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Electric Pink Pasta Is Oh-So-Scrumptious

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:38 -0700

All month long, we've bombarded you with decadent macaroni and cheese recipes. While mac and cheese is delicious and comforting, with an excess of milk and cheese, it's not the healthiest pasta. That's why I thought it was time I share a light and fresh pasta like this rigatoni with ricotta and roasted beets.Don't be alarmed by the vibrant color, the beets stain the pasta pink. It may look unfamiliar, but it tastes earthy and thanks to the ricotta, slightly creamy. Roasted red onions and tons of spinach make this pasta hearty enough to serve as a main course. The alarming yet fun color would please the palate of children, especially around Halloween. To check out the recipe, read more.

Rigatoni With Ricotta and Roasted Beets
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

4 beets (about 3/4 pound), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 pound rigatoni pasta
5 cups baby spinach (about 8 ounces)
1 cup ricotta cheese
Grated peel from 1 lemon, plus 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450°.
On a foil-lined baking sheet, toss the beets with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Wrap tightly with foil and roast for 15 minutes.
Unwrap, then arrange the beets in a single layer.
In a small bowl, toss the onion with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper; arrange on the baking sheet. Roast, tossing halfway through, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente.
Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot and toss with the spinach.
In a bowl, whisk the ricotta, reserved pasta water, lemon peel, lemon juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add to the pasta along with the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper; toss.

Serves 4.

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In Season: Beets

YumSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 05:50:46 -0700

I must admit I'd been seriously dismayed to see peaches and watermelons being replaced by Fall fruits at the farmers market, but once a myriad of different beets caught my eye, the season managed to redeem itself. From the crimson-red garden beet to the pink-and-white striped Chioggia, these root vegetables come in a range of stunning, jewel-toned hues.They add a punch of color - and a sweet, mildly buttery flavor when cooked - to just about any course. While they're available in California almost year-round, October, it seems, is the time of year when they taste most tender. To find out how to select, store, and enjoy these versatile veggies, read more.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Beet Salad With Goat Cheese and Walnuts

partysugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:50:53 -0700

On the weekends, I like to treat myself and eat whatever I feel like eating, be it an oversize serving of macaroni and cheese or a decadently fudgey brownie. However, that means during the week I stock up on tons of vegetables and fruits. One way to do this is to enjoy salads for dinner. The key to a satisfying salad is to select elements that have different textures. There has to be something creamy, crispy, chewy, and tangy. With its beets, goat cheese, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette, this recipe is just the sort of salad I'm talking about.

The ingredient list calls for bottled balsamic dressing, but I prefer to quickly whisk my own. To serve up this salad, get the recipe and read more.

Beet Salad With Goat Cheese and Walnuts
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

2 small cooked beets or one 8-1/4-ounce can tiny whole beets, chilled
1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons bottled reduced-fat or fat-free balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
4 cups mixed baby salad greens
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted
1 ounce semisoft goat cheese (chevre), crumbled

Directions

Slice beets into bite-sized wedges.
In a medium bowl, combine cut-up beets, basil, and pepper. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the salad dressing; toss to coat.
Arrange greens on 2 salad plates; sprinkle with remaining dressing.
Top with beet mixture, walnuts, and goat cheese.

Serves 2.

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'Wich of the Week: Roasted Beets, Avocado, and Goat Cheese

YumSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:22 -0700

How do I love beets? Let me count the ways. They are ridiculously easy to roast, they add a surprising and novel texture to Summer salads, and they have an exotic flavor that pairs well with Mediterranean food. Plus, right now, they are in season and especially divine.

Inspired by a salad I recently ordered at a restaurant, I wanted to capture the graceful contrast of buttery avocado, silky beets, and sweet toasted almonds. As condiments, I used only spreadable goat cheese and vinaigrette, which I tossed with the almonds and mixed greens. The bread I bought at my farmers market was perfect: California "black bread" that tastes like sweet pumpernickel. To make your own sophisticated beet sandwich, read more.

Roasted Beet, Avocado, and Goat Cheese Sandwich
Original recipe

For an even easier weeknight meal, roast the beets ahead of time, since they take a while to cook. With that out of the way, the sandwich comes together in minutes.

Ingredients

2 medium beets, roasted and sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 cup mixed greens
vinaigrette of your choice
4 slices black bread or pumpernickel
2 ounces soft goat cheese
1/2 of an avocado, cut into thin slices

Directions

First roast the beets. After they cool, slice them horizontally into 1/2-inch-thick rounds.

In a skillet over low heat, toast the almonds for about 5 minutes, turning frequently. Set aside to cool.

In a small bowl, toss the mixed greens with the almonds and vinaigrette.

In a toaster, toast each slice of bread until it's firm but not hard.
To make each sandwich, spread one ounce of goat cheese on the bottom slice of bread, then top with 1/4 of the avocado slices. Place a handful of greens on top of the avocado, followed by 4 to 5 slices of beets.

Place the second slice of toast on top of the beets, cut in half diagonally, and serve.

Makes 2 sandwiches.

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How to Roast Beets

partysugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 03:30:52 -0700

Last week my sister and I had a delicious beet and wheat berry salad at A16 restaurant. While we were munching on the juicy beets and pop in your mouth berries, she wondered how she could prepare beets in a similar manner at home. Well, Patricia - and anyone else who wants to know how to make beets - here's what you do:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Trim the top and stems off the beets.
Place the beets in a small baking dish and add 1/4 inch water (or you could use fresh orange juice for more flavor).
Cover with foil and roast for 35-50 minutes, or until the beets are tender (like a baked potato).
Cool slightly. Working quickly and using your fingers, peel off the skin and discard.
Slice into wedges or chunks. Voila! The beets are ready for salad.

What's your favorite way to enjoy beets?

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Beets: Love Them or Hate Them?

YumSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:50:13 -0700

Recently PartySugar and I got into a discussion about beets. While we both love them, we agreed that they're definitely a point of contention, as many people we know dislike them (our president included). How do you feel about these sweet root vegetables?

Fast & Easy Dinner: Loaded Spinach Salad

partysugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:50:41 -0700

Sometimes it's nice to have a satisfying salad for dinner.

This spinach variation is full of colorful beets, sweet carrots, crunchy pecans, and hard boiled eggs. To cut back the calories, the recipe discards the majority of the egg yolks.

Although a store-bought dressing is delicious, if you have time, make the creamy blue cheese dressing that accompanies the salad recipe. For this quick vegetarian meal, read more.

Loaded Spinach Salad
From Eating Well

Ingredients

8 large eggs
6 cups baby spinach
4 tablespoons Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing (recipe follows), divided
1 8-ounce can beets, rinsed and sliced
1 cup shredded carrots
2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

Place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook at the lowest simmer for 10 minutes. Pour off the hot water and run cold water over the eggs until they are completely cooled. Peel the eggs, discard 6 of the yolks, chop the remaining yolks and whites.
Toss spinach and 2 tablespoons dressing in a large bowl. Divide between 2 plates.
Top with chopped eggs, beets, carrots and pecans. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons dressing.

Serves 2.

Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing

1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1/3 cup nonfat buttermilk or nonfat milk
1/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt
2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar or white vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (1 ounce)

Whisk mayonnaise, buttermilk (or milk), yogurt, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Add cheese and stir, mashing with a spoon until the cheese is incorporated.

Makes 1 1/4 cups.

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Come Party With Me: Bedazzle Bonanza - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:15:12 -0700

When FabSugar and I came up with the idea to host a Bedazzling party, I knew the menu would have to include dishes that sparkle with flaky chunks of fleur de sel. Since the party is on a Sunday afternoon, the menu consists of three light, simple nibbles. While waiting their turn to use the Bedazzler, guests can enjoy salt-roasted shrimp with scampi dip. Crisp mushroom and blue cheese crackers glisten with tiny salt crystals. Fab requested a dish with roasted beets, with their rhinestone-like vibrant color, so I'll serve them on crostini with fresh burrata cheese. If these dishes sound enticing, wait till you look at the recipes! Do so and read more.

Salt-Roasted Shrimp With Scampi Dip
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

1 4-pound box rock salt
16 uncooked unpeeled large shrimp
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, chilled, diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions

Spread salt in 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Arrange shrimp in single layer atop salt.
Preheat oven to 500°F.
Boil wine, lemon juice, and garlic in saucepan over medium-high heat until liquid is reduced to 1 tablespoon, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add a few pieces of butter; whisk until creamy. Return pan to low heat. Add a few more pieces of butter; whisk until smooth (do not let mixture boil). Continue whisking in butter, a few pieces at a time. Stir in parsley; season with salt and pepper.
Let stand while shrimp cook.
Roast shrimp on salt until just opaque in center and shells are pink, 6 to 7 minutes.
Transfer sauce to bowl; nestle in salt.

Serves 8.

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Mushroom and Blue Cheese Crackers
From Martha Stewart Weddings

Ingredients

1/4 ounce dried wild mushrooms, about 1/2 cup
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 1/4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup milk
coarse salt

Directions

Place mushrooms in a spice grinder, and grind until fine, about 15 seconds.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle, mix butter and blue cheese on medium until combined. Add flour, ground mushrooms, and pepper; mix just until combined and crumbly. Add milk, and mix just until dough comes together (the dough will be quite stiff).
Divide dough evenly into three disks. Wrap two disks in plastic wrap; set aside.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll out one disk to be 1/16 inch thick. Cut out crackers with a 31/2-inch round cutter. Transfer to a baking sheet; prick each with a fork three or four times. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Repeat with remaining dough. Bake until golden brown, about 22 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Store crackers in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Makes 3 dozen.

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Beet-and-Burrata Crostini
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

1 pound medium beets, preferably Chioggia
1 baguette, cut crosswise into forty 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
Salt and freshly ground pepper
9 ounces burrata, cut into 40 pieces
Snipped chives, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°. Place the beets in a small roasting pan and add 1/4 inch of water. Cover the pan with foil and bake for about 1 hour, until the beets are tender. Let cool completely.
Increase the oven temperature to 400°. Arrange the baguette slices on 2 large cookie sheets and brush with extra-virgin olive oil. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the bread is crisp.
Peel the beets and halve them lengthwise, then cut cut them crosswise into 1/8-inch slices. Transfer the beets to a bowl. Add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
Top each crostini with a piece of burrata and a beet slice. Garnish with the snipped chives and serve immediately.

Serves 12.

Make Ahead: The roasted beets can be refrigerated overnight. Slice and serve at room temperature.

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Just Beet It Salad

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:15:27 -0700

A salad of roasted beets with crumbly goat cheese and a delicious vinaigrette is a pretty common dish on menus these days. While I've had my fair share of this scrumptious salad, when browsing Dinner at my Place, I was intrigued by Tyler Florence's variation because he uses raw beets.

In their raw state, beets are difficult to peel; even on a mandoline, they were a little cumbersome to thinly slice, but the rest of salad is simple and worth the effort. The earthy crunchy beets, creamy tangy goat cheese, crisp bitter greens, toasted walnuts and blood orange vinaigrette combine to create a delightfully complex dish that is perfect in terms of flavor and texture. To get started on this surprising, Spring salad read more.

Shaved Beet Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
Tyler Florence's Dinner at My Place

Ingredients

Dressing
1 shallot, finely diced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 cup blood orange-infused olive oil
Salad
1 large golden beet
1 bunch bitter greens*
1/2 head radicchio*
1/2 bunch mizuna*
1 bunch kale*
1/2 cup walnuts
1/4 pound crumbled goat cheese

Directions

Toast walnuts in an 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Occasionally shake to ensure they don't burn.
Make the balsamic vinaigrette by combining shallot, parsley, mustard, vinegar and sugar in a large bowl. While whisking constantly, slowly add the olive oil. Once all the oil has been added and the vinaigrette is emulsified, season it with salt and pepper.
Peel the beet using a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler.
Using a sharp knife or mandoline, shave it into thin slices.
Wash and tear the salad greens into bite-size pieces. Toss greens with shaved beets and walnuts in a large salad bowl. Dress with balsamic vinaigrette. Top with crumbled goat cheese.

Serves 6-8.

*Substitute your favorite salad greens, if all are not available.

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Fast and Easy Dinner: Steak With Root Vegetables

partysugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:30:43 -0800

Expand your horizons with this recipe that pairs a classic steak with root vegetables. Carrots, parsnips, and beets are cut like french fries, but cook up quicker than the average potato.

Chopped tarragon adds freshness. For an alternate presentation, slice the vegetables into thin coins before sautéing. Serve with a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy the weekend! Look at the recipe: read more.

Steak With Root Vegetables
From Real Simple

Ingredients

4 8-ounce New York, strip, or sirloin steaks, about 1-inch thick
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 carrots, cut into thin strips
2 parsnips, cut into thin strips
2 beets, cut into thin strips
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon

Directions

Season the steaks with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the steaks and cook to the desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
While the steaks rest, wipe out skillet. Heat the remaining oil over medium-low heat. Add the vegetables. Cook until tender, about 7 minutes. Season with the remaining salt and pepper and the tarragon. Serve alongside the steaks.

Serves 4.

NUTRITION PER SERVING: CALORIES 497.22(42% from fat); FAT 23.48g (sat 6.46g); CHOLESTEROL 97.97mg; CALCIUM 82.94mg; CARBOHYDRATE 19.28g; SODIUM 708.51mg; PROTEIN 50.61mg; FIBER 4.3g; IRON 3.99mg

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