Archive for February, 2008

Polenta with Beans and Greens

Posted by the cookworm on February 6th, 2008

Here is another healthy dinner recipe from my alternate, non-baking personality. It’s especially for those of us who are working to fight the forces of Food Blogger’s Butt, which is the name I’ve given this peculiar condition that has recently settled in my pants. I think anyone who has spent much of the winter baking knows all too well what I’m talking about.

Beans and greens are a comforting, homey dish that I just love, especially with rapini (aka broccoli rabe) for its bitter, slightly mustardy flavor. Rapini also happens to be an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium. Polenta, former peasant dish that it is, is extremely filling and also fast to make, provided you use the instant kind (which I have no qualms about, personally - who wants to stand at the stove, stirring for hours? If you have kids, on the other hand, what an excellent way to put them to work). I almost feel guilty writing this down as it’s so simple, but it serves as another good reminder that cheap, quick food doesn’t have to be bad for you.

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Chocolate Tangerine Semifreddo

Posted by the cookworm on February 3rd, 2008

I made this excellent semifreddo for a visit to some friends’ house last weekend. The recipe is from Dolce Italiano, the new cookbook by Gina DePalma, the pastry chef at Babbo. I borrowed the book from the library a couple of weeks ago and have found it completely inspiring; nearly all the recipes look delicious and seem to strike a balance between sophisticated, rustic, interesting, and uncomplicated. I also like the author’s voice, as it seems to give one a sense that she is quite knowledgeable, yet down to earth and not overly caught up in trends. In other words, someone who would be pretty cool to talk to.

The semifreddo has the texture of a frozen mousse, its richness helpfully tempered by the cold. Using tangerine here seems to make the dessert little bit special and fun, and the citrus flavor is not shy - it’s nearly as powerful as the chocolate, with the two bittersweet flavors in smooth harmony. If you don’t want to make the entire dessert, the chocolate sauce is pretty terrific just by itself. Just make a batch to pour over fresh fruit or ice cream, or like me, squirt it directly into your mouth. I can’t wait for a chance to make this dessert again!


Er, why yes, those ARE oranges in the picture…but the tangerines were busy elsewhere…

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