Grilled Bleu Cheese Burger on Multi-Grain Flatbread

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Grilled Bleu Cheese Burger on Multi-Grain Flatbread

Kontos Multi-Grain Flatbread
1 lb. chopped meat for four burgers (80-85% lean)
6 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1 small onion
Salt & pepper
6-8 slices of Bleu cheese (or other favorite cheese)
Chilled lettuce or tomato for topping

  1. Using a cast-iron grill-safe skillet, sauté mushrooms and onion in olive oil on hot grill.
  2. Grill ¼ lb. chopped meat, per person, to taste.
  3. As burgers are getting close to ready, place a few slices of Bleu cheese – or another favorite cheese – on your burgers to melt.
  4. At the same time, preheat 1 slice Kontos Multi-Grain Flatbread (or other favored Kontos flatbread or pita) for 15-20 seconds on each side. Cut bread into two halves.
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Pulled Brisket Recipe

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Meat · Yields 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1              (3-4 pound) second cut brisket

1 Tbsp  prepared horseradish

1 Tbsp  imitation mustard

½-1cup ketchup, to taste

1 cup     water

2 tsp      garlic, chopped

¼ cup    brown sugar

¼ cup   vinegar

salt, to taste

pepper, to taste

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.       Preheat oven to 425°F.

2.       Combine remaining ingredients in a 4-quart saucepan and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Bean Soup)

 

This peasant soup is based on inexpensive, hearty, substantial beans in broth thickened with pasta and is found throughout Italy. The texture of this soup ranges from thin and smooth if puréed to thick and hearty, almost stewlike, depending on region and taste. In this recipe, we use pancetta (pork belly that has been salt and air-cured like prosciutto) for its potent savory flavor and rich fat, but you may substitute more olive oil. Pasta e Fagioli is often made with tender- skinned cannellini (white kidney) beans or meaty borlotti (or Romano) beans. Better yet is to use fresh shelled beans such as cranberry beans (found in season at farmers’ markets and Asian groceries), which don’t need any soaking. You will need to start the soup one day ahead to soak the beans. This soup freezes well without the pasta. Add the pasta after reheating the soup.

inexpensive soups

 How To Make Pasta e Fagioli

Makes about 1 gallon (4 L), serves 8 to 12 Ingredients

½ pound (225 g) pancetta, chilled until firm

¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons (30 ml) for serving

1 small red onion, chopped

½ fennel bulb, finely chopped

3 carrots, finely diced

3 ribs celery, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon (10 g) chopped garlic

2 cups (360 g) chopped plum tomatoes (canned or fresh)

6 cups (600 g) cooked cannellini beans (see “Cooking Dried Beans,” below)

2 quarts (2 L) Chicken or Vegetable Stock (page 9 or 14)

½ pound (225 g) ditalini or small dried pasta shells

2 cups (40 g) whole baby arugula or large arugula leaves shredded (if field-grown, wash the arugula thoroughly)

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 ounces (55 g) each grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and Romano cheeses

 

Baby arugula is prewashed and easy to use in this soup but larger field-grown arugula works as well. Just be sure to wash it thoroughly, changing the water if necessary. Slice larger leaves of arugula crosswise into 1-inch (2.5 cm) sections before adding to the soup.

1. Use a sharp chef’s knife to slice all around the outside as a cutting guide. Following the guide, slice off a piece of pancetta about 1-inch (2.5 cm) thick, which will weigh about 1/2 pound (225 g).

2. Cut the pancetta into small cubes by first slicing into 1/4-inch (6 mm) slices. Then cut the slices into thick sticks.

3. Turn the sticks around so the ends are facing the knife. Cut the sticks into cubes.

4. In a large, heavy-bottomed pan, lightly brown the pancetta in the olive oil over moderate heat.

5. Add the red onion, fennel, carrot, celery, and garlic and cook until the vegetables are soft but not browned, about 5 minutes.

6. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil.

7. Add the cooked beans, any bean cooking liquid, and the Chicken Stock and bring back to a boil.
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4 Healthy Valentine’s Day Cocktails

It’s Valentine’s Day again, which means it’s the perfect time to sit back and relax with a cocktail or two with your mate. Worried that the alcohol might not be the healthiest thing for you given those pesky New Year’s Resolutions? Well, here are a few cocktails that are totally easy to make and really pack a nutritional punch.

valentines drinks

  1. Poinsettia Cocktail

Ingredients:

1/4 cup vodka, chilled
Crushed ice
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1/4 cup Champagne
2 strips of orange zest

Servings: 1

Directions:

Combine the cranberry juice, champagne, and vodka in a tall-stemmed red wine glass. Add crushed ice. Twist orange zest over rim of glass, add on top of drink.

Who knew that champagne was healthy? (Show of hands, please.) Recent studies have shown that champagne’s phenolic compounds can improve our spatial memory. Doctors conducting these studies with rats have concluded that a moderate amount of champagne is associated with an improvement in memory. Cranberries are also incredible for you. This superfood outranks practically all other fruits and vegetables in antioxidant capacity (second only to blueberries).

  1. The New Yeller

Ingredients:

3 cups frozen pineapple (more if needed)

Orange slices, for garnish

3/4 cup spiced rum
1/2 cup orange juice (more if needed)
1/4 cup banana liqueur

Servings: 4

Directions:

Combine banana liqueur, orange juice, pineapple, and rum in a blender and mix until smooth. Add pineapple to thicken and orange juice to thin, if necessary. Garnish with orange slices.
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Wild Blueberry Sauce

 

This recipe makes 2 1/2 cups

 bluberry sauce

3 cups wild blueberries

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

Juice and zest of 1 orange

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening if necessary)

1.    In a large saucepan, heat the wild blueberries, sugar, 1 cup water, orange juice and spices on high. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer 15 minutes. *If the sauce is too thin, you may add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water) to thicken.
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Thanksgiving Cocktails

That special time of the year is approaching when we gather with loved ones to celebrate what we’re thankful for, eat delicious food, and toast to the start of the holiday season! When planning the indulgent spread, don’t forget to include a signature cocktail or two to compliment your seasonal fare. SMIRNOFF has two new confection flavors, SMIRNOFF Wild Honey Flavored Vodka and SMIRNOFF Cinna-Sugar Twist Flavored Vodka that are perfect additions to Thanksgiving libations.

Alongside these delicious cocktails, don’t forget to have a staple red and white wine on hand so you don’t leave any of your guests out. Sterling Vineyards Carneros Pinot Noir and Aromatic White pair great with appetizers at any Thanksgiving gathering. Below, please find two delicious and easy-to-make SMIRNOFF cocktail recipes and wine pairing info that are sure to become a part of your Thanksgiving traditions!
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Individual Apple Crumbles

apple crisp dessert

Ingredients:

4 cups peeled, cored, sliced apples
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup softened butter
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/12 cups brown sugar

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 F and grease or lightly butter an oven-safe 2-cup dish. In a small mixing bowl, combine first five ingredients. Stir well. In a separate mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients and stir well. Now mix everything together and pour into the greased dish. Bake 40 minutes (in the middle of the oven, not the very top), then turn the oven to high-broil for 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat, but let sit in oven 15 more minutes.  I also added a little bit of extra brown sugar and cinnamon to the top at the end.
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Halloween Themed Cocktails

Halloween is approaching, and it would only be appropriate to get in on all the festivities with some fun, seasonally-themed cocktails that are spooky and delicious.

Below please find cocktail recipes for both the Vampire Delight, utilizing one of SMIRNOFF’s newest flavors SMIRNOFF Wild Honey Flavored Vodka, and the Blood Orange Bloody Mary, featuring SMIRNOFF Citrus Flavored Vodka. They will be the best trick or treat goodies you’ve tasted in a while!

Haloween cocktails

Vampire Delight

Serves 1