Roasted Salmon with Green Herbs

I've been craving salmon lately. It's a healthy, filling fish that cooks quickly. The herbs and lemon juice in this recipe add such a fresh flavor. I served this with Garlic-Roasted Cauliflower for a light but flavorful dinner.

Source: Roasted Salmon with Green Herbs, Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?

Ingredients

1 (2- to 2 ½-pound) skinless salmon fillet

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup good olive oil

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ cup minced scallions, white and green parts (4 scallions)

½ cup minced fresh dill

½ cup minced fresh parsley

¼ cup dry white wine

Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Place the salmon fillet in a glass, ceramic, or stainless-steel roasting dish and season it generously with salt and pepper. Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice and drizzle the mixture evenly over the salmon. Let it stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, stir together the scallions, dill, and parsley. Scatter the herb mixture over the salmon fillet, turning it so that both sides are generously coated with the green herbs. Pour the wine around the fish fillet.

Roast the salmon for 10 to 12 minutes, until almost cooked in the center at the thickest part. The center will be firm with just a line of uncooked salmon in the very center. (I peek by inserting the tip of a small knife.) Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Cut the salmon crosswise into serving pieces and serve hot with lemon wedges.

Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake

This cake lives up to its name. It is easy to make, smells heavenly as it bakes in the oven, and has all the wonderful flavors of the holiday season. It's great served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. We really enjoyed this Barefoot Bloggers recipe selection.

Source: Easy Cranberry and Apple Cake, Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?

Ingredients

12 ounces fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over for stems

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and diced

½ cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1 tablespoon grated orange zest, (2 oranges)

¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1 ⅛ teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

¼ cup sour cream

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the cranberries, apple, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the eggs on medium-high speed for 2 minutes. With the mixer on medium, add 1 cup of the granulated sugar, the butter, vanilla, and sour cream and beat just until combined. On low speed, slowly add the flour and salt.

Pour the fruit mixture evenly into a 10-inch glass pie plate. Pour the batter over the fruit, covering it completely. Combine the remaining 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar and ⅛ teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle it over the batter. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean and the fruit is bubbling around the edges. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Ravioli with Lobster, Champagne and Truffle Cream Sauce

This is a great dinner party dish, very decadent and indulgent. The rich, cheesy cream sauce is flavored with Champagne and truffle oil. You may find either black or white truffle oil in your local market. What's the difference? Black Perigord truffles are named for the region of France where they grow amongst the roots of oak trees. Black truffle have the strongest flavor of all the truffles and a pungent aroma. The flavor of black truffle oil is stronger and more earthy, good for sauces and meats. White, or Alba, truffles grow best in northern Italy, in the Piedmont region. White truffles have a more delicate taste and a garlicky aroma, good for risottos, pastas, and egg dishes. Just use with your favorite ravioli or tortellini pasta. Delicious!

Adapted from: Champagne and Truffle Cream Sauce, Open Source Food

Ingredients

1 pound cooked ravioli or tortellini

1 cup heavy cream

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon truffle oil (black or white)

1 cup Champagne

7 ounces lobster meat, chopped

1 cup freshly-grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1 teaspoon course sea salt

freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

In a sauté pan over medium heat, add the butter and Champagne; bring to a boil. Lower the heat, and stir continuously until the sauce is reduced.

Add the cream and truffle oil, and bring to a boil. When the sauce begins to thicken, add the lobster and cooked pasta.

Mix together until creamy. Remove from heat and add the cheese, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. Enjoy immediately.

Panettone Trifle

This trifle is as delicious as it is pretty. Easy to make, it's just a matter of preparing the mascarpone cheese and chocolate mixture, and then assembling the trifle layers in serving glasses.

Source: Panettone Trifle, Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients

1 pound mascarpone cheese, at room temperature

8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, melted

½ cup powdered sugar

2 teaspoons espresso powder

¼ cup coffee liqueur

12 ounces panettone, cubed

Chocolate shavings, for garnish

Directions

Using an electric mixer, beat the mascarpone cheese, melted chocolate, powdered sugar, and espresso powder in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy.

Divide half of the panettone cubes among 6 wine glasses or old-fashioned glasses. Sprinkle half of the liqueur over the panettone. Top with half of the mascarpone mixture. Repeat layering with the remaining panettone, liqueur, and mascarpone mixture. Sprinkle the chocolate shavings over the trifles and serve immediately. (The trifles can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Let come to room temperature before serving.)

Baked Sea Bass

This recipe, which I made with Chilean sea bass, was so tasty with a light, flaky texture and buttery flavor. This dish is so easy to prepare and only takes 10-15 minutes in the oven.

Adapted from: Baked Orange Roughy Italian-Style, All Recipes.com

Ingredients

¼ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon salt, or to taste

1 pound Chilean sea bass (or orange roughy) fillets

¼ cup butter, melted

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a medium baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, garlic powder, and salt. Brush both sides of fillets with butter, and dredge in the bread crumb mixture. Arrange fillets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle with parsley.

Bake in preheated oven 10 to 15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Linguine with Red Clam Sauce

I made this dish as part of my holiday dinner spread. This recipe is as tasty as it is easy to make. Everything ends up tossed together in a single pot. Simply delicious!

Source: Linguine with Red Clam Sauce, Bon Appétit, November 2000

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

6 canned anchovy fillets, drained, chopped

3 large garlic cloves, chopped

½ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

2 14 ½-ounce cans Italian-style diced tomatoes

4 6 ½-ounce cans chopped clams

½ cup dry red wine

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 pound linguine, freshly cooked

Chopped fresh parsley

Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté 3 minutes. Add anchovies, garlic and dried red pepper; sauté 2 minutes. Mix in tomatoes with juices, clams with juices, wine and tomato paste. Bring sauce to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

Add linguine to sauce and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to large bowl. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Seafood Risotto

This seafood risotto is flavorful, creamy, and filling! This recipe uses shrimp and scallops but you can substitute your favorite seafood, coarsely chopped into bit-sized pieces. Remember, the key to a creamy risotto is patience and constant stirring. Once you taste it, though, you'll know it's worth the effort.

Source: Seafood Risotto, Bon Appétit, August 1998

Ingredients

2 ½ cups water

2 8-ounce bottles clam juice

6 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup finely chopped shallots

1 ½ cups arborio rice or medium-grain white rice

½ cup dry white wine

1 14 ½-ounce can Italian-style stewed tomatoes

¾ pound uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined, coarsely chopped

¾ pound bay scallops

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions

Combine 2½ cups water and bottled clam juice in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer. Keep warm over low heat.

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots; sauté until light golden, about 4 minutes. Add rice; sauté 2 minutes. Add wine; stir until liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add stewed tomatoes; cook until liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes.

Add 1 cup clam juice mixture to rice. Simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring often. Continue adding clam juice mixture by ½ cupfuls until rice is tender but still slightly firm in center and mixture is creamy, simmering until liquid is absorbed before each addition and stirring often, about 25 minutes. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, scallops and garlic and sauté until shrimp and scallops are opaque in center, about 6 minutes. Mix seafood into rice. Cook 3 minutes longer. Remove risotto from heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to serving bowl. Stir in chopped parsley and serve.