September 2010 Archives


Rain ....Rain ...and more Rain ..It's officially Fall....Today was a cold and rainy day where I live.  Everyone I know is feeling under the weather and cold... When it's rainy like this All I want is something Good....something Warm...and something Delicious..... So what's better than soup on a Rainy Day....


Homemade Creamy Tomato & Basil Soup


Ingredients

  • 4 Tablespoons of Butter-Salted
  • 4 cups of Tomatoes-Large Diced
  • 1/4 Cup of Onion - Small Diced
  • 2 Cloves Garlic-Minced
  • 3 Tablespoons Flour-All Purpose
  • 1/4 cup of Fresh Basil Leaves (4 to 6 Leaves depending on the size)
  • 2 Leaves of Fresh Basil Leaves for Garnish-Roughly chopped
  • 1-2 Teaspoon-Salt, Sugar, Garlic Salt 
  • Fresh Black Pepper-Season to taste
  • 2-3 cups of Milk (Add more, if needed)


Let's get Started

Please Wash your Hands...

Okay, now we are ready to start....

In a large saucepan, over medium heat let the butter melt down then sauté the Onions and Garlic. 


Once the Onions and Garlic are cooked down add in the Flour then stir. 


Allow the Onions, Garlic and Flour to get friendly (let cook together for 1-2 minutes). 

Then slowly pour in the Milk  and continue to stir until mixture becomes thicker. 


In a separate pan heat the Tomatoes. Once the Tomatoes are cooked down combine everything into one pan (One big Happy Food Family). Let cook for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.  

Season to Taste and Blend in a blender.

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*Chef Huda Note: You do not have to blend the soup, if you do not want to...I like my soup Hearty and Chunky!!


Let the soup sit for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.



It's getting Cold outside so....



Enjoy!!

~This soup is great with warm toasted or grilled Italian or Sourdough Bread with Butter.. So yummy!!!~

It's Wednesday.. So. What's for Dinner? Tonight, we are making my nephew approved-Spinach & Tomato Ziti (Baking opitional). 

My nephew loves this dish...It is a delicious way to incorporate lots of tasty fresh vegetables in a fun and easy  cheesy dish. Watch the video below and I will show you how.

Bechemal Sauce

Ingredients

5 Tablespoons butter

4 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour

4 Cups of Milk

1 1/2 Cups of Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese-Shredded

2 Teaspoons Salt- season to taste 

1 Teaspoons Garlic Salt- season to taste 

1/2 Teaspoons ground Black Pepper- season to taste

1/2 Teaspoon freshly grated Nutmeg-Yes Nutmeg!!

**You will need a Whisk..to mix with.


***Chef Huda Tip ~ Heat up the Milk beforehand for better results***


Lets get Started

Please Wash your Hands...

Okay, now we are ready to start....


In a medium saucepan, heat the butter over medium-low heat until melted. 

Add the flour slowly and stir with a Whisk until smooth. 

Continue to mix over medium heat, until the mixture (Flour & Butter) turns a light golden brown color. 

Start pouring in the milk into the butter mixture 1 cup at a time, whisking continuously until very smooth. 

Stir in Cheeses. 

Cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat. Season with Salt, Garlic salt, Pepper and Nutmeg. 

Then Taste... 





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ENJOY!!!

Couscous.....

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Okay, so it's been a long week, but it's okay because it's Thursday and tonight for Dinner let's try something New.. Let's make Couscous.....Watch the video below and I'll show you how.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opykfMG6824

What's for Dinner Wednesday-Baked Cheesy Rotini

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Baked Cheesy Rotini..Your family will love you for this.


The Dish is Quick, Easy and Cheesy. You have the option of making your own sauce from scratch (which I recommend) or if you are in a rush... Purchase your Favorite sauce at your Local Grocery store. Either way enjoy the recipe Below.....


Homemade Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 4 cups of Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1 Onion - Diced
  • 2 Cloves Garlic-Minced
  • 1 cup of White Wine
  • 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Tablespoon of dry Oregano 
  • 1 Tablespoon of dry Thyme 
  • Salt, Sugar, Garlic Salt and Pepper-Season to taste
  • 2 cups of Water (Add more, if needed) 
  • Mozzarella or Provolone Cheese for Topping


Pasta 

  • One Box of Tricolor Rotini Pasta


Lets get Started

Please Wash your Hands...

Okay, now we are ready to start....


Now, if you are making your sauce from scratch start Here! But if not, move down on to the Rotini Pasta.

Pre-heat your oven for 450 F or on Broil.

Rinse the Tomatoes and place them into a oven safe pan.

Lightly drizzle some Oil on the Tomatoes and sprinkle with Salt and Pepper before placing in the oven.

Place the Tomatoes in the oven for 3-10 minutes.

Please note: The Tomatoes will start to shrink and will start to brown and split when they are roasted.  

**Please watch your Tomatoes, they will burn.

Meanwhile, In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat and sauté the Onions and Garlic.

Remove the Tomatoes from the oven, when they are done. 

Add the Tomatoes to the pan with the sauteed Onions and Garlic.

Mix-in the remaining Ingredients and season lightly. 

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

While your Sauce is simmering.  After the 30 minutes stir and taste your sauce. 

Season to Taste and Blend.



**Now the Rotini Starts Here!!

Great time to cook your Pasta. Pasta will take 10-12 minutes to cook. 

Make sure you only cook it until it is Al dente.

When the Sauce is done mix the Al Dente Rotini and the 

Sauce in a oven safe dish or Casserole dish.

Make sure you mix in a good ratio of Sauce to Noodle. 

Top with Plenty of Cheese!!  

Place in oven on 400 F and cook for 10-15 

minutes or until the Cheese is melted into bubbly cheesy deliciousness. 

Once your Baked Cheesy Rotini is done, let it sit for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!!


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