Wednesday, May 1, 2019

26th Annual Dandelion May Fest Dover, Ohio May 3-4, 2019

26th Annual Dandelion May Fest
Dover, Ohio
May 3-4, 2019

At the New Roadhouse Amphitheater located just 100 yards east of the winery on Old Rt. 39.  This festival provides fun and many activities for the entire family. Dandelion wine sampling, cellar tours and live entertainment are scheduled for both days.  Children will enjoy the dandelion picking contest and making their own dandelion jelly.  Dandelion sausage, dandelion bread, dandelion gravy, dandelion lasagna, dandelion ice cream and dandelion sangria will be available both Friday and Saturday. Arts and craft vendors dot the hillside. Past vendors have included fine art, blown glass, handmade jewelry, lawn ornaments and much more!  http://www.dandelionfestival.com/

 http://www.foodreference.com/html/ohio-may-festivals.html

Cincy Cinco 2019 - Saturday May 4, 2019 – 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with authentic music, culture, food and more. Runs Saturday noon-11 p.m. and Sunday noon-6 p.m. Cinco de Mayo is a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride while it is also another great reason to party! Much like St Patricks Day and Oktoberfest, Cinco de Mayo in Cincinnati Ohio has several events and parties at local restaurants & bars. No matter your reasoning for celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Cincinnati OH, you will find plenty of things to do. Around this time of year you will find several parades, Mexican Festivals and of course Margaritas & Corona specials. Not only is this day is a national holiday in Mexico but for most here in Cincinnati OH, Cinco de Mayo 2019 is a day to party and celebrate with friends!
http://events.cincinnati.com/cincinnati_oh/events/cincy-cinco-2019-/E0-001-125000301-3

You don't have to be Latino to join in the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The holiday is akin to our Independence Day/Fourth of July holiday and celebrates the victory of the Mexican army's 1862 victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. You can count on every authentic Latino restaurant in the area being hyper-busy this weekend, so here are a few alternative options for having "mucha fiesta."

Saturday
Cincy Cinco, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Free. Family-friendly event showcases Latino music, culture and food. Children's area with games, raffles, pinatas, cake and a mascot parade on Saturday. Live music from the region's hottest Salsa bands. Traditional dances, Hispanic youth orchestra and more. Tacopolis features over a dozen restaurants offering wide variety of tacos and "alambres" (Mexican kabobs), plus Argentinian empanadas, Venezuelan fare and many other tasty treats. Largest Latino cultural celebration in the region. cincy-cinco.com.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2019/04/30/cinco-de-mayo-events-cincinnati-weekend/3620150002/

Wild Idea Buffalo Recipe of the Week - SAUSAGE STUFFED RAVIOLI

This week’s Wild Idea Buffalo Recipe of the Week is – SAUSAGE STUFFED RAVIOLI. Made using Wild Idea Buffalo Italian Sausage along with Cremini Mushrooms, Pecorino Romano or Parmesano Reggiano Cheese, Cream, and Green Onions. A Recipe sure to please all! You can find this recipe at Wild Idea Buffalo website where you can also purchase the Wild Idea Buffalo Italian Sausage along with all the other Wild Idea Products. Well Enjoy the recipe and Make 2019 a Healthy One!   https://wildideabuffalo.com/

SAUSAGE STUFFED RAVIOLI
A month ago I had the privilege of spending a couple of weeks in Italy. One of my favorite pasta dishes while I was there was a sausage and mushroom stuffed ravioli with sage butter. After about two weeks of being home I gave into my cravings and gave making homemade pasta another try. I won’t lie, it is a little tricky, but once you have the hang of it, it gets a little easier. The end result wasn’t as perfect as what I was served, but it was delicious and my family loved it. Note, I made a smaller batch, which made about 50 ravioli’s, but the recipe could easily be doubled. And, if made ahead it would be great for a crowd (but, I wouldn’t make it and have company on the same day).

Sausage Filling:
½ – pound Wild Idea Buffalo Italian Sausage
8 – ounces cremini mushrooms, stemmed and coarse chopped
1 – cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesano Reggiano cheese
2 – tablespoons cream
4 – green onions, coarse chopped
2 – teaspoons olive oil
2 – teaspoons butter
1 – teaspoon black pepper

Preparation:

1 – In a sauté pan over medium high heat, add olive oil and butter.
2 – Add mushrooms and sauté for about 5 minutes.
3 – Crumble the Buffalo Sausage into the pan and stir into the mushrooms. Sauté until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
4 – Remove the pan from heat and transfer the sausage to a food processor along with the cream. Pulse process until the mixture is incorporated.
5 – Add the cheese and pulse process again until incorporated.
6 – Scrape down the sides and along the bottom to incorporate any missed pieces and add the green onions. Flash process, leaving bits of green visible.
7 – Remove the blade and cover until you are ready to use. You can also make this ahead and refrigerate for a later use.
Pasta Dough:
1 – cup semolina flour *I blended this flour in my smoothie blender to make a little more fine.
1 – cup high protein flour or all-purpose flour +
1 – teaspoon salt
3 – eggs, beaten
1 – tablespoon olive oil +
1 – egg white, beaten

Salt for pasta water
Sage leaves and lemon wedges for garnish

Preparation:

1 – Place flour and salt in a mixing bowl and stir.
2 – Create an impression in the center of the flour and add the eggs and oil.
3 – Using a dough hook, mix the ingredients together. If too stiff, add a little cold water. Cover your mixer with a dishtowel to avoid flying dough.
4 – Scrape the dough off of the hook occassionally and continue to beat the dough for an additional 6 minutes on low to medium low speed.
5 – Remove the dough and place on a floured surface. Knead the dough a few times by hand and shape into a ball. Rub with a little oil and cover with plastic wrap and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes.
6 – Cut your dough into manageable pieces. I cut mine into 8 pieces.
7 – Press each piece into a rectangular shape with your hand, before running it through a pasta machine or rolling it out by hand.
8 – Set your pasta machine to 2, so the dough will easily pass through, yet flatten out on the first time through. Reset the dial to 5 and send the flattened pieces through again, catching the sheets with your hand as it comes through the pasta machine and pulling it forward. The dough will be very fragile.
9 – Lay your pasta strips on a lightly floured surface.

Assembly Preparation:

* Starting half an inch form the end of a pasta strip place half a tablespoon of filling (or desired amount). Continue down the sheet every inch on half of the pasta sheets.
* Brush the egg whites between the sausage fillings.
* Place another sheet on top of the sausage-covered sheets and press down in between the fillings.
* Cut in between the fillings with a knife and seal the edges together with a fork. *At this point you can cover the ravioli’s, refrigerate and cook at a later time.
* Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt as the water starts to bubble (it’s an Italian thing).
* Drop Ravioli’s into the pot, adding only as many as the pot will hold without crowding them. I did about 10 at a time. Boil for two minutes and remove with slotted spoon and place on a platter. Repeat until finished.
* To Serve: Place 4 to 5 Ravioli’s on each plate, and drizzle with Sage Butter. Garnish with fried sage leaves, slivers of cheese, and lemon.

* Sage Butter: In a saucepan over medium heat, add 1 – stick salted butter and 2 small bundles of fresh sage leaves or about 1/3 cup fresh sage leaves. Allow butter and leaves to simmer, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat if needed. Remove butter from heat until needed. Remove leaves and drizzle over the pasta.
https://wildideabuffalo.com/blogs/recipes/sausage-stuffed-ravioli

Low-Calorie Mushroom Recipes

From the EatingWell website and Magazine its Low-Calorie Mushroom Recipes. Healthy and Delicious Low-Calorie Mushroom Recipes. You'll find recipes including; Wild Mushroom and Polenta Casserole, Spinach and Warm Mushroom Salad, and Spinach and Tuna Noodle Casserole. Find these recipes and more all at the EatingWell website. Enjoy and Make 2019 a Healthy One!  http://www.eatingwell.com/

Low-Calorie Mushroom Recipes
Find healthy, delicious low-calorie mushroom recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.


Wild Mushroom and Polenta Casserole
In this vegetarian polenta casserole recipe, the choice of cheese is as important as which wild mushroom you use. Morel or hen of the woods (maitake) mushrooms give a more “meaty” experience, while chanterelle or cremini mushrooms will have a milder flavor. The polenta recipe calls for rich, nutty Taleggio or fontina cheese, but you can also use a good-quality washed rind cheese like Brie or Gouda.............


Spinach and Warm Mushroom Salad
In this hearty mushroom and spinach salad recipe, sturdier “mature” spinach leaves hold up better than baby spinach when tossed with the warm mushroom-and-bacon vinaigrette........


Spinach and Tuna Noodle Casserole
Homemade mushroom sauce kicks the can of soup out of the picture in this veggie-centric, healthy riff on a classic tuna-noodle casserole recipe. Serve with steamed green beans........



* Click the link below to get all the Low-Calorie Mushroom Recipes
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/21881/low-calorie/side-dishes/vegetable/mushroom/

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Cooking Mushrooms...........


Mushrooms are very high in water content and need room around them when they cook.  If you put them too close to each other, they will steam, not sauté. One of the best ways to enjoy mushrooms is when they are caramelized, which is almost impossible if they are crowded.

Also, don’t be impatient.  When you want to develop that lovely caramelized outside, be sure to let them site before stirring or turning.  Walk away for just a few minutes.  You will be glad you did! Enjoy those Mushrooms!

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Diabetic Dish of the Week - Herb-Rubbed Beef Roast with Roasted Cauliflower

Oh I’ve got a good one to pass along for this week’s Diabetic Dish of the Week – Herb-Rubbed Beef Roast with Roasted Cauliflower. Perfect Dish for your Easter Dinner! It’s from the Diabetic Gourmet Magazine website. Check out the Diabetic Gourmet site for a fantastic selection of Diabetic Friendly recipes, news, and tips. Enjoy and Make 2019 a Healthy One!  https://diabeticgourmet.com/

Herb-Rubbed Beef Roast with Roasted Cauliflower
In this flavorful dish, Top loin roast, which is considered a lean cut, gets a rub-down using a simple mixture of garlic and thyme. Serve with roasted cauliflower for a potato-free version of a meat and potatoes meal. This is a nice choice for a holiday dinner with family and friends.

Recipe Yield: 16 servings.


1 beef Top Loin Roast, Boneless (about 3 to 4 pounds)
4 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
2 heads (about 2-1/2 pounds each) cauliflower, separated into florets
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Salt and pepper
2/3 cups dry Italian-seasoned bread crumbs

Directions

1 – Preheat oven to 325F.
2 – Press 2 teaspoons of garlic evenly onto all surfaces of beef roast. Press thyme evenly over roast.
3 – Place roast, fat-side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan.
4 – Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat. Do not add water or cover.
5 – Roast on center rack in 325F oven 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours for medium rare; 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours for medium doneness.
6 – Meanwhile, toss remaining 2 teaspoons garlic, 4 tablespoons oil and cauliflower on rimmed baking sheet.
7 – Season with salt and pepper, as desired.
8 – Cover with aluminum foil; bake on lower rack 45 minutes.
9 – Combine bread crumbs and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Remove foil; sprinkle bread crumbs evenly over cauliflower.
10 – Continue to bake, uncovered, 30 to 45 minutes or until crumbs are golden brown and cauliflower begins to brown.
11 – Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135F for medium rare; 145F for medium.
12 – Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10-15F to reach 145F for medium rare; 160F for medium.)
13 – Carve roast into slices; season with salt and pepper, as desired. Serve with cauliflower.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:
Calories: 282
Fat: 13 grams
Unsaturated Fat: 7 grams
Saturated Fat: 3 grams
Fiber: 3.8 grams
Sodium: 254 milligrams
Cholesterol: 56 milligrams
Protein: 28 grams

https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/herb-rubbed-beef-roast-with-roasted-cauliflower

ROASTED CARROTS AND PARSNIPS

I have a perfect Diabetic Friendly Side Dish to go with the HERB-RUBBED BEEF ROAST WITH ROASTED CAULIFLOWER for your Easter Dinner, ROASTED CARROTS AND PARSNIPS. Easy to prepare and only 90 calories per serving! Make your Easter Dinner not only a Delicious one but a Healthy one also. It’s another one from the Diabetic Gourmet Magazine website. Check out the Diabetic Gourmet site for a fantastic selection of Diabetic Friendly recipes, news, and tips. Enjoy and Make 2019 a Healthy One!  https://diabeticgourmet.com/

ROASTED CARROTS AND PARSNIPS

Ingredients

1 pound carrots, peeled
1 pound parsnips, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1 - Heat oven to 425F.
2 - Cut carrots and parsnips in half then in half lengthwise.
3 - Place on large rimmed baking pan toss with olive oil.
4 - Season with salt and pepper.
5 - Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until parsnips are tender, stirring once.
6 - Sprinkle with parsley.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:
Calories: 90
Fat: 3.5 grams
Saturated Fat: 0.5 grams
Fiber: 4 grams
Sodium: 40 milligrams
Protein: 1 grams
Carbohydrates: 14 grams
Sugars: 5 grams

https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/roasted-carrots-and-parsnips