All Posts By: NANCY DeLUCIA REAL

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When these scones will come out of the oven, they won’t last very long. With a mere 10 minutes of prepping and 15 minutes of baking, you’ll come out looking like a pro!

Prep time: 10 minutes
Bake time: 12 to 15 minutes
Makes: 8 to 10 scones

Ingredients:
2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups uncooked, old-fashioned, whole oats
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cream of tartar (can be substituted with 1 teaspoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup unbleached, granulated sugar
1/3 cup milk (whole or low-fat)
1 large egg
1/2 cup butter, melted (measure first, then melt in saucepot on low heat or in microwave)
-OR-
1/2 cup safflower or sunflower oil
1/2 cup of raisins, currants or chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. In a one-quart mixing bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking powder, cream of tartar and salt; set aside.

3. In a four-quart mixing bowl, mix together the sugar, milk and egg.

4. On low speed, stir in the melted butter or the oil.

5. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the raisins, currants or chocolate chips, followed by the flour mixture.

6. Mix until a dough forms.

7. Gather the dough into a ball and transfer it to the center of a parchment-lined 18 X 12-inch baking sheet.

8. Pat down the dough to form an 8-inch circle.

9. Using a sharp knife, cut into 8 to 10 wedges.

10. Place baking sheet on a rack positioned in center of oven and bake 12 minutes.

11. After 12 minutes, if top of scones is soft, bake for an additional 3 minutes or until edges and bottoms are light golden brown.

12. Serve warm with your favorite fruit preserves and/or honey.
Text & Photograph ©2022 Nancy DeLucia Real

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Macha Salsa or Salsa Macha has its origins in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. It is a crunchy, nutty chile oil made with a variety of dried chiles, nuts, garlic, fried in oil and chopped. You can tweak it to your taste.

Spice up the holidays with this exquisite salsa that is served as a condiment. Spoon it over meats, fish, chicken, veggies, frittatas. I’ve been known to eat it by the spoonfuls.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Inactive prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: About 1-1/2 cups

Ingredients:
2 guajillo peppers (dried)
3 ancho peppers  (dried)
3 to 4 dried chile de arbol peppers (use 3 if you want a milder salsa)
1/4 cup unsalted, roasted peanuts
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1-1/2 cups high-quality vegetable oil (preferably, organic canals, sunflower or safflower oil)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Salt, to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon; taste and adjust level when salsa is finished)

Directions:
1. Remove seeds and stems from the guajillo, ancho peppers and chiles de arbol.

2. Using shears, cut them into small bits (1/4-inch pieces); set aside.

3. Place the peanuts, garlic and the oil in a 6 to 8-quart saucepot (this will prevent splatters). Alternatively, use a 12-inch skillet.

4. Heat the oil, peanuts and garlic to medium-high.

5. Fry the ingredients until garlic is light brown (not dark brown).

6. Immediately remove saucepot or skillet from heat; stir in the dried pepper pieces.

7. Let the mixture cool for 8 to 10 minutes.

8. After 8 to 10 minutes, stir in the vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Taste and adjust salt level, if needed.

9. Pour the mixture into a glass blender or glass food processor. DO NOT USE PLASTIC AS IT WILL PERMANENTLY STAIN.

10. Pulse-blend the mixture to achieve a crunchy, crumbly salsa – DO NOT OVERPROCESS; DO NOT PUREE.

11. Pour the salsa into a GLASS JAR WITH A COVER (mason jars work well). Tightly seal and refrigerate the salsa up to 6 weeks.
Text & Photograph ©2021 Nancy DeLucia Real

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For Thanksgiving dinner, some guests may want a no-carbs, no-gluten, no-sugar salad or side . Here’s a delicious salad that’s easy to make because it can be prepared the morning of …. Happy Thanksgiving!

Prep time: 15 to 20 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

6 cups fresh, mixed greens (Romaine, butter, arugula, spinach), washed & spun-dry
3 Persian cucumbers, peeled and thinly-sliced
1 large carrot, peeled & thinly-sliced
4 green onions, tips & dark green stems discarded, sliced in 1/4-inch pieces
Juice of 2 limes or lemons
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tablespoon white Balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 of a red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (for garnish)

Directions:
1. Place the mixed greens, cucumbers, carrots & green onions in a serving bowl; set aside, covered, in refrigerator until ready to serve.

2. In a food processor, combine the lime or lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic clove, vinegar and the oil.

3. Process the mixture until vinaigrette is uniform.

4. Transfer vinaigrette to a glass jar & tightly cover. Refrigerate vinaigrette until ready to serve the salad.

4. At serving time, pour the vinaigrette over prepared salad ingredients; garnish with red bell pepper pieces. Toss & serve immediately.
Text & Photograph ©2021 Nancy DeLucia Real

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Kids of all ages will love this orange-colored Halloween meal – Spook Pasta! Made with fresh pumpkin, it’s healthy, fast and fun!

Prep time: 15 to 20 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

6 cups peeled, cubed pumpkin, boiled & drained (reserve 1-1/2 cups of the cooking liquid)
1 cube vegetarian or chicken bouillon
1 pound pasta (short variety)
1 teaspoon salt
grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese (optional, for garnish)

Directions:
1. Place cooked and cooled pumpkin cubes into a food processor or blender; puree until smooth.

2. Transfer the pureed pumpkin to a 2 to 3-quart saucepot; stir in 3/4 cup of the reserved cooking liquid.

3. Bring the pumpkin sauce to a boil; add the bouillon cube and stir.

4. Cook on low heat, stirring often, for about 4-5 minutes. Taste and add a little salt, if needed.

5. Cover the pumpkin sauce and set aside on a cool burner.

6. Meanwhile, bring a 4-quart saucepot of water to a boil.

7. Add the pasta and 1 teaspoon salt; cook 8 to 10 minutes or until pasta is “al dente” (crunchy-tender).

8. In the meantime, bring the pumpkin sauce to a boil. If it is too thick, add a little more cooking liquid.

9. Drain the pasta and return it to the saucepot.

10. Add 2 to 3 ladles of the pumpkin sauce to the pasta; stir to heat evenly over medium heat.

11. Add more pumpkin sauce, to taste.

12. Serve the Spook Pasta immediately; garnish with cheese.
Text & Photograph ©2021 Nancy DeLucia Real

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Make these easy and delicious pickled onions for grilled meats, poultry and seafood all summer. Once made, the onions keep for up to two weeks (refrigerated). Enjoy!

Prep time: 5 – 10 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

1 large red onion, peeled & thinly sliced
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup white Balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1-1/2 tablespoons honey
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Directions:

1. Place onions (tightly-packed) in a one-pint mason jar or other glass jar.

2. In a 4-cup saucepot, combine the water, vinegars, nectar, honey, salt and chili flakes.

3. Bring mixture to a simmering boil.

4. Place jar with onions in a sink to avoid splatters.

5. Pour the pickling liquid over the onions; let stand until the jar is warm to the touch.

6. Sprinkle the oregano over top of onions.

7. Cover the jar with a tightly fitted lid and refrigerate for at least one hour.

8. Serve cold as a side or garnish to meats, poultry and seafood. Alternatively, add the pickled onions to meat, vegetarian or vegan tacos and salads.

9. Pickled Red Onions will keep, refrigerated, up to one week.
Text & Photograph ©2021 Nancy DeLucia Real