French Onion Pasta

So this is on the verge of a little to 'pre-packaged' for me, but I gave it a try and I have to say I was rather pleasantly surprised. If you're willing to eat dip made with Lipton's french onion soup mix, you should try this.

Ingredients:
2 cups of uncooked penne pasta (I snuck in whole wheat pasta)
1 cup of chicken stock
1 packet of Lipton's Onion Soup mix
1 shallot, finely diced
2 cloves of garlic, smashed
1/2 cup of marsala wine
4 tablespoons of light cream
1 tablespoon of flour
1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil



In a large oven safe saucepan, heat the oil. Add the scallions and garlic, stir continually until soft and fragrant. Add in the flour and cook for a couple of minutes. A light brown fond will form on the bottom of the pan, so long as it doesn't blacken, don't worry. A nice dark brown is ok.
Add the marsala wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any stuck on business.
Add the stock and soup mix packet, allow to simmer for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook your pasta al dente.
Reduce heat and add the light cream, mix well.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, stir well. Arrange evenly in saucepan and top with the mozzarella cheese. Set it under the broiler until the cheese gets a little crispy.

Balsamic Honey Pulled Pork in the crockpot

This recipe sounded a little more sophisticated than the gazillions of crockpot pulled pork recipes. It wasn't as simple, as you do need to make the sauce on the stove top for 25min, but it didn't fail to disappoint!

Ingredients:
for pork
2.5-3# boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of fat
1 onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 cup chicken broth

for sauce
1c balsamic vinegar
3/4c ketchup
1/3c packed brown sugar
1/4c honey
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt

Place pork, onion, pepper, herbs and broth in slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10hrs or high for 4.5-5hrs.

Make BBQ sauce by combining ingredients in heavy saucepan. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring occassionally.

Transfer meat to cutting board and shred using two forks, discarding any fat.
Strain vegetable mixture and discard liquid. Return meat and veggies to crock pot. Add BBQ sauce and stir to coat meat evenly. Adjust slow cooker to low for 1 hr.

Serve on slider buns with coleslaw and pickles.

Corn and Crab Chowder

From Rachel Ray via the Food Network. This is how I used a surplus of crab meat from my Uncle Bill.

Ingredients
1 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs butter
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 ribs celery, choped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 small red pepper, seeded and diced
1 bay leaf
salt and pepper
1 Tbs Old Bay seasoning
3 Tbs flour
2 c vegetable or chicken stock
1 quart whole milk
3 c corn kernels (frozen works fine)
8 oz lump crab meat
for garnish: tabasco, oyster crackers, or sliced scallions

Heat a deep pot over moderate heat. Add oil and butter. Add veggies to the pot with a bay leaf. Season with salt, pepper and Old Bay seasoning. Saute veggies for 5 minutes, then sprinkle in flour. Cook flour for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in broth and combine.. Stir in milk and combine. Bring soup to a bubble. Add corn and cram meat and simmer for 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning and remove the bay leaf before serving with garnish.

Fast Chicken Posole Soup

This recipe is from my mom's wonderful friend, Melanie. It's a great quick recipe that's tasty and satisfying.

Ingredients:
1 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
3/4 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 c onion, diced
1/2 c celery, diced
4 fresh tomatillos, coarsely choped
2 (14oz) cans chicken broth
1 (15oz) can white hominy, rinsed and drained
2 c choped, skinless, boneless chicken breast - cooked (use a rotisserie chicken!)
1 Tbs lime junice
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
for garnish:
1/2 ripe avocado
4 radishes, thinly sliced
cilantro

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over med-high heat.
Add spices, garlic, onion and celery and saute for 2 minutes.
Stir in tomatillos; cook 1 min.
Add broth and hominy; cover and bring to boil. Uncover and cook 8 minutes.
Add chicken and cook 1 minute or until heated through.
Remove from heat; stir in lime juice, salt and pepper.
Serve in bowls and garnish.

Crockpot Thai Chicken

In my search for more crockpot dinners, this was a big hit. Not too spicy and excellent served over rice.

Ingredients
2 medium onions cut into thin wedges
1.5 cups sliced carrot (3 medium)
1 small red sweet pepper, cut into bite-size strips
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
3/4 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lime peel
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce 
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
2-3 teaspoons red curry paste
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup frozen peas
Hot cooked rice
Chopped peanuts (optional)
Snipped fresh cilantro (optional)

In a slow cooker, place onions, carrot, and sweet pepper. Top with chicken. In a medium bowl, whisk together broth, peanut butter, lime peel, lime juice, soy sauce, ginger, curry paste, and garlic until smooth. Pour over all in cooker.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Stir in coconut milk and peas. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

Serve chicken mixture over hot cooked rice. If desired, sprinkle each serving with chopped peanuts and cilantro. 

Butternut Squash Lasagna

I adapted this from a Martha Stewart recipe with the addition of Italian sausage. I think kale or Swiss chard might be a nice way to add some veg as well.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 pound whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, coarsely grated (2 cups)
• Freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh sage leaves, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/4 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock (I used a bit more since I had no cook noodles)
• 3/4-1 lb sweet Italian sausage, cooked
• Lasagna noodles
• 4 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese (1 1/4 cups)

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss squash, oil, and 1 teaspoon salt on a baking sheet. Season with pepper. Bake until light gold and tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool.
2. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Combine ricotta, cream, yolks, mozzarella, and a pinch of nutmeg in a medium bowl. Season with salt.
3. Melt butter in a small saute pan over medium-high heat. As soon as it starts to sizzle, add sage, and cook until light gold and slightly crisp at edges, 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Place squash in a medium bowl, and mash 1/2 of it with the back of a wooden spoon, leaving the other 1/2 in whole pieces. Gently stir in sage-butter mixture and stock. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Spread 3/4 cup of ricotta mixture in a 9-cup baking dish. Top with a layer of noodles. Spread 1/2 of the butternut squash mixture over noodles. Top with a layer of noodles. Spread 1 cup of ricotta mixture over noodles and top with half of cooked crumbled sausage. Repeat layering once more (noodles, squash, noodles, ricotta/sausage a). Sprinkle Parmesan over ricotta mixture.
6. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until cheese is golden and bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

This recipe can be prepared ahead of time, double wrapped and frozen. I'm thinking it would be easy to double the recipe and freeze one.

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts, approx. 1#
1 medium onion, chopped
2-3 Tbs olive oil
1 can black or kidney beans
Cumin, to taste
Chili powder, to taste
6-8 tortillas
1.5c shredded Montery Jack or Mexican cheese
1/4c butter
1/4c flour
1 - 15oz can of chicken broth
1c sour cream
1 - 4oz can diced green chilis

Preheat oven to 400*
Heat olive oil in a pan. Dice the chicken, season with salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Cook chicken with the onion until just done. Remove from heat. Add beans and corn and mix together. Spray a 9x13 inch pan with nonstick spray or olive oil. Put the chicken mixture in each tortilla with a sprinkle of cheese and place in the pan seam side down.

Melt the butter and add flour to create a roux. Cook for 2-3 minutes, slowly whisk in the chicken broth to create a thickened sauce. Take off heat and stir in sour cream and chilis. Pour over enchiladas and top with remainder of the cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes until cheese topping in melted.

Santa Fe Chicken

A new crockpot recipe! The end result has a fair bit of liquid, so it would work well over rice, or strain with a slotted spoon well before you put in a tortilla.

Ingredients:
24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
15 oz can black beans
8 oz frozen corn
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth
3 scallions, chopped
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced (original recipe called for 1 tsp garlic powder)
half a chopped onion (original recipe called for 1tsp onion powder)
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)
salt to taste

Directions:
Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the crock pot. Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top. 

Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Adjust salt and seasoning to taste. Serve over rice or tortillas and your favorite toppings- like sour cream and cilantro.

Crockpot Lemon Chicken

This is a great little recipe that's quicker than many crockpot recipes. I also successfully doubled this as well. We served with angel hair pasta and it was delish!

Ingredients
1tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 Tbs butter
1/4 c water
3 Tbs lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp chicken bouillon granules
8oz pkg cream cheese (lowfat or fat free works fine)\
Fresh parsley for garnish

Mix oregano, salt and pepper and rub into chicken breasts. Melt the butter in a skillet and brown the chicken breasts 3 to 5 minutes on both sides. Place chicken in slow cooker.
In the same skillet, mix water, lemon juice, garlic and bouillon. Bring to a boil. Pour over the chicken in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours. Add the parsley to the slow cooker 15-30 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
About 15min before you're ready to serve, remove the chicken and add cream cheese. Whisk until smooth and serve over chicken on a bed of rice or pasta.

found on Pinterest

Marshmallows

Fun to make for home or gifts and delicious in hot cocoa.

Ingredients:
1/4c powdered sugar
1/4c corn starch
vegetable oil (for pan)
2 - 1/4oz envelopes of gelatin
1.5c granulated sugar
2/3c light corn syrup

Sift together powdered sugar and corn starch and set aside.
Brush the bottom of an 8x8 inch pan with vegetable oil and then cut a piece of parchment, approximately 8x12 to cover the bottom and 2 sides with overhang. Place in pan and brush the parchment with oil too.
Dust the bottom of the pan with about half your sifted sugar/corn starch and set aside.

Fill stand mixing bowl with 1/2 cup cool water and sprinkle with gelatin.
Meanwhile, in a medium pot with a candy thermometer attached, combine granulated sugar, corn syrup and 1/2c water and bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce heat to medium and cook until you reach soft ball stage at 240*. Remove from heat.

Turn on stand mixer and beat gelatin on low for about 30 seconds. Then slowly pour in sugar syrup down the side of the bowl with mixer running. After everything is poured in, increase mixer speed gradually (I found I needed 1-2 min at at least two higher speeds to get to the highest speed without splashing everywhere).
Beat on high until doubled in volume and thick and ribbony - about 12-15 minutes.
If adding extract, do so in the last 30 seconds or so. I used scant 1tsp peppermint extract.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Use wet fingers to smooth out surface and sprinkle remaining powdered sugar/corn starch over the top. Let rest, uncovered in a cool and dry place, for 4 hours or overnight.

Invert marshmallow to a cutting board. Use a pastry brush to brush off powdered sugar mix and reserve on cutting board for dipping the newly cut edges in, as well as dusting the knife before and between cuts.

Variations:
For coffee marshmallows, dissolve 6 Tbs instant espresso in 1c boiling water. Set aside to cool to room temp and then substitute where water is called for.

For chocolate marshmallows, mix 6 Tbs cocoa and 3 Tbs hot water until a smooth paste is formed. Add to gelatin mixture before adding syrup. Also add 1/4c cocoa powder to sifter when doing powdered sugar and corn starch.


From Country Living magazine

Spinach and Gruyere Breakfast Strata

This Cook's Illustrated recipe was our Christmas morning breakfast and looked lovely in my 8x8 Spode Christmas baker. Also you prep ahead and bake off the morning of, which I like.

Ingredients:
8-10 slices French or Italian break (1/2 inch thick) - I used a day old baguette
5 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
4 medium shallots, minced (~1/2c)
1 - 10oz package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
salt and pepper
1/2c Sauvignon Blanc
6oz Gruyere cheese, grated (~1.5c)
6 large eggs
1.75c half and half

Cut and dry bread either in an oven at 225* for 40min (flipping once halfway through) or leave out overnight. When cooled butter slices on one side with 2 Tbs butter and set aside.

Heat 2 Tbs butter in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Saute shallots until translucent, about 3min; add spinach and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach and shallots are combined ~2min. Transfer to medium bowl and set aside.

Add wine to now empty skillet, increase heat to medium-high and simmer until reduced to 1/4cup, 2-3 min; set aside.

Butter 8x8 inch baking pan with remaining 1Tbs butter and arrange half the buttered bread slices, buttered side up, in a single layer in dish.
Sprinkle half of spinach mixture then 1/2c of grated cheese.
Use remaining bread to make next layer
Sprinkle with remaining spinach/shallot mix and another 1/2c of cheese.

Whisk eggs until combined, whisk in wine reduction, half and half, 1tsp salt and pepper to taste. Pour egg mixture over bread layers; cover surface flush with plastic wrap and weight down.
Refrigerate at least 1 hr or overnight.

Remove dish from fridge and let stand at room temp 20 min. Preheat oven to 325* with rack in the middle position.

Uncover strata and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until both edges and center are uffed and edges have pulled away slightly from the sides of the dish, 50-55 minutes. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes before serving.


from Cooks Illustrated

Slow Cooker Pork Ragu

This is a double recipe so there will be some to freeze for another dinner.

Ingredients
2 large carrots
2 medium onions
4 cloves garlic, chopped
4 Tbs tomato paste
2 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp dried oregano
2 - 14.5oz cans diced tomatoes
2.5-3 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed and cut in half (at least)
Fettuccini and parmesean for serving

Combine carrot, onion, garlic, tomato paste, herbs, 1.5tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper in slow cooker. Add tomatoes and their juices; add pork and turn to coat.

Cook on high for 5-6hrs or low for 7-8hrs, until pork is very tender. Pull pork from sauce and place on cutting board. Shred with 2 forks, discarding any fatty bits. Serve with fresh fettuccini and ample parmesean.

From Real Simple, Jan2013

English Toffee

After some searching, this is the toffee recipe I landed on for the holidays. It takes some patience and lots of stirring, but the results are delicious!

Ingredients:
1lb granulated sugar
1lb butter, unsalted
3oz water
1tsp salt
1tsp vanilla extract
1lb chopped almonds
1.5lbs bulk dark chocolate, not chips

Combine sugar, butter, water and salt in a heavy saucepan. Over medium high heat, stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Using a candy thermometer, keep stirring constantly until temperature reaches 298 degrees. When it reaches temperature, take off heat, add vanilla and stir well to combine. Then immediately pour out on a silpat. Using an offset spatula, quickly spread to desired thickness. You can either leave as one big sheet or score break lines in the toffee as it begins to cool. To score, oil a chefs knife with canola or safflower oil and repeatedly mark lines in toffee as it cools. Edges will cool first, so be strategic.

When cool, wipe excess butter off the toffee with a paper towel. If you scored the toffee, break it up for dipping. If you left it as a sheet, you'll coat it entirely with chocolate, then break into shards.

To temper chocolate (the easy way), chop chocolate finely and put in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Reserve a good sized chunk of chocolate for the last step. Microwave in 15-20 sec bursts, stirring for 15-20 sec after each time. When the chocolate has only a few small lumps after a microwave burst, add the reserved chunk and stir for a minute or more. All the small lumps should melt and the chocolate should thicken. Your larger chunk will not, it's there to add the right crystals and cool your chocolate. Now your chocolate is tempered.

Either dip the individual pieces and lay on parchment or pour chocolate on the sheet of toffee and spread with an offset spatula. Sprinkle with chopped almonds and allow to cool completely. Reserve any leftover chocolate by pouring onto parchment to cook and then wrap in plastic.

Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies

Someone posted a link to ths on FaceBook, so I gave it a try. The original recipe can be found here.

Ingredients:
For the cheesecake filling
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 teaspoons sour cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

For the cookie dough
16 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg yolk
2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To prepare cheesecake filling
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in sugar and salt until smooth. Mix in egg yolk, sour cream and vanilla - cover and place into the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

To prepare the cookie dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, sugar and salt until creamy and combined. Mix in egg yolk until incorporated. Gradually add flour and mix just until combined.

Scoop out level tablespoons worth of the dough and roll into balls. Place balls onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Using the handle end of a thick wooden spoon make an indentation in the center of each ball.

Place into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and carefully use your thumb (or the end of the same wooden spoon) to press the middle of the cookies back down, remaking the indentations. You want a pretty large indentation so you can have enough filling. Place cookies back into the oven, rotating them from their original position, and continue to bake until slightly golden around the edges, about 7 minutes.

Remove cookies from the oven and fill the indentations with the cheesecake filling. I piped in the filling to keep the edges clean, but you could use a teaspoon. Place back into the oven and bake for 7 more minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer cookies to a wire rack to cook completely.

When cool, place cookies into the refrigerator to chill before serving.
Makes about 32 cookies.

Chocolate Cherry Chunk Cookies

So I occasionally shy away from Martha Stewart recipes since they can be unnecessarily complicated, but these cookes came together very easily. That said, the individual ingredients are spendy (how can dried cherries be so spendy??) Regardless, they are tasty!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups oats
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 4 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I simplified by using dark chocolate chips)
• 1 cup toffee pieces (I used Heath bits)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In a large bowl, sift together flour and baking soda.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice during mixing. Add the egg; mix on high speed to combine. Add the vanilla; mix to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
3. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, and mix on low speed until well combined. Add the oats, cherries, chocolate, and toffee pieces; mix to combine after each addition.
4. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of dough onto a lined baking sheet. Repeat, spacing 2 inches apart.
5. Bake cookies until golden brown, 14 to 16 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days.

http://www.marthastewart.com/318628/tories-cherry-chocolate-chunk-cookies?czone=food/best-grilling-recipes/side-dishes-and-desserts&center=276943&gallery=274281&slide=259496

Raspberry Cordial

Tis the season for wonderful fresh berries. My mom used to make this every summer and then it was a special treat for Christmas. Adults had it after dinner and kids were allowed a little poured over vanilla ice cream!

Ingredients:
2 c sugar
2 pints ripe raspberries (I used a half flat of half dry pints)
1 qt vodka (4c or 32oz) note: a 1.75l bottle makes two batches of cordial

Directions:
Place sugar in 3 qt glass jar with lid. Add berries and vodka, stir and cover. Place in dark cool place. Each week for 2 months open jar and stir. Strain cordial through a cheese cloth into decanter. Makes 1 1/2 quarts.

Raspberry Sour Cream Muffins

These muffins could be made with any berry of your choice. They are fast, easy and delicious.

Ingredients
2c bread flour
3/4c granulated sugar
1tsp baking soda
1tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp kosher salt
4Tbs melted butter
1c sour cream
1 large egg
2tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 large orange
1.5c fresh raspberries
Topping: 2Tbs Demerara sugar, 1tsp cinnamon, mixed together

Place paper liners in a 12 cup muffin tin. Preheat oven to 400* with rack in the middle.

In one bowl, combine dry ingredients and whisk together (flour, sugar, bp, bs, salt).
In a separate bowl, whisk together wet ingredients (butter, sour cream, egg, vanilla) and orange zest.
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
Stir in raspberries.
Divide mixture eveny between ups. An ice cream scoop is helpful. Sprinkle tops with cinnamon sugar.
Bake 15-18 minutes.

Recipe from Small Parties by Marguerite Marceau Henderson.

Cajun Skillet Beans

This recipe is from the Moosewood Restaurant cookbook - page 167

1 medium onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 celery stalks (1 cup chopped)

2 red bell peppers

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Pinch of cayenne

Pinch of salt

14 oz can of crushed tomatoes

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 15-15 oz cans of black beans (recipe calls for black eyed peas)

Chopped scallions

Grated cheddar cheese

In a large (wide) saucepan (that has a cover), sauté the onions and garlic in the oil on medium heat.

Chop the celery and bell peppers, and add them to the pan.

Continue to sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the thyme, basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.

Cover and And cook for 5 minutes, until the onions are golden, stirring once or twice.

Add the tomatoes, honey, and mustard and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.

Add the beans, cover, and stir occasionally until thoroughly heated (about 10 minutes for canned beans.

Serve with scallions and cheese on top.

Be sure to warn folks it's hot (temperature), those tomatoes really hold the heat!

8 oz serving: 200 calories, 10.2 g protein, 4.5 g fat, 31.7 g carbohydrate, 143 mg sodium, 0 cholesterol

Gruyere and Carmelized Shallot Fondue

A great fondue recipe with the addition of carmelized shallots. A great way to ring in the new year!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/4 cups thinly sliced shallots (about 6 ounces)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups (or more) dry white wine
14 ounces grated Gruy(re cheese (about 3 1/2 cups packed)
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
Generous pinch of ground nutmeg
1 sourdough baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes - or any other dipping treats like apples, broccoli

Melt butter in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced shallots and sauté 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low; sprinkle shallots with sugar, salt and pepper. Sauté until shallots are caramelized, about 15 minutes. Transfer shallots to small bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups wine to skillet; boil 1 minute.

Pour wine into heavy medium saucepan; set over medium-low heat. Toss cheese with flour in medium bowl to coat. Add half of caramelized shallots to wine; add cheese mixture by handfuls, stirring until cheese melts and is smooth before adding more. Thin with more wine if mixture is too thick. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper.

Transfer cheese mixture to fondue pot. Set pot over candle or canned heat burner. Top fondue with remaining caramelized shallots. Serve with bread cubes.

From Epicurious.com

French Onion Soup

This recipe for French onion soup is from Cook's Illustrated and is one of Seth's favorites.

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into 3 pieces
6 large yellow onions (about 4 pounds), halved and cut pole to pole into 1/4-inch-thick slices
Table salt
2 cups water, plus extra for deglazing
1/2 cup dry sherry
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups beef broth
6 sprigs fresh thyme, tied with kitchen twine
1 bay leaf
Ground black pepper
1small baguette , cut into 1/2-inch slices
8ounces shredded Gruyère cheese (about 2 1/2 cups)

INSTRUCTIONS
For the soup:
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees.
Generously spray inside of heavy-bottomed large (at least 7-quart) Dutch oven with nonstick cooking spray. Place butter in pot and add onions and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, covered, 1 hour (onions will be moist and slightly reduced in volume).

Remove pot from oven and stir onions, scraping bottom and sides of pot. Return pot to oven with lid slightly ajar and continue to cook until onions are very soft and golden brown, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours longer, stirring onions and scraping bottom and sides of pot after 1 hour.

Carefully remove pot from oven and place over medium-high heat. Using oven mitts to handle pot, cook onions, stirring frequently and scraping bottom and sides of pot, until liquid evaporates and onions brown, 15 to 20 minutes, reducing heat to medium if onions are browning too quickly. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until pot bottom is coated with dark crust, 6 to 8 minutes, adjusting heat as necessary. (Scrape any fond that collects on spoon back into onions.)

Stir in 1/4 cup water, scraping pot bottom to loosen crust, and cook until water evaporates and pot bottom has formed another dark crust, 6 to 8 minutes. Repeat process of deglazing 2 or 3 more times, until onions are very dark brown. Stir in sherry and cook, stirring frequently, until sherry evaporates, about 5 minutes.

Stir in broths, 2 cups water, thyme, bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, scraping up any final bits of browned crust on bottom and sides of pot. Increase heat to high and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes. Remove and discard herbs, then season with salt and pepper.

For the croutons: While soup simmers, arrange baguette slices in single layer on baking sheet and bake in 400-degree oven until bread is dry, crisp, and golden at edges, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

To serve: Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Set individual broiler-safe crocks on baking sheet and fill each with about 1 3/4 cups soup. Top each bowl with 1 or 2 baguette slices (do not overlap slices) and sprinkle evenly with Gruyère. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly around edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.