"Gluten-Free Copycat Nabisco Chocolate Snaps"

March 6, 2017 Rich at Definitely Delish

Every once in a while, I'll have this—I don't know, this deep seeded sense of nostalgia..

It doesn't happen too much, I'm not that old yet, but when it does I can get to reminiscing about the things of my youth—when things seemed fresh, new and so much simpler by far..

Often it'll be food that gets me to dreaming about days gone by—when TV Dinners were in aluminum trays you heated in the oven, Ring Dings came in foil wrappers and Nabisco made their Snap cookies..

It was this last one that hit me recently. First, I wistfully thought of the cute little box with the tiger on the cookie and then it was trying to remember that taste—there was really no other cookie like it and I can remember eating them for years growing up..

Sadly, like so many things from my childhood, these had disappeared long ago from store shelves..

Being somewhat handy in the kitchen and after imagining the wonderful simple plain chocolate cookie taste with just the tiniest bit of snap to it—I decided I could wait no longer, so I set about attempting to discover again that sweet memory of flavor..

As I gathered myself to bake, and after tweaking a few ideas to fit my thought of what it would take to create this long gone snack, I decided that since I have been on such a Gluten-Free cooking kick lately—well, I would just try and continue with this recipe..

I'm not exactly sure why, I don't have Celiacs or a gluten intolerance, but I know some who do—so I guess I've been wanting to see what I can make for them that isn't out there like it should be..

A few ingredients, just a little bit of work and before you know it they started flying out of the oven needing a quick squish—then set aside to cool till done..

They were perfect..

Just like I remember..

Thin, chocolatey and with just a little snappy bite to them..

So if you, like me, remember that tiny rectangular box with the tiger face drawn on the cookie from the 70's and 80's then you will fall in love with these simple, plain, wafer'ish cookies—because without a doubt they are "Definitely Delish"

"Gluten-Free Copycat Nabisco Chocolate Snaps"

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups shortening
1 1/2 cups Light Brown Sugar
1 cup White Sugar
2 Eggs
1/2 cup Cocoa
1/4 cup Special Dark Cocoa
1/3 cup Milk
3 tsp. Vanilla
2 tsp. Baking Powder
2 tsp. fine Pink Himalayan Salt
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Baking Soda
4 cups Gluten Free Baking Flour (I use King Arthur Brand)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cream 1 1/2 cup shortening, 1 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 1 cup white sugar. Add 2 eggs and beat..
3. Add 3/4 cup cocoa, 1/3 cup milk and 3 tsp. vanilla and beat.
4. Add remaining ingredients of 2 tsp. baking powder, 2 teaspoons of Himalayan salt, cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. soda and 4 cups of gluten free baking flour..
5. Form in balls size of walnut and place about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet..
6. Bake 12 minutes. Smash flat when they come out of the oven while still warm.
7. Repeat until all dough is used up. Makes about 100 cookies, or more, depending on how big you make them..

"Roasted Cauliflower, Broccoli & Brussel Sprout Soup"

January 17, 2017 Rich at Definitely Delish

I love roasting and eating vegetables..

I mean, if I can throw it onto sheet pan and drizzle it with oil—I will..

This recipe takes a simple side dish at dinner and adds in a few ingredients to create a perfect lunchtime or supper meal that's wonderful during these cold northeastern winters..

One of the first things I started with here is deciding on a mix of vegetables—so taking two recipes from my Thanksgiving side dish post, back in October, I got to work on what would become this delish soup recipe..

Going almost half Brussels sprouts and half cauliflower, with some broccoli thrown in for good measure—I tossed it all down onto my sheet pan and drizzled it with quality extra virgin olive oil with a little fine sea salt & pepper to finish. Then into the oven it went..

Truly I love simple recipes like this with just a few dishes needed; one pan, one pot a knife and a spoon—what could be simpler and leave less work for you afterwards then that. Well a skillet meal like my frittatas, and mexi-skillet recipe, but I digress..

While my veggies went about becoming all roasty browned and tasty; I prepped the base for my soup which included some lean prosciutto, shallots, garlic & chicken stock..

Quicker than you'd think it was time to pull my roasty toasty vegetables out of the oven and spoon them into the pot with the soup base and bring it up to a nice low simmer for about 10 minutes..

Here is where an immersion blender is key if you want to save on spatters, dribbles, spills and sloshing as you attempt to blend a little of the soup at a time and then dumping into another dish—you're guaranteed to add to your after cooking clean up; and really, who wants that, right!

A few minutes of immersion blending later and you have a supremely thick soup that just needs a little seasoning for taste before it's ready to serve..

Garnish each bowl with some reserved roasted veggies, the slightly crispy cooked prosciutto and some shredded Manchego cheese an you'll have a beautiful dish that's sure to please..

I loved it and I'm sure if you try it for yourself that you will to; because it is, oh so "Definitely Delish"

"Roasted Cauliflower, Broccoli & Brussels Sprout Soup"

Ingredients:
16 oz cauliflower florets
16 oz Brussels sprouts, halved
8 oz. Broccoli florets
4 oz. lean Prosciutto, cut into small pieces (see notes for vegan options)
3-4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Butter (see notes)
1/4 cup Shallots, chopped
2 cloves of Garlic, minced
3 1/2 cups low sodium Chicken Stock (see notes)
1 cup Vegetable Broth
1/2 teaspoon fine Sea Salt, plus more to taste
White Pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon fresh chopped Italian Parsley
Natural Olive Oil Spray

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit..
2. Spray a large baking sheet with the Olive Oil Spray. Place the cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts cut side down on the baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt—then roast on the bottom third of the oven 25 minutes, tossing half way until slightly browned..
3. Meanwhile, add 1 tablespoon of oil to your soup pot on medium heat and add your pieces of prosciutto—cooking until browned, then remove from the pot and reserve for later..
4. Now lower the temperature of the pot to low heat and melt the butter, then add the shallots & garlic. Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes..
5. Add the chicken stock and simmer 5 minutes..

6. Shut the oven, reserve about 1 cup or more of the roasted vegetables and keep warm on the baking sheet..
7. Transfer the rest to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes, covered..
8. Now, using an immersion blender, blend until a thick even consistency is reached. You may also enjoy it chunkier, so can stop when it reaches the style you enjoy..
9. Now simmer on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, adding up to 1 cup of vegetable broth if thinning of the soup is needed. As well as adding sea salt and white pepper to taste. (Any last minute additions such as fresh herbs, rubbed sage, etc can be added to enhance the flavor if you desire)

Notes:
1. Serve in bowls topped with the some of the roasted vegetables, cooked prosciutto, chopped parsley and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil..
2. You can also add a bit of fresh shredded 8 month Manchego cheese, which I did. (Optionally Romano or another cheese could be substituted) Serve immediately..

3. You can remove the prosciutto (or use vegan/vegetarian friendly option if available), substitute the butter for a non dairy version (Olio olive oil spread, or another) and replace the chicken stock with vegetable broth to make this soup Vegetarian or Vegan friendly....

"Minestrone Soup-An Old Italian Favorite"

April 13, 2016 Rich at Definitely Delish

Minestrone soup has a really rich history. It is known in Italy as "cucina povera" or literally poor mans soup, a peasant soup. It shows up in cook books as far back as 30 AD...

However, at its beginnings, the ingredients were pooled from ingredients for other dishes, often side dishes or "contorni" plus whatever was left over from meals...

Eventually over time, as the Roman Empire spread, more ingredients became available throughout Italy—though it wasn't till the 1600's that tomatoes first began appearing in Minestrone soups all over the the Italian countryside...

Then, at some point in time, it suddenly became a dish made for its own sake and not using the leavings of other dishes or the remainders of vegetables soon to spoil...

Now every region of Italy has there own version of this wonderful winter soup. (Actually a wonderful anytime soup)

I should warn you though; this recipe is not a 30-Minute Meal, a One Pot Wonder, a Five Ingredient Dinner, a Set-it-and-Forget-it Dish or any of the other cute little titles you can think of dished up daily in foodie mags and, um, blogs kind of like this one...

This minestrone, is not cute. It is a tad bit messy and just a little demanding...

It involves planning as well as some mincing, chopping, shredding, rinsing and blending. Oh, And time. A nice bit of time. The kind of time you once had on a Sunday afternoon before you got too busy either running your kids all over creation or just trying to recover from a weeks worth of work...

Trust me though, in the end, you'll be left with one amazingly wonderfully deliciously layered soup just chock full of Italian flavor, Italian history and oh so "Definitely Delish"

"Minestrone Soup"

Ingredients:
2 Carrots, diced
2 Celery ribs, chopped
1 medium Vidalia Onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
1 can Crushed Tomatoes (14.5 oz.)
1 can dice Stewed Tomatoes (14.5 oz.)
1 can Roman beans, rinsed & drained (15 oz.)
1 can Garbanzo beans or Chickpeas, rinsed & drained (15 oz.)
1 can Beef Broth (14.5 oz.)
2 cans Low Sodium-Fat Free Chicken Broth (14.5 oz. each can)
1 cup of Vegetable Stock (8 oz.)
3 cups of Savoy Cabbage, chopped/shredded (or more if desired-see Notes for additional options)
4 Baby Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced (see Notes)
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 Bay Leaf
2 tablespoons Fresh Italian Parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
2 tablespoons fresh grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
Parmesan Cheese Rind (Optional Ingredient, see Notes)
3-4 oz. diced Pancetta (Optional-see Notes)
Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper, to taste
1-2 cups dry Pasta (see Notes)

Directions:
1. Heat a large stock pot on medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil—then add Pancetta to pot. (if using this option-see Notes) Cook for two minutes...
2. Add Garlic and Red Pepper flakes then cook for one minute, lower temperature to medium low if needed to avoid over cooking...
3. Now add the Onion, Celery and Carrots to the pot and continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes—until vegetables soften slightly...
4. At this time add the dried herbs and bay leaf (I prefer freeze dried Herbs, but regular dried herbs are good as well)
5. Now add the Potato and cabbage (see Notes for what I prefer and used in this dish); stir and cook for 2-3 minutes, till cabbage just starts to soften...
6. Add the Tomato Paste to the pot, mix well and cook for 1 minute before adding the crushed and diced Tomatoes. Now add all of the Broths (Beef, Chicken & Veggie) and Parmesan Cheese Rind (If Using), cover and simmer after stirring...
7. Meanwhile rinse and drain the Beans you will be using (see Notes for options), now take 1 cup of mixed beans and purée it in a food processor (you can also mash them in a bowl if needed)—now add Beans and puréed beans to the pot and stir, cover and continue simmering for 15-20 minutes...
8. At this time you can either cook the Pasta in the soup or separately (see Notes) if desired; if you decide to cook it in the soup, raise the temperature to medium and add your Pasta—cook till al dente, about 6-8 minutes depending on pasta size and type...
9. Stir in 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, then season with Sea Salt & Pepper to taste...

Notes:
1. Option to start this soup is either 3-4 oz. of finely diced pancetta or crumbled cooked sweet Italian sausage. If you decide not to use meat, skip step 1 and immediately add garlic and red pepper then continue with the recipe...
2. For my greens I used a mix of both Savoy Cabbage and Green Swiss Chard, for the texture, taste and color of each...
3. I chose to mix Roman beans and Garbanzo beans, mixing two versions of this dish (one being Minestrone Di San Giuseppe, and a version from the Roma region of Italy), you could of course use any variation you desire for this and you would not be wrong (some even come with peas, green beans and Lentils)
4. I always use Parmesan cheese that I grate myself, which eventually leaves me with the rind (the end that has the cheese-makers marks on it), I add this to the soup for the wonderful depth of flavor it can add, but this is entirely optional for you...
5. Pasta choices—for this I used a mix of medium size pasta shells and Fusco Fiori pasta (which has a wonderful shape and texture), you of course can add any types you prefer but smaller with a nice shape (to hold onto the soup) is best I feel...
6. Not everyone likes their pasta cooked inside the soup (can get soft on re-heating); if cooking separately, add salt and a handful of semolina flour to a pot of water and cook till al dente (see your pastas package instructions). The flour will give the pasta that nice starchy flavor you get in good restaurants (they use the same pot of pasta water repeatedly without changing it, adding all that extra pasta starch taste/texture to the water over time)
7. One optional seasoning ingredient is the addition of a sprig of fresh Rosemary when you add the broth, I love the flavor it adds but not everyone enjoys it...
8. A nice hot loaf of sesame semolina is perfect with this, just love dunking it in this soup—delish....

"A Rose Tart by any other name would smell as Sweet"

April 6, 2016 Rich at Definitely Delish

Last night, as is my usual modus operandi, I decided to mess around in the kitchen...

Now it's not every day that I make a new dish, and a lot of times I'll make the same thing again and again-because, well, it's good an I liked it enough too...

Sometimes, if I'm trying something different with a dish I've done before, I might post it-like with the Caramelized Apple Almond Galette recently...

But mostly this week I've been doing various dishes that I've done plenty before-like last nights Lemon Chicken de Provence...

Though for a tasty visual treat I did decide to make for me and my Beautiful baby last night a "Vegetable Rose Tart" with a fresh mozzarella and herb'ed cream base.
Slicing up my Zucchini, Squash and Carrots with a vegetable peeler; I began wrapping them into my Roses...

Then inside the tart pan filled with puff pastry I added my mozzarella, sour cream and some fresh herbs-followed by all of my beautiful Roses...

*"Roasted vegetables almost to pretty to eat"*

Drizzled a little olive oil, with chopped fresh herbs and garlic, over top it to finish-then into the oven to bake...

Finally while it was cooking, I played around with setting up for the picture; which I got done just as it finished baking...

A couple of pretty pics later and it was finally time to dig in and eat..

Such a beautiful dish in it's presentation and oh so—"Definitely Delish"

"Vegetable Rose Tart"

Ingredients:
For Pastry Shell:
1 package Dufour all butter Puff Pastry (or your own puff pastry recipe)

For the Filling:
1/2 cup fresh Mozzarella
1/2 Sour Cream
1 tsp Sea salt
1 clove minced garlic
Fresh cracked Pepper to taste
1 tsp mixed Herbes de Provence (2 tsps if using fresh Herbes instead of dry)

For the Vegetable Roses:
1-2 medium Zucchinis
1-2 medium Yellow Squash's
2-4 Carrots (purple and other carrot colors if available)
Quality Olive Oil
1 clove minced garlic
1 tablespoon Fresh thyme and parsley, finely chopped
Sea salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:
For the tart shell:
1. Lightly grease a 8-9 inch loose base tart tin.
2. Roll the pastry out until you have a circle approximately 11 inches and lay it over the tart tin and press into the sides. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Scrunch up a piece of baking paper and open it back up. Place on the tart shell and fill with baking beads.
4. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 10-15 minutes. Remove the beads and cook for a further 5-10 minutes until the base is cooked through.
5. Set aside to cool.

For the filling:
1. Chop the mozzarella into small pieces and place in a bowl.
2. Add the sour cream, garlic and mixed herbs then stir until combined.
3. Spread the filling over the base of the tart shell.

For the vegetable Roses:
1. Slice the vegetables into 1/8 inch or thinner slices. (Strips)
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. On a chopping board, start with a piece of carrot and begin rolling it into a tight curl. Then wrap the Carrot with a piece of Zucchini and then a piece of Yellow Squash. Roll together the 3 vegetables into a rose shape. Place into prepared Tart shell with filling.
4. Continue this process until you have filled the tart with vegetable roses of various sizes.
5. Drizzle the top lightly with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs, finely minced garlic, sea salt and pepper.
6. Transfer the tart into the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked and lightly golden. (Alternatively, you could partially pre-roast the vegetable strips before rolling into roses-adjust cooking time accordingly)
7. Serve with a salad for a main course or as a side dish with a main entree of your choice...

"The Perfect Steak"

March 15, 2016 Rich at Definitely Delish

It was another wonderful night with my Baby and I decided to cook us up some yummy steaks tonight...

So, after a quick trip to the butcher, I came home with some beautifully marbled and extra thick Aged Shell Steaks...

Letting them sit on the counter and come to room temperature (for about a half hour or so) is key, otherwise you will over cook the beef before the center warms at all...

While they were sitting I prepared some asparagus with heirloom tomatoes, lightly smashed garlic and thyme for the oven-a little sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste, and then it was time...

Turning on both the oven, and stove top, I began preheating both; 400 degrees for the veggies to roast and high heat for my cast iron skillet...

*"NY Shell Steaks-thick cut and delicious"*

Now, using paper towels, I dried off the steaks and then seasoned them simply with some fresh Cracked Pepper and "Fleur de Sel" Coarse Sea Salt...

A quick drizzle off "Kalamata" Olive Oil into the super hot pan and in go the Steaks...

With the pan so hot the steaks get a nice sear going quickly and after just a few seconds they're ready to be turned over...

A little attention, turning the steaks every 30 seconds to cook evenly and just the simplest of ingredients-garlic, thyme, salt and butter...

*"The Sunrise rainbow-hearted steals athwart the misty brine"*

Then in almost no time at all you're left with these beautifully crusted and seared Steaks cooked to perfection...

So unbelievably tasty and flavorful; and with the roasted Asparagus, Tomatoes and Garlic on the side-just like fine dining in the best Steakhouse in town...

A wonderful & simple dish that me and my Sweetie enjoyed immensely- and oh so "Definitely Delish"

*"The most beautiful Steak in the World"*

"The Perfect Steak"

Ingredients:
2 Thick Cut Steaks (I used NY Shell Steaks)
2-3 large cloves Garlic
6-8 Sprigs fresh Thyme
1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Kalamata)
2 tablespoons Irish Sweet Cream Butter
Coarse Sea Salt (Fleur de Sel)
Cracked Black Pepper

Directions:
1. Remove packaging and pat meat dry with paper towels. Line a plate with paper towels, place meat on top and set aside to dry further and come to cool room temperature (30 to 60 minutes, depending on the weather). Turn occasionally; replace paper towels as needed...
2. Place cast-iron skillet on high heat on stove top and preheat for 5-7 minutes...
3. Grind fresh pepper over steaks and sprinkle liberally with coarse salt; mopping up seasoning from cutting board with steaks...

4. When pan is preheated, add 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil and immediately place steaks in pan. (Should hear the steaks sizzling)
5. After 30 seconds turn steaks over, they should already have a nice brown sear going-continue cooking turning steaks every 30 seconds to insure even cooking...
6. Place the steaks on their edges, tilting the pan so the drippings run towards the meat...
7. Place Steaks flat again and add the lightly crushed cloves of Garlic, sprigs of fresh Thyme, a touch more Oil and a light sprinkling of Sea Salt...

8. Add 2 tablespoons of sliced Irish Sweet Cream Butter, melt and then baste steaks with it and the pan drippings...
9. Check for your desired level of temperature (rare to well done) with an instant-read thermometer or cut and check the color...
10. Rub steaks with the garlic cloves from in the pan and when cooked to your liking remove to a cutting board and cover loosely with tin foil for 3 or so minutes...
11. Slice and serve with roasted vegetables or whatever side you prefer...

Notes:
1. Serve with a nice full bodied Red Wine; my favorite for this is an Italian Amarone or South American Malbec..
2. Side dishes can range anywhere from baked potatoes, creamed spinach to prosciutto wrapped roasted asparagus-use your imagination and go crazy...