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Moroccan Lamb and Chickpeas Soup

Great tasting soup from the November issue of Shape magazine. Ingredients (4 servings): 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 lb. bone-in shoulder lamb chops, trimmed of excess fat 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. paprika 4 cups vegetable broth 1/3 cup lentils 1 rib celery, finely chopped 1 can (15oz) diced tomatoes, drained 1 potato, diced 1 can (15oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained 2 tbsp. parsley, finely chopped salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (optional)  Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high. Cook lamb chops for 2-3 min. on each side or until browned. Set aside on a plate. Reduce heat to medium, add onion and cook stirring occasionally for 2-3 min. or until soft. Mix in ginger, turmetic, cinnamon and paprika. Cook for 10-15 seconds.  Add vegetable broth and bring to simmer. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot and mix in. St...

Grape Leaves Stuffed with Bulgur and Lentil

If you love stuffed grape leaves with rice or rice and meat, you're going love these too. Ingredients: 1/2 cup lentil, rinsed 2/3 cup bulgur 1 large onion, chopped fine 1/3 cup fresh mint, chopped 1 tbsp dried savory 1 tbsp + 1/4 cup lemon juice extra virgin olive oil 1 jar grape leaves, drained, stems cut off if needed salt and pepper to taste Cook the lentils until tender, drain well. In a small bowl pour boiling water over bulgur and soak for about 30-40 min. Drain well. In large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 3-5 minutes. I a large bowl combine lentils, bulgur, mint, savory, cooked onion, 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. To fill grape leaves: Place one leaf flat on work surface with veins facing upward. Place 1 tbsp filling in the middle of leaf and fold stem end of leaf up over filling, then fold in sides of leaf over filling and roll up leaf tight...

Bulgarian Moussaka

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Moussaka is a traditional Balkan casserole. There are lots of variations of the basic recipe.  In Bulgaria the most popular version is made of ground meat, potatoes and yogurt and eggs layer on top. It is simple and yet rich in taste. Ingredients: 1 lb ground meat (pork, beef or mixed) 1 tomato, chopped 2 lb potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes 1 onion, chopped 1 1/2 tbsp paprika 1-2 tbsp olive oil 2 eggs 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt 1 tbsp flour chubritsa (savory) to taste salt and pepper to taste In a saucepan heat the olive oil and add ground meat and chopped onion, paprika, chubritsa, salt and pepper and cook until meat gets brown. preheat the oven to 420F. Combine the meat mixture, chopped potatoes and tomato in a 9x11 baking pan. Add water, covering half of the dish. Bake for about 50-60 min. or until potatoes are ready, stirring occasionally.   Beat the eggs, yogurt and flour together. Pour it evenly over the dish and b...

Puff Pastry Twists with Cheese

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Ingredients: 1 sheet BELLA puff pastry dough 1/2 cup Kashkaval or Kefalograviera cheese, shredded 1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled 1 tbsp. savory (chubritsa)  salt and pepper to taste 1 egg Preheat the oven to 400F. Whisk the egg. Cut the pastry sheet in half and brush over one side of both dough pieces. Spread shredded cheese, savory, salt and pepper over one of the sheets. Place the other piece on top  and press to seal. Cut the dough into 1/2 inch strips. Twist and place on a baking sheet. Brush with egg. Bake for about 15-18 min. or until golden. You may also like  Puff Pastry Tarts with Pears https://www.facebook.com/OldWorldMarket  

Marinated Steak with Feta

This is one of my favorite steak recipes from Betty Crocker . Mediterranean style marinade and Feta combination give a nice twist to any grilled steak. Marinade: 1/2 cup Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon 1 tbsp. brown sugar 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 tsp. fried oregano 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped Steak: 2 lb beef boneless sirloin steak, about 1 inch thick 2 medium red onions, cut into 1/2-inch slices 1 cup Feta cheese, crumbled chopped fresh parsley In shallow glass or plastic dish or resealable food-storage plastic bag, mix all marinade ingredients. Pierce beef with fork several times on both sides. Add beef and onions to marinade, turn to coat with marinade. Cover dish or seal bag and refrigerate, turning beef occasionally, at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours. Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Remove beef from marinade. Reserve marinade. Cover and grill beef and onions ...

Muffins with Feta and Danish Bacon

These muffins are wonderful for breakfast or snack. You can make them with cheese only or even add some greens. You can find Smoked Danish Bacon at  Old World Market Naples starting at $5.69/lb. and Feta cheese starting at $3.99/lb. Ingredients (12 muffins): 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tbsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 2 eggs 1 cup milk 2 tbsp. melted butter 1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled 1/2 cup smoked Danish bacon, chopped Preheat the oven to 400F In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl combine the eggs, milk, butter, feta and Danish bacon. Stir into dry ingredients. Grease the muffin pan and fill it with butter. Bake for 20-25 min. or until toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm.

Linguine With Peppers And Italian Sausage

Ingredients (3-4 servings): 8oz linguini pasta 1/2 pound Old neighborhood Sweet Italian Sausage, casings removed 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 cup Pinot Grigio 1/2 cup Kefalograviera cheese, grated Cook pasta in a boiling salted water until al dente.  While the pasta is cooking cut the sausage and saute in a heavy skillet over medium heat until light brown. Add peppers, onion, garlic and saute until tender. Add wine and simmer until liquid is slightly reduced, about 5-6 minutes.  Drain pasta and add to the skillet. Toss to combine. Add Kefalograviera cheese and toss to blend. Serve with additional cheese, if desired.  If you like it spicy, use Old Neighborhood Hot Italian Sausage instead. You can find Old Neighborhood Sausages at Old World Market Naples !