thyme

Violet Crostini

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? All the Buzz: Violet Crostini! Edible flowers are kind of a new thing for me this year. Everywhere I look, nature has exploded with beauty and color. Because I take special care in avoiding chemicals and pesticides in my herb garden and on the grounds, I can reap the benefits of sweet edible flowers high in vitamins. This recipe for Violet Crostini is one step up from an ordinary salad of mixed greens. By toasting a sesame artisan bread and slathering it with Norwegian Jarlsberg Cheese Spread, the salad greens and fresh violet petals create an open face sandwich or crostini. Top it off with a pretty, light purple edible chive blossom for a light onion taste. Doesn’t it look delicious?

VIOLET CROSTINI 

Ingredients:

2-4 slices sesame bread, toasted

4 tablespoons Norwegian Jarlsberg Cheese Spread*

1 cup mixed salad greens

2 tablespoons violet petals

2 chive blossoms, stems removed

2 tablespoons lemon olive oil

2-4 sprigs lemon thyme 

Instructions:

Toast sesame seed artisan bread. Spoon two tablespoons of Norwegian Jarlsberg Cheese Spread on each piece. Divide salad greens between the crostini. Top with violet petals and chive blossom. Drizzle lemon olive oil over all. Garnish with lemon thyme. 

* Follow the link for the Norwegian Jarlsberg Cheese Spread recipe. 

https://snapshotsincursive.com/2016/06/10

Lamb Chop Lemon Thyme

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? All the Buzz: Lamb Chop Lemon Thyme! Break out the grill! For a tasty alternative to beef and chicken, make today’s choice lamb. It is tender, it is lean, and most of all it has high nutritional value. Yay, low in fat! Did you know lamb is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein? Think about shaking up your menu a bit with a different kind of red meat. Everyone knows grilled meats taste better!

LAMB CHOP LEMON THYME

Ingredients:

3 lamb chops, 1″ thick bone-in

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Smidgen herb pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon lemon thyme leaves

Instructions:

In a shallow dish, place lamb chops in a single layer. Pour olive oil over lamb chops. Sprinkle with kosher salt, herb pepper, garlic powder, and lemon thyme leaves. Coat both sides. Marinate for one hour in the refrigerator. Remove from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature for 20 minutes. Turn a gas grill on HIGH heat. Sear the chops for 3 1/2 minutes on one side. Flip over and cook an additional 2 1/2 minutes for medium-rare. Let rest for 5 minutes to absorb juices. Serve immediately. 

Vampire Dip

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Grocery List Ideas: Vampire Dip. If you appreciate the deep savory aroma of roasted garlic, better add these ingredients to your shopping cart. There’s a reason restaurants use this form of “scent marketing”. Not only does it stimulate your appetite, it creates a pleasant atmosphere for dining outside the home. Our brains register this welcome aroma to build excitement and anticipation of what comes next. Before you know it, roasted garlic triggers our internal reward center that basically gives us permission to order foods that bring us comfort, relaxation, and joy. 

VAMPIRE DIP 

Ingredients: 

2 heads garlic 

1 teaspoon olive oil, divided 

1/2 cup butter, room temperature 

8-ounces cream cheese, softened 

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/8 teaspoon black pepper 

Pinch sea salt 

Instructions: 

Preheat the oven to 375°. Cut the tops off the two heads of garlic. Wrap each base in a piece of foil. Drizzle the olive oil between both packets. Bake 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Gently squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from the skins into a mixing bowl. Add the room temperature butter, softened creamed cheese, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and pinch of sea salt. Beat with an electric mixer until the consistency is smooth and creamy. Transfer vampire dip to a decorative bowl and serve with assorted crackers. 

Rosemary Thyme Goat Cheese

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Stir. Spread. Flip. Repeat: Rosemary Thyme Goat Cheese! It’s always a good idea to keep goat cheese on hand. Because of its spreadable texture, its earthy flavor is the perfect partner for herbs and veggies. After the appetizer, if any portion remains, don’t let it go to waste. Add a dollop to pasta, scrambled eggs, or garden salad. 

ROSEMARY THYME GOAT CHEESE 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil

2 garlic cloves, crushed and thinly sliced

1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

2-3 sprigs thyme

8-10 whole black peppercorns 

4 ounce log goat cheese, room temperature 

Italian Crispy Breadsticks 

Instructions:

In a small saucepan, warm olive oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic cloves, rosemary, thyme, and peppercorns. Stir occasionally for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Place the goat cheese in a shallow dish. Spoon the warm olive oil mixture overtop. Serve immediately with Italian thin breadsticks or crusty artisan bread. 

Roasted Turkey Breast

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Appetizers to Desserts: Roasted Turkey Breast! Life just got a little easier. Instead of cooking an entire holiday bird, it is just as rewarding to roast a turkey breast. You still get the herb seasonings and butter-basted juicy portions, along with drippings for a savory pan gravy, without all the time and effort. It’s simple, economical, and carves up nicely. One more reason to serve turkey for any occasion.  

ROASTED TURKEY BREAST 

Ingredients:

5-pound bone-in turkey breast, thawed

1/8 teaspoon parsley 

1/8 teaspoon thyme

1/8 teaspoon rosemary 

1/8 teaspoon sage 

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons butter, softened

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325°. Place turkey breast side up in a roaster. Insert meat thermometer so the tip is at the thickest part of the breast meat. Brush the bird with butter. Sprinkle seasonings over all. Add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Do not use a lid. Every hour, baste the breast with butter or pan drippings. Turkey is done when the thermometer reads 185°, approximately 2 1/2 hours. There is no substitute for a meat thermometer for determining the doneness of a turkey, in my opinion. Remove from oven and allow it to stand for 15-20 minutes before carving. The skin will be crisp and the breast meat will be moist. 

   

Holy Capers—Salmon Avocado Toast

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Burst of Flavor: Holy Capers-Salmon Avocado Toast! Whenever I have leftover grilled salmon, this is my favorite indulgence. The first time I made it, my husband and I literally stood at the kitchen counter nibbling on it until it was completely gone. Each morsel had us licking our fingers and begging for more. The combination of lemon thyme and salty capers balance the slightly smoky texture of the salmon. It’s followed by a crunch of sesame seed artisan toast with a creamy avocado finish. If you take the time to sit down and enjoy this delightful open-face sandwich, think about pairing it with a light and fruity rosé wine. It’ll tickle your palate and have you giggling all afternoon or evening long. 

HOLY CAPERS—SALMON AVOCADO TOAST

Ingredients:

6 ounces of grilled salmon fillet, flaked 

Sprigs of fresh lemon thyme

2 teaspoons imported capers, non-pareil 

2 slices of sesame artisan bread, toasted

1 small avocado, mashed

1 small tomatillo, diced

Pinch of garlic powder 

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions:

Make sure the grilled salmon fillet is flaked. Set aside. Combine the mashed avocado, diced tomatillos, garlic powder, and lemon juice in a bowl. Blend well. To assemble the open-face sandwich, place the toasted artisan sesame slice on a luncheon plate. Next spoon avocado mixture over top. Layer flaked salmon over all. Sprinkle with capers and garnish with lemon thyme. 

Yellow Roasted Pears

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food Plating: Yellow Roasted Pears! Need a show stopping dessert that will thrill your guests? Pears definitely check all the boxes. Dessert pears are naturally sweet, delicious warm, have an impressive beauty quality, manage portion-control, are super simple to make, and pear-fectly delightful. If you, like me, appreciate a cordial glass of wine with dessert, think a fizzy Moscato, spicy Gewürztraminer, or classic Pinot Gris. I did notice a couple of readers shaking their heads about the bleu cheese crumbles, mumbling “No Way!” Take heart because Gorgonzola, Gouda, or Ricotta can be milder choices as an excellent pairing instead. And while I’m at it, walnuts or almonds can be substituted for the sugared pecans. You see? It’s all good. Everyone can justify this versatile dessert. 

YELLOW ROASTED PEARS 

Ingredients: 

4 Bartlett pears, ripe but firm

2 tablespoons butter, unsalted 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup bleu cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup sugared pecans 

2 tablespoons natural honey

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Fresh thyme, for garnish

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Slice the pears lengthwise, leaving the stem in place where possible. Using a melon ball utensil, remove the core to create a small cavity. Brush the pears with melted butter; sprinkle with cinnamon. Place the pears, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Carefully remove the pears from the oven. Fill each cavity with crumbled bleu cheese and chopped sugared pecans. Drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with lemon juice for brightness. Broil the pears on High setting for 2 minutes, or just until the bleu cheese begins to melt slightly. Watch carefully. Transfer the pears to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh thyme. 

Pine Berry Appetizer

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food Plating: Pine Berry Appetizer! If you are a strawberry lover, think outside the box with a tropical twist this unique berry carries. The texture remains sweet and juicy, yet highlights subtle notes of pineapple, pear, and apricot. The creamy white flesh is an indication the berry is ripe enough to eat. I only mention that because on first glance you may suspect I am trying to encourage you to eat underripe strawberries. I think not. The “seeds”, so to speak, should appear red in color. For those who wonder, pine berries are the natural result of cross-pollination. This often does make them a little more expensive than regular strawberries. For special occasions, they are perfect! 

PINE BERRY APPETIZER

Ingredients: 

8 ounces Florida pine berries, washed, patted dry, and cut in half

4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature

2 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 teaspoon Tupelo honey

1 pinch sea salt (optional)

Fresh thyme, for garnish

Rosemary Sesame Flatbread Crackers, for serving

Instructions: 

In a mixing bowl, combine goat cheese, cream cheese, and Tupelo honey. Blend until thoroughly mixed and the consistency of whipped cream. Taste before adding a pinch of sea salt. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. To assemble the pine berry appetizer, slather a dollop of whipped cheese onto a rosemary sesame flatbread cracker. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme. Serve immediately. 

Goat Cheese Fig Toast

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? A Cut Above: Goat Cheese Fig Toast! Get ready for a flavor explosion……or at the very least, your eyes will roll back from sheer gratification. Whenever you run across fresh figs, kick up your heels while containing your excitement. You definitely want to choose the best ones for yourself before letting others know of your discovery. Figs are a seasonal delicacy, much like Rainier cherries. These compact, purplish gems deliver a sweet, berry-like flavor that probably reminds you of a distant cousin to everyone’s favorite, the strawberry. Don’t be greedy. Only buy what you need; their shelf life is quite short. Then let your imagination flow. I promise you will not be disappointed. 

GOAT CHEESE FIG TOAST

Ingredients:

4 slices sesame seed artisan bread, toasted

4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature 

4 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, room temperature 

1 tablespoon thyme 

3-4 figs, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons hot honey, for drizzling 

Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish

Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 400°. Arrange slices of sesame seed artisan bread on a nonstick baking sheet. Bake 4-5 minutes, watching closely. Remove from oven, transfer to a platter, and set aside. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine goat cheese, Neufchâtel cheese, and thyme leaves. Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Spread the whipped goat cheese onto the sesame seed toast. Arrange fig slices over all. Drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately.