Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Winter Squash Easy Cooking HACK






Never wrestle with winter squash again.  Trying to peel and cut them raw is down right dangerous, even with the sharpest of knives.  Use this kitchen hack for the easiest and most flavorful winter squash.  This hack works for every winter squash recipe you'll find on the internet and in all cookbooks.  If the recipe calls for cubed winter squash roast until your finger feels the slightest give in the flesh of the squash.  If it calls for puree, let them cool in the turned off oven for extra roasty flavor.  

Wash the squash and place whole on a parchment lined baking sheet.  No need to pierce them.  Put them into a cold oven and set the temp to 375.  When the oven reaches temp set a timer for 20 mins.  Test when the timer goes off.  Just a slight give for nice chunks of squash, quite soft for purees, soups, batters, breads, etc.  

I usually do them then night before and cool in the turned off oven.  The slow cool yields a lovely texture and a more flavorful finished dish.  


Once cool, cut in half length wise and scoop out the seeds, saving them to roast if you'd like.  Pull the skin off and dice or puree as per your recipe.  






You'll find all sorts of great recipes using winter squash.  They are plentiful at the farmers markets in the fall, require no refrigeration until you're ready to cook them, and last for months decoratively sitting out on your kitchen shelves or mantle.  

Here are some Avanti Natural Winter Squash Favorites

Baked Stuffed Acorn Squash

Bestghetti Dinner

Vegan Cheez Whiz





Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!
Eat, Live & Party Well
Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy.  You can Eat Well & Live Well.  Follow us on social media to see what Avanti is up to now.  We are Whole Foods Experts.  Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!

Pinterest

Full Portfolio




https://readychefgobags.com/recipes-home/

Youtube

Avanti Natural


Avanti Café


Facebook





Twitter


Instagram


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linkedin


Pasta Fagioli Video https://vimeo.com/133115733



Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Easiest Pickled Baby Peppers :: Fast Pickle HACK ::


When sweet and hot peppers are plentiful in the garden and farmers market at the end of the summer and into mid fall, make jar after jar of these ridiculously easy pickled peppers. 


Amount
Measure
Ingredient
Prep Method
3/4
Pound
Small peppers
Sweet or HOT, pierced


Directions:

Start w/ a clean wide mouth quart jar.  Did you know you can buy BPA free plastic lids for your canning jars?  Wash the peppers well and pierce w/ a sharp paring knife, to allow the brine to get inside the pickle.  Fill the jar half full w/ peppers and add

1
Tablespoon
Sea Salt

2
Tablespoons
Coconut Aminos
Or 1 Tsp Sugar
1/4
Cup
Orange Juice

1/4
Cup
Apple Cider Vinegar

1
Tablespoons
Dry herb seasoning blend
Italian, Mexican, Herbs de Provance
1
Tablespoon
Sherry
Optional


Water




Top off w/ more peppers, pressing them into the jar.  I put the jar into a wide bowl to catch any overflow.  It’s ok if you crack a few.  They will soften as they pickle.  Add water to the jar to bring the liquid up to the neck.  Put the lid on and shake the jar well.  Let sit at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours.  Shake the jar twice a day.  Unscrew lightly to let the CO2 escape.  Store in the fridge.  These are great on everything.  


Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!
Eat, Live & Party Well
Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy.  You can Eat Well & Live Well.  Follow us on social media to see what Avanti is up to now.  We are Whole Foods Experts.  Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!

Pinterest

Full Portfolio




https://readychefgobags.com/recipes-home/

Youtube

Avanti Natural


Avanti Café


Facebook





Twitter


Instagram


Avanti Natural Website & Blog




linkedin


Pasta Fagioli Video https://vimeo.com/133115733


Thursday, April 13, 2017

Lentil Stuffed Portobellos :: Chef Mark Cleveland @ Ready.Chef.GO! ::























Microwave high for 3 mins or 450 oven or 20 to 30 mins
Per porto recipe. Typically 2 portos per bag

For each porto (remove stems for another use)
1/2 Tsp Soy Sauce
1/8 Tsp Everson California Garlic Medley or Flavored Salt & Spice Blend

1/4 Cup Cooked Lentils or Favorite Grain Medley
1/4 Cup Kale or Greens, chiffonade
3 Cherry Tomato Halves
2 Tbs Feta or Crumbled Cheese
3 Basil Leaves
Scallions, long diagonal sliced

Salsa and marinara, citrus & grated cheese for garnish



Sprinkle the soy sauce and seasoning into the mushroom caps & let marinate at room temp for 30 mins or so.  Grill or roast for 6 to 9 mins.  Layer in the cooked lentils, kale, cheese, tomatoes, basil & scallions.  Load into bags & seal.

REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS: Microwave high for 3 mins or 450 oven or 20 to 30 mins.  Let rest for 2 mins before opening the bag.  Garnish w/ salsa or marinara sauce, grated cheese & wedges of fresh citrus

NOTE:  Ready.Chef.GO! bags allow for excellent texture in the microwave & fast high heat cooking in the oven.  The results are always succulent & tender.  You’ll taste the difference.  This is a hearty meatless meal option for lent, meatless Mondays, vegetarian displays and more.  Fast & easy to assemble.  Use a variety of seasonal vegetables & wild mushrooms to showcase specialty produce

POINT OF SALE DISPLAY:  Sell with a full variety of Mexican, Italian, Spanish & French red sauces like salsa, marinara, tomato Vodka sauce, romesco & fresh tomato & herb concasse.  Pack the display with gourmet lentils as an opportunity to showcase the wide variety of these specialty grocery products. Add gourmet artisan breads, fun appetizers for anti-pasta such as olives, roasted peppers, marinated vegetables & cheeses, & gigantic beans.  Add fresh salads, grilled vegetables, fresh salad dressings, drinks & desserts.  Display fresh citrus & grated cheeses for additional garnish

LENTIL NOTE:  Use canned or frozen cooked lentils or favorite grain medley.  Or cook dry lentils using this simple method.  Lentils come in many varieties today.  I used small black beluga lentils.  


EASY COOKED LENTILS
1 Cup Lentils, soaked for several hours or sprouted
1 1/2 Cups Water to cover
(Opt) 1/2 Tsp Salt

Bring to a boil covered.  Reduce heat to med high and simmer covered for 15 to 18 mins until most of the water is absorbed.  Allow to cool covered until ready to use. 
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Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!
Eat, Live & Party Well
Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy.  You can Eat Well & Live Well.  Follow us on social media to see what Avanti is up to now.  We are Whole Foods Experts.  Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!

Pinterest

Full Portfolio




https://readychefgobags.com/recipes-home/

Youtube

Avanti Natural


Avanti Café


Facebook





Twitter


Instagram


Avanti Natural Website & Blog




linkedin


Pasta Fagioli Video https://vimeo.com/133115733

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Noodle Egg Cake :: Chef Mark Cleveland @ Hungry Harvest ::









The brine from our Tomato Confit recipe this week adds umami flavor to this noodle cake, sort of a marriage of a kugel & frittata 















Eating Healthy & Delicious is a Win Win Win Situation!
Eat, Live & Party Well
Blog post by Chef Mark Cleveland

All New Blog Post Format ::> Direct from the Hungry Harvest Recipe Page.  Full Layout + Recipe Card ++ Extra Photos!

Chef Mark Cleveland has joined the team of Hungry Harvest creating recipe & culinary content for success in the kitchen with the amazing produce in each weekly Hungry Harvest box.  Visit www.hungryharvest.net/recipes/  for recipes, photos & More!  Follow HungryHarvest and ChefMarkCleveland on Instagram

Avanti is the longstanding leader in organic, sustainable, local, flavorful cuisine in Orange County, CA.

Meaning 'forward' in Italian, Avanti Natural is a culinary philosophy that integrates the best of traditional European and Asian healthful eating with the latest nutritional information for optimum health.

At Avanti Natural, we believe that you don't have to sacrifice taste to eat healthy.  You can Eat Well & Live Well.  Follow us on social media to see what Avanti is up to now.  We are Whole Foods Experts.  Post photos of your versions of Avanti Natural recipes on our Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube pages.  Check our blog on the website for how to recipe blogs.  We’re excited to see and share your culinary creativity!



Pinterest




Youtube

Avanti Natural


Avanti Café


Facebook





Twitter


Instagram


Avanti Natural Website & Blog




linkedin