1 cup cooked long-grain white rice (or cauli rice)
Finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in stock, tomato paste, tomatoes, and 2 teaspoons of the Creole seasoning; bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce to a simmer over medium-low, and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened slightly and flavors have melded, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove sauce from heat, and set aside.
Place cabbage in another large pot, cored side up, and fill with water to cover cabbage by 2 to 3 inches; bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium to maintain a simmer, and cook until cabbage leaves are softened, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, transfer cabbage to a cutting board. Remove the 10 largest leaves; place on paper towels, and pat dry, reserving remaining leaves for another use. Cut out and discard ribs of leaves, leaving a “V” shape slit. Set cabbage leaves aside.
Place sausage, beef, egg, rice, 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce, and remaining 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning in a medium bowl; mix gently with clean hands or a fork until incorporated.
Evenly portion out filling into centers of cabbage leaves (about a heaping 1/4 cup per leaf). Shape each filling into a log (about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide). Starting at the base of each leaf where you cut the “V”, fold end of leaf over filling, then fold in sides. Roll each leaf like a burrito into a tight cylinder.
Place cabbage rolls in 2 side-by-side rows (5 rolls in each row) in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.
Top cabbage rolls evenly with remaining 3 1/2 cups tomato sauce. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in preheated oven until cabbage can be cut with a spoon, about 1 hour, 30 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes. Garnish with parsley before serving.
PINCH of salt, very small amount - but if using low sodium stock or unsalted butter, ok to use a little more salt
4 chicken thighs, bones removed (skinless or with skin OK)
6-10 cloves garlic, sliced in half or finely diced (I like big chunks of garlic but realize most don't)
8 oz cremini mushrooms, stems removed and wiped clean
1 cup chicken stock
1 pinch to 1 tsp red pepper flakes, depending on your desired spicy level
1/2 cup diced cilantro, optional
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
Heat a heavy pan on medium high until very hot.
Add butter, swirl around pan, and let melt.
When butter is foamy and melted, add chicken thighs.
Very lightly salt chicken thighs (ONE pinch for all things - don't overdo it!)
Cook chicken thighs 5 minutes on each side, until lovely golden brown.
When chicken thighs are well browned, remove from pan - do not drain pan grease.
Add garlic to pan, stir well.
Add mushrooms to pan, stirring occasionally to keep mushrooms and garlic from burning.
Add second half of butter to pan, let melt.
Let garlic and mushrooms brown - about 4-6 minutes. Do not let garlic burn, reduce heat if needed.
Add red pepper flakes (add slowly according to your taste) and cilantro when chicken and mushrooms are lovely golden browned.
Add stock, lemon juice, and cheese.
Stir well, being sure to scrape up any browned bits from bottom of pan.
Bring to a boil, let reduce and thicken slightly for 2 minutes.
Add chicken thighs back to pan, let sauce reduce another 5-8 minutes, flipping chicken occasionally, until thick and chicken thighs are 165 internal temp.
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 Roma tomatoes, chopped
6 oz fresh spinach
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup (60ml) vegetable or chicken stock (or dry white wine)
2 tablespoons high-quality olive oil, optional
Instructions
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet, on medium-low heat. Add the salmon fillets, red pepper flakes, paprika, Italian seasoning, and salt in the skillet and cook salmon on medium heat on both sides, until salmon is cooked through – about 5 minutes. Remove salmon fillets from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
In the same skillet over medium heat, add tablespoon olive oil or melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add garlic and chopped onion and cook gently until fragrant and translucent. Add chopped tomatoes, chopped fresh basil leaves, fresh spinach, and vegetable or chicken stock (or white wine). Cook on medium heat for about 3 – 5 minutes until spinach wilts just a little and tomatoes release some of their juice. Adjust seasoning, if needed.
Add cooked salmon back to the skillet to reheat quickly. Drizzle with good quality olive oil just before serving, for extra taste. Serve the Tuscan garlic salmon immediately, enjoy!
