Friday Recipes

It's Friday. Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!

BASIC TOMATO SAUCE

This was in the October 2016 issue Runner's World. Makes 1 quart. It is adapted from Scratch: Home Cooking for Everyone Made Simple, Fun, and Totally Delicious, by Maria Rodale. Available in October, published by Rodale, owner of Runner’s World.

This can be viewed online at http://www.runnersworld.com/recipes/have-a-pasta-party-from-scratch/.

This recipe begins, “Using the whole tomato, but squeezing out some of the juice, makes it just right.”

Ingredients

5 lb. tomatoes

1 clove garlic, peeled

1 tsp. salt

Leaves from 1 sprig fresh basil

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Cut out any brown spots from the tomatoes, core, halve through the equator, and gently squeeze the juice from the tomatoes. (Don’t squeeze too hard; you still want a bit of juice in there.) Working in batches, place the tomatoes in a food processor or blender with the garlic, salt, and basil and process to combine. If you prefer a chunky tomato sauce, simply cut the tomatoes into quarters and roughly mash with a potato masher. In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the tomato pulp, stir, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 hours, until the sauce has reached your desired consistency. Pour the hot sauce into wide-mouthed glass jars, leaving 1 inch of space at the top for the sauce to expand. Let the jars cool before you put them in the freezer to freeze for up to 10 months (be sure to label and date them!). Makes 1 quart.

Nutrition Information: Calories per 1/2-cup serving: 67; Protein: 3 g; Carbs: 11 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 7 g; Total fat: 2 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 305 mg

CLAM LINGUINE

This was in the October 2016 issue Runner's World, page 47. Makes 4 to 8 servings. It is adapted from Scratch: Home Cooking for Everyone Made Simple, Fun, and Totally Delicious, by Maria Rodale. Available in October, published by Rodale, owner of Runner’s World.

This can be viewed online at http://www.runnersworld.com/recipes/have-a-pasta-party-from-scratch/.

Ingredients

1 lb. linguine

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp. butter

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 lb. chopped fresh clams

1 cup heavy (whipping) cream

1/2 cup grated Romano cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Cook linguine according to package directions. In large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until golden. Add clams and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add cream and 1/4 cup of Romano, and heat until it just comes to a boil. Drain pasta and add to skillet with parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine. Makes 4 to 8 servings.

Nutrition Information: Calories per serving (for 4): 887; Protein: 37 g; Carbs: 91 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 5 g; Total fat: 41 g; Saturated fat: 21.5 g; Sodium: 1136 mg

STUFFED PEPPERS WITH GROUND BEEF AND RICE

This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “These traditional stuffed peppers are filled with ground beef and rice. It's classic comfort food, and it is one of our favorite recipes. This is a tried-and-true old-fashioned favorite. Stuffed bell peppers make a delicious meal with a tossed salad, or served with mashed or baked potatoes.

“Bake these stuffed peppers for a satisfying everyday family meal.”

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 85 minutes; Total Time: 110 minutes; Yield: 6 Servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 green peppers, or use a combination of green and red bell peppers or other colors

1 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil

2 teaspoons salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (at least 85%)

1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain rice

Shredded mild Cheddar cheese, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, optional

Preparation

Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and rinse them under cold water; remove seeds and cut away the membranes, which might be bitter. Chop the edible part of tops and set aside. Place peppers in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil is hot and the butter is foamy. Sauté the chopped bell pepper (from the tops), chopped onion, and chopped celery for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add the (undrained) canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed garlic, oregano, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently stir to blend; add ground beef, cooked rice, and 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture. Mix well.

Heat the oven to 350° F.

Stuff the peppers loosely with the meat mixture and place in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Pour the remaining tomato mixture over the stuffed peppers.

Bake the peppers for about 45 minutes, or until the meat mixture is thoroughly cooked. To check the internal temperature, use an instant-read thermometer. The temperature should be at least 160° F for ground beef, pork or lamb, or 165° F for ground turkey or chicken.

Tips and Variations

Top stuffed peppers with a little shredded Cheddar cheese just before they are done and then return them to the oven and bake just until the cheese has melted.

Use green bell peppers or red bell peppers, or any combination of colors.

Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the ground beef in the recipe.

The peppers may also be halved horizontally so you have two halves to fill. You won't have the extra chopped pepper from the tops, but you can chop an extra bell pepper.

SLOW COOKER MACARONI AND CHEESE

This comes from country music star Trisha Yearwood, who also stars in The Food Network show Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. Total Time: 3 hr 25 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 3 hr 15 min; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Easy

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/crockpot-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

Cooking spray

8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked

One 12-ounce can evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1/4 cup (1/2 stick ) of butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

2 large eggs, beaten

Two 10-ounce bricks sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 5 cups)

Dash of paprika

Directions

In a large 4-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray, mix the macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, butter, salt, pepper, eggs and all but 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Turn off the slow cooker, stir the mixture and serve hot.

WEIGHT WATCHERS VANILLA POUND CAKE

This came from Lainey6605 on Food.com. Lainey wrote, “This pound cake is sweet, moist and delicious. It will make 12 servings and is 5 points per serving, according to Weight Watchers.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes: Yield: 1 loaf, 12 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

cooking spray

2 large eggs

3 large egg whites

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

8 ounces light cream cheese

3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 1/3 cups sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon table salt

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Coat a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, vanilla extract and almond extract; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter until blended.

Beat in sugar, baking powder and salt until blended.

Beat in flour and egg mixture, little by little, beginning and ending with flour.

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 55 to 65 minutes.

Cool cake in pan on a wire rack.

Cut into 12 slices and serve.

Yields 1 slice per serving.

FRESH TOMATO SOUP

This comes from Stephanie Gallagher, About.com’s Cooking for Families expert. Stephanie wrote, “When your garden is overflowing with fresh tomatoes, this is the soup to make. Not only does this recipe showcase the sweet flavor of fresh tomatoes beautifully, it is also extremely versatile. You can make this soup with any fresh tomatoes you have, from cherry tomatoes to beefsteak tomatoes. By pureeing the soup, you don't need to seed or peel the tomatoes - everything just gets mixed in the blender - and you don't need any cream either.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 8 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 cups chopped fresh tomatoes (any kind)

1 medium onion, sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 quart vegetable broth or chicken broth

kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

3-4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1-3 teaspoons sugar

chopped fresh basil (for garnish)

Preparation

Place tomatoes, onions, garlic and broth in a large soup pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium, and let simmer 20 minutes until the tomatoes burst and the onions and garlic are soft. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer mixture in batches to a blender, and puree until smooth (I use my Vita-Mix Blender (compare prices), which I love, but it is pricey.)

Heat butter in another large soup pot over medium heat. Add flour, whisking until mixture turns golden brown. Season with salt and pepper.

Whisk the pureed tomato soup into butter-flour roux. Stir balsamic vinegar and sugar into the soup. Heat until tomato soup thickens. Taste, and adjust seasonings (add more salt, pepper, vinegar and/or sugar, as needed).

Ladle the soup into bowls, and serve, garnished with chopped fresh basil. Or let the soup cool completely, and transfer to freezer-safe containers to freeze.