Buffalo Chicken Pizza Super Bowl Style

The big game is just days away, and I'd be lying if i said i was super excited.  Can you blame me?  Nearly four solid hours of football. Boring! My only solace is the incredible commercials, snacks galore and seeing my friends enjoying themselves. Now, I may not be the biggest sports lover or expert, but I do pride myself on being somewhat a master of party-throwing… so you can be sure that a Super Bowl fete is no exception. Since nothing says ‘Super Bowl  party‘ quite like snacks, pizza and apps, (and buffalo chicken is always desired) i kick off super bowl '13 with this buffalo chicken pizza. Enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Ingredients

3/4 pound breaded chicken fingers

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
1 pizza dough, store bought or from your favorite pizzeria (or your own)
Cornmeal or flour, to handle dough
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, eyeball it
2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce, medium to spicy heat
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, a few generous handfuls
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
3 scallions, thinly sliced
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 

Cook chicken according to package directions.

Stretch dough to form pizza using cornmeal or flour to help you handle it. If you let it rest and warm up a few minutes it will handle even easier. Set pizza on pizza pan to the side and clean board.

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt butter and stir in Worcestershire, hot sauce, and tomato sauce.

Remove the chicken from oven and thinly slice it. Add chicken to sauce and coat. Cover the pizza dough with the saucy Buffalo chicken, cheeses, and scallions. Bake 18 minutes or until crisp.

• photo and recipe adapted from Rachael Ray

Guacamole Kickoff

Are any of you beginning to see signs of super bowl madness around you yet? Since we’re closing in on the big kickoff, I thought it was the perfect time to tackle a simple and healthy appetizer for your Super Bowl festivities that even the most "macho" of men will love.

Lets face it, game time is all about snacks galore. There are a few guest though, that would like to have a healthy choice. Healthy choice and super bowl an oxymoron for sure, but hey who am i to judge. That is why i always have some healthy options to offer guests, and this guacamole has always been a favorite of mine.

While traditionally guac is associated with bad mexican restaurants and oily food, (far from healthy) guac in its self is full of vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate and copper. Guacamole is also high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as well as lutein, which is important for eye health. Additional nutrients include vitamin A, niacin and magnesium.

So treat the macho men and your guests to a healthy but yummy snack. And remember healthy and football need not be an oxymoron. Enjoy!

Guacamole

Ingredients
3 Haas avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
1 lime, juiced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 medium onion, diced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced

Directions
In a large bowl place the scooped avocado pulp and lime juice, toss to coat. Drain, and reserve the lime juice, after all of the avocados have been coated. Using a potato masher add the salt, cumin, and cayenne and mash. Then, fold in the onions, jalapeno, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic. Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved lime juice. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour and then serve.

* Recipe adapted from Alton Brown, Photo from Foodnetwork

Arrabiata is ssssspicy!

You know those nights when you’re starving and want something simple and yummy… but don’t feel like going to the grocery store or cooking for hours?  My answer, Arrabiata. A spicy Italian pasta sauce. Characterized by the use of simple, but fresh, ingredients. Since the word Arrabiata mean "Angry" in Italian (and we are referring to a red sauce,) it goes with out saying that the sauce always features tomatoes and hot chili peppers, either fresh of dried. 

You can use this basic recipe and change it up however you like: different herbs, different citrus fruits, different seasonings. You can even have a different attitude and see how that affects the flavor of the plate!

Just kidding. But what you can change is what you wear each time. Choo's and Arrabiata; now that's a fun combination!

Spaghetti Arrabiata
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1-2 tbsp. extra- virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
3 cloves fresh garlic, smashed
1 tbsp crushed dried red pepper flakes
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 28-oz. can pureed tomatoes
10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 tsp oregano dried
Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
1 lb. dry spaghetti pasta (or linguine)

Method:
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add garlic, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and slightly browned.
Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti for 6-8 minutes until al dente.
Add red pepper flakes, oregano, a pinch of black pepper, then pour in the tomatoes.
Drizzle lightly with additional olive oil, stir, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes; add chopped basil towards the very end of cooking time.
Drain the spaghetti, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water.
Transfer the pasta to the tomatoes, only adding pasta water to thin the sauce as needed.
Drizzle with olive oil as desired.
Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the pasta holds the sauce.
Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil to finish.

Tricks for easy pasta: 

The water needs to taste like the sea when boiling because dry pasta is not seasoned. Boil dry pasta for less time than the box directions since you will finish the pasta off in the sauce.

Arrabiata is a great, spicy base to make other sauces. A simple addition of capers, peppers and tuna you can make a simple puttanesca sauce, or adding some mushrooms, onions and olives makes an easy cacciatore. Add a touch of cream for a great, easy pink sauce.

Sweet and spice laden Baklava

photo from Australian Gourmet Traveller

Baklava a classic dessert of fillo, nuts & honey with hints of cinnamon and spices is soooooooo yummy…but it’s hands down the yummiest when it’s homemade. It dosent matter who's home it is that it comes out of.  It can be anyone’s home. A homemade baklava tends to have a lot more flavor…a lot more freshness…a little more somethin’ somethin’ than the vacuum sealed store brought alternative. Its true! Not that I buy a lot of baklava (what would my greek grandmothers say if they thought i bought baklava and not make it from their secret recipe.) But still.

Baklava makes a great Christmas treat, and since christmas is right around the corner it is the perfect opportunity to give, a whole pan to someone you love or split it up into portions and gift them in nicely crafted little boxes or bagies. Your recipients will love you even more than they already do. Is that possible well there is only one way to find out! 

Here’s how you make it:

First: Enroll in our Baklava making class either on November 29th, 7-8:30pm or December 5th, 7-8:30pm. $40/person. This includes hands-on instruction, baklava recipe and your own take- home tray of baklava ready to bake for your next holiday get together or your own pleasure. 

Next: Make a tray of scrumptious baklava on your own and let the lovin' begin.  

2 Opportunities for This Class:
St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church, 4 Appleton Street, Arlington MA November 29th, 7-8:30pm
December 5th, 7-8:30pm

Please reserve your space by sending an email to: LittleHalosPTO@gmail.com. $40/person (includes hands-on instruction, baklava recipe and your own take- home tray of baklava) 

Blueberry love

Hi, everyone, I hope you all had a relaxing weekend enjoying the last of the summer weekends.  Today I’d like to celebrate my most important fruit of the summer…blueberries. On the weekend I baked two of these loaves (cakes really) one was meant for a girls brunch, but never made it through the afternoon.  

By God’s good graces, today’s recipe is simple and quick to just throw together before running to get breakfast done.  After the batter is whipped up, and the blueberries are mixed in, bake it for about 50 minutes. Simple!  And that’s how I bring my favorite summer berry into my cakes. And ladies please don't forget to use really Greek yogurt for the yogurt the recipe calls for, Fage yogurt to be exact. Enjoy!

Zingy Blueberry-Lemon Yogurt Loaf made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, Greek Fage yogurt and Juicy blueberries. Is then lightly brushed with a lemon syrup then drizzled with a vanilla glaze.

Blueberry Lemon Yogurt Loaf

For the Loaf:
1 1/2 cups + 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (approximately 2 lemons)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil1 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen, thawed and rinsed

For the Lemon Syrup:
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar

For the Vanilla Glaze:
1 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon water
Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom and sides of one 9 x 5-inch loaf pans; dust with flour, tapping out excess.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sugar, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla and oil. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the blueberries with the remaining tablespoon of flour, and fold them very gently into the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing loaf to a wire rack on top of a baking sheet.

While the loaf is cooling, make the lemon syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir together the lemon juice and sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once dissolved, continue to cook for 3 more minutes. Remove from the heat; set aside.

Use a toothpick to poke holes in the tops and sides of the warm loaf. Brush the top and sides of the loaf with the lemon syrup. Let the syrup soak into the cake and brush again. Let the cake cool completely.

To make the vanilla glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and 2 tablespoons of the vanilla extract and water. The mixture should be thick but pourable. Add up to another tablespoon of water if the mixture is too stiff. Pour the glaze over the top of each loaf and let it drip down the sides. Let the glaze harden, about 15 minutes, before serving.
Yields: 1-9×5 loaf

I dont give a fig

There is something about figs that seems totally luxurious. Perhaps it’s their short harvest season…or their rich royal color,  maybe it’s the sweet syrup that oozes right into your mouth like a well made jam…. Whatever the reason, when fig season arives and i suddenly see the beautiful toned gems on the shelves of the markets, i know that fall is upon us. This flatbread recipe was born when I had some I needed to use up, and truthfully, this recipe is simply a combination of some of my favorite flavors. Creamy goat cheese, sweet ricotta and zesty orange pair beautifully with the rich figs for a combination that makes a to-die-for appetizer…or, paired with a glass of port, a totally sophisticated dessert. Keep reading for more photos and the recipe…

Apricot dreams

Have you all been making the most out of your summer? Of course, you have danced around the beach with you new Marc Jacobs Bikini, and strolled down wearing your DVF wedges. But have you really made the most of your summer season. Did you take a bite out of that freshly cut peach from your farmers market stall or ate a wedge of freshly cut watermelon and letting the juices run down the side of your mouth. I know i haven't. Once August 1st strolled right in, I fell into a minor panic that I hadn’t made the most of the summer fruit season. I realized that I hadn't made my apricot jam or my Greek Cherry spoon sweet that pairs heavenly with the Greek Fage yogurt,  So, it’s crunch time. I’ve created a to do list of all the things I’d like to make before the end of the month, and at the very top of it is my Jam. I hope you give it a go and enjoy summer all year round!  

Apricot Jam

six 1 cup (250ml) jars

2.5 pounds fresh apricots
1/2 cup water
6 cups sugar
1 vanilla bean

One lemon, halved

optional: 1 tablespoon amaretto

Halve apricots, remove pips and slice halves into half again. If you wish, crack a few  apricot kernels and add them to each jam jar you plan to fill. Place these in a big saucepan with the water, cover and cook on medium high until the fruit has softened right down. Add the sugar and the vanilla bean, scraping the seeds into the hot fruit. Cook uncovered skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. As the mixture thickens stir frequently to make sure the jam doesn't burn on the bottom. Place a small plate in the freezer and cook the fruit mixture for about 5 minutes at a rolling boil. To test if it’s ready, just drop half a teaspoon full of the jam onto your cold plate. Let it sit a minute and then push your finger through the middle of the jam. If it wrinkles and is feeling nice and thick then it’s ready. If not continue to cook, then re- test the jam until it reaches that consistency. Once done stir in the lemon juice and amaretto, if using and ladle the jam into clean jars. Cover tightly and let cool to room temp. Once cool refrigerate until ready to use. 

Storage: I find this jam will keep up to one year if refrigerated. If you wish to can it for long-term preservation, you can refer to the USDA Canning Guidelines for techniques.

Europeans often crack a few apricot kernels open and add one to each jar before pouring in the jam, which isn’t meant to be eaten, but gives the jam a subtle, bitter almond-like flavor.

The jam recipe has been adapted from one by David Lebovitz.