About Me

I am a freelance food writer, editor, and recipe tester & developer based in New York City. I have worked for Family Circle, Profile Mag, Shecky's , Time Out NY, Chow and many other publications as a writer, editor, or tester. I write a weekly food column for julib.com and singlemindewomen.com and wrote the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of BLT Living - Chef Laurent Tourondel's lifestyle and food magazine. I am also an alum of the Culinary Techniques program at FCI.

I believe you can tell a lot about a person by what they choose to and not to eat and that each meal tells a story. These are my stories.
Visit www.fabianasantana.com for more.

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    Foodie Blogroll

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    Thursday
    04Mar2010

    Family Recipe from Supermodel Heidi Klum for Sauerkraut Soup

    Ingredients

    Directions

    1. 1
      Sauté ground beef and pork and onions with olive oil in a soup pot until brown.
    2. 2
      Add sauerkraut and mushrooms (with their liquids) and pickles; stir together with the meat.
    3. 3
      Add entire bottle of sauce or ketchup and the vegetable broth.
    4. 4
      Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    5. 5
      Add salt and pepper to taste.
    6. 6
      Add heavy cream and cook for 1 more minute, then serve.

    

    Friday
    05Feb2010

    Super Bowl Recipes from the Pros

     

    Anthony Adams & Connie Davis’ Super Bowl Lasagna Extravaganza!

    INGREDIENTS
    1 box of Lasagna Noodles
    1 twelve ounce container of small curd cottage cheese
    2 eggs
    1 12 oz. package of mild cheddar cheese
    1 12 oz package of extra sharp cheddar cheese
    1 can of Parmesan cheese
    1 large jar of tomato sauce
    2 lbs of ground turkey
    1 package of turkey sausage
    1 package of turkey pepperoni
    salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasonings to season

    DIRECTIONS
    1. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water until slightly cooked (not soft)
    2. Cut the sausage and pepperoni into small bite size pieces. Cook the turkey, and turkey sausage meat over medium heat and season meat to taste while cooking with salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasonings.
    3.Strain the meat, then add the jar/can of tomato sauce in with the meat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
    4. Place one cup full of meat sauce in the bottom of oblong pan and top with the turkey pepperoni.
    5. Place drained noodles on top of meat sauce.
    6. Take the two eggs and mix with cottage cheese. Then place splats of cottage cheese down onto each noodle.
    7. Mix the cheeses together and place on top of the cottage cheese.
    8. Repeat process.
    9. On the very top place left over meat sauce and remainder of cheese along with Parmesan cheese and let cook until the cheese is fully melted and you can see signs of boiling on the top of the Extravaganza Lasagna

    Reggie Wells & Diane Wells Pepperoni Rolls

    INGREDIENTS
    36 Rhodes frozen rolls
    ½ lb. sliced pepperoni
    Italian seasoning
    Parmesan cheese to season
    Pam spray

    DIRECTIONS
    1. Place dozen frozen rolls on paper plate
    2. Spray with Olive Oil Pam
    3. Place in microwave to quick defrost for 1 minute on 50% power
    5. Spread dough out into the size of the palm of your hand and place 6-8 slices of pepperoni onto of the dough
    7. Begin pulling the corners of the dough over the pepperoni, spreading evenly and pinch the top of the dough to seal it into a roll.
    9. Place all your stuffed rolls into an oil-sprayed muffin pan and lightly sprinkle Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese on top
    12. Cover with wax or parchment paper and towel for several hours to allow rolls to rise. Once they have risen, bake on 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.
    14. Remove from oven, spray with Olive Oil Pam and add more Parmesan cheese
    Serve hot with Marinara Dipping Sauce.

    Lamaar Woodley and Janice Staples’ Mac n cheese

    INGREDIENTS
    1 small red onion, diced
    1 (16 ounce) package small pasta shells
    salt and ground black pepper to taste
    1 pinch garlic salt
    1 tablespoon butter
    1/4 cup brown sugar
    3 (11 ounce) cans condensed cream of Cheddar cheese soup
    2/3 cup shredded Havarti cheese
    1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    1 1/3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

    DIRECTIONS

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
    Place the diced onion in a large pot of lightly-salted water; bring to a boil. Cook the pasta until close to done, 8 to 10 minutes; drain. Transfer the onion and pasta to a casserole dish; season with
    salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Stir the butter and brown sugar into the pasta mixture until the butter melts. Add the Cheddar cheese soup, Havarti cheese, Parmesan cheese and 1/3 cup of Cheddar cheese; stir
    well. Sprinkle remaining Cheddar cheese over top of the dish. Bake in preheated oven about 45 minutes. Change oven setting to ‘Broil’ and cook until top is golden brown, about 4 minutes.

    Gladys Bettis’ Sweet Potato Pie

    INGREDIENTS
    3 medium-size sweet potatoes
    3 eggs
    1 teaspoon nutmeg
    1/2 cup milk
    1 cup sugar
    3/4 stick butter
    1 teaspoon vanilla
    1/4 teaspoon baking powder
    1 pie shell

    DIRECTIONS
    1. Boil sweet potatoes (either whole or sliced) until tender.
    2. Once cooled, peel potatoes and mash through ricer.
    3. Place mashed sweet potatoes in a bowl with remaining ingredients.
    4. Mix (on medium speed using an electric mixer) until well combined.
    5. Pour mixture into an unbaked 9-inch pie shell. Bake 40-45 minutes at 400 degrees F or until golden brown.

    Branden Albert’s Hot Wings

    INGREDIENTS
    3 pounds chicken wings
    2 tablespoons butter
    1 (12-ounce) jar hot sauce or hot pepper sauce
    Blue cheese dressing for dipping

    DIRECTIONS
    1. Put wings, butter, and hot sauce in a slow cooker set on medium and cook 3 hours.
    2. When finished cooking, set slow cooker to warm and serve (out of the pot) with blue cheese dressing for dipping.

    Chevis Jackson’s Super Bowl Tacos

    INGREDIENTS
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1 teaspoon minced garlic
    1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
    1 teaspoon dried onion
    1 pound ground beef
    7 ounces chipotle barbecue sauce
    1 packet taco seasoning
    1 tablespoon cumin
    1 tablespoon chili powder
    Salt and pepper to taste
    6 taco shells
    1 cup sour cream
    1 cup spicy salsa
    1 cup shredded lettuce
    1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

    DIRECTIONS

    1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, red pepper, and onion and cook until the garlic is lightly brown.

    2. Add meat and brown, about 10 minutes. After browned, add barbecue sauce and taco seasoning and stir well.

    3. Stir in cumin and chili powder and continue to cook another 5 to 10 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper to season as you like. Remove from heat.

    4. To assemble: Place 2 tablespoons beef in center of each taco shell and top with a large tablespoon each of sour cream, salsa, lettuce, and cheese.

    

    Monday
    18Jan2010

    Paula Deen’s Maple Glazed Pork Chops


    Paula_Fried_Chicken_NEW_s3x4_lg

    Servings: 6

    Prep Time: 10 min

    Cook Time: 20 min

    Difficulty: Easy

    Ingredients:

    • 4 teaspoons ancho chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 6 (10-ounce) center cut bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
    • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 1/2 cup butter maple syrup
    • 1/2 cup chicken stock
    • Pecans, toasted and chopped, optional garnish

    Directions

    In a small bowl, combine the chili powder and salt and sprinkle evenly over both sides of the pork chops.

    In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and cook until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Reduce the heat to medium, and cook until desired doneness, about for 4 to 6 minutes.

    In a small skillet, over medium-high heat, add the balsamic vinegar and cook until reduced by half. Stir in the maple syrup and chicken stock. Cook over medium heat until thick and syrupy, about 5 minutes.

    Transfer to a serving platter and serve with the maple syrup. Garnish with toasted pecans, if desired.

    

    Friday
    08Jan2010

    Donatella Arpaia Sunday Ragu and Meatballs

    Donatella_Arpaia_cooking_demostration_at_the_iVillage_Food_RelaunchDonatella’s Quick Sunday Ragu
    6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 5 pieces pork ribs
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper 5 (5-inch) pieces sweet Italian sausage
    5 meatballs, optional (see Mom’s Meatball Recipe ) 1 cup red wine
    1 32oz and one 24oz can of crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano) 2-3 garlic cloves garlic cloves
    fresh basil

    In a heavy-bottomed 8-quart Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat until just smoking.

    Generously season each piece of meat with salt and pepper. Brown all sides of each rib; remove and set aside. Repeat browning process with the sausages.

    When all the meat has been browned and removed from the pot, add in the crushed garlic and saute until lightly golden; deglaze with red wine. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and 4 torn basil leaves and bring to a boil.

    Return ribs and sausage to the pot. Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat to a high simmer. Cover with the lid and simmer for 45 minutes. A few minutes before serving, add more freshly torn basil. Remove meats to a serving platter and keep warm. Serve sauce with orrecchiete pasta as a separate course.

    Mom’s Meatball Recipe
    2 lbs ground sirloin 1 loaf stale Italian bread
    4 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese ¼ cup Italian parsley, coarsely chopped
    Salt and pepper to taste 2 cloves finely chopped garlic
    2 medium eggs

    Break up the bread and soak the pieces in water. Squeeze out all the excess water and break into pieces. In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together with your hands until everything is completely incorporated.

    Form the mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs. Fry the meatballs in olive oil (the oil should not completely cover meatballs), turning them when a nice golden brown color forms on bottom.

    Drain on paper towels. It’s ok if the meatballs are slightly undercooked–they will finish cooking in the sauce.

    Friday
    11Dec2009

    Brandon Barash’s Cold Asparagus Salad

    asparagusThe best asparagus is brought in season between late August and December, so there is still time to make this dish – ideal as a light starter during a holiday dinner.

    Instructions:

    Steam asparagus until tender but crisp and bright green. Immediately place in ice water to retard cooking. Pat dry and sprinkle with fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper. Roll in paper towel and place in a plastic bag and refrigerate.

    Dressing: sour cream, fresh lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper to taste.

    Sun dried tomatoes: put in food processor with olive oil and elephant garlic.

    Crumbs: cornflake crumbs, butter, garlic powder. Melt butter in a sauce pan. Add garlic powder and stir in crumbs.

    Put chilled asparagus on platter. Cover with dressing leaving tips and ends exposed.

    Place remaining ingredients in horizontal rows:
    artichoke hearts chopped (marinated jars)
    sun dried tomato paste
    grated hard boiled egg
    fresh marinated mushrooms (italian dressing)
    red caviar
    sliced black olives
    garlic crumbs

    Garnish with lemon leaves, fresh flowers, julienne purple cabbage and carrots, multi colored peppers.