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Gary
August 31st, 2006, 04:12 PM
Just a note of information: Walter Wells is a friend and while in college lived across the hallway from me. He later became the News Editor of the International Herald Tribune (English speaking Newspaper in Paris). His wife Patricia, is the Food Critic at the newspaper and is the author of many wonderful cookbooks.

Quick French Garden Harvest Stew
inspired by At Home in Provence, by Patricia Wells (Scribner, 1996).

Provence in August is overflowing with fresh squash and tomatoes cooked with olive oil, garlic,
and thyme. This quick version is still bursting with French flavor but it won’t keep you in the kitchen all day, so you can love it as much as your family does. Read the simple recipe for this healthful French Harvest Stew here.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 small fresh zucchini or summer squash, cut into thin rounds
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Sea salt, to taste
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds fresh Roma tomatoes, cored and chopped (I never peel my tomatoes, but then I don’t mind little curly bits of peel in my stew. If you’d rather not deal with them, just make an “X” on the bottom of the tomatoes with a knife and plunge them in boiling water for a minute, then peel.)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar

1. Heat the oil in a very large skillet over medium-high heat and add the squash and 1 teaspoon of the thyme. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the squash is just beginning to brown but is still firm.
2. Add the garlic and salt and continue cooking for a minute or two, just until the garlic starts to brown. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and vinegar and cook uncovered about 10 minutes more, until the ingredients are well combined and there is hardly any liquid left in the skillet. Add the remaining thyme, then serve warm or room temperature.
Serves 6 to 8.
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/food/3029

Zesty Green Bean and Potato Salad

Adapted from ExtraVeganZa, by Laura Matthias (New Society Publishers, 2006).
Here is the recipe for this Zesty Green Bean and Potato Salad:
INGREDIENTS
10 cups water
1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
6 cups potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 cups green beans, stems removed, and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 tablespoon dill leaf
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the potatoes. Cook potatoes until soft--approximately 10 minutes. Drain and rinse them in cold water, and set aside.
2. Place green bean pieces in a steamer and steam until bright green--around 2 minutes. Remove from steamer immediately and run under cold water, then drain and set aside.
3. Prepare the dressing by combining the garlic, olive oil, mustard, dill, vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl and stirring together. Fold in the red onions, potatoes, and green beans. Chill salad for one hour or more before serving.
Serves 8 to 10.
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/food/3030

Gary
August 31st, 2006, 06:21 PM
I forgot to mention the Links I placed following each recipe. You will find an amazing variety of recipes if you scroll down past each recipe. Perhaps you will find/discover something that would tickle your taste buds there! And if you do please report back to us what it is.
Enjoy and good eating!
Gary/Louisville.


Quick French Garden Harvest Stew
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/food/3029

Zesty Green Bean and Potato Salad
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/food/3030

Gary
August 31st, 2006, 06:53 PM
October Harvest Lasagna - Recipe
Adapted from Pasta for All Seasons, by Robin Robertson (Harvard Common Press, 2001). Wild mushrooms, butternut squash, and pecans make this lasagna truly extraordinary.

Perfect for autumn gatherings of all kinds, this golden delight is warming and hearty, and it’s satisfyingly creamy even without dairy. You’ll be surprised how quick it is to make: using a blender or food processor cuts preparation time to practically nothing. And this is just about the best way we know of to get your kids to eat their healthy orange squash, so high in beta-carotene. They will love this recipe as much as you will!

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, minced1 pound butternut squash, peeled and coarsely grated
1 garlic clove, minced
8 ounces porcini mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound lasagna noodles
1 pound soft tofu
1 cup soy milk or milk
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
1 cup shredded mozzarella of soy mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, squash, and garlic, and cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until soft. Add the mushrooms, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
3. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Combine the tofu, soy milk, and salt to taste in a food processor and process until well blended. Spread a thin layer of the tofu mixture in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange a layer of the noodles on top of the tofu mixture, and top with half of the squash mixture. Sprinkle with half of the pecans. Top with layers of the remaining squash, noodles, and tofu. Top with the cheese and the remaining pecans and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.
Serves 8.


Caramelized Onion and Butternut Tart - Recipe
Adapted from The Classic Zucchini Cookbook, by Nancy C. Ralston, Marynor Jordan, and Andrea Chesman (Storey Books, 2002). Here is a lovely vegetarian main course for the non-turkey-eaters among us, pretty and festive enough to be the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving feast, or any feast at all!

Onions cooked very slowly develop an irresistible sweetness and flavor; in this rustic free-form tart, they combine with rosemary to form a flavor bridge between sweet winter squash and tangy cheese.
This seasonal delicacy is one that your loved ones will savor.

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons butter
6 onions, thinly sliced
Salt1/2 cup white wine or water (optional)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
Freshly ground black pepper
1 medium-sized butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
Pastry for 2 9- or 10-inch piecrusts, unbaked
1 pound soft mild goat cheese

1.Melt the butter in a large skillet over low heat. Add the onions and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Cook very slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and sweet, about 1 to 1/1/2 hours. If the mixture becomes dry and the onions start to stick, add wine as needed. Season to taste with the rosemary, salt, and pepper. (This step can be done up to 3 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before continuing.)
2. Fill a pan with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil. Steam the squash over the boiling water for 12 to 15 minutes, until easily pierced with a fork. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line two baking sheets with foil.
4. Place one piece of the pie pastry on each baking sheet. If you are using store-bought pastry, unfold it and pinch together any tears.
5. Spread half of the goat cheese over each pastry, leaving a 2-inch border around the edges. Spoon the onions over the goat cheese. Sprinkle the squash on top of the onions. Fold up the dough to partially cover the filling; crimp to seal the edges.
6. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until golden.
7. Cut into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.
Serves 6.


Autumn Cornucopia w/ Apples, Beans & Cranberries
Inspired by a recipe in the November/December 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. Pretty acorn squash shells overflow with a hearty blend of apples, onions, chickpeas, kidney beans, dried apricots and cranberries, seasoned with fresh thyme and baked with a little wine and honey until meltingly tender: this eye-catching recipe just sums up the glorious flavors and colors of the autumn season

The perfect answer for a festive meatless Thanksgiving main dish or as a sumptuous side fit for any autumn feast, Autumn Cornucopia Squash is easy to make ahead to bake on the day. Either way, it is sure to be the star of the show.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, sliced thinly
1 15.5-ounce can chickpeas, drained
3 cups canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 tart apples (Granny Smiths are perfect), cored and chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried apricots, snipped into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup port, brandy, dry white wine, or red wine
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
salt and freshly-round black pepper, to taste
8 small acorn squashes (about 1 pound each), with top third cut off and reserved for lids, seeds removed
fresh thyme sprigs for garnish

1. In a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil and add onions, sautéing until medium-brown (about 10 minutes). Add chickpeas, kidney beans, apples, dried fruits, port and honey, and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat. 2. Add thyme leaves, salt, and freshly-ground pepper to taste. (This filling may be kept covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.) 3. Preheat oven to 350F. Stuff squash halves with filling and place on a baking tray. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Then cover with squash-top lids and bake 20 to 30 more minutes, until squashes are tender. 4. Garnish with thyme sprigs and serve.
Serves 8.

Joan
September 7th, 2006, 06:32 PM
Gary I love to try new recipes and there are two here I will definitely make! Thank you so much for posting out of the ordinary recipes!