Main dishes

Week 1 Menu for Foodie Football Fans

~ TomboyTam ~ Leave a comment

It’s football season! Which means it’s party season. Regardless of whether you’re intently watching every play, or find the commercials more entertaining than first downs – we’re all big fans of football party food!

Week 1 image

Each week of the regular season, we will publish a suggested menu and recipes for entertaining the gang – whether you’ve got the game on or not! Our tip for the week: keep it simple so you can enjoy your guests – and the game – as much as they enjoy noshing on easy, delicious (psst – and healthy!) food featuring vomFASS olive oils, vinegars, spices, liqueurs, wines and spirits!

Argentina BBQ Toasted Almonds Serves 12almonds

Ingredients

3 T. vomFASS Argentina BBQ spice blend
2 T. vomFASS Pepone Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 C. raw almonds

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the spice blend and olive oil in a medium bowl. Add almonds and toss to coat. Spread onto a sheet pan. Bake about 15 – 20 minutes or until almonds are toasted, stirring twice. Cool almonds completely before serving. Store in airtight container up to 5 days.

Ham & Cheese Pinwheels Serves 16 (two each)

IngredientsIMG_4990

½ lb. deli ham
½ lb. Cheese of choice, thin sliced
4 large flour tortillas or sandwich wraps (gluten free, optional)
Veggies of choice, sliced very thin
1/3 C. mayonnaise
2 T. vomFASS Walla Walla Onion Mustard
1 or more jars vomFASS Chutney: Mango, Raspberry, Fig

Directions

Mix mayo and mustard. Spread a thin layer onto a tortilla, all the way to edges.  Work on just one tortilla at a time, keeping the others in original packaging or a plastic zipper bag. Place ham, cheese and veggies onto tortilla, leaving about an inch of tortilla uncovered on the side that will be the outside edge. The mayo/mustard mixture will help keep the edge sealed. Roll up the tortilla. Cut into about 8 one inch pinwheels. Keep finished pinwheels covered in plastic wrap until ready to serve. Place an appetizer knife or small spoon into each chutney jar, or transfer contents to a condiment sized serving bowl for guests to use as garnish for their pinwheels. Enjoy!

Veggie / Chip Dip

Ingredients

1 C. plain Greek yogurt or sour creamveggie tray vomFASS Mall of America Minnesota Food
3 T. vomFASS Fried Potato Spice
2 t. vomFASS Spanish Red Wine Vinegar

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Serve with your favorite veggies or chips. May be made a day or two in advance.

Balsamic Grilled Peaches on a Stick Serves 8

Ingredients

2 peaches, halved and pitted
¼ C. vomFASS Pepone Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ C. vomFASS Aceto Balsamico Maletti
½ C. plain Greek yogurt
1 dropper liquid Stevia with vanilla
¼ C. Pistachios, crushed
8 six-inch skewers (if using wood skewers, soak in water for 15 minutes)

Directions

Pre-heat grill or oven to 450 degrees. Wash and dry peaches. Cut them into quarters and dispose of pits. Spear each peach quarter onto a skewer. Place on baking pan with edges, brush with olive oil. Grill or roast for 4 – 5 minutes, turning half way through. Brush or drizzle with Maletti. Grill or broil another 3 – 4 minutes. In the meantime, stir Stevia into yogurt. Remove peaches from heat and place on serving dishes or tray. Add a dollop of yogurt to each peach, garnish with pistachios. May be grilled ahead of time and served chilled. Enjoy!

Apple Whiskey Sour Serves 1 / Serves about 16 Bourbon Apple Cider

Ingredients

1 ½ oz./ 750 ml vomFASS American Whiskey
1 T. / 1 C. vomFASS Apple Balsamic
2 oz./ 4 ¼ C. apple cider

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Fill with ice for a short shake. Pour into a rocks glass serve with a twist of apple peel. May be batched ahead of time and refrigerated for serving to a crowd on the rocks.

 

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Summer Harvest Menu #1

~ TomboyTam ~ Leave a comment

My favorite foodie time of year has arrived – summer harvest! It’s the perfect time to explore new easy, delicious and healthy veggie dishes. It’s also a great time to host a laid-back, al fresco dinner party for all the friends you’ve been meaning to connect with this summer. The recipes from our EDH Meals cooking class this week are great additions to a late summer party menu!

Baba Ghannooj Serves 8eggplant
(Inspired by Barbara Stafford’s Eclectic Entertaining cookbook.) 

Ingredients 

2 large eggplants
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
4 t. minced roasted garlic
2 T. vomFASS Sesame Oil
¼ C. vomFASS Calamansi Balsam Vinegar
2 t. vomFASS Asia Tandoori spice blend
1 t. vomFASS Himalayan Sea Salt
Parsley, cilantro or diced tomatoes for garnish
Pita bread, corn chips and/or veggies for dipping, such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, cucumber, zucchini, bell peppers.

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake eggplant about 40 minutes until soft. Cool, peel, cube. Process all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Taste and adjust salt, as needed. Serve at room temp with crackers, pita bread or veggies.

Charred Corn Salad with Basil Vinaigrette Serves 6 – 8
(Inspired by Kelly Nixon’s recipe on The Cooking Channel) 

Ingredients

Charred corn salad Minnesota Food vomFASS Mall of America
Photo credit: The Cooking Channel

6 – 8 ears fresh corn on the cob, shucked
1 small red onion, diced
1 ½ C. packed fresh basil leaves
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T. vomFASS Herb Garlic Sunflower Oil
vomFASS Danish Smoked Sea Salt and Peppercorn Mix
¼ C. vomFASS Apple Balsamic Vinegar
¼ C. vomFASS Pepone Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 (10-ounce) container small heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved

Directions

Preheat grill to 450 degrees. Brush or rub each cob with Sunflower Oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the corn on the hot grill and char each side, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set corn aside until cool enough to handle. Stand each ear up, stalk end down, in a wide, shallow bowl and, using your knife, slice the corn kernels off the cob.

Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette. In a food processor, add the basil and garlic and pulse until the basil starts to break down. Add the vinegar. Continue pulsing while adding the oil in a steady stream and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large mixing bowl, combine corn, tomatoes and onion. Drizzle the vinaigrette over salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Roasted Vegetable Medley Serves 6 – 8

Ingredients

5 cups assorted vegetables, cut into bite sized pieces, such as:
Broccoli, Cauliflower and carrots OR
Zucchini, yellow squash, bell pepper and onion
vomFASS Porcini Extra Virgin Olive Oil
vomFASS Argentina BBQ spice blend, to taste
vomFASS Aceto Balsamico di Famiglia

Directions

Place vegetables in large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Spread onto baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with seasonings.  Roast at 450 degrees until tender-crisp (10 minutes for porous veggies, up to 20 minutes for more dense veggies). Add more salt and pepper to taste.

Tapas – vomFASS style Serves 6 – 8

Ingredients

Corn tortillas
vomFASS Porcini Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or your choice)
1 – 2 Avocados
Cheese of choice, shredded or crumbled (optional)
Baba Ghannooj or hummus, roasted veggies, charred corn salad, shredded pork or chicken, or steak strips (ask about marinating ideas!)tapas Minnesota food vomFASS Mall of America

Directions

Heat corn tortillas on grill or in oven or microwave. Keep warm bet ween two plates or other covered dish. Top with Baba Ghannooj, roasted veggies, Charred Corn Salad, cheese and/or toppings of choice. Add seasonings to taste: Sea Salt, Pepper, Asia Tandoori, Argentina BBQ, etc.

Honey Balsamic Pears with Walnut Oil and Gorgonzola Serves 4

Ingredients

2 pears, halved and cored
¼ C. vomFASS Pepone EVOO
¼ C. vomFASS Honey Balsamic Star
¼ C. vomFASS Walnut Oil
2 T. Gorgonzola Cheese crumbles
1 t. vomFASS Chai Masala

Directions

Place pears and Chai Masala on a pan, brush with olive oil. Grill, cut side down, for 4 – 5honey balsamic pears recipe Minnesota food vomFASS Mall of America minutes. Turn and grill another 3 – 4 minutes. Remove pears from heat and place on serving dishes. Add gorgonzola, drizzle with Honey Balsamic Star and Walnut Oil.

Alternative for a crowd: cut pears into large cubes. Combine pears, olive oil, vinegar and Chai Masala in bowl. Place on a pan and grill or roast until tender crisp. Transfer pears and juices to serving bowl and toss with Walnut Oil and Gorgonzola. Dish up in dessert bowls or cups.

Wine pairing recommendations: Tempranillo, Chianti or Lambrusco, all available at vomFASS at Mall of America.

Mediterranean Lifestyle: Whole Grains Cooking Class Recipes

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Farro Arugula Salad

6 servings

Ingredientsminnesota-food-vom-fass-mall-of-america-cooking-class-1.jpg

Browse online for product details, then call us to order at 952-426-3222 so you can take advantage of our Rewards Club perks!  

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Add farro and broth to a pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to Farro and arugula saladmedium and simmer for 30 minutes. When farro is al dente, drain and rinse with cold water, then drain well. While farro is cooking, toast hazelnuts on a sheet pan for about 10 minutes, or until brown skins start cracking. Watch carefully to prevent over-toasting. Cool, then rub hazelnuts between your hands to remove brown skins. Chop slightly. Mix vinegar, olive oil and maple syrup with salt and pepper. Whisk or shake until combined. Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl.

Greek Quinoa Saladminnesota-food-vom-fass-mall-of-america-cooking-class-2.jpg

6 servings

Ingredients

Browse online for product details, then call us to order at 952-426-3222 so you can take advantage of our Rewards Club perks! 

DirectionsMinnesota Food vom Fass Mall of America Cooking Class Quinoa Salad

Prepare quinoa according to package instructions. Let quinoa cool to room temperature or refrigerate to use later. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion, and feta cheese.

To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and Greek Mix in a small bowl. Pour dressing over the salad and toss. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Mango Sorbet with Pineapple Curry Oatmeal Topping

Serves 8

Ingredients

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. In a medium bowl, combine oats, butter, olive oil, sugar, salt and curry. Spread on a sheet pan and toast for a few minutes in oven. Remove from oven and cool. Scoop ¼ cup servings of sorbet into serving dishes. Top with cooled crumble and drizzle with Plum Balsamic.

Browse online for product details, then call us to order at 952-426-3222 so you can take advantage of our Rewards Club perks! 

Easy, Delicious, Healthy Meals

~ TomboyTam ~ Leave a comment

One of our most popular classes is when we feature exciting new pizza / flatbread recipes. We create new recipes for each class that explore different cultures, healthy ingredients and surprising flavors. For example:

Spanish Coca Serves 2 – 4IMG_1521

Ingredients
1 C. boiling water              ½ C. raisins
½ C. walnut halves            1 small bunch Swiss chard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large pizza crust (gluten free, if desired)
4 T. vomFASS Don Carlos Extra Virgin Olive Oil
vomFASS Danish Smoked Sea Salt and Peppercorn Mix, to taste
vomFASS Aceto Balsamico di Famiglia, Red Pepper EVOO, or Truffle EVOO for drizzling

Directions
Pour water over raisins and let stand 15 minutes. Drain. Place walnuts on a baking sheet and toast until fragrant and lightly golden, about 7 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Remove stems from chard, wash, and spin dry. Heat half of olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Add garlic and stir for 5 seconds. Add the Swiss chard and raisins. Sauté, tossing occasionally with tongs, until wilted, about 6 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Place greens on crust. Top with the walnuts and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Slide pizza onto stone and bake until toppings are hot and crust is browned, about 10-12 minutes. Remove coca from oven and cut into wedges. Serve immediately or at room temperature. Drizzle with balsamic or olive oil, to taste.

Pear and Pomegranate Salad Serves 6Minnesota Food Salad vomFASS Mall of America

Ingredients
1 lb mixed salad greens or baby spinach
2 ripe pears, sliced
4 T. chopped walnuts
½ C. gorgonzola, goat or feta cheese, crumbled
4 T. vomFASS Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar
4 T. vomFASS Walnut Oil
vomFASS Sea Salt and Pepper

Directions
Divide salad greens onto individual serving plates.  Arrange a pear slices on greens.  Sprinkle with walnuts and cheese. In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, salt and pepper.  Drizzle over salads.  Serve immediately.

Chili Mango Shrimp Cilantro Pesto Pizza Serves 2 – 4Minnesota Food Cooking Class vomFASS Mall of America image

Ingredients
Mango Shrimp
8 – 12 medium sized raw shrimp, skins, tails and veins removed
2 T. vomFASS Chili Sunflower Oil (may substitute Lemon EVOO for all or part of Chili Oil for less spicy)
1 T. vomFASS Mango Balsamic Star
1 clove minced garlic
½ t. vomFASS Chili con Carne spice blend
vomFASS Himalayan Sea Salt and Peppercorn Mix, to taste

Cilantro Pesto
3/4 C. fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 C. parsley leaves
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped           2 T. pine nuts
¼ C. Cheese Bros. Parmesan, grated      ½ C. vomFASS Don Carlos Extra Virgin Olive Oil
½ t. vomFASS Himalayan Sea Salt      vomFASS Peppercorn Mix

Directions
Mango Shrimp
Combine oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper in a glass bowl or zip top bag. Add shrimp and marinate 15 – 20 minutes; no longer, as shrimp will break down in acidity. Empty shrimp and marinade into hot pan. Toss just until cooked through. Finish with additional sea salt and pepper, to taste.

Cilantro Pesto
Add greens, garlic and nuts to food processor. Process until chopped. Add olive oil, salt and pepper and blend until smooth. Stir in Parmesan.

Pizza
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spread pesto mixture onto crust. Top with Shrimp. Bake until toppings are hot and crust is lightly browned, about 10-12 minutes.

 

 

 

Chili Mango Shrimp & Sautéed Green Beans

~ TomboyTam ~ Leave a comment

The food has to been delicious and satisfying, especially when I’m giving my img_1503body a break from carbs and sugars! I see it as an opportunity to step up my menu planning to meet the challenge. So far, so very good!

Chili Mango Shrimp  Serves 4

Ingredients
24 raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 T. vomFASS Chili Sunflower Oil (may substitute Lemon EVOO for all or part of Chili Oil for less spicy)
2 T. vomFASS Mango Balsamic Star
1 clove minced garlic
½ t. vomFASS Texas BBQ spice blend
½ t. vomFASS Himalayan Sea Salt
Freshly ground vomFASS Garlic Pepper Whole Blend, to taste
Cilantro, chopped, as garnish

Directions
Combine oil, vinegar, garlic, half the salt and a few cranks of pepper in a glass bowl with cover or zip top bag. Add shrimp and marinate 15 – 20 minutes. Do not marinate longer, as shrimp will break down in the acidity.  Empty contents of bag or bowl into hot stir-fry pan. Toss just until cooked through. Finish with additional sea salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately or chill to serve as an appetizer. In the unlikely event of leftovers, try tossing with salad greens and drizzle with a dressing of oil and vinegar.

Garlic Sautéed Green Beans Serves 4

Ingredients
1 lb. Fresh green beans
2 T. vomFASS Garlic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
vomFASS Danish Smoked Sea Salt, to taste
Freshly ground vomFASS Garlic Pepper Whole Blend, to taste

Directions
Steam green beans to tender crisp, about 3 – 4 minutes. Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium burner. When the oil is shimmery, add green beans. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss until beans are lightly browned/blackened.

Gourmet Pizza

~ TomboyTam ~ Leave a comment

Use your leftover rotisserie chicken or roasted turkey in this easy, delicious pizza recipe!

Chicken Flatbread Pizza with White Cheddar Alfredo

Makes 2 pizzas

2 pre-made Flatbread Pizza Crusts (gluten or gluten-free)flatbread
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
½ cup White Cheddar Alfredo Sauce (recipe follows) or purchased Alfredo sauce
½ cup Balsamic Glazed Onions (recipe follows)
½ cup fresh spinach, chopped
Vom Fass Truffle or Basil Extra Virgin Olive Oil – for drizzling
½ – ¾ cup Italian Blend shredded cheese (optional)
Optional toppings – fresh tomatoes, olives, roasted red pepper, asparagus

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare pizza pan or cookie sheet with a very light coating of cooking spray.

Lay flatbread crusts on pan.  Spread a thin layer of Alfredo sauce onto each flatbread crust.  Layer on chicken or turkey, balsamic glazed onions, and spinach.  Add any additional toppings if desired.  Do not overload flatbread pizza. Top with shredded cheese, if desired.

Bake flatbread pizza for 10 minutes, or until crust is crispy and toppings are heated thoroughly.

Drizzle with Truffle or Basil oil before serving.

White Cheddar Alfredo Sauce  (approximately 1 cup sauce)

1 cup Heavy Cream or Half & Half

¼ cup Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature

½ tsp vomFASS Porcini and Tartufi Spice Blend

½ cup shredded white cheddar cheese

In saucepan over medium-low heat, warm cream and cream cheese.  As it heats, whisk until smooth.  Add spice blend and mix well.  Bring to slight simmer, but do not boil.  Simmer for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and add cheese, whisking until smooth.  Set aside until ready to use.

Balsamic Glazed Onions

2 large Vidalia or other sweet onions, thinly sliced

¼ cup vomFASS Garlic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

¼ – ½ tsp vomFASS Sea Salt

¼ tsp pepper

¼ cup vomFASS Aceto Balsamico di Modena Platinum Vinegar

½ tsp brown sugar

In medium-sized sauté pan, heat oil over medium-low heat.  Add onions, salt and pepper and toss to coat.  Cook slowly to softened and lightly brown – about 10 – 15 minutes.

In small bowl, combine the balsamic and brown sugar.  When onions are soft and lightly brown, add balsamic mixture to the pan.  Stir to coat and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to use.

It’s Chili Season!

~ TomboyTam ~ Leave a comment

When the temperature drops below freezing, I turn to one of my favorite types of meals – soup. This classic Chili con Carne recipe is so simple and quick – not to mention delicious! Easy to convert to vegetarian/vegan – just eliminate or replace the meat with a vegan substitute and leave off the cheese garnish or use a vegan cheese. And if you’re cooking for only two, the leftovers are even better the next day! Enjoy!

Classic Chili – Serves 4

1/2 pound ground beef or turkeychili.jpg
1 medium onion, diced
1 can red kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes
3 C. tomato juice (I used 3 cups of a jarred spaghetti sauce that I deemed too thin to use as a pasta sauce)
1 T vomFASS Chili con Carne spice blend (or more, to taste)
vomFASS Sea Salt and Peppercorn Mix, ground, to taste
Shredded cheese, sour cream or other toppings for garnish and flavor.

Brown the meat over medium heat, breaking up into crumbles with spoon as you stir. If using turkey or very lean beef, coat the pan with chili sunflower oil and preheat pan before adding meat.  If there is a lot of excess fat in the pan after browning meat, drain it off. Add the remaining ingredients (I did not drain and rinse the beans). Heat over medium-high heat until bubbling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes to bloom flavors. Dish up and enjoy!