TUSCAN KALE WITH GARLIC GRAPE TOMATOES

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Tuscan Kale with Garlic Tomatoes

  

  •  Prep Time: 20 minutes
  •  Cook Time: 20 minutes
  •  Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 serving

INGREDIENT


1 very large bunch of Tuscan Kale (16 loosely packed cups once cleaned and chopped)

4 tablespoons good quality extra virgin olive oil

5 large cloves fresh garlic, peeled but left whole

2 pints grape tomatoes

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

 

INSTRUCTION


To clean the Tuscan kale, grab the leaves with your fingers on the thick end of each stem and pull down, ripping all of the leaves from the stem. Once you get the hang of this, you can go pretty fast removing the leaves. Discard stems. Lay the leaves out and cut across the grain then a few slices down the center to yield bite-sized pieces. Place in a salad spinner and rinse thoroughly, then spin to remove most of the water. Some water still clinging to leaves is fine and helps in cooking.

In a large sauté pan or skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot then lower flame to medium low and add the garlic. Cook the garlic for about five minutes until golden brown on the outside and soft on the inside, flipping to cook all sides.

Add the tomatoes and continue to cook for 5-7 minutes until they blister and start to burst. Use the back of a wooden spoon and flatten and break up the garlic, as well and crushing about half of the tomatoes.

Add the kale and toss, then cook for five minutes covered. Remove the cover and cook for up to five more minutes until tender and any liquid has evaporated.

Sprinkle on the vinegar, toss then serve immediately


Thank you Family Feast for this great recipe

bette's recipes

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Pete’s Perfect Grapefruit Salad


Makes 6 servings


Ingredients:
2 roasted red peppers
3 pink grapefruit
½ small red onion
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon grapefruit juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 drops Tabasco sauce
6 cups mixed lettuce (bibb, red leaf, radicchio, and romaine)
18 black olives
Freshly ground pepper to taste


Directions:


Cut the peppers into wide strips. Section the grapefruit, slice the onion very thin, and place the peppers, grapefruit sections, and onions into a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, lime juice, salt, and Tabasco sauce together and pour over the grapefruit mix. Let the mixture stand for 2 hours, then add to the lettuce, toss, and garnish with olives and black pepper. Enjoy!

COMICE PEAR TORTE

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 COMICE PEAR TORTE


Yield: 8 servings


Ingredients


  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3-4 comice pears sliced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons sugar

Preparing


Preheat the oven to 350°.    Mix together the butter, vanilla, 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, flour, and baking powder. When well blended, press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a greased 8-inch square or 9-inch round baking pan.


In a bowl, mix the pears with the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon until the fruit is well coated. Pour on top of batter and bake for approximately 55 minutes or until well browned. 

 Serve hot or cold.


 


BETTE'S RECIPES

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Bette’s Best Navel Orange Cake


Ingredients:

For cake:
½ pound (2 sticks) butter
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
½ teaspoon baking soda
6 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Rind of one orange, grated
5 tablespoons fresh navel orange juice

For icing:
1½ cups confection sugar
2 tablespoons fresh navel orange juice
1 tablespoon navel orange rind, grated


Directions:


Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour a tube pan and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together and then add sour cream. Sift flour and baking soda together. Add to creamed mixture, alternately with eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add extract, navel orange rind, and navel orange juice and stir to combine. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool cake in pan for about 10 minutes and then release and cool completely on a wire rack. Mix together icing ingredients with a whisk until the mixture has a thick liquid consistency. 

Drizzle over cake while still warm.

BETTE'S CRANBERRY NUT BREAD

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Cranberry Nut Bread Ingredients


2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

¾ cup orange juice

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon grated orange peel (optional)

1 egg, well beaten

1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries

½ cup chopped walnuts


Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and lightly flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in orange juice, oil, orange peel and egg. Mix until well blended.  Stir in cranberries and nuts. Spread evenly in loaf pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.


Cool on rack for 20 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely. 

BETTE'S SIMPLE WAX TURNIPS

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WAX TURNIPS

  

Ingredients:


2 wax turnip ( 1  - 1-1/2 lb each)

4 tablespoon of melted butter

Salt & pepper to taste

1/4 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground nutmeg

 

Instructions


  1. Place the rutabagas in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Add some salt and bring to a rapid simmer.
  2. Cook for about 25 minutes, or until the rutabagas are very tender when pierced with a knife. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a few grinds of black pepper and mash the rutabagas until all the large lumps are gone. Alternately, you can purée the mixture until smooth with an immersion blender.
  4. Stir in the nutmeg, butter, cream and vanilla and combine thoroughly.
  5. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, then transfer to a serving bowl.


GREEN BEANS WITH SHALLOTS AND WALNUTS

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Ingredients


  • 2 1/2 pounds green beans, cut into 2-inch lengths
  • 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper


How To Make It


In a large pot of boiling salted water, blanch the beans until bright green, about 3 minutes; drain and pat dry. In a very large, deep skillet, cook the shallots in the olive oil over moderate heat until they are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the beans and cook, tossing, until heated through. Add the lemon juice and walnuts, season with salt and pepper and serve.


Thank you Food & Wine

BETTE'S STUFFED ARTICHOKES

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 Bette's Artichokes 


4 medium-sized artichokes

 2 cups breadcrumbs

 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

 1 tablespoon garlic powder

 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

 ¼ cup water

3/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons parsley flakes


Preparing


Rinse the artichokes well, remove the small outer leaves from the bottom row around artichoke, cut off the stem and slice about 1 inch off of the top. In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and pepper. Add the melted butter, water and oil and mix well.  If needed, add more water or oil to make stuffing very moist.Turn the artichokes upside down and press firmly to spread the leaves. Turn right side up and stand the artichokes in a large pot with about 1 ½ inches of water in the bottom. Cover and steam over medium-high heat about 20-25 minutes or until the artichokes are tender, checking the water level occasionally and adding more water as needed.  Stuff the breadcrumb mixture into the center and inside surrounding layers of leaves.  Put onto microwavable plate and microwave for approximately 3-4 minutes or before serving put into pan covered tightly with foil and place in 350° oven for approximately 20 minutes.    

CATHERINE'S SWEET POTATO PIE

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SWEET POTATO ( YAM ) PIE 6 to 8 servings

8 medium-sized sweet potatoes ( yam), peeled and cut into chunks

1/2 cup sugar

6 eggs

1/2 cup ( 1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

1 - 8 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon extract

2 unbaked 9-inch pie shells


Preheat the oven to 450 degrees


In a large saucepan of water, boil the sweet potatoes until fork tender.

Drain and place in a large bowl. Using a fork or ricer, mash the potatoes. Add 

the sugar, eggs, butter, milk and flour., and blend well. Add the vanilla and 

lemon extract and beat with a wooden spoon until light and fluffy.


Fill the pie shells with the potato mixture and bake for 15 to 20 

minutes, or until the tops are light brown. 

Serve warm or cold, with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.


This recipe is from an old family friend who is long gone, but her recipe 

lives forever, thanks Catherine

BETTE'S ROASTED CAULIFLOWER

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Roasted Cauliflower


  • head of cauliflower
  • ½  stick butter, melted
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup parmesan or Romano grated cheese

Directions:


Heat oven to 375°

Break cauliflower into florets rinse and put into pot. Add 1 cup of water. On medium-high heat, steam until fork tender. Do not overcook. Cauliflower should be on the firm side.

Drain and put back into pot and add melted butter, olive oil, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently until fully coated and place in roasting pan. Sprinkle with grated cheese and roast in oven for approximately 20 minutes.

BROCCOLI A' LA DOLORES

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BROCCOLI WITH CHEESE --- 6 SERVINGS

2 heads of broccoli

1 pound Velvetta cheese

1/2 cup milk

2 tablespoons chopped onions

2 tablespoons diced red bell pepper

1 1/2 cups Ritz cracker crumbs

3 tablespoons butter or margarine


PREHEAT THE OVEN TO 375 DEGREES


In a large saucepan, steam the broccoli until fork tender.

In a small saucepan, melt the cheese on low heat, then 

add the milk, onion, and bell pepper. Stir until well blended.


Layer the ingredients in a large casserole, beginning with

the melted cheese, then adding the broccoli and sprinkling

with the cracker crumbs. Dot the crumb layer with butter

and repeat.  Sprinkle the final layer with additional

cracker crumbs. Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover

the casserole and bake an additional 5 minutes, until the 

crumb topping is lightly browned.




BROCCOLI RABE CHRISTMAS PIE

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound broccoli rabe 
  • 1 small onion, diced 
  • 3 garlic clove, diced 
  • 1/2  pound sausage, no casing 
  • 3/4  pound ricotta cheese (whole milk) 
  • 1/2  cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3  tablespoons grated cheese 
  • 1 egg
  • 2 pie crusts for bottom and top
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil 

Preparing

Sauté garlic and oil until lightly browned and add broccoli rabe; sauté until tender. Strain the broccoli rabe and garlic mixture to remove the excess liquid. Chop the mixture finely, and set aside for later use. Cook the sausage meat and the diced onions until the mixture is fully cooked.  Drain the sausage mixture of any excess liquid.  Make sure the sausage and onion mixture is chopped, without any large pieces of meat. Add sausage mixture to the broccoli rabe mixture.  Blend well.  Next, add the ricotta, mozzarella, grated cheese and egg.   Stir until mixed well.  Add broccoli rabe and sausage mixture to the pie crust, and distribute evenly.  Add pie crust over the top.  Cut a vent hole in the center of the pie. Pinch the edges of the two crusts together. Brush the top of the pie and the edges with a beaten egg yolk.    Place pie on a cookie sheet, and bake at 375° for 45 minutes to an hour, or until golden brown. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving 3 

PANCETTA ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS

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Ingredients

4 strips thick-cut pancetta

2 tablespoons butter

1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved

1/2 large onion, chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper


 

Directions

 

  1. Cook pancetta in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, then roughly chop. In same pan with pancetta fat, melt butter over high heat. Add onions and Brussels Sprouts and cook, stirring occasionally, until sprouts are golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and toss pancetta back into pan. Serve immediately.



                

BETTE'S APPLE CRUMB PIE

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Makes  6 to 8 servings


6  Large Apples  ( A mix of different apples is great)

3  Tablespoons sugar

3  Teaspoons ground cinnamon

2  Teaspoons instant tapioca

1  Baked  9-inch pie shell

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter


CRUMB TOPPING

1 1/2 cups flour

1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup ( 1 1/2 sticks) butter


Preheat the oven to 375*F

Peel, core, and slice the apples and place in a large bowl. Add the sugar,

cinnamon, and tapioca and stir together until the apples are well coated.

Spoon the apple mixture into the pie shell. Dot with butter or margarine

and set aside.


For the crumb topping, place the flour, cinnamon, and sugar in a large

bowl and cut in the butter with a pastry blender or two knives until the

mixture has the texture of course cornmeal. Sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of the apples.

Bake the pie for 40 to 45 minutes.


Enjoy the Taste of Fall





Bette's Broccoli Rabe And Sausage

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Broccoli Rabe and Sausage

 

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds broccoli rabe (Approximately  2 Bunches)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil 
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced      
  • 1 pound sausage, hot or sweet 
  • ½ teaspoon hot red crushed pepper      
  • Salt & pepper to taste 
  • Cooked pasta (optional) 

Preparing

In a large frying pan, brown sausage. After sausage is cooked, cut into approximately 1/4" circular pieces and set aside. Cut off about 2 inches from the bottom stem of the broccoli rabe; rinse well and drain. In a large pot, put in broccoli rabe and add approximately 4 cups of water, cover and steam on medium-high until tender, stirring occasionally.  In colander, drain broccoli rabe and set aside. In the same empty pot put in oil and garlic and sauté garlic until lightly browned. Add broccoli rabe, sausage, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper to the sautéed garlic and oil and stir together. If desired, place broccoli rabe over cooked pasta and serve.  

MY MOTHERS ( LOUISE) BROCCOLI SALAD

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Broccoli Salad


 1 bunch broccoli

 2 lemons

 2 cloves garlic, minced

 1/4 cup olive oil 

Salt and pepper to taste  


Break apart broccoli into florets.  You can also cut up stems.  Steam broccoli until fork tender.  Do not over cook.  In a large bowl put in broccoli.  Squeeze the juice of the lemons and add the olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir until well coated.  You can either serve it at room temperature or refrigerate. 

Bette's Broccoli Salad

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Broccoli Salad

Yield: 8 servings


Salad Ingredients

  • 2 heads broccoli, cut into small pieces 
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins or dried cranberries      
  • 1/2 small onion, red or white, diced     
  • 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled     
  • 3/4 cup of cashew nuts

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1-1/4 cups mayonnaise 
  • 3-4 tablespoons red wine or balsamic  vinegar     
  • 1/3 cup sugar 

Preparing

In a large bowl, mix together all the salad ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Pour over broccoli and stir until well coated.  Chill and serve.