Posts from February, 2020

Hearty Root Vegetables

The cold weather months make us crave heartier foods… and root vegetables are definitely hearty. They are versatile in flavor, texture and application – as well as budget-friendly and a great source of complex-carbohydrates!

Rutabagas, parsnips, carrots, turnips and beets are all part of this delicious group.


A great crop of root veggies!
(Photo from CookWithWhatYouHave.com
they have a great recipe for Box Grater Unconventional Latkes!)

Roasted Beets are so tasty and star in my recipe with an Orange Cumin Glaze. Just pop whole in a 375 degree oven tented in foil and roast until fork tender – when cool the skins will slip off easy. I love them tossed in a salad with arugula, blue cheese, walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette.

The often overlooked parsnip is also a fave – roast them whole with a chicken alongside a few of those beautiful rainbow carrots we see in the markets these days. It’s featured in my Creamy Roasted Parsnip Soup paired up with chevre and walnut croutons. Pour yourself a glass of Washington wine and you’re all set for a cozy meal.

Speaking of parsnips and carrots – these also partner well simply steamed and mashed with some seasoning, butter, olive oil or sour cream for a tasty side dish alternative to traditional potatoes.

Fill up with some hearty root veggies! –Kathy

Roasted Beets with Orange Cumin Glaze
Makes about 6 servings.

5 large beets (about 2 lb.)
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp honey
1 tsp cornstarch
2 Tbsps butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1 Tbsp finely chopped orange zest
2 Tbsps chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Wash the beets and leave root untrimmed. Place beets on a large sheet of foil and seal like a package. Place foil packet on a baking pan and roast in preheated oven until very tender, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Poke beets to make sure they are tender.

As soon as beets are cool enough to handle, slip the skins off and slice into ¼-inch slices.

In a small bowl mix together the orange juice, cumin, vinegar , honey and corn starch. Stir until cornstarch is well incorporated.

Place liquid mixture in a large, non-stick sauté pan and heat over medium-high heat, whisking – while adding the butter and salt. Bring to a boil and add the sliced beets. Cook, turning beets as necessary, until they are hot and nicely glazed. Place on a serving platter or in large, shallow bowl.

Mix together the walnuts, orange zest and parsley and sprinkle over the beets.

Chef’s Notes:
You can prepare this recipe part way in advance: Just roast, peel and slice the beets ahead of time. This can be done up to 3 days in advance. Then finish the rest of the recipe procedure per instructions.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Creamy Roasted Parsnip Soup with Chevre & Walnut Crostini
Makes 6 servings

4 cups 1/2-inch-sliced peeled parsnips (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsps butter
1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 stalk celery, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cups chicken broth (I used packaged organic broth)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Croutons
6 1/4-inch-thick slices baguette or French bread
Olive oil
3 ounces chevre (goat cheese)
3 Tbsps chopped walnuts, lightly toasted

Garnish: thinly sliced fresh chives and/or celery leaves

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

First, toast the bread for the croutons: Lay the bread on a baking sheet, brush slices lightly with oil, and toast in the preheated oven for about 3 – 5 minutes, or until just lightly golden. Remove and let cool. (You can do this the day before and keep croutons in a tightly closed container after they cool.)

Toss parsnips and olive oil together in a bowl to coat evenly. Spread out on a baking sheet (you can reuse the one used for the bread), and roast till golden and totally tender, about 30 minutes.

Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté shallots and celery until very tender, about 3 minutes; do not brown. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds more. Add wine and bring to a boil. Add chicken broth, cream and roasted parsnips and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium or low, to maintain a slow simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes and then add salt and cayenne. In small batches, puree mixture in a blender. (Be careful; it’s hot!)

Return soup to pan and adjust seasoning if needed. Cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days before serving.

To serve the soup and finish the crostini:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Spread the cheese on the croutons, then top each one with a half-tablespoon of nuts. Press in slightly and bake for about 4 minutes or until cheese is warmed.
Meanwhile, heat the soup, stirring often, over medium heat till hot, making sure it does not stick on the bottom. Serve the hot soup in warm bowls. Top with chives or celery leaf and serve a warm goat cheese crouton on the side.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Posted by Kathy on February 27th, 2020  |  Comments Off on Hearty Root Vegetables |  Posted in Dishing with Kathy Casey Blog, Foodie News, Kathy Casey, KOMO Radio, Recent Posts, Recipes, salads, sides, soups

Dungeness Crab – Picked or Piled it’s All Delicious

The Pacific Northwest loves their Dungeness crabs! Named for the Washington town on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Dungeness crab is found all the way from Alaska to lower California.

NWT_crab
Photo from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table.

You’ve probably noticed that some crab eaters are pickers and some are pilers. The former pick and eat as they go. While the latter, prefer to make piles of shelled crab, not even tasting a single morsel till they have a good-sized mound. So which one are you: a picker or a piler?

Fresh, right out of the shell is still my favorite way to eat this prized catch, or in my Classic Seattle-Style Crab Louie salad with homemade dressing. And since the Northwest’s sweet Dungeness are most bountiful during the winter, it’s a good time to enjoy crab in my second favorite form, in d’lish Crab Cakes.

Crab cakes are an American tradition. From Chesapeake Bay to Puget Sound, each region has its version. Here in the northwest, we like ours snuggled up next to a sassy slaw and a dollop of aioli. No Old Bay needed here!

Renowned Seattle Chef Tom Douglas published an entire book on crab cakes, and local author Cynthia Nims wrote a whole book dedicated to crab – chock full of tips, local lore and great recipes.

So get cracking and enjoy the delectable Dungeness! –Kathy

Classic Seattle-Style Crab Louis
Makes 4 servings

4 large whole lettuce leaves
8 heaping cups sliced iceberg or romaine lettuce
1 pound Dungeness crab body and leg meat
4 hard-boiled eggs, halved lengthwise
12 grape tomatoes
12 cooked asparagus spears and/or raw cucumber slices
12 black ripe olives
4 lemon wedges
4 flat-leaf parsley sprigs
Louis Dressing (recipe follows)

Lay 1 whole lettuce leaf on each chilled individual plate. Divide the cut lettuce among the leaves and top with the crabmeat. Divide the eggs, tomatoes, asparagus, and olives attractively among the salads.

Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs. Serve about 1/3 cup of dressing in a large ramekin with each salad and pass extra dressing.

Louis Dressing
Makes 2 3/4 cups

2 hard-boiled eggs, very finely chopped
1/3 cup chopped black ripe olives
3 Tbsps. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup tomato-based chili sauce
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce or to taste
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
1 Tbsp. minced white onion

In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients well. The dressing keeps, refrigerated, for up to 1 week.

Recipe from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table.

Crab Cakes with Tangy Vegetable Slaw and Sherry Aioli
Prepare slaw and aioli before cooking crab cakes.

Makes 4 servings

Crab Cakes
1 pound high quality Dungeness crab meat
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 small egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. Tabasco
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
3 Tbsps. finely diced celery
3 Tbsps. finely minced green onion
1 1/2 tsp. finely minced fresh garlic
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. sherry vinegar
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsps. finely minced carrot
2 tsp. chopped parsley
Egg wash (2 eggs beaten with 2 tsp. water)
Bread crumbs (approximately 1 1/2 cups), preferably Panko, available at Oriental grocers
1/4 cup peanut or vegetable oil for frying, more or less as needed
2 lemons, cut in wedges
Tangy Vegetable Slaw (recipe follows)
Sherry Aioli (recipe follows)

In a large bowl mix all crab cake ingredients together well. Divide crab mixture into 12 portions and form into 1/2-inch-thick patties.

Place egg wash and bread crumbs in separate small bowls. Dip patties first in egg wash then in bread crumbs.

In a heavy 10- to 12-inch skillet heat oil over medium high heat till hot but not smoking (350-375 degrees). Fry crab cakes in small batches till golden brown on each side, turning as needed. Drain on paper towels.

Serve immediately with Tangy Vegetable Slaw and dollops of Sherry Aioli. Serve extra slaw, aioli and lemon wedges on the side.

Tangy Vegetable Slaw
Dressing and vegetables can be prepared separately and refrigerated up to two days in advance. Toss together right before serving.

3 Tbsps. mayonnaise
2 Tbsps. sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsps. sherry vinegar
1 Tbsp. finely minced red onion
1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
1 1/2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
1/2 cup finely shredded red cabbage
1 cup finely matchstick-cut carrots
1 cup finely matchstick-cut English cucumber, with skin
1 small bunch fresh chives, cut in 1-inch lengths

In a large bowl blend together mayonnaise, sour cream and sugar. Whisk in vinegars, onion, salt, pepper and parsley.

Just before serving, add remaining ingredients and toss well.

Sherry Aioli
3/4 cup high quality mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. finely minced fresh garlic
1 1/2 tsp. sherry vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsps. fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp. Tabasco
1/2 tsp. kosher salt

In a medium mixing bowl or food processor place mayonnaise, garlic, vinegar and lemon juice. While whisking vigorously or with processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until all oil is incorporated and aioli is a smooth consistency.

Season with Tabasco and salt. Mix in well. Store refrigerated till needed.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Posted by Kathy on February 20th, 2020  |  Comments Off on Dungeness Crab – Picked or Piled it’s All Delicious |  Posted in appetizers, Dishing with Kathy Casey Blog, KOMO Radio, Recent Posts, Recipes, salads, seafood

Oatmeal Any Time of Day

Oatmeal. We know that it makes for a hearty breakfast. The reason is that it contains soluble fiber (that stays in the stomach) helping you feel fuller, longer. This can keep you from overeating!

Eating just a half cup of oatmeal a day is enough to reap its many health benefits, such as supporting weight loss and boosting heart health to name a few.

There are a lot of varieties of oatmeal on the shelves today. Let me break it down for you. Steel-cut oats are the whole oat grain and bran, and are chopped with steel blades. Rolled oats are de-hulled then steamed and flattened between two rollers. Instant oats are steamed longer and completely cooked before dried. The less processed the oats are, the more fiber they will contain, and the more health benefits can be gained from eating them.

On the weekend, I like to cook a big batch of steel cut oats, let them cool, then layer it in 1/2 pint jars with dried fruits, nuts and seeds. Screw on the jar lids and refrigerate for the week. In the morning just remove the lid and then heat with a little fat free coconut milk in the microwave for a quick and healthy breakfast on the go!

Citrus Upside Down Cake 2
Who’s ready for a slice of Sunkist Orange Upside-Down Oat Cake?

And don’t forget about baking with oatmeal! My favorite is Orange Upside-Down Oat Cake! Great for a special brunch topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt. D’lish! –Kathy

Orange Upside-Down Oat Cake
Great for a hearty dessert or even as a breakfast cake, served with a dollop of Greek yogurt. Read all the way through recipe before starting. It is important to use a nonstick pan and to turn the cake out of the pan 5 minutes after removing from the oven.

Makes 1 (9-inch) round cake, serving 8 to 10

Oats
2/3 cup rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup golden raisins
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp. Sunkist Orange zest
3/4 cup boiling water

Orange Layer
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 large Sunkist Navel Orange, peel on, ends cut off and sliced into 8 to 10 thin slices

Batter
2/3 cup, packed, brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix oats, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange zest in a heat-proof container, and pour measured boiling water over mixture. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the pan and orange layer: put the butter in a 9-inch nonstick round cake pan and place in the oven until the butter is just melted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle with the 3 tablespoons of brown sugar, and then lay out the orange slices in a pretty pattern.

To make the batter: In a mixer (or large bowl), combine the 2/3 cup brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg and oil, and mix well. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, soda and salt, and then add this mixture to the sugar mixture. Add plumped oat mixture and pecans, and mix until well combined.

Without disturbing the orange layer, add batter into the cake pan carefully, and then lightly rap pan on counter to release any bubbles. Bake in preheated oven for about 45 to 55 minutes, or until cake is golden and tests done.

Let sit for 5 minutes after removing from oven. Loosen sides of cake from pan with a table knife, and then immediately invert cake onto a large plate. Let cool before serving.

Chef Notes:

  • Try adding 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom to the oat mixture for a different spice-flavor profile.
  • Great to serve for brunch; this cake is very moist, so you can make it a couple of days ahead.
  • Photo and Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® for Sunkist®.

    Posted by Kathy on February 13th, 2020  |  Comments Off on Oatmeal Any Time of Day |  Posted in breakfast, dessert, Dishing with Kathy Casey Blog, Fruit, Recent Posts, Recipes

    Hearts a Flame Valentine Dessert

    Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so I thought I’d share a super fun dessert idea!


    Sweethearts for your sweetie!

    Whether you’re headed out or eating in, try wow’ing your sweetheart at home with an AMAZING dessert, made with all your burning love – a Flaming Chocolate Cherry Heart!

    This can be made up to one day ahead and then finished off right before serving. Cut a chocolate cake layer (yes you can buy it!) into a heart, top it with a dome of chocolate cherry ice cream and then cover in a fluffy meringue (special tip: you can freeze ahead at this point).

    When ready to serve, give the meringue a quick golden toasting in the oven. Once out of the oven, ladle over the entire cake with rum and carefully light it. Be sure to pay careful attention to the safety details here AND don’t get too carried away with the flame. It’s gonna be impressive!

    So here’s to a d’lish Valentine’s Day! –Kathy

    Flaming Chocolate Cherry Heart
    This actually makes enough for four, so when serving for two, just freeze any leftovers for later nibbling. Also, cut cake into a heart or another cute design if desired.

    1 8-inch high-quality Devil’s Food chocolate cake layer trimmed to a 5-inch heart (reserve cake trimmings for later snacks)
    1 pint cherry ice cream (I like Tillamook Oregon Dark Cherry or Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia)
    4 egg whites
    1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
    3/4 cup sugar
    1 Tbsp. 151 rum
    High-quality chocolate sauce (optional)

    Place trimmed cake on a large freezer-to-oven plate, pie pan turned upside down, or other metal bakeable tray or plate.

    Soften ice cream slightly and cut away the container. Turn out onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Drape the ice cream with another large piece of plastic wrap and mold the ice cream into a dome shape, 5 inches in diameter at the base. Place ice cream on the trimmed cake and immediately place in freezer while making the meringue. (The recipe can be prepared to this point up to 1 week in advance. Thoroughly wrap the cake and ice cream with plastic and keep frozen.)

    To make the meringue: In a grease-free mixer bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed until frothy. Add cream of tartar and beat until just barely getting peaky. Then beat in the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Continue beating until stiff and glossy.

    Remove the cake from the freezer, remove the plastic and place on baking tray. With clean hands, pile the meringue on the frozen cake, covering all surfaces and swirling and making cute peaks in the meringue with your fingertips. Immediately place the cake back in the freezer, uncovered, and keep frozen until ready to serve. (This step can be done up to 1 day in advance.)

    Note: Be sure the cake is frozen for a minimum of 4 hours before serving.

    Serve and flame the bomb: Preheat oven to 475 degrees F. Place cake in the oven for about 4 to 6 minutes, or until meringue is nicely browned all over and meringue tips are golden browned.

    Bring to the table immediately and place on a trivet. Flame immediately: place 151 rum in a metal ladle or large spoon and warm it over a candle. Then light the rum and carefully pour it over the cake. (Be careful not to dribble any 151; it is on fire!) When the flames go out, cut the cake in wedges and serve on plates drizzled or decorated with chocolate sauce.

    Chef’s Note: The trick is to keep the whole thing really well frozen before baking the meringue in the oven. Leftover cake can be re-frozen. For serving 4 people, use the entire 8-inch cake layer and double the ice cream and meringue amounts.

    Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

    Posted by Kathy on February 6th, 2020  |  Comments Off on Hearts a Flame Valentine Dessert |  Posted in dessert, Dishing with Kathy Casey Blog, Foodie News, Kathy Casey, KOMO Radio, Lifestyle, Recipes
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