Category:  Vegetables

How do you prepare Brussel sprouts? Do you boil or steam them? I sauté Brussel Sprouts with a splash of Whisky or wine. As they cook, the alcohol reduction makes this simple veggie sweet – and happy! 

Enjoy these Drunken Brussel Sprouts as a side dish for your Thanksgiving turkey. You’ll get great reviews on this recipe.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6 (as a side dish)

Ingredients:
1/3 cup olive oil
1 to 1-1/2 pounds fresh Brussel sprouts (15 to 18 count)
1/2 cup chopped white or brown onion
1/2 cup Whisky or dry white wine
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

1. Working over a sink, trim and discard the stubs from the Brussel sprouts. Remove outer leaves, cut the sprouts in half lengthwise. As you cut the sprouts, place them in a bowl with cold water.

2. Drain the Brussel sprouts and pat them dry with paper towels; set aside in a bowl.

3. Heat the oil in a 10 to 12-inch skillet. Add the Brussel sprouts and stir fry on medium high heat for about 2 minutes.

4. Stir in the chopped onion and stir fry 2 minutes or until onion is clear.

5. Add Whisky or wine, salt and pepper to the Brussel sprouts in skillet. 

6. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until the sprouts are crunchy-tender. Cook 1 to 2 minutes longer for a softer consistency.

Serve as a side dish to poultry, meat or fish.

Text and Photograph ©2012 Nancy DeLucia Real

I’ll never forget the first time I tasted fresh pumpkin (without it being so over processed). My experience took place in a fabulous country: Mexico. As I looked inside my clay bowl, those chunks of pumpkin didn’t look that appealing.

However, Mexicans have a way of transforming boring, bland pumpkin into a treat by cooking it in  sugar syrup made with water and piloncillo (this is natural brown cane sugar). And, those exotic cinnamon sticks are added to the boil.

Yup! Just three ingredients are needed here to satisfy my big sweet tooth!

Prep time: 40 to 50 minutes
Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients:
3 cups cold water
2 piloncillo cones* (Mexican natural brown cane sugar)
2 cinnamon sticks, cut in half
Dash ground cinnamon
One 2-pound fresh pumpkin

Make the sugar syrup:

1. In a 2-quart sauce pot, combine the water, piloncillo cones, cinnamon sticks and dash ground cinnamon

2. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook for about 5 to 8 minutes or until the sugar melts down. Set aside, uncovered, to cool.

3. Meanwhile, cut the pumpkin in fourths. Remove and discard the stem, seeds and fibers. Peel the pumpkin (this is optional, since it is left unpeeled when this recipe is prepared in Mexico).

4. Cut pumpkin into 3-inch chunks; transfer pumpkin chunks to a 6 to 8-quart saucepot.

5. Pour the sugar syrup over the pumpkin in sauce pot. Cover and bring to a boil.

6. Cook on medium-high heat for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, or until the pumpkin is fork-tender.

7. Cool and serve Mexican Pumpkin Treat warm or,  alternatively, refrigerate a day ahead and serve cold.

*Piloncillo is hardened, natural brown sugar shaped in cones. The cones measure about 5 inches and can be found in Latin American supermarkets or grocery stores.

Text and Photograph ©2012 Nancy DeLucia Real

Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes®

In The Kitchen Buzzz’s kitchens, we use Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes® because of their natural, sweet flavor, minus the salty, acidy aftertaste.

Active prep time: 20 minutes
Inactive prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients:
2 large eggplants, rinsed and dried
2 tablespoons salt (to remove bitter juices of eggplant)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 large red bell pepper, stem removed, seeds discarded and flesh cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 celery stalks, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium brown or white onion, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
One 15-ounce can Muir Glen Organic Crushed Tomatoes®, blended, strained (pulp discarded and tomato juice reserved)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (brown variety)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup black or green, pitted olives, rinsed, drained and sliced
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

1. Using a knife and working on a cutting board, trim and discard the eggplant tips.

2. Cut the eggplant into 3/4-inch slices. Cut slices into 3/4-inch pieces.

3. Place eggplant in a colander set over a large bowl. Sprinkle the eggplant with 2 tablespoons salt. Using hands, toss the eggplant and salt; set aside 20 minutes for bitter juices to drain).

4. After 20 minutes, and using plastic gloves, place about 2/3 cup eggplant pieces in between hands. Press hands together over sink, allowing eggplant juices to escape. Set the pressed eggplant aside in a large bowl.

5. Meanwhile, in an 8-quart stockpot, heat the oil on medium-high setting. Stir in the eggplant. With a wooden spoon, sauté eggplant on high setting, stirring occasionally, for 6 to 8 minutes or until it is light golden brown. If high heat browns eggplant too quickly, lower it to medium-high.

6. Stir in the bell pepper, celery and onion pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, on medium-high setting for 3 to 4 minutes or until onion is translucent.

7. Add the reserved tomato juice, Muir Glen Organic Crushed Tomatoes®, balsamic vinegar and sugar; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, on medium-high setting.

8. After 5 minutes, stir in the capers and olive slices; cook an additional 2 minutes. 

9. After 2 minutes, taste the caponata and, if needed, adjust salt level. Stir in the black pepper.

Enjoy Eggplant Caponata as an appetizer with fresh Italian bread or toasts.

To serve with Italian toasts, called “bruschette” – arrange Eggplant Caponata atop bruschette and serve immediately.

Red wine pairing: Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Text and Photographs ©2012 Nancy DeLucia Real.

Since moving back to the United States from Italy, I often remember all the delicious vegetable recipes my Nonna Annunziata taught me to make. Believe it or not, one of these marvels is the artichoke.

Let me show you how to transform this rough, prickly vegetable into a Campania-style delicacy: Stuffed Artichokes. You stuff the artichokes with a fresh breadcrumb, Pecorino Romano cheese mixture and then stew them in some olive oil, onion, wine and small amounts of water added.

Without a doubt, this recipe is one of my best. Buon Appetito!

Prep time: 50 minutes
Cooking time: 30 to 35 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients:
4 medium globe artichokes (they should measure 4 to 5 inches in diameter)
1 lemon
3 to 4 large eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup grated, imported Pecorino Romano cheese
3 tablespoons chopped, fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
Dash each ground black pepper and grated nutmeg

4 to 4-1/2 cups breadcrumbs, hand-shredded & made from three-day old white or wheat bread
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 4 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium brown or white onion, chopped
3-1/2 cups cold water
1 cup white wine

1. Fill an 8-quart sauce pot with 5-1/2 cups cold water.

2. Add the juice of one lemon to water in pot (this liquid prevents artichokes from blackening); set aside.

3. Meanwhile, place one artichoke on its side; trim and discard its bottom stem.

4. Trim and discard 1/2-inch from artichoke top. Remove outer layer of leaves and discard.

5. Place artichoke in water, and gently open up or loosen the outer leaves, taking care not to break them off.

6. Carefully loosen the inner rows of leaves up to the artichoke heart and open it up with your thumbs. Let artichoke soak in lemon water.

7. Repeat above trimming and opening of leaves with remaining 3 artichokes; set aside.

In the meantime, prepare the stuffing:

1. In a 6-quart mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, cheese, parsley, black pepper and nutmeg.

2. Stir in the breadcrumbs and crushed garlic.

3. Divide the stuffing into four (4) parts and set them aside on a plate.

4. Remove artichokes from lemon water.

5. Drain artichokes by shaking them upside down. Place them on a flat working surface (a cutting board) and pat dry.

6. Carefully and slightly open the leaves of one artichoke.

7. Using 1/4 of the stuffing and beginning in center of artichoke, slightly pack some stuffing inside its core.

8. Gently working your way outwards, place a little stuffing in between the next two layers of leaves and continue until you have reached the last two layers of exterior leaves.

9. Set the artichoke aside and repeat stuffing technique with remaining three (3) artichokes.

10. In a clean 8-quart sauce pot, heat the oil. Place the artichokes, face down, in hot oil and let them brown on medium-high heat, about 3 to 4 minutes.

11. After 3 to 4 minutes, carefully slide a spatula underneath each artichoke to separate it from bottom of sauce pot. Flip the artichokes over, face up.

12. Stir in the chopped onion to fit all around and in between the artichokes.

13. Saute the onion on medium heat for 2 minutes or until onion is translucent.

14. Carefully pour 2 cups cold water into sauce pot, in between and around the artichokes (never pour liquid over tops of artichokes). Cover and bring to a boil.

15. Reduce heat to medium and cook, covered, for 3 minutes.

16. After 3 minutes, slowly pour the wine in between and around artichokes.

17. Cover and cook for 15 to 18 minutes. The artichokes should always sit in liquid which rises halfway up the vegetable.

18. After 15 minutes or so, when liquid has reduced by one-third, stir 1 cup cold water in between and around artichokes. Cover and cook for 10 more minutes.

19. After 10 minutes, taste the cooking liquid; adjust salt, to taste. Taste an exterior leaf. If the leaf is tough and you cannot bite the artichoke flesh off its leaf, cook for an additional 9 to 10 minutes.

20. If liquid reduces during this time, stir in 1 additional cup water and cook for 5 more minutes.

Serve one artichoke per guest or cut each artichoke in half and serve as an appetizer to 6 or more guests.

Wine pairing suggestion: Chilled Pinot Grigio (white).

Text & Photograph ©2012 Nancy DeLucia Real

When I lived in Italy, I watched my Nonna Annunziata create zucchine parmigiana when she didn’t have any eggplant. Now, remember that zucchine are a watery vegetable and can taste bland. This means that zucchine obtain a bolder flavor from whatever ingredients they’re coated with. In this recipe, they’re combined with tomato sauce and freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese. Can zucchine get any more exciting than this?

Prep time: 30 minutes
Bake time: 25 to 30 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6 (as main dish); 6 to 8 (as side dish)

Ingredients:
1 to 1-3/4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
1 to 1-1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
3 to 4 large eggs, beaten with 3/4 teaspoon salt and dash ground black pepper
4 to 5 medium-large zucchine, tips cut off and discarded
Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce (previously published on this blog & found in index under Salad Dressings, Salsas & Savory Sauces), made up to two days ahead
1/2 to 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese

1. Pour 1 cup of the oil in a 10 or 12-inch frying pan; set aside on a cold stove burner.

2. To avoid splatters on stove, cut off and discard handles and bottom of a large brown paper bag. Cut one side of bag open, placing it over burner. Cut out a hole in bag which is the size of the burner, plus one extra inch. Place bag with hole over burner – the remaining parts of bag will cover and protect the stove from oil splatters.

3. In the meantime, cut zucchine crosswise, in half. Cut each piece lengthwise, into 1/4-inch slices; set aside.

4. Place the flour in an 8-inch wide, shallow bowl.

5. Beat the eggs, salt and pepper in another bowl of the same size; set aside.

6. Heat the oil in frying pan on high setting and, simultaneously, coat 6 zucchine slices in flour.

7. Shake off excess flour and, using two forks, coat the zucchine with egg mixture.

8. When oil is hot, lower heat to medium-high and gently place coated zucchine slices in pan.

9. Fry 1 to 2 minutes per side or until golden; turn zucchine over once and repeat frying instruction. If oil diminishes, add more to frying pan, heat and continue frying.

10. With two forks or slotted spoon, transfer the fried zucchine slices to a platter coated with paper towels.

11. Continue coating and frying instructions for remaining zucchine, transferring each batch to a layer of paper towels set over bottom layer of fried zucchine. Set aside.

12. Preheat oven to 350°F.In a 12 X 12-inch square baking dish, spread about 2/3 cup warmed Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce.

13. Place one layer of fried zucchine over sauce.

14. Spread 1/3 cup sauce over zucchine. Sprinkle with some grated cheese.

15. Repeat layer assembly of Zucchine Parmigiana until all zucchine have been used.

16. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Serve immediately as a main dish, accompanied by a green salad.

Alternatively, serve Zucchine Parmigiana as a side dish to meat, chicken or fish.

Wine Pairing Suggestion: Chianti (red).

Text & Photograph ©2012 Nancy DeLucia Real