Curried Yogurt Chicken with Indian Spiced Chickpeas and Jasmine Rice

Curried Yogurt Chicken 

One pack boneless, skinless, organic chicken thighs (about 6 pieces)

1 1/2 cups greek 0% or 2% yogurt

2 tbs. fresh cilantro

1/2 tsp. garam masala

1 tsp. mild curry powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. cardamom

1 tsp. salt or to taste

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

In a bowl, combine yogurt,  herbs/spices, and half the salt. Sprinkle the rest of the salt over the chicken thighs. Pour yogurt mixture over the chicken thighs in a baggy or a baking dish. Let marinate at least one hour (up to overnight) - the longer the better. If you are marinating in a baggy, transfer chicken to a baking dish at this time. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until thighs are cooked through - time depends on the thickness of your chicken.

Indian Spiced Chickpeas with Jasmine Rice

1 can organic chickpeas (garbanzo beans) rinsed and drained

1 package of microwavable Jasmine rice cooked according to box directions (you can find it at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods) or about 3 cups of home made Jasmine rice

1 cup organic light coconut milk

2 tbs. Earth Balance or Ghee (or a combination of both)

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

4-5 pitted dates, chopped (optional, or you can substitute raisins)

1 tsp. salt or to taste

1/2 tsp. garam masala

1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/4 tsp. cardamom

1/8 tsp. ground coriander

In a skillet, melt Earth Balance/Ghee over medium-high heat. Add garlic and saute for about 30 seconds. Add remaining spices (except for fresh cilantro) and heat them for 30-45 seconds to release the flavor. Add chickpeas and saute 3-4 minutes. Stir in coconut milk and dates if you are using them. Add cooked rice and top with fresh cilantro. If you'd like a sweeter dish and are not using dates or raisins, you can add 2-3 tsp. of sugar instead. 

New Years Eve Bubblies Under $20

New Years Eve Bubblies Under $20

To be considered a true "champagne," a wine must be from the Champagne region of France. The following bubblies are Champenioses, meaning they are made using the "Champagne" method, but are from various other regions. They're not only just as delicious, but much more affordable!

Brut Methode Champeniose Gruet Blanc or Gruet Rosé

Brut Methode Champeniose Gruet Rosé

Blason de Bourgogne Crémant Reserve

Blason de Bourgogne Crémant Rosé

Scharffenberger Cellars Non-Vintage Brut

Scharffenberger Cellars Brut Rosé

Roederer Estate Brut

Proseco, a type of sparking white wine, is another tasty, less expensive Champagne alternative:

Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico

Zardetto Prosecco Brut

If you do feel like splurging this New Years Eve, give one of the following a try:

Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Sparking Chardonnay

Champagne Perrier Jouet Grand Brut

Meatless Monday: Creamy Mushroom Lasagna

Creamy Mushroom Lasagna 

3 fresh pasta sheets

16 oz. low fat ricotta cheese

12 oz. mushrooms, sliced (I used portabello, but you can pick your favorite)

1/4 cup Sherry wine or white wine

16 oz. soy creamer OR low fat milk (The soy creamer will producer a sweeter end product, which you can compensate for with additional Parmesan. You can also use half and half, if you're feeling indulgent)

2 cups fresh grated Parmesan or Parmesan blend

3 tbs. flour

3 tbs. Earth Balance or butter (for sauce)

1 tbs. olive oil or Earth Balance plus 1 tbs. garlic-herb butter (for sauteing mushrooms)

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. salt or to taste

1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper or to taste

Pinch fresh grated nutmeg (if you are using soy creamer, you may choose to skip this)

1 tsp. black truffle oil (optional)

Pinch fresh thyme leaves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with a sprinkle of salt, ground pepper, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, and truffle oil if you are using it. Set aside.

In a saute pan over medium-high heat, melt the garlic-herb butter with the olive oil or Earth Balance. Add mushrooms and season with sprinkle of salt, pepper, thyme, and a sprinkle of garlic powder. Saute until just tender, then add the wine and continue cooking until liquid is absorbed. Let the mushrooms cool slightly while you make the sauce.

In a saucepan, heat the 3tbs. of Earth Balance over medium-high until melted. Add the flour and whisk to combine (about 30 seconds). Slowly add soy creamer or milk and continue whisking until mixture thickens. Season with more salt, pepper, and the nutmeg if you are using it. Add 1 1/2 cups of Parmesan and whisk until smooth. You can add a bit more soy creamer or milk if it is too thick.

Assembly:

In a baking dish, pour a small amount of sauce to coat the bottom. Top with a pasta sheet. Spread on the ricotta mixture evenly, sprinkle on some Parmesan, and place sauteed mushrooms on top. Add another pasta sheet, then another layer of ricotta and Parmesan, then mushrooms. Repeat for one more layer - the top should be just a pasta sheet. Cover entire dish wish remaining sauce and top with remaining Parmesan and a few dollops of ricotta if you have any extra. Bake for about 30 minutes or until slightly browned and bubbly. I served the lasagna with roasted carrots, parsnips, and brussels sprouts.

Easy Do-Ahead Hors D'oeuvre: Cheesy Sundried Tomato Pesto Pinwheels

Wow your guests this holiday season with this quick and easy savory treat!

Cheesy Sundried Tomato Pesto Pinwheels 

One sheet of puff pastry, defrosted (follow directions on the box for defrosting)

1/2 cup sundried tomato pesto, purchased or home made (I used Key Ingredient Market brand, but I will give a recipe for a homemade version below)

1/3 cup crumbled Feta or Gorgonzola or goat cheese (more if you want it cheesier)

1/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan or Parmesan blend

Sprinkle of salt or to taste (the cheeses are already salty but you may want a little more)

Sprinkle of fresh ground pepper

1/4 tsp. of garlic powder (optional)

1 egg, beaten (to coat the top before baking)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a lightly floured cutting board, roll out the defrosted puff pastry into an approximately 9x12 rectangle (not too thin). Spread pesto evenly onto the entire surface, leaving a small (about 1/8th inch) boarder around the edge. Sprinkle on the Feta, Gorgonzola, or goat cheese and top with Parmesan. Sprinkle on seasonings. Roll the pastry dough into a log, starting with the long side, pressing the seam closed. Coat the entire log in a light coating of beaten egg. Slice the log into rounds, about 1/2 to 1 inch thick (at this point, you can freeze the sliced rounds in a plastic bag until you want to use them). Place rounds, flat/cut side down onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, until lightly golden brown.

For a tasty variation, try using other other flavors of pesto or olive tapanade spread. You can also add thin slices of prosciutto and/or caramelized onions. For added crunch, top the pinwheels with some fresh pine nuts before baking. Feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations until you find your favorite!

Sundried Tomato Pesto

1 small (8.5 oz) jar of sundried tomatoes

About 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves

2-3 cloves garlic (depending how strong you want the flavor)

3/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Process all ingredients in a food processor or blender and mix until smooth. Add more extra virgin olive oil if you need to thin it out. This recipe will likely make more than you need for the pastry, but you can freeze it in a tupperware or baggy for up to 3 months or so. It makes a delicious dip, pasta topping or as a spread for home made pizza.

More Gourmet Gifts: Chocolate Bark with Assorted Toppings

Chocolate Bark with Assorted Toppings

If you need a last minute gift idea, this quick candy takes just minutes to assemble and a few hour to harden.

11 oz. bag dark chocolate, white chocolate, or milk chocolate chips (I like Ghiradelli brand, particularly the 60% dark chocolate chips. You can also melt down your favorite high-quality chocolate bars, but using chips is easier)

1/4 - 1/2 cup assorted toppings such as:

Roasted whole cashews

Dried apricots, chopped

Dried cherries and/or cranberries

Crumbled toffee bits

Crushed peppermint candies

Mini-marshmallows 

Candied pecans

Candied ginger, chopped

Shredded coconut

Caramel candies, chopped

Crumbled candybars

Sprinkle of sea salt (try a touch of gray, Himalayan, or smoked sea salt to really bring out the cocoa flavor)

or use your imagination to create your own unique flavor combination!

To temper the chocolate (meaning to heat slowly so it melts evenly and seize up) you can use a double boiler, but I prefer the easier microwave method. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds at a time, taking it out of the microwave and stirring gently with a wooden spoon (not metal) after each interval. Usually after the third 30-second session, it will be almost fully melted. Stir until the chocolate is smooth - remember, wooden spoons only. 

Line a baking sheet with a layer of parchment paper and pour on the melted chocolate in a rectangular shape. Smooth out with the back of a wooden spoon or a spatula. *it may help to draw a rectangle, approx 12x8, on the parchment paper with a pencil. 

Gently press on your choice of toppings, distributing evenly. Let rest for several hours until candy is hardened. To speed up the process, you can put it in the fridge or outside for faster results. When it is hardened, break the candy up into slightly larger than bite size pieces. You can do this roughly by breaking it by hand, or you can cut it with a knife into more precise squares. Place the finished candy in a holiday tin with tissue paper or in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon.

*Budget Tip*

You can find holiday themed tins as well as gift bags and tissue paper at your local dollar store!

Seasons Eatings!

Seasons Eatings!

Tis the season for giving and receiving - for us foodies, that means gourmet gifts! Here are some of my personal favorite gourmet treats; perfect little presents to send to your foodie friends/family or to include as part of your own gift basket creation.

Chocolates

There are so many wonderful chocolate companies out there, but here are my recommendations:

Vosges Chocolates - Amazing and even unusual chocolate treats. Try the Naga Bar, a deep chocolate with Indian curry spices and coconut milk. Mo's Bacon Chocolate Bar has the perfect combination of sweet and savory. The Barcelona Bar is another one of my favorites, featuring sea salt and hickory smoked almonds. Vosges also has a line of unique truffles and other filled chocolates. Check out their website for pre-made gift packages, or you can find them in your favorite specialty food store and some grocery stores such as Whole Foods.

Lindt Chocolates - Always delicious with a wonderful creamy mouth-feel, Lindt is an old stand-by worth having for the first time or the hundredth time. I've been to many food shows featuring expensive chocolates from all over the world, and Lindt, while inexpensive, still stands up to the competition. I personally love the 70% dark chocolate bar with sea salt. For those of you who are nostalgic for "Chunky" candy bars, Lindt makes a similar (and much more upscale) chocolate bar with hazelnuts and raisins. You can find Lindt nearly everywhere: in grocery stores, or one of their stand-alone shops. You can also order online - check out their array of pre-made gift boxes and baskets.

Fran's Chocolates and Caramels - It's no wonder this company has won so many awards for their chocolate sea-salt caramels, they are to die for! I have not personally eaten their chocolate dipped figs, but they look delicious and I cannot wait to try them. Fran's has beautiful gift sets and a variety of seasonal treats for the holidays including milk and dark chocolate Santas.

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier - Delicious handmade chocolates in every price range. I especially love their chocolate dipped sea-salted caramels. You can find these in some specialty food stores (check the site for locations) or order online.

Green and Black's - If you're looking for delicious organic chocolate treats that melt in your mouth (I've found that some organic chocolates are a bit chalky), Green and Black's is one of the best. This socially-responsible company offers delicious, relatively affordable chocolate bars with interesting additions such as toffee, mint, ginger, espresso, and hazelnut/currant (one of my personal favorites).

Sjaak's Organic Chocolates - For any vegans on your gift list, Sjaak's makes milk-free dark chocolate treats in a range of flavors such as mint, ginger, and raspberry. They also offer chocolate dipped nuts and toffee. These delights are all ethically made and reasonably priced - plus they can gift wrap your purchase when you order online.

Condiments

I'll admit it, I'm a condiment junkie. My pantry is overloaded with an astonishing array of jams, jellies, salsas, chutneys, spreads, and sauces. I love the versatility of condiments, and your loved ones will too. You can eat them on plain crackers or chips or use them as ingredients in your own creations. The following would made great additions to any gift basket.

Organic Dalmatia Spreads - A jar of quince, fig, olive, sour cherry, red pepper, or plum spread with a wedge of creamy cheese (try d'affinois, brie, st. andre, or your favorite goat) makes a thoughtful and delicious gift. Their original and orange fig spreads are two of my favorites. You can find them in many supermarkets such as Whole Foods and Wegmans, and in specialty food stores. Their online shop is coming soon. 

Stonewall Kitchen - I admit, I might be slightly obsessed with this company! Choose from spreads, dips, sauces, syrups, dressings, and baking mixes to mix and match in your own gift basket, or try one of their beautifully packaged pre-arranged gift sets. Check out the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten) line of dessert mixes and toppings. I've seen their products in upscale grocery stores, specialty food shops, and Williams Sonoma. Right now they are having an online sale on many holiday themed condiment sets!

Sarabeth's Kitchen - Try their delicious line of award-winning jams, spreadable fruits, jellies, and baking mixes. The apricot-orange marmalade is one of my favorites, great on toast or crackers, mixed with cream cheese, or even as a sauce-starter for a chicken or pork dish. Sarabeth's website is full of gift ideas, including many sampler sets.

Earth and Vine Provisions - Once again I must rave about these lovely products - they are one of my all time favorites. Earth and Vine offers everything from jams, jellies, and fruit butters to olive oils, dressings, mustards, and chutneys. Check out their gift sets with themes like Mustard Lovers, California Sunshine Citrus, and Holiday Condiments. The beautiful packaging is sure to please anyone on your holiday list.

Cheese and Crackers

A unique cheese and a box of elegant crackers makes a great addition to any gift basket. The following cheese and cracker combos would also pair nicely with the condiments listed above.

Creamy 

d'Affinois - This brie-like cow's milk cheese has a rich, buttery texture and a slightly sweet aftertaste. A sure crowd pleaser.
Robiola Due Latte - Creamy cheese made from a blend of cow and sheep's milk with a slightly nutty, mushroomy flavor. 
Champignon German Brie with Mushrooms - A creamy, mild cow's cheese with pieces of handpicked champignon mushrooms embedded inside.

Goat

Cypress Grove Farms Chevre - This company offers a variety of delicious, responsibly farmed goat cheeses. Their Midnight Moon, Humboldt Fog, and Truffle Tremor are some of my favorite goat cheeses not just by Cypress Grove but by any company!
eRolling Stone Chevre - Their Chevre with dried cranberries and walnuts is available from October to January and is a festive goat cheese for the holidays. Also try their unique chevre with anise and lavender for those with more adventurous palates!

Stronger-Flavored 

Rogue Creamery - Rogue offers bold blue cheeses like the Caveman Blue, a complex cheese which is at the same time sweet and pungent with slight vanilla notes; some describe is as a bit grassy. They also make a delicious Gorgonzola-style cheese.
Point Reyes Blue Cheese - A great, socially-conscious company featuring sustainable, handmade cheeses. The Original Blue is my favorite, tangy and flavorful without the ammonia aftertaste of some strong Blue's. The cheeses are quite pricey on their website, but you can find them in any upscale market or grocery store for less.
Gorgonzola Dolce - Creamy and soft cow's milk cheese has a nice, spreadable texture which is lovely on a cracker drizzled with truffle honey. I like to stuff it inside soft dates and press a candied pecan on top - try bringing a tin of these appetizers to your holiday dinner parties.
English Stilton Cheeses - Stilton's are popular blue cheeses with rich yet mellow flavors and a hint of tang. They are available with a variety of additives such as apricot, ginger, mango, and cranberry.

Huntsman - Alternating layers of cheddar and blue cheeses make for a bold flavor combination. Delicious with fruit or red wine.

Sottocenere with Truffles - An Italian cow's milk cheese with flakes of truffle. Aromatic, salty, yet mellow. I like to grate it over scrambled eggs or quiche, but it's interesting flavor shines best on its own. 

*Here's a helpful site for any stricter vegetarians on your gift list: Vegetarian Cheeses.
Each is made with vegetable rennet (enzymes from plants, fungis, or molds) instead of animal rennet (which is most often taken from calf stomachs)*

Crackers

There are so many different crackers on the market these days. Here are a few that pair especially well with the upscale cheeses and condiments above - treat yourself or your loved ones for the holidays! 

Rosemary flavored crackers like Whole Foods brand Sea Salt and Rosemary Crostini and The Fine Cheese Co. Rosemary Crackers are particularly delicious with creamier cheeses and condiments such as fig jam or quince paste. Also try them with my Fig and Kalamata Olive Jam.

The Kitchen Table Bakers, personal acquaintances of mine, make delicious (and gluten-free) crackers crafted purely from cheese. Delicious on their own, but the flavor comes out best when topped with a sweet jam or fresh fruit. Check their website to find a vendor near you.

Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps - Ethically made, artisan crackers chock full of dried fruits and nuts. Try the Rosemary Raisin Pecan crisps with almost any cheese!

Daelia's Biscuits for Cheese - Similar to the Raincoast Crisps, these all-natural crackers are crunchy with the perfect touch of sweet fruit. Made specifically to compliment upscale cheese, these can be found in Whole Foods across the country.

Ines Rosales Sweet Olive Tortas - Almost a cookie, almost a cracker, these thin, crispy rounds are available in three varieties: plain, rosemary, and sesame-sea salt. They are delicious and unusual, I've never found anything quite like it. A hit on any appetizer tray! 

John Macy's Cheese Sticks- Always a favorite! These are lovely on their own or dipped into mustard, fondue, or jam. You can even wrap them in prosciutto for a quick appetizer. Watch out - they are addictive. Melyssa recently ate an entire box in one night!

*I found all these crackers and cheeses at my local Whole Foods market, but they are widely available at quality supermarkets or specialty food stores. Murray's Cheese is a great website for purchasing or just learning about interesting, upscale cheeses. If you live in the New York metro area, it's worth a visit to one of their physical stores, one on Bleeker Street in Greenwich Village and the other in Grand Central terminal.

Delicious (and affordable) Wines Under 10 Dollars

Great Wine Picks Rated 90 Points and Over for $10 or Under*

Santa Ema 2007 Reserve Merlot - Deep violent color with the aroma of plums, blackberries, figs, and currants. Intense notes of vanilla, caramel, and chocolate - yum!

Bodegas Lan Rioja Crianza 2006 - An aroma of crushed rose petals with bright cherry flavors. Pairs well with olives and meats, especially duck.

Viña Falernia Syrah Reserva 2006 - Has a nose of blueberry and smoke, medium-bodied with layers of spicy fruit.

Monte Antico Toscana 2006 - 75% Sangiovese from 25 year old vines loaded with plums and berries.

DR Loosen Riesling 2009 - This is one of my favorites, delicious flavors of apricot, mango, and lime. Creamy with a slight tang. Pairs well with Asian dishes and light appetizers.

*I found all of these in various New Jersey wine stores such as Wegman's for $10 or less. Prices may vary near you - or you can follow the links to buy each for around what I paid!