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Parmesan isn’t usually served with seafood pasta, but the cheese adds a nice richness to this linguine.
Makes 6 first-course or 4 main-course servings.
Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add bell pepper; cover and cook 2 minutes. Add garlic and crushed red pepper; cover and cook 2 minutes. Increase heat to high, add wine and boil 2 minutes. Set aside.
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.
Return pasta to pot. Add clam juice, 1/2 cup cooking water and bell pepper mixture. Cook over high heat until pasta absorbs half of liquid, about 2 minutes. Add crab and toss until heated through, about 1 minute. Mix in parsley. Season to taste with pepper. Divide pasta among bowls. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Serve, passing cheese separately.
For the start or close of a millennium (or almost any other significant occasion), this is an opulent but fuss-free combination. Purchase the crabs from a busy fishmonger to ensure absolute freshness. Inexpensive caviar (which is often dyed) can turn the dipping sauce gray; invest a little more if you can. Champagne — not too dry #&151; is naturally the beverage of choice.
Makes 2 servings.
Whisk first 3 ingredients in medium bowl. Season to taste with hot pepper sauce. Fold in black caviar. Divide sauce between 2 ramekins. Serve crabs with dipping sauce and toast.
The salty anchovies complement the briny sweetness of the crabmeat. Buttermilk lightens the dressing and makes this version of the classic Caesar especially delicious.
Makes 4 main-course servings.
Finely chop 3 garlic cloves and anchovies in processor. Add mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice and Worcestershire and blend until smooth. Season dressing to taste with pepper.
Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Flatten 4 garlic cloves with flat side of knife blade. Add to oil; cook until brown, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, discard garlic. Add bread cubes to oil; cook until crisp and golden, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Transfer to paper towels; drain.
Toss crab and 1/4 cup dressing in medium bowl. Combine romaine, mixed greens, cheese and bread cubes in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to taste. Season generously with pepper. Divide salad among plates. Top with crab.
Many dark, leafy greens, like kale, contain calcium. The beans have it, too.
Makes 6 servings.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray rimmed baking sheet with oil spray. Arrange carrots, tomatoes, onion, squash and garlic on sheet. Drizzle with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Bake until vegetables are brown and tender, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.
Transfer carrots and squash to work surface. Cut into 1/2-inch pieces; set aside. Peel garlic cloves; place in processor. Add tomatoes and onion; puree until almost smooth. Pour 1/2 cup broth onto baking sheet; scrape up any browned bits. Transfer broth and vegetable puree to large pot. Add 5 1/2 cups broth, kale, thyme and bay leaf to pot; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered until kale is tender, about 30 minutes.
Add beans and reserved carrots and squash to soup. Simmer 8 minutes to blend flavors, adding more broth to thin soup if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to simmer before serving.)
Makes 6 servings.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add next 9 ingredients; sauté until vegetables begin to brown, about 12 minutes. Add 4 coarsely chopped tomatoes and turmeric; stir 2 minutes. Add broth and lentils; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer until lentils are very tender, about 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Puree soup in batches in blender. Return to pot. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Chill until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm soup before continuing.)
Mix 3 finely chopped tomatoes and chives in bowl. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add mustard seeds; cook until seeds darken and begin to pop, about 2 minutes. Pour into small bowl.
Ladle soup into bowls. Top with mustard oil and tomato-chive mixture.
*Available at Latin American markets and some specialty foods stores.
**Available at Indian markets and some supermarkets. If unavailable, use green lentils and simmer about 30 minutes.