Veal Cutlets with Red Bell Pepper

For this recipe I used veal for scallopini, so no need to bother beating the meat. I also made some modifications, which I will mention as I go along. The listed quantities yield 6 servings, but I halved them for our needs:

• 1 1/2 pounds veal slices (about 1/4 inch thick)
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard (I replaced with 1 tsp grainy Dijon mustard)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (I didn't use it)
• 6 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 2 medium sweet red peppers, julienned
• 1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced (didn't use )
• 1/2 quart chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch (I omitted it)
• 2 teaspoons water

Place veal in a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. dish; set aside. 

In a medium bowl, combine the lemon juice, oil, lemon peel, garlic, sugar, salt, paprika, mustard and nutmeg; reserve 2 tablespoons. 

Chicken Soup with Apples and Leeks

This a sensational full-flavored winter soup, in which the leeks and apples accentuate and bring into focus the chicken. It is especially tasty if you just came in from the cold :D.

- 1.5 lb chicken (I used thighs, feel free to use any parts you like)

- 2 tbsp unsalted butter

- 2 leeks (including 1 inch of green), cut in half lengthwise, washed and finely sliced

- 2 Granny Smith apples (can be replaced with Golden Delicious or any tart baking apples), peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

- 1 cup apple juice

- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

- 4 cups chicken broth

- 3 tbsp Calvados (optional) - it's a brandy made by distilling hard cider and aging it in oak casks

- 1/2 cup heavy cream

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Melt the butter over medium heat in a saute pan just large enough to hold the chicken. Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook for about 8 minutes over medium heat. Turn the chicken and lightly saute in the same way for 5 more minutes.

Morrocan Spiced Chickpea Soup

Chickpeas seem to call out for Moroccan spices, so that's what they get here. I make this soup really chunky and hearty.

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish
• 1 large onion, medium diced
• 6 to 8 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 heaping teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
• 3 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
• 1 quart vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• several kale leaves (to taste)

Cheesy Gratin of Brussels Sprouts

This dish is very flexible, it can be made early in the day, refrigerated, then baked before mealtime. If you're not a sprout fan, you can substitute one very large head of cauliflower, cut into bite-size florets. 

My daughter had this with the veal scaloppine and red ruby grapefruit and loved the combination. So, here comes the recipe:

Pear Risotto with Prosciutto and Fried Sage Leaves

• Olive oil, or canola oil
• 4 thin slices prosciutto, (2 ounce), 2 sliced crosswise and 2 finely chopped, divided
• 4 fresh sage leaves, plus 1 tsp minced fresh sage, divided
• 6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp minced shallot
• 1 cup arborio, carnaroli or other medium-grain Italian rice
• 2 cups finely diced peeled ripe Bosc pears, (about 2 pears), divided (I didn't peel them)
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 2 tbsp grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving if desired
• 1 tbsp butter
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Orange and Lemon Chicken Drumsticks

A very simple and cute recipe, not costly at all, just the right thing at a time when vegetables are not so abundant, but we feel the need for some fresh flavours on the plate.

Ingredients: 

- 6 chicken drumsticks (feel free to use 8, or a whole chicken, cut in pieces)

- 3/4 stick butter

- salt and pepper to taste

For marinating the meat:

- 1 orange

- 1 lemon

- 1 medium onion, very finely sliced

- 1 tablespoon olive oil

- 10 drops Tabasco

Cosi-style Tomato Basil Soup with Crisp Rosemary Flatbread

I am a fan of the tomato-basil soup at Cosi, I must've had it at least half a dozen times in the past two weeks. The other day I thought I should try and find the recipe on the net, and I came across something that looked promising. However, after I began making it, I discovered it needed adjustments, as the recipe I had found did not have enough liquid for my taste. So, this is what I came up with, for 4 servings:

For soup:

- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
- 1 (28 oz.) can of diced or crushed tomatoes

- 2 cups chicken broth (can be replaced with vegetable stock if desired)

- 1 cup heavy cream, heated (can be replaced with half and half, or with milk)
- 12-14 leaves fresh basil, chopped

- 1/4 tsp white pepper

- salt