Recipes

CAROLINE’S WATERMELON NAPOLEON 10

CAROLINE’S WATERMELON NAPOLEON

What a fabulous combination of flavors and unique way to serve watermelon! Thinly sliced pieces of watermelon are stacked with whipped ricotta, then layered with red onion, fresh basil and a drizzle of INFUSIO Basil Olive Oil and Traditional Balsamic. Finished with some toasted, salty pistachios – this will WOW your friends and family!

• 3 ½-inch slices of seedless watermelon
• 1 cup ricotta
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 10 basil leaves, chiffonade + extra sprigs for garnish
• 5 thin slices red onion
• Drizzle of Infusio Basil Olive Oil
• Drizzle of Infusio Traditional Balsamic
• Handful of pistachios, toasted and salted

Remove the rind from the watermelon. Attempt three uniform slices (about 3x5 inches each) by using a guide to cut the melon (Caroline used a small plastic container and cut around it). Set aside.

Lightly whisk the ricotta with sea salt and freshly ground pepper until fluffy. Add the thinly sliced chiffonade of basil and gently stir to combine.

On a serving plate, place one slice of watermelon, then spoon over the whipped ricotta in an even layer. Top with the next piece of watermelon. Add another layer of ricotta. Top with the last piece of watermelon. Arrange the red onions on top. Drizzle with a bit of INFUSIO Basil Olive Oil and INFUSIO Traditional Balsamic. Season with more sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Lastly, garnish with fresh basil leaves and a handful of salted pistachios.

SUZANNE’S SUMMER POT ROAST 13

SUMMER POT ROAST

We never think of eating pot roast in the summer, but this version is lighter with fresh tomatoes and baby potatoes! The seasoning couldn’t be easier with my INFUSIO Tuscan Sea Salt Rub!

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4-lb. chuck roast
• 2 tablespoons INFUSIO Tuscan Sea Salt rub
• 2 large yellow onions, sliced 
• 1-2 leeks, tops and bottoms trimmed then thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• Freshly ground black pepper 
• 4 carrots, chopped into 2-inch pieces 
• 3-4 tomatoes, seeded and roughly chopped 
• 10 shitake mushrooms, coarsely ground in food processor
• 3-4 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• Pinch red chili flakes
• 10-15 small red potatoes 

Heat a large heavy bottomed pot with lid. Drizzle a little olive oil onto both sides of the meat. Cover generously with INFUSIO Tuscan Sea Salt Rub and a little extra ground black pepper. Add olive oil to the hot pan, then place the meat into the pot. Sear for about 3 minutes, then turn the roast over and brown the other side for another 3 minutes. This helps you create bits on the bottom of the pan. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.

Add the onions and leeks and saute until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add a little more olive oil if necessary and add the garlic cloves, carrots and tomatoes.  Saute another 2-3 minutes. Add the ground mushrooms and saute 1 minute longer. Add the chicken stock and scrape up any bits on the bottom of the pan to intensify the flavor of your sauce. Add a touch of sugar and a pinch of red chili flakes (both optional). Bring to a boil, then immediately turn down the heat to low. Add the roast back to the pot, cover and let simmer for about 2 hours.

Add the small red potatoes and simmer for another 90 minutes, until the sauce is thickened and the meat is fork tender.

Serve in shallow bowls with ladles of the delicious sauce.

SUZANNE MAHONEY’S CORNED BEEF & CABBAGE 14

1 organic beef brisket

¼ cup pickling spices

1 onion, cut into quarters

Drizzle of olive oil

2 cans beer (Alan uses gluten-free beer)

4 carrots, cut on diagonal in 4 pieces

3 potatoes, quartered

1 cabbage, quartered

Yellow mustard

Generously rub the pickling spice on all sides of the brisket. Place the onion pieces into a slow cooker and drizzle with olive oil. Place the seasoned brisket on top of the onions. Pour the beer into the slow cooker (careful not to knock the spices off the meat). Cover and slow cook on low for about 3 hours.

Remove the lid and add the carrots, potatoes and cabbage. Cover and continue cooking for another 3-5 hours until the corned beef shreds easily and the vegetables are tender.  To serve, placeindividual pieces of corned beef with cabbage, onion, carrots and potatoes into shallow serving bowls and cover each with a spoonful of sauce. Pass the yellow mustard! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Zannie's Lemon Herb Chicken 7

HOLIDAY FIRST COURSES 25

Many of us plan elaborate meals for the holidays, but get stuck on ideas for starters! Here are some delicious first courses that are loaded with flavor using INFUSIO Olive Oils and Balsamics. Served in the right portions, these decadent tastes will delight the palate without spoiling the appetite for the main course. INFUSIO products are available at SuzanneSomers.com.

RICOTTA PROSCIUTTO BRUSCHETTA

• 1 baguette, sliced
• 8 thin slices prosciutto
• 1 pint ricotta
• Freshly ground black pepper
• INFUSIO Vanilla Fig Balsamic (or INFUSIO Traditional Balsamic)
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Lightly toast the bread. Place a small piece of prosciutto onto the bread. Top with ricotta. Drizzle with INFUSIO Vanilla Fig and garnish with a tiny mint leaf.

BURRATA TOMATO BASIL BRUSCHETTA

Lightly toast the bread. Spoon a bit of burrata onto the toast point. Add a cherry tomato. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Drizzle with a bit of INFUSIO Basil Olive Oil. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil.

CAULIFLOWER SOUP with CRISPY SHALLOTS

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 tablespoons butter + 2 tablespoons butter
• 6 shallots
• 1 head cauliflower, chopped
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2-3 cups chicken broth, preferably homemade
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• INFUSIO Tuscan Olive Oil

Peel and thinly slice the shallots. Place a stock pot onto the stove on medium high heat. Add the olive oil and 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the shallots and saute. Once they start getting golden, reduce the heat to medium low and let them continue to get a deep golden color. Don’t rush it – this can take 30-40 minutes. Once they are done, remove the crispy shallots from the pan and set aside to use as a garnish.

Using the same pan with the flavor of the shallots, turn the heat up to high. Add a touch more olive oil and the 2 tablespoons butter. Add the cauliflower to the pot. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Saute the cauliflower for about 10 minutes, until it’s well coated in the oil and butter. Add 2 cups chicken broth, cover and bring to a boil. As soon as it’s boiling, test the cauliflower for doneness by piercing with a fork. When it’s soft and easily pierced with a fork, turn off the heat and puree with an immersion blender (or transfer to a blender or food processor and blend).  If the soup is too thick, add more broth to get the right consistency.

Taste for seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper and add more butter, as desired. Serve in demitasse cups with crispy fried shallots, toasted pine nuts. Lastly, drizzle with INFUSIO Tuscan Olive Oil.

CHRISTMAS SPINACH SALAD with CRISPY PANCETTA and ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

• 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces pancetta, cubed
• INFUSIO Black Cherry Balsamic
• 6 cups baby spinach
• ½ cup pecans, toasted
• INFUSIO Blood Orange Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the butternut squash onto a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Roast in the oven until golden and cooked through, 30-40 minutes.

Place a saute pan on high heat. Add the pancetta and saute until the fat renders out and the pancetta becomes crispy, about 20 minutes. Pour off most of the fat, then return the pan to low heat. Add a drizzle of INFUSIO Black Cherry Balsamic just to warm.

Place the baby spinach into a salad bowl. Drizzle a small amount of INFUSIO Blood Orange Olive Oil and toss until lightly coated. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.  Place dressed spinach onto serving plates. Top with the roasted butternut squash. Using a slotted spoon, add a spoonful of the crispy pancetta. Drizzle a very small amount of INFUSIO Black Cherry Balsamic over the salad. Garnish with toasted pecans.

INFUSIO Sea Salt Rubs - Fall Slow Cooker Recipes 17

TUSCAN SHREDDED CHICKEN

Here’s a super easy way make a very tender, juicy chicken with a beautiful sauce honoring the flavors of the Italian countryside with my Infusio Tuscan Sea Salt Rub. Great served over mashed potatoes.

• 1-5 lb. organic chicken
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Infusio Tuscan Sea Salt Rub
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1-2 cups white wine
• 3 tablespoons organic butter 

Place the chicken into the slow cooker. Drizzle with olive oil, then season both sides with Infusio Tuscan Sea Salt Rub. Place the onions and garlic around the chicken. Pour 1-2 cups white wine into the pot. Dot the chicken with chunks of butter. Set to low and cook for 8 hours.

When done, sauce can be served as is or transferred to a pan and reduced on the stove top. Serve the tender chicken pieces over mashed potatoes with generous spoonfuls of sauce.

PROVENCAL POT ROAST

These cooler months are perfect for pot roast! Elevate your basic recipe with this tender beef honoring the flavors of the French countryside with my Provence Sea Salt Rub. The beef with a beautiful red wine sauce and vegetables makes the ultimate comfort meal served over mashed potatoes.

• 3 pounds brisket or chuck roast
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Infusio Provence Sea Salt Rub
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 ounces tomato paste
• 2 cups red wine
• 2 cups beef broth
• Fresh Italian parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Set to low and cook for 8 hours.

When done, the sauce can be served as is, or reduced on the stove top to intensify the flavors. Serve the tender shredded roast over mashed potatoes with generous spoonfuls of sauce. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley.

SOUTHWEST BBQ PULLED PORK

Pulled pork is always a crowd pleaser and can be served wrapped in a tortilla with a dollop of sour cream, on a brioche bun with cole slaw, or in a lettuce cup if you are watching your carbs. My Southwest Sea Salt Rub, with the tastes of the desert Southwest, makes seasoning a breeze and these easy ingredients you add to the slow cooker provide the perfect amount of heat and sweet.

• 4-5 pounds pork shoulder (also called pork butt)
• 2-3 tablespoons Infusio Southwest Sea Salt Rub
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 ounces tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 jar BBQ Sauce (add after slow cooking, before serving)

Combine apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, onion and garlic in bottom of pot. Stir to combine. Season the pork shoulder all over with Infusio Southwest Sea Salt Rub. Place pork on top of the tomato mixture. Set pot into slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.

Shred meat with two forks and toss with the cooking liquid. Add a jar of your favorite BBQ sauce.  Serve with tortillas and a dollop of sour cream, or on soft buns with cole slaw, or in lettuce cups!