
Add the rice and cook until the outside each grain is translucent. Add one cup of white wine and cook, stirring continuously, until the liquid is absorbed. Add remaining wine and continue cooking and stirring. Season with a pinch of salt.
Once the liquid is absorbed, begin adding the stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously, until the rice absorbs it. Continue until the rice is nearly al dente. Add any greens or cooked vegetables, and add any more stock, if needed. Once just done, add 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano and season to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with remaining cheese and nuts, if desired.
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