Late Spring Alfresco Menu

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Crab Rolls

Make these crab rolls ahead, and take them on a picnic. You can find a 12-pack of dinner rolls in the bakery section of your local supermarket. Substitute lobster or chopped shrimp for crab, if desired.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 2 rolls)

Ingredients
1/4 cup finely chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
1 pound lump crabmeat, drained and shell pieces removed
1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
12 (1-ounce) dinner rolls, cut in half horizontally
12 Boston lettuce leaves (about 1 small head)
6 plum tomatoes, each cut into 4 slices
Preparation
Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl; toss well.

Spread butter onto cut sides of rolls. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Place 6 roll halves, cut side down, in pan for 1 minute or until toasted. Repeat procedure with remaining roll halves. Spoon 1/4 cup crab mixture onto each bottom roll half. Place 1 piece of lettuce and 2 tomato slices on crab mixture; top with remaining roll halves.



Baby Artichokes with Creamy Horseradish-Dill Dip

This recipe showcases the bold, distinct flavor of this delicious thistle. Cool, refreshing yogurt and dill get a kick from horseradish for a dipping sauce that doubles as a dressing for fresh veggies or a vibrant sandwich spread. Artichokes contain potassium, vitamin A, and antioxidants, so you can feel great about serving them.

If there are any pink or purple leaves in the center of the artichoke, scoop them out with a spoon or cut them out with a knife; they'd be tough even after cooking. Soaking the artichokes in lemon water prevents them from browning.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: one-fourth artichoke halves and about 2 tablespoons dip)

Ingredients
4 cups cold water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 pounds baby artichokes (about 10 artichokes)
1 lemon, halved
1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1/4 cup (2 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Fresh dill sprigs (optional)
Preparation
Combine water and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Working with one artichoke at a time, bend back outer green leaves of artichokes, snapping at base, until reaching light green leaves. Trim about 1 inch from top of artichoke. Cut off stem of artichoke to within 1 inch of base; peel stem. Cut artichoke in half vertically. Rub edges with cut lemon, and place artichoke halves in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Steam artichoke halves for 12 minutes or until tender.

Combine yogurt and next 6 ingredients (through pepper). Serve artichoke halves with dip; garnish with dill sprigs, if desired.


Strawberry Agua Fresca

Take advantage of the season's ripe, juicy strawberries for a drink that's the perfect way to begin a meal on a warm spring day. You can adjust the amount of sugar to taste, but peak-season berries shouldn't need much―if any―added sweetener. Garnish with a simple berry or a single edible bloom for an elegant touch.

Spanish for "fresh water," agua fresca is a refreshing, fruit-infused drink that is served throughout Mexico. Depending on the ripeness of the berries, adjust the amount of sugar for desired sweetness.

Yield
8 cups (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)

Ingredients
4 cups water
1/3 cup sugar
6 cups hulled strawberries
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
Preparation
Combine water and sugar, stirring until sugar dissolves. Place strawberries in a blender, and process until smooth. Combine the sugar mixture, strawberry puree, and juice; stir well.


Flatbread with Pancetta and Asparagus

Splurge on good-quality ingredients―pancetta, fresh asparagus, shaved Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese―for a show-stopping appetizer (or a stand-alone meal paired with with soup and salad). Homemade dough is worth the extra effort for the delicious golden crust on this memorable flatbread.

Sea salt adds a nice crunch to the topping, but kosher salt works, too. Use very thin asparagus spears, or cut thicker ones in half lengthwise. For a little extra bite, add a sprinkling of black pepper before serving. Enjoy any leftover bread with soup and salad.

Yield
8 servings (serving size: 1 wedge)

Ingredients
Dough:
1/2 cup warm water (100° to 110°)
1 teaspoon dry yeast
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Cooking spray

Topping:
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 ounces pancetta, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shaved fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
To prepare dough, combine warm water and yeast in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Add 1 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt to yeast mixture; stir until blended. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead dough until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (the dough will feel sticky).

Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 45 minutes or until doubled in size. (Gently press two fingers into dough. If an indentation remains, dough has risen enough.)

While dough rises, prepare topping. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add thyme, pancetta, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes or until pancetta is crisp. Stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 475°.

Punch dough down; cover and let rest 5 minutes. Roll the dough into a 10-inch circle on a floured surface. Place dough on a baking sheet. Spread topping evenly over dough. Arrange the asparagus over topping; sprinkle with mozzarella. Bake at 475° for 10 minutes or until crust is golden. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with Parmesan


Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Brûlées

Sweeter than their run-of-the-mill counterparts, Meyer lemons elevate this créme brûlée recipe to a perfect finale for this special-occasion menu. A sprinkle of Rosemary adds another layer of flavor and aroma. Make this recipe a day ahead and chill overnight in the fridge. Sprinkle with sugar and torch the caramelized crust just before serving.

Meyer lemons are rounder and sweeter than regular lemons and have a subtle flowery scent. If you can't find Meyer lemons, use two teaspoons regular lemon rind.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 1 brûlée)

Ingredients
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup evaporated fat-free milk
1 tablespoon grated Meyer lemon rind
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 cup sugar
3 large egg yolks
2 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar
Preparation
Combine the first 4 ingredients in a medium saucepan. Heat mixture over medium heat to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil), stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Cover and steep 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 325°.

Combine 1/2 cup sugar, egg yolks, and eggs in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Strain milk mixture through a sieve into egg mixture, stirring well with a whisk. Stir in vanilla. Return mixture to pan. Cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes or until mixture coats a spoon.

Divide the mixture evenly among 4 (6-ounce) ramekins. Place ramekins in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan; add hot water to pan to a depth of 1 inch.

Bake at 325° for 30 minutes or until center barely moves when ramekin is touched. Remove ramekins from pan; cool completely on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or overnight.

Sift 2 tablespoons sugar evenly over custards. Holding a kitchen blowtorch about 2 inches from the top of each custard, heat the sugar, moving the torch back and forth, until sugar is completely melted and caramelized (for about 1 minute). Serve immediately.

Source: Cooking Light

Spring Chicken

Braised Chicken with Baby Vegetables and Peas

Forego the packaged trimmed, peeled carrots labeled "baby carrots" and opt for small carrots with the tops attached. Trim the green tops to within one inch and refrigerate in the crisper drawer to keep themcrisp.

Baby turnips have a sweet, mild flavor and tender texture. Choose those that are firm, unblemished, and sweet-smelling.

Freshly shelled green peas are sweet and tender. Look for pods that are crisp, with no blemishes or signs of wilting.

Look for a whole chicken, cut up. If you prefer the fuller flavor of dark meat, use four chicken leg quarters instead.


Yield
4 servings (serving size: 3/4 cup vegetables, 1/3 cup sauce, 1 chicken breast half or 1 chicken thigh and 1 drumstick, and 1 1/2 teaspoons parsley)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, divided
2 bone-in chicken breast halves, skinned
2 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned
2 chicken drumsticks, skinned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 (14-ounce) cans fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
12 baby turnips, peeled (about 8 ounces)
12 baby carrots, peeled (about 8 ounces)
12 pearl onions, peeled (about 8 ounces)
6 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprigs
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup fresh green peas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

1. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan; sauté 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove from pan.

2. Add broth to pan; cook 1 minute, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add wine and next 6 ingredients (through bay leaves); stir. Add chicken to pan, nestling into vegetable mixture; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until chicken is done. Discard bay leaves and parsley sprigs. Remove chicken and vegetables from the pan.

3. Place a zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour cooking liquid into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings back into pan, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat. Return liquid to pan. Bring liquid to a boil; cook until reduced to 1 1/2 cups (about 5 minutes).

4. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Add flour mixture to cooking liquid; cook 2 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Return chicken and vegetable mixture to pan; stir in peas. Cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish with chopped parsley.


Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Goat Cheese, Caramelized Spring Onions, and Thyme

Spring onions look like oversized green onions. Since they’re picked before full maturity, they have a milder flavor than pungent full-grown onions. Look for spring onions at farmers’ markets or in the produce section of major supermarkets. If you can’t find them, substitute leeks.



Stuff the chicken and refrigerate up to one day ahead. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before cooking. Serve with polenta and Broccolini.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half and 2 teaspoons sauce)

Ingredients

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/3 cups thinly sliced spring onions (about 1 pound)
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled goat cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon fat-free milk
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
6 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Cooking spray
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to pan; cook 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Cover, reduce heat, and cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and cook 5 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly. Combine onion mixture, 1/4 teaspoon salt, cheese, parsley, milk, and thyme in a small bowl, stirring with a fork.

2. Cut a horizontal slit through thickest portion of each chicken breast half to form a pocket; stuff 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese mixture into each pocket. Sprinkle chicken evenly with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

3. Return pan to medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan; sauté 5 minutes; turn chicken over. Cover, reduce heat, and cook 10 minutes or until chicken is done.

Remove chicken from pan; let stand 10 minutes. Add wine to pan; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook until reduced by half (about 2 minutes). Add broth, and cook until reduced to 1/4 cup (about 9 minutes). Serve with chicken.

Chicken Scaloppine with Sugar Snap Pea, Asparagus, and Lemon Salad

Look for asparagus stalks with deep green or purplish tips that are tightly closed and not slick. Remove the fibrous ends by bending each stalk until it snaps; the tough part will break off naturally.

Sugar snap peas are crunchy and sweet. Choose plump, crisp pods, and refrigerate up to three days.






Scaloppine are chicken breasts pounded thin; they cook to perfection in four minutes. The crisp salad comes together quickly, too, which makes this a great dinner for a busy night.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half, about 1 cup pea mixture, 4 teaspoons sauce, and 1 lemon wedge)

Ingredients

3 cups julienne-cut trimmed sugar snap peas (about 1 pound)
2 cups (1-inch) slices asparagus (about 1 pound)
6 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
6 lemon wedges

Preparation

1. Steam peas and asparagus, covered, 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Rinse pea mixture with cold water; drain. Chill.

2. Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet. Sprinkle chicken evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add 2 breast halves to pan; sauté 2 minutes on each side or until done. Repeat procedure twice with remaining chicken. Add broth and wine to pan; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat; stir in butter.

3. Combine remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, mint, oil, rind, and juice, stirring well with a whisk. Drizzle oil mixture over pea mixture; toss gently to coat. Serve pea mixture with chicken and sauce. Garnish with lemon wedges.



Oven-Roasted Chicken Breasts with Artichokes and Toasted Breadcrumbs

Contrary to popular belief, baby artichokes are not immature. In fact, they are fully grown but simply positioned low on the stalk. Choose those that are olive green with tightly closed leaves. Because they have a tendency to discolor, place them in acidulated water after cutting.


If you can't find baby artichokes, use six large globe artichokes instead and cook them a bit longer, just until tender.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half, 6 artichoke halves, 1/4 cup sauce, and about 2 1/2 tablespoons breadcrumbs)

Ingredients

5 quarts water, divided
1/3 cup kosher salt
6 bone-in chicken breast halves, skinned
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
18 baby artichokes
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup dry white wine
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 ounces French bread baguette
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

1. Combine 3 quarts water and salt in a Dutch oven, stirring until the salt dissolves. Add chicken to salt mixture. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

2. Combine remaining 2 quarts water and juice. Cut off stem of each artichoke to within 1 inch of base; peel stem. Remove bottom leaves and tough outer leaves, leaving tender heart and bottom. Cut each artichoke in half lengthwise; place in lemon water.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain artichokes; pat dry. Add artichokes to pan. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until tender. Uncover and cook an additional 5 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently. Keep warm.

4. Preheat oven to 450°.

5. Remove chicken from salt mixture; discard salt mixture. Pat chicken dry; sprinkle evenly with pepper.

6. Heat canola oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Wrap handle of pan with foil. Add chicken to pan, meat side down; sauté 1 minute. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes. Turn chicken over; bake an additional 12 minutes or until done. Keep warm.

7. Place a zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings back into pan, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat.

8. Add white wine to drippings in pan; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Reduce heat, and simmer until reduced to 1 cup (about 5 minutes). Add broth to pan; simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups (about 10 minutes).

9. Reduce oven temperature to 350°. Place bread in food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1 cup. Combine remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and breadcrumbs in a bowl; toss to coat. Arrange crumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet; bake at 350° for 5 minutes or until golden. Add parsley; toss to combine. Serve chicken with artichokes and sauce. Top with breadcrumbs. Serve immediately.


Roast Chicken with Smashed New Potatoes and Garlicky Jus

The term new potato refers to any thin-skinned potato harvested in early spring while the plant is still thriving, regardless of its skin color or variety. (Fully mature potatoes are harvested after the plant dies.) If you can’t find true new potatoes, use small red- or white-skinned potatoes.


An hour and a half of (mostly hands-off) cooking time yields a Sunday classic.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 4 ounces chicken, about 1/4 cup gravy, and 1 cup potatoes)


Ingredients

for Chicken:

Cooking spray
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 (4-pound) whole chicken
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
1 whole garlic head
1 cup dry white wine
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter

for Potatoes:

16 new potatoes, unpeeled (about 2 pounds)
1/3 cup fat-free milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1. To prepare chicken, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add lemon to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until lightly browned, turning occasionally. Remove from pan; cool.

2. Preheat oven to 400°.

3. Remove and discard giblets from chicken; trim excess fat. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat. Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; rub salt mixture under loosened skin. Insert lemon slices in a single layer under loosened skin. Place rosemary inside body cavity. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under chicken. Place chicken on a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Lightly coat chicken with cooking spray. Remove white papery skin from garlic head (do not peel or separate cloves). Place garlic head in pan.

4. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° (do not remove chicken from oven); bake an additional 1 hour or until a thermometer inserted in the meaty part of thigh registers 165°. Remove chicken from pan; let stand 10 minutes. Remove skin; discard. Loosely cover chicken; keep warm.

5. Remove garlic from pan; set aside. Place a zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings back into pan, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat.

6. Separate garlic cloves; squeeze to extract pulp. Place pan over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic pulp, wine, and broth; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Cook 10 minutes or until sauce is slightly thick. Remove from heat; stir in butter.

7. To prepare potatoes, place potatoes in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until very tender; drain. Return potatoes to pan. Mash with a potato masher to desired consistency. Add milk and remaining ingredients; stir until combined. Serve chicken with gravy and potatoes.

Source: Cooking Light