How To Make Mustard Roasted Potatoes

Recipe: Mustard Roasted Potatoes

Last Friday, my incredible husband really turned the tables on me. After a really long week of work, he surprised me with a homemade dinner, putting on an amazing spread. Not only did he secretly dig through my favorite cookbooks for inspiration, he made recipes we've been wanting to try but haven't found the time. Case in point: Ina Garten's Mustard Roasted Potatoes.

From the moment I walked in the door, it was like -- BAM!! -- the aroma was unreal. I had no idea what smelled so great until Bryan brought out the potatoes. The combination of baby potatoes, onion, olive oil and grainy mustard all roasting in the oven was heavenly. Even if you're not surprising anyone with dinner, they're easy and undeniably delicious. Best yet, they're sure to put a smile on the face of anyone you're cooking for. Just like me. :)

Mustard Roasted Potatoes
Adapted from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa At Home

• 2 1/2 pounds small red potatoes (or small Yukon Gold potatoes)
• 2 yellow onions
• 3 tablespoons good olive oil
• 2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
• Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the potatoes in halves or quarters, depending on their size, and place them on a sheet pan. Remove the ends of the onions, peel them, and cut them in half. Slice them crosswise in 1/4-inch-thick slices to make half-rounds. Toss the onions and potatoes together on the sheet pan. Add the olive oil, mustard, 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper and toss them together. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until the potatoes are lightly browned on the outside and tender on the inside. Toss the potatoes from time to time with a metal spatula so they brown evenly. Serve hot sprinkled with chopped parsley and a little extra salt.

Hummus with Kalamata Olives, Feta Crumbles + Lemon Oil

Party Tip: Kick-Up Store-Bought Hummus!

A few weeks ago Bryan and I had a pre-movie snack at Westside Tavern, a gastropub in West LA. We didn't have much time so we ordered what we thought would be fast and easy: Hummus and pita, topped with roasted tomatoes, kalamata olives and crumbled feta.

When it arrived, it was so delicious and so easy that I was inspired to replicate it for a recent dinner party. I was tight on time -- again -- so hit up Trader Joe's for a bag of fresh pita bread, a tub of plain hummus, a jar of Kalamata olives, Italian parsley and some crumbled feta. When I got home, I spread the hummus on a fun serving platter, roughly chopped the Kalamata olives and parsley, and zested some lemon. I generously sprinkled it all over the hummus and then drizzled a dash of Napa Valley lemon-infused olive oil for color and added flavor.

And the pita? I warmed it in a 400-degree oven for about 5 minutes (wrapped in foil), then I cut it into wedges and arranged it around the hummus. Party apps, done and done! :)

Whoopie Pies: Chocolate, Salted Caramel + Marshmallow

Chocolate, Salted Caramel + Marshmallow Whoopie Pies

Moist chocolate cake. Vanilla bean marshmallow creme. Salted Caramel drizzle. Need I say more?

Okay, maybe just a little more. How about all that combined to make one of the best whoopie pies you've ever had? These little beauties are incredible. I made them last weekend for a Super Bowl party (pipe on some white stitching and you've got football pies!) and not one was left. I combined two recipes in what I think may be my most successful whoopie pie attempt to date. (Although these Chocolate Candy Cane and Gingerbread Whoopie Pies are pretty fantastic.). If you need a recipe, try this one and let me know what you think. I couldn't believe how light and moist the cake was and how well the marshmallow filling held up on the warm Super Sunday afternoon.

Chocolate + Salted Caramel Whoopie Pies

Makes 8-10 Whoopie Pies

• 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup milk
• 5 tablespoons cocoa
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 jar Trader Joe's Salted Caramel Mixture

Clockwise, from top left: Baked whoopie pies, circular piping,
assemble sandwiches, finished whoopie pies

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, beating well until combined. In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Slowly add the flour mixture and milk into the mixer, alternating additions until fully blended. Using a tablespoon or 2" cookie scoop, drop circular mounds of batter onto parchment- or foil-lined baking sheets.

Note: To shape these into footballs, using a butter knife or your fingertips to gently create points on either side of the mound, creating the shape of a football. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until firm.  Let cool completely on wire racks.

Marshmallow Filling

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 jar (7 1/2 ounces) marshmallow Fluff
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add Fluff and vanilla and continue mixing until well combined.

Transfer the marshmallow mixture to a large piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Arrange half of the whoopie pies bottom-side up. Starting from the edges, pipe the filling onto each whoopie pie in a circular motion until the whole surface is covered. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of salted caramel mixture over the filling and gently top with an appropriately-sized whoopie pie, top-side up.

Note: To decorate the whoopie pies as footballs, pipe a small amount of the remaining marshmallow filling to replicate football laces (see image, left).

NFL Potato Skins: Super Bowl Snack Genius!

So exactly one year ago, I'm flipping through Food Network Magazine when I stop dead in my tracks. I turn the magazine lengthwise, similar to how I can only imagine a man would to an issue of Playboy, and start to "Oooh" and "Ahhh." My husband, Bryan, looks at me curiously, finally asking "What food needs an entire vertical spread of a magazine?"

"Potato skins. Customized for each of the NFL's 32 teams," I replied.

"Oohhh," he said. Followed by a grab for the magazine and a "Lemme see!"

It was then that he understood. Simply put, the idea of creating custom potato skin recipes reflecting a city's local ingredients, flavors and food favorites is brilliant. Totally brilliant. Which is exactly why I'm sharing this post again, two years later. It's a classic, just like these potato skins. So even if your favorite team isn't in the Super Bowl, find the recipe and try it anyway. At least they can be at your Big Game party in spirit!

Here's how you make each of the potato skins:

General directions: Pierce 4 large russet potatoes with a fork. Bake directly on the oven rack at 350 degrees until tender, about 1 hour. Let cool, then quarter lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Brush both sides with melted butter and season with salt and pepper. Bake, skin-side up, at 450 degrees until crisp, about 15 minutes. Add your favorite team toppings. (For cheesy skins, flip the baked shells over before topping, sprinkle with 1 cup grated cheddar cheese and bake an extra 5 minutes.)

AFC TEAMS

1. Baltimore Ravens

Chesapeake Butter Potato Skins: Melted butter, Old Bay Seasoning, grated parmesan and chopped chives

2. Buffalo Bills

Hot Wing Potato Skins: Blue cheese dressing, cayenne hot sauce, and chopped celery and carrots

3. Cincinnati Bengals

Five-Way Chili Potato Skins: Cincinnati-style chili, kidney beans, chopped onion, shredded cheddar and oyster crackers

4. Cleveland Browns

All the Way Potato Skins: Deli-sliced corned beef, shredded Swiss cheese, grated horseradish and spicy mustard; bake 5 more minutes

5. Denver Broncos

Western Omelet Potato Skins: Sauteed green pepper, onion and ham, paprika and chopped parsley on cheesy skins

6. Houston Texans

Tex-Mex Potato Skins: Refried beans, crumbled chorizo, shredded monterey jack, hot sauce and pickled jalapenos

7. Indianapolis Colts

Fried Pork Potato Skins: Mayonnaise mixed with mustard and hot sauce, sliced fried pork cutlets, chopped tomato and diced red onion

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Deviled Crab Potato Skins: Crab salad, cayenne pepper and paprika; bake 5 more minutes

9. Kansas City Chiefs

KC BBQ Potato Skins: Pulled pork, barbecue sauce and sliced scallions on cheesy skins

10. Miami Dolphins

Cubano Potato Skins: Mayonnaise, sliced ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and sliced pickles; bake 5 more minutes

11. New England Patriots

Maple-Bacon Potato Skins: Apple butter, crisp bacon and maple syrup on cheesy skins

12. New York Jets

Deli Pastrami Potato Skins: Deli-sliced pastrami, Russian dressing and dill pickle slices on cheesy skins

13. Oakland Raiders

Loaded Tacos Potato Skins: Shredded chicken mixed with taco seasoning, queso blanco, sour cream, salsa, pickled jalapeños and cilantro

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Steel City Sausage Potato Skins: Sauteed onions and kielbasa, sauerkraut and grated Swiss cheese; bake 5 more minutes

15. San Diego Chargers

California Fresh Potato Skins: Guacamole, sprouts and shredded monterey jack

16. Tennessee Titans

Nashville Side Potato Skins: Creamy mac and cheese; bake 5 more minutes

NFC TEAMS

1. Arizona Cardinals

Southwestern Nachos Potato Skins: Salsa, pickled jalapenos, chopped scallions and cilantro, and sour cream on cheesy skins

2. Atlanta Falcons

Georgia Peach Potato Skins: Peach preserves mixed with yellow mustard, cubed ham and canned fried onions on cheesy skins

3. Carolina Panthers

Country Ham Potato Skins: Ham salad, chopped parsley and minced pickles on cheesy skins

4. Chicago Bears

The Works Potato Skins: Sweet pickle relish, dill pickle spear, pickled peppers, yellow mustard, chopped onion and tomato, celery salt and poppy seeds

5. Dallas Cowboys

Texas Chili Potato Skins: Chunky chili, grated longhorn cheddar, chopped onion, sour cream and hot sauce

6. Detroit Lions

Coney Dog Potato Skins: Sliced hot dogs, chili, diced onions, shredded cheddar and yellow mustard

7. Green Bay Packers

Wisconsin Beer Brats Potato Skins: Beer cheese spread, sliced grilled bratwurst and brown mustard

8. Minnesota Vikings

Cheeseburgers Potato Skins: Grilled mini burgers, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and pickles on cheesy skins

9. New Orleans Saints

Muffuletta Potato Skins: Assorted sliced Italian deli meats, provolone, olive salad and sliced pepperoncini

10. New York Giants

Sausage and Peppers Potato Skins: Sauteed onions, green peppers and Italian sausage and fresh mozzarella; bake 5 more minutes

11. Philadelphia Eagles

Cheesesteaks Potato Skins

Sauteed onions and roast beef, Worcestershire sauce and Cheez Whiz; bake 5 more minutes

12. San Francisco 49ers

Frisco Gourmet Potato Skins: Artichokes pureed with goat cheese, garlic, fresh herbs and olive oil; bake 5 more minutes

13. Seattle Seahawks

Pacific Salmon Potato Skins: Flaked grilled salmon, sauteed wild mushrooms, and chopped parsley and chives

14. St. Louis Rams

Toasted Ravioli Potato Skins: Ricotta mixed with parmesan and chopped basil, tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella; bake 5 more minutes

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mojo Shrimp Potato Skins: Shrimp sauteed with rum and mojo sauce

16. Washington Redskins

Red-Slaw Skins Potato Skins: Red-cabbage slaw and crumbled bacon on red potato skins

Vegetarian Butternut Squash + Mushroom Lasagna

Butternut Squash + Mushroom Lasagna

I'm always on the look-out for new and interesting lasagna recipes. Over the holidays, I was on the hunt for a vegetarian recipe that would appeal to both a carnivorous and vegetarian crowd. I wanted it to be substantial enough to please both camps but also delicious enough that I would want to add it to my recipe repertoire. Enter this butternut squash and mushroom lasagne recipe, loaded with tender steamed squash, cremini mushrooms sauteed with onion, thyme and sage, and a rich Parmesan, mozzarella and ricotta cheese mixture.

Simply put, it was a winner-winner lasagna dinner. But during assembly, I was shocked at how much lasagna the recipe makes. Surely the quantity of ingredients would easily make two lasagnas, right? Not the case. After all was said and done, my large glass casserole dish was bursting with FIVE dense layers of squash, mushrooms and cheese. And that's not counting the eggs, which I omitted to accomodate the vegetarians in the crowd. The hour-plus cooking time was long but the house was wafting with the amazing aroma of bubbling cheese, earthy vegetables and herbs. Well worth it.

My meat- and veggie-loving guests ate the lasagna right up. Literally. Bryan and I had leftovers the next day and arguably, it was even better. 

Butternut Squash and Mushroom Lasagna
Adapted from Bon Appetit Magazine

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 2 1/2 cups chopped onions
• 1/2 pound crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, sliced (about 3 cups)
• 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 5 1/2 cups)
• 1 14-ounce can vegetable broth
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
• 4 tablespoons sliced fresh sage, divided
• 3 15-ounce containers whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 4 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 4 large eggs
• Olive oil
• 1 9-ounce package no-boil lasagna noodles

Directions: Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté until soft, about 8 minutes. Increase heat to high; add mushrooms and cook until tender, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer mushroom mixture to bowl; set aside.

Add squash, broth, 3 tablespoons thyme, and 3 tablespoons sage to same skillet. Cover and simmer over medium heat until squash is just tender, about 6 minutes. Uncover and cook until squash is very soft but still retains shape, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Mix ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, and remaining 1 tablespoon thyme and 1 tablespoon sage in large bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper; mix in eggs.

Brush 13x9x2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with oil. Spread 1 cup ricotta mixture over bottom. Arrange 3 noodles on top. Spread 1 3/4 cups ricotta mixture over noodles. Arrange 1 1/3 cups squash mixture over. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup mushrooms and 1 cup mozzarella. Top with 3 noodles, then 1 3/4 cups ricotta mixture, half of remaining squash, 1/2 cup mushrooms, and remaining 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat with noodles, 1 3/4 cups ricotta mixture, remaining squash, and remaining mushrooms. Top with 3 noodles. Spread remaining ricotta mixture over; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Cover with oiled foil.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake lasagna, covered, 35 minutes. Uncover; bake until heated through, about 25 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. DO AHEAD:The lasagna can be assembled one day ahead and refrigerated.

Scrape the potatoes into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; scatter the marshmallows on top. Bake in the top third of the oven for 25 minutes, until the marshmallows are golden. Sprinkle with the pecans and serve.

MAKE AHEAD The sweet potato puree can be refrigerated overnight. Bring to room temperature and top with the marshmallows before baking. The spiced nuts can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Pan-Fried Caramelized Onion Dip

Caramelized Onion Dip
(Photo: 101 Cookbooks)

The road to the Super Bowl is one of my favorite times of the year, mostly because I have an excuse to try all sorts of new appetizer recipes. Lucky for me, our friends are always willing participants when it comes to trying my culinary experiments. Case in point: Bryan and I had a few friends over last night to watch the San Francisco 49ers dismantle the Packers. On the menu: Gruyere sliders, white cheddar and jalapeno shortbread "crackers," and this amazing creamy, caramelized onion dip.

Making the caramelized onion dip from scratch was a no-brainer for a few reasons: 1) It's incredibly easy and comes together in less than 30 minutes, and; 2) Our friends deserve better than a pouch of Lipton onion dip mixed with sour cream. The fact that the aroma of bubbling, caramelizing onions will waft through your house is an added bonus! I served the dip with Salt and Pepper Kettle Krinkle-Cut Chips, but choose your favorite and go with it. Just make sure to pick chips that are thick-ish and can support the weight of the dip.

Pan-Fried Caramelized Onion Dip
Adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten


Ingredients
• 2 large yellow onions
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces light cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1/2 cup good mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire

Directions: Cut the onions in half and then slice them into 1/8-inch thick half-rounds. You should have about 3 cups of onions. Heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan (I used a 12" cast iron skillet) over medium heat. Add the onions, cayenne, salt, and pepper and saute for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 more minutes until the onions are browned and caramelized. Allow the onions to cool.

Place the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and Worcestershire in a medium-sized bowl and whisk until smooth. Add the onions and mix well. Taste for seasonings. Serve at room temperature.

Recipe: Healthy Coq Au Vin. No, Really!

I'm seven days into my second annual "Sober January." As if foregoing any and all alcoholic drinks for 31 days isn't hard enough, I'm upping the ante. Sober January, meet No Carb January. Yes, you read right. No alcohol and no carbs for 31 days. Why am I following such a "crazy" diet (as one friend lovingly described it) right after the holidays? It's simple. A colleague putting himself through the same culinary torture put it best: "I'm doing Sober January, well, because December was BIG." 

Eating a restricted diet can get really boring, really fast. To avoid meal monotony and keep the tasty meals flowing, I've scoured magazines and cookbooks for health-conscious recipes. First up: Clean Eating Magazine's Coq Au Vin, a classic French dish typically laden with butter. Clean Eating's version removes the calories but keeps the classic taste; each serving is only 289 calories and 3 grams of fat. Part of the modification means removing the bacon, but I promise you won't miss it. I made this recipe for dinner last night, enjoyed leftovers for lunch today (minus the potatoes), and am watching Bryan dig into his as we speak. It's delish!

Coq Au Vin

Adapted from Clean Eating Magazine

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon each sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
• 2lb boneless, skinless chicken pieces (6 thighs and 3 breasts, halved)
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced into 1/4" thick rounds
• 4 cups quartered Cremini or white mushrooms
• 12 oz. new potatoes, cut into bite size pieces (about 2 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth 
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 2 tbsp low sodium tomato paste
• 1 tsp Herbes de Provence or dried thyme
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Directions

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and pepper. Add chicken, turning to coat in mixture. Mist a large heavy skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium. Add chicken and cook 4-6 minutes, turning once, until lightly browned. Transfer chicken to a plate; mist skillet with cooking spray and return to stovetop on medium heat. Add onion, carrot and mushrooms and saute, stirring frequently for four minutes. 

Add potatoes, broth, wine, tomato paste and herbes; stir to combine. Return chicken and any juices to pan in a single layer, nestling chicken into broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced and potatoes are tender. 

Using tongs and a slotted spoon, transfer chicken and vegetables to shallow dinner bowls or plates. Bring sauce to a boil; boil until sauce is reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, 3-4 minutes. stir in parsley and pour sauce over chicken and vegetables.