Searching4Zen

Welcome to Searching4Zen, a recipe sharing and blog discussing adventures in Food & Wine, Travel and Cycling. We hope you will register with us and share your comments.

  • Pizzadilla (Quesadilla Pizza)

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    This is what happens when a pizza and a quesadilla meet down in the van by the river for a little late night action: Cheesy, greasy, crisp-edged glory. Why this recipe works: Constructing a quesadilla in a cast iron skillet that just barely fits it helps create an extra-crisp bottom crust. Cheese spread out to […]

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  • Olive-Mint Pesto Meat Sauce

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    Ingredients 2 tablespoons mint leaves 2 tablespoons capers drained 2 large garlic cloves ½ teaspoon finely grated lemon zest ¼ cup olive oil 1 cup pitted mixed olives such as Calamata and Cerignola 1 cup bread crumbs 1/3 cup whole milk 1 egg 1 scallion thinly sliced 1 ½ pounds ground beef or turkey 1 […]

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  • Oatmeal Cake or Cupcakes

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    Ingredients 1 ¼ cup water 1 cup quick cooking oats ½ cup butter 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs 1 ½ cup flour 1 teaspoons baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ¾ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg Topping ¼ cup butter ½ cup brown sugar 3 tablespoons cream 1/3 cup […]

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  • Oat Wheat Bread

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    Ingredients 4 to 5 cups bread flour 2 teaspoons salt 2 packages dry yeast 1 cup water ½ cup honey ¼ cup butter 1 cup cottage cheese 2 eggs 1 cup whole wheat flour ½ cup oats 1 cup chopped walnuts Instructions Generously grease 2 9 by 5 loaf pans and set aside. In a […]

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  • My Kind of Chocolate Birthday Cake

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    “All my favorite things are about chocolate.” says Elizabeth. Thin layers of flourless chocolate cake and an intensely chocolaty mousse are paired with crunchy hazelnuts and hints of orange in this truly decadent dessert. Try it with a scoop of coffee-chocolate chip ice cream alongside. For best results, use a premium bittersweet chocolate with a […]

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  • Moroccan Chickpea Soup

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    Ingredients 1 large onion 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of cayenne pepper 1 small eggplant, cut into ¼ inch dice Salt and pepper 2 carrots, peeled and ¼ inch rounds 2 to 3 cups chickens broth or vegetable broth 1 cup tomato puree 1 can chickpeas, drained […]

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  • Morels in Sherry and Cream

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    Ingredients 3 tablespoons butter 1 .88 ounce Dried Morels, reconstituted 3 shallot, peeled and thinly sliced 2 tablespoons dry sherry 1 teaspoon cornstarch ½ cup half and half 1 tablespoon chopped parsley Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Melt butter in a skillet and sauté morels and shallot for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are […]

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  • Mixed Greens with Gorgonzola Polenta Croutons

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    Ingredients Gorgonzola Polenta Croutons 8 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 medium onion, chopped ¼ pound shitake mushrooms sliced 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup yellow cornmeal 1 egg white stiffly beaten 1/3 cup olive oil 4 ounces gorgonzola at room temperature Salad Greens 1 head radicchio, cored and separated into individual leaves 1 small […]

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  • Mixed Green Salad with Pastries

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    Ingredients 12 ounces blue cheese crumbled 2 chopped garlic cloves 2 tablespoons chopped chives 1 tablespoons sweet wine 1 drop Tabasco or a few grains of cayenne Phyllo dough Melted butter, about 3 to 4 tablespoons Greens for four to 6 people 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons red wine or balsamic vinegar Salt and […]

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  • Minestrone Soup

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    Ingredients ¼ lb. salt pork, frozen 2 cloves garlic 1/3 bunch parsley, leaves only ½ cup pinto beans, washed ½ cup navy beans, washed 6 cups chicken stock 3-4 tomatoes; peeled, seeded and chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped ¼ onion, chopped 1 potato peeled and chopped 1 zucchini, chopped ½ cup […]

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