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Monday's Leftovers: Pasta With Lamb and Tomato Ragu

YumSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:50:01 -0700

Pappardelle with a tomato ragu sounds typical enough - until you jazz it up with the addition of leftover ground lamb, shallots, and parsley. Not only does it make for a seemingly effortless yet sophisticated Monday night dinner, but it's also a great way to introduce other family members and friends to the rich and slightly gamey flavors of lamb. Top it off with some mild ricotta salata or feta cheese, and you've got a very memorable meal. See the recipe when you keep on reading.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Barley-Vegetable Ragout

partysugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:45:21 -0800

Impress the vegetarians in your life by taking the time to make this flavorful, hearty meal. Although it simmers for only about 45 minutes, the final dish has a depth and richness equal to something slow-cooked. The ingredient list includes mushrooms, cauliflower, onion, tomatoes, and bell peppers, but feel free to use the vegetables that your family enjoys eating.

To look at the recipe that would be delicious served with a chunk of crusty bread and a glass of red wine, read more.

Barley-Vegetable Ragout
From Vegetarian Times

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups “chicken” broth or low-sodium vegetable broth
3/4 cup uncooked pearl barley, rinsed
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 10-oz. pkg. cremini mushrooms, halved
1 small head cauliflower, chopped (about 4 cups)
1 large white onion, cut into thin strips (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 15.5-oz. can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, undrained
2 small orange bell peppers, sliced (about 2 cups)
1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, plus a few sprigs for garnish
1/4 cup grated soy Parmesan or Romano cheese

Directions

Bring broth to a boil in large pot. Add barley, reduce heat to low, cover and cook 30 minutes, or until broth is absorbed and barley is tender. Transfer to mixing bowl.
Heat 1 Tbs. oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, and sauté 5 minutes, or until browned; add to barley. Add remaining 1 Tbs. oil to pot, and sauté cauliflower and onion 8 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add tomatoes, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 8 minutes. Stir in peppers; cover, and simmer 5 minutes more, or until tender.
Stir in barley-mushroom mixture, chopped basil and soy cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook 1 minute more, or until heated through. Serve garnished with basil sprigs.

Serves 6.

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Sunday Dinner: Filet Mignon With Truffled Mushroom Ragout

partysugar — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 01:31:31 -0800

Cooking a romantic meal for your sweetheart is a wonderful way to show your affection. Although it doesn't appeal to everyone, I think a delicious slice of filet mignon is super sexy. It's actually one of my favorite meals! Especially when garnished with a rich mushroom ragout and drizzle of truffle oil. This steak is simple to make and the dish comes together quickly. Sound scrumptious? Wait till you see the recipe! read more

Filet Mignon With Truffled Mushroom Ragout
From Bon Appetit magazine

3 tablespoons butter
1 garlic clove, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
12 ounces crimini or button mushrooms, quartered
1/3 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
1/3 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons whipping cream
1 1/2 teaspoons peanut oil
2 1-inch-thick filet mignons (about 6 ounces each)
1/2 teaspoon truffle oil*

Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add chopped garlic and marjoram; sauté 30 seconds.
Add mushrooms; toss to coat with butter. Sprinkle with salt. Cover and cook until mushrooms have released their juices, about 13 minutes.
Add chicken broth, wine, and whipping cream and bring to boil. Cook uncovered until mushrooms are tender and sauce coats mushrooms, about 5 minutes. Season mushroom ragout to taste with salt and pepper. (Ragout can be made 3 hours ahead. Cover skillet and refrigerate.)
Heat heavy medium skillet over high heat until hot. Add peanut oil and tilt skillet to coat evenly.
Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper.
Add to skillet and cook to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.
Transfer steaks to plates. Rewarm mushroom ragout in skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently. Spoon ragout partially over steaks and onto plates. Drizzle mushrooms on each plate with 1/4 teaspoon truffle oil.

Serves 2.

* Available at Italian markets, specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Lamb and Eggplant Ragu

partysugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 06:01:18 -0800

Traditionally, a ragu is a slow cooked meat heavy sauce; the meat is cooked for several hours until it falls off the bone and the sauce is thick. However, a rapid variation is simple to make in under 30 minutes. Ground lamb cooks quickly and is effortlessly flavored with fennel seed, oregano, and red wine. A ribbed pasta like rigatoni or penne is a great choice as the hearty sauce has something to cling to. Pine nuts and crumbled feta top off this wonderfully comforting end of the week dinner. Plus, you can drink the same wine that you used to make the dish! To check out the recipe, read more.

Lamb and Eggplant Ragu
From Eating Well

4 ounces whole-wheat rigatoni or penne
4 ounces ground lamb or lean ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
1 1/2 cups diced eggplant
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 8-ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/2 cup red wine
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon pine nuts, toasted
1/4 cup crumbled feta (optional)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions.
Meanwhile, cook lamb (or beef), garlic and fennel seed in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, breaking up the meat with the back of a spoon, until the lamb (or beef) is browned, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add eggplant and oil; cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant browns, about 4 minutes.
Add tomato sauce and wine; cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in oregano, salt and pepper.
Drain the pasta; serve topped with the sauce and sprinkled with pine nuts and feta, if using.

Serves 2.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 422 calories; 10 g fat (3 g sat, 4 g mono); 37 mg cholesterol; 57 g carbohydrate; 20 g protein; 10 g fiber; 343 mg sodium; 795 mg potassium. Vitamin C (30% daily value), Vitamin A (25% dv), Magnesium (24% dv), Potassium (23% dv).

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Yummy Link: Free Ragu Tip Book

YumSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:35:31 -0700

TeamSugar member TNgirl discovered that Ragu is giving away free copies of their Soccer Mom Shortcuts. If someone gets a copy, let us know what's inside! - Ragu

Definition: Ragu

partysugar — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 09:47:43 -0800

Ragu
A sauce of meat, poultry, or a combination of the two and finely diced vegetables simmered for a long time in one or more liquids, such as water, milk, cream, wine, broth, or stock and seasonings. A staple of northern Italy's Bologna, ragu is typically served with pasta.

Though different than the French ragout, both are derived from the verb "ragouter," which means to stimulate the appetite.

Sunday Dinner: Whole-Wheat Flatbreads With Lamb & Yogurt

YumSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:30:25 -0800

Ever since I made pasta with lamb and tomato ragu, I haven't been able to stop singing the praises of ground lamb. If you love ordering lamb at restaurants but have never made it at home, ground lamb is the perfect starting point, since it requires no special handling.

Prepare the quick, from-scratch recipe for wheat pitas below or, in a pinch, use store bought pitas or tortillas. The textural contrast of the grainy bread with Greek yogurt and ground meat is incredibly satisfying. For the fun, hands-on recipe, read on.

O Solo Mio...

YumSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:52:20 -0800

Today is National Spaghetti Day! I know, I know, you're thinking that I invent a new food related holiday every day, but in fact, today really is National Spaghetti Day. I've been celebrating the delicious dish all day long, and meant to start it off (small technical snafu) with this rich recipe from Bologna, Italy. Bolognese is a popular Italian sauce that is found in restaurants all over America. It is a thick meat, vegetable and cream sauce most typically served over spaghetti. In Italy a bolognese sauce is more commonly referred to as ragu. To celebrate National Spaghetti Day and make an authentic spaghetti ragu, read more

Spaghetti Bolognese
From Mario Batali

1 lb spaghetti
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 carrot, finely, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 rib celery, finely diced
1 clove garlic, sliced
1 pound veal, ground
1 pound pork, ground
1/4 pound pancetta or slab bacon, ground
1/2 tube tomato paste
1 cup milk
1 cup dry white wine
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Parmigiano-Reggiano, for grating

In a 6 to 8-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.
Add the onions, celery, and garlic and sweat over medium heat until the vegetables are translucent and soft but not browned, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Add the veal, pork, and pancetta and stir into the vegetables.
Add the meat over high heat, stirring to keep the meat from sticking together until browned.
Add the tomato paste, milk, and wine and simmer over medium-low heat for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
20 minutes before sauce is ready, begin cooking pasta per instructions.
Season ragu with salt and pepper, to taste, and remove from the heat.
When ready to use, the cooked pasta should be added to a saucepan with the appropriate amount of hot ragu Bolognese, and tossed so that the pasta is evenly coated by the ragu.

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Come Party With Me: Bridal Shower - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:00:31 -0700

A bridal shower is normally a female only event so plan a menu that is light with plenty of vegetarian options. Instead of serving a full meal or sit down salad at Elena's bridal shower, we'll offer guests an assortment of delectable crostini. Crostini - which means little toasts in Italian - can be topped with an endless amount of toppings. For Elena's shower guests will choose from mushroom ragu on chevre crostini, artichoke-parmesan crostini, eggplant caponata crostini, and roman style crostini. The crostini toppings and toasts can be made in advance and assembled the day of. To take a look at these amazing crostini recipes, read more.

Mushroom Ragu on Chevre Crostini
From Whole Foods

Ingredients

For the Crostini
8 thin slices baguette
1 tablespoon butter, melted
sea salt, to taste
4 ounces soft chèvre
For the Ragu
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
2 cups shiitake mushrooms, julienned
sea salt, to taste
ground pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1/4 cup sherry wine
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon crème fraiche

Directions

For the Crostini, preheat oven to 350°F. Brush baguette slices lightly with butter.
Bake until toasted and lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Lightly season with salt and spread with chèvre.
For the Ragu, heat olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add garlic and shallot and cook until translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Do not let the garlic brown.
Add half the thyme and all of the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Let the mushrooms cook over medium-high heat without excessive stirring so they will brown.
Once mushrooms are browned and tender, 5 to 7 minutes, add sherry vinegar and reduce until the pan is dry. Combine the cornstarch in the sherry wine until dissolved and add to the pan. Cook until reduced and there is almost no liquid left in the pan.
Remove from heat and stir in crème fraiche. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Place a tablespoon of ragu on each crostini and spread to cover the entire toast. Garnish with remaining chopped thyme and serve warm.

Serves 8.

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Artichoke-Parmesan Crostini
From Everyday Food magazine

Ingredients

8 (1/4 inch thick) baguette
2 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 (6.5 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish (optional)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make crostini: Brush baguette slices on both sides with a total of 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet, and bake, turning over once, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool.
Meanwhile, make topping: Finely chop artichokes, and combine in a bowl with Parmesan, parsley, and remaining tablespoon oil.
Dividing evenly, spoon topping onto crostini, and garnish with additional Parmesan, if desired.

Serves 8.

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Eggplant Caponata Crostini
From Food and Wine magazine

Ingredients

One 1 1/2-pound eggplant
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red onion, sliced
1 tablespoon drained capers
1 tablespoon chopped kalamata olives
1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup tomato sauce or puree
Freshly ground pepper
40 thin toasted slices of baguette, for serving
1 tablespoon chopped basil

Directions

Quarter the eggplant lengthwise. Scoop out the very seedy parts and discard. Cut the remaining eggplant into 1/2-inch dice.
In a colander set in the sink, lightly salt the eggplant cubes and toss well. Top with a sturdy plate weighed down with a heavy can and let drain for 1 hour. Rinse the eggplant cubes and pat dry.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the eggplant and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the eggplant to a bowl.
Add the onion and the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the skillet and cook over moderately low heat until the onion is tender, about 6 minutes. Return the eggplant to the skillet.
Stir in the capers, olives and balsamic vinegar and cook until the vinegar has evaporated.
Add the tomato sauce and cook over low heat, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a bowl to cool.
Shortly before serving, spread the caponata on the baguette toasts and garnish with the basil.

Makes 40 crostini.

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Roman Style Crostini
From Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients

12 1/2-inch thick slices ciabatta bread
12 slices thinly sliced prosciutto (about 6 ounces)
1 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into thin slices
3 tablespoons butter
6 sage leaves
Pinch salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Place the slices of ciabatta on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until crisp and golden around the edges, about 8 minutes. Remove the bread from the oven.
Place the prosciutto slices and mozzarella on the crostini toast and return to the oven to melt the cheese, about 8 more minutes.
Meanwhile combine the butter and the sage leaves in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the butter is melted and starting to brown in spots and the sage leaves are crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the salt and pepper.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Transfer the crostini to a serving plate. Drizzle the crostini with the sage butter and serve immediately.

Serves 4-6.

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Soothing Side: Polenta With Herbs & Cheese

partysugar — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 08:17:39 -0700

For some reason, I used to be scared of polenta. I'm not sure why; after all, I love mashed potatoes and purees that have a similar texture. Luckily, I grew out of my food phobia and now love the creamy, delicious, Italian dish. This soft version of polenta is a great side to grilled meats, sausages, roast chicken or pork.

Although it's divine on its own, feel free to add a sauce, ragu, or sautéed vegetables to jazz it up. The rich yellow color makes it a great side to a fall themed dinner. To make it vegetarian, simply substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth. Get the recipe to this versatile dish now, just read more

Polenta With Herbs & Cheese
From Bon Appetit magazine

6 2/3 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
2 teaspoons minced fresh marjoram
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
2 teaspoons minced fresh sage
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 2/3 cups polenta (coarse cornmeal)*
1 1/2 cups (packed) grated sharp white cheddar cheese (about 6 ounces)

Combine broth, all herbs, garlic and salt in heavy large saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat.
Gradually sprinkle in polenta, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until polenta is thick and creamy and begins to pull away from sides of pan, whisking often, about 25 minutes.
Add cheese; stir until cheese melts. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Serves 6.

*If unavailable, use 1 2/3 cups regular cornmeal and cook for about 12 minutes.

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