Shavuot is Coming!

Passover is over.  The matzo crumbs are just a fond memory, or not.  The chumetz is back and our thoughts about food travel forward a month to Shavuot.  Dairy!  What to make that is not boring or the usual.
Well, I have a few ideas about that.
For my first Shavuot posting, I have a couple of recipes that I hope are unique to you and that you will enjoy.
Let's start with a wonderful pasta dish.

Mushroom Bolognese

Makes enough to coat 1 pound of pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 medium carrots, peeled and diced

3 large shallots, diced

1 medium red onion, diced

kosher salt to taste

freshly ground black pepper to taste

5 cloves garlic, diced

1 cup dry white wine, preferably a chardonnay

1 1/2 pounds porcini and shitake mushrooms, chopped

1 1/2 cups vegetable stock

1 28 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes, with liquid, crushed

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried thyme 

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

sugar if needed

1 pound linguine, cooked according to package directions

Grated Romano cheese

Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat.  Add the carrots, shallots,  onion, salt and pepper to taste, and saute until soft.  Add the garlic and saute for another minute.  Add the wine and cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.  Add the mushrooms and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients.  Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce has reduced and thickened, about 1 1/2 hours.  Taste for and adjust seasoning.

Toss with linguine and serve with grated Romano cheese.

Now we have something that I think is absolutely delicious.  Hope you like it as much as we do.

Artichoke and Chick Pea Casserole (D)

A great dish for lunch at Shavuot or any time of the year

Makes 8 servings

4 eggs, well beaten

4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cups grated mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup small curd cottage cheese

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 -- 10 ounce packages frozen artichoke hearts

1 -- 15 ounce can chick peas

1/4 cup pimientos, chopped

2 tablespoons capers, drained

1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, sliced

2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves, chopped

1/2 cup Parmegiano cheese, grated

4 tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Oil a 9” X 13” casserole

Mix together the eggs, cream cheese, garlic powder, and black pepper.  Add half the mozzarella, the cottage cheese and mayonnaise and stir until completely combined.

Chop the artichoke hearts and fold into the cheese mixture along with the chick peas, olives, pimientos, capers and oregano.  Pour into the prepared casserole.  Place the sliced tomatoes on top and sprinkle with the remainder of the mozzarella and the Parmigiano.

Tent the casserole with aluminum foil and place in the oven.  Bake for 30 minutes and remove the foil.  Bake for an additional 20 minutes until the casserole is set.

Remove the casserole from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes.  Cut into squares and serve with tossed or Caesar salad.