Dressings, Vinaigrettes,Marinades

Preheat oven to 350° F. Use a pastry brush to coat a 10-inch deep dish pie plate with olive oil and set aside.

Place Asiago cheese cubes in blender jar; cover blender jar. Set on Speed 12 and pulse 10 to 12 times to grind the cheese. Remove and reserve. Place bread cubes in blender jar, pulse 5 to 10 times to grind; add basil, blend for 5 seconds. Remove and reserve.

Place the eggs, spinach, ricotta, reserved Asiago cheese, salt, and pepper in the blender jar. Set on Speed 16 and pulse 10 times, then blend for 15 seconds; use a spatula to scrape the sides of the blender jar. Blend for an additional 15 to 20 seconds. Pour the blended ricotta mixture into the prepared pie plate. Sprinkle evenly with the reserved breadcrumbs. Bake in the preheated 350° F oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until the custard is set and the pie is puffed. Remove and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve. Top with Rustic Tomato Sauce.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories 182 (54% from fat) • carb. 6g • pro. 14g • fat 11g • sat. fat. 6g • chol. 136mg • sod. 254mg • calc. 291g • fiber 0g

In a Cuisinart® 3- 3 ⁄4 quart Saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, basil, and oregano. Cover loosely and cook until the vegetables are softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the roasted red pepper, wine, tomato paste, and tomatoes.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, loosely covered. Uncover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes longer to thicken. Turn off heat and let sit 5 minutes.

Drain the solids, and return the liquid to the saucepan. Place the solids in the blender jar with 1 ⁄2 cup of the cooking liquid. Cover the blender jar. Set on Speed 16 and Pulse 10 times to chop. Use a plastic spatula

to scrape the sides of the blender jar. Blend for 30 to 40 seconds, until smooth. Return the puréed tomato mixture to the liquid in the saucepan and reheat gently over medium low heat. Add salt and pepper.

Nutritional information per half cup serving:

Calories 48 (17% from fat) • carb. 8g • pro. 1g • fat 1g • sat. fat 0g • chol. 0mg • sod. 194mg • calc. 26mg • fiber 2g

RUSTIC TOMATO SAUCE

A great sauce for Ricotta Spinach Pie and favorite pastas.

Makes about 8 cups

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1onion (8 ounces), peeled and cut into 1 ⁄2 -inch pieces

2carrots (4 ounces), peeled and cut into 1 ⁄2 -inch pieces

2ribs celery, trimmed and cut into 1 ⁄2 -inch pieces

4cloves garlic, peeled

1teaspoon dried oregano

1teaspoon dried basil

4roasted red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces

1⁄2cup dry white wine (such as vermouth)

2tablespoons tomato paste

3cans (15-ounce) recipe-ready diced tomatoes with juices

1⁄2teaspoon kosher salt

1⁄4teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

BASIC VINAIGRETTE

This basic vinaigrette is perfect for a crisp green salad.

Makes about 1-1⁄2 cups, can be doubled

1clove garlic, peeled

2tablespoons Dijon-style mustard

1⁄2cup wine vinegar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1⁄2teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2⁄3cup extra virgin olive oil

2⁄3cup vegetable oil

Place the garlic in the blender jar and cover jar. Set on Speed 8. Use the Pulse button to chop the garlic, 5 times. Add the mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Turn the blender on and blend for 10 to 15 seconds. With the blender running, add the oils in a slow, steady stream, taking about 20 seconds, then blend for 20 seconds longer until completely emulsified.