Rosemary Crusted Lamb Chops

I always thought that lamb chops were difficult to make.  But the  more I make them, the more I realize how easy it is.  I recently made the lamb chops for a dinner, and they turned out great.  Everyone prefers the temperature of the meat differently, so be sure that you cook the lamb to your preference, but be sure not to overcook the lamb.

Ingredients;
2lbs trimmed rack of lamb
8 sprigs of rosemary, minced
4 gloves or garlic, minced
5 sprigs of thyme
salt and pepper

Mix of mushrooms
2 sprigs of rosemary

Mince the rosemary, garlic and combine with the thyme.

Salt and pepper the rack of lamb.

Press the herbs and garlic into the lamb.

Cover in plastic wrap and let them sit overnight.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
In a large pan, on medium-high heat, add mushrooms, sprigs of rosemary, salt and pepper.  Saute for about 5 minutes.

Push the mushrooms to one side and add the lamb.  Sear for about 3-4 minutes.

 Flip the rack of lamb, and sear another 3-4 minutes.

Remove the pan from the stove and place the entire pan into the oven.  Bake in the oven for a few minutes longer, until the meat thermometer inserted reads 125 for rare 135 for medium rare.  Remove the lamb from the oven.  Cover and let sit for 10-15minutes.

Slice the lamb, serve immediately.

 Serve with roasted potatoes, and a vegetable of your choice.  Thyme 2 Taste....

Apple Cake with Brown Sugar Topping

Nothing is better than warm apple cake during the winter.  Well, it does get better - add a scoop of vanilla ice cream!!

Ingredients;
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 c sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup butter
1 egg beaten
3/4 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 apples, peeled and sliced
1 apple, peeled and grated

Topping;
1/3 c brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

 Add butter.

 Cut or rub in butter, until crumbly.

Prepare the apples - peel and grate one.  Peel and slice the other 2.

 Form a well in the center.  In another bowl, beat egg until frothy.  Mix in vanilla and milk.  Pour into well.

Stir just to moisten, add grated apple.  Stir just to incorporate.

 Add the batter into a greased baking pan.

 Add the sliced apples in top of the cake, pushing down the apples into the batter.

Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top of the cake.

Bake for 50-60 minutes.

Thyme 2 Taste...

Orecchiette Carbonara with Asparagus and Mushrooms

It was a cold rainy day, so I decided to try something new.  I have not made orecchietti yet, so I wanted to give it a try.  So, I decided to make it with Orecchietti Carbonara with asparagus and added some baby bella mushrooms.  Typically, you use either bacon or pancetta for Carbonara, but I decided to use cubed prosciutto.  I also do not like adding cream to my pasta sauces, so this is made without the cream, which makes it lighter but just as delicious!
Typically, it is not sprinkled with fresh basil either, but I had some in the fridge that I wanted to add.  I made the pasta, but if you buy it from the store, it turns into a quick recipe that you can make a week night for dinner.

Ingredients;
1 package pancetta or prosciutto (alternatively you can also use bacon, about 6 slices, chopped)
1 large shallot, minced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 - 2" pieces
4 oz baby bella mushrooms (you can use whatever mushrooms you have)
1/4 c water
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c grated fresh Parmesan Romano cheese
Fresh ground pepper, to taste
Red pepper flakes (to taste)
Optional - Fresh basil to top

Orecchietti Pasta Recipe HERE

Boil the water for your pasta.  Prepare your ingredients and set aside. 

In a large saute pan, on medium high heat, add the prosciutto.  (If you are using bacon or pancetta, you should drain most of the grease from the pan before you add the onions and garlic.) After a few minutes, add the garlic and shallots.  At this point, you should put your pasta to boil (follow the directions on the box).

After about 3 minutes, add the mushrooms and saute for about 8-10 minutes, until the mushrooms are cooked and the remaining ingredients begin to caramelize.  Add the pepper and red pepper flakes.

 Add the asparagus, saute another minute or 2.

Add the 1/4 c water to the pan and cover for 2-3 minutes to steam the asparagus, remove the lid and let the water evaporate almost completely.

 Add the cooked pasta that has been strained.

Turn off the heat.  Add the beaten eggs and cheese.  Mix to ensure the eggs have been completely incorporated into the mixture.  Serve immediately.

Thyme 2 Taste...

TIP: You can mix up the ingredients.  If you don't like asparagus, you can leave it out.  You can also use this recipe to make the traditional carbonara without the vegetables.

Fresh Orecchiette Pasta

If you have been following my blog, you probably noticed that I make all my pasta from scratch.  I would either advise you never start making it from scratch or expect to make it from scratch for the rest of your life
After making homemade pasta, I find it hard to buy the boxed pasta and I despise going to restaurants that do not make fresh pasta... picky, I know.  But that's what happens when you spoil yourself with homemade food!
In this recipe, I wanted to try a different variation of pasta.  Orecchiette seemed very easy, so I thought I would give it a try.  They didn't come out looking as pretty as all the you tube videos of the little Italian ladies making them by hand, but hey, they tasted delicious ;)

Ingredients;
1 cup semolina flour
1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 rsp salt
1/2 cup water

Add the flours, and salt in the mixing bowl, mix on low for a minute until the ingredients are combined.  Add 1/4 cup of the water.  Once the water has been incorporated, gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup water.

Finish kneading the dough on a surface/cutting board.  Wrap up and refrigerate for an hour.  Can be refrigerated overnight, if needed.
After an hour, place the dough on a floured surface.

Cut into 8 pieces.  Roll out into even tubes and cut 1/4" pieces.

 Dip your finger into flour and press down on the individual pieces to form the dough.

Transfer to a floured surface.
Boil 3-4 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.

Thyme to Taste....

Stay tuned for my Orecchiette Carbonara with Asparagus & Mushrooms recipe....