Jan D'Atri

Jan D'Atri > Jan’s Recipes > salt

salt

Easy Cheesy Squash Au Gratin

by

I may be going out on a limb here, but I’m pretty sure if you make this dish as a side, the main entrée may take a back seat! Yes, it’s that delicious. I’m always looking for ways to cook zucchini and summer squash, and for this recipe, they both come together, get enrobed in a rich, creamy cheesy smoked Gouda sauce and baked to a golden brown for a perfect accompaniment to any dish. You’ll want to start with a cast iron skillet or any heavy pan that will go from the cook top to the oven. Then, it’s just a matter of slicing up the squash and tossing them into a flavorful cream sauce. I like adding a handful of crisp chopped bacon to the recipe. It just gives it a pop of great flavor. You can use any sharp cheese of your choice, but the smoked Gouda really sends the flavor over the top! Although the peak time for summer squash is early to late summer, it’s pretty much available all year round. The green zucchini and the bright yellow summer squash give this side a variety of color and textures, which makes it really pretty on the plate! This Squash Au Gratin is nice spooned on a plate, or served in a ramekin or small side casserole dish. Make sure the top is a bubbly golden brown and serve right out of the oven!

Watch my HOW TO VIDEO for Squash Au Gratin here!

Homemade Wheat Thins

by

They are Chick Peas in America, Garbanzo Beans in Spain, Pois Chiche in France, Ceci Beans in Italy –and they are one and the same. An ancient protein-filled legume that makes the base for one of our favorite dips- Hummus. I decided to do a Hummus Test this week. I made one batch from scratch which required, among its many steps, soaking the chick peas overnight, grinding the cumin seed to a powder, and boiling the peas to soften before blending in a food processor. Then, I made a Hummus recipe in less than 5 minutes using one can of Chick Peas. The winner? I was shocked. It was unanimous. By a panel of 12 trusted foodies, the 5-minute version surprisingly won the day. Nothing more to say than Easy Peasy! Enjoy it with my Homemade Wheat Thins.

Skillet Chicken with Baked Apples

by

Here’s a tasty combination: Pan grilled chicken and glazed baked apples. This is the sort of one skillet deliciousness that you would expect when you visit grandma’s house! Plus, it’s the perfect meal to bring us into the fall. Normally when apples are served with chicken or pork, they are softly sautéed and served on the side. I love the way these apples look and taste. They are called Hasselback apples, the method of making lots of thin slices three quarters of the way down the apple. The result is a baked apple that has lots of hidden places for the glaze to go and each slice is just the right size for each piece of chicken! Since you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen cabinets, I say pick up some fresh skinless boneless chicken thighs and make this comfort food meal for dinner this week!

Watch my how to video for Skillet Chicken with Baked Apples here!