Sunday, October 23, 2016

Boo-tiful Blackwater


We'll soon be at the end of our picnic season as the chilly weather has arrived!  A warm sausage & white bean pasta with "devilish eggs" and "witch finger" cheese straw comprised our meal today.

The "Spooky Snacks" were inspired by Food Network Magazine.

 "Witch Finger" Cheese Straws

(7 fingers)

Combine water, buttery spread, sugar and salt in a saucepan over medium heat;  bring to a simmer.
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup Earth Balance Buttery Spread
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teapsoon salt

Add flour and stir until dough forms a ball.  Transfer to the bowl of a mixer.
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour

Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Transfer to a decorator tube with large round tip.  Pipe 6-inch crooked finger onto parchment-lined baking sheet.
2 eggs

Press slivered almond into end of each.  Sprinkle dough with grated Parmigiano and paprika.
Parmigiano cheese 
Slivered almond
Paprika 

Bake at 400 F. until puffed, about 25 minutes.

 


Italian Sausage & White Bean Pasta 

 (Serves 4)  

Cook pasta in water until al dente.  Drain, reserved some of pasta water.
3/4 cup dry pasta

Cook beans in water until soft.  (I use my counter-top pressure cooker and cook 45 minutes.  Drain.
1/4 cup dry beans
2 cups water

Saute vegetables in olive oil 3-5 minutes.
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/3 cup sweet pepper, diced
1/4 cup fennel, diced
1/4 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup onion, diced

Add sausage.  Break into small pieces.  Brown.
4 ounce Italian sausage

Add broth.  Bring to a boil;  lower heat to simmer.
1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth (can use pasta water with 1/2 "Not Chicken" low sodium vegetable cube

Stir in tomato, greens and oregano.
1/2 large diced tomato
1 cup fresh greens, snipped
1/4 cup fresh snipped oregano

The next day (for 2 servings), heat chicken broth in saucepan.  Stir in other ingredients and heat to 165 F.  Pour into preheated thermos.  (I preheat mine be filling with boiling water, then emptying before adding soup).
1 cup low sodium chicken broth 

Our picnic today was at Blackwater Falls, a West Virginia State Park.

We found a beautiful spot to set our table:
 
 Have a beautiful week!
 
  


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