Lauras Choice

A Blog from Laura Kubicki

Laura’s Fabulous Cranberry Bread

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Laura’s Fabulous Cranberry Bread

From: Laura Kubicki – From Kindergarten XX years ago…
Prep Time: 15 Mins Cooking Time: 1 Hour 10 Mins Total Time: 1 Hour 25 Mins

Ingredients:

  • 2 C flour
  • 1 C sugar
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 C butter, not softened
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tsp orange zest
  • 3/4 C orange juice
  • 1.5 C raisins
  • 1.5 C chopped cranberries
  • 1/2 C chopped nuts (optional)

Directions:

  1. Combine first 5 dry ingredients.
  2. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or two butter knives with a cross cutting motion, until crumbly.
  3. Add egg, orange peel and juice all at once.
  4. Stir until just moist.
  5. Fold in raisins, cranberries, and nuts if using.
  6. Spoon into a 9X5″ loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean (I used gift sized mini loaf tins to share – adjust time accordingly).
  7. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack – enjoy!

Simple Salmon Supper

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Simple Salmon Supper

From: Laura’s Choice: Laura Kubicki
Prep Time: 10 Mins Cooking Time: 30 Mins Total Time: 40 Mins

Ingredients:

  • 1.5-2lb filet of salmon – skinned
  • 1-2 tsp – extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon thinly sliced
  • 1 small bunch fresh basil leaves washed (or substitute other herbs such as thyme, dill, parsley, chives, whatever you’ve got on hand!)
  • ½ tps garlic powder or more to taste (optional)
  • ¼ C dry white wine – I like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio with this
  • 2 TBS – lemon juice
  • ¾ tps Kosher salt
  • ¼ tps pepper

Directions:

  1. Rinse and pat dry salmon with paper towels. Tear a large piece of aluminum foil and lay out on the counter.
  2. Combine salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Set aside. Combine lemon juice and white wine. Set aside.
  3. Spread 1 tps of EVOO on one side of the salmon with a basting brush. Sprinkle salmon with half the salt mixture.
  4. Flip salmon over and baste with the remaining oil. Sprinkle with the rest of the salt mixture. Be sure to season both sides for the best flavor. (Salmon’s flavor is really enhanced when well seasoned.)
  5. Lay lemon slices across top of salmon. Sprinkle with basil or other herb(s) of choice.
  6. Fold foil packet around salmon and crimp securely at one end. Carefully pour lemon juice and wine into open end of foil packet. Then seal completely.
  7. Place salmon packet on a sheet pan and bake at 30-45 minutes at 350 degrees or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
  8. Serve with rice and steamed asparagus or broccoli

Quick and Easy Pasta Primavera

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Quick and Easy Pasta Primavera

From: Laura Kubicki
Prep Time: 10 Mins Cooking Time: 10 Mins Total Time: 20 Mins

Ingredients:

  • 1 box of pasta – your choice
  • 1 clove of garlic – smashed
  • ¼ C plus 2 TBS or so of Extra Virgin olive oil
  • 2-3 C of various sliced and chopped vegetables such as zucchini, yellow squash, sweet onion, carrots, fresh green beans, corn, peas, carrots, etc.
  • 1 pint halved grape tomatoes (optional)
  • 1 C cubed or shredded rotisserie chicken or any other protein (optional)
  • ¼ C fresh chopped parsley
  • ¼ C Parmesan cheese – plus more for sprinkling
  • S&P to taste

Directions:

  1. Cook pasta according to directions on box. Be sure to generously salt the water prior to adding the pasta.
  2. While pasta is cooking, heat 2 TBS of EVOO in a sauté pan over medium heat and infuse with the smashed garlic clove, being careful not to let garlic burn. Remove and discard garlic when it is golden brown or after about 1 minute.
  3. Add vegetable medley to pan and sauté in the garlic infused oil about 5 minutes until vegetables are tender crisp or to desired degree of doneness.
  4. Drain pasta, reserving ½ C of starchy pasta water. Set water aside.
  5. Combine cooked pasta, sautéed vegetables, chicken and tomatoes (if using) ¼ C EVOO, ¼ C Parmesan, and parsley. Toss well to coat.  Add a little of the reserved pasta water for extra moisture if needed and toss.
  6. Great with crusty bread and a green salad if desired.

Lemon Sesame Asparagus Stir-Fry

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Lemon Sesame Asparagus Stir-Fry

From: lauraschoice.com
Prep Time: 5 Mins Cooking Time: 5 Mins Total Time: 10 Mins

Ingredients:

  • 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 slightly smashed garlic clove
  • 1/4 C sliced sweet onion
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus
  • 1 TBS sesame seeds – toasted are marvelous
  • 1 TBS fresh lemon juice – or to taste 
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Heat 1 TBS of oil in a large frying pan over medium to medium/high heat
  2. Slightly smash 1 garlic clove and add to heated oil in pan.  Cook 1 minute or until slightly browned and soft.  Remove and discard.
  3. Slice asparagus and onions into one inch slices.  Add to infused garlic oil.
  4. Stir-fry 1 minute or until onions begin to soften and asparagus begins to turn bright green.
  5. Add sesame seeds and salt and pepper to taste.  Stir-fry another minute or two until just tender crisp.
  6. Turn off heat and drizzle lemon juice over asparagus.  Add to serving bowl and top with fresh lemon zest and slices if desired.

Open Faced Bean Sandwiches

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Open Faced Bean Sandwiches

From: Recipe Adapted from Beth Mochnick (thanks Mom!).

Ingredients:

  • Fat Free Refried Beans
  • 4 Slices of whole wheat bread, toasted
  • A sprinkle of shredded cheddar
  • A sprinkle of shredded lettuce (iceberg gives a great crunch, romaine or other leafy lettuces deliver better nutrition – take your pick!)
  • Finely diced fresh tomatoes (optional – I have a hard time eating anything without tomatoes…)
  • Dash hot sauce (also optional)

Directions:

  1. Toast bread slices.  Spread beans liberally (about 2 TBS) over toast.  
  2. Sprinkle with cheese and broil for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and beans are warmed.  
  3. Remove promptly from broiler, place on serving plate, and sprinkle shredded lettuce to taste on top.  
  4. Serve with a side of fruit.  Hot sauce optional.