Framingham Public Library

"I want to extend my sincere thanks to you for doing such a wonderful program! Everyone had a great time, and the recipes were great even for the non-cooks in the group."

Michelle L., Framingham, Massachusetts

Renewal by Andersen

"My Colleagues and I also enjoyed meeting you and loved your cooking demonstration. Everything was delicious…Thank you so much! "

Sherri R., Northborough, Massachusetts

Group Cooking Class

"Hi Ellie, the food was wonderful. We enjoyed the evening. I hope you had a good time. We will be on touch."

Sandy P., Saugus, Mass.

Weston Public Library

"Holiday Gifts From the Kitchen"

"I really enjoyed your presentation! You are charming and my daughter loved the treats! Can't wait to make the nuts and choc sauce! And the pesto was the best (the high-quality cheese makes a big difference.)"

Rebecca F., Weston, Massachusetts

Sun Dried Tomato Risotto

© "So Easy, So Delicious"
 
10 sun dried tomatoes
1 C water
2½ C chicken or vegetable broth
2 T olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 C Arborio rice
1/3 C Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

In a small saucepan, simmer the tomatoes in water for about 1 minute. Drain and reserve liquid. Chop tomatoes. In a medium saucepan, combine reserved cooking liquid and broth and bring to a simmer. Regulate heat to keep liquid simmering. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and add the onion and garlic and stir until softened. Add the rice and stir until the grains are all coated with oil. Add chopped tomatoes and ½ cup of the simmering liquid. Cook over medium heat, stirring until liquid has been absorbed. Continue adding the liquid, ½ cup at a time, until it is all absorbed, approximately 18 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

Hint: You can cut the sun dried tomatoes with a scissors before soaking them and then you won’t have to chop them later. Also, you can pour 1 cup of boiling water over the tomatoes and let them sit for a minute, rather than cooking them on the stove.

Private cooking lesson

"Just a short note to thank you for the awesome cooking lesson. Marc and I enjoyed both meeting and cooking with you. The peppers recipe is fabulous! Also, thank you for the cookbook. Marc thought the lesson was the BEST gift! "

Doreene G., N Easton, Massachusetts

Apple Crumb Pie

© "So Easy, So Delicious"
 
Crust and Topping:
1½ C flour
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C butter or margarine
Pinch salt

Filling:
3 lbs apples (Cortland, Macoun or Baldwin) peeled,
   cored and sliced
1 T lemon juice, or to taste
1/2 C sugar
2 T cornstarch
1 tsp cinnamon

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, butter or margarine and salt. Using your hands, rub ingredients until it resembles fine crumbs. Remove 1 cup of the crumbs and set aside. Pat remaining crumbs in the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Place sliced apples in a large bowl and drizzle with lemon juice. Shake apples so that they are all coated with juice. Combine sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon. Pour over apples. Mix well. Place in the crumb-lined pie plate. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and pour reserved cup of crumb mixture over pie. Bake an additional 30 minutes, or until pie is golden brown. If desired, serve with vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt or whipped cream.

Hint: This pie is perfect for the person who doesn’t like to make pie crusts. It is easy and delicious.

Kid's cooking birthday party

"We all had a wonderful time! Thanks for making Sonali's party so special. They kids had a blast."

Chandana G., Westwood, Massachusetts

Culinary Team Building

"This event was a “huge success”. So glad we did it. Everyone expressed so many positive remarks. They all said it was great fun. They really enjoyed working as a team. Even the judges; our CEO and his Exec. team made comments on the results and displays. It was great. I will definitely recommend you to people I know."

Pat C., Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, Lowell, Massachusetts

Skinny Sloppy Joes

© "So Easy, So Delicious"
 
1/2 C (1 small) onion, chopped
1/2 C (1 stalk) celery, chopped
1/2 C (1 medium) carrot, diced
1/2 C (1/2 pepper) green or red pepper, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
14½ oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 to 1½ T chili powder, or to taste
1 T tomato paste
1 T vinegar
Black pepper, to taste
15 to 19 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
6 bulkie rolls

Coat a large pan with nonstick spray and place over medium-high heat until hot. Add onion, celery, carrot, pepper and garlic and sauté until tender. Add tomatoes, chili powder, tomato paste, vinegar and black pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the kidney beans and cook for 5 additional minutes, or until hot. Cut the rolls in half and place on individual serving plates. Spoon Sloppy Joe mixture over rolls. This can also be served over rice or pasta instead of rolls.

Hint: This recipe is nearly fat free.

Sisters Group

Bachelorette party

"Ellie's class was a great way to kick off my friend's bachelorette party. It was fun, informative, and the meal we made was delicious! I would absolutely recommend a class from Ellie for a unique addition to your next party or event!"

Allissa A., E. Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Microwave Meat Loaf

© "So Easy, So Delicious"
 
1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1/3 C bread crumbs
1/4 C ketchup
2 T water
Garlic powder, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Shape into a loaf. Place in a microwave dish.
 
Topping:
2 T ketchup
1 T water
1 small onion, sliced

Whisk together ketchup and water. Pour over meat loaf. Place onion slices on top. Cover with wax paper and microwave on high for 13 to 14 minutes, or until desired doneness is reached. Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.

Hint: You can slice leftovers and use them for sandwiches, or freeze in individual portions for future meals. If you prefer, you can bake the meat loaf in a conventional oven at 350o for 1 hour. Ground turkey or chicken may be substituted for the beef; however more seasoning will be required for these.

Chilled Peach Soup

Tortellini Primavera