April 22, 2023

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Ingredients

4 tbsp unsalted butter

⅓ cup wing hot sauce (we love Frank’s RedHot)

⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese, plus more for serving

1 pinch Kosher salt and black pepper

⅓ cup panko bread crumbs

½ cup celery rib, chopped

½ cup finely chopped carrot

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 shallot, minced

1 large egg

1 lb ground chicken

extra virgin olive oil

sliced green onion

Italian parsley

Directions

Preheat oven to 425º. Heat the butter, hot sauce, blue cheese, salt and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine well, cook about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Mix together bread crumbs, salt, celery, carrots, garlic, egg, and shallots in a bowl. Add the chicken and half of the hot sauce mixture. Mix until just combined, do not over mix.

Coat a 10 inch cast-iron skillet with olive oil, using a paper towel or brush. Form 1 inch meatballs and place in the prepared skillet in a single layer. Drizzle with some more olive oil. Bake until the meatballs are lightly golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes.

Warm the rest of the sauce and drizzle over meatballs. Top with green onions, parsley and some blue cheese. Serve on toothpicks or small cocktail forks.

~ Marla Meridith

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June 8, 2021

Recipe: Grilled Salmon with Couscous in Foil Packets

Ingredients

2 cups cooked pearl couscous

1 lb boneless salmon filets (skin on or removed)

olive oil

2 Roma tomatoes, sliced

1 large zucchini, sliced

1 yellow summer squash. sliced

1 red onion, sliced

¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced

¾ cup sliced Kalamata olives

2 lemons, sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

freshly ground pepper

Kosher salt

4 fl oz vegetable broth

½ cup chopped Italian parsley

Directions

Prepare couscous to package directions. Pre heat the grill to medium high (400-450 degrees.) If cooking over an open flame, place a grill grate over the fire.

Place a large piece of tin foil on a work surface. Drizzle some olive oil on the bottom.
For each salmon slice, layer on the following (remember to divide all ingredients into four portions): 1/2 cup cooked couscous, one slice salmon, yellow summer squash, zucchini, tomato, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, lemon slices, garlic, sprinkle with salt and pepper & parsley. Drizzle some broth and a little more oil over the top. Fold the foil edges over the salmon making a packet. Leave a little room in the packet for air to circulate.

Place the wrapped salmon over the grill or open flame and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Cooking time depends on the thickness of the salmon and your desired level of doneness. You can test salmon while it’s cooking by opening up the foil, but be careful of the steam! Using a sharp knife peek into the thickest part of the baked salmon. It’s almost done when it’s beginning to flake, but still has a little translucency in the middle. Once your salmon flakes easily with a fork, it’s done. If you like it a bit more on the rare side take it off the grill at the very slightly translucent phase and let it rest off the grill for a few minutes before serving.

You can also bake this in the oven! Simply follow all of the prep work and preheat the oven to 375˚F. Place the wrapped salmon on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is done to your liking. See Step 4 for how to judge doneness.

This salmon can also be enjoyed the day after you cook it. Simply reheat in a lightly oiled skillet or in the microwave.

~ Marla Meridith

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May 28, 2021

Recipe: Blue Corn Pancakes with Vanilla Crema & Raspberry Sauce

Ingredients

Blue Corn Pancakes

1 ½ cups fine-ground blue cornmeal

1 ½ cups boiling water

2 tbsp pure maple syrup

1 ½ cups all-purpose unbleached flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp Kosher salt

¾ tsp baking soda

4 large eggs, beaten

¾ cup whole milk (or unsweetened coconut milk)

½ cup unsalted butter, melted (let cool a bit) plus more for the griddle

Vanilla Crema

1 cup cold heavy whipping cream

¼ cup Mexican crema, sour cream, or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

¼ cup pure maple syrup

½ tsp pure vanilla extract

Berry Sauce

2 cups raspberries (fresh or frozen)

¼ cup granulated sugar, taste

Directions

Combine the blue cornmeal with the boiling water and maple syrup. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk and melted butter. Add the egg mixture and the cornmeal to the flour mixture. Whisk until just combined (there will be some lumps in the batter.)

Melt a pat of butter in a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place 1/3 cup portions of batter onto the hot skillet. Cook until bubbles appear on the tops of the pancakes and the sides look cooked, about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip and continue to cook for about 2 minutes. Continue until the batter is used up. Pancakes can be kept warm in a 200˚F oven up to 30 minutes. Serve the pancakes with the vanilla cream and raspberry sauce.

Vanilla Crema

Place ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, mix on low speed until the cream starts to thicken then increase speed to medium and whip until soft peaks form 2-3 minutes.

Berry Sauce

Place the berries and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook about 5 minutes and mix with a wooden spoon, the berries will start to release their juices. Add some water to the sauce if needed.

~ Marla Meridith

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March 30, 2021

Recipe: Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts

Ingredients

Pastry Dough

2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

½ tsp Kosher salt

1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

½ cup ice water

Strawberry Filling

1 lb fresh strawberries, stems removed and quartered

¾ cup granulated sugar

2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 pinch Kosher salt

For Assembly

1 large egg

1 tbsp milk

¼ tsp Kosher salt

1 tbsp strawberry filling for each pop tart

Vanilla Frosting

1 cup powdered sugar

34 tbsp milk

½ tsp pure vanilla extract

food coloring and sprinkles if desired

Directions

Pastry Dough

Place the flour salt and salt in the bowl of a food processor, pulse briefly to combine. Add the butter and water. Pulse until just combined. At this point you should be able to pinch the dough together with your fingers. If it’s too crumbly add the tiniest bits of ice water until the dough just sticks together. Transfer the dough to a large, clean work area. Divide dough into two portions and press into flat disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour or up to two days.

Strawberry Filling

In a medium saucepan combine the strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Heat over medium high heat, stirring constantly with a spatula or wooden spoon until the strawberries start to sizzle. Reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook and mix for 10-15 minutes, until the berries release their juices and become saucy. Transfer the strawberries to a heat proof container and let cool to room temperature. Once cool, place in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Assemble the Pop Tarts

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two sheet trays with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Remove the dough one disk at a time from the fridge. Remove the plastic wrap and let the dough sit out a few minutes on a lightly floured work surface. Roll the dough to 1/8 inch thick. With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, trim the dough to 4 X 2 1/2 inch rectangles. Save any scraps and continue to roll until you don’t have enough dough left to continue. Do the same process with the second disk. You should end up with 22 rectangles.

Make the egg wash: whisk together the egg with the milk and salt.

Spread one tablespoon of the strawberry filling onto the center of eleven rectangles. Brush some egg wash on the edges of the dough. Place the other eleven pieces of dough over the ones with the filling. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal the tarts. Using a paring knife, cut three small slits or “X’s” in the top of each pop tart. This will ensure that the pop tarts don’t explode while baking. Place the filled pop tarts onto the baking sheets with and inch in between each tart.

Brush the egg wash on the tops of each pop tart. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Frosting the Pop Tarts

While the pop tarts are cooling make the frosting. Whisk together the powdered sugar with milk and vanilla. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired. Drizzle the frosting over the pop tarts and add sprinkles while the frosting is still runny. Let the frosting set for a few minutes. Serve at room temperature.
Store at room temperature in an airtight container. Enjoy within 3 days.

~ Marla Meridith

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March 19, 2021

Recipe: Baked Cinnamon Apple French Toast

Ingredients

3 tbsp unsalted butter

3 cups chopped apples (1/2 inch pieces)

2 tbsp light brown sugar

1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon, divided

1 lb brioche or sourdough bread, cut into cubes

8 oz (1 package) full fat cream cheese, cut into cubes

12 large eggs, beaten

1 ½ cups half and half

½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

⅓ cup pure maple syrup

½ cup raisins

2 tbsp pure vanilla extract

½ tsp Kosher salt

½ cup chopped pecans

Directions

Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the apples and cook about 5 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened. Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon. Continue cooking until the sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a bowl to cool.

Butter or spray a 9X13 casserole dish. Place 1/2 of the bread cubes in the bottom of the baking dish in an even layer. Top with 1/2 of the apple mixture and cream cheese cubes. Layer again with the rest of the bread cubes and then the rest of the apple mixture & cream cheese.

In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, half and half, orange juice, maple syrup, raisins, vanilla, rest of the cinnamon and salt. Pour over the apple/bread mixture. Cover the casserole, set in the fridge and let soak for at least 2 hours to overnight.

Remove the casserole from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. Top with the pecans.

Pre-heat the oven to 350˚ F with the rack in the middle. Bake the casserole covered with foil for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is cooked through.

Serve immediately with more maple syrup and whipped cream.

~ Marla Meridith

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February 16, 2021

Recipe: One-Pot Beefy Lasagna Soup

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil

1 lb lean ground beef

1 large yellow onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

5 cups (40 oz) chicken broth

1 can (14.5 oz) petit diced tomatoes

1 can (14.5 oz) can crushed tomatoes

½ cup (4 oz) dry white wine

2 tbsp tomato paste

¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

1 tbsp chopped fresh basil

¾ tsp dried oregano

10 dry lasagna noodles, broken into pieces

salt and pepper to taste

8 oz whole milk ricotta cheese

½ cup finely shredded parmesan cheese

extra chopped fresh parsley for serving

Directions

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch Oven or soup pot. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and crumble in the ground beef, stir occasionally. Cook for 7-10 minutes or until the meat is browned. Season with some salt & pepper. Mix in the garlic.

Add the chicken broth, diced & crushed tomatoes, puree, wine and herbs. Bring to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles. Reduce heat to a simmer and place the lid on. Continue to cook for about 20 minutes or until the noodles are cooked to your liking.

While the soup is cooking combine the ricotta and parmesan. Slice the mozzarella.

Spoon portions of soup into oven safe bowls. Top with a dollop of the ricotta mixture and mozzarella. Broil for 3 minutes or until browned to your liking. Serve hot, topped with parsley and basil.

~ Marla Meridith

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January 10, 2021

Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

4 tbsp olive oil

1 (1 1/2 cups) yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

¾ cup celery, chopped

¾ cup carrots, chopped

1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

6 cups vegetable broth

½ cup dry white wine

2 tbsp soy sauce or gluten free tamari

1 ½ lbs fresh mushrooms, sliced. Mix of Cremini and white button mushrooms.

½ lb Shitake mushrooms, sliced

1 (13.5 ounce can) full fat coconut milk

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tbsp sweet paprika

ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Heat the oil in a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions and cook 3 minutes. Add the garlic, cook another 2 minutes. Mix in the celery and carrots. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring so the veggies don’t stick to the pot.

Stir in the broth, wine, lemon juice, soy sauce. Add the mushrooms. Bring to a boil then a simmer. Mix in the coconut milk. Continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Season to taste with black pepper.

Serve hot topped with some fresh chopped parsley.

~ Marla Meridith

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December 22, 2020

Recipe: Snow Queen Cocktail

Ingredients

3 fl oz white chocolate liqueur

2 fl oz vodka

1 fl oz peppermint schnapps, plus extra for rim of glass

2 tbsp heavy cream

⅓ cup white, red or green sanding sugar for rim

Directions

Using some peppermint schnapps, wet the rim of a martini or coupe glass. Dip in sanding sugar until rim is coated.

In a cocktail shaker, combine white chocolate liqueur with vodka, schnapps and heavy cream.

Fill shaker with ice and shake well.

Strain mixture into the prepared glass and serve.

~ Marla Meridith

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December 16, 2020

Cranberry Hand Pies

Ingredients

For the Pastry

2 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tbsp granulated sugar

½ tsp salt

20 tbsp cold unsalted butter, preferably a high-fat, European-style butter, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

4-6 tbsp ice cold water

Filling and Assembly

1 lb fresh cranberries

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

2 tbsp orange juice

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

½ tsp corn starch or instant tapioca

1 egg, beaten

coarse sanding sugar for topping

Directions

For the Crust

Pie crust: In a food processor, briefly pulse together the flour, sugar and salt. Add the butter and pulse until mixture forms chickpea-size pieces (3 to 5 one-second pulses). Be sure the butter is cold at this step. Add ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse until mixture is just moist enough to hold together. You should be able to pinch it & it stays together.

Form dough into two balls, wrap with plastic and flatten into disks. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to 24 hours before rolling out and baking.

For the filling

Combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, vanilla and starch in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a simmer. Cook another 6 minutes, some cranberries will burst and mixture will start to thicken. Transfer the cranberries to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Sauce will thicken as it cools. DO AHEAD: You can make this filling up to 5 days ahead of when you want to use it.

Assembly

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit with the racks in the middle. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Remove the dough from the refrigerator & let it sit out a few minutes until just pliable. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk into 1/8 inch thickness. Punch out heart or round shapes I used a 4 inch heart cookie cutter.

Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of the cranberry mixture onto the middle of a dough heart. Wet the rim of the disk with some egg wash Place another heart on top. Crimp the edges with a fork or your fingers. Continue with the rest of the dough and filling. Place shapes on 2 cookie sheets. Refrigerate pies for 45 minutes.
You will likely have filling left over, it’s great on pancakes or mixed into oatmeal.

Remove pastry With a sharp knife, make a X on the top to vent. Brush on egg wash and dust with some sugar.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the edges are golden brown. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

~ Marla Meridith

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November 30, 2020

Recipe: Vegan Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

3 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, chopped

¼ cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped yellow onion

1 cup chopped zucchini

1 cup chopped sweet potato

2 cups chopped brussels sprouts

1 14 ounce can petite diced tomatoes

6 cups low sodium vegetable broth

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 15 ounce can Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 tbsp dry white wine

1 tbsp chopped italian parsley

2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary

7 oz orzo or small pasta, cooked to package directions

Directions

Cook pasta to package directions, drain and set aside.

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, celery, carrots, zucchini, sweet potato and Brussels sprouts. Cook 6-8 minutes (until fragrant and softened) stirring occasionally so veggies don’t stick to the pot.

Add in the broth, diced tomatoes, wine and vinegar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. In the last few minutes stir in the beans, rosemary and parsley.

Place some pasta in each bowl and ladle soup into bowls.

~ Marla Meridith

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November 6, 2020

Skillet Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Walnut Crumble

Ingredients

For the Cake

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup light brown sugar

¾ cup full fat sour cream

2 large eggs

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

For the crumble

½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour

½ cup light brown sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

4 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

1 pinch salt

Directions

For the coffee cake

Pre heat oven to 350˚ Fahrenheit. Grease a 10 inch cast iron skillet with butter or vegetable oil.

Using a stand mixer and the paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the sour cream, eggs one at a time and vanilla.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and the salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in 3 additions. Combine well but don’t over-mix.

Spread 1/2 of the batter into the prepared pan, smooth with a knife or offset spatula. Sprinkle 1/2 of the crumble onto the batter. Spread and smooth the rest of the batter over the crumble. Top with the rest of the crumble, pressing in very gently.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a wooden skewer comes out virtually crumb free.

For the crumble

Whisk together the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Add in the butter and mix with clean hands or a pastry cutter. The crumble should stick together and the pieces of butter should be no larger than peas.

~ Marla Meridith

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October 20, 2020

Recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Veggies with Feta

Ingredients

2 broccoli crowns, sliced into florets

1 pt cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

½ red onion, sliced

½ zucchini, sliced into half moons

½ lemon, cut into slices

1 8 ounce block of feta cheese

6 mini bell peppers, sliced in half

¼ cup olive oil

sea salt, pepper and dried oregano

Directions

Pre heat oven to 400˚ Fahrenheit.

Slice all the veggies, lemon and feta. Place on an unlined sheet pan in a single layer.

Bake for 30 minutes. Serve with quinoa, rice or pasta.

~ Marla Meridith

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