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Fast & Easy Dinner: Feta-Stuffed Pita Burgers

partysugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:50:39 -0800

Who says a burger has to be served between two buns? This recipe takes the traditional notion of the cheeseburger and turns it on its head. Instead of crumbling cheese over the patties, the feta is stuffed into the middle of a ground meat mixture. A soft pita replaces the classic bun and spicy arugula stands in for the usual slice of lettuce. The resulting dish, which is full of Mediterranean flavors, would be great for impromptu weeknight entertaining. To create a meal, serve with store-bought hummus, pita chips, and kalamata olives. Want to see the recipe? Keep reading.

Monday's Leftovers: Pork Cutlets With Cranberry Port Sauce

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:07 -0800

I just found the perfect use for my leftover cranberry sauce and boneless pork chops: this balanced dinner of sautéed pork cutlets.

I'll pan-fry some pork chops, then deglaze the pan with a combination of cranberries and port wine, for a sauce that's both sweet and tart.

The result? A mouthwatering meal that's full of flavor, not fat. Want to see the recipe? Then read more.

Sunday Dinner: Black-Eyed Peas With Pork and Greens

YumSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:30:06 -0800

Pork chops may be filling and healthful, but because they're a leaner cut, they aren't always full of flavor.

To keep your taste buds dancing, incorporate the other white meat into a classic Southern staple that's got major sass: the Hoppin' John.

A medley of black-eyed peas, brown rice, kale, and pork come together with the help of tomato, broth, vinegar, and paprika. Enjoy a dish that's got a little bit of everything when you keep reading.

Monday's Leftovers: Lamb and Polenta "Lasagne"

YumSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:42 -0800

With a little leftover ground lamb and even less time, you can make a layered lamb and polenta dish that rivals anything you could order at a restaurant.

The key to speedy success is to take smart shortcuts. Use already-stewed tomatoes, grated mozzarella, and ready-made polenta for easy layering.

Employ the oven for a final browning touch, and you'll have a dinner that can't be beat on the busiest night of the week. To see the recipe, keep reading.

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.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Provençal Rack of Lamb

partysugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:50:41 -0700

Lots of nights, I crave roast chicken because it's simple and intensely comforting. However, I live alone, and unless I have someone over, cooking an entire chicken seems a bit wasteful. That's why I've taken to roasting rack of lamb instead. It's available in smaller quantities, and when I'm by myself, it feels like a special treat. In this recipe, the lamb is rubbed with a fresh-herb garlic paste before being roasted with tomatoes and potatoes in the oven. The resulting meal is delicious, rewarding, and, with a glass of red wine, wonderfully luxurious. To look at the recipe, read more.

Provençal Rack of Lamb
From Gourmet

Ingredients

2 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons chopped thyme
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 medium tomatoes, halved
1 (1-pound) frenched rack of lamb (4 to 8 chops, depending on size), cut in half
2 medium shallots, thinly sliced (1/3 cup)
2 medium boiling potatoes, peeled and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
2 tablespoons water

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle.
Mince and mash garlic to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir together with herbs and 1 tablespoon oil.
Put tomatoes cut sides up in an oiled small baking dish and drizzle with a third of garlic mixture. Roast until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, pat lamb dry and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Brown lamb on all sides, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and discard oil from skillet.
Heat remaining tablespoon oil in skillet over medium heat and cook shallots and potatoes, stirring occasionally, until edges are browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in water and half of remaining garlic mixture and remove from heat.
Rub remaining garlic mixture on fat side of lamb racks. Arrange lamb over potatoes and roast in oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meat (do not touch bone) registers 130°F for medium-rare, 20 to 25 minutes.
Let stand, loosely covered, 5 to 10 minutes. Serve with tomatoes.

Serves 2.

Print recipe with images | without images

Yummy Links: From Burgers to American Cheese

partysugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:50:42 -0700

If you love burgers, you'll enjoy this guide to hamburger and cheeseburger styles. - A Hamburger Today
Whose side are you on? 10 recent food feuds. - Chow
Would you give your daughter Duff Goldman's Girl Gourmet Cake Bakery set? - Eat Me Daily
Use late harvest tomatoes to make a stunning herbed tart. - Saveur
David Chang's famed eatery, Momofuku Ko, has raised its prices, again. - Eater
What does a food critic do after retiring? He eats roast chicken. - The Atlantic
Is lamb the new pork? - Grub Street
An ode to American cheese.- Gourmet

Source: Flickr User fj40troutbum

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.

Sunday BBQ: Ground Lamb Kebabs

YumSugar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:00:25 -0700

Ever since we had a detailed discussion in the office about how much we love lamb, I've been in the mood for it. Because I don't make it all that often, I want it to be something special - yet not too expensive.

That's why I decided on a distinctive recipe for kofta, or ground meat kebabs, that calls for lamb, silky crème fraîche, delicate shallots, and pomegranate molasses for a complex yet delicate flavor.

These go on the grill first, before being simmered for a bit on the stovetop, which helps turn them tender and unctuous. See the recipe after the break

Yummy Links: From Lamb Burgers to Lemonade Cocktails

partysugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 06:50:24 -0700

Learn how to make the perfect lamb burger. - Saveur
A conversation between Adam Platt and Frank Bruni. - Grub Street
The future of fish farming has arrived. - Eat Me Daily
Make French food in a flash with this easy lamb chop recipe. - Serious Eats
What to do if you bust your friend’s china. - Chow
At your next party serve finger food in homemade paper cones. - Hostess With the Mostess
Jen Zevala talks about being the first contestant kicked off of Top Chef.- The Feedbag
Celebrate National Lemonade Day with 10 spiked lemonade cocktails. - The Epi-Log