Eye for a Recipe

This pasta recipe from Cook’s Illustrated creates a delicious sauce of onion, pancetta and stock. Add dried pasta and simmer until it is barely tender, then add peas, parsley, Pecorino cheese and mint. A tasty supper and only one pan to wash!

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Look for pancetta that is preserved with celery salt instead of nitrites. I use Imagine Organic chicken stock, which is additive-free. Make sure the cheese does not contain colour.

Cook pasta in the sauce until al dente, then add peas

Serve topped with extra cheese

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

1 onion, chopped fine

2 ounces (57 g) pancetta, chopped fine

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) table salt

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) pepper

2½ cups (625 ml) chicken broth

2½ cups (625 ml) water

7½ ounces (212 g – about 1½ cups/375 ml) ditalini

1½ cups (375 ml) frozen petite peas

⅓ cup (83 ml) minced fresh parsley

¼ cup (60 ml) grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus extra for serving

2 tablespoons (30 ml) minced fresh mint

Preparation:

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, pancetta, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is softened, 7 to 10 minutes.

Add broth and water and bring to boil over high heat. Stir in pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until liquid returns to boil. Reduce heat to maintain simmer; cover; and cook until pasta is al dente, 8 to 10 minutes.

Stir in peas and remove saucepan from heat. Stir in parsley, Pecorino, and mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve, drizzling with extra oil and passing extra Pecorino separately. Serves 4.

From Cook’s Illustrated

This recipe from NYT Cooking combines chicken braised in tomato sauce with crispy pancetta and melted mozzarella. Cook the pancetta and set aside. Sear the chicken and set it aside. Cook garlic, anchovy fillets and hot pepper flakes briefly, then add tomatoes and basil. Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, then return the chicken to the pan and cook until the chicken is done. Top the chicken with cheese and broil until the cheese melts. Garnish with the pancetta and chopped basil and serve.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Look for pancetta preserved with celery salt instead of nitrites. Unico anchovies and canned tomatoes are additive-free. Check the hot pepper flakes to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. I used Tre Stelle bocconcini.

After cooking pancetta and searing the chicken, thicken the sauce

Return chicken to pan and simmer until it's done

Top with cheese and broil until it melts; serve garnished with pancetta and basil

Ingredients:

3 ½ pounds (1.58 kg) bone-in chicken pieces (or use a 3 ½  pound/1.58 kg) chicken cut into 8 pieces)

2 teaspoons (10 ml) kosher salt

1 teaspoon (5 ml) black pepper

1 tablespoon(15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

5 ounces (140 g) pancetta, diced

3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2 anchovy fillets

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) red pepper flakes

1 (28-ounce/793 g) can whole plum tomatoes

1 large basil sprig, plus more chopped basil for serving

8 ounces (226 g) bocconcini, halved (or use mozzarella cut into ¾ inch/1.9 cm pieces)

Preparation:

Heat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C). Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.

In a large oven-proof skillet, warm oil over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pancetta to a paper-towel-lined plate.

Add chicken to skillet. Sear, turning only occasionally, until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large plate. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil.

Add garlic, anchovy and red pepper flakes to skillet; fry 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and basil. Cook, breaking up tomatoes with a spatula, until sauce thickens somewhat, about 10 minutes.

Return chicken to skillet. Transfer skillet to oven and cook, uncovered, until chicken is no longer pink, about 30 minutes.

Scatter bocconcini or mozzarella pieces over skillet. Adjust oven temperature to broil. Return skillet to oven and broil until cheese is melted and bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes (watch carefully to see that it does not burn). Garnish with pancetta and chopped basil before serving. Serves 4.

From NYT Cooking

This recipe from Half Baked Harvest is a delicious combination of roasted vegetables, salmon and greens, topped with a brown butter sauce. Roast the root vegetables—I used carrots and rutabaga instead of potatoes—until they are done, remove from the oven and keep them warm. Place the salmon on the same baking sheet, add the asparagus tossed with Parmesan and roast until done. While the salmon is cooking, whisk together the dressing ingredients and combine with the greens. In a saucepan, brown the butter until it smells nutty and then add lemon juice. Serve the brown-butter topped salmon with the vegetables and greens. Cook’s note: I used rainbow trout instead of salmon and omitted the basil and dill.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the Cajun seasoning does not contain colour or anti-caking agents. I use Eden Organic brand red wine vinegar, which does not contain sulfites. Use butter that contains only cream and genuine Parmesan, which does not contain colour or other additives. You can tell it’s the real thing because the name is stamped on the rind.

This recipe is a sheet-pan meal, topped with brown butter

Serve brown butter-topped salmon with roasted vegetables and dressed arugula

Ingredients:

1 pound (454 g) baby potatoes, halved

4 tablespoons (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

1 – 1 ½ pounds (454 – 680 g) salmon filet

2 tablespoons (30 ml) Cajun seasoning

1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice

2 teaspoons (10 ml) red wine vinegar

1 cup (250 ml) arugula

½ cup (125 ml) fresh basil leaves, roughly torn

¼ cup (60 ml) fresh dill, roughly torn

1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed

½ cup (125 ml) grated Parmesan

4 tablespoons (60 ml) salted butter

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425° F (218° C). On a large baking sheet, combine the potatoes, 2 tablespoons (30 l) olive oil, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Toss well to coat. Bake for 15 minutes.

Remove the potatoes from the oven. Add the salmon to the center of the pan (if the salmon is large, cut it into smaller portions). Rub 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil and the Cajun seasoning. Add the asparagus to the pan and toss with the Parmesan. Bake everything together for 10-15 minutes or until the salmon has reached your desired doneness.

In a bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, red wine vinegar, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the arugula, basil, dill, and a pinch of chili flakes. Toss to combine.

Add the butter to a medium pot set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown, until it smells toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Stir often. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice.

Serve the salmon, potatoes, and asparagus together with the arugula salad on top. Drizzle the brown butter over the salmon. Serves 6.

From Half Baked Harvest

This recipe from NYT Cooking calls for tofu, but it reminded me of a pork dish I once had and loved in a restaurant, so I substituted pork tenderloin. Slice the pork into medallions, sear until just cooked through and set aside. Make the sauce in the same pan, return the pork to the pan to coat with the sauce, add scallions and serve over steamed rice.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used Imagine Organic chicken stock, Yoshi mirin and San-J tamari sauce. All are additive-free.

Glazed pork with chile and star anise

Ingredients:

1 pork tenderloin, about 1 lb. (454 g)

2 tablespoons (30 ml) neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed

Kosher salt

¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar

1 whole star anise

1 cup (250 ml) vegetable broth or chicken stock

¼ cup (60 ml) mirin

¼ cup (60 ml) dark soy sauce

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 (½ -inch/1.25-cm) piece fresh ginger, scrubbed and thinly sliced

1 small hot dried chile

6 scallions, whites cut into ½ -inch (1.25-cm) pieces, greens thinly sliced

Steamed rice, for serving

Preparation:

Slice the pork tenderloin into medallions about ½-inch (1.25-cm) thick.

In a large skillet or cast-iron pan, warm the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season both sides of the pork with salt and place in the pan; sear without moving until the contact side is browned, about 4 minutes. Turn the pieces over and sear the other side until browned and cooked through. Transfer the pork to a plate.

Carefully add ½ cup (125 ml) water, the sugar and star anise to the pan. (The mixture will sputter and steam.) Cook, stirring, until the syrup is reduced and turns deep amber, 4 to 5 minutes. Pour in the stock carefully (again being mindful of sputtering), Shaoxing, soy sauce, garlic, ginger and chile and cook, stirring frequently, until reduced, syrupy and glossy, 5 to 7 minutes.

Return the pork to the pan and add the scallion whites. Toss to coat with the sauce and cook until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove and discard the star anise and dried chile. Garnish with scallion greens and serve immediately with steamed rice. Serves 4.

From NYT Cooking

This recipe from Bon Appetit tops cooked pasta with a sauce of sausage, garlic, basil, corn, butter and Parmesan. While the pasta cooks, brown the sausage and set aside. Cook garlic, wilt basil and cook corn until tender. Add cooked pasta, butter, pasta cooking water and Parmesan. Return sausage to pot, stir to blend the ingredients, season and serve. Cook’s note: I used hot Italian sausage instead of sweet Italian sausage.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Look for sausages made without additives or preservatives – I used Free From brand. Check the red pepper flakes to make sure they don’t contain colour. Use butter that contains only cream, with no colour added. Genuine Parmesan cheese is additive-free; look for the name of the cheese stamped on the rind.

Brown sausage and set aside

Wilt basil and cook corn until tender

Corn and sausage pasta

Ingredients:

12 oz. (340 g) rigatoni, spaghetti, or any pasta you have on hand

Kosher salt

¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1 lb. (454 g) sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

2 sprigs basil, plus 1 cup (250 ml) leaves for serving

½ tsp. (2.5 ml) Aleppo-style pepper or other mild red pepper flakes

2 cups (500 ml) fresh corn kernels (from about 2 ears)

4 Tbsp. (60 ml) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

2 oz. (56 g) Parmesan, coarsely grated, plus more for serving

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain, reserving 2 cups (500 ml) pasta cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high. Add sausage and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6–8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a plate.

Reduce heat to medium and cook garlic in same pot, stirring occasionally, until light golden around edges, about 2 minutes. Add basil sprigs and Aleppo-style pepper; cook, stirring, until basil is wilted, about 1 minute.

Add corn and ½ cup (125 ml) water to pot and cook, stirring often, until corn is mostly tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in pasta and 1 cup (250 ml) pasta cooking liquid. Then add butter and cook, stirring, until butter is melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.

Add 2 oz. (56 g) Parmesan in several additions, stirring after each addition until sauce is smooth. Return sausage to pot and cook, adding a splash or two more of cooking liquid if needed to loosen sauce, until flavours meld, about 1 minute. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Divide pasta among shallow bowls; top with basil leaves and more Parmesan. Serves 4.

From Bon Appetit

This recipe from Bon Appetit pairs roast chicken and vegetables with tomatoes and a tangy feta sauce. Toss the chicken, lemons and onions in oil and fresh oregano. Brown the chicken, set aside and cook the onions and lemon slices. Return the chicken to the pan and roast until done. While the chicken cooks, make the feta sauce. Serve the chicken, lemon and onion with sliced tomatoes and the feta sauce.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Look for feta and yogurt without additives and preservatives. I used Tre Stelle feta and Astro Original Balkan-Style yogurt.

Toss the chicken, onions and lemon slices with oil and oregano

Brown the chicken, set aside and then cook the onions and lemon slices

Return chicken to pan and roast until done

Serve chicken with sliced tomatoes and feta sauce

Ingredients:

1 lemon

6 garlic cloves, finely grated

2 tsp. (10 ml) finely chopped oregano, plus leaves for serving

⅓ cup (85 ml) plus 4 Tbsp. (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided

2½ lb. (1.13 kg) skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs and/or drumsticks

2 medium red onions, cut into 1-inch- (2.54-cm) thick wedges

Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

1 cup (250 ml) plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

½ cup (125 ml) crumbled feta

2 large heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes, sliced into ½-inch- (1.25-cm) thick rounds and/or wedges

Preparation:

Place a rack in top third of oven; preheat to 450° F (232° C). Cut lemon in half. Thinly slice one half into rounds and remove seeds; set other half aside for sauce.

Whisk garlic, 2 tsp. (10 ml) chopped oregano, and ⅓ cup (85 ml) oil in a large bowl. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and transfer to bowl; add onions and lemon slices. Season with salt and pepper; toss to coat.

Heat 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) oil in a large heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook chicken (leave onion and lemon behind in bowl), skin side down, until deep golden brown and crisp, 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate (chicken won’t be cooked through yet).

Cook onions and lemon slices in the same pan, turning occasionally, until onions have taken on some color and lemon slices have shriveled slightly, about 5 minutes.

Arrange chicken in pan, skin side up; transfer pan to oven. Roast until chicken is cooked through and onions are softened but still hold their shape, 16–20 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir yogurt, feta, and remaining 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) oil in a medium bowl to combine. Squeeze in juice from reserved lemon half and add 2 Tbsp. (30 ml) water; mix well. Season feta sauce with salt.

Arrange tomatoes on a platter; season with salt. Using tongs, arrange chicken, onions, and lemon slices on top. Pour any pan juices over and top with oregano leaves. Serve with feta sauce alongside. Serves 4.

From Bon Appetit

This refreshing and nutritious salad from the New York Times combines chickpeas with succulent shrimp. Toss chickpeas, onion, chile and parsley with a citrus-mustard-oil dressing. Cook shrimp with garlic and red pepper flakes, squeeze lime juice over and serve them on top of the chickpea salad. Cook’s note: Canned chickpeas are fine for this, but if you have time, try soaking and cooking dried chickpeas — the flavour and texture are better. One cup of dried chickpeas will yield the same amount as two 15-ounce/443 ml cans.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use a fresh lemon and lime. I used President’s Choice Old-Fashioned Dijon, which is additive-free. If you are using canned chickpeas, look for a brand without preservatives, such as Blue Menu or Unico. Look for frozen shrimp with only salt added.

Toss chickpeas with dressing, onion, chile and parsley

Top chickpeas with shrimp and serve

Ingredients:

1 medium lemon, zested and juiced

1 lime, zested and halved

1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard

5 tablespoons (75 ml) olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

2 (15-ounce/443-ml) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

½ small red onion, diced (about ¼ cup/60 ml)

1 Fresno chile or jalapeño, cut into thin coins or seeded and diced

1 packed cup parsley leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped

2 large garlic cloves, grated or minced

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) red-pepper flakes

1 pound (454 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined, patted dry

Preparation:

In a large serving bowl, combine the lemon zest and juice, lime zest and mustard. Whisk in 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Add the chickpeas, onion, chile and most of the parsley (reserving some for garnish) and toss to coat with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil in a 12-inch (30-cm) skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes, and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds, pulling the pan from the heat briefly if it seems like the garlic is burning.

Add the shrimp to the pan, season with salt and pepper and stir to coat with the garlic and oil. Cook until the shrimp are pink all over with a golden crust in parts, stirring and flipping the shrimp halfway through, about 4 to 6 minutes total. Turn off the heat, then squeeze the lime juice over the shrimp in the pan, stirring to combine and scraping up anything on the bottom of the pan to coat the shrimp.

Serve the shrimp on top of the salad. Garnish with the remaining parsley and serve. Serves 3-4.

From NYT Cooking