Pumpkin and Tomato Soup with Cheese

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 1 medium onion, chopped
  
• ½ cup chopped celery
  
• 1 garlic clove, grated
  
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  
• 2 pounds ripe juicy tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped
  
• 1 can (15 ounces) pureed pumpkin
  
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  
• Coarse salt and black pepper
  
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice
  
• ½ cup coarsely shredded Comte, Pecorino Romano, or sharp cheddar, plain yogurt or crème fraîche
  

1. In a soup pot, combine the oil, onion and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium to medium-low heat, until the onions are golden, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

2. Add tomatoes, pumpkin, 1 1/4 cups water, tomato paste and about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Heat to a boil and cook, covered, over medium-low heat, 10 minute. Uncover and cool slightly. Puree the soup with an immersion blender. If you don't have an immersion blender, carefully transfer the soup, in batches, to a blender or food processor and process until pureed. Return the soup to the pot. Add additional water to thin soup to desired consistency, if necessary.

3. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes. Stir in the lime juice. Taste and add additional salt and a generous grinding of black pepper. Ladle into bowls and mound about 2 tablespoons of cheese in the center of each serving, or if preferred add a swirl of yogurt or crème fraîche. Serve at once.

Makes 3-4 servings

Adapted from Fresh & Fast Vegetarian

Cold Tomato-Thyme Soup

• 5 tablespoons olive oil (preferably extra-virgin)
  
• 2 cups finely chopped onions
  
• 3/4 cup finely chopped peeled carrots
  
• 2 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
• 3 pounds ripe tomatoes, halved, seeded, chopped (about 5 cups)
  
• 3 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
  
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme or 1 tablespoon dried
  
• 1 cup hickory smoke chips, soaked in water 30 minutes, drained
  
• 3 3/4-inch-thick slices sourdough bread
  
• 1 garlic clove, halved
  
• Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
  

Heat 4 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, finely chopped garlic and bay leaf. Cover; cook until carrots are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes. Cover; cook until tomatoes release juices, about 10 minutes. Uncover; cook until juices evaporate, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Add broth and chopped thyme. Partially cover pot and simmer until mixture is reduced to 6 cups, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes longer.

Cool soup slightly. Discard bay leaf. Puree half of soup in blender. Stir into soup in pot. Season with salt and pepper. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.)

Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Place smoke chips in 8x6-inch foil packet with open top. Set packet atop coals about 5 minutes before grilling. Brush 1 tablespoon oil over both sides of bread slices. Grill bread until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Rub garlic clove halves over bread. Cut bread into 3/4-inch cubes.

Divide cold soup among bowls. Top with croutons. Garnish with thyme.

Makes 6 servings

From Bon Appétit | July 1997

Farroto with Garden Tomatoes

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• Pinch of crushed red pepper
• 2 cups diced garden tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons slivered basil
• 2 cups cooked (al dente) farro
• Coarse salt
• Chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
• Freshly ground black pepper

1. Pour the broth into a small saucepan and heat to a boil; reduce heat and keep warm over low heat.

2. Heat the oil in a large wide saucepan or deep sauté pan over medium heat until hot enough to sizzle a piece of onion. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, half of the basil, the farro and about ½ cup of the hot broth.

3. Cook, over medium heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally adding the remaining broth in ½ cup additions as farro absorbs the previous addition. Keep adding the broth until the farro is tender, but still has a bit of bite, about 15 minutes. You may not need all of the broth. The mixture should be the consistency of risotto, neither soupy nor pilaf like.

4. Stir in the grated cheese and the remaining basil until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into soup bowls and top with shaved Parmesan.

Makes 4 servings

Inspired by Fresh & Fast Vegetarian by Marie Simmons

Burnt Tomato Halves

Adapted from Seven Fires, by Francis Mallmann with Peter Kaminsky.

Serves 2

• 2 firm but ripe tomatoes
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt
• 8 black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves

1. Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat until a drop of water sizzles on the surface. Meanwhile cut the tomatoes in half. Brush the cut side of the tomato halves with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt to taste.

2. Place the tomatoes cut side down on the hot surface. Do not move for 8 to 10 minutes, or they will burst and lose their shape. The bottoms of the tomatoes will show a thin black line of char all around when they are done.

3. Using a sharp-edged spatula, lift the tomatoes off the hot surface and invert onto a serving plate, so that the burnt side is up. With a chef's knife, cut crosshatches into the surface of the tomatoes. Sprinkle with peppercorns and oregano, drizzle with more olive oil, and serve immediately

Note: If whole peppercorns are problematic, coarsely crack or grind them.

Red Sauce for Spaghetti and Meatballs

• olive oil
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• tomato paste
• splash red wine
• 1 can whole tomatoes in juice
• 1/2 t. dried oregano
• 1/2 t. dried basil

Saute garlic in olive oil until it just starts to color. Add tomato paste and stir for a few seconds, then add wine. Add tomatoes (trim any skins or tough bits and strain off most of the juice) and mash with a potato masher. Add dried herbs and bring to a simmer. Partially cover and simmer for a hour on the stovetop or several hours in the crockpot. Check consistency: if too thin, allow to simmer lid off until slightly reduced.

Makes slightly more than enough to sauce 1/2 box spaghetti.

Greek Shrimp

• butter + olive oil
• garlic, minced
• shrimp
• canned diced tomatoes
• white wine
• orzo or other pasta, cooked to your liking

Thaw shrimp. Melt butter with olive oil in a skillet. Add garlic for one minute, then shrimp. when they're starting to pink up, add tomatoes and a bit of white wine. Quantities are all to your liking so test and serve when you like it. (Possibly originally from a Moosewood Cookbook.)

Serve over orzo or other pasta.

Chicken Paprikash

• 8 bone-in chicken thighs (about 3 pounds), trimmed of excess skin and fat
• salt
• ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, halved and sliced thin
• 1 large red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, halved widthwise, and cut into 1/4-inch strips
• 1 large green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, halved widthwise, and cut into 1/4-inch strips
• 3 1/2 tablespoons sweet paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14 1/2-ounce), drained
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; heat oven to 300 degrees. Season both sides of chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes. Add 4 chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook without moving them until skin is crisp and well-browned, about 5 minutes. Using tongs, turn chicken pieces and brown on second side, about 5 minutes longer; transfer to large plate. Repeat with remaining chicken thighs and transfer to plate; set aside. When chicken has cooled, remove and discard skin. Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from pan.

2. Add onion to fat in Dutch oven and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add red and green peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are browned and peppers are softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons paprika, marjoram, and flour; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine, scraping pot bottom with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits; stir in tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt. Add chicken pieces and accumulated juices, submerging them in vegetables; bring to a simmer, then cover and place pot in oven. Cook until chicken is no longer pink when cut into with paring knife, about 30 minutes. Remove pot from oven. (At this point, stew can be cooled to room temperature, transferred to an airtight container, and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Bring to simmer over medium-low heat before proceeding.)

3. Combine sour cream and remaining 1/2 tablespoon paprika in small bowl. Place chicken on individual plates. Stir a few tablespoons of hot sauce into sour cream, then stir mixture back into sauce in pot. Spoon enriched sauce and peppers over chicken, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately over pasta.

from Cooks Illustrated

Yield: 4 servings

Pasta Shells with Chicken, Mushrooms, Escarole, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup sliced stemmed fresh shiitake mushrooms (about 2 ounces)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
• 8 cups coarsely chopped trimmed escarole (about 1 large bunch)
• 2 cups medium pasta shells (about 5 ounces)
• 2 cups 3/4-inch pieces skinless roasted chicken
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oil in large deep nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and saute until tender, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and crushed red pepper and stir 1 minute. Add broth and bring to boil. Stir in escarole; cover and cook 5 minutes. Uncover and cook until escarole is tender, stirring often, about 3 minutes longer. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain; return to pot. Add escarole mixture, chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir over medium heat until chicken is heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl; sprinkle with cheese.

Per serving: calories, 385; total fat, 13 g; saturated fat, 3 g; cholesterol, 61 mg

from Epicurious

Yield: 4 servings

Pasta with Tomato, Bacon, and Onion (Pasta all' Amatriciana)

This dish is traditionally made with bucatini, also called perciatelli, which appear to be thick, round strands but are actually thin, extra-long tubes. Linguine works fine, too. When buying pancetta, ask the butcher to slice it 1/4 inch thick; if using bacon, buy slab bacon and cut it into 1/4-inch-thick slices yourself. If the pancetta that you're using is very lean, it's unlikely that you will need to drain off any fat before adding the onion. Use 1 1/2 small (14 1/2 ounce) cans of diced tomatoes, or dice a single large (28 ounce) can of whole tomatoes packed in juice.

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 ounces pancetta (1/4-inch-thick sliced) or bacon cut into strips about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide
• 1 medium onion chopped fine
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
• 2 1/2 cups diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 pound bucatini or perciatelli, or linguine
• 1/3 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (about 1 1/2 ounces)

1. Bring 4 quarts water to rolling boil in large stockpot or Dutch oven.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, but not smoking. Add pancetta or bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer pancetta or bacon with slotted spoon to paper towel-lined plate; set aside. If necessary, drain all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet. Add onion to skillet; saute over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add red pepper flakes and cook to release flavor, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and salt to taste; simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

3. While sauce is simmering, add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pasta to boiling water. Cook until pasta is al dente; drain and return pasta to empty pot.

4. Add pancetta to tomato sauce and adjust seasoning with salt. Add sauce to pot with pasta and toss over low heat to combine, about 30 seconds. Add cheese and toss again; serve with Arugula and Roasted Pear Salad.

from Cooks Illustrated

Yield: 4 servings

Grilled Tuna Salad with Sun-dried Tomato Dressing

For the dressing

• 1 large garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice plus additional to taste
• 1/4 cup finely chopped drained sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
• 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1/2 cup packed fresh coriander

• 10 cups loosely packed mesclun
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 cup cooked fresh corn (cut from about 2 ears)
• two 1-inch-thick tuna steaks (about 1-1/2 pounds) olive oil for brushing the tuna
• nasturtium blossoms for garnish if desired

Make the dressing: In a blender blend together the garlic, the vinegar, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, the sun-dried tomatoes, the plum tomatoes, and 1/4 cup water until the mixture is smooth and with the motor running add the oil in a stream. Add the sour cream, the coriander, the additional lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste and blend the dressing until it is combined well. (The dressing may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Let the dressing return to room temperature.)

In a large bowl toss the mesclun with the tomatoes and the corn and divide the mixture among 4 plates. Brush the tuna on both sides with the oil, season it with salt and pepper, and grill it on an oiled rack set about 4 inches over glowing coals for 4 to 5 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or until is cooked to the desired degree. Let the tuna stand for 3 minutes and cut it against the grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Divide the tuna slices among the salads and pour about 1/4 cup of the dressing over each serving. Serve any remaining dressing separately and garnish the salads with nasturtium blossoms.

Serves 4.

from Epicurious

Salmon Club Sandwich

• 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 5 tablespoons minced fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 4 5- to 6-ounce skinless salmon fillets (each about 3/4 inch thick)
• 8 bacon slices
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 8 1/2-inch-thick sourdough or country-style white bread slices (each about 5x3 inches)
• 8 tomato slices
• 8 lettuce leaves

Mix mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons basil and lemon peel in small bowl to blend. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)

Mix remaining 3 tablespoons basil, olive oil and lemon juice in large glass baking dish. Add salmon to oil mixture; turn to coat. Cover; chill 1 to 4 hours. Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using tongs, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add onion to drippings in skillet. Sauté until onion is tender and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill fish until just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side. Grill bread just until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Spread mayonnaise mixture over 1 side of bread slices. Top each of 4 bread slices with 2 bacon slices, 2 tomato slices, 1/4 of onion, 1 salmon fillet and 2 lettuce leaves. Cover with remaining bread slices.

Bon Appétit, July 2000 (Cheryl Alters Jamison and Bill Jamison)

Makes 4 servings.

Chicken, Tomato and Tortilla Soup

Can be made with chicken breasts instead of thighs, but cook on the stove, not the crockpot.

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 6 chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
• 15-ounce can peeled plum tomatoes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 fresh hot green chile pepper (such as jalapeno), seeded and chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 10-ounce package frozen corn, defrosted
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• tortilla chips
• Chopped avocado, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for garnish
• Freshly grated Montery Jack cheese, for garnish

Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat, cook the chicken thighs, skin side down, until the skin is golden brown, about 3 minutes. (Do not turn the chicken.) Transfer the chicken to a 3 1/2-quart slow cooker. Discard all of the fat in the skillet.

Mash the tomatoes with their juice. Add to the skillet with the onion, chile pepper and garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Add the tomato mixture, chicken broth, cumin, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to the slow cooker and stir well.

Cover and slow-cook until the chicken thighs are tender, 5 to 6 hours on low.

Remove the chicken thighs and cool slightly. When the chicken is cool enough to handle, discard the skin and remove the meat from the bones. Coarsely chop the chicken meat and return to the slow cooker. Stir in the corn and chopped cilantro.

Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Serve the soup in individual bowls, topping each serving with tortilla chips and a sprinkling of avocado, if desired. Let each guest squeeze on lime juice to taste, and pass a bowl of grated cheese for sprinkling.

4-6 servings

Ham Jambalaya

• 3/4 cup brown rice
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large onions, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 28-ounce can ready-cut tomatoes
• 2 cups diced ham
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Cook brown rice in chicken broth.

Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, bell peppers and garlic; saute until beginning to soften, about 10 minutes. Mix in tomatoes with their juices, ham, wine, thyme, basil, paprika and cayenne pepper. Bring to boil. Cover pot. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer about 15 minutes. Add rice and simmer, covered, 10 minutes more.

Season with salt and pepper.

optional additions: chicken, sausage, shrimp

6 servings

from Epicurious

Panzanella

• 4 (1-ounce) slices Italian bread
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup torn fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 pounds ripe tomatoes, cored and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 (16-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Trim crusts from bread slices, discard crusts. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Let bread sit for 3-4 hours so that it can dry out and not be too soggy when mixed with the salad. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat bread lightly with olive oil. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until toasted.

Combine basil and next 4 ingredients (basil through beans) in a large bowl. Combine vinegar and remaining ingredients in a small bowl; stir with a whisk. Pour over tomato mixture; toss to coat. Add bread, toss well. Serve immediately.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 cups)

This classic bread salad, full of juicy tomatoes, is summer on a plate. It's best when the toasted bread is still crisp, so serve immediately after tossing.

from Megnut

Panzanella

• 3/4 pound day-old crusty peasant-style whole-grain bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 6 cups)
• 2 large tomatoes (about 1 pound), trimmed and each cut into 8 wedges
• 3/4 cup sliced unwaxed cucumber
• 1/2 cup sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 10 fresh basil leaves, shredded

In a serving bowl stir together the bread, the tomatoes, the cucumber, the onion, the oil, the vinegar, the basil, and salt and pepper to taste until the salad is combined well.

Serves 4 to 6.

Gourmet, August 1993

Fatush - Middle Eastern Bread Salad

Sumac comes from the berries of a bush that grows wild in Mediterranean areas, especially Sicily and southern Italy, and parts of the Middle East. It can be used in the same way as lemon juice.

• 1 loaf crisp local bread
• 3 tomatoes, chopped very small
• 5-6 cucumbers, chopped very small
• 1 onion, grated
• 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 lettuce heart, shredded
• a few fresh mint leaves
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon sumac
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt to taste

Cut up the bread into small pieces 1 to 1 1/2 inches square. Sprinkle with cold water, and place in a salad bowl. Pile all the vegetables and the mint leaves over the bread.

Mix lemon juice, sumac, salt and oil. Pour over fatush and toss.

Serves: 4

Recipe from In Mama's Kitchen

Farmers' Market Pasta with Chevre

• 1 1/2 pounds of a mixture of any of the following vegetables: asparagus, yellow or green summer squash, bell peppers (any color), broccoli, small eggplant, portabella mushooms
• 3 T. olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 12 ounces penne
• 3/4 c. heavy cream
• 4 oz. chevre
• 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
• half of a red onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup torn basil leaves
• 1/2 cup grated peccorino Romano cheese

1. Slice or chop the vegetables into manageable sizes for grilling. Toss with the olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and enclose in a grill basket. Grill over moderately high heat until somewhat softened and blackened in spots. (Or spread out on a baking sheet and roast at 450 to a similar degree of doneness.)

2. Cook the pasta until al dente. Ladle out and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta.

3. Return the pasta to the still-warm cooking pot and add the cream, chevre, and reserved cooking water. Toss until the cheese begins to melt. Add the tomatoes, onion, basil, and vegetables and toss gently until heated through. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

4. Pass the peccorino Romano at the table.

from Dishing Up Maine

4 servings

Seafood Lasagna with Tomato and Bechamel

FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups seeded and diced plum tomatoes (7-8 tomatoes) or drained chopped canned tomatoes
• 3/4 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons slivered fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

SEAFOOD FILLING

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound bay scallops or quartered sea scallops
• 1/2 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3/4 pound haddock or other white fish such as cod or pollock fillets, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

BECHAMEL SAUCE

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups heavy or whipping cream
• 1/2 cup reserved seafood cooking juices
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 pound fresh pasta sheets or 9 ounces dried "no-boil" lasagna noodles
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)

1. To make the fresh tomato sauce, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, wine, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, until the tomatoes give off their liquid and the sauce begins to reduce, about 10 minutes. Stir in the scallions, basil, tarragon, sugar, salt and pepper and simmer for 2 minutes. If the consistency is too thick -- it should be pourable-- add 1/2 cup water.

2. To make the seafood filling, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the scallops and shrimp and cook, stirring often, until the shrimp begin to turn pink, about 1 minute. Add the wine, bring to a boil, and cook 1 minute. Add the fish, tarragon, thyme, salt and pepper, and continue to cook, stirring gently, just until the seafood is opaque, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the seafood witha slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl. Reserve the liquid remaining to use in the bechamel. You should have about 1/2 cup; add water, if necessary, to make up the difference.

3. To make the bechamel, melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the cream, bring to a boil, and cook, whisking, for 2 minutes. Whisk in the reserved seafood juices and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

4. Grease a 3- to 4-quart baking dish, such as a 14x10-inch lasagna pan, with butter, Preheat the oven to 375.

5. Spoon about one-third of the tomato sauce into the prepared dish, spreading to coat the bottom. Make a layer of one-third of the pasta sheets, then half the seafood, then one-third of the bechamel, spreading each layer evenly. Make a second layer of each, then finish with the last third of the pasta and bechamel. Spread the remaining tomato sauce on top and sprinkle with parmesan.

6. Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is golden and the filling is bubbling and tender, 35 to 40 minutes. If the lasagna has been refrigerated, bake covered with foil, for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake until heated through, 20 to 30 minutes. Let rest for about 15 minutes before cutting into squares.

Serve with Lamb Sausage Hors d'Oeuvres with Cranberry Chutney, a spinach salad, seeded Italian bread, Orange Creme Brulee

from Dishing Up Maine

8 servings

Simplified Cassoulet with Pork and Kielbasa

• 1 cup kosher salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 10 bone-in chicken thighs (about 3 1/2 pounds), skin removed
• 6 slices good-quality white sandwich bread, cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 3 cups)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 4 slices bacon (about 4 ounces)
• 1 pound dried flageolet or great Northern beans, picked over and rinsed
• 1 medium onion, peeled and left whole, plus 1 small onion, chopped
• 4 medium garlic cloves, 2 peeled and left whole, 2 peeled and minced
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pound boneless blade-end pork loin roast, trimmed of excess fat and silver skin and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• Ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 pound Kielbasa, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch slices

1. Brining the chicken: In gallon-sized zipper-lock plastic bag, dissolve salt and sugar in 1 quart cold water. Add chicken, pressing out as much air as possible; seal and refrigerate until fully seasoned, about 1 hour. Remove chicken from brine, rinse thoroughly under cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Refrigerate until ready to use.

2. Preparing the topping: While chicken is brining, adjust oven rack to upper-middle position; heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix bread crumbs and butter in small baking dish. Bake, tossing occasionally, until light golden brown and crisp, 8 to 12 minutes. Cool to room temperature; set aside.

3. In heavy-bottomed, 8-quart Dutch oven, cook bacon slices over medium heat until just beginning to crisp and most fat has rendered, 5 to 6 minutes. Leaving bacon slices in pan, pour off bacon grease into heatproof measuring cup and reserve. Return pan to heat; add beans, 10 cups water, whole onion, and whole garlic cloves to pan with bacon. Bring to boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are partially cooked and almost tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Reserving 1¬Ω cups cooking liquid, drain beans. Discard onion, garlic, and bacon.

3. Add vegetable oil to reserved bacon grease to equal ¼ cup. In now-empty Dutch oven, heat bacon grease and vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add half of chicken thighs, fleshy-side down; cook until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Using tongs, turn chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on second side, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to large plate; repeat with remaining thighs and set aside. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons fat from pot. Return pot to medium heat; add pork pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add minced garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf, cloves, and pepper to taste; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chicken stock, wine, and 1 cup of reserved bean cooking liquid; increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil, scraping up browned bits off bottom of pot with wooden spoon. Add chicken and beans; if liquid does not fully cover chicken and beans, add remaining ½ cup reserved bean cooking liquid. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until chicken is cooked through and beans are tender, about 40 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 425 degrees. Off heat, gently stir in Kielbasa and sprinkle surface with bread crumbs. Bake uncovered until topping is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes and serve.

8 servings