Our anniversary dinner at The Back Eddy

Charles and I have been married for 3 years on October 4 and to celebrate, Charles, my father and I went to The Back Eddy which is where we got married. Our wedding was, of course, the best party I have ever been to!!! The monsoons ended, the clouds in the sky parted and the sun shone through just for our special day. Not only was the wedding perfect, the food was OUT OF THIS WORLD!!

Ingredients used to make up the fabulous meals at The Back Eddy are as fresh as fresh can be and they are as local as possible. Actually Aaron, the executive chef, gets a lot of his ingredients from his family’s farm. Sal is the owner, and every year he travels to different parts of the world to get inspired by the foods he finds and this translates amazingly well onto his menu.

Today I am going to tell you about the appetizers we had…and yes their appetizers are good enough to make up one blog!!! My next post on The Back Eddy will be about the meals.

We started out with some fabulously tasty oysters…Mmmmmm, so fresh!! The delicate flavor of the oysters is only enhanced by the oyster liquor that is surrounding it in the shell. Although they are oceany fresh on their own, the shallot relish gave the oysters a great little bite. I could have had a dozen all to myself…but I resisted…ha!

Our second appetizer was an order of deviled eggs. Hey…don’t turn your head like that because these aren’t your ordinary run-of-the-mill deviled eggs, oh no they aren’t! Now deviled eggs were never up there on my list of favorite foods, but a friend of ours insisted we give them a try and I am forever grateful. The eggs are called “Deviled Eggs from Hell,” and they are served with an “inner beauty drizzle” (a delicate sriracha sauce,) tuna tartar, aged soy and wasabi tobiko. This sounds crazy I know, but the eggs are so perfectly cooked with insanely smooth and velvety yolks. The individual flavors and textures flow gently on your palate...one by one...aaahhhhh! I want more right now!! If they weren’t an hour away I’d totally go get some…they are THAT good!!

Now you must go and check out The Back Eddy and trust them to play with your food...you won’t regret it!!!

www.thebackeddy.com

The Back Eddy

1 Bridge Road

Westport, MA 02790

508-636-6500

Today I have a recipe for Fresh Basil Pesto Pasta…

Well it’s been a while since my last post, and I sure have missed writing about my culinary thoughts. It's good to be back!

Fresh Basil Pesto Pasta

Pesto is extremely versatile, delicious and incredibly simple. This is the perfect example of a recipe where less is more...enjoy.

Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil…only fresh will do my friends!!

1/4 cup walnuts

1 clove garlic

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

Juice from 1/4 lemon

1/2 - 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

2T reserved pasta water
12 ounces spaghetti
1 cup cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives

1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls (mini fresh mozzarella balls)…(pearls sound so much prettier, no?)
2 grilled chicken breasts, or grilled shrimp, or grilled salmon...or whatever makes you smile!

Directions:

1. In a blender or Cuisinart chop the garlic. Next add the basil, walnuts, 1/4 cup of the olive oil, lemon juice, salt & pepper... blend. You may have to stop the blender a few times to push the basil down with the end of your wooden spoon. Do not attempt to push the basil down while the blender is running...After all, this is not a recipe for Fresh Basil Wood-Chip Pesto Pasta.
2. With the blender still running, slowly drizzle in the other 1/4 cup olive oil, adding more if needed.
3. Pour the pesto into a bowl and stir in the parmesan cheese...Whammo, you have a deliciously fresh sauce for your pasta.*
4. Place the pesto in the bottom of the serving dish and whisk in 2 tablespoons of the reserved hot pasta water to loosen it a bit. If needed, add more hot water a little at a time until the sauce is smooth enough to coat the pasta.
5. Place the hot pasta over the sauce and toss to coat each awaiting strand of spaghetti.  
6. Add the tomatoes, olives & mozzarella cheese and gently toss together allowing these goodies to mingle with the pesto pasta. The mozzarella cheese will begin to melt with the heat of the pasta...such cheesy goodness!!!!!!
7. Top with the grilled chicken.

 Pesto sauce should not be exposed to direct heat because of the amount of cheese that is in it…the sauce will get bitter and chewy in texture…blech!!! How does it get hot you ask? The heat from the reserved water along with the heat of the pasta will warm the pesto perfectly.

*If you aren't planning to use the pesto sauce immediately, it can be refrigerated at this point up to 5 days or frozen for up to 6 months.

Alternatives, ideas and suggestions:

• Looking for a creamier sauce? Add around 1/4 cup ricotta cheese. This will raise your sauce to the next level. 
• Pesto isn’t just for pasta!!! Line a small bowl with saran wrap and add enough pesto to cover 1/2 inch of the bottom of the bowl. Fill the bowl almost to the top with softened cream cheese, cover with saran wrap and put in the fridge. When the cream cheese has set, remove the saran wrap and flip the bowl upside down onto a serving plate. Remove the saran wrap and you have a wonderfully glorious dip. 
• Pesto makes a great sandwich spread, especially on a panini with prosciutto, provolone cheese & thinly sliced pear…Ab Fab!  (ie: absolutely fabulous…ha!) 
• Traditionally this recipe calls for pine nuts instead of walnuts, but because I am still bruised from the economic punch I use walnuts. I recently read a recipe that called for sunflower seeds instead of nuts…it sounds delightful and I will definitely give this a try…SOON!
• Pesto is one of my favorite sauces for PIZZA!!! Talk about taking a dish to the next level, I just can’t get enough of this amazingly delicious pizza. Tasty accompaniments are sundried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese…YUM
• Looking for something to zazz up your pork tenderloin? Why not pesto?!!? It also works well on pasta salad, bruschetta and steak too.
• If you’re watching your waistline, you can use pesto in potato salad instead of mayo!! To loosen the sauce, add about 1/4 cup rice vinegar until you reach the desired consistency. Toss with yellow and red bell peppers for a beautiful and healthy side dish.
• Try pouring the pesto on a tomato and mozzarella salad with a slow drizzle of a good quality balsamic vinegar…jazzy…

·         I could go on and on with ideas, but I have to stop somewhere!!

        Now get out there and play with your pesto!!

Lookin’ for an absolutely fabulous soup recipe?

I made this soup on the day of a blizzard…simply perfect!

Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion diced 
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 Empire (or something similar) apple peeled, cored and cubed
• 4 cups of butternut squash
• 3 cups vegetable stock
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp cumin
• ¼ - ½ cup heavy cream

Directions
1. Roast squash by cutting it in half. Drizzle each cut side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper. Place cut side down on a foil-lined pan and roast at 350* for around ½ hour. (Until a fork can easily pierce the squash.)
2. After the squash has cooled a bit, remove the skin and cube the squash.
3. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
4. Add the onion and sauté until tender.
5. Add the apple and garlic and sauté until tender. (around 8 minutes)
6. Add squash and sauté for around 5 more minutes.
7. Pour in vegetable stock, and season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and cumin. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the squash can be easily mashed with a fork.
8. In a blender, food processor or with an immersion blender, puree the soup mixture until smooth.
9. Return the soup to the pot (unless using an immersion blender) and stir in the heavy cream.
10. Serve warm and ENJOY!!

Wait!! Don’t throw out those seeds...why not roast them!?! It is quick and easy way to create a healthy and delicious snack.

Ingredients
• Butternut squash seeds
• olive oil
• salt to taste

Directions
1. Rinse seeds with water and remove any pieces of squash that may try to tag along, pat dry.
2. Preheat the oven to 275* and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
3.Drizzle the olive oil over the seeds just to coat and sprinkle with salt.
4.Spread out in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
5.Bake for around 15 minutes, or until seeds start to pop.
6. Enjoy!!!

Alternatives, ideas and suggestions:
• Wondering how many butternut squash will offer 4 cups of “meat?” Generally 1 medium squash will be just fine. What if there is only a large squash at the market? Take it…more soup for you!! If the squash are on the smaller side, you can use 2, no problem.
• I like the addition of cumin in this soup because is adds depth and smokiness, and it enhances the earthiness of the butternut squash. If you are unsure of the flavor of cumin, please feel free to eliminate it from your soup!
• What’s with the apple in the soup? Well, it is there to add a touch of sweetness. Also, the pectin from the apple will help thicken the soup. Cool, huh? It is not necessary, but I just love the extra layer of flavor is offers!!
• Are you curious how the cumin will taste, but don’t want it to “ruin” you soup? Use a bit less that what I used...if you like it you can always add more.
• Is your nutmeg supply out of stock? Cinnamon will do you just fine. Personally, I prefer nutmeg because it is peppery and warm and is a great addition to this recipe. If you don’t have either one, I suggest you go to the market. Because this soup is so delicate, there is a necessary level of flavor that needs present and the spices are just the right thing. To me, nutmeg and cumin are the perfect combination!!!
• Chicken stock can be substituted for the vegetable stock. I don’t think I’d use beef stock because is tends to have a strong flavor that may interfere with the delicate taste of the butternut squash.
• I used ¼ cup of heavy cream to cut down on the fat content and it was just wonderful. If you want to splurge a bit, go for the ½ cup of cream...it’s definitely worth it!
• When blending the ingredients in a blender or food processor, please do it in small batches because no one wants hot soup to go flying all over the kitchen, even worse, YOU!! I have an immersion blender that I just love! I can’t remember when or where I bought it, but I am soo glad I have it. It looks like a wand and it has a small blade at the bottom of it. The blade goes right into the pot with the ingredients in it and whirls away...before you know it the ingredients are as smooth as can be!! Incredible, easy and neat!!!!! There is no transferring it to the blender, to a bowl and back into the pot only to reheat it again…no thank you! Speedy, efficiently and easy is the way I like to roll!
• As far as the seeds go, why would anyone throw them out now?!!? They are super delicious and nutritious and I highly recommend roasting them. Squash and pumpkin seeds are a great source of iron and protein.
• Sweeten the deal by using a cinnamon and sugar mix on the seeds instead of salt, or maybe add a pinch of cayenne for spice…MmmmMMMMmmm!
• The seeds can be eaten alone, or you can throw them in your salad, in oatmeal, on chicken or fish, in your granola mixes, in your rice for added crunch…let your inner foodie go wild!!

Now go play Squash...I mean go play with your squash!!

What's unique in my pecan pie?…Honey!!!

This is the best pecan pie I think I have ever made, and I have made a lot of pecan pies.

Generally a pecan pie calls for corn syrup, but I choose to make this pie with raw honey instead. Why did I choose raw honey as my substitute? Because I have started a small love affair with raw honey this summer while working at the farmer’s market, and I am trying to sneak it into as many recipes as possible! Raw honey is delicately sweet and luscious and has a uniquely velvety texture.

When using honey, it is important to me to use raw, local honey for a couple of reasons. Using local honey supports the local farmers which is super important. Raw honey means the honey in the jar is as close to the honey in the hive as you can get. This process varies from bee-keeper to bee-keeper, but generally it is removed from the hive and simply strained, or spun, to remove any natural impurities that may be in the honey. Generic honey purchased in the supermarket is usually processed with heat, is clarified, and may have unwanted things added to it creating a less tasty and less nutritious product. Have a taste test with store-bought, processed honey vs. raw honey and you won’t believe the difference in texture and flavor!! There is nothing like a spoonful of creamy, delicate, fresh honey!!

Honey Pecan Pie

Ingredients
• 1 cup honey
• 3 eggs, beaten (in a large bowl)
• 3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 9-inch pie crust (I like the deep dish, it make me very happy!!)

Directions
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the honey to a gentle boil then remove from heat
2. With a ladle, carefully whisk a ladleful of the honey into the beaten eggs. Continue gently whisking the eggs while adding one ladleful of the honey at a time until the honey and eggs are combined.
3. Add the butter and stir until it is melted
4. Add the vanilla, nuts, and nutmeg and combine
5. Pour into the pie shell.
6. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes or until set

Alternatives, ideas and suggestions:
• Adding the honey to the eggs slowly and carefully is called tempering. It is important to perform this process or you will have scrambled eggs instead of a well blended product.
• I know I have told you this before, but before you make this pie, I think it is important to toast the pecans before baking with them. Actually any time you are using almonds, pecans or hazelnuts, toasting them is a wonderful thing to do because it really intensifies the natural flavor of the nuts. It also gives them a more palatable crunch. Bake them at 325 for 10-20 minutes depending on the nut. After around 5-10 minutes, give them a toss in the pan for even toasting.
• If you don’t want to use honey, feel free to use fresh maple syrup…is it super delicious and isn’t nearly as sweet as you’d think it is. Again, you must use real maple syrup and not the cheap kind. Why? Because the cheap kind is actually corn syrup with artificial maple flavoring!! Blech, no thank you!! Go for the good stuff, it is totally worth it!
• Want to sweeten the pot a little? Add ½ cup of chocolate chips in with the pecans…the angels will sing when your knife goes in for the first cut of pie.
• Feel free to top the pie with pecan halves before baking. This will make a nice presentation.
• Over time, raw honey will crystallize but don’t panic, it is OK and is a natural thing. The crystals are safe to consume as they are or you can gently warm your honey to dissolve the crystals. To warm the honey, submerge the honey jar in warm water no higher than 110 degrees. Heating the honey too high will diminish its nutritional value.

Did you know…
…Raw honey has antibacterial properties that help treat infections and heal wounds?
…Raw honey can hasten the healing process by encouraging circulation?
…Raw honey has an anti-inflammatory property that may reduce pain?
…Raw honey contains polyphenols which act as antioxidants?
…Raw honey contains vitamins and minerals and offers a trace amount of amino acids and proteins?

Now go play with your food!!