Steak with Argentine Herb Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup(s) packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 cup(s) packed fresh cilantro leaves
1 clove(s) garlic
3 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon(s) sherry vinegar
1/4 teaspoon(s) dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon(s) crushed red pepper
Kosher salt
Pepper
4 (2 1/2 pounds total, each 1 inch thick) New York beef strip steaks


Directions:

1. Prepare outdoor grill for direct grilling on medium-high. Fit wire rack into jelly-roll pan.

2. Prepare herb sauce: In food processor with knife blade attached, combine parsley, cilantro, and garlic; pulse until finely chopped. Add oil, vinegar, oregano, red pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and black pepper; pulse to blend.

3. Pat steaks dry. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper all over steaks. Immediately place on grill; cook 7 to 8 minutes for medium-rare or until desired doneness, turning over every 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to wire rack. Let stand 5 minutes.

4. Stir any meat juices into herb sauce. Slice steak; serve with sauce.

Antipasti Salad

Ingredients:

Salad:
1/4 medium red onion, minced
1/2 medium fennel bulb, trimmed and cored
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 jarred roasted sweet red peppers, chopped (about 3&4 cup)
1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained, and quartered, if whole
2 cups baby arugula
1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted (about 2 ounces)
1/2 to 1 cup freshly shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano

Dressing:
1 small garlic clove, peeled
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil


Directions:

For the salad: To mellow the minced onion, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain well, pat dry, and put in a serving bowl.

Meanwhile, make the dressing: Smash the garlic clove, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and, with the side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Put the paste in a bowl and add the orange zest, vinegar, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper, to taste. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing.

Using a handheld mandoline or a knife, cut the fennel lengthwise into long, thin slices. Add to the onion and toss with the chickpeas, peppers, artichoke hearts, arugula, parsley, and dressing. Scatter the olives and shave the Parmigiano-Reggiano over the top.

Shopsmart: Baby arugula has smaller, more tender leaves and a slightly less peppery and assertive flavor than "grown-up" arugula.

Tip: Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings are a simple way to add texture, taste, and eye appeal to salads. To make them, hold the cheese firmly in 1 hand and run a vegetable peeler firmly across the longest edge of the cheese to peel off long, thin strips.

Tips for cooking a turkey

Looking to avoid a dry turkey? Purchase a fresh-killed (never frozen) turkey. They truly are juicier, tenderer, and tastier than frozen birds.

Turkeys range in weight from the 6 to 8 pound category to as large as 26 pounds. Very small and super-big are not better. Small ones get blotchy. Big ones present food safety problems because their mass resists total heat penetration. Best to go with a basic 12 to 16 pound turkey.

Trussing: The point of tying string around a turkey is to make the bird into a round -- no protrusions, no wings sticking out. This prevents burning of exposed areas. Twist the wing tips, which will burn first, under themselves, using some force. Now run a strand of string under the turkey's girth and up each side, catching the wing tips under the string. Continue the string over to the drumsticks, catching them and the fatty tail flap (Pope's Nose), and tie tightly.

Turkey lifter: This major help comes in two styles. One resembles an L-shaped metal prong. The prong goes right up the turkey's cavity while a handle remains in your hand. All you do it lift. If you've stuffed the turkey, get the type that looks like snow chains, lies under the bird, and acts like a sling. Either device ends burned hands, greasy potholders and lost drumsticks.

Instant-read thermometer: This is your most important tool. With this, you don't need a roasting chart or a clock. Read the facts on the dial. There will be no question about the internal temperature of your meat. If you don't have one, get one!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

These roasted Brussels sprouts are simple and tasty. The Brussels sprouts should be brown with a bit of black on the outside when done.

Prep Time: 15 Min
Cook Time: 45 Min
Ready In: 1 Hr


Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and yellow leaves removed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).

2. Place trimmed Brussels sprouts, olive oil, kosher salt, and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Seal tightly, and shake to coat. Pour onto a baking sheet, and place on center oven rack.

3. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes, shaking pan every 5 to 7 minutes for even browning. Reduce heat when necessary to prevent burning. Brussels sprouts should be darkest brown, almost black, when done. Adjust seasoning with kosher salt, if necessary. Serve immediately.

Chicken Marsala

A delicious, classic chicken dish -- lightly coated chicken breasts braised with Marsala wine and mushrooms.

Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 20 Min
Ready In: 30 Min


Ingredients:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour for coating
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded 1/4 inch thick
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup Marsala wine
1/4 cup cooking sherry


Directions:

1. In a shallow dish or bowl, mix together the flour, salt, pepper and oregano. Coat chicken pieces in flour mixture.

2. In a large skillet, melt butter in oil over medium heat. Place chicken in the pan, and lightly brown. Turn over chicken pieces, and add mushrooms. Pour in wine and sherry. Cover skillet; simmer chicken 10 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink and juices run clear.

Hot Fudge Ice Cream Bar Dessert

An easy layered frozen dessert of ice cream sandwiches, whipped topping, peanuts and peanut butter chocolate sauce.


Ingredients:

1 (16 ounce) can chocolate syrup
3/4 cup peanut butter
19 ice cream sandwiches
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup salted peanuts


Directions:

1. Pour the chocolate syrup into a medium microwave safe bowl and microwave 2 minutes on high. Do not allow to boil. Stir peanut butter into hot chocolate until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.

2. Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish with a layer of ice cream sandwiches. Spread half the whipped topping over the sandwiches. Spoon half the chocolate mixture over that. Top with half the peanuts. Repeat layers. Freeze until firm, 1 hour. Cut into squares to serve.