YURA’S MEALS-TO-GO

Here are some highlights from this week’s Meals-to-Go:

Northern Italians are discerning polenta-eaters, and treasure Polenta Bianca for its delicate flavor that marries perfectly with fish. Tuesday, we’re pairing it with Salmon Piccata because piccata’s such a simple, elegant pan sauce and for its Lombardy pedigree. Parmigiano Reggiano (thank you Emilia-Romagna) seasons the grits, and tastes so good with Garlicky Sautéed Broccoli Rabe (goes without saying). 

When a chef wants to shake off the chill of a January morning and kick-off his day, he reaches for a recipe he knows will make everything seem vibrant. “Bloom crushed saffron in warm water” reads step-one of the instructions for Persian Braised Chicken, and that’s not the only ingredient blossoming in this dish. Dried rose petals scent the Basmati Rice Pilaf which glitters with garnet-colored Barberries, and has an Almond crunch.

You’ve got such a limitless year-round appetite for meatloaf dinners, that we’ve got to stay on our toes and keep the varieties coming! Monday’s is inspired by juicy, fork-tender meatballs—only giant-size. In other words, one big moist Italian Beef-Sausage Meatloaf sauced with piquant Marinara. Parmesan-Mashed Potatoes are perfect dabbed in that “red sauce,” colorful, alongside the flush glow of Orange Cauliflower and Green Beans.

Monday, Buddy does his take on a Brazilian culinary treasure, Maqueca, a Seafood Stew with tropical style, leaning into lime, coconut milk, and cilantro. His recipe calls for lots of shrimp, along with the firm fishes, Barramundi and salmon, briefly marinated then poached in his flavorful enriched shrimp stock. Caramelized Cubanelle peppers and bruised plum tomatoes add body and depth. Served with Coconut Steamed Rice and Green Beans.

We’ve transmuted the patron sandwich of Little Italy’s Feast of San Gennaro into a truly substantial Fennel Sausage & Peppers Lasagna. And while those namesake ingredients parade throughout the casserole, our punchy sauce, along with Romano and Parmesan, elbow their way through. A procession of ricotta-mozzarella custard moves among the layers, flanked by fresh oregano, and basil leaves.