I like this time of 12 months for straightforward cooking — we nonetheless have the final of corn and tomatoes nevertheless it comes with the appearance of cooler climate, calling for cozy consolation meals. Listed here are 5 of my favourite no-recipe recipes for the season…
Polenta with Roast Tomatoes and Greens
Polenta is an efficient factor to recollect on these nights if you really feel your self slipping into the I-guess-we’ll-have-pasta-once more mode. As soon as I dedicated the ratio of liquid to cornmeal to reminiscence (4:1) it grew to become even simpler than pasta. Deliver your liquid (broth, water, or a mix) to a boil, then add cornmeal in a gradual stream, stirring all of the whereas, and decreasing warmth to a simmer. Stir till polenta is the consistency of cream of wheat and pulls away from the edges, about 12 minutes. Drizzle in cream or add butter and cheese, and high with a bit of cheese (ricotta or chèvre) and any roast vegetable you’d like. This time of 12 months, I am going with tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions. Bonus factors for mixing a handful of uncooked corn kernels into the polenta.
Pizza with Butternut Squash, Arugula & Ricotta
I like this crowdpleaser a lot {that a} model of it was in my first cookbook 10 years in the past — and we’ve been making it each fall since. Warmth your oven to 475°F. High a 16-ounce store-bought pizza dough (that’s been stretched on an oil-brushed cookie sheet) with shredded mozzarella, the zest of 1 lemon, and thinly sliced butternut squash items which have been tossed with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake for about quarter-hour, till crust is golden and cheese is bubbly. Take away from the oven and high with handfuls of arugula, dollops of ricotta, and extra salt and pepper.
Quinoa Bowl with Spinach & Egg
I can’t consider how lengthy I’ve been making this dinner, additionally recognized in my home as Previous Dependable as a result of we actually at all times have what we want on stand-by (together with spinach within the freezer). Make quinoa in accordance with package deal instructions, and whereas it cooks, sauté spinach (quite a lot of it, keep in mind how a lot it shrinks) in a bit of olive oil with garlic, and prep 4 of any sort of egg you’d like. Divide the quinoa between 4 bowls and high with spinach, egg, a drizzle of soy sauce, and minced scallions.
Salt and Pepper Eggplant
It is a Hetty McKinnon particular I make on a regular basis — a variation on traditional salt-and-pepper tofu that seems in her indispensable e-book To Asia, With Love. Marinate eggplant slices in soy sauce for 10-20 minutes, then dredge in cornstarch, fry in a impartial oil (like vegetable, canola, or grapeseed), and take away to a paper towel to empty. Season with a dusting of Chinese language five-spice, kosher salt, and freshly floor black pepper; and serve the eggplant with rice, minced scallions, and chiles. OMG I have to make this tonight.
Pan-Fried Hen Thighs with Mushrooms
I swear by this high-heat technique of cooking rooster that I discovered from Bon Appetit greater than a decade in the past — first, as a result of the rooster comes out scrumptious, but additionally as a result of it’s so hands-off. Preheat oven to 475°. Season 1 1/2 kilos boneless rooster thighs with salt, pepper, and about 1 tablespoon paprika. Place a skillet over excessive warmth, add about 2 tablespoons olive oil, then place rooster, pores and skin aspect down, and cook dinner 2 minutes. Scale back warmth to medium-high and cook dinner one other 10 or so minutes not flipping, till pores and skin is golden brown. Flip rooster, then gently toss in 1 cup mushrooms and a roughly chopped yellow onion so they’re coated in oil, and switch the skillet to oven. Prepare dinner one other one other 15-17 minutes, till rooster is cooked by way of. Let relaxation a couple of minutes, then high with contemporary thyme leaves and extra salt and pepper. Serve with a inexperienced salad.
P.S. Cinnamon-apple muffins and 5 issues to do with contemporary corn and tomatoes whilst you can nonetheless discover them!
