Friday Recipes

Well, I'm finally back up and running...just in time for the weekend. Phew!!! Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Texas-Style Chili and Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes. Enjoy!

SPICY BROCCOLI RABE AND SAUSAGE PASTA

This was in the October 2016 issue Runner's World, page 45. Makes 6 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. pasta (any kind)

4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 lb. sausage, cut into 1" pieces

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 cups chopped broccoli rabe or broccoli florets

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Crushed red pepper flakes or hot chili oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Grated Romano cheese

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a large skillet, heat 2 Tbsp. of oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, stirring, for 6 minutes or until browned. Add garlic and broccoli rabe, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain pasta and add to skillet with remaining 2 Tbsp. oil, parsley, and pepper flakes. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Toss to combine. Top with cheese. Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 493; Protein: 23 g; Carbs: 58 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 3 g; Total fat: 18 g; Saturated fat: 4 g; Sodium: 503 mg

ABRUZZI FISH STEW

This was in the October 2016 issue Runner's World, page 45. Makes 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

2 lb. assorted fish and shellfish (such as snapper, cod, red mullet, clams, mussels, and shrimp)

4 large tomatoes, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves, plus extra for garnish

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. spaghetti

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut fish into 2" to 3" pieces, scrub the clams and mussels, and peel and devein the shrimp. In a heavy-bottomed 12" ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven, combine tomatoes, garlic, oil, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover with a lid and bake for 10 minutes. Season fish with salt and pepper, and gently add to tomatoes. Cover and bake for another 10 minutes or until fish is opaque. Scatter shellfish over the top, cover, and bake for another 10 minutes or until all shells have opened and shrimp is opaque.

While seafood bakes, cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain. Add pasta to seafood pan and mix gently to combine. Sprinkle with parsley. Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 415; Protein: 27 g; Carbs: 48 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 4 g; Total fat: 12 g; Saturated fat: 2 g; Sodium: 307 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.

ROASTED CARROT AND RED LENTIL RAGOUT

This is from Molly O’Neill in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Molly wrote, “Somehow, over the centuries, the word ragout (which in 17th-century France meant anything that stimulated appetite) has come to signify a dish of sturdy consolation. Nearly any simmered food, be it meat, vegetable, fish or fowl, can be called a ragout, although in France, it is generally assumed that the main ingredients will be of a uniform chunk cut into slightly smaller than bite-size pieces. This spicy carrot and lentil ragout can be served first as a main course and later extended with coconut milk or chicken broth to make a soup. Serve it over rice to temper the heat.”

Yield: 6 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

This was featured in “Food; Simmer Down” and can be viewed online here. Also, check out Melissa Clark’s guide, titled “How to Cook Beans” to help with the cooking process.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled

5 tablespoons olive oil

2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 medium onion, sliced thin

3/4 teaspoon ancho chili powder

3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup red lentils

5 cups chicken stock

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Lay the carrots in a roasting pan and toss with 3 tablespoons oil. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast for 20 minutes. Turn the carrots, add the onion and roast 15 minutes, until the carrots are brown and tender. When carrots are cool enough, cut them in 1/4-inch dice.

Warm 2 tablespoons oil in a saucepan. Add the carrot-and-onion mixture, the chili powders and the cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the lentils. Add the stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are falling apart. Season with remaining salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice, or as a thick soup.

RED VELVET MINI CUPCAKES

This comes from The Food Network and begins, “Oil takes the place of butter in these cupcakes, making them lower in fat, but also making the crumb moist. Also, all of the flour is whole wheat! The frosting is simply sweetened reduced-fat cream cheese, but it's plenty tasty.”

Total: 1 hr; Active: 20 min; Yield: 48 mini cupcakes (2 cupcakes per serving); Level: Easy

To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/red-velvet-mini-cupcakes-recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon fine salt

3/4 cup canola oil

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 tablespoon red food coloring

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup lowfat (1-percent) buttermilk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

Nonstick cooking spray, for coating ice cream scoop

8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 48 mini muffin cups (2 large tins or 4 small) with paper liners.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a medium bowl. Beat together the oil and granulated sugar on medium-high speed with a hand mixer in a large bowl until well combined. Add the egg and beat until well blended. Beat in the food coloring and 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla.

On low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk in thirds, beginning and ending with the flour, beating well after each addition. Whisk together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl, and then beat into the batter until fully incorporated.

Using a small ice cream scoop sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, evenly divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Sift the confectioners' sugar over the mixture and beat until smooth. Beat in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Spread or pipe the frosting over the cooled cupcakes.

TEXAS-STYLE CHILI

This comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Texas-style chili is a bean-free stew that’s usually made with chunks of slow-cooked beef. Here, eggplant stands in for meat in the traditional thick, spicy sauce. Serve with chopped green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, tomato, shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn chips.” Serves 6.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

3 mulato or pasilla dried chiles

2 costeno dried chiles

1 cascabel dried chile

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks

1 medium onion, cut into chunks

4 cloves garlic, peeled

1 15-oz. can whole tomatoes

1 1/2 Tbs. chili powder

2 tsp. light brown sugar or 1 tsp. molasses, optional

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. dried oregano

4 medium Japanese eggplant, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks

2 Tbs. masa harina

Instructions:

Place dried chiles in medium bowl, and cover with 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Let stand 20 minutes, or until soft, pushing chiles under water occasionally. Let liquid cool until chiles are easy to handle.

Remove tough stems and seeds from rehydrated chiles, using soaking liquid to rinse away seeds. Coarsely chop chiles, and strain liquid to remove seeds. Set aside.

Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, onion, and garlic, and sear 1 to 2 minutes, or until beginning to brown. Add chiles with soaking liquid, tomatoes with juice, chili powder, brown sugar (if using), cumin, oregano, and 4 cups water. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, and simmer 30 minutes.

Remove pot from heat, and blend chiles and vegetables with immersion blender until smooth. Stir in eggplant chunks, then cover pot, and simmer 30 minutes over medium heat, or until eggplant is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in masa harina, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 148; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 242 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 10 g