Whenever I get a chance on cold Sunday mornings, I grab a blanket and a cup of coffee and tune into the food network for some cooking inspiration. A couple weeks ago Giada made a "Thanksgiving for Two" on Everyday Italian that I cannot stop thinking about (yes, I have THAT kind of obsession with food!) and am looking forward to making for friends during the holidays. The main course and side dish are portioned for two people (great date night recipes!) but it would be easy enough to double or triple the recipe for guests.If you have a holiday recipe that is "tried and true" or that you are hoping to try this season, pass it on!
Main Dish: Turkey Cranberry Ravioli
Ravioli:
1/4 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat
2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons grated Romano
1 tablespoon bread crumbs
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 egg 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
20 store-bought wonton wrappers
Gravy:
3 tablespoons butter
1 shallot, chopped
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
To make the ravioli: in a medium bowl, stir together the turkey, cranberry sauce, cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Place 10 wonton wrappers on a work surface. Brush lightly with water using a pastry brush. Place 1 tablespoon of the turkey mixture on each of the wonton wrappers. Top with another wonton wrapper. Push out any air bubbles and press the edges tightly to seal.
To make the gravy: in a medium, heavy skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir until cooked, about 1 minute. Slowly add the chicken broth, stirring quickly to avoid lumps. Add the cream, parley, salt, and pepper and cook, without boiling, for 2 minutes, stirring often.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the ravioli and cook until tender but still firm to the bite and the turkey is cooked, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Drain the ravioli into the gravy and stir to coat. Serve immediately in individual dishes, drizzled with the remaining gravy.
Side Dish: Cornbread Panzanella Salad
8 ounces cornbread, cut into cubes (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup cubed fontina cheese
1/2 cup cubed cucumber
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Toss gently to combine. Place in a serving bowl and serve.
Dessert: Apple Walnut Torta
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 orange, zested
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups diced peeled apples (about 2 apples)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted Ice cream, for serving
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a small saucepan, heat the orange liqueur. Turn off the heat and add the cranberries, making sure all the cranberries are submerged in the liquid. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and the orange zest. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add the apples, walnuts, and drained cranberries. Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased 8 by 8 by 2-inch glass baking dish or 8-inch cake pan. Bake until a wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
To serve, while still warm cut into squares or wedges and serve with ice cream.
Main Dish: Turkey Cranberry Ravioli
Ravioli:
1/4 pound ground turkey, preferably dark meat
2 tablespoons cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons grated Romano
1 tablespoon bread crumbs
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 egg 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
20 store-bought wonton wrappers
Gravy:
3 tablespoons butter
1 shallot, chopped
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
To make the ravioli: in a medium bowl, stir together the turkey, cranberry sauce, cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, egg, salt, and pepper. Place 10 wonton wrappers on a work surface. Brush lightly with water using a pastry brush. Place 1 tablespoon of the turkey mixture on each of the wonton wrappers. Top with another wonton wrapper. Push out any air bubbles and press the edges tightly to seal.
To make the gravy: in a medium, heavy skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir until cooked, about 1 minute. Slowly add the chicken broth, stirring quickly to avoid lumps. Add the cream, parley, salt, and pepper and cook, without boiling, for 2 minutes, stirring often.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the ravioli and cook until tender but still firm to the bite and the turkey is cooked, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Drain the ravioli into the gravy and stir to coat. Serve immediately in individual dishes, drizzled with the remaining gravy.
Side Dish: Cornbread Panzanella Salad
8 ounces cornbread, cut into cubes (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup cubed fontina cheese
1/2 cup cubed cucumber
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 lemon, zested and juiced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Toss gently to combine. Place in a serving bowl and serve.
Dessert: Apple Walnut Torta
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 orange, zested
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups diced peeled apples (about 2 apples)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted Ice cream, for serving
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a small saucepan, heat the orange liqueur. Turn off the heat and add the cranberries, making sure all the cranberries are submerged in the liquid. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and the orange zest. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add the apples, walnuts, and drained cranberries. Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased 8 by 8 by 2-inch glass baking dish or 8-inch cake pan. Bake until a wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
To serve, while still warm cut into squares or wedges and serve with ice cream.
