Fresh Herbed Oil Paste Food

HERB SAUCE IN 5 MINUTES

Steps:

• MAKE HERBS SAUCE: Finely chop herbs and green onions. Stir together with other dressing ingredients except oil. Slowly whisk in oil. Alternatively (I do this): put all herb dressing ingredients in a processor and pulse to blend well. Or use an immersion blender. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Serve at room temperature.

FRESH BASIL PASTE

Steps:

• Rinse the basil well and pat dry. In a food processor, puree basil with garlic until coarsely chopped. While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the oil and process until finely pureed. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• USES: Grill or broil some sword fish and each portion with a tablespoonful or so of basil puree. Spoon a tablespoonful or so into each portion of canned vegetable soup.

OVEN DRIED TOMATOES WITH ARTICHOKE PASTE

Steps:

• Put the cooked artichokes in a food processor. Pulse until chopped. Add remaining ingredients, except the tomatoes and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• To assemble place the tomato with the cut side up. With a pastry bag, or a spoon scoop a teaspoon of paste unto the top of the tomato.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Core the tomatoes and cut in 1/2 and gently squeeze the tomatoes to remove the seeds. Put all of the tomatoes in a mixing bowl, add the herb oil, salt and pepper, and toss to incorporate the seasonings. Lay the tomatoes on a sheet pan in 1 layer and dry in the oven for 3 hours. Allow tomatoes to cool before removing from the pan.

HERB OIL

Steps:

• In a 1-quart mason jar, place all of the herbs, zest, chile and peppercorns. Pour both oils into a saucepan and heat to 200 degrees F. Pour the hot oils into the jar and cover with a kitchen towel. Let stand overnight.
• Place cheesecloth over the top of the jar and replace the outer rim of the lid. Invert and strain oil into desired container.

FRESH BASIL PASTE

Steps:

• Rinse the basil well and pat dry. In a food processor, puree basil with garlic until coarsely chopped. While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the oil and process until finely pureed. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• USES: Grill or broil some sword fish and each portion with a tablespoonful or so of basil puree. Spoon a tablespoonful or so into each portion of canned vegetable soup.

FRESH MINT PASTE

Steps:

• Rinse mint leaves and pat dry. In a food processor, puree mint with scallions until coarsely chopped. While the processor is running, slowly drizzle in the oil and process until finely pureed. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Fold in grated lemon zest and juice to taste. Add almonds or not, as you wish (you can also do this at the last minute)
• USES: A mint puree is delicious in chicken salads or chicken and grain salads.

HERB OIL FOR PIZZA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring garlic, rosemary, and olive oil to a simmer over medium and cook 3 minutes. Let cool to room temperature in a small bowl.

PORTUGUESE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk 1 cup flour, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper in large bowl. Add chicken pieces to seasoned flour, 1 at a time, and turn to coat. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, skin side down, and sauté until brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate; reserve skillet.
• Arrange chicken in single layer in large ovenproof pot. Top with tomatoes and juice, prosciutto, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, and bay leaves; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon paprika. Add wine and Port to reserved skillet. Bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Remove from heat. Whisk in mustard and tomato paste; pour mixture over chicken and bring to boil. Cover; transfer to oven.
• Braise chicken until very tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Discard bay leaves and parsley. Using tongs, transfer chicken and toppings to platter. Return sauce in pot to simmer. If thicker sauce is desired, stir 1 tablespoon flour and butter in small bowl until smooth paste forms. Add flour paste to sauce and whisk to blend. Simmer until sauce thickens to desired consistency, whisking often. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon over chicken and serve.

FRESH HERB SAUCE FOR PASTA

Steps:

• Set a 6-quart pot of water (fill 3/4 full, adding 1 tablespoon salt) to boil, covered.
• Add pasta. Cook according to pkg. directions(usually about 10 mins.).
• Put all the herbs, zest,garlic and onion together on a cutting board.
• Chop all together until garlic is about 1/4 inch. Heat 2 tbls. extra-virgin olive oil in 12-inch skillet over medium high heat. Add herb/garlic/onion mixture to pan, lower heat to medium, and sauté with salt and freshly ground black pepper, taking care not to burn garlic-it should go about 5 minutes and be light blonde.
• Set sauce aside while cooking pasta. Just before draining, stir 2/3 cup pasta water into pan. Drain pasta, bring herb sauce to boil, and then add pasta to pan. Toss over medium low heat about 2 minutes. Season to taste and then toss with cheese. Turn into a bowl and serve. Enjoy!