Eye for a Recipe

Who needs take-out? This recipe from Martha Stewart is fun to make and delicious. Cook chow mein noodles until tender (or use fresh), then press into a cast iron pan and cook until they are brown. Carefully flip the noodles and brown on the other side; then set aside. Quickly cook chicken, mushrooms, broccolini, carrots (I used red pepper instead), ginger and garlic, toss with a glossy sauce and serve over the crispy noodles.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use tamari instead of soy sauce and stock and rice wine with no additives; I used Imagine Organic brand chicken stock and Eden rice wine.

Assemble the ingredients before starting to cook

Press cooked noodles into an even layer in the hot pan

Cook noodles until brown and crispy on both sides

Cook chicken until done and remove from pan

Cook shiitakes

Then add broccolini and carrot - I used red pepper instead of carrot

Add ginger, garlic, chicken and sauce to pan and heat through

Serve chicken mixture over crispy noodles

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons (45 ml) plus 2 teaspoons (10 ml) soy sauce

5 teaspoons (25 ml) cornstarch

3 tablespoons (45 ml) Shaoxing rice wine

1 tablespoon (15 ml) sugar

1 cup (250 ml) low-sodium chicken broth

8 ounces (226 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into ½ -inch (1.27-cm) pieces

Kosher salt

½ cup (125 ml) vegetable oil

6 ounces (170 g) chow mein noodles (either fresh or dried and cooked until tender)

6 fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and caps cut into ¼ -inch (0.64-cm) strips (or dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and cut into ¼ -inch/0.64-cm strips)

¾ cup (180 ml) julienned carrot

1 cup (250 ml) chopped broccolini

3 tablespoons (45 ml) julienned peeled ginger (from a 3-inch/7.6-cm piece)

2 large cloves garlic, minced (4 teaspoons/20 ml)

1 cup (250 ml) mung bean sprouts (optional)

1 teaspoon (5 ml) toasted sesame oil

Preparation:

Whisk 3 tablespoons (45 ml) soy sauce into cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk in 2 tablespoons (30 ml) wine, sugar, and broth. Season chicken with salt and remaining 2 teaspoons (10 ml) soy sauce and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) wine.

Heat a 10-inch (25-cm) cast-iron skillet over medium-high and add ¼ cup (60 ml) oil; heat until shimmering. Add noodles and flatten to an even layer. Reduce heat to medium and cook 1 minute. Add 1/3 cup (85 ml) water and cook, pushing edges in with a spatula to shape into a more compact disc, until golden brown and the entire thing holds together like a mat, 4 to 5 minutes more. Carefully slide a spatula underneath and flip over. Drizzle 2 tablespoons (30 ml) oil around edges of pan. Cook until crisp on the second side, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to serving plate.

Return pan to medium high-heat, add chicken, and cook until golden brown on one side, 1 to 2 minutes. Toss and cook until almost cooked through, about 1 minute more. Remove from pan. To the pan, add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) oil and mushrooms and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Add carrots and broccolini. Toss 1 minute. Add ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir sauce to recombine, then add to pan and bring to a boil. Add chicken and toss to combine. Stir in sprouts and sesame oil. Serve over crispy noodles. Serves 4.

From Martha Stewart

I was a bit skeptical about this recipe from the May 2016 issue of Martha Stewart Living because the entire dish is cooked under the broiler — a part of my oven I don’t use very often. I was pleasantly surprised by the finished dish, which was an excellent one-dish meal, but it did take much longer to cook than the recipe indicated.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used Imagine organic chicken stock, which has no artificial ingredients.

Slice leeks

Place leeks, potatoes and stock in ovenproof pan and broil until tender-crisp

Add chicken and broil until cooked through, turning once

Add spinach

Stir in spinach until it wilts

Broiled skillet chicken with leeks, potatoes and spinach

Ingredients:

2 leeks, white and light-green parts only, cut into ½ -inch (1.27 cm) rounds, washed well

1 pound (500 g) baby yellow potatoes, cut into ¼ -inch (0.63 cm) rounds

1 cup (250 ml) low-sodium chicken broth

3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (2 ½ pounds/1.13.kg total)

2 teaspoons (10 ml) coriander seeds, toasted and crushed

1 lemon, cut into 6 wedges

1 bunch spinach, thick stems removed (about 6 cups/1.5 L)

Preparation:

Preheat broiler with rack 8 inches (20 cm) from heating element. Combine leeks, potatoes, broth, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) oil in a large ovenproof skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Broil, stirring once halfway through, until potatoes are crisp-tender, 8 to 10 minutes (I cooked the vegetables about 15 minutes).

Meanwhile, rub chicken with remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil. Season with coriander, salt, and pepper, then place, skin-side down, atop leeks and potatoes. Broil 8 minutes (I broiled for 15). Flip chicken; scatter lemon wedges around it. Broil until a thermometer inserted into thickest parts of thighs (avoiding bones) registers 165 degrees F (74 C), 10 to 12 minutes more (I cooked for at least 20 minutes).

Transfer chicken to serving plates. Stir spinach into leek-potato mixture until wilted. Serve chicken with vegetables, lemon wedges, and pan juices. Serves 4.

From the May 2016 issue of Martha Stewart Living

This quick and tasty dish from Martha Stewart is cooks in one pan on top of the stove. Brown the chicken and set it aside, then sauté garlic, artichokes and olives. Stir in stock and thinly sliced lemon, return the chicken to the pan and cook until the chicken is done. Cook’s Note: If you can’t find frozen artichoke hearts, the jarred marinated ones work just fine.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the artichoke hearts and olives are additive free. I use Imagine Organic chicken stock.

Brown the chicken

Sauté the olives and artichokes

Add the stock and lemons, return chicken to pan and simmer until done

Braised chicken with artichokes, olives and lemon

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (3 ½ pounds/1.6 kg), cut into 8 pieces and patted dry

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

12 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly smashed

9 ounces (255 g) frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and halved

6 ounces (170 g) green olives, such as Castelvetrano (1 cup/250 ml)

1 tablespoon (15 ml) chopped fresh oregano, plus leaves for serving

2 tablespoons (30 ml) all-purpose flour

2 cups (500 ml) low-sodium chicken broth

1 small lemon, sliced into paper-thin rounds

Cooked orzo, for serving

Preparation:

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium-high. Add oil, then chicken, skin-side down, in a single layer. Cook, turning, until browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and artichokes; cook until golden brown in places, 5 to 7 minutes. Add olives, oregano, and flour; cook, stirring constantly, 30 seconds. Stir in broth and lemon, scraping browned bits from bottom of pan. Return chicken, skin side up, and any juices to pan; bring to a simmer. Partially cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of chicken (without touching bone) registers 165 degrees F (74 C), 10 to 12 minutes. Remove lid; continue simmering until sauce thickens slightly. Serve over orzo, sprinkled with oregano leaves. Serves 4.

From Martha Stewart Living

If you are looking for a way to use up the last of the zucchini from your garden, try these crispy zucchini fries from Martha Stewart Living. Dredge zucchini sticks in wheat germ (the part of wheat that sprouts and grows into a new plant), dip in beaten egg, and then into panko (a Japanese-style breadcrumb, made from bread without crusts). Drizzle with oil, season, bake and enjoy! Cook’s Note: If you don’t have wheat germ, use flour.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Make sure the panko you use is additive-free. I am using 4C brand right now.

Dredge the zucchini

Place panko-coated zucchini on baking sheet

Crisp zucchini-panko fries

Ingredients:

2 large eggs

½ cup (125 ml) toasted wheat germ

2 cups (500 ml) panko, preferably whole wheat

2 large zucchini (1 ½ pounds/794 g total), halved crosswise and cut into ½-inch wedges

¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (201 C).

Whisk together eggs and 2 tablespoons water in a shallow bowl. Place wheat germ and panko in separate shallow bowls. Working with one wedge at a time, dip zucchini in wheat germ; coat in egg, then panko, pressing gently to adhere.

Arrange in a single layer on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle with oil; season with ¾  teaspoon (3 ml) salt and pepper to taste. Bake, rotating sheets and flipping zucchini halfway through, until golden brown and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

From Martha Stewart Living

This pasta dish from Martha Stewart Living is quick and tasty. Roast eggplant and tomatoes, sauté some sausage meat and then combine with cooked pasta, olives and cheese. Cook’s note: Smaller Japanese eggplants are best for this dish; if you can’t find them, slice a larger eggplant crosswise and then cut into coin-sized pieces.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use sausage and olives with no additives or preservatives and cheese that does not contain colour.

Roast the eggplant and tomatoes

Remove sausage meat from casings and saute

Penne with roasted eggplant, tomatoes, sausage and olives

Ingredients:

4 cups (1 L) cherry tomatoes, preferably a mix of red, orange, and yellow

4 Japanese eggplants, cut crosswise into ½ -inch (1.27 cm) rounds

4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled

2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1 pound (450 g) penne

4 links sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed

1 cup (250 ml) pitted Kalamata olives

½ cup (125 ml) grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving

Small fresh basil leaves, for serving

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (218 C). Divide tomatoes, eggplants, and garlic between two rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle with oil; season with salt. Toss to combine, then spread in a single layer. Roast until eggplants are tender and browned in spots, about 25 minutes.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than instructed on package. Drain, reserving 1 cup (250 ml) pasta water.

Meanwhile, heat a large saute pan over medium-high. Cook sausage, breaking it into small pieces, until browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Add reserved pasta water; cook, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan, until almost evaporated.

In a large bowl, combine eggplant mixture, sausage, olives, pasta, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Top with basil and serve immediately, with more cheese alongside. Serves 4.

From the March 2015 issue of Martha Stewart Living

This arugula-almond pesto from Martha Stewart is quick and easy to make, colourful and bursting with flavour. Just whirl arugula, almonds, garlic lemon juice, Parmesan cheese and olive oil in your food processor and then toss with the pasta of your choice. Penne rigate has ridges, which help the sauce cling to the pasta.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Check the almonds to be sure they do not contain preservatives and use fresh lemon juice, not a concentrate. Check the label of the cheese to make sure it does not contain preservatives or colour – I use Splendido brand.

Arugula and almonds replace basil and pine nuts in this pesto

Penne rigate with arugula-almond pesto

Ingredients:

5 ounces (141 g) baby arugula, some leaves reserved for garnish

3 tablespoons (45 ml) blanched almonds, toasted and chopped (2 ounces/56 g)

1 small clove garlic, chopped

3 tablespoons (45 ml) fresh lemon juice

¼ cup (60 ml) grated Parmesan (1 ounce/28 g)

Coarse salt

½ cup (125 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1 pound (454 g) penne rigate

Preparation:

Combine arugula, almonds, garlic, lemon juice, and cheese in the bowl of a food processor; season with salt. Pulse until coarsely pureed. With motor running, slowly add oil, processing to a paste.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add salt. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain; transfer pasta to a bowl. Add pesto and toss to coat evenly. Drizzle with oil, garnish with arugula leaves, and serve immediately. Serves 4.

From Martha Stewart Living

This recipe from Martha Stewart Living is perfect for entertaining. You can use a whole chicken, cut up, or chicken pieces. Roast the chicken with lemon and orange juice, wine, dates and thyme, adding olives partway through. Once the chicken is done, boil the sauce to reduce it and serve over the chicken.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use fresh fruit and their juices. Dates may contain sulfites, so read the label carefully. I used a white wine from Frogpond Farm with no sulfites added and President’s Choice garlic-stuffed green olives.

Squeeze juice over chicken and nestle citrus wedges into chicken

The chicken takes about 40 minutes to cook

Roasted chicken with dates, citrus and olives

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (about 5 pounds/2.25 kg), cut into 10 pieces

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1 lemon, quartered

1 orange, quartered, plus ½ cup (125 ml) fresh juice (from 2 to 3 oranges)

¼ cup (60 ml) dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc

12 large soft dates, such as medjool or khadrawi, halved and pitted

3 sprigs thyme

1 cup (250 ml) large green olives

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). In a large roasting pan, season chicken with salt and pepper; drizzle with oil. Squeeze lemon and orange over chicken, then add fruit to pan. Add wine, orange juice, half of dates, and thyme. Roast 25 minutes.

Remove pan from oven; rotate chicken pieces if browning unevenly. Add olives and remaining dates. Roast until a thermometer inserted in chicken breast (avoiding bone) registers 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 15 minutes more. Transfer chicken and citrus to a platter.

Place roasting pan over high heat, mashing some of dates with the back of a wooden spoon, until sauce is reduced and thickened, about 3 minutes. Pour over chicken; serve. Serves 6.

From Martha Stewart Living

This grilled shrimp from Martha Stewart Living is marinated in fresh herbs, jalapeno, garlic, lemon zest and olive oil. A few minutes on the grill and you have a lovely lunch or light supper. The recipe calls for jumbo shrimp, but you can use any size.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Shrimp can be treated with preservatives. Look for shrimp with only salt added.

Marinate the shrimp

Grill skewers for a few minutes on each side

Grilled Herbed Shrimp

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons (45 ml) chopped fresh cilantro leaves

3 tablespoons (45 ml) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

1 tablespoon (15 ml) minced jalapeno chile (from ½ jalapeno)

1 tablespoon (15 ml) minced garlic (from about 3 cloves)

1 tablespoon grated fresh lemon zest

1/3 cup (75 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound (500 g) jumbo shrimp, in shells (about 20)

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients except shrimp in a large resealable plastic bag. Snip through each shrimp shell down the back, leaving last segment and tail intact, and devein with a paring knife, leaving shell intact. Add shrimp to bag and massage with marinade. Refrigerate at least 8 hours or up to overnight.

Soak 10 short wooden skewers in water 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat grill for indirect heat, with coals to 1 side (or medium heat on a gas grill). Thread 2 shrimp onto each skewer and place on indirect side of grill. Cook, turning once, until shrimp are curled, slightly charred, and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

From Martha Stewart Living