Sage Embossed Fingerling Potatoes

November 3, 2015 by 10 Comments

sage embossed potatoes

Ok, I just want to say that I’m absolutely giddy about this recipe, well honestly it’s not a recipe but more like a simple how to, but imagine how gorgeous a platter of these pretty sage embossed potatoes would look on your holiday table!

I saw this in a BHG magazine on party foods, and I think this would be the perfect side dish to one of your holiday parties, it’s so eye catching!

fresh sage

First, get some fresh sage, I still have a ton growing in my garden, so I just went out and grabbed some.

fingerling potatoes

Next, buy a bunch of those cute fingerling potatoes, wash them, pat dry, then cut in half lengthwise.

Toss them into a bowl and coat with olive oil, a little pepper and some good flaky salt like Maldon.

I had sixteen potatoes, thirty two halves and I used 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

fingerling potatoes with sage

Take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper, very important, you must line with parchment, now place one sage leaf on each potato half then quickly flip it over onto the parchment, the sage leaf will stick as it cooks.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15- 20 minutes, depending on your oven.

sage embossed potatoes

You’re looking for tender and golden, so lift a few up and check for that nice color just to make sure.

sage embossed potatoes

I’m in love with these beauties, they taste delicious and they’re insanely simple to make!

sage embossed potatoes

If I need to bring a dish to someones house, guess what? I’m bringing these!

sage embossed potatoes

Make them, you’ll be a rock star!

( The holidays are around the corner, follow me on Instagram to see what I’ll be making in my kitchen!)

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10 Comments Filed Under: Party Foods, Side Dishes, Vegetables Tagged: , , , ,

Butternut, Delicata, and Acorn Squash Gratin with Crispy Sage

October 16, 2015 by 23 Comments

winter squash gratin

Today I’m giving you a little inspiration for your Thanksgiving Day table, the holidays are right around the corner, so it’s time to start planning, can you believe it?

This deliciously creamy gratin combines three of my favorite winter squash, butternut, delicata and acorn.

winter squash gratin

They sit nice and pretty in a parmesan and garlic cream sauce and are adorned with crispy sage leaves, you couldn’t ask for a better combination of flavors!

winter squash

Besides tasting over the top amazing,  I love the presentation that happens by using the different squash shapes together.

winter squash

I pre-roasted my squash a little, then layered them into a buttered casserole dish.

winter squash gratin

The cream sauce is made ahead of time then carefully spooned all around the squash slices being careful to leave some squash peeking through, that’s what makes the presentation so pretty.

It’s a show stopper for the holiday season when we’re all allowed to indulge a little!

winter squash gratin

Wouldn’t this be dreamy sitting next to your Turkey this year?

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Butternut, Delicata, and Acorn Squash Gratin with Crispy Sage
 
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A winter squash gratin, the perfect side dish for the holiday season or just to impress your guests.
Author:
Ingredients
  • 1 butternut squash, neck part only, skin removed, then cut into rounds
  • 1 delicata squash, skin on, then sliced into rings, remove pulp and seeds
  • 1 acorn squash, skin on, remove pulp and seeds, quarter it then make slices,
  • cut all squash about ¼ inch slices, not too thick and not too thin
  • 2 cups, heavy cream
  • 2 handfuls of grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 2 finely grated garlic cloves, done on a microplane
  • ¾ stick of unsalted butter
  • 1 bunch of fresh sage leaves
Instructions
  1. I pre- roasted all the squash just to make sure it wouldn't be hard, on a baking sheet at 400 degrees, drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, just until al dente, where it still had a little bite.
  2. After they cool place squash into a buttered 13x9 casserole dish. (these first two steps can be done the day before and refrigerated overnight, before adding cream sauce.) If you do it the day before, take it out and get it to room temp, before adding sauce.
  3. TO MAKE THE CREAM SAUCE:
  4. In a small sauce pan on low flame, add butter and garlic, just until garlic is fragrant, not brown, then add cream, salt and pepper too taste.
  5. Simmer cream sauce just until the edges start to bubble, then turn off the heat and let it set up for a minute.
  6. Add the Parmigiano, stir well, then spoon the cream sauce all around the squash in casserole dish, leaving some of the squash exposed but spreading it all around and in between.
  7. Place casserole dish into a 450 degree oven until bubbly and nicely golden, keep checking.
  8. Garnish with crispy sage leaves, by melting a tablespoon or two of butter in a small pan, when butter is hot throw the leaves in and they will start to sizzle and get crispy, remove immediately.

 

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23 Comments Filed Under: Fall, Side Dishes, Vegetables Tagged: , , , , , ,

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells with a Lemon Sage Brown Butter Sauce

October 27, 2009 by 87 Comments

I’m sorry, but I just can’t get enough of butternut squash this season! I know I just previously posted a lasagna using it but recently after flipping through a beautiful Donna Hay magazine I also got inspired to stuff it into pasta shells.

Donna used sweet potatoes in her recipe, which I’m sure is delicious but I knew immediately I’d be using butternut squash. I also added spinach to my stuffed shells and an egg for binding. This dish is great as a main course, or on a buffet, or even a side dish to your holiday meal.

Stuffed shells are a great addition to any dinner party, they’re individual, easy to serve, and easy to eat.

***Peel, chop and toss in olive oil your butternut squash, then into a hot oven roast the squash at 400F for 15-20 minutes, let the squash cool down and then with a fork slightly smash them leaving some chunks.

 

***Cook jumbo pasta shells according to directions but make sure they’re al’dente because they’re going to cook a little more in the oven, drain and set aside.

 

***In a bowl add 2 cups of ricotta,** 1/3 cup parmesan cheese,** 1 fresh smashed garlic clove,** 1/4 cup frozen chopped spinach ( squeezed and drained)** 1 egg, **salt, pepper,** your cooled down roasted and smashed squash, around 2 cups,** and the zest of 1 lemon.** The lemon zest was key to this dish and added a nice bright flavor.
***Stuff the shells with the mixture and place in a buttered baking dish.
Make a sage brown butter sauce by melting 1 stick of butter in saute pan until golden brown and bubbly.
Add at least 10 sage leaves until slightly crisp. Turn off heat and squeeze in fresh lemon juice of the lemon you zested.

 

Place your stuffed butternut squash shells in a 375F oven until heated through with some foil loosely on top for around 20-25 minutes. When finished spoon your warm sage sauce all over and sprinkle with grated parmesan.

Inspired by Donna Hay

Fills around a dozen shells.

 

We took a drive the other day to see all the gorgeous fall colors, before we know it all the trees will be bare and we’ll be looking at snow. That I could live with out

 

Buon Appetito!

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87 Comments Filed Under: Pasta, Vegetables Tagged: , , , ,

Roasted Parmesan – Creamed Onions

November 22, 2008 by 61 Comments

I’m making a call out to all the onion lovers out there. Are you with me? You have to try this!!
Roasted sliced onions, that are bathed in a white wine and parmesan cream sauce, studded with a hint of fresh sage or thyme! This is a perfect side dish to go along with your turkey day dinner, or any dinner for that matter!

The cream and wine saturate these sweet roasted onions, and gives them such a luxurious flavor. You will be smitten with the first bite!!
Recipe Adapted From: Rick Tramonto’s Osteria
***Take 4 yellow onions, peel and slice them 1/4 inch thick, and carefully place them on a baking sheet, rings intact. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast them at 375F for about 15 minutes.

***While onions are roasting, place 1 cup of heavy cream and 1/4 cup of white wine in a small saucepan and simmer till it starts to bubble around the edges. Remove from stove.
***After 15 minutes, carefully take the onions off the baking sheet and transfer into a shallow baking dish, still keeping rings intact. Spoon cream sauce over each onion, maybe a little more black pepper, cover with foil and cook another 20-25 min’s.
***Remove from oven, take off foil, and raise temp to 450F. Shave, or grate your parmesan on top of each onion, place back in hot oven till golden brown. About 5 min’s till they caramelize.

Garnish with fresh sage leaves or thyme.
Hope you’re enjoying your weekend,
Buon Appetito Everyone!!!
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61 Comments Filed Under: Side Dishes, Vegetables Tagged: , ,

Roasted Carrots and Shallots, w/ Olives and Gremolata!!

October 9, 2008 by 46 Comments

This recipe really takes the humble carrot and makes it the star of the show! It’s a perfect autumn side dish, and great for any holiday table. I actually saw this while flipping through some magazines in Border’s one day. What caught my attention, was the use of a parsley, garlic, and lemon zest gremolata, which you use as a garnish. The gremolata gives the carrots and shallots a depth of flavor that makes the whole dish pop!!

Cut your carrots length wise and place on a baking sheet along with your shallots that have been peeled and cut in half. Drizzle it all with olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh thyme. Bake at 425F for around 30 min’s, they will start to caramelize but still have a little bite to them.

For the GREMOLATA

I used my micro plane to zest my lemon and also my garlic. I just used one clove and it was enough. Chop up some parsley and put it all together with a drizzle of olive oil and pepper.

When the carrots and shallots are finished roasting and all is still warm, toss in the gremolata and some good green olives. That’s it!!

Buon Appetito, and have a great weekend!

I want to take this time to brag a little about my son Tony. You know, us mothers need to do that every now and then. This Sunday morning he is running in the Chicago Marathon, 26.2 miles, he has trained all year for this! This will be his first. The transformation of him has been phenomenal, he is now a lean, mean, running machine!!! This weekend we’re all going to cheer him on in this enormous test of endurance, I’ll be sure to take some photo’s to share with you all. Wish him a great run!

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46 Comments Filed Under: Side Dishes Tagged: , , , ,