It's Halloween! Are you ready for Trick-or-Treating or passing out treats? I'll be passing out treats, and looking forward to what costumes everyone is wearing. Supposedly, Hilary Clinton and Trump masks are big this year, which can be scary, depending on how you feel about politics!
But enough about that. Halloween is usually fun. If you're taking the kids out Trick-or-Treating - or going to get candy for yourself - make sure to stay safe!
And now, since it's also Meatless Monday, here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to try out today. Enjoy!
PUMPKIN PUDDING
This comes from the January 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “The holidays are fading fast, but that doesn’t mean that the season’s favorites—pumpkins and cranberries—have to go with them. This easy-to-assemble pudding is just as good warm or chilled.” Serves 6 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/pumpkin-pudding/.
2 cups vanilla soymilk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup instant tapioca pearls
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, or to taste
Pinch of salt
1 15-oz. can pumpkin purée
2 cups mixed dried fruits, including cranberries, raisins and apples
1 cup toasted pecan halves, as garnish, optional
Put 1 1/2 cups soymilk and vanilla extract into saucepan, and stir in tapioca pearls. Stir remaining 1/2 cup soymilk with cornstarch, and, when well mixed, stir cornstarch mixture into tapioca mixture. Let sit 5 minutes.
Heat soymilk mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until pudding begins to thicken, about 7 minutes. Whisk in sugar and salt, stirring to remove any lumps.
Stir in pumpkin purée and dried fruit. Continue cooking and stirring 2 minutes more. Remove from heat, and spoon into heatproof serving bowl. Serve warm, or refrigerate.
To serve, garnish with toasted pecans, if using.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 290; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 67 g; Sodium: 150 mg; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 41 g; Vegan
GINGER PUMPKIN PIE
Kathy Kingsley is About.com's American Food expert. She writes, “Flavored with fresh ginger and honey, this pumpkin pie is sure to become one of your go-to holiday recipes.” Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 85 minutes; Yield: Serves 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Pastry
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons ice water
Pumpkin Filling
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 16-ounce can solid-pack pumpkin
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Honey Whipped Cream
3/4 cup heavy or whipping cream, chilled
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
Make the pastry dough: Combine the flour, sugar, vegetable shortening, and butter in a food processor and pulse on/off until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. With the motor running, add the ice water through the feed tube, and process just until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl and forms a ball.
Press the dough into a ball, then flatten it into a disc, about 1-inch thick.
On a lightly floured surface using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle. Line a 9-inch pie pan with the dough. Turn the edges under, and crimp or flute the crust. Set the pie shell on a rimmed baking sheet.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until blended. Brush about teaspoon of the egg around the edge of the crust.
Add the pumpkin, milk, honey, sugar, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and salt to the eggs, and mix until well blended. Pour the filling into the pie crust.
Bake the pie for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the filling is set. If the edges become too dark during baking, carefully cover them with foil strips (see Recipe Notes). Set the pie on a wire rack to cool. If not serving right away, cover and chill.
When ready to serve, make the honey whipped cream. Put the cream into a medium bowl. Add the honey and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form when the beaters are lifted. Serve the pie topped with the whipped cream.
Recipe Notes
• To make a foil collar to prevent edges of pie from browning too much, fold a 12-inch-long piece of foil into a strip with 3-inch-high sides. Stand the strip on the oven rack around the pie dish. Secure the overhang with a paper clip. The collar doesn't have to touch or cover the crust to protect it.
PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES
This comes from AccentHealth. The website has health info, including healthy recipes. Check it out!
Makes 4 to 5 Servings
To view this online, click http://www.accenthealth.com/Viewers/Programming/Recipes/Pumpkin-Pancakes
Credits: Recipe Created by Liz Weiss, MS, RD, co-author, No Whine with Dinner: 150 Healthy, Kid-Tested Recipes from The Meal Makeover Moms
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or wheat germ
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/3 cups 1% low-fat milk
1/2 cup canned 100% pure pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, flaxseed, sugar, chocolate chips, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, pumpkin, and vanilla until well blended. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Lightly oil or coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Pour the batter onto the hot skillet using a 1/4-cup measuring cup, forming 4-inch pancakes.
Cook until bubbles begin to appear on the surface of the pancakes and the bottoms turn golden, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until the other sides are golden, an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with the remaining cooking spray and batter.
Nutrition: 280 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated, 0.7g omega-3), 330mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 11g protein, 80% vitamin A, 25% calcium, 15% iron
ROASTED PUMPKIN AND LEEK SOUP
This comes from Jen Hoy, About.com’s Whole Foods Cooking expert. Jen wrote, “This roasted pumpkin and leek soup brings the quintessential flavors of fall to the table. It's an easy recipe and can be made with Cinderella pumpkin (pictured), the small, richly flavored sugar pumpkin, or from Hokkaido squash, Red Kuri, Kabocha, or any other deep orange, dense squash. Orange squash and pumpkin are marvelously rich in nutrients, especially beta-carotene, and very nourishing to the spleen and stomach. Roasting the vegetables creates a rich and more complex flavor, and actually makes for an easy soup: all you do is add water to the roasted veggies. You can add a dab of Romesco Sauce when serving to give a bit of extra richness to the soup, but we like it as is!” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: Serves 4 - 6.
The recipe originally called for 6 cups water, vegetable broth, or chicken broth. For this blog, I'm leaving out the “or chicken broth.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds pumpkin or deep orange squash, peeled and cut into 1” chunks* (See note below)
1 large onion, cut into 1” chunks
2 carrots, scrubbed and chopped
2 leeks, washed well and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups water or Vegetable Broth
1 branch of fresh thyme
2 teaspoons ground cumin, curry or other spice as desired
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
*Note: If you don’t want to peel the squash ahead of time, cut it into larger (3-inch or so) pieces and remove the skin before adding it to the soup pot. Unlike raw, cooked squash is very easy to peel.
Toss the vegetables with the olive oil in a roasting pan and spread them out corner to corner. Roast the vegetables in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes, or until they are beginning to soften and take a bit of golden color.
Remove the tray from the oven. (If you need to peel the squash, let the vegetables sit until the pumpkin is cool enough to handle).
Place the veggies in a soup pot with water or broth to cover and add the thyme and desired spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft. Puree the soup with an immersion or standard blender, season to taste and serve.
VEGAN PUMPKIN RISOTTO
This is from Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian Food expert. Jolinda wrote, “A vegetarian and vegan twist on classic Italian risotto - pumpkin! Why not? Pumpkin adds a sweet and unique flavor perfect for fall, as a vegetarian Thanksgiving entree, or anytime. Whether or not you're actually vegetarian or vegan, pumpkin risottos is a delicious, unique and creative entree choice for a fall, Halloween or Thanksgiving meal. It's also a great way to use up any leftover pumpkin you might happen to have on hand from the holidays.
“This Italian risotto recipe is both vegetarian and vegan, as long as you use a vegan margarine instead of butter. If you need it to be gluten-free as well, just be sure that the vegetable broth that you use is gluten-free, since all the other ingredients - including the rice, white wine, pumpkin and seasonings - are all gluten-free.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 4 - 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 onion, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups arborio (risotto) rice
1 cup white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated or minced
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 tbsp vegan margarine or butter
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
Sautee the diced onion in the olive oil over medium heat for about three to five minutes, or until the onion is mostly soft. Next, add in the rice. Allow to cook, stirring, for a minute or two, just to lightly toast the rice, and being carefuly that it doesn't burn. Slowly add in the white wine.
Next, start to add the vegetable broth, 1/2 cup at a time. Allow the moisture to cook off before adding the next 1/2 cup.
Stir frequently, and continue adding the vegetable broth 1/2 cup at a time. Many chefs advise keeping the vegetable broth heating on the stove so that it is already simmering and hot when you add it to the rice.
Once you've added all the vegetable broth and the rice is nearly cooked, add in the canned pumpkin, fresh ginger, nutmeg, fresh basil and vegan margarine or butter. Stir well to combine everything well, and season lightly with a bit of salt and pepper, to taste.
All everything to heat, just for another minute or two, until everything is thoroughly heated through, and stirring frequently.
PUMPKIN ALFREDO PASTA
This is from Delish, and begins, “This gourd-eous pasta is irresistibly creamy.” Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
kosher salt
1 lb. pasta
extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 c. sage leaves
Flaky sea salt
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 15-oz. can pumpkin purée
1/4 c. dry white wine
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into slices and chilled
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan
1 c. sour cream
Directions
Bring an 8-quart stock pot of water to a boil and generously season with salt. Cook pasta according to al dente package directions.
Meanwhile, in a small skillet over medium-high heat add 4 to 5 tablespoon olive oil; when oil is hot but not smoking add dry sage leaves and fry 4 to 5 seconds until crispy. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with sea salt; set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat sauté onions and garlic, about 1 minute. Add pumpkin and white wine and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in cheese and butter until melted and creamy. Stir in sour cream and pasta until well coated.
Garnish with fried sage leaves and serve.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Friday, October 28, 2016
Halloween Recipes
Are you ready for Halloween? I am - sort-of. That's about as close as it gets here. Since Halloween is Monday, I figure it's time for a few more spooky recipes. I'm sure someone is thinking, "But didn't you just post Halloween recipes earlier this week?" Not a problem...I most likely won't post any more Halloween recipes in this blog again - until next year!
That said, here are today's six pumpkin recipes to help you get in the spirt of things over the weekend. Enjoy!
BLACK MAGIC CAKE
This comes from the Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “This deep, dark chocolate cake is the perfect canvas for a spooky holiday dessert. Top it with a spider web or a mummy made from melted and stretched marshmallows.” Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Inactive: 2 hours 15 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Level: Easy.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/black-magic-cake.html?oc=linkback.
Ingredients
Cake:
2/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the baking pans
1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 cup boiling water
2 cups granulated sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Filling and Frosting:
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch fine salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
Spider Web or Mummy Decoration:
2 cups mini marshmallows (about 4 ounces)
Cooking spray
Candy spider or candy eyes, for decorating
Directions
Special equipment: two 9-inch round cake pans
For the cake: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment, and grease the parchment and the sides of the pans with oil.
Stir together the cocoa powder and boiling water, and let sit to bloom for 5 minutes (this step intensifies the chocolate flavor in the cake).
Whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the bloomed cocoa, oil, milk, eggs and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour the cocoa mixture into the sugar mixture, and stir until smooth (the batter will be thin). Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake until the cakes bounce back when pressed in the middle and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pans on a rack.
For the filling and frosting: Heat the cream in a double boiler over low heat, whisking occasionally, until it begins to steam. Whisk in the cocoa powder, chocolate, espresso powder, vanilla and salt until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the butter until melted. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar until incorporated. Let the frosting cool completely.
To assemble: Put 1 cake, bottom-side up, on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread about 1 cup of the frosting over the top but not all the way down the side. Top with the other cake, bottom-side up, and frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
For the spider web or mummy decoration: Microwave the marshmallows in a microwave-safe medium bowl until they start to grow in size and are soft enough to stir, about 1 minute. Let sit a few minutes until cool enough to touch. Spray your hands with cooking spray. For a spider web, pick up a tablespoon-sized blob of the melted marshmallow and stretch it over and around the cake; repeat so that the strings of marshmallow crisscross one another in many directions, and continue until you have what looks like a spider web. For a mummy, stretch the marshmallow so that all the strings on the top of the cake run in the same direction, leaving a small gap between strings for the mummy's eyes to peek out. Garnish with a candy spider or candy eyes.
Cook's Note: When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
PUMPKIN CAKE ROLL WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. She writes, “This pumpkin cake roll recipe is filled with a cream cheese filling. Keep one of these pumpkin rolls frozen, in slices, and bring some out when guests drop in. This is the perfect fall or winter holiday cake!” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 10 servings
To view this online, go to http://southernfood.about.com/od/pumpkins/r/blbb465.htm.
Ingredients
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling:
8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons Butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
In large bowl, combine eggs and sugar, beating with an electric mixer until thick and light yellow in color. Add pumpkin and lemon juice, mixing until blended.
In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, spices and salt. Add to egg mixture, mixing well. Spread batter into greased and waxed-paper lined 10-by-15-inch jelly-roll pan.
Bake at 350 ° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool for 15 minutes.
Place cake on clean tea towel sprinkled liberally with powdered sugar. Cool 10 minutes longer. From 10- inch side, roll cake up in towel. Set aside.
While cake is cooling in towel, prepare filling. Beat together cream cheese and butter; stir in powdered sugar and vanilla and blend until smooth.
Unroll cake. Evenly spread filling over cake. Roll up cake (without the towel). Wrap in plastic wrap. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Slice before serving. Keep leftover slices refrigerated. This pumpkin roll freezes well, and makes about 10 servings.
SPOOKY GHOST CUPCAKES
This is from The Baker Chick. It makes 20 cupcakes, anc can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Seven Minute Frosting:
3/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
3 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
mini & regular chocolate chips for the face!
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350F. Line cupcake tins with liners, set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Make a small well in the middle of the bowl and add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, water and vanilla. Whisk the wet ingredients together and then incorporate the dry until smooth and lump-free.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full and bake for 20-23 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool while you make the frosting.
Place egg whites in the clean bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. In a small saucepan with a candy thermometer attached, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water.
On medium-high heat cook the sugar mixture until boiling. At that point- turn the mixer on medium high speed to get the egg whites to soft peaks. When the sugar mixture has reached 230F, slowly pour it down the side of the bowl in a steady stream while the mixture continues to run.
Beat on medium-high for about 7 minutes or until the bottom of the bowl is cool to the touch and stiff glossy peaks have formed. Add the vanilla right before you finish beating the frosting.
Pipe frosting onto the cupcakes right away (it gets a bit firm otherwise.) and decorate with the chocolate chips!
Notes:
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
PUMPKIN MUFFINS
This comes from G.E. Appliances. Yields 12 muffins.
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Grease or spray a standard sized muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Cream butter and sugars with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in egg. Add pumpkin and nuts.
Mix dry ingredients together well and add to pumpkin mixture in thirds, alternating with milk. Blend just enough to mix ingredients.
Spoon into prepared muffin pan and bake for 20 minutes.
GINGERBREAD
This recipe is from a no-longer-remembered emailing list. I have a sneaking suspicion that whoever sent it to the list got it from ARM & HAMMER, since it mentions A&H baking soda. The recipe begins, "Sweeten the season with our gingerbread. This simple recipe is the perfect holiday dessert, especially when topped with yogurt or fresh fruit. Just grab a fresh box of ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda- an important ingredient for great baking and prepare a treat for the whole family." The person who sent it to the emailing list ends this with, "I LIKE MINE TOPPED WITH A DOLLOP OF COOL WHIP!"
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup light molasses
3/4 cup boiling water
Directions
Sift together flour, Baking Soda, ginger and salt. Using an electric mixer, cream shortening in large bowl until fluffy. Add sugar gradually, beating after each addition. Beat in egg thoroughly; blend in molasses. Gradually stir dry ingredients into creamed mixture. Beat thoroughly. Stir in water. Turn into greased and floured 8-inch square baking pan. Bake in a 350-degree oven 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool on rack. Makes one 8-inch square cake. Cut into 16 servings.
GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES WITH CARDAMOM CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
This comes from Brett Moore, About.com's Gourmet Food expert. He wrote, "I love the taste of warm gingerbread, especially around the holidays. Cardamom is a wonderfully fragrant spice that goes well with gingerbread. If you don't care for cardamom, you can substitute allspice or cinnamon. Reprinted with permission from The Spice Kitchen: Everyday Cooking with Organic Spices by Katie Luber and Sara Engram (McMeel 2009)." Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon dried lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cardamom Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried lemon zest
1 teaspoon ground green cardamom
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease 12 standard-size muffin cups or line them with paper cups. Cream the butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla. In a small bowl, stir together the boiling water and the baking soda until dissolved. Stir the baking soda water into the molasses mixture.
Sift together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, lemon zest, and salt into a small bowl. Whisk the flour mixture into the molasses mixture until the batter is combined.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center of one or two of the cupcakes comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
While the cupcakes are baking, make the frosting. Cream together the cream cheese and the sugar in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and cardamom and beat until fluffy and smooth. Chill the frosting in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the pan. Place the cupcakes on a rack to cool for 30 minutes. Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled cupcakes.
That said, here are today's six pumpkin recipes to help you get in the spirt of things over the weekend. Enjoy!
BLACK MAGIC CAKE
This comes from the Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “This deep, dark chocolate cake is the perfect canvas for a spooky holiday dessert. Top it with a spider web or a mummy made from melted and stretched marshmallows.” Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Inactive: 2 hours 15 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Level: Easy.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/black-magic-cake.html?oc=linkback.
Ingredients
Cake:
2/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the baking pans
1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 cup boiling water
2 cups granulated sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Filling and Frosting:
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch fine salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
Spider Web or Mummy Decoration:
2 cups mini marshmallows (about 4 ounces)
Cooking spray
Candy spider or candy eyes, for decorating
Directions
Special equipment: two 9-inch round cake pans
For the cake: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment, and grease the parchment and the sides of the pans with oil.
Stir together the cocoa powder and boiling water, and let sit to bloom for 5 minutes (this step intensifies the chocolate flavor in the cake).
Whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the bloomed cocoa, oil, milk, eggs and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour the cocoa mixture into the sugar mixture, and stir until smooth (the batter will be thin). Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake until the cakes bounce back when pressed in the middle and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pans on a rack.
For the filling and frosting: Heat the cream in a double boiler over low heat, whisking occasionally, until it begins to steam. Whisk in the cocoa powder, chocolate, espresso powder, vanilla and salt until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the butter until melted. Whisk in the confectioners' sugar until incorporated. Let the frosting cool completely.
To assemble: Put 1 cake, bottom-side up, on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread about 1 cup of the frosting over the top but not all the way down the side. Top with the other cake, bottom-side up, and frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
For the spider web or mummy decoration: Microwave the marshmallows in a microwave-safe medium bowl until they start to grow in size and are soft enough to stir, about 1 minute. Let sit a few minutes until cool enough to touch. Spray your hands with cooking spray. For a spider web, pick up a tablespoon-sized blob of the melted marshmallow and stretch it over and around the cake; repeat so that the strings of marshmallow crisscross one another in many directions, and continue until you have what looks like a spider web. For a mummy, stretch the marshmallow so that all the strings on the top of the cake run in the same direction, leaving a small gap between strings for the mummy's eyes to peek out. Garnish with a candy spider or candy eyes.
Cook's Note: When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off the excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.)
PUMPKIN CAKE ROLL WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. She writes, “This pumpkin cake roll recipe is filled with a cream cheese filling. Keep one of these pumpkin rolls frozen, in slices, and bring some out when guests drop in. This is the perfect fall or winter holiday cake!” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 10 servings
To view this online, go to http://southernfood.about.com/od/pumpkins/r/blbb465.htm.
Ingredients
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup pumpkin
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling:
8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons Butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation
In large bowl, combine eggs and sugar, beating with an electric mixer until thick and light yellow in color. Add pumpkin and lemon juice, mixing until blended.
In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, spices and salt. Add to egg mixture, mixing well. Spread batter into greased and waxed-paper lined 10-by-15-inch jelly-roll pan.
Bake at 350 ° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool for 15 minutes.
Place cake on clean tea towel sprinkled liberally with powdered sugar. Cool 10 minutes longer. From 10- inch side, roll cake up in towel. Set aside.
While cake is cooling in towel, prepare filling. Beat together cream cheese and butter; stir in powdered sugar and vanilla and blend until smooth.
Unroll cake. Evenly spread filling over cake. Roll up cake (without the towel). Wrap in plastic wrap. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Slice before serving. Keep leftover slices refrigerated. This pumpkin roll freezes well, and makes about 10 servings.
SPOOKY GHOST CUPCAKES
This is from The Baker Chick. It makes 20 cupcakes, anc can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Seven Minute Frosting:
3/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
3 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
mini & regular chocolate chips for the face!
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350F. Line cupcake tins with liners, set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Make a small well in the middle of the bowl and add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, water and vanilla. Whisk the wet ingredients together and then incorporate the dry until smooth and lump-free.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full and bake for 20-23 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool while you make the frosting.
Place egg whites in the clean bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. In a small saucepan with a candy thermometer attached, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water.
On medium-high heat cook the sugar mixture until boiling. At that point- turn the mixer on medium high speed to get the egg whites to soft peaks. When the sugar mixture has reached 230F, slowly pour it down the side of the bowl in a steady stream while the mixture continues to run.
Beat on medium-high for about 7 minutes or until the bottom of the bowl is cool to the touch and stiff glossy peaks have formed. Add the vanilla right before you finish beating the frosting.
Pipe frosting onto the cupcakes right away (it gets a bit firm otherwise.) and decorate with the chocolate chips!
Notes:
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
PUMPKIN MUFFINS
This comes from G.E. Appliances. Yields 12 muffins.
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Grease or spray a standard sized muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.
Cream butter and sugars with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in egg. Add pumpkin and nuts.
Mix dry ingredients together well and add to pumpkin mixture in thirds, alternating with milk. Blend just enough to mix ingredients.
Spoon into prepared muffin pan and bake for 20 minutes.
GINGERBREAD
This recipe is from a no-longer-remembered emailing list. I have a sneaking suspicion that whoever sent it to the list got it from ARM & HAMMER, since it mentions A&H baking soda. The recipe begins, "Sweeten the season with our gingerbread. This simple recipe is the perfect holiday dessert, especially when topped with yogurt or fresh fruit. Just grab a fresh box of ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda- an important ingredient for great baking and prepare a treat for the whole family." The person who sent it to the emailing list ends this with, "I LIKE MINE TOPPED WITH A DOLLOP OF COOL WHIP!"
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup light molasses
3/4 cup boiling water
Directions
Sift together flour, Baking Soda, ginger and salt. Using an electric mixer, cream shortening in large bowl until fluffy. Add sugar gradually, beating after each addition. Beat in egg thoroughly; blend in molasses. Gradually stir dry ingredients into creamed mixture. Beat thoroughly. Stir in water. Turn into greased and floured 8-inch square baking pan. Bake in a 350-degree oven 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool on rack. Makes one 8-inch square cake. Cut into 16 servings.
GINGERBREAD CUPCAKES WITH CARDAMOM CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
This comes from Brett Moore, About.com's Gourmet Food expert. He wrote, "I love the taste of warm gingerbread, especially around the holidays. Cardamom is a wonderfully fragrant spice that goes well with gingerbread. If you don't care for cardamom, you can substitute allspice or cinnamon. Reprinted with permission from The Spice Kitchen: Everyday Cooking with Organic Spices by Katie Luber and Sara Engram (McMeel 2009)." Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon dried lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cardamom Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons dried lemon zest
1 teaspoon ground green cardamom
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease 12 standard-size muffin cups or line them with paper cups. Cream the butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla. In a small bowl, stir together the boiling water and the baking soda until dissolved. Stir the baking soda water into the molasses mixture.
Sift together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, lemon zest, and salt into a small bowl. Whisk the flour mixture into the molasses mixture until the batter is combined.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center of one or two of the cupcakes comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
While the cupcakes are baking, make the frosting. Cream together the cream cheese and the sugar in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and cardamom and beat until fluffy and smooth. Chill the frosting in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool for 5 minutes before removing them from the pan. Place the cupcakes on a rack to cool for 30 minutes. Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled cupcakes.
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Diabetic Thursday
It's Thursday, which means it's time to show how yummy diabetic food can be. There's even a recipe here for Peanut Butter Cookies! That said, here are today's six diabetic recipes. Enjoy!
SPICY BUFFALO-STYLE MEATBALLS
Makes 32 appetizer servings.
View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/541.shtml
Ingredients
1 pound 95% lean ground beef
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon honey
Blue cheese dressing
Celery sticks
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape beef mixture into 32 1-inch meatballs; place on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 350F oven 18 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine hot pepper sauce, butter and honey in large bowl; mix well. Add meatballs; stir to coat.
Serve with dressing and celery sticks, as desired. Makes 32 appetizer servings.
Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef done-ness.
Cook's Tip: 1 package (about 18 ounces) frozen fully-cooked beef meatballs can be substituted for ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook meatballs according to package directions. Continue as directed in step 3.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 33; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 78 mg; Cholesterol: 16 mg ; Carbohydrates: 1 g
QUICK MINESTRONE
Servings: 8
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/244.shtml
Source: Deliciously Healthy Favorite Foods Cookbook
Ingredients
1/4 pound lean ham, cut into small pieces
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed onion soup
2 cups canned tomatoes (with juice), cut into pieces
1/2 cup each: diced carrot and celery
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon each: dried thyme leaves, marjoram, basil and pepper
5 cups water
1 cup broken uncooked spaghetti
1 can (15 oz.) cannellini, navy or other white beans, undrained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a large soup pot, combine ham, soup, tomatoes, carrot, celery, zucchini, garlic, parsley, bay leaf, thyme, marjoram, basil, pepper and water. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
Add spaghetti and beans with liquid and cook 30 minutes longer. Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 122; Protein: 8.9 g; Fat: 2.4 g; Sodium: 871 mg; Cholesterol: 6.1 mg; Carbohydrates: 17.2 g; Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 1 Bread/Starch
PINEAPPLE CAKE
Yield: 18 servings
Source: The Diabetic Four Ingredient Cookbook
View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/538.shtml
Ingredients
5 egg whites
1 can (20 oz.) water packed pineapple (crushed, drained)
1 yellow reduced fat cake mix
1 tablespoon sugar or equivalent alternative sweetener
Directions
Beat egg whites with electric mixer until foamy. Add drained pineapple then cake mix.
Spread mix in a floured 9x13 inch pan with nonstick spray. Sprinkle with sugar or sweetener.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 100 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch
CHILI-BEAN SOUP
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/242.shtml
Servings: 8
Source: Deliciously Healthy Favorite Foods Cookbook
Ingredients
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 small onion, chopped
1/3 pound lean round steak, sliced into very thin 1" long strips
4 cups low-sodium beef bouillon
1-1/2 teaspoons each: chili powder and dried parsley flakes
3 cups canned peeled tomatoes (with juice), cut into pieces
3 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in 1/2 cup water
1 can (15 oz.) pink or pinto beans with juice
Directions
In a large, heavy soup post sprayed with nonstick spray, stir-fry pepper and onion over medium-high heat until soft but not browned. Remove from pot and set aside.
Re-spray pot with non-stick spray and brown beef strips over medium-high heat. Add cooked pepper and onion to pot. Add beef bouillon, chili powder, parsley, tomatoes with juice, cornstarch dissolved in water and beans with juice. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 101; Protein: 7.1 g; Fat: 2.9 g; Sodium: 395 mg; Cholesterol: 9 mg; Carbohydrates: 12.3 g; Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 1 Bread/Starch
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
Yield: 24 cookies. Serving size: 2 cookies.
Source: Splenda
View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/536.shtml
Ingredients
1/4 cup margarine, softened
1 cup creamy style peanut butter
1/4 cup egg substitute
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Splenda Granular
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Heat oven to 350F.
In a large bowl, beat margarine and peanut butter with an electric mixer until creamy, approximately 1 minute.
Add egg substitute, honey and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed for approximately 1-1/2 minutes.
Add Splenda and beat on medium speed until well blended, approximately 30 seconds.
In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, beating on low speed until well blended, about 1 1/2 minutes. Mixture may be crumbly.
Roll level teaspoons of dough into balls and drop onto a lined sheet pan, about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball with a fork, pressing a crisscross pattern into each cookie. Bake 7-9 minutes or until light brown around the edges. Cool on wire rack.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 110 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: Starch 1/2; Fat 2
VEGETABLE STIR-FRY
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/240.shtml
Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 pound fresh broccoli
1 teaspoon acceptable margarine
1 teaspoon acceptable vegetable oil
1 pound carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
12 ounces fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced (3-1/2 to 4 cups)
2 to 3 medium green onions, thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
Pepper to taste
Directions
Separate broccoli florets so they are of small, uniform size. Peel tough stems; cut stems into 2-inch pieces.
In a large skillet or wok, heat margarine and oil over medium heat, swirling to coat bottom. Stir-fry broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and green onions for 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 65; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 57 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Fat
SPICY BUFFALO-STYLE MEATBALLS
Makes 32 appetizer servings.
View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/541.shtml
Ingredients
1 pound 95% lean ground beef
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon honey
Blue cheese dressing
Celery sticks
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape beef mixture into 32 1-inch meatballs; place on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 350F oven 18 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine hot pepper sauce, butter and honey in large bowl; mix well. Add meatballs; stir to coat.
Serve with dressing and celery sticks, as desired. Makes 32 appetizer servings.
Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef done-ness.
Cook's Tip: 1 package (about 18 ounces) frozen fully-cooked beef meatballs can be substituted for ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook meatballs according to package directions. Continue as directed in step 3.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 33; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 78 mg; Cholesterol: 16 mg ; Carbohydrates: 1 g
QUICK MINESTRONE
Servings: 8
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/244.shtml
Source: Deliciously Healthy Favorite Foods Cookbook
Ingredients
1/4 pound lean ham, cut into small pieces
1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed onion soup
2 cups canned tomatoes (with juice), cut into pieces
1/2 cup each: diced carrot and celery
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon each: dried thyme leaves, marjoram, basil and pepper
5 cups water
1 cup broken uncooked spaghetti
1 can (15 oz.) cannellini, navy or other white beans, undrained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a large soup pot, combine ham, soup, tomatoes, carrot, celery, zucchini, garlic, parsley, bay leaf, thyme, marjoram, basil, pepper and water. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
Add spaghetti and beans with liquid and cook 30 minutes longer. Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle each serving with Parmesan cheese.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 122; Protein: 8.9 g; Fat: 2.4 g; Sodium: 871 mg; Cholesterol: 6.1 mg; Carbohydrates: 17.2 g; Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 1 Bread/Starch
PINEAPPLE CAKE
Yield: 18 servings
Source: The Diabetic Four Ingredient Cookbook
View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/538.shtml
Ingredients
5 egg whites
1 can (20 oz.) water packed pineapple (crushed, drained)
1 yellow reduced fat cake mix
1 tablespoon sugar or equivalent alternative sweetener
Directions
Beat egg whites with electric mixer until foamy. Add drained pineapple then cake mix.
Spread mix in a floured 9x13 inch pan with nonstick spray. Sprinkle with sugar or sweetener.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 100 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch
CHILI-BEAN SOUP
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/242.shtml
Servings: 8
Source: Deliciously Healthy Favorite Foods Cookbook
Ingredients
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 small onion, chopped
1/3 pound lean round steak, sliced into very thin 1" long strips
4 cups low-sodium beef bouillon
1-1/2 teaspoons each: chili powder and dried parsley flakes
3 cups canned peeled tomatoes (with juice), cut into pieces
3 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in 1/2 cup water
1 can (15 oz.) pink or pinto beans with juice
Directions
In a large, heavy soup post sprayed with nonstick spray, stir-fry pepper and onion over medium-high heat until soft but not browned. Remove from pot and set aside.
Re-spray pot with non-stick spray and brown beef strips over medium-high heat. Add cooked pepper and onion to pot. Add beef bouillon, chili powder, parsley, tomatoes with juice, cornstarch dissolved in water and beans with juice. Cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 101; Protein: 7.1 g; Fat: 2.9 g; Sodium: 395 mg; Cholesterol: 9 mg; Carbohydrates: 12.3 g; Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 1 Bread/Starch
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
Yield: 24 cookies. Serving size: 2 cookies.
Source: Splenda
View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/536.shtml
Ingredients
1/4 cup margarine, softened
1 cup creamy style peanut butter
1/4 cup egg substitute
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Splenda Granular
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Heat oven to 350F.
In a large bowl, beat margarine and peanut butter with an electric mixer until creamy, approximately 1 minute.
Add egg substitute, honey and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed for approximately 1-1/2 minutes.
Add Splenda and beat on medium speed until well blended, approximately 30 seconds.
In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, beating on low speed until well blended, about 1 1/2 minutes. Mixture may be crumbly.
Roll level teaspoons of dough into balls and drop onto a lined sheet pan, about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball with a fork, pressing a crisscross pattern into each cookie. Bake 7-9 minutes or until light brown around the edges. Cool on wire rack.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 110 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: Starch 1/2; Fat 2
VEGETABLE STIR-FRY
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/240.shtml
Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 pound fresh broccoli
1 teaspoon acceptable margarine
1 teaspoon acceptable vegetable oil
1 pound carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
12 ounces fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced (3-1/2 to 4 cups)
2 to 3 medium green onions, thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)
2 tablespoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
Pepper to taste
Directions
Separate broccoli florets so they are of small, uniform size. Peel tough stems; cut stems into 2-inch pieces.
In a large skillet or wok, heat margarine and oil over medium heat, swirling to coat bottom. Stir-fry broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and green onions for 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 65; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 57 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Fat
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Wednesday Recipes
It's half-way through the work week, and less than a week until Halloween. Where does the time go? Here are six recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!
PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “This wonderful pasta is made with nothing more than fresh tomato sauce and good ricotta, plus a little pecorino. It’s most delicious if you keep the pasta quite al dente; use just enough sauce, no more; give it a good pinch of crushed red pepper; and season it with enough salt of course. For the best results, use good quality imported noodles made from hard Durum wheat.” Time: 30 minutes; makes 4 to 6 servings.
This, along with the Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, was featured in “The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound dried pasta, such as farfalle or penne
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Crushed red pepper (optional)
2 1/2 cups Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, warm (see recipe, which follows)
6 ounces ultra-fresh ricotta, at room temperature
Grated pecorino
Basil leaves, for garnish
Preparation
Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.
Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.
Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).
Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.
QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE
This also comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “In August and September, when tomatoes are at their ripest, make a batch of fresh tomato sauce. At the market, look for the cracked, slightly bruised tomatoes sold at a discount. The flesh of the tomato should be dense, sweet and blood red. This makes a very fresh- and bright-tasting sauce in a manageable small batch. Take advantage of good tasty tomatoes and fill a few zip-top bags for the freezer.” Time: 30 minutes; makes about 2 1/ 2 cups.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
5 pounds tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 garlic clove, halved
1 basil sprig
1 bay leaf
Preparation
Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.
Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.
FUNNEL CAKE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten-emailing-list, and begins, “This funnel cake recipe makes 4 cakes.” Also, see note, below
1 Egg
2/3 Cup Milk
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
vegetable oil for frying
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting
One Funnel
Variation:
Try different toppings: cinnamon sugar, fruit topping, glaze.
To Prepare:
Beat egg in a mixing bowl. Stir in the milk. In a separate bowl, sift flour, salt, sugar and baking powder together. Beat the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until smooth. Pour oil into a heavy pan or skillet until it is 1 inch deep. Heat to 375 F.
Hold one finger over a funnel end, keeping the opening closed, and fill it with batter. Open the end of the funnel and allow batter to run out in a stream into the hot oil. Move funnel from center, swirling outward in a circular pattern. Fry for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.
Using tongs, turn over the cake to cook the other side. Cook until golden brown and remove to drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar while still warm.
Note: The person who posted this to the emailing list wrote, “I’ve been using this funnel cake recipe for some time and have learned a few tricks.
”Here are some tips I'd like to share:
“Use an electric skillet if you have one to regulate oil temperature more efficiently. If you don't have one, a large stovetop skillet is fine.
“Use a ladle to transfer batter to funnel. 1 & 1/2 ladle will make a good size funnel cake. Adjust to suit your families needs. Make sure you have tongs to turn the cakes with.
“I use my 2 cup measuring cup to rest my funnel in when not in use to catch drips and minimize mess.
“Place the cakes on a cooling rack that is placed inside a baking pan to drain. (I have a recycled toaster oven rack that works great as a cooling rack) to drain.
“Use a flour sifter to sprinkle powdered sugar on top.”
STRAWBERRY CREAM SCUFFINS
This yummy recipe is from Better Home and Gardens. Makes: 18 servings; Serving Size: 1 scuffin; Yields: 18 scuffins; Prep: 40 minutes; Bake: 25 minutes at 350°F; Cool: 5 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup whipping cream or milk
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
6 tablespoons strawberry jelly, jam, or preserves
1 recipe Scuffin Icing (follows)
Chopped fresh strawberries (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line eighteen 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; coat bake cups with cooking spray. Set pans aside. In a small bowl combine egg and whipping cream; set aside.
In a large bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the 1 cup strawberries. Make a well in the center of flour mixture. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the egg mixture. Add the remaining egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Using a fork, stir just until moistened (dough will be crumbly).
Spoon half of the dough into the prepared muffin cups, filling each one-third full. Using a spoon or your thumb, make an indentation in the center of dough in each cup; fill each indentation with 1 teaspoon of the strawberry jelly. Spoon the remaining dough into muffin cups. Brush with the reserved 2 tablespoons egg mixture.
Bake about 25 minutes or until tops are golden. Cool in muffin cups on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups. Drizzle with Scuffin Icing. If desired, top with additional strawberries. Serve warm.
SCUFFIN ICING
Ingredients
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons whipping cream or milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Whipping cream or milk
Directions
In a small bowl stir together powdered sugar, the 2 teaspoons whipping cream or milk, and the vanilla. Stir in enough additional whipping cream or milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach drizzling consistency.
ROASTED PUMPKIN AND LEEK SOUP
This comes from Jen Hoy, About.com’s Whole Foods Cooking expert. Jen wrote, “This roasted pumpkin and leek soup brings the quintessential flavors of fall to the table. It's an easy recipe and can be made with Cinderella pumpkin (pictured), the small, richly flavored sugar pumpkin, or from Hokkaido squash, Red Kuri, Kabocha, or any other deep orange, dense squash. Orange squash and pumpkin are marvelously rich in nutrients, especially beta-carotene, and very nourishing to the spleen and stomach. Roasting the vegetables creates a rich and more complex flavor, and actually makes for an easy soup: all you do is add water to the roasted veggies. You can add a dab of Romesco Sauce when serving to give a bit of extra richness to the soup, but we like it as is!” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: Serves 4 - 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds pumpkin or deep orange squash, peeled and cut into 1” chunks* (See note below)
1 large onion, cut into 1” chunks
2 carrots, scrubbed and chopped
2 leeks, washed well and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups water, Vegetable Broth, or Chicken Broth
1 branch of fresh thyme
2 teaspoons ground cumin, curry or other spice as desired
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
*Note: If you don’t want to peel the squash ahead of time, cut it into larger (3-inch or so) pieces and remove the skin before adding it to the soup pot. Unlike raw, cooked squash is very easy to peel. Toss the vegetables with the olive oil in a roasting pan and spread them out corner to corner. Roast the vegetables in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes, or until they are beginning to soften and take a bit of golden color.
Remove the tray from the oven. (If you need to peel the squash, let the vegetables sit until the pumpkin is cool enough to handle).
Place the veggies in a soup pot with water or broth to cover and add the thyme and desired spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft. Puree the soup with an immersion or standard blender, season to taste and serve.
PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATO SAUCE AND RICOTTA
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “This wonderful pasta is made with nothing more than fresh tomato sauce and good ricotta, plus a little pecorino. It’s most delicious if you keep the pasta quite al dente; use just enough sauce, no more; give it a good pinch of crushed red pepper; and season it with enough salt of course. For the best results, use good quality imported noodles made from hard Durum wheat.” Time: 30 minutes; makes 4 to 6 servings.
This, along with the Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, was featured in “The Time Is Right to Make Tomato Sauce”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 pound dried pasta, such as farfalle or penne
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Crushed red pepper (optional)
2 1/2 cups Quick Fresh Tomato Sauce, warm (see recipe, which follows)
6 ounces ultra-fresh ricotta, at room temperature
Grated pecorino
Basil leaves, for garnish
Preparation
Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water, making sure to keep it quite al dente.
Put butter in a wide deep skillet over medium heat. Add drained pasta to the pan and season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper, if using.
Add tomato sauce gradually and stir to coat pasta, using only enough sauce for a light coating (you may not need the entire 2 1/2 cups).
Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl and dot top with spoonfuls of ricotta. Sprinkle lightly with pecorino and garnish with a few torn basil leaves.
QUICK FRESH TOMATO SAUCE
This also comes from David Tanis in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “In August and September, when tomatoes are at their ripest, make a batch of fresh tomato sauce. At the market, look for the cracked, slightly bruised tomatoes sold at a discount. The flesh of the tomato should be dense, sweet and blood red. This makes a very fresh- and bright-tasting sauce in a manageable small batch. Take advantage of good tasty tomatoes and fill a few zip-top bags for the freezer.” Time: 30 minutes; makes about 2 1/ 2 cups.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
5 pounds tomatoes
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 garlic clove, halved
1 basil sprig
1 bay leaf
Preparation
Cut tomatoes in half horizontally. Squeeze out the seeds and discard, if you wish. Press the cut side of tomato against the large holes of a box grater and grate tomato flesh into a bowl. Discard skins. You should have about 4 cups.
Put tomato pulp in a low wide saucepan over high heat. Add salt, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, basil and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a brisk simmer.
Reduce the sauce by almost half, stirring occasionally, to produce about 2 1/2 cups medium-thick sauce, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust salt. It will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator or may be frozen.
FUNNEL CAKE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten-emailing-list, and begins, “This funnel cake recipe makes 4 cakes.” Also, see note, below
1 Egg
2/3 Cup Milk
1/4 teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
vegetable oil for frying
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting
One Funnel
Variation:
Try different toppings: cinnamon sugar, fruit topping, glaze.
To Prepare:
Beat egg in a mixing bowl. Stir in the milk. In a separate bowl, sift flour, salt, sugar and baking powder together. Beat the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until smooth. Pour oil into a heavy pan or skillet until it is 1 inch deep. Heat to 375 F.
Hold one finger over a funnel end, keeping the opening closed, and fill it with batter. Open the end of the funnel and allow batter to run out in a stream into the hot oil. Move funnel from center, swirling outward in a circular pattern. Fry for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.
Using tongs, turn over the cake to cook the other side. Cook until golden brown and remove to drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar while still warm.
Note: The person who posted this to the emailing list wrote, “I’ve been using this funnel cake recipe for some time and have learned a few tricks.
”Here are some tips I'd like to share:
“Use an electric skillet if you have one to regulate oil temperature more efficiently. If you don't have one, a large stovetop skillet is fine.
“Use a ladle to transfer batter to funnel. 1 & 1/2 ladle will make a good size funnel cake. Adjust to suit your families needs. Make sure you have tongs to turn the cakes with.
“I use my 2 cup measuring cup to rest my funnel in when not in use to catch drips and minimize mess.
“Place the cakes on a cooling rack that is placed inside a baking pan to drain. (I have a recycled toaster oven rack that works great as a cooling rack) to drain.
“Use a flour sifter to sprinkle powdered sugar on top.”
STRAWBERRY CREAM SCUFFINS
This yummy recipe is from Better Home and Gardens. Makes: 18 servings; Serving Size: 1 scuffin; Yields: 18 scuffins; Prep: 40 minutes; Bake: 25 minutes at 350°F; Cool: 5 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup whipping cream or milk
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
6 tablespoons strawberry jelly, jam, or preserves
1 recipe Scuffin Icing (follows)
Chopped fresh strawberries (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line eighteen 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; coat bake cups with cooking spray. Set pans aside. In a small bowl combine egg and whipping cream; set aside.
In a large bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the 1 cup strawberries. Make a well in the center of flour mixture. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the egg mixture. Add the remaining egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Using a fork, stir just until moistened (dough will be crumbly).
Spoon half of the dough into the prepared muffin cups, filling each one-third full. Using a spoon or your thumb, make an indentation in the center of dough in each cup; fill each indentation with 1 teaspoon of the strawberry jelly. Spoon the remaining dough into muffin cups. Brush with the reserved 2 tablespoons egg mixture.
Bake about 25 minutes or until tops are golden. Cool in muffin cups on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups. Drizzle with Scuffin Icing. If desired, top with additional strawberries. Serve warm.
SCUFFIN ICING
Ingredients
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons whipping cream or milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Whipping cream or milk
Directions
In a small bowl stir together powdered sugar, the 2 teaspoons whipping cream or milk, and the vanilla. Stir in enough additional whipping cream or milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach drizzling consistency.
ROASTED PUMPKIN AND LEEK SOUP
This comes from Jen Hoy, About.com’s Whole Foods Cooking expert. Jen wrote, “This roasted pumpkin and leek soup brings the quintessential flavors of fall to the table. It's an easy recipe and can be made with Cinderella pumpkin (pictured), the small, richly flavored sugar pumpkin, or from Hokkaido squash, Red Kuri, Kabocha, or any other deep orange, dense squash. Orange squash and pumpkin are marvelously rich in nutrients, especially beta-carotene, and very nourishing to the spleen and stomach. Roasting the vegetables creates a rich and more complex flavor, and actually makes for an easy soup: all you do is add water to the roasted veggies. You can add a dab of Romesco Sauce when serving to give a bit of extra richness to the soup, but we like it as is!” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: Serves 4 - 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds pumpkin or deep orange squash, peeled and cut into 1” chunks* (See note below)
1 large onion, cut into 1” chunks
2 carrots, scrubbed and chopped
2 leeks, washed well and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups water, Vegetable Broth, or Chicken Broth
1 branch of fresh thyme
2 teaspoons ground cumin, curry or other spice as desired
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
*Note: If you don’t want to peel the squash ahead of time, cut it into larger (3-inch or so) pieces and remove the skin before adding it to the soup pot. Unlike raw, cooked squash is very easy to peel. Toss the vegetables with the olive oil in a roasting pan and spread them out corner to corner. Roast the vegetables in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes, or until they are beginning to soften and take a bit of golden color.
Remove the tray from the oven. (If you need to peel the squash, let the vegetables sit until the pumpkin is cool enough to handle).
Place the veggies in a soup pot with water or broth to cover and add the thyme and desired spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft. Puree the soup with an immersion or standard blender, season to taste and serve.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Halloween Is In the Air!
It's almost Halloween. It's hard to not get a little excited about Trick-or-Treating – either as a kid, as a parent, taking your kids around the neighborhood, or seeing all the kids in their costumes while you're passing out treats.
It's also the unofficial start of the holiday season. As soon as Halloween is over, it's time to start looking forward to Thanksgiving, then the winter holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, the winter Solstice – then New Year's. Are you ready? I'm not sure I am!
Anyway, today's recipes include five snacky-type foods and one actual dinner idea (Baked Eyeballs Casserole). Enjoy!
HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN COOKIES
This comes from the infamous-long-since-forgotten-emailing-list.
1 stick butter or margarine
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. cooked pumpkin or pie filling
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar together in bowl. Add egg, pumpkin and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together and add to bowl. Mix. Drop by tablespoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
GINGERBREAD CORPSES
Another recipe from the infamous-long-since-forgotten-emailing-list. It begins, “Who wouldn't love biting the head off a little gingerbread man?? It's a perfect cookie for Halloween trick-or-treaters or for anytime you feel like being an aggressive eater!”
Note: In this day and age, though, I'd have to add: don't pass out to trick-or-treaters unless you know them and their parents are with them and give their okay.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1 cup molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons warm water
1/4 cup raisins for decorating
Directions
In large bowl, cream shortening, sugar, egg and warmed molasses. Dissolve baking soda in warm water and add to egg mixture. Beat until smooth.
Slowly add flour, spices and salt. Mix until well blended.
Cover and chill for 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.
Roll out dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch on a floured surface. Cut out gingerbread men using cookie cutters and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
Use raisins to make eyes, noses and buttons. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.
Finishing Touches
Use icing to make "X"s for eyes, bloody gashes and decorate accordingly.
HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
And yet another recipe from the infamous-long-since-forgotten-emailing-list. It's amazing how many recipe emailing lists I was on, years ago. Most of them either stopped sending out recipes as members wandered away or whoever ran a list folded it. No matter.
This recipe makes 12 servings.
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 c. plus 1 tbsp. sugar
6 tbsp. butter, melted
16 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. each ginger & nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 pt. sour cream (2 c.)
1 tsp. vanilla
Whipped cream; toasted, sliced & whole unblanched almonds (optional garnishes)
Mix crumbs with 1 tablespoon sugar and the melted butter until blended. Press onto bottom of 8 or 9 inch springform pan; chill.
Beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, spices and salt. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
Pour into prepared crust.
Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 50 minutes. Remove cake; raise oven temperature to 400 degrees.
Mix well sour cream, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the vanilla. Spread over filling. Bake 8 minutes. Cool cake on rack. Remove sides of pan; chill cake. Before serving, garnish with border of whipped cream and/or almonds.
BAKED EYEBALLS CASSEROLE
This comes from Family Time.com, and starts off, "The 'eyeballs' that top our spooky casserole are made from mozzarella cheese and sliced olives. But the cheesy, baked pasta that lies below is a real treat that everyone will enjoy." Serves 8 (about 1 1/4 cups each); prep time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes.
This recipe can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
Vegetable cooking spray
1 jar (24 ounces) Prego® Italian Sausage & Garlic Italian Sauce
1 container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
7 cups bow tie-shaped pasta, cooked and drained
1 container (8 ounces) small fresh mozzarella cheese balls (about 1-inch)
Directions
2 tablespoons sliced pitted ripe olive
Spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch shallow baking dish with the cooking spray.
Mix 1 1/2 cups of the sauce, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and pasta in the prepared dish. Spread the remaining sauce over the pasta mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and cover the dish with foil.
Bake at 400°F. for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbling. Arrange the cheese balls randomly over the pasta mixture. Place a sliced olive on each cheese ball. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Tip: Easy Substitution Tip: If fresh mozzarella cheese balls are not available, substitute 1 package (8 ounces) fresh mozzarella cheese. Cut crosswise into thirds. Cut each third in 6 wedges, for triangle-shaped eyes.
SPICED PUMPKIN-RAISIN COOKIES
This comes from Giada De Laurentiis of Giada At Home on the Food Network. Makes 23 to 26 cookies. Total Time: 40 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 20 min; Level: Easy
You can view this online at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/spiced-pumpkin-raisin-cookies-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 cup raw sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins
Directions
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and allspice. Stir to blend well. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, syrup and vanilla; whisk to blend. Using a flexible rubber spatula, gradually stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture. Stir in the raisins.
For each cookie, drop 1 generous tablespoon of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the mounds about 1 inch apart (or use a mini ice cream scoop). Using moistened fingertips, flatten each to a 2-inch-diameter round. Sprinkle each cookie with a bit more raw sugar.
Bake the cookies until brown and a bit firm to the touch, 17 to 20 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to a rack and cool completely.
SPOOKY GHOST CUPCAKES
This is from The Baker Chick. It makes 20 cupcakes, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Seven Minute Frosting:
3/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
3 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
mini & regular chocolate chips for the face!
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350F. Line cupcake tins with liners, set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Make a small well in the middle of the bowl and add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, water and vanilla. Whisk the wet ingredients together and then incorporate the dry until smooth and lump-free.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full and bake for 20-23 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool while you make the frosting.
Place egg whites in the clean bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. In a small saucepan with a candy thermometer attached, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water.
On medium-high heat cook the sugar mixture until boiling. At that point- turn the mixer on medium high speed to get the egg whites to soft peaks. When the sugar mixture has reached 230F, slowly pour it down the side of the bowl in a steady stream while the mixture continues to run.
Beat on medium-high for about 7 minutes or until the bottom of the bowl is cool to the touch and stiff glossy peaks have formed. Add the vanilla right before you finish beating the frosting.
Pipe frosting onto the cupcakes right away (it gets a bit firm otherwise.) and decorate with the chocolate chips!
Notes:
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
It's also the unofficial start of the holiday season. As soon as Halloween is over, it's time to start looking forward to Thanksgiving, then the winter holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, the winter Solstice – then New Year's. Are you ready? I'm not sure I am!
Anyway, today's recipes include five snacky-type foods and one actual dinner idea (Baked Eyeballs Casserole). Enjoy!
HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN COOKIES
This comes from the infamous-long-since-forgotten-emailing-list.
1 stick butter or margarine
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. cooked pumpkin or pie filling
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar together in bowl. Add egg, pumpkin and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together and add to bowl. Mix. Drop by tablespoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
GINGERBREAD CORPSES
Another recipe from the infamous-long-since-forgotten-emailing-list. It begins, “Who wouldn't love biting the head off a little gingerbread man?? It's a perfect cookie for Halloween trick-or-treaters or for anytime you feel like being an aggressive eater!”
Note: In this day and age, though, I'd have to add: don't pass out to trick-or-treaters unless you know them and their parents are with them and give their okay.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1 cup molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons warm water
1/4 cup raisins for decorating
Directions
In large bowl, cream shortening, sugar, egg and warmed molasses. Dissolve baking soda in warm water and add to egg mixture. Beat until smooth.
Slowly add flour, spices and salt. Mix until well blended.
Cover and chill for 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.
Roll out dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch on a floured surface. Cut out gingerbread men using cookie cutters and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
Use raisins to make eyes, noses and buttons. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.
Finishing Touches
Use icing to make "X"s for eyes, bloody gashes and decorate accordingly.
HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
And yet another recipe from the infamous-long-since-forgotten-emailing-list. It's amazing how many recipe emailing lists I was on, years ago. Most of them either stopped sending out recipes as members wandered away or whoever ran a list folded it. No matter.
This recipe makes 12 servings.
1 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 c. plus 1 tbsp. sugar
6 tbsp. butter, melted
16 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. each ginger & nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 pt. sour cream (2 c.)
1 tsp. vanilla
Whipped cream; toasted, sliced & whole unblanched almonds (optional garnishes)
Mix crumbs with 1 tablespoon sugar and the melted butter until blended. Press onto bottom of 8 or 9 inch springform pan; chill.
Beat cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, spices and salt. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
Pour into prepared crust.
Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 50 minutes. Remove cake; raise oven temperature to 400 degrees.
Mix well sour cream, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the vanilla. Spread over filling. Bake 8 minutes. Cool cake on rack. Remove sides of pan; chill cake. Before serving, garnish with border of whipped cream and/or almonds.
BAKED EYEBALLS CASSEROLE
This comes from Family Time.com, and starts off, "The 'eyeballs' that top our spooky casserole are made from mozzarella cheese and sliced olives. But the cheesy, baked pasta that lies below is a real treat that everyone will enjoy." Serves 8 (about 1 1/4 cups each); prep time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes.
This recipe can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
Vegetable cooking spray
1 jar (24 ounces) Prego® Italian Sausage & Garlic Italian Sauce
1 container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
7 cups bow tie-shaped pasta, cooked and drained
1 container (8 ounces) small fresh mozzarella cheese balls (about 1-inch)
Directions
2 tablespoons sliced pitted ripe olive
Spray a 13 x 9 x 2-inch shallow baking dish with the cooking spray.
Mix 1 1/2 cups of the sauce, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and pasta in the prepared dish. Spread the remaining sauce over the pasta mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and cover the dish with foil.
Bake at 400°F. for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbling. Arrange the cheese balls randomly over the pasta mixture. Place a sliced olive on each cheese ball. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Tip: Easy Substitution Tip: If fresh mozzarella cheese balls are not available, substitute 1 package (8 ounces) fresh mozzarella cheese. Cut crosswise into thirds. Cut each third in 6 wedges, for triangle-shaped eyes.
SPICED PUMPKIN-RAISIN COOKIES
This comes from Giada De Laurentiis of Giada At Home on the Food Network. Makes 23 to 26 cookies. Total Time: 40 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 20 min; Level: Easy
You can view this online at http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/spiced-pumpkin-raisin-cookies-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 cup raw sugar, plus additional for sprinkling
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins
Directions
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and allspice. Stir to blend well. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, pumpkin puree, oil, syrup and vanilla; whisk to blend. Using a flexible rubber spatula, gradually stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture. Stir in the raisins.
For each cookie, drop 1 generous tablespoon of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the mounds about 1 inch apart (or use a mini ice cream scoop). Using moistened fingertips, flatten each to a 2-inch-diameter round. Sprinkle each cookie with a bit more raw sugar.
Bake the cookies until brown and a bit firm to the touch, 17 to 20 minutes. Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to a rack and cool completely.
SPOOKY GHOST CUPCAKES
This is from The Baker Chick. It makes 20 cupcakes, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt
3/4 cups buttermilk, room temperature
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs
3/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Seven Minute Frosting:
3/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
2 tablespoons water
3 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
mini & regular chocolate chips for the face!
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350F. Line cupcake tins with liners, set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
Make a small well in the middle of the bowl and add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, water and vanilla. Whisk the wet ingredients together and then incorporate the dry until smooth and lump-free.
Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full and bake for 20-23 minutes. Allow cupcakes to cool while you make the frosting.
Place egg whites in the clean bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment. In a small saucepan with a candy thermometer attached, combine the sugar, corn syrup and water.
On medium-high heat cook the sugar mixture until boiling. At that point- turn the mixer on medium high speed to get the egg whites to soft peaks. When the sugar mixture has reached 230F, slowly pour it down the side of the bowl in a steady stream while the mixture continues to run.
Beat on medium-high for about 7 minutes or until the bottom of the bowl is cool to the touch and stiff glossy peaks have formed. Add the vanilla right before you finish beating the frosting.
Pipe frosting onto the cupcakes right away (it gets a bit firm otherwise.) and decorate with the chocolate chips!
Notes:
Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
Monday, October 24, 2016
Meatless Monday
It's Monday, which, of course, means Meatless Monday. Here are six vegetarian recipes to help get your week started. Enjoy!
SPICED PUDDING
This yummy recipe comes from the November 2015 issue of Runner's World, page 58 (“Get Pump(kin)ed Up!”), and posted on September 29, 2015. The article begins, “Canned pumpkin is not only more convenient than fresh—it's better for you, too. One cup packs three times as much beta-carotene as boiled-and-mashed fresh pumpkin, plus seven grams of fiber. A caveat: 'Don't get the pre-spiced ‘pie’ mix that has lots of added sugar,' says longtime runner Mark Bittman [RW contributing food writer], whose latest book is A Bone to Pick, a collection of essays from The New York Times. 'You want pure puree.' Here's how he uses this seasonal favorite.”
The pudding recipe begins, “The texture of this pudding is so creamy, you'll swear there's dairy in here.” Makes 6 servings.
To view both this online, click here.
Ingredients
24 oz. silken tofu (about 3 cups)
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
1/3 cup maple syrup or other sweetener
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Directions
Put all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Puree until the tofu is smooth and the pumpkin is fully incorporated. Divide the mixture into six 1-cup bowls and refrigerate them until set, about 2 hours. Makes 6 servings.
BREAKFAST QUINOA
This is from Seattle’s Macrina Bakery. I highly recommend signing up for their e-newsletter.
Leslie Mackie wrote, “Savory egg, ham, and cheese combinations have always been a part of my favorite breakfasts. As much as I love vegetables, they just lack appeal to me in the morning. But recently I started cooking them with red quinoa and this dish has become my staple power breakfast. It’s a healthy, flavorful way to kick off your day. Not only are your taste buds satisfied, your body is nourished on high-protein quinoa, vitamin-rich broccoli, and energy-rich pecans. Best of all, on a busy weekday morning, I can throw this together almost as quickly as I can a bowl of oatmeal.” Serves 2.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup red quinoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 cups water
3 ounces (approx. 1 cup) broccoli florets
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons pecans, roasted and coarsely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
3/4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated
Rinse red quinoa through a strainer and place in a medium sauce pan. Add the salt and water and cover with a lid. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 15 minutes; the quinoa tails should be visible and the grain tender. Add the broccoli florets. Cover with lid again. Reduce heat to low and steam for 7-8 minutes.
Remove lid and add olive oil, lemon juice and pecans. Toss and season with salt and pepper. Divide between two soup plates or bowls. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.
BLACK BEAN AND CORN VEGETARIAN CHILI
This is from Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian Food expert. Jolinda wrote, “Who doesn't love a good vegetarian black bean chili recipe? This one is simple to prepare (don't be fooled by the long ingredients list) and is completely vegetarian, low in fat and gluten-free. Omit the cheese and optional sour cream topping if you need it to be vegan and dairy-free as well.
“Made with mostly canned ingredients, this a quick and easy vegetarian black bean chili recipe that's perfect even for novice chefs. Give it a try - it's practically foolproof! Black bean and corn chili recipe and photo courtesy of Bush's Beans.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 (6- or 8-inch) corn tortillas, cut into 2-inch strips
2 medium onions, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can corn, undrained
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Jalapeno Jack cheese (or a blend, optional for serving)
2 green onions, chopped (optional, for serving)
1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for serving)
Preparation
First, heat half the oil (one tablespoon) in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the cut tortillas and lightly brown. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate; let drain. These tortilla strips will top your chili and give it a fantastically crunchy finishing touch.
Next, heat the remaining oil (one tablespoon) in same large saucepan. Add the onion, red pepper, garlic and corn, then stir in the chili powder, oregano, cumin and cayenne pepper.
Allow to cook for four minutes, stirring often.
Next, add the beans and tomato sauce. Season with a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Allow to simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
Serve your black bean and corn chili topped with tortilla strips, cheese, green onions, sour cream and cilantro.
Nutritional Information, Per Serving: Calories: 399, Fat 15g, Sodium 1481mg, Dietary Fiber 14g, Protein 15g, Sugars 13g, Cholesterol 13mg
BLACK BEAN VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH SWEET POTATO
This is from Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian Food expert. For this one, Jolinda wrote, “I have to confess, chili is not my favorite of vegetarian meals, but even I couldn't stop eating this vegetarian and vegan black bean chili, it was just so flavorful! The sweet potatoes and carrots match perfectly with the spiciness of the fresh chili flavor. This is my new favorite homemade chili recipe!” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 3-4 servings (though it ends “Makes 5 servings of homemade black bean chili.”)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 medium carrots, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 15 ounce can black beans (or a little less than two cups, if you're cooking them fresh)
1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes or tomato sauce
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne (or to taste)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Preparation
Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil for a minute or two, then add sweet potatoes, carrots and bell pepper until onions are soft, about 5-6 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium low, and add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine well.
Simmer, partially covered and stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes, until flavors have mingled and vegetables are cooked.
ALL-IN-ONE CHOCOLATE CAKE
This comes from Nigella Lawson, from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. If you haven't signed up for their newsletter, I highly recommend it. Nigella writes, “This is the perfect chocolate cake: beautiful, melting, intense but not heavy. The batter comes together quickly in a food processor, and the cake bakes at 350 degrees for a while, giving the baker time to assemble the frosting, which is given a luscious sheen by a bit of corn syrup. Use the best chocolate you can find for the frosting, and gild it however you like: with a few flowers, some birthday candles or nothing at all.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 10 to 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
Butter for greasing baking pans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
For the Frosting:
6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
3 ounces ( 3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
Preparation
For cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides of two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process to make a smooth, thick batter.
Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans, and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.
For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners' sugar to thicken.
Cut four strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place them side by side on a cake plate, covering the surface. Place one cake layer domed-side down on plate.
Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed side up. Spoon another third of frosting on top of cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread sides of cake with remaining frosting, and allow to sit for a few minutes until set. Carefully remove paper strips. Place cake under glass or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool place until serving.
VEGGIE BURGER
This comes from Food.com. It begins, “A homemade substitute for hamburgers, if you ever have a veggie at a party or barbeque. Good, even without the bun!” Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 patties.
To view this online, go to http://www.food.com/recipe/veggie-burger-104977.
Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup mushroom, finely chopped
1/4 cup onion, finelly chopped
1 carrot, shredded
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste or 2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper, to taste
Directions
Throw all ingredients in food processor (or blender, if you don't have one).
Pulse (or blend) until coarsely chopped.
Chill mixture, then shape into four (4) 1/2-inch thick patties.
Now you can wrap and freeze them for later.
To cook, thaw patties in microwave, then broil 4-6 inches from heat for 10 to 15 minutes (or until warm in the middle).
You can do this in your broiler or on the grill.
Serve like you do your favorite meat patties!
SPICED PUDDING
This yummy recipe comes from the November 2015 issue of Runner's World, page 58 (“Get Pump(kin)ed Up!”), and posted on September 29, 2015. The article begins, “Canned pumpkin is not only more convenient than fresh—it's better for you, too. One cup packs three times as much beta-carotene as boiled-and-mashed fresh pumpkin, plus seven grams of fiber. A caveat: 'Don't get the pre-spiced ‘pie’ mix that has lots of added sugar,' says longtime runner Mark Bittman [RW contributing food writer], whose latest book is A Bone to Pick, a collection of essays from The New York Times. 'You want pure puree.' Here's how he uses this seasonal favorite.”
The pudding recipe begins, “The texture of this pudding is so creamy, you'll swear there's dairy in here.” Makes 6 servings.
To view both this online, click here.
Ingredients
24 oz. silken tofu (about 3 cups)
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
1/3 cup maple syrup or other sweetener
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Directions
Put all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Puree until the tofu is smooth and the pumpkin is fully incorporated. Divide the mixture into six 1-cup bowls and refrigerate them until set, about 2 hours. Makes 6 servings.
BREAKFAST QUINOA
This is from Seattle’s Macrina Bakery. I highly recommend signing up for their e-newsletter.
Leslie Mackie wrote, “Savory egg, ham, and cheese combinations have always been a part of my favorite breakfasts. As much as I love vegetables, they just lack appeal to me in the morning. But recently I started cooking them with red quinoa and this dish has become my staple power breakfast. It’s a healthy, flavorful way to kick off your day. Not only are your taste buds satisfied, your body is nourished on high-protein quinoa, vitamin-rich broccoli, and energy-rich pecans. Best of all, on a busy weekday morning, I can throw this together almost as quickly as I can a bowl of oatmeal.” Serves 2.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup red quinoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
2-1/2 cups water
3 ounces (approx. 1 cup) broccoli florets
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons pecans, roasted and coarsely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
3/4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated
Rinse red quinoa through a strainer and place in a medium sauce pan. Add the salt and water and cover with a lid. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 15 minutes; the quinoa tails should be visible and the grain tender. Add the broccoli florets. Cover with lid again. Reduce heat to low and steam for 7-8 minutes.
Remove lid and add olive oil, lemon juice and pecans. Toss and season with salt and pepper. Divide between two soup plates or bowls. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.
BLACK BEAN AND CORN VEGETARIAN CHILI
This is from Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian Food expert. Jolinda wrote, “Who doesn't love a good vegetarian black bean chili recipe? This one is simple to prepare (don't be fooled by the long ingredients list) and is completely vegetarian, low in fat and gluten-free. Omit the cheese and optional sour cream topping if you need it to be vegan and dairy-free as well.
“Made with mostly canned ingredients, this a quick and easy vegetarian black bean chili recipe that's perfect even for novice chefs. Give it a try - it's practically foolproof! Black bean and corn chili recipe and photo courtesy of Bush's Beans.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 (6- or 8-inch) corn tortillas, cut into 2-inch strips
2 medium onions, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can corn, undrained
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Jalapeno Jack cheese (or a blend, optional for serving)
2 green onions, chopped (optional, for serving)
1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for serving)
Preparation
First, heat half the oil (one tablespoon) in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the cut tortillas and lightly brown. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate; let drain. These tortilla strips will top your chili and give it a fantastically crunchy finishing touch.
Next, heat the remaining oil (one tablespoon) in same large saucepan. Add the onion, red pepper, garlic and corn, then stir in the chili powder, oregano, cumin and cayenne pepper.
Allow to cook for four minutes, stirring often.
Next, add the beans and tomato sauce. Season with a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Allow to simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
Serve your black bean and corn chili topped with tortilla strips, cheese, green onions, sour cream and cilantro.
Nutritional Information, Per Serving: Calories: 399, Fat 15g, Sodium 1481mg, Dietary Fiber 14g, Protein 15g, Sugars 13g, Cholesterol 13mg
BLACK BEAN VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH SWEET POTATO
This is from Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian Food expert. For this one, Jolinda wrote, “I have to confess, chili is not my favorite of vegetarian meals, but even I couldn't stop eating this vegetarian and vegan black bean chili, it was just so flavorful! The sweet potatoes and carrots match perfectly with the spiciness of the fresh chili flavor. This is my new favorite homemade chili recipe!” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 3-4 servings (though it ends “Makes 5 servings of homemade black bean chili.”)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
2 medium carrots, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 15 ounce can black beans (or a little less than two cups, if you're cooking them fresh)
1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes or tomato sauce
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne (or to taste)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Preparation
Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil for a minute or two, then add sweet potatoes, carrots and bell pepper until onions are soft, about 5-6 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium low, and add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine well.
Simmer, partially covered and stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes, until flavors have mingled and vegetables are cooked.
ALL-IN-ONE CHOCOLATE CAKE
This comes from Nigella Lawson, from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. If you haven't signed up for their newsletter, I highly recommend it. Nigella writes, “This is the perfect chocolate cake: beautiful, melting, intense but not heavy. The batter comes together quickly in a food processor, and the cake bakes at 350 degrees for a while, giving the baker time to assemble the frosting, which is given a luscious sheen by a bit of corn syrup. Use the best chocolate you can find for the frosting, and gild it however you like: with a few flowers, some birthday candles or nothing at all.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 10 to 12 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
Butter for greasing baking pans
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder
6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature
For the Frosting:
6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
3 ounces ( 3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
Preparation
For cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides of two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process to make a smooth, thick batter.
Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans, and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.
For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners' sugar to thicken.
Cut four strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place them side by side on a cake plate, covering the surface. Place one cake layer domed-side down on plate.
Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed side up. Spoon another third of frosting on top of cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread sides of cake with remaining frosting, and allow to sit for a few minutes until set. Carefully remove paper strips. Place cake under glass or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool place until serving.
VEGGIE BURGER
This comes from Food.com. It begins, “A homemade substitute for hamburgers, if you ever have a veggie at a party or barbeque. Good, even without the bun!” Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 patties.
To view this online, go to http://www.food.com/recipe/veggie-burger-104977.
Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup mushroom, finely chopped
1/4 cup onion, finelly chopped
1 carrot, shredded
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste or 2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper, to taste
Directions
Throw all ingredients in food processor (or blender, if you don't have one).
Pulse (or blend) until coarsely chopped.
Chill mixture, then shape into four (4) 1/2-inch thick patties.
Now you can wrap and freeze them for later.
To cook, thaw patties in microwave, then broil 4-6 inches from heat for 10 to 15 minutes (or until warm in the middle).
You can do this in your broiler or on the grill.
Serve like you do your favorite meat patties!
Friday, October 21, 2016
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. It always feels good to get to the end of the week. According to weather reports, Florida is supposed to be cooling off (again). Cooler temps, low humidity...that works!
And now, for today's six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!
FARROW BLACK BEANS MEXICAN BOWL [VEGAN]
This recipe comes from One Green Planet, and begins, “My idea was to make a one pan, flavorful, Mexican meal – so I flavored the warm oil with garlic and oregano first and then mixed in the rest of the ingredients except lettuce and avocados. I love the fresh and crunchy texture of lettuce, and fresh sliced avocados give this Farro Black Beans Mexican Bowl a light creamy texture. Serve this healthy, nutritious and vegan Mexican bowl to yourself and feel the happiness and energy flowing in your body.” Cook Time: 10 minutes; Serves: 4; Calories: 435
To view this online, go to http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/farro-black-beans-mexican-bowl/.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chopped garlic
2 tsp oregan
1 cup red onions (chopped)
1 cup green bell pepper (chopped)
1 tbsp jalapeno pepper (seeds removed and chopped)
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
3 roma tomatoes (blanched, peeled and mashed)
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
1 15 oz. can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp lime juice
2 cups farrow (cooked)
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 whole avocado (seed removed and sliced/chopped
Preparation
Heat oil in a nonstick pan and add garlic, oregano and onions. Saute well.
Add green bell pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, tomatoes. Mix, cover and cook for 2 minutes.
Add sugar, corn, black beans, salt, lime juice.
Mix very well and cover and cook for 3 – 4 minutes.
Lastly add farro and mix well so that farro is properly coated and turn off the flame.
In a serving bowl/plate empty the pan. Top it with lettuce and avocado and serve.
CORN SALSA
This yummy salsa comes from country singer Trisha Yearwood on The Food Network's website. Total Time: 1 hr. 15 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Inactive: 1 hour; Yield: Servings: about 5 cups; Level: easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/corn-salsa0.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 15 -ounce can yellow corn, drained
1 15-ounce can white corn, drained
1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles, drained
1 2 .5-ounce can sliced black olives, drained
4 scallions, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Mix the yellow and white corn, chiles, olives, scallions, tomatoes, jalapenos, vinegar, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Chill at least 1 hour.
Just before serving, add the cilantro to the salsa.
AWESOME SLOW COOKIER POT ROAST PLUS EXTRAS
This was posted on Allrecipes.com by “The Boss of Sauce (TBOS)”. The recipe begins, "This simple pot roast makes its own gravy in the slow cooker. As a single parent to girls, I am always trying to get the food groups into my abbreviated meals. I threw in potatoes, carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini to add to the original base recipe. They love stew, so this leads them in that direction, but is still a roast. It was a hit. I hope you enjoy it!" Time: 3 hours 15 minutes; makes 16 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 1/4 cups water
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
5 1/2 pounds pot roast
2 potatoes, cut into cubes
2 carrots, sliced and halved
1 yellow squash, sliced
1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
Directions
Stir cream of mushroom soup, water, and dry onion soup mix together in a slow cooker. Set pot roast into the soup mixture and spoon liquid over the meat. Add potatoes, carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini.
Cook on High until the beef is cooked through, 3 to 4 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). You can also cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours.
ORIGINAL PLUM TORTE
This is from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “The Times published Marian Burros’s recipe for Plum Torte every September from 1983 until 1989, when the editors determined that enough was enough. The recipe was to be printed for the last time that year. “To counter anticipated protests,” Ms. Burros wrote a few years later, “the recipe was printed in larger type than usual with a broken-line border around it to encourage clipping.” It didn’t help. The paper was flooded with angry letters. “The appearance of the recipe, like the torte itself, is bittersweet,” wrote a reader in Tarrytown, N.Y. “Summer is leaving, fall is coming. That's what your annual recipe is all about. Don't be grumpy about it.” We are not! And we pledge that every year, as summer gives way to fall, we will make sure that the recipe is easily available to one and all. The original 1983 recipe called for 1 cup sugar; the 1989 version reduced that to 3/4 cup. We give both options below. Here are five ways to adapt the torte.” Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Eating Well” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3/4 to 1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup unbleached flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt (optional)
2 eggs
24 halves pitted purple plums
Sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon, for topping
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the sugar and butter in a bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and eggs and beat well.
Spoon the batter into a springform pan of 8, 9 or 10 inches. Place the plum halves skin side up on top of the batter. Sprinkle lightly with sugar and lemon juice, depending on the sweetness of the fruit. Sprinkle with about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, depending on how much you like cinnamon.
Bake 1 hour, approximately. Remove and cool; refrigerate or freeze if desired. Or cool to lukewarm and serve plain or with whipped cream. (To serve a torte that was frozen, defrost and reheat it briefly at 300 degrees.)
Tip
To freeze, double-wrap the torte in foil, place in a plastic bag and seal.
CHICKEN PAILLARDS WTIH CORN SALAD
This comes from Florence Fabricant, in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Florence wrote, “This recipe brings together leafy herbs, the whisper of sweetness in fresh corn and summer squash, a ripe tomato, and a splash of lemon, creating a salad with farm-stand allure. It is served it with chicken paillards, and the meal would go great with a bottle of dry German riesling.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.
This was featured in “A Salad With Farm-Stand Allure”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, about 1 1/4 pounds, pounded thin
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 ears corn, kernels stripped
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced
1 medium-size yellow summer squash, diced
Salt and ground black pepper
1 medium yellow tomato, diced
1/3 cup flour
2 tablespoons minced cilantro leaves
Preparation
Mix mustard and 1/4 cup lemon juice in a shallow dish. Cut each chicken breast in half (lengthwise, so you have two thin filets) and place in the mustard mixture. Turn to coat both sides and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet, add onion and sauté on low a few minutes, until softened. Add corn, chile and squash and continue to cook until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, fold in tomato, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and set aside.
Remove chicken from marinade, dust with flour and season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining oil in a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan on medium-high heat and sear chicken, turning once, until lightly browned and just cooked through, about 5 minutes a side. Arrange on a serving platter. Add cooking oil to salad, fold in cilantro and spoon over and around chicken.
CREAMY CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
This comes from Reynolds Kitchens, and begins, “Enchiladas are simple and delicious when you line your pans with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil.” Prep Time: 15 - 25 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 6; Course: Main Dish.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream, divided
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
12 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1 1/2 cups salsa
Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking pan with Reynolds Wrap® 18-inch Wide Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil. Grease or spray foil to prevent sticking. Combine chicken and soup with half of sour cream, cheese and cilantro.
Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-sides down, in foil-lined pan. Top with salsa and remaining cheese. Cover with foil.
Bake for 15 minutes; remove foil. Continue baking 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with cilantro and sour cream.
And now, for today's six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!
FARROW BLACK BEANS MEXICAN BOWL [VEGAN]
This recipe comes from One Green Planet, and begins, “My idea was to make a one pan, flavorful, Mexican meal – so I flavored the warm oil with garlic and oregano first and then mixed in the rest of the ingredients except lettuce and avocados. I love the fresh and crunchy texture of lettuce, and fresh sliced avocados give this Farro Black Beans Mexican Bowl a light creamy texture. Serve this healthy, nutritious and vegan Mexican bowl to yourself and feel the happiness and energy flowing in your body.” Cook Time: 10 minutes; Serves: 4; Calories: 435
To view this online, go to http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/farro-black-beans-mexican-bowl/.
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp chopped garlic
2 tsp oregan
1 cup red onions (chopped)
1 cup green bell pepper (chopped)
1 tbsp jalapeno pepper (seeds removed and chopped)
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
3 roma tomatoes (blanched, peeled and mashed)
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
1 15 oz. can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp lime juice
2 cups farrow (cooked)
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 whole avocado (seed removed and sliced/chopped
Preparation
Heat oil in a nonstick pan and add garlic, oregano and onions. Saute well.
Add green bell pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, tomatoes. Mix, cover and cook for 2 minutes.
Add sugar, corn, black beans, salt, lime juice.
Mix very well and cover and cook for 3 – 4 minutes.
Lastly add farro and mix well so that farro is properly coated and turn off the flame.
In a serving bowl/plate empty the pan. Top it with lettuce and avocado and serve.
CORN SALSA
This yummy salsa comes from country singer Trisha Yearwood on The Food Network's website. Total Time: 1 hr. 15 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Inactive: 1 hour; Yield: Servings: about 5 cups; Level: easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/corn-salsa0.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 15 -ounce can yellow corn, drained
1 15-ounce can white corn, drained
1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles, drained
1 2 .5-ounce can sliced black olives, drained
4 scallions, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Mix the yellow and white corn, chiles, olives, scallions, tomatoes, jalapenos, vinegar, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Chill at least 1 hour.
Just before serving, add the cilantro to the salsa.
AWESOME SLOW COOKIER POT ROAST PLUS EXTRAS
This was posted on Allrecipes.com by “The Boss of Sauce (TBOS)”. The recipe begins, "This simple pot roast makes its own gravy in the slow cooker. As a single parent to girls, I am always trying to get the food groups into my abbreviated meals. I threw in potatoes, carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini to add to the original base recipe. They love stew, so this leads them in that direction, but is still a roast. It was a hit. I hope you enjoy it!" Time: 3 hours 15 minutes; makes 16 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 1/4 cups water
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
5 1/2 pounds pot roast
2 potatoes, cut into cubes
2 carrots, sliced and halved
1 yellow squash, sliced
1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
Directions
Stir cream of mushroom soup, water, and dry onion soup mix together in a slow cooker. Set pot roast into the soup mixture and spoon liquid over the meat. Add potatoes, carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini.
Cook on High until the beef is cooked through, 3 to 4 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). You can also cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours.
ORIGINAL PLUM TORTE
This is from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “The Times published Marian Burros’s recipe for Plum Torte every September from 1983 until 1989, when the editors determined that enough was enough. The recipe was to be printed for the last time that year. “To counter anticipated protests,” Ms. Burros wrote a few years later, “the recipe was printed in larger type than usual with a broken-line border around it to encourage clipping.” It didn’t help. The paper was flooded with angry letters. “The appearance of the recipe, like the torte itself, is bittersweet,” wrote a reader in Tarrytown, N.Y. “Summer is leaving, fall is coming. That's what your annual recipe is all about. Don't be grumpy about it.” We are not! And we pledge that every year, as summer gives way to fall, we will make sure that the recipe is easily available to one and all. The original 1983 recipe called for 1 cup sugar; the 1989 version reduced that to 3/4 cup. We give both options below. Here are five ways to adapt the torte.” Yield: 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Eating Well” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3/4 to 1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup unbleached flour, sifted
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt (optional)
2 eggs
24 halves pitted purple plums
Sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon, for topping
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the sugar and butter in a bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and eggs and beat well.
Spoon the batter into a springform pan of 8, 9 or 10 inches. Place the plum halves skin side up on top of the batter. Sprinkle lightly with sugar and lemon juice, depending on the sweetness of the fruit. Sprinkle with about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, depending on how much you like cinnamon.
Bake 1 hour, approximately. Remove and cool; refrigerate or freeze if desired. Or cool to lukewarm and serve plain or with whipped cream. (To serve a torte that was frozen, defrost and reheat it briefly at 300 degrees.)
Tip
To freeze, double-wrap the torte in foil, place in a plastic bag and seal.
CHICKEN PAILLARDS WTIH CORN SALAD
This comes from Florence Fabricant, in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Florence wrote, “This recipe brings together leafy herbs, the whisper of sweetness in fresh corn and summer squash, a ripe tomato, and a splash of lemon, creating a salad with farm-stand allure. It is served it with chicken paillards, and the meal would go great with a bottle of dry German riesling.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.
This was featured in “A Salad With Farm-Stand Allure”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, about 1 1/4 pounds, pounded thin
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 ears corn, kernels stripped
1 jalapeño chile, seeded and minced
1 medium-size yellow summer squash, diced
Salt and ground black pepper
1 medium yellow tomato, diced
1/3 cup flour
2 tablespoons minced cilantro leaves
Preparation
Mix mustard and 1/4 cup lemon juice in a shallow dish. Cut each chicken breast in half (lengthwise, so you have two thin filets) and place in the mustard mixture. Turn to coat both sides and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet, add onion and sauté on low a few minutes, until softened. Add corn, chile and squash and continue to cook until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, fold in tomato, add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and set aside.
Remove chicken from marinade, dust with flour and season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining oil in a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan on medium-high heat and sear chicken, turning once, until lightly browned and just cooked through, about 5 minutes a side. Arrange on a serving platter. Add cooking oil to salad, fold in cilantro and spoon over and around chicken.
CREAMY CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
This comes from Reynolds Kitchens, and begins, “Enchiladas are simple and delicious when you line your pans with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil.” Prep Time: 15 - 25 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 6; Course: Main Dish.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream, divided
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
12 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1 1/2 cups salsa
Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking pan with Reynolds Wrap® 18-inch Wide Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil. Grease or spray foil to prevent sticking. Combine chicken and soup with half of sour cream, cheese and cilantro.
Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up. Place, seam-sides down, in foil-lined pan. Top with salsa and remaining cheese. Cover with foil.
Bake for 15 minutes; remove foil. Continue baking 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with cilantro and sour cream.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Diabetic Thursday
If you've followed this blog for a while, you know that Thursdays are time for posting six diabetic recipes. Here are six that'll show how versatile and good diabetic food can be. Enjoy!
LOWER-CARB BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
This recipe begins, “Blueberry-filled muffins that have a cake-like texture.”
Yield: 12 muffins
Serving size: 1 muffin
See the recipe with photo here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/998.shtml
Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light margarine, softened
1 cup Splenda Essentials No Calorie Sweetener with Fiber, Granulated
1/4 cup honey
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed
Directions
Place oven rack in top 1/3 of oven.
Preheat oven to 400F.
Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Lightly spray liners with nonstick cooking spray.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.
Beat margarine at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add Splenda Essentials Granulated Sweetener and honey, beating until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Fold in blueberries.
Spoon batter evenly into paper lined muffin cups. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until golden. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Calories from Fat: 45; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 280 mg; Cholesterol: 35 mg; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g
STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD
Yield: 10 servings
Source: "Mr. Food Every Day's a Holiday Diabetic Cookbook"
Ingredients
1 package (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach, washed, dried and trimmed
1 pint fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced lengthwise to 1/4-inch thickness
1/2 of a small onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
Directions
Place the spinach in a large salad bowl; add the strawberries.
In a small bowl, combine the onion, sugar, water, vinegar, mustard, and oil. Whisk until well combined. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup): Calories: 79, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 23 mg, Carbohydrate: 6 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 1 g Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat
CHICKEN CASSOULET
Yield: 6 servings
Source: The Other Diabetes: Living and Eating Well with Type 2 Diabetes
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/32.shtml
Notes: Chicken and beans are flavored with a small amount of sausage in this easy version of a classic dish. But this lighter cassoulet contains just a fraction of the calories and saturated fat that you'd would find in a French country kitchen.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 large yellow onions, chopped
2 ounces hot Italian turkey sausage
3 medium carrots, cut into chunks
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 sun-dried tomatoes, cut into strips
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, defatted
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat; add the chicken, onions, and sausage, and cook until the chicken and sausage are brown on both sides. Break up the sausage into small pieces. Add the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil.
Bake, covered, for 1 hour. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:Calories: 290, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrate: 25 g, Sodium: 205, Potassium: 746, Fiber: 6 g Exchanges: 4 Vegetable, 2-1/2 Lean Meat, 1 Fat
WARM CHICKEN SALAD
Yield: 4-1/2 cups (6 servings)
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/379.shtml
Ingredients
2 cups diced cooked chicken (8 ounces)
2 cups chopped celery
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped pimiento
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup (about 1 ounce) grated or shredded Swiss cheese
2 cups (2-oz) fat-free or reduced-fat potato chips, coarsely crushed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart casserole with non-stick pan spray.
Mix all the ingredients except the cheese and potato chips in a large bowl. Turn into the casserole. Top with the cheese and crushed potato chips.
Bake about 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the salad is hot.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 212; Protein: 15 g ; Fat: 11 g ; Sodium: 439 mg; Cholesterol: 43 mg; Carbohydrates: 13 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 2 Medium-Fat Meat
MERINGUE COOKIES
Yield: 3-1/2 dozen cookies (14 Servings)
Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/26.shtml
View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/511.shtml
Ingredients
2 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans or almonds
Directions
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or non-stick oven liner film.
Put the egg whites and lemon juice in a chilled bowl. Beat with an electric mixer to a soft foam. Slowly beat in the sugar, mixing well after each addition. Continue beating at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla and salt. Gently fold in the nuts.
Drop the batter by heaping teaspoons onto the cookie sheets. Shape with the back of a spoon onto 1-inch circles. Bake until set and firm, about 1 hour. Turn off the oven but leave the cookies there until the oven is completely cool. Remove the cookies from the oven and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 46; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 18 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Sugars: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Other Carbohydrate
CUBAN BLACK BEANS
Source: How to Cook for People with Diabetes
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/262.shtml
Contains 9 grams of dietary fiber
8 servings Serving size: 1 cup
Ingredients
2-1/2 cups dried black beans
Enough water to cover the beans
2 qt water
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, sliced
1 tsp oregano
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp lime juice
2 tsp cumin
Directions
Cover the beans with cold water and soak them for 8-12 hours. Discard the water. Then combine all ingredients in a large stock- pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat and allow beans to simmer for 1 1/2 – 2 hours with cover slightly ajar. (The age of dried beans affects their cooking time. Older beans take longer; fresh beans cook faster.)
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 233; Protein: 13 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 29 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 37 g; Exchanges: 2-1/2 Starch; 1 Lean Meat
LOWER-CARB BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
This recipe begins, “Blueberry-filled muffins that have a cake-like texture.”
Yield: 12 muffins
Serving size: 1 muffin
See the recipe with photo here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/998.shtml
Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light margarine, softened
1 cup Splenda Essentials No Calorie Sweetener with Fiber, Granulated
1/4 cup honey
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed
Directions
Place oven rack in top 1/3 of oven.
Preheat oven to 400F.
Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Lightly spray liners with nonstick cooking spray.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.
Beat margarine at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add Splenda Essentials Granulated Sweetener and honey, beating until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Fold in blueberries.
Spoon batter evenly into paper lined muffin cups. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until golden. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Calories from Fat: 45; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 280 mg; Cholesterol: 35 mg; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g
STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD
Yield: 10 servings
Source: "Mr. Food Every Day's a Holiday Diabetic Cookbook"
Ingredients
1 package (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach, washed, dried and trimmed
1 pint fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced lengthwise to 1/4-inch thickness
1/2 of a small onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
Directions
Place the spinach in a large salad bowl; add the strawberries.
In a small bowl, combine the onion, sugar, water, vinegar, mustard, and oil. Whisk until well combined. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup): Calories: 79, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 23 mg, Carbohydrate: 6 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 1 g Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat
CHICKEN CASSOULET
Yield: 6 servings
Source: The Other Diabetes: Living and Eating Well with Type 2 Diabetes
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/32.shtml
Notes: Chicken and beans are flavored with a small amount of sausage in this easy version of a classic dish. But this lighter cassoulet contains just a fraction of the calories and saturated fat that you'd would find in a French country kitchen.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 large yellow onions, chopped
2 ounces hot Italian turkey sausage
3 medium carrots, cut into chunks
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 sun-dried tomatoes, cut into strips
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, defatted
1 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat; add the chicken, onions, and sausage, and cook until the chicken and sausage are brown on both sides. Break up the sausage into small pieces. Add the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil.
Bake, covered, for 1 hour. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:Calories: 290, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrate: 25 g, Sodium: 205, Potassium: 746, Fiber: 6 g Exchanges: 4 Vegetable, 2-1/2 Lean Meat, 1 Fat
WARM CHICKEN SALAD
Yield: 4-1/2 cups (6 servings)
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/379.shtml
Ingredients
2 cups diced cooked chicken (8 ounces)
2 cups chopped celery
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup slivered almonds
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped pimiento
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup (about 1 ounce) grated or shredded Swiss cheese
2 cups (2-oz) fat-free or reduced-fat potato chips, coarsely crushed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart casserole with non-stick pan spray.
Mix all the ingredients except the cheese and potato chips in a large bowl. Turn into the casserole. Top with the cheese and crushed potato chips.
Bake about 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the salad is hot.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 212; Protein: 15 g ; Fat: 11 g ; Sodium: 439 mg; Cholesterol: 43 mg; Carbohydrates: 13 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 2 Medium-Fat Meat
MERINGUE COOKIES
Yield: 3-1/2 dozen cookies (14 Servings)
Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes
Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/26.shtml
View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/511.shtml
Ingredients
2 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup finely chopped pecans or almonds
Directions
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or non-stick oven liner film.
Put the egg whites and lemon juice in a chilled bowl. Beat with an electric mixer to a soft foam. Slowly beat in the sugar, mixing well after each addition. Continue beating at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla and salt. Gently fold in the nuts.
Drop the batter by heaping teaspoons onto the cookie sheets. Shape with the back of a spoon onto 1-inch circles. Bake until set and firm, about 1 hour. Turn off the oven but leave the cookies there until the oven is completely cool. Remove the cookies from the oven and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 46; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 18 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Sugars: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Other Carbohydrate
CUBAN BLACK BEANS
Source: How to Cook for People with Diabetes
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/262.shtml
Contains 9 grams of dietary fiber
8 servings Serving size: 1 cup
Ingredients
2-1/2 cups dried black beans
Enough water to cover the beans
2 qt water
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, sliced
1 tsp oregano
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp lime juice
2 tsp cumin
Directions
Cover the beans with cold water and soak them for 8-12 hours. Discard the water. Then combine all ingredients in a large stock- pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat and allow beans to simmer for 1 1/2 – 2 hours with cover slightly ajar. (The age of dried beans affects their cooking time. Older beans take longer; fresh beans cook faster.)
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 233; Protein: 13 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 29 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 37 g; Exchanges: 2-1/2 Starch; 1 Lean Meat
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Soup's On!
I know it's been a little unseasonably warm the past few days, but apparently it's supposed to cool off in the next couple of days. That should be a relief for anyone waiting for more fall-like weather. And what's better for cooler weather than soup? I still have good memories of my mom serving up homemade soup out of a huge soup tureen on cool nights.
That said, here are six yummy soup recipes to try your hand - and spoon - at. Enjoy!
EASY PEA SOUP
This comes from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Nigella wrote, “One of my regular near-instant meals is pea soup, which I make by tossing sliced scallions in a little garlic-infused oil (or using regular olive oil and mincing a clove of garlic into it) and then by adding peas from the freezer.” Yield: 2 to 4 servings; Time: 15 minutes.
This was featured in “AT MY TABLE; In January, Comfort Comes On the Stove or in a Bowl and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon garlic-infused oil
2 scallions, finely sliced
4 cups (two 10-ounce packages) frozen peas
Chicken or vegetable stock concentrate (powder, paste or cube)
2 to 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Place a saucepan over medium-low heat, and add oil and scallions. Stir until heated, then add frozen peas. Stir well with a wooden spoon.
Add 3 cups boiling water and stock concentrate to taste. Cover, and cook at a lively simmer until peas are tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and allow to cool until no longer steaming.
Transfer soup to a blender. Add cheese, and purée until mixture is very smooth. Serve immediately or, if desired, reheat to taste.
HERBED CARROT SOUP
From the December 2005 issue of Runner's World; reprinted from HerbWise: Growing, Cooking, WellBeing, by Bruce Burnett
2 pounds of carrots, chopped
1 large onion, diced
6 sprigs of fresh parsley, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 6 six black peppercorns, bundled together so that they can be easily removed after cooking
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 Tbs of butter
6 C of vegetable stock
Freshly grated mace or nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste
Lightly sauté the onion & garlic in the butter. Add the stock & carrots & simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the bundle of herbs & continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. Remove the herbs, allow the soup to cool, & put it through the blender in batches. Reheat the soup over low heat while adding the mace or nutmeg & salt & pepper to taste. Serve with some fresh, homemade bread & garnish with some fresh parsley & a little chopped fresh thyme.
Note: The original recipe called for vegetable or chicken stock.
ROASTED PUMPKIN AND LEEK SOUP
This comes from Jen Hoy, About.com’s Whole Foods Cooking expert. Jen wrote, “This roasted pumpkin and leek soup brings the quintessential flavors of fall to the table. It's an easy recipe and can be made with Cinderella pumpkin (pictured), the small, richly flavored sugar pumpkin, or from Hokkaido squash, Red Kuri, Kabocha, or any other deep orange, dense squash. Orange squash and pumpkin are marvelously rich in nutrients, especially beta-carotene, and very nourishing to the spleen and stomach. Roasting the vegetables creates a rich and more complex flavor, and actually makes for an easy soup: all you do is add water to the roasted veggies. You can add a dab of Romesco Sauce when serving to give a bit of extra richness to the soup, but we like it as is!” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: Serves 4 - 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds pumpkin or deep orange squash, peeled and cut into 1” chunks* (See note below)
1 large onion, cut into 1” chunks
2 carrots, scrubbed and chopped
2 leeks, washed well and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups water, Vegetable Broth, or Chicken Broth
1 branch of fresh thyme
2 teaspoons ground cumin, curry or other spice as desired
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
*Note: If you don’t want to peel the squash ahead of time, cut it into larger (3-inch or so) pieces and remove the skin before adding it to the soup pot. Unlike raw, cooked squash is very easy to peel. Toss the vegetables with the olive oil in a roasting pan and spread them out corner to corner. Roast the vegetables in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes, or until they are beginning to soften and take a bit of golden color.
Remove the tray from the oven. (If you need to peel the squash, let the vegetables sit until the pumpkin is cool enough to handle).
Place the veggies in a soup pot with water or broth to cover and add the thyme and desired spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft. Puree the soup with an immersion or standard blender, season to taste and serve.
APPLE RUTABAGA SOUP
This came from Brett Moore, About.com’s Gourmet Food expert. He wrote, “Here's a beautiful comfort soup from Chef Patrick O'Connell (The Inn at Little Washington). Delicious and complex flavors with a velvety texture. Perfect for those cold winter days.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 stick (1/4 pound) butter
1 cup onion, roughly chopped
1 cup Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and roughly chopped
1 cup rutabaga, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup butternut squash, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped
1 cup carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped
1 quart good chicken stock
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup maple syrup
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
Preparation:
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, apple, rutabaga, squash, carrots and sweet potato and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until all of the vegetables are cooked through and tender.
Puree the vegetables in a blender or food processor. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into the same pot you used to cook the vegetables. Add the cream, maple syrup, salt and cayenne pepper.
Return the pot to the stove, bring the soup to a simmer, and serve.
PUMPKIN SOUP
Yield: 5 servings (1 cup each)
Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes
Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/409.shtml
Ingredients
2 teaspoons margarine
3/4 cup chopped onion
One 16-ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
2 cups Homemade Chicken Broth OR canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves or ground nutmeg
1 cup fat-free milk
Directions
Melt the margarine in a medium saucepan. Saute the onion until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the pumpkin, broth, sugar, salt, and cloves; stir to mix well. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Puree until smooth in a blender or food processor. Return to the saucepan. Add the milk; heat thoroughly but do not boil. Serve at once.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 89; Protein: 4 g; Sodium: 318 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch
OCTOBER BISQUE
Prep Time: 20 Minutes - Cost: $
Servings: 8 - Difficulty Level: 2
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/173.shtml
Ingredients
1 large onion, chopped
4 tbsp butter
4 cups vegetable broth
1 (28oz) can whole tomatoes, undrained
1 tbsp sugar
2 (16oz) cans pumpkin, or 4 cups pureed pumpkin
2 tbsp chopped, fresh parsley
2 tbsp chopped, fresh chives
Directions
Sauté onion in butter until tender. Add broth and simmer 15 minutes.
Process tomatoes in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add tomato and remaining ingredients to broth. Heat to serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 154; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 7.5 g; Sodium: 764 mg; Cholesterol: 16 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread; 1-1/2 Vegetable; 1-1/4 Fat
That said, here are six yummy soup recipes to try your hand - and spoon - at. Enjoy!
EASY PEA SOUP
This comes from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Nigella wrote, “One of my regular near-instant meals is pea soup, which I make by tossing sliced scallions in a little garlic-infused oil (or using regular olive oil and mincing a clove of garlic into it) and then by adding peas from the freezer.” Yield: 2 to 4 servings; Time: 15 minutes.
This was featured in “AT MY TABLE; In January, Comfort Comes On the Stove or in a Bowl and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon garlic-infused oil
2 scallions, finely sliced
4 cups (two 10-ounce packages) frozen peas
Chicken or vegetable stock concentrate (powder, paste or cube)
2 to 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Place a saucepan over medium-low heat, and add oil and scallions. Stir until heated, then add frozen peas. Stir well with a wooden spoon.
Add 3 cups boiling water and stock concentrate to taste. Cover, and cook at a lively simmer until peas are tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and allow to cool until no longer steaming.
Transfer soup to a blender. Add cheese, and purée until mixture is very smooth. Serve immediately or, if desired, reheat to taste.
HERBED CARROT SOUP
From the December 2005 issue of Runner's World; reprinted from HerbWise: Growing, Cooking, WellBeing, by Bruce Burnett
2 pounds of carrots, chopped
1 large onion, diced
6 sprigs of fresh parsley, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 6 six black peppercorns, bundled together so that they can be easily removed after cooking
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 Tbs of butter
6 C of vegetable stock
Freshly grated mace or nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste
Lightly sauté the onion & garlic in the butter. Add the stock & carrots & simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the bundle of herbs & continue to simmer for another 20 minutes. Remove the herbs, allow the soup to cool, & put it through the blender in batches. Reheat the soup over low heat while adding the mace or nutmeg & salt & pepper to taste. Serve with some fresh, homemade bread & garnish with some fresh parsley & a little chopped fresh thyme.
Note: The original recipe called for vegetable or chicken stock.
ROASTED PUMPKIN AND LEEK SOUP
This comes from Jen Hoy, About.com’s Whole Foods Cooking expert. Jen wrote, “This roasted pumpkin and leek soup brings the quintessential flavors of fall to the table. It's an easy recipe and can be made with Cinderella pumpkin (pictured), the small, richly flavored sugar pumpkin, or from Hokkaido squash, Red Kuri, Kabocha, or any other deep orange, dense squash. Orange squash and pumpkin are marvelously rich in nutrients, especially beta-carotene, and very nourishing to the spleen and stomach. Roasting the vegetables creates a rich and more complex flavor, and actually makes for an easy soup: all you do is add water to the roasted veggies. You can add a dab of Romesco Sauce when serving to give a bit of extra richness to the soup, but we like it as is!” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: Serves 4 - 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds pumpkin or deep orange squash, peeled and cut into 1” chunks* (See note below)
1 large onion, cut into 1” chunks
2 carrots, scrubbed and chopped
2 leeks, washed well and cut into chunks
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups water, Vegetable Broth, or Chicken Broth
1 branch of fresh thyme
2 teaspoons ground cumin, curry or other spice as desired
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
*Note: If you don’t want to peel the squash ahead of time, cut it into larger (3-inch or so) pieces and remove the skin before adding it to the soup pot. Unlike raw, cooked squash is very easy to peel. Toss the vegetables with the olive oil in a roasting pan and spread them out corner to corner. Roast the vegetables in the middle of the oven for 35 minutes, or until they are beginning to soften and take a bit of golden color.
Remove the tray from the oven. (If you need to peel the squash, let the vegetables sit until the pumpkin is cool enough to handle).
Place the veggies in a soup pot with water or broth to cover and add the thyme and desired spices. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft. Puree the soup with an immersion or standard blender, season to taste and serve.
APPLE RUTABAGA SOUP
This came from Brett Moore, About.com’s Gourmet Food expert. He wrote, “Here's a beautiful comfort soup from Chef Patrick O'Connell (The Inn at Little Washington). Delicious and complex flavors with a velvety texture. Perfect for those cold winter days.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
1 stick (1/4 pound) butter
1 cup onion, roughly chopped
1 cup Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and roughly chopped
1 cup rutabaga, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup butternut squash, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped
1 cup carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped
1 quart good chicken stock
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup maple syrup
Salt and cayenne pepper to taste
Preparation:
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, apple, rutabaga, squash, carrots and sweet potato and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until all of the vegetables are cooked through and tender.
Puree the vegetables in a blender or food processor. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into the same pot you used to cook the vegetables. Add the cream, maple syrup, salt and cayenne pepper.
Return the pot to the stove, bring the soup to a simmer, and serve.
PUMPKIN SOUP
Yield: 5 servings (1 cup each)
Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes
Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/409.shtml
Ingredients
2 teaspoons margarine
3/4 cup chopped onion
One 16-ounce can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
2 cups Homemade Chicken Broth OR canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves or ground nutmeg
1 cup fat-free milk
Directions
Melt the margarine in a medium saucepan. Saute the onion until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the pumpkin, broth, sugar, salt, and cloves; stir to mix well. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Puree until smooth in a blender or food processor. Return to the saucepan. Add the milk; heat thoroughly but do not boil. Serve at once.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 89; Protein: 4 g; Sodium: 318 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch
OCTOBER BISQUE
Prep Time: 20 Minutes - Cost: $
Servings: 8 - Difficulty Level: 2
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/173.shtml
Ingredients
1 large onion, chopped
4 tbsp butter
4 cups vegetable broth
1 (28oz) can whole tomatoes, undrained
1 tbsp sugar
2 (16oz) cans pumpkin, or 4 cups pureed pumpkin
2 tbsp chopped, fresh parsley
2 tbsp chopped, fresh chives
Directions
Sauté onion in butter until tender. Add broth and simmer 15 minutes.
Process tomatoes in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add tomato and remaining ingredients to broth. Heat to serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 154; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 7.5 g; Sodium: 764 mg; Cholesterol: 16 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread; 1-1/2 Vegetable; 1-1/4 Fat
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