I love a good Apple Pie, as any Midwestern-born-and-raised girl should. In fact, my dad’s family is notorious for their love of any kind of pie. If you don’t have enough pies at a Stenger holiday gathering, well then, you may have a riot on your hands!

The best baking apple may depend on the season that you are in, and the apple available in your geographic area. Ask your produce vendor for the best apple for baking if you have any questions. Continue Reading…

This recipe works with any type of fresh white fish. Tilapia and cod are flaky and a little hard to work with but much less expensive than firm fishes like halibut and sea bass. The bright flavors of this dish compliment my recipe for Coconut Risotto with Fresh Peas perfectly!

Note: You will need a mini food processor and a broiler in or under your oven to make this recipe.

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This risotto can be a creamy, flavorful side to many fish and chicken dishes. Use regular coconut milk as opposed to low-fat versions because the fat will replace the parmesan found in most risotto recipes. Don’t worry, coconut milk is healthy for you in reasonable amounts!

Serves 4 as a side dish.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• ½ white or yellow onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced fine
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/4 cups arborio (risotto) rice
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 cup white wine
• 2-3 cups chicken broth
• Season To Taste with salt and pepper
• 1 lime, zested
• 1-2 limes. juiced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1 pound fresh sugar snap or snow peas, rinsed

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I like black bean soup to have a smooth base, but with some whole beans and other veggies to give it texture. I also like just a bit of kick to it, the amount of spice that can be quenched with a margarita, and not so much that you need to drink a glass of milk with dinner! To make this recipe you will need a hand held immersion blender or a counter-top blender. Try this soup with some warm Country Cornbread, spread with butter.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 8 ounces mild chorizo (The V&V Supremo “No Picante” variety is easily available in most grocery stores)
• ½ white or yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 jalapeno, minced (optional)
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2-3 cups chicken broth
• 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 cans black beans, thoroughly rinsed
• 1/2 cup frozen corn
• Season To Taste with salt, pepper, dried oregano, cumin, coriander, chili powder
• 1-2 limes. juiced
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

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This mango salsa is a yummy accompaniment to tortilla chips and could also be a condiment to fish, chicken or pork. Try it with the White Fish Patties!

Makes 3 cups

Ingredients

• 1 red bell pepper, diced small
• 3 Mangoes (ripe but still firm – see note) peeled and diced small
• 3-4 scallions, white and green parts sliced into coins
• 1/4 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1-2 limes juiced
• season to taste with salt, pepper, chili powder
• add honey if needed to sweeten tart mangoes

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Fish patties can be made with any flaky white fish. I like tilapia because you can buy it in fillets with no skin or bones to remove and it is not very expensive. This recipe is very good served with the Roasted Corn Salad.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Fish Patties:

• 3 cups fish poaching liquid (see Step 1)
• 1 lemon rind, reserve the juice
• 1 ½ pounds flaky white fish such as tilapia or sole, skin and bones removed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 4 scallions, white and green parts chopped
• 2 ounces capers, drained
• 3 eggs
• ¼ cup parsley, chopped
• 1 cup of bread crumbs (approximately)
• Season To Taste with paprika, salt and pepper
• 1-2 cups vegetable oil

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This was one of my favorite meals as a kid. I had a lot of trouble finding a simple dumpling recipe until I realized that my mom found this stew in an antique recipe book. I have tweaked it to include more modern ingredients.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Stew:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb diced boneless, skinless chicken breast
• ½ white onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, peeled and diced into small coins
• 3 stalks of celery, diced
• 4 cups or more of chicken stock
• 1 cup frozen peas
• ½ cup fresh parsley, stems removed and roughly chopped
• Season To Taste with salt and pepper

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This is a great green vegetable dish that can be served with anything from steak to meatloaf to salmon. I often make this as a side dish for my meal clients and I also have served it when I am catering a dinner party.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb green beans, trimmed
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 white onion, small diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 package cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half
• ¼ cup white wine
• 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• Season To Taste with salt and pepper
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves

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My grandma makes this soup after a big family dinner when a ham has been served. She makes it with the ham bone and a bag of mixed dried beans. I have adapted the recipe so that it can be made in under an hour, in time for dinner. If your ham is salty, be sure to use unsalted broth and taste the soup before seasoning with more salt. This soup is great when served with Country Cornbread.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ham, diced in ½ inch cubes (ask your deli for ham that is not too salty or too sweet and have them slice it in ½ inch slices so you can dice it easily)
• ½ white or yellow onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large carrot, sliced into coins
• 4 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 3 cans beans (pinto, cannellini or great northern, and black), thoroughly rinsed
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 2-3 cups ham or chicken broth
• Season To Taste with salt, pepper, dried thyme, oregano, cumin, coriander

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This is a great side dish for any preparation of fish or chicken and can also be used as a relish.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 ears of corn, shucked
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and Pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bunch green asparagus, bottoms trimmed, diced (If the asparagus has thick stalks, the ends may need to be peeled to prevent them from being too tough.)
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 4 scallions, diced
• 2 ounces of fresh basil
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 tablespoon of honey may be needed

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