Alexandria's Little Corner of the World


Rachael Ray: Taking Sides

I caught an episode of Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals this afternoon during which she made three sides for dinner. I thought they were quite fun, especially the broccoli recipe and the macaroni and cheese.

Smoky Chipotle and Cheddar Mac
Yield: 4 to 6 servings

1 pound macaroni elbows or cavatapi corkscrew shaped pasta twists
Salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan, plus some for drizzling
3/4 pound chorizo, 1 package, casing removed and diced
1 (15-ounce) can diced fire roasted tomatoes, drained
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 chipotle in adobo and their juices, chopped or 1 tablespoon ground chipotle chili
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup chicken stock
3 cups shredded smoked Cheddar
Place a pot of water on to boil for macaroni. When it boils, salt water and cook pasta until a little under done, just shy of al dente.

While pasta cooks, place a small nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and chorizo. Brown the chorizo then add the canned tomatoes to the pan and heat them through. Remove from heat and reserve.

While chorizo begins to cook, heat a medium sauce pot over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, then add onions and chipotles and cook 3 to 5 minutes to sweat it out and turn the juices sweet. Raise heat up a bit, add the flour and whisk together until mixture bubbles up. Cook 1 minute more. Whisk in milk and stock and raise heat up a little more to bring the sauce to a quick boil. Once it bubbles, drop heat back to a rolling simmer sauce to thicken, 3 to 5 minutes.

Drain macaroni or pasta. Add cooked pasta back to the large pot.

Add cheese to milk sauce and stir to melt, a minute or so. Stir in chorizo and tomatoes and season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over cooked pasta in large pot and toss to combine. Transfer to a large serving platter, garnish with chives and serve.


Chili-Garlic Roasted Broccoli
Yield: 4 servings

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, eyeball it
5 to 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon grill seasoning blend (recommended:Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick Grill Mates)
1 large head broccoli, cut into thin, long spears
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, chili powder and grill seasoning in the bottom of a large bowl and add the broccoli spears. Toss to coat broccoli evenly then transfer to a large nonstick baking sheet. Roast the broccoli until ends are crisp and brown and stalks are tender, 17 to 20 minutes.


Tomato and Red Onion Salad with Lime-Cilantro Dressing
Yield: 4 servings

2 limes, juiced
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, a couple of handfuls
2 teaspoons hot sauce, eyeball it
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, eyeball it
1 small red onion, quartered and thinly sliced
3 large beefsteak tomatoes, quartered and thinly sliced
Place the lime juice, cilantro, and hot sauce in food processor and add a little salt and pepper. Turn processor on and stream in extra-virgin olive oil. Taste dressing and adjust seasonings. Pour dressing into a bowl and add onions and tomatoes. Toss gently and coat in dressing. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes and serve.

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