Serving Up {Pasta}: Parmesan Orzo with Basil

Isn't Orzo a great little pasta?  I don't know what it is about it, but I think it is so fun and I find myself drawn to any recipe that has it in it.  And man am I ever glad that my fascination with Orzo caused me to stumble upon this recipe.  The basil and Parmesan flavors are subtle enough to make this a terrific side dish, yet flavorful enough that you could easily use this recipe as a base for a main dish - by tossing it with roasted vegetables or sausage or both!

I would normally mention that this recipe makes a large amount if used as a side dish - except for the fact that we have never had any left over when I have made it, despite it's large quantity.  So I guess that speaks to it's deliciousness, as well as maybe also to our tendency to eat a bit more than necessary when it's just darned good!

One Year Ago: Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

PARMESAN BASIL ORZO     
(recipe from Tasty Kitchen)
printable version

3 Tbs. butter
1 1/2 cup orzo
3 cups chicken broth
6 Tbs. freshly chopped basil
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Melt the butter over medium heat in a large stockpot.  Add the orzo and saute until the orzo begins to turn golden brown.  Slowly add the broth and bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until all of the broth has been absorbed.  Remove from the heat and add the basil, Parmesan and salt and pepper to taste.

Serving Up {Side Dish}: Savory Sausage Stuffing

I have to admit that when it comes to stuffings, add some craisins to a box of Stove Top and I am actually quite happy. I guess I am admitting to easily satisfied taste buds or I am giving Stove Top quite the rave review. Hmmmm.

While Stove Top stuffing may meet my needs on a random week night, there is something about Thanksgiving dinner that demands that the onion and celery and garlic be freshly chopped... that the bread cubes be cut by my own hand, brushed with oil and toasted in my own oven... that I throw in some spinach and cashews, and maybe even craisins, by eyeballing it. I have been creating and adjusting this recipe for years. I will admit that this recipe is a bit of work but the end results are, dare I claim, better than Stove Top.

**as written this recipe makes a LOT!  As in, if you aren't taking it to a family gathering, you may want to scale it back**

SAVORY SAUSAGE STUFFING     

printable version

2 packages Jimmy Dean sausage (I prefer Sage flavored)
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 ½ cup onion, diced
1 ½ cup celery, diced
1 cup grated carrots
3 garlic cloves, minced
10 ounce pkg. frozen spinach, thawed and drained (I use fresh)
2 tsp. dried rosemary
2 tsp. poultry seasoning
1 tsp. black pepper
15 ounce herbed dry bread, cubed
(use Italian bread, brush with olive oil and bake until browned)
2 cups chicken broth
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 cups whole cashews
Craisins, optional (wink)

In a large skillet, cook sausage until no longer pink. Add mushrooms, onions, celery, carrots and garlic. Cook and stir for 10 minutes until vegetables are softened. (If using fresh spinach, add the last 2-3 minutes to wilt it down).
Transfer meat and vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.
Pour everything into a large buttered 4-quart casserole dish. Bake for 60 minutes at 325 degrees.

**Stuffing is a snap done in a crockpot. Cut liquid in half and cook for four hours**

Serving Up {Side Dish}: Yams and Apples

It is November! When did that happen? The holidays will be here before we know it.

My home will be the hotel for some out of town visitors this Thanksgiving, but I have been relieved of the duties of hosting or preparing the meal this year. I may not be cooking this year but I do have some Thanksgiving standard dishes that, were I to be cooking, would make their annual appearance. I have posted the rolls and the pie recipes during my pumpkin-a-thon. Here is the first of "the rest" of the menu...

Years ago, back when I only had one baby, a friend from church made this side dish for a Thanksgiving dinner and it instantly became "my" Thanksgiving recipe for yams. Sorry to all of you that go for the yams topped with marshmallows - you won't find them at my house.

The tart apples pair perfectly with the yams in this dish. When I received the written recipe from my friend it did have the option of adding raisins to the dish but I have never taken that option so I can't comment on it. What I can comment on is that I have substituted orange juice in place of the pineapple juice and the results are divine. In fact, it is a bit of a toss up as to which I prefer...

YAMS & APPLES     
(recipe from Cindy S.)
printable version

3-4 lbs. fresh yams, cooked until tender; cooled and peeled
(or you can use 2 29-ounce cans Yams)
4-5 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
2 cups pineapple juice (I have had yummy success with orange juice)
¾ cup sugar
½ cup butter
1 tsp. salt
3 Tbs. corn starch
½-1 fresh lemon, juiced
chopped pecans (optional)

Butter a large casserole dish. Alternate layers of sliced apples and cut up yams; set aside.
In a saucepan, mix corn starch and sugar and then add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; turn down the temperature and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and squeeze the lemon juice into the sauce and mix well. Pour sauce over the yams and apples. Sprinkle with chopped pecans (optional).
[at this point you can refrigerate until ready to bake]
Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour.

Serving Up {Side Dish}: Baked Beans

I've mentioned before that when I was growing up we frequently gathered with extended family for BBQ's during the summer months, and that these BBQ's tended to have a menu with each family member bringing a particular dish that they were "known" for.  My mom generally brought the baked beans.

This is my mom's recipe for baked beans.  These beans are pretty easy because they begin with canned beans so there are no overnight soaking or rinsing involved.  A major plus in my kitchen!  I also frequently skip the bacon, only because I don't always have it on hand, and the end product still turns out terrific.  But if you've got bacon it is definitely a worthwhile addition.

BAKED BEANS     Pin It
(recipe from Linda W.)
printable version

3 small cans Pork & Beans
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup ketchup
1 1/2 tsp. prepared mustard (I eyeball it which means I always add more than written :)
4 bacon slices, cooked and broken into pieces

Combine all ingredients in a deep dutch oven and bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

Serving Up {Side Dish}: Cilantro Lime Rice

I am in Utah this week and by now ought to have satisfied my craving for Cafe Rio's Pork Barbacoa burrito - a real Utah favorite.  I posted the pork recipe yesterday and today we are moving on to the rice.

Whether you take your Pork Barbacoa burrito style (like me) or salad style (like my mom) you will want some of this delicious Cilantro Lime Rice.  It's become a staple whenever I make burritos - regardless of whether I'm going for the Cafe Rio copycat or simply using one of my other chicken or beef recipes.  It's just a great flavor combination and can even be served as a side dish.

CILANTRO-LIME RICE     
printable version

3 cups cooked rice, white or brown ***
1 Tbs. lime zest, minced
3 Tbs. fresh lime juice
3 Tbs. finely minced fresh cilantro

Cook rice according to directions package directions.
*** replace water (all or part) with chicken broth when making rice for a more flavorful end product

Immediately toss lime zest, lime juice and cilantro with the cooked rice. 

Can be servee warm or cold.

Delicious served in burritos with shredded meat and black beans.