Artichoke and Leek Filo Cups

*The filling can be prepared a day in advance and kept refrigerated until ready to use. Assemble hors d’oeuvres up to one hour ahead of time and keep refrigerated.

1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained well (about 3 oz)
1 package chopped leeks (or 1 lg. stalk chopped fine)
1 clove garlic, peeled
1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
filo cups, can be found in the freezer section near the puff pastry

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheet with parchment; set aside.

In a food processor fitted with metal blade, combine artichoke hearts, leeks, garlic cloves and lemon juice. Pulse several times or until ingredients are finely chopped. Add mayonnaise and sour cream; process until well combined, stir in Parmesan cheese and chives.

Fill each mini filo shell with filling and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until heated through and golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Serve immediately.

Marinated Olives

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Marinated Olives

There are a million ways to adapt this recipe to your liking. Marinate the
olives for at least 24 hours and serve at room temperature. Try different
herbs, spices, fruit zest and vinegar. Look to see what’s in your pantry.
This is great served with a little Baked Goat Cheese and a baguette.

1 lb. mixed olives, not pitted
1 lemon rind, cut from the lemon without removing the white pith beneath the skin
1 tablespoon mixed dried Italian herbs, crushed
pinch of salt and pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup Zinfandel vinegar
1 cup (or more) lemon flavored olive oil or use an extra virgin olive oil

Place the olives into a jar so they fit snug.

Chop the lemon rind into fine strips, mix with remaining ingredients and pour over the olives to cover. Add a little more oil if it doesn’t quite cover the olives. Place the lid on the jar and refrigerate overnight.

You can store these olives for several days in the refrigerator but serve at room temperature

Paella for a Crowd

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PAELLA FOR A CROWD

Having a houseful of people for days at a time can be tough to figure out just what to feed everyone. I love quick and easy dishes that don’t require a lot of my time or attention. Once you get all the ingredients into the pan, it’s an easy go. You don’t even need a paella pan, a regular sauté pan or even a large electric skillet works beautifully.

You’ll want to use Spanish rice and Spanish saffron if you can for the best flavor but any short grain rice will do nicely such as an Italian Arborio which can be found in your local supermarket. Sauté a little shallot, preferred, or onion, garlic and infuse some chicken or vegetable stock with the saffron to start. Choose some protein to mix into the rice such as chicken, shrimp, scallops, mussels or chorizo and the dish comes together quickly. Follow the recipe or be creative and enjoy your company for the weekend! Mangia~

Chicken and Shellfish Paella

1 package chicken thighs
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 shallot, minced or ½ onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, reserve some for garnish
½ cup white wine
1 (15-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and hand-crushed
4 cups short grain Spanish rice
6 cups stock, warmed with a generous pinch of saffron thread
1 dozen littleneck clams, scrubbed
1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and de-veined
1-2 pound mussels
1/2 cup sweet peas, frozen and thawed
Lemon wedges, for serving

Heat oil in a paella or sided sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to the chicken and brown skin-side down both sides. Remove from pan and reserve.

In the same pan, make a sofrito by sautéing the shallot, garlic, and parsley. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes on a medium heat. Add the wine and cook until it reduces some, about 5 minutes, stir in the rice and stir-fry to coat the grains. Add the crushed tomatoes and stock and simmer for 10 minutes, gently moving the pan around so the rice cooks evenly and absorbs the liquid. Add chicken, clams, mussels and shrimp, tucking them into the rice. Let the paella simmer, without stirring, until the rice is al dente, for about 10 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, when the rice is filling the pan add the peas.

Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges.