All Posts By: NANCY DeLUCIA REAL

Don’t know what new side to come up with on turkey day?

This year, you can pair Grilled Zucchini, Yellow Squash & Fennel with turkey or ham. And – without carbs you can enjoy a second or third serving. Just make sure to indulge in more wine or bubbly!

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Prep time: 20 to 25 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:
2 pounds assorted zucchini or yellow squash, washed & dried
1 fennel bulb, top stems and bottom trimmed and discarded
1/3 cup olive oil
Salt and ground black pepper
Rosemary sprigs and fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Preparing the Vegetables:
1. Make sure the zucchini, yellow squash and fennel are fresh and firm, with no marks or dents. They should look like this:

2. Then, working on a cutting board, trim tops and bottoms of zucchini and/or yellow squash.

3. Cut the zucchini and/or yellow squash into 1/4-inch thick rings or circles; set aside.

4. Cut the fennel bulb into 1/4-inch thick slices (vertically); set aside.

5. Line an 18 X 12-inch baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

6. Using a basting brush, lightly oil the lined baking sheet.

7. Place the cut vegetables in rows on the sheet (see photograph below):

8. Lightly brush the zucchini/squash and fennel slices with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and ground black pepper.

Griling the Vegetables:
1. Set the baking sheet on an oven rack set 6 to 7 inches below the top “broiler” element of oven.

2. Broil or grill the vegetables for about 7 to 9 minutes on one side or until they are golden brown and look grilled.

3. When vegetables look grilled, transfer the baking sheet to a counter or a trivet.

4. Using tongs, carefully turn over the vegetable slices; lightly brush the vegetables with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and ground black pepper.

5. Return the baking sheet with vegetables to top oven rack; broil the vegetables for 7 to 9 minutes or until they turn golden brown and look grilled.

6. When vegetables are done, transfer the baking sheet to a counter or trivet. Transfer the vegetables to an ovenproof serving platter (arrange them decoratively).

7. Garnish the vegetables with rosemary and fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately.

8. Alternatively, this dish can be prepared a few hours in advance of a meal. If making this ahead: when vegetables are done, transfer them to an ovenproof serving platter without the rosemary and mint sprig garnish.

9. About 30 minutes before serving dinner, cover the vegetables with aluminum foil; warm in a preheated 350°F oven for about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.
Text & Photographs ©2016 Nancy DeLucia Real

Every year in central and southern Mexico, the Day of the Dead is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. Although this holiday coincides with the Roman Catholic Church’s All Souls Day and All Saints Day, indigenous cultures have fused the Church’s celebration with the ancient custom of honoring their departed ones.

Memorial altars are erected with photographs of the dead and what used to be their favorite foods. Local bakeries sell Pan de Muertos or Day of the Dead Bread. This sweet bread is made with eggs, anise seeds, flour, sugar and yeast. The loaf is usually round, adorned with dough that is shaped to resemble bones. Although the ingredients are basic, the flavors and texture of this bread literally melt in your mouth!

Ingredients for Bread:
3/4 cup milk (low fat or whole milk)
1/4 cup water
1 package active-dry yeast (Fleischmann’s Rapid Rise Instant Yeast®
2 large eggs
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 tablespoons anise seeds
3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose, unbleached flour.

Ingredients for Glaze:
3 tablespoons freshly-squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Prepare the Yeast:
1. In a small saucepot, combine the milk and water; heat until mixture is lukewarm.

2. Place the yeast and lukewarm liquid in a metal bowl or a small, separate metal saucepot; cover and set aside (on a wood or plastic surface) for 13 minutes.

Mix the Dough:
1. After 13 minutes, the yeast mixture will look puffy – transfer it to a 2-quart mixing bowl or a stand mixer fitted with a bowl.

2. Stir in the eggs, butter, sugar, vanilla, salt and anise seeds. Beat on low until mixture is barely uniform.

3. With electric beaters on low, stir in 1 cup flour at a time, until a sticky dough has formed.

4. At this point, clean off the beaters. Using a wooden spoon, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup flour until the dough amalgamates and becomes a little firmer (not hard).

5. Flour your hands and the dough (lightly).

6. Transfer dough onto a lightly-floured board. Knead dough until it is smooth and elastic.

Set Dough to Rise:
1. Oil a clean, 1-1/2 to 2-cup mixing bowl with vegetable oil.

2. Transfer dough to the oiled bowl; cover with aluminum foil and set dough to rise on a wood surface or in a cold oven with door closed. Let dough rise for 20 minutes.

3. After 20 minutes, transfer dough to a lightly-floured surface and punch it down.

4. Remove a 5-inch piece of dough from the dough ball.

5. Shape the largest dough ball into a flat round form and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet measuring 16 inches by 11 inches.

6. Take the smaller dough ball and pull off 4 to 5 walnut-sized pieces. Roll each piece out to about 4 to 5 inches.

7. Place one rolled dough piece going from the top center and down the sides of dough round on parchment-lined baking sheet.

8. Add the remaining rolled dough pieces in a similar way and evenly spaced all around the dough round.

9. Shape a round knob on top center of the dough round. The rolled dough pieces will look like long bones on the bread.

10. Set dough to rise for 30 minutes on a wood surface or cold oven with door closed.

Bake the Bread:
1. After 30 minutes, transfer the baking sheet with dough to a wood surface; set aside while preheating oven.

2. Preheat oven to 375°F.

3. When oven is preheated, place the baking sheet with risen dough on a rack positioned in center of oven.

4. Bake the bread for 10 minutes.

5. After 10 minutes, lower oven temperature to 350°F; bake the bread for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until it looks golden brown. To test doneness: insert a pointed knife in center of bread. If knife comes out clean, the bread is done. If not, bake for an additional 5 minutes and test once more.

6. Transfer baking sheet with bread to a counter to cool.

Make the Glaze:
1. When bread is completely cool, place 1/4 cup sugar and the orange juice in a small saucepot and heat until the sugar melts.

2. Let the orange juice-sugar glaze cool completely.

3. Using a basting brush, glaze the bread. Sprinkle the bread with remaining sugar.

Enjoy Day of the Dead Bread with the best Mexican coffee on the market -Jaguar Forest® Organic Coffee, sold at Erewhon supermarkets in Los Angeles, Venice and Calbasas, California; and also at Vicente Foods, Los Angeles; Rainbow Acres, Culver City and Marina del Rey, California.

Jaguar Forest® Organic Coffee can also be found online: http://jaguarforest.com

Text and Day of the Dead Photograph ©2016 Nancy DeLucia Real
Jaguar Forest® Coffee Photograph ©2016 Jaguar Forest® Coffee Company

This salsa is made with tomatillos and guaje seeds. Both are used in the traditional cuisine of Mexico.

The gauge pods are about one foot in length and thin and flat. Guaje pods have a tough, outer skin which is green and red in color and slightly translucent. This allows seeds to look like spots along the length of the pod. The seeds are small, flat and light green with a sharp flavor. They are high in protein.

Guaje seeds are incorporated in this delicious green salsa from the city of Puebla. Enjoy the salsa with fish, meat or chicken or as a dressing for a green salad.

Prep time: 20 to 25 minutes (toasting the seeds & boiling the tomatillos)
Makes: 2 to 2-1/2 cups salsa

Ingredients:
8 to 9 tomatillos, skin removed and discarded and fruit rinsed in water
2 dried red chiles or 1 Serrano chile
8 to 10 guaje pods (found in Latin American supermarkets)
1 whole garlic clove, peeled
2/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Dash cumin
Salt, to taste

Directions:
1. Place tomatillos and chile(s) in a 3-quart saucepot. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil – tomatillos will become tender after a 5 to 7-minute boil.

2. Meanwhile, using a sharp, pointed knife, split the gauge pod skins at the top. Open the pod skins lengthwise and remove the guaje seeds. Set them aside in a small bowl.

3. Transfer seeds to a nonstick skillet set on medium-high heat.

4. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, toss the seeds as they roast. As they begin to “pop”, immediately set heat on low and continue toasting until they are light golden brown.

5. Transfer seeds to a bowl; set aside to cool while tomatillos are cooking.

6. If tomatillos are tender when pierced with a fork, they are done. Drain tomatillos and chile(s) over a sink in a colander, reserving 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid.

7. Let tomatillos and chile(s) cool for about 5 minutes.

8. After tomatillos and chile(s) have cooled, transfer them to a blender with remaining ingredients except for the seeds.

9. Puree the salsa and taste it. If needed, add a dash more salt.

10. Pour the green salsa into a serving bowl and top it with the toasted guaje seeds.

11. Serve immediately. Alternatively, cover the salsa with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator up to 1 day (after 2 days, the salsa’s flavors will become tart and acidy).

Note: You can serve Green Salsa with Guajes as a salad dressing – this is how I like it!

Text and Photographs ©2016 Nancy DeLucia Real

This delicious spice cake with melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese frosting is a perfect crowd pleaser for Labor Day Weekend! Celebrate, enjoy and stay safe!

Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 25 to 35 minutes
Making & Frosting Cake: 15 to 20 minutes
Serves: 12 to 15

Ingredients for the Cake:
2-1/4 cups all-purpose, unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
4 large eggs
1-1/2 cups light brown sugar (slightly packed)
3/4 cup safflower or sunflower oil (other vegetable oil can be used as well)
3/4 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 cup whole or low-fat milk

Preparing & Baking the Cake:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter or oil a 13 X 9-inch rectangular cake pan; lightly dust cake pan with flour. Shake off excess flour and set prepared cake pan aside.

2. In a 1-quart mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and spices and set aside.

3. In a 3-quart mixing bowl (using a hand mixer) or in a stand mixer bowl, combine the eggs, brown sugar, oil, applesauce, vanilla and walnuts (walnuts are optional).

4. Mix these ingredients on high speed until they are combined and uniform.

5. Gradually (a little at a time) add about 1/2 cup dry ingredients at a time, mixing until batter is uniform.

6. Add 1/3 cup of milk and mix until batter is uniform.

7. Repeat the gradual addition of dry and wet ingredients until finished and batter is smooth.

8. Pour batter into prepared cake pan; set cake pan on a rack positioned in center of oven.

9. Bake the cake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes.

10. After 25 to 30 minutes, insert a pointed knife into center of cake. If the knife comes out clean, the cake is done. If there is batter around knife, bake the cake for an additional 5 minutes.

11. After 5 minutes, insert knife again. If needed, bake cake for another 5 minutes. If cake is done, it to a counter. Set cake in pan aside to cool (do not remove hot cake from pan). Meanwhile, prepare the frosting.

Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 tablespoon whole or low-fat milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-1/2 to 4 cups powdered sugar
*This frosting can be used on a 13 X 9-inch rectangular cake or on two 8 or 9-inch cake rounds.

Directions for the Frosting:
1. In a 2-quart bowl and using a hand mixer, or in a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla on high speed.

2. Gradually add (a little at a time) 1 cup powdered sugar at a time on low speed until you have used 3-1/2 cups.

3. Mix until frosting is smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too runny or thin, add the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar.

Frosting the Cake:
1. When cake is completely cool, loosen sides with a knife. Gently invert cake onto a serving platter.

2. To keep platter “clean” when frosting cake, gently insert 3-inch strips of aluminum foil between cake bottom and platter.

3. Mound all the frosting on top center of cake.

4. Using a frosting knife, gently spread frosting on cake beginning in center top and then to the cake sides.

5. When finished frosting cake, gently remove aluminum foil strips and discard them.

6. Garnish cake with ground cinnamon over its top and chopped or whole cinnamon sticks around platter.

7. When ready to serve, cut the cake in 4-inch square pieces and set each piece on individual plates.
Text and Photograph ©2016 Nancy DeLucia Real

On weekends, I like to go back to my southern Italian roots. For example, today I was craving a good dish of pasta with traditional tomato sauce and meatballs.

Yes, you have to make the tomato sauce from scratch, prepare the meatballs separately and then combine the two together. But no worries – the recipe is fast, neat and healthy. I broil the meatballs instead of frying them.

The best part is that leftover meatballs and sauce keep up to 5 days, refrigerated. Buon Appetito!

Tomato Sauce Prep time: 20 minutes (while meatballs are broiling)
Meatball Prep time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

Tomato Sauce Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium brown or white onion, peeled and finely chopped
One 28-ounce can Muir Glen Organic® Whole Peeled Tomatoes
Dash freshly-grated nutmeg
2 bay leaves (optional)
Salt, to taste (start with 1 teaspoon)

Directions for Tomato Sauce:
1. In a 4-quart saucepot, heat the oil. When oil is hot but does not smoke, add the chopped onion.

2. Stir-fry the onion on medium-high heat for about 2 to 3 minutes or until onion is translucent.

3. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée the tomatoes.

4. When onion is translucent, stir in the puréed tomatoes.

5. Add the nutmeg (just a dash), the bay leaves and 1 teaspoon salt.

6. Bring the tomato sauce to a boil.

7. When tomato sauce boils, immediately set heat on medium-low and cook/simmer for approximately 15 minutes. During this time, you can start the meatballs (see below).

8. As the sauce cooks, stir occasionally.

9. After 15 minutes, taste the sauce. It should no longer taste raw. Adjust salt level, if needed.

Meatball Ingredients:
1 to 1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef or dark ground turkey (organic, preferred)
1 small brown or white onion, finely chopped in a food processor
1/3 cup finely chopped, fresh Italian parsley leaves
1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
Dash ground black pepper
Dash freshly-ground nutmeg (a tiny amount)
1 to 2 large eggs, beaten

Meatball Directions:
1. Using plastic cooks’ gloves or your bare hands, in a 5 to 6-quart glass or porcelain bowl, mix together all ingredients.

2. Set meat mixture aside and wash your hands very well (if you do not use gloves).

3. Prepare an 18 X 12-inch baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil. Oil the foil with a basting brush or with your hand. Set baking sheet aside.

4. Set a 2-cup bowl of cold water on counter. Dip your hands in the water so they are wet (this will prevent the meat from sticking to your hands).

5. Grab enough meat mixture to form a 2-1/2-inch ball and set it on oiled, lined baking sheet.

6. Repeat shaping the meatballs, wetting your hands in between every 2 to 3 meatballs. Continue this procedure until you have set all meatballs on baking sheet, spaced 1 inch apart.

Broil the Meatballs & Add them to Tomato Sauce:
1. Set the top oven element to “broil” – make sure the top oven rack is set 6 to 7 inches below the broiling element.

2. Place the baking sheet with meatballs on the oven rack; broil the meatballs for approximately 8 to 9 minutes or until they look golden brown.

3. When meatballs have turned golden brown, using tongs, turn them over and broil the other side for 8 to 9 minutes.

4. When the meatballs have turned golden brown, take one at a time with tongs and gently drop it in simmering tomato sauce.

5. At this point, simmer the sauce with meatballs for an additional 10 minutes.

Ingredients for the Pappardelle:
1 pound pappardelle or other pasta variety
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
2/3 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese (garnish)

Directions for Pappardalle:
1. Bring a 6-quart sauce pot of water to a boil.

2. When water boils, add the pappardelle and salt to the water.

3. Cook pappardelle for 9 to 10 minutes or until it is “al dente” (crunchy-tender).

4. Drain the pappardelle in a colander.

5. Return the pappardelle to the sauce pot and add 3 to 4 ladles of tomato sauce. Stir with tongs.

6. Divide the pappardelle among 4 to 6 pasta bowls or dinner plates.

7. Add 1 or 2 meatballs to each serving.

8. Serve immediately and ask guests to add a sprinkle of cheese, if desired.

Wine Pairing: Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon (reds) or chilled Chardonnay (white)
Text and Photograph ©2016 Nancy DeLucia Real