Tag: Herbs

Herb Croutons

Posted on May 17, 2018 by - Appetizers, Breads (yeast), Dairy-Free, Quick and Easy, Vegan/Vegetarian, Videos

pea soup with homemade herb croutons

pea soup with homemade herb croutonsCrispy and delicious Herb Croutons add texture and a salty/herby flavor to salads or soups. Try with our Rosemary Pea Soup.

To Make Herb Croutons

Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet, large enough to hold the cubes in one layer. Drizzle half of the oil over the cubes, toss, drizzle with the remaining oil and toss again.

herb croutons
Bake preheated oven (400 degrees F) for 10 minutes or until crispy, giving a toss halfway through the cooking.

Finely chop the herbs and combine with salt. Sprinkle the herb of choice and salt over the hot cubes and toss.

herb croutons

Watch the Herb Crouton Video here.
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Herb Croutons

pea soup with homemade herb croutons

Make these delicious Herb Croutons to add a crispy texture and salty/herby flavor to salads or soups. Finely chop the herbs, mix with salt and toss on toasted bread cubes.

  • Author: Trish Lobenfeld
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups
  • Category: Bread/Garnish

Ingredients

1 small loaf country-style bread, cut into ½ inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons minced herbs
pinch of coarse salt

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet, large enough to hold the cubes in one layer. Drizzle half of the oil over the cubes, toss, drizzle with the remaining oil and toss again.

Bake preheated oven for 10 minutes or until crispy, giving a toss halfway through the cooking.

Finely chop the herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, or sage and combine with salt. Sprinkle the herb of choice and salt over the hot cubes and toss.

Cool.

Notes

For a hearty herb like rosemary, think dust when mincing for even coverage and flavor.

Quick Marinade Tip

Posted on July 19, 2017 by - Chicken, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Quick and Easy, Videos

Quick Marinade Trick

This quick marinade tip was a fluke. Many years ago I was making Rosh Hannah dinner. One cousin doesn’t care for red meat and won’t eat the brisket. I always make something else as a second entrée. One year I was running behind and needed something quick. I grilled chicken and as soon as the chicken came in to rest I poured an herbed lemon juice over the chicken.

Quick Marinade TipThe resting time allows the denatured proteins to coagulate again and when they do, they trap this flavorful liquid.

My cousin and her husband loved the dish and she asked for the recipe. When I told her what I did, she didn’t believe me. It was too simple for something that tasted that good!

I sautéed these chicken breasts recently and added a generous splash of wine (rosé was open, red or white is fine – is just a splash) and deglazed the pan. The delicious brown tidbits in the bottom of the pan dissolve with the liquid in seconds. I poured this over the chicken and then the lemon marinade above.

Quick Marinade Tip

You can do this, too. Simply juice a lemon, throw in some thyme sprigs, a smashed clove of garlic and toss these together. Pour this over the chicken after cooking and let rest for 5 minutes. Use lime juice and garlic – sprinkle with chopped cilantro for something different. Combinations are endless.

Watch the Quick Marinade Trick Video Here.

 

Simple Salad with French Vinaigrette

Posted on November 8, 2016 by - Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Quick and Easy, Salad Dressings & Vinaigrettes, Salads, Vegan/Vegetarian, Videos

French Vinaigrette

A simple salad uses one vegetable, such as lettuce, sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, or roasted beets and is dressed with a vinaigrette or creamy salad dressing. This simple salad with French vinaigrettes uses Romaine lettuce and the vinaigrette is made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, chopped shallots and a few minced fresh herbs.

Vinaigrette Ratios

A simple rule of thumb for a basic vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part acid, such vinegar or citrus juice, salt and pepper.

French Vinaigrette

Want a tangier dressing? Use 4 parts oil to 2 parts acid, salt and pepper.

Dress up the vinaigrette by adding minced garlic, shallots, fresh or dried herbs, spices, tomato paste and/or grated cheese, such as Asiago or Parmesan.

French Vinaigrette

Food Safety Tip:

Make small batches when using fresh aromatics, such as garlic, shallots or herbs. The bacteria in dirt is anaerobic, meaning it survives in oxygen-free environments like vinaigrettes or salad dressings. Keep in the refrigerator only for up to five days.

Use the dressing sparingly – just enough to coat the vegetable and nothing pooling in the bottom of the bowl.

French Vinaigrette

Watch the Simple Salad with French Vinaigrette Video Here:
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Simple Salad with Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette

True French vinaigrette isn’t creamy, orange or sweet. This is a classic recipe, made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, chopped shallots and a few minced fresh herbs. Use at least three herbs, such as parsley, thyme and tarragon.

  • Author: Trish Lobenfeld
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 1/4 cup
  • Category: Salad, Vinaigrette

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon minced shallots
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon coarse salt
a few turns of the pepper mill
2 tablespoons minced fresh herbs, such as parsley, tarragon and thyme

Instructions

  1. Place the oil, vinegar, shallots, mustard, salt and pepper in a covered container, such as a Mason jar. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Add the fresh herbs, shake and pour over 4 cups shredded lettuce.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6 portions

 

 

Compound Butters

Posted on August 24, 2016 by - Gluten-Free, Paleo, Quick and Easy, Sauces, Videos

Compound Butter

Compound butters combine unsalted butter with different aromatics, such as herbs, shallots, acid, salt and pepper, and/or spices. Mix room temperature butter with the finely minced aromatics you think pair well with your entrée. Mix them together, place on parchment paper or plastic wrap and form into a sausage shape and refrigerate. These freeze well, too.

Today’s lesson includes three very different versions, each appropriate for different kinds of protein.

Top the cooked meat, fish or chicken with thin slices of the compound butter while it’s piping hot. The melting butter creates a very flavorful sauce. This is a quick and easy method of dressing up a simple dish in really delicious way.

Compound Butter

Watch the Compound Butter video here.

 

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Garlic Herb Compound Butter

Compound Butter

This compound butter is delicious with chicken or fish. Cut 2 or 3 thin slice and drape across the top the hot meat to melt quickly and allow the flavors to spread over the top and sides. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and in the freezer 2 months, wrap tightly.

  • Author: Trish
  • Yield: 1/2 cup

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon minced clove garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced chives
  • 1 teaspoon minced parsley
  • 1 teaspoon minced thyme
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • pinch of coarse salt
  • couple of twists of freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly combine the butter, garlic, chives, parsley, thyme, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Lay the butter on a piece of plastic wrap about 1/3 of the way from the end. Take the bottom of the plastic wrap and lay over the butter. With a spatula or table knife, push the butter into a long tube. Wrap tightly and refrigerate.
  3. Slice into ¼-inch coins and place on top of cooked meat, fish or poultry.

 

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Lemon Dill Compound Butter

Compound Butter

A perfect compound butter for fish, especially salmon! Cut 2 or 3 thin slice and drape across the top the hot meat to melt quickly and allow the flavors to spread over the top and sides. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and in the freezer 2 months, wrap tightly.

  • Author: Trish Lobenfeld
  • Yield: 1/2 cup

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¼ cup chopped dill fronds
  • zest of 2 small lemon
  • pinch of coarse salt
  • a couple of twists of freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly combine the butter, dill, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Lay the butter on a piece of plastic wrap about 1/3 of the way from the end. Take the bottom of the plastic wrap and lay over the butter. With a spatula or table knife, push the butter into a long tube. Wrap tightly and refrigerate.
  3. Slice into ¼-inch coins and place on top of cooked meat, fish or poultry.

 

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Peppercorn Blue Cheese & Chive Compound Butter

Compound Butter

A rich and hearty compound butter perfect for red meat. Cut 2 or 3 thin slice and drape across the top the hot meat to melt quickly and allow the flavors to spread over the top and sides. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and in the freezer 2 months, wrap tightly.

  • Author: Trish Lobenfeld
  • Yield: 1/2 cup

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¼ cup softened blue cheese
  • 2 tablespoons minced shallot
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground 4 peppercorn is or black peppercorn
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (good quality, thick syrupy)

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly combine the butter, blue cheese, shallot, parsley, pepper and vinegar in a small bowl.
  2. Lay the butter on a piece of plastic wrap about 1/3 of the way from the end. Take the bottom of the plastic wrap and lay over the butter. With a spatula or table knife, push the butter into a long tube. Wrap tightly and refrigerate.
  3. Slice into ¼-inch coins and place on top of cooked meat, fish or poultry.