Eye for a Recipe

This recipe from Food and Wine combines fresh sausage meat with a savoury tomato sauce. Marinate the sausage meat in wine, garlic and spices. Brown the sausage and add the vegetables, more wine and tomatoes. Simmer the sauce while you cook the pasta. Add the drained pasta to the sauce along with cheese, basil, parsley and pasta cooking water, if needed. Serve hot, garnished with more basil and parsley.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used a white wine from Frogpond Farm that has a sulfite count under 10 parts per million. I used Free From hot Italian sausages. Check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Unico tomatoes are additive-free. Genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano is free of additives; look for the name stamped on the rind.

Make the sauce

Add the cooked pasta

Spaghetti with fresh sausage

Ingredients:

4 garlic cloves, grated (about 1 tablespoon/15 ml)

1 1/3 cups (332.5 ml) dry white wine, divided

1 pound (454 g) sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground fennel

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) crushed red pepper

¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about ¾ cup/160 ml)

1 small carrot, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup/82.5 ml)

1 celery stalk, finely chopped (about ¼ cup/60 ml)

1 (28-ounce/796 ml) can whole peeled tomatoes, undrained and crushed

1 (14.5-ounce/411 g) can whole peeled tomatoes, undrained and crushed

1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) kosher salt

1 pound (454 g) uncooked spaghetti

2 ounces (57 g) Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated (about ½ cup)

¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh basil, plus small leaves for garnish

1 cup (250 ml) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish

Preparation:

Stir together garlic and 1/3 cup (82.5 ml) wine in a large bowl. Add sausage, fennel, black pepper, and crushed red pepper; stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium until shimmering. Increase heat to high, and add sausage mixture; cook, stirring occasionally to break up clumps, until lightly browned, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in onion, carrot, and celery; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add remaining 1 cup wine; cook, scraping up any browned bits on bottom of the skillet, until wine is nearly evaporated, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes with juices and salt. Bring mixture to a simmer over high; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and reduced by about half, 30 to 35 minutes.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high. Add spaghetti; cook according to package directions for al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving ½ cup (125 ml) cooking liquid. Stir spaghetti into sauce in skillet; stir in cheese, basil, and parsley. Add reserved cooking liquid, ¼ cup (60 ml) at a time, if needed to thin sauce to desired consistency. Increase heat to medium-high; cook, stirring often, until sauce clings to pasta, about 2 minutes. Garnish with additional basil and parsley. Serve hot. Serves 6.

From Food and Wine

This tasty recipe from Food and Wine would be perfect for your next meatless Monday. Blend yogurt, lemon zest and juice, garlic, salt and pepper to make a sauce. Grate and drain zucchini and mix with eggs, scallions, herbs, feta, panko, salt and pepper. Form into patties and refrigerate for a half hour. Coat patties with more panko and then fry for a few minutes on each side. Cook’s note: I didn’t have yogurt so I made the sauce with mayonnaise, lemon juice and capers. I also omitted the garnish.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use a yogurt that is free of additives, such as Astro brand. I used Krinos feta. Most brands of panko are additive-free; check the label to make sure.

Fry the fritters for a few minutes on each side

Greek zucchini fritters

Ingredients:

Garlic yogurt

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

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) grated lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons (10 ml) fresh lemon juice

1 garlic clove, grated (about 2 teaspoons/10 ml)

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) black pepper

Zucchini fritters

2 pounds (900 g) zucchini

1 teaspoon (5 ml) kosher salt, divided

2 large eggs

3 medium scallions, thinly sliced (about ¾ cup/187 ml)

3 tablespoons (45 ml) chopped fresh dill

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

2 tablespoons (30 ml) chopped fresh mint

7 ounces (200 g) Greek sheep-milk feta cheese, crumbled

1 ½ cups (375 ml) panko, divided

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper

½ cup (125 ml) vegetable oil, divided

Additional ingredients

Capers, fresh dill sprigs, and chopped tomatoes, for garnish

Preparation:

Stir together yogurt, lemon zest and juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Cover and let stand at room temperature to allow flavours to meld, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, shred zucchini using the large holes of a box grater. You should have about 2 cups (500 ml). Stir together zucchini and ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt in a large colander. Set aside, and let drain until zucchini release liquid, 10 to 15 minutes. Bundle zucchini in a clean kitchen towel, making sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

Whisk eggs in a large bowl; whisk in scallions, dill, parsley, and mint until combined. Stir in drained zucchini, feta, 1 cup (250 ml) panko, black pepper, and remaining ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt until panko is evenly distributed. Divide mixture into 12 balls; form each ball into a 2 ½-inch (6.35-cm) patty. Place on a large, rimmed baking sheet; refrigerate, uncovered, 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 200 F (93 C). Place a wire rack inside a second rimmed baking sheet and set aside. Place remaining ½ cup (125 ml) panko in a medium-size shallow bowl. Remove patties from refrigerator, and coat tops and bottoms in panko, pressing lightly to adhere. Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium. Add three patties to skillet; cook until golden brown on each side, two to three minutes total. Transfer patties to prepared baking sheet; keep warm in preheated oven. Repeat cooking process with remaining patties. Garnish fritters with capers, dill sprigs, and chopped tomatoes. Serve with garlic yogurt. Serves 6.

From Food and Wine

These pork meatballs from NYT Cooking make a tasty weeknight supper. Mix ginger, garlic, spices, cilantro, panko and pork together and form into meatballs. Brown the meatballs and then add more ginger, tomatoes, fish or soy sauce and salt. Simmer for a few minutes, add scallions and lime juice, mix together and serve.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Check the dried spices and panko to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Use tamari instead of soy sauce or use a fish sauce without additives, such as Cock brand. Use freshly squeezed lime juice.

Make the meatballs

Brown the meatballs and add tomatoes and other ingredients

Gingery meatballs in tomato sauce

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons (30 ml) finely grated or minced fresh ginger

3 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

1 teaspoon (5 ml) round cumin, more for serving

1 teaspoon (5 ml) fine sea or table salt, more as needed

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground coriander

1 pound (454 g) ground pork (or turkey, chicken, beef, lamb or vegan meat)

½ cup (125 ml) panko breadcrumbs (or use plain)

2 tablespoons (30 ml) finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, more for serving

2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil

2 cups (500 ml) diced fresh ripe or overripe tomatoes

1 teaspoon (5 ml) fish sauce or soy sauce

4 scallions, thinly sliced

1 lime, halved

Preparation:

In a large bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon (15 ml) ginger, the garlic, cumin, salt and coriander. Add pork, panko and cilantro. Using your hands, gently mix everything together, making sure not to overwork the mixture. (Otherwise, the meatballs get tough.) Form into 1- ¼ inch (3.18-cm) balls.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high, then add the oil and let it heat up until it thins out. Add meatballs in one layer. Cook, turning and shaking the pan, until meatballs are browned all over, 5 to 7 minutes.

Move meatballs to one side of the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) ginger to the empty side of the pan and sauté for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, fish or soy sauce and a pinch of salt to the empty side of the pan. When tomatoes are simmering, cover the pan, lower the heat to medium, and let cook until the meatballs are no longer pink at the center, about 5 to 8 minutes longer.

Uncover the pan. Mix the scallions into the sauce. Squeeze lime juice all over everything, then stir together. Taste and add salt and lime juice as needed. Serve the meatballs sprinkled with more cumin and topped with cilantro. Serves 4.

From NYT Cooking

This meatless dish from NYT Cooking combines seared paneer—a cheese used in South Asian cuisine—with onion, spices, tomatoes and peas. Brown the paneer and set aside. Cook the onion, ginger and garlic, add the spices, tomatoes and water and simmer for a few minutes. Add peas and the seared paneer and heat through. Top with a swirl of cream and a sprinkling of garam masala and serve with rice or flatbread. Cook’s note: I used canola oil and made my own cashew butter; the recipe is below.

Avoiding Additives and Preservative

Check the paneer to make sure it does not contain additives. Make sure the spices do not contain colour or anti-caking agents. To make cashew butter, whirl ¼ cup (60 ml) raw cashews in a food processor for several minutes until smooth and creamy.

Brown the paneer

Simmer the tomatoes and spices

Return paneer to pan, add peas and simmer until heated through

Ingredients:

¼ cup (60 ml) ghee or neutral oil

½ pound (227 g) paneer or extra-firm tofu, cut into 1-inch (2.54-cm) cubes and patted very dry

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ginger paste or freshly grated ginger

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic paste or freshly grated garlic

1 teaspoon (5 ml) cumin seeds

¾ teaspoon (3.75 ml) kashmiri or other red chile powder

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) turmeric powder

3 medium plum tomatoes, finely chopped

1 teaspoon (5 ml) fine sea salt

2 tablespoons (30 ml) cashew butter

8 ounces (227 g) frozen (no need to thaw) or fresh green peas (about 1¾ cups)

3 tablespoons (45 ml) heavy cream or cashew cream (optional)

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) garam masala

Rice or flatbread, for serving

Preparation:

Heat ghee or oil in a large frying pan or medium wok on high for 30 seconds, or until it is melted/hot. Lower heat to medium and lightly fry paneer or tofu cubes, turning frequently, until they are golden on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside on a plate lined with a paper towel.

In the same frying pan or wok, add onion, ginger and garlic, and cook on medium, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes or until onions are translucent.

Add cumin seeds, chile powder and turmeric, and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and salt. Add ¾ cup (187.5 ml) water. Simmer on medium until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in cashew butter. Add peas and paneer. Stir to combine. Simmer for 5 minutes or until it reaches your desired thickness. Top with heavy cream in a swirl, if you like. Sprinkle with garam masala. Serve with rice or roti. Serves 4.

From NYT Cooking