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Ingredients

1 cup dried figs
1 cup boiling water
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
1/2 cup olive oil
4 pounds baby artichokes, halved and chokes removed
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
1/2 cup Spanish Marcona almonds
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon paprika

Directions

Place figs in a bowl and cover with the boiling water. Allow the figs to plump for 5 minutes, then remove. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of saffron threads into the remaining liquid, and allow to steep for 5 minutes.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add artichokes, and toss until coated with oil. Pour in saffron water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the artichokes are tender, about 8 minutes.

Uncover the artichokes and increase heat to medium-high. Add the figs, almonds, vinegar, and paprika. Cook and stir until all of the liquid has evaporated. Remove from the heat, recover, and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Ingredients

2 (15 ounce) cans baked beans with pork
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
2 slices bacon

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a 9×9 inch baking dish, combine the pork and beans, brown sugar, onion, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with the bacon slices.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until sauce is thickened and bacon is cooked.

Ingredients

2 pounds calamari, cleaned
4 cups tomato sauce
1 cup Chianti wine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/3 cup grated Romano cheese

Directions

Separate the tentacles from the long body of the calamari, if not done already. Slice the body, or calamari tubes into rings about 1/2 to 2/3 inch thick, set aside.

In a saucepan, combine tomato sauce, red wine, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, black pepper, cayenne pepper, basil, and cheese. Simmer on medium low for about 30 minutes to give the alcohol in the wine time to evaporate, and all the flavors time to blend.

Add the calamari to the sauce. Continue to slowly simmer for about another 20 – 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Calamari is done when it is plump and more opaque. Do not cook on higher heat or for a longer period, as calamari is famous for becoming rubbery.

Ingredients

1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1 (8 ounce) round Brie cheese
6 English muffins, split
3/4 pound shaved deli ham
12 slices tomato

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, garlic and vinegar until blended. Cut the Brie horizontally into three rounds; cut each round into eight wedges.

Place English muffins, cut side up, in a foil-lined 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 2 minutes or until lightly toasted.

Spread muffins with mayonnaise mixture. Layer with ham, tomato and cheese wedges. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.