Category Archives: Moni’s Favorite

Ina’s Crusty Basmati Rice

Posted in Dani's Favorite, Moni's Favorite, side dish by

This is a family favorite.  It is super flavorful and is the perfect side dish for chicken, beef or fish.  We first discovered this at our dear friend Kathy and David’s home years ago.  They were our across-the-street neighbors that quickly grew into our forever and dearest friends.  I have fond memories of our Sunday night dinners together while our children were young. We would each try out new recipes on each other from one of our many Barefoot Contessa cookbooks and this dish that Kathy made was a sure fire hit with everyone.  The fresh dill makes all the difference and the nuttiness of the toasted pine nuts are addicting. Ina Garten calls it “foolproof”.  We call it yummy!

Ina Garten’s Crusty Basmati Rice

Serves: 5-6

Ingredients

I T. Kosher Salt
1 1/2 cups basmati rice
4 T (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup minced fresh dill
1/2 cup pine nuts (toasted if you want)

Salt and Pepper

Directions

In a  large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and add the salt and rice.  Bring to a boil again, and then lower the heat, simmer the rice for exactly 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Drain.

In a large heavy bottomed pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat.  Spoon 1/3 of the rice evening over the butter without disturbing the butter, then sprinkle half of the fresh dill and half of the pine nuts on the rice.  In layers, add another 1/3 of the rice, then the remaining dill and pine nuts, and finally the rest of the rice.

Cover the pot and cook the rice undisturbed on the lowest heat setting for 30-35 minutes until the rice is tender and forms a golden crust on the bottom of the pot.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.  Stir the crusty bits into the fluffy rice and serve hot.   Enjoy!

Summer Vegetables

Posted in AP's Favorites, cut calories, low-carb, Moni's Favorite, side dish, Uncategorized, vegan, vegetarian, weight loss ideas by

My daughter and I started a SP cleanse once together that required us to refrain from grains, dairy, nuts, meat or fish during the purification process.  We were getting bored with simply raw or steamed vegetables and fruit along with our SP Shakes.

Here is a yummy side dish we stumbled upon via Blue Apron, that is both full of flavor and guilt-free too.

DFTSI Summer Vegetables _6392Summer Vegetables

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2

DFTSI Summer Vegetables _6367

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces of cherry tomatoes
  • 6 ounces of summer beans
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • sea salt and pepper

DFTSI Summer Vegetables _6368

1.  Prepare the ingredients:

Wash and dry the fresh produce.  Snap off and discard the bean stems; cut into 2-inch pieces.  Half the tomatoes. Peel and mince the garlic.

 DFTSI Summer Vegetables _6372
2. Cook the vegetables:

In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the beans; season lightly with sea salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add ½ cup of water and cook, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes, or until the water has cooked off.

DFTSI Summer Vegetables _6373

Add the tomatoes and garlic; add a little bit more of sea salt and pepper if needed. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly softened. Transfer to a bowl. Enjoy!

DFTSI Summer Vegetables _6392

Ina-Inspired Tomato Soup

Posted in appetizer, comfort food, cut calories, low-carb, Moni's Favorite, soup by

IMG_1324Easy Tomato Soup inspired by Ina Garten

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 2 cups yellow onions, chopped (2 onions)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
  • 4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
  • Large pinch of saffron threads
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup orzo
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream

Preparation

Continue reading →

Refreshing Tomato Cucumber and Onion Salad

Posted in bbq, cut calories, low-carb, Moni's Favorite, salad, side dish, vegan, vegetarian by

tomato cucumber and onion salad

Easy and refreshing, this quick salad recipe is great for summer.  I love to mix up the tomatoes for a unique twist.  It takes just 5 minutes to prepare and is big on tangy flavor.  Include it at your next BBQ!

 

Tomato Cucumber and Onion Salad

Ingredients

Approximately 1 pound of tomatoes (I like  small heirloom tomatoes, combined with grape and cherry tomatoes, quartered or  halved lengthwise depending on the size)
1/4 red onion (or sweet Maui Onion) peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
1 Kirby cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
A generous drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, about 2 tablespoons
1 splashes red wine vinegar
1 splash of apple cider vinegar
Coarse salt and black pepper

Directions

Dress the tomatoes, onions, and cucumber with olive oil,  vinegars, salt, and pepper.

Let stand to allow onions to mellow and flavors to blend, about 20 minutes. Re-toss and serve salad with crusty bread for mopping up juices and oil.

Stir-Fried Tofu with garlic, ginger and green onions

Posted in asian, low-carb, main meal, Moni's Favorite, tofu, vegetarian by

stir fried tofu
I only recently discovered tofu and the many health benefits it offers. Tofu is a high-protein alternative to red meat. Due to its protein content, eating tofu can help you feel full while consuming fewer calories.  A 1/2-cup serving of regular tofu provides about 10 grams of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database.
Tofu is also a low-carb food.  A 1/2-cup portion of regular tofu contains about 2 grams of carbohydrates.  When trying to lose weight, trading in red meat and chicken for tofu is a great alternative.  It takes on the flavors of whatever it is cooked with.  Here is a yummy asian-inspired recipe.

Easy Stir- Fry Tofu with Garlic, Ginger and Scallions

 

Ingredients

12-14 oz. tofu (extra firm organic)
2 T. peanut oil (use more or less, depending on your pan)
2 tsp. minced garlic (finely)
2 tsp. ginger root, finely grated ( I use cubed ginger already grated and found at Trader Joe’s in the freezer section).
1 cup scallions (sliced into 2 inch pieces, This is about 1 bunch green onions. Keep white parts separate from green parts.
3 T. chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
1 1/2 T. soy sauce (I use low sodium)
1 -2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

Continue reading →

Peppino’s Italian Dressing

Posted in AP's Favorites, dressing, italian, Moni's Favorite, salad by

Peppino's Italian DressingHomemade Italian Dressing

2 T. red wine vinegar
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. fresh ground pepper
1/4 cup good olive oil
2 small cloves of garlic
3 T. 0% (fat free) Greek yogurt
freshly grated parmesan cheese

Put all ingredients in a small jar with a screw top and shake vigorously.
It’s that easy!

Note: I like to toss the dressing into a light salad of romaine lettuce, thinly sliced red onion rings, tomato wedges and grated mozzarella cheese. It reminds me of a delicious salad that we used to enjoy when the girls were young at a family restaurant called Peppino’s. The restaurant relocated years ago but I still remember the wonderful salad dressing.

Return to main menu

Aunt Lillian’s Crab Dip

Posted in appetizer, Holiday Meals, Moni's Favorite by

Lillian's Crap Dip

We make this classy appetizer every holiday.  My Great Aunt Lillian Vogt gave me the recipe when I was a child. She has since passed away but I always think of her when I make this and it makes me smile.  I hope it makes you smile too.

 

Aunt Lillian’s Crab Dip

1 can cream of celery soup
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese (look for reduced fat cream cheese that is labeled Neufchatel. It is healthier)
1 cup celery, finely minced
2 small cans of crabmeat
2 small bunches of green onions (finely chopped)
1 envelope of gelatin

 Directions: Continue reading →

Grandma’s Butter Horns

Posted in breads, Dani's Favorite, Holiday Meals, Moni's Favorite by

Grandma's Butter Horns
These buttery delicious crescent rolls are requested every year around the holidays by everyone in the family.  My daughters look forward to baking them with my mom every Thanksgiving.  They are irresistible right out of the oven.  Yummy!

Grandma’s Butter Horns

4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 block of cake yeast
1 cup milk
1 cup shortening
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions Continue reading →

Quick Herbed Quinoa

Posted in Moni's Favorite, side dish by

Herbed QuinoaWhen I first started making this side dish, I used white Basmati rice instead of quinoa.  Recently I tried using quinoa due to the great health benefits that quinoa offers.  Although it is eaten like a grain, it is technically a seed.  It is a great source of protein, something that is rare in the plant world.  Quinoa is also high in iron and calcium as well as fiber.  Quinoa is also naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for those with celiac and others needing a gluten-free diet.  Oh, did I mention it’s tasty too?

Quick Herbed Quinoa

1 cup quinoa ( I like tri-color)

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. fresh rosemary, minced (1/2 tsp. if dried rosemary)

1/2 tsp. marjoram

1 tsp fresh thyme, minced (1/2 tsp. if dried thyme)

1 tsp. onion flakes

1 1/2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth if you are a vegetarian)

1 T. butter

 Directions
Continue reading →