Spinach and Feta Pie (Spanakopita)

A Greek Dish...One of Our Our Favorites

This is a simple and delicious dish that can be served with a salad for lunch or dinner!

Pam Spray
2 Sheets Puff Pastry (Thawed at room temperature)
1 Box Frozen Spinach (Thawed with all liquids squeezed)
3 Eggs
1 Cup Cottage Cheese
Feta Cheese (Crumbled)
Salt / Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon Dried Dill

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam Spray
Gently unfold 1 puff pastry sheet and gently place it in the bottom of baking pan
In a medium size bowl mix the spinach, eggs,cottage cheese, feta, salt, pepper and dill
Spread mixture in pan
Top with second sheet of puff pastry
Tuck the corners of the puff pastry
Place pie in oven and bake 35 minutes or until golden brown

***Make sure all liquid is squeezed from the spinach, it should be as dry to the touch as possible, this will ensure your pie will not be watery or soggy.

Crab Cakes

Not a Traditional Crab Cake...So Much Flavor...No Filler

1/2 Red onion (diced)
1 Clove Garlic (minced)
1 Jalepeno Pepper (minced)
Salt/Pepper
3 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil (1 tablespoon for saute / 2 tablespoons for pan frying)
1 Can of Crab Meat (lump or crab claw meat, cleaned and picked over)
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Wondra Flour
Panko Bread Crumb

Coat the bottom of a small sauce pan with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
Over medium heat saute onion,garlic and jalapeno pepper till soft (about 4-5 minutes)
Season with salt/pepper
Remove from heat and cool
In a bowl combine crab meat, mustard, mayonnaise and cooled onion mixture
***Mix well and add Wondra flour one tablespoon at a time
Form into 8 cakes
Lightly coat crab cakes in Panko bread crumb
Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set
Remove cakes from refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature
Heat a frying pan with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
Pan fry each side of the crab cake till Panko is golden brown (about 3-4 minutes per side)

***Wondra flour is an instant flour and can be found in any Supermarket.

Peanut Chicken

Great Combination of Flavor...

1lb. Boneless/ Skinless Chicken Tenders
1/4 Cup Catalina Dressing
3 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter
1 Tablespoon of Low Sodium Soy Sauce
Peanuts
Wooden Soaked Skewers or metal Skewers

Mix Catalina dressing, peanut butter and soy sauce in a bowl
Add chicken to marinade
Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes
Preheat Broiler
Remove chicken from marinade and thread onto skewers (two pieces of chicken per skewer)
Place chicken skewers on cookie sheet
Broil chicken 6 inches from heat for 4 -5 minutes on each side or until cooked through
Remove from broiler and sprinkle with peanuts

Spaghetti Squash

Simple Side Dish...or Main Dish

This Looks Like Spaghetti After It Is Shredded

1 Spaghetti Squash 

Salt / Pepper 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Parmesan Cheese

Bring a large pot of water to a boil 

In the meantime cut the squash in half 

Scrape out the seeds

Place squash in boiling water, cut side down

Boil till tender about 15- 20 minutes

Once squash is tender remove from the water 

Let it cool for a few minutes (enough to be able to handle it) 

Shred the squash with a fork into a bowl

Season with salt / pepper to taste 

Toss with extra virgin olive oil 

Generously top with Parmesan cheese and a few extra grinds of pepper

  

Steak Sicilian

Great Name...Great Taste

2 Filet Mignons
Vegetable Oil
Fresh Ground Pepper
Bread Crumb

Preheat Oven to Broil
Lightly coat steaks with vegetable oil
Season steaks with pepper
Press breadcrumbs onto both sides of steak
Brush nonstick cookie sheet with vegetable oil
Place steaks on cookie sheet
Broil each side of steak 5-6 minutes for medium rare
Broil longer for desired doneness

Grilled Asparagus

Perfect Alongside Grilled Chicken or Fish....

1 Bunch Asparagus (rinsed and tough stem removed)
Fresh, Ground Pepper
Vegetable Oil
Zip Lock Bag

Place asparagus in zip lock bag
Season with pepper
Coat with vegetable oil
Zip Bag and shake to coat asparagus with pepper and oil
Place asparagus in a grill basket or grill pan
Grill on medium heat till tender about 10-15 minutes
Asparagus should have a charred outside when they are done

Crabby Portabellas

So Delicious...

4 Portabella Mushrooms
*1 Can of Claw Crab or Lump /Crab Meat (from seafood department of your grocery store) 
1 Package of Cream Cheese (softened)
4 Scallions (white part cut off and sliced small)
1 Tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
Ritz Crackers (about half a sleeve crushed)
1/2 cup chicken broth
Salt / Pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Remove gills from portabella mushrooms.  This can be done easily with a spoon taking care not to break the mushroom sides
Season the inside of each mushroom with with salt / pepper

In a separate bowl combine cream cheese, scallions and Old Bay seasoning.  Mix until well blended

With a tablespoon, gently, stuff each portabella mushroom with the cream cheese filling
In a baking dish pour in chicken broth
Place stuffed mushrooms in the dish close together
Top each mushroom with crushed Ritz crackers
Bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until the center of the mushroom is hot
Broil 1-2 minutes to brown cracker top

Note:  *Crab claw meat is less expensive than lump crab meat and it is a little sweeter tasting.