Author: Chef Cloud Wine

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked bow tie pasta
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons sunflower kernels, toasted
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute the oregano, garlic, salt and pepper flakes in oil for 1 minute. Add wine or broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes and cheese. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain pasta; toss with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with sunflower kernels and parsley.

Ingredients

4 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter
1 (15 ounce) can apricot halves
3 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup apricot preserves
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
4 green onions, chopped
Hot cooked rice

Directions

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, cook chicken in butter over medium heat for 5 minutes, turning occasionally. Cover and cook 5 minutes longer or until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm.

Drain apricots, reserving juice. Cut apricots into 1/2-in. slices; set aside. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and reserved juice until smooth. Stir in preserves and vinegar until combined; pour into skillet. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Add apricots and chicken; heat through. Sprinkle with onions. Serve with rice if desired.

Ingredients

1 (18 pound) whole turkey, neck and giblets removed
2 cups kosher salt
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 large onions, peeled and chopped
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 cup dry white wine

Directions

Rub the turkey inside and out with the kosher salt. Place the bird in a large stock pot, and cover with cold water. Place in the refrigerator, and allow the turkey to soak in the salt and water mixture 12 hours, or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thoroughly rinse the turkey, and discard the brine mixture.

Brush the turkey with 1/2 the melted butter. Place breast side down on a roasting rack in a shallow roasting pan. Stuff the turkey cavity with 1 onion, 1/2 the carrots, 1/2 the celery, 1 sprig of thyme, and the bay leaf. Scatter the remaining vegetables and thyme around the bottom of the roasting pan, and cover with the white wine.

Roast uncovered 3 1/2 to 4 hours in the preheated oven, until the internal temperature of the thigh reaches 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Carefully turn the turkey breast side up about 2/3 through the roasting time, and brush with the remaining butter. Allow the bird to stand about 30 minutes before carving.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
6 leaves fresh basil leaves, torn

Directions

Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over low heat and saute garlic for about 2 minutes; be careful not to burn. Just as the garlic begins to turn brown, remove pan from heat. Allow pan to cool, and add tomatoes, wine, water, salt and sugar. Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil.