If you're looking for something new to drink, today's Drinks post is sure to help. Check out the Blueberry-Apple Slushes, the Watermelon Ginger Beer, and the rest of today's offerings. Enjoy!
WHIPPED COFFEE
This recipe is from Vaughn Vreeland in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Vaughn wrote, "This Instagram-famous drink, known as whipped coffee or dalgona coffee, is made by whipping instant coffee with sugar and water, resulting in a butterscotch-hued foam that’s spooned over milk. While it seems like a trend, many have been making whipped coffee for years. In India and Pakistan, whipped coffee has long been a popular home brew, known as phenti hui. In Greece, the frappé is dalgona’s older, frothier sibling. And, more generally, there are versions that are shaken with egg whites and served with condensed milk."
Yield: 1 drink
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021005-whipped-coffee. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons granulated instant coffee (regular or decaffeinated)
1-1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons hot water
Ice, as needed
Milk, as needed
Preparation
Combine granulated instant coffee, sugar and hot water in a medium bowl.
Whip by hand using a whisk or with a mixer until the mixture turns from foamy to frothy to creamy.
Spoon the fluffy mixture over milk in a glass filled with ice. (You could also spoon it over warm milk for a hot drink.) Gently combine and serve.
CAFE DE OLLA
The recipe for this yummy coffee is from the December 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 47. It starts off, “Literally 'coffee from the pot,' this recipe offers a simple way to make coffee for a crowd, with a spiced twist that no one can resist.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 cinnamon sticks
4 star anise
4 allspice berries
4 whole cloves
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar or 4 oz. piloncillo (Mexican raw sugar cones)
2 cups medium grind, dark roast coffee beans
2 cups low-fat milk
1 cup coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa, optional
Directions
Lightly crush cinnamon sticks, star anise, allspice, and cloves with mortar and pestle. Place in resealable plastic bag, and pound with rolling pin. Transfer to large saucepan, and add sugar and 8 cups water. Bring mixture to a boil, and simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add coffee, and let steep 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, warm milk in small saucepan, and whisk until frothy.
Strain coffee through fine sieve or coffee filter into pitcher. Stir in coffee liqueur (if using). Serve with frothed milk.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 80; Protein: 2 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 35 mg; Fiber: 0 g; Sugar: 16 g; Gluten-Free
HOMEMADE GINGER TEA
This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Wondering how to make a simple and easy homemade ginger tea? Why go out and buy stale old tea bags when you can easily make your own fresh and homemade ginger tea at home using fresh ginger? Treat yourself to a cup of piping hot ginger tea, a healthy drink that's great for digestion.
”Here's how to make the tastiest and most soothing and healing ginger tea you've ever had! There's really no comparison.
“This healing ginger tea recipe actually comes from the raw food and natural health retreat center I used to work at in Thailand, where we served it to our guests bright and early every single morning, seven days a week. The secret to the perfect healing ginger tea? Lots and lots of fresh ginger, simmered for a long time to bring out the flavor, and the lime, which compliments the ginger perfectly, and plenty of natural agave nectar or honey for a refined sugar-free sweetener (or you might prefer it unsweetened, depending on your health goals - It's still delicious, I promise!). Try this simple ginger tea for an immune system boost or for an invigorating way to start the morning.
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 2 servings of ginger tea
To check this out online, click here.
Ingredients
About 2 inches of fresh raw ginger (use more or less, depending on how strong you want it!)
1-1/2 to 2 cups water
1 to 2 tablespoons honey (or agave nectar, to taste)
Optional: 1/2 lime (juiced, or to taste)
Directions
First, prepare the fresh ginger by peeling it and slicing it thinly to maximize the surface area. This will help you make a very flavorful ginger tea.
Boil the ginger in water for at least 10 minutes. For a stronger and tangier tea, allow to boil for 20 minutes or more, and use more slices of ginger. You really can't over do it, so feel free to add as much ginger and simmer it for as long as you want.
Remove from heat and add lime juice and honey (or agave nectar) to taste.
The secret to making a really flavorful ginger tea is to use plenty of ginger-more than you think you will need-and also to add a bit of lime juice and honey to your ginger tea. You will also probably want to add more honey than you think you will need as well.
Enjoy your hot ginger tea! A homemade ginger tea is excellent in soothing stomach aches and in aiding digestion.
APPLE CIDER FLOATS
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. The recipe begins, “You'll want to float away with these apple cider floats!”
Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Servings: 2
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 c. caramel sauce
1/2 c. cinnamon-sugar
2 c. apple cider, warmed
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
cinnamon sticks
Whipped cream, for serving
Apple slices
Directions
Pour caramel in a small dish. Dip the top of each mug in the caramel to rim the cup. Then dip the caramel rim in cinnamon-sugar.
Ladle apple cider into each mug then add a scoop of ice cream to each. Top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick.
Drizzle more caramel over the whipped cream and serve immediately.
WATERMELON GINGER BEER
This is from Nicole Taylor in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. The recipe begins, "The recipe for this batch drink, from Nicole Taylor’s book, “Watermelon and Red Birds,” includes the juice from a red-fleshed watermelon, ideally from one with seeds. (They can be hard to find; seedless melons work too.) If you own a juicer, proceed with the seeds and all and don’t worry about straining. Watermelon is over 90 percent water and is a nutrient-dense food. This drink can serve as an everyday accompaniment at breakfast, lunch, dinner or with a snack."
Total Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 drinks
This was featured in "Building a Juneteenth Menu for the 21st Century, One Recipe at a Time," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023219-watermelon-ginger-beer.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons fresh fennel fronds (optional)
Filtered water
6 cups (1-inch) cubed red watermelon (from about 3 pounds watermelon)
2 cups ginger beer, homemade or store-bought (see Tip)
Preparation
Divide the fennel fronds, if using, between two ice cube trays. Fill with filtered water and freeze until solid, 4 to 8 hours.
Meanwhile, place the watermelon in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Scrape the sides of the blender or food processor using a rubber spatula and blend again.
Place a fine metal sieve over a large bowl and strain the pureed watermelon through the sieve. (This should yield 2 to 3 cups of juice). Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve; it will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To serve, fill four highball glasses or rocks glasses with the ice cubes. Stir the watermelon juice and add 1/2 cup to each glass. Top off with 1/2 cup ginger beer.
Tip
Unlike ginger ale, ginger beer is fermented. It’s nonalcoholic and has a spicy kick and tends to have more flavor than the soft drink. If buying ginger beer from the store, try finding the options from Barritt’s or Bruce Cost.
BLUEBERRY-APPLE SLUSHES
This is from the August 2013 issue of Heart Insight, page 23. (This is the magazine for the American Heart Association.)
This recipe begins, "Refreshing and good for you, this fruit treat comes together in a flash and provides fiber from the apple and antioxidants from the deeply colored blueberries." Serves 4; 1 cup per serving
I was unable to find a link online for this, but did want to give a head's up on where I got this.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (no thawing necessary)
2 cups ice
1 large apple (about 8 ounces), any variety, cut into chunks (peel left on)
2/3 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup fresh blueberries (optional)
Directions
In a blender, process the ingredients except the 1/4 cup blueberries until smooth. Serve garnished with the remaining blueberries.
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Chicken
If you love Chicken, today's post is sure to please. Check out these six recipes, including Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole and Quick White Chicken Chili. Enjoy!
BARBECUE-CHEDDAR CHICKEN PASTA
This is from a Publix email. Servings: 6; Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours, 16 minutes
To view this online, go to https://ww4.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-simple-meals/barbecue-cheddar-chicken-pasta-with-simple-watermelon-ice-cream. It comes with another recipe (Simple Watermelon Ice Cream).
Ingredients
1 small red onion, coarsely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 block sharp cheddar cheese (6–8 oz), shredded
1 Deli smoked (or oven-roasted) chicken, shredded
4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained
2 cups no-salt-added chicken stock (or broth)
1/2 cup bold and spicy barbecue sauce
9 oz fresh linguine (or fettucine) pasta
3 oz presliced green onions
Directions
Chop red onion and pepper. Shred cheese (about 2 cups).
Shred chicken (2 cups).
Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces, then place in large sauté pan on medium (wash hands); cook bacon 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in pan.
Return pan to heat, then add red onions and peppers; cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lightly browned. Add tomatoes, stock, and barbecue sauce; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
Stir in chicken, pasta, and 1 cup cheese; cook and stir 2–3 minutes or until pasta is tender, cheese has melted, and sauce has thickened. Divide mixture among serving plates; top evenly with reserved bacon pieces, remaining 1 cup cheese, and green onions. Serve.
Aprons Advice
Complete your meal with fresh salad blend, steamed vegetables, crusty bread, and lemonade.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN WITH VEGETABLES
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Looking for a veggie-packed all-in-one chicken dish? This is it! This skillet meal takes no time to whip together. And, with its great color and nutrition plus authentic Asian flavor, it's sure to be a hit."
Cook Time: 12 minutes; Serves: 6; Serving Size: 4 ounces chicken strips and 3/4 cup veggies
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Chicken/Sweet-and-Sour-Chicken-with-Vegetables-103208.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola oil
1-1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks in syrup, drained and liquid reserved
1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1 medium-sized red bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup fresh snow peas, trimmed
Directions
In a large skillet or wok, heat oil over high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes, or until no pink remains.
Add pineapple chunks, water chestnuts, broccoli, and red pepper. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
In a small bowl, combine the reserved pineapple liquid, the soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, cornstarch, and sugar; mix well. Stir into skillet or wok and cook 3 minutes. Add snow peas and cook 1 minute, or until sauce has thickened. Serve immediately.
CHICKEN STIR-FRY
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Make a fabulous diabetic-friendly stir-fry with chicken, fresh vegetables, and low-sodium soy sauce! Our Chicken Stir-Fry is a weeknight winner, since it cooks up in just about 15 minutes. You'll love how flavorful this dinner dish is!"
Cook Time: 15 minutes; Serves: 4; Serving Size: 6 ounces chicken strips and 1/2 cup vegetables
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Chicken/Chicken-Stir-Fry.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
1-1/2 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces fresh asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup low sodium, fat-free chicken broth
2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Directions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 teaspoons oil until hot. Cook chicken and garlic 5 to 6 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Remove chicken to a plate. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil to skillet and cook asparagus, bell pepper, and ginger 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender.
In a small bowl, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, water, and black pepper. Whisk cornstarch into mixture until smooth.
Stir mixture into vegetables and cook 1 minute or until thickened. Add chicken to skillet and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Serve immediately.
CHICKEN BACON RANCH CASSEROLE
This is from the Pillsbury emailing list. It begins, "Level up your casserole game in the easiest way with a yummy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole. Simple, hearty and guaranteed to please, this creamy chicken pasta dish will have the whole family asking for seconds. Prep your casserole in just 20 minutes, then let your oven do all the heavy lifting—this chicken bacon ranch pasta bake is the definition of comfort food!"
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 45; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb penne pasta, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
1/2 cup ranch dressing
6 slices chopped cooked bacon
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
Chopped parsley, if desired
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray 13x9-inch pan.
In large bowl, place 1 lb cooked and drained penne pasta, 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce and 1/2 cup ranch dressing. Stir to combine. Pour mixture in pan; spread evenly.
Sprinkle 6 slices chopped cooked bacon evenly over top, then sprinkle with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz).
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
Don't skimp on the optional sprinkle of chopped parsley. It adds bright color and a fresh taste to your bacon ranch chicken bake.
Tip 2
If you don't have any leftover chicken, pick up a rotisserie chicken at your grocery store. A 2-lb bird will provide about 3 cups of meat.
Tip 3
To add a more distinct cheesy flavor to your chicken bacon casserole, use cheddar cheese instead of the mozzarella.
Tip 4
You can use any short pasta, including fusilli or rotini, in this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole recipe. The short noodles make the casserole easy to scoop up and serve.
ONE-POT CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA
This is from the Food Network. Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/one-pot-cajun-chicken-pasta-8051436.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4), cut into 1-inch pieces
2-1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
2 medium green bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
12 ounces smooth penne (see Cook's Note)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
6 ounces cream cheese, cubed, at room temperature
Kosher salt
4 scallions, sliced, for serving
Directions
Heat the oil in large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken just starts to change color and the spices are toasted, about 2 minutes.
Add the peppers and onions and cook until they just begin to release some of their juices, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until softened, 1 minute.
Add the pasta, chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it boils, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened and reduced by about half, about 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add the cream cheese and 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Stir until the cream cheese is combined and melted. Don't worry if the sauce looks runny, it will thicken as it sits. Top with sliced scallions.
Cook’s Note
The success of this recipe depends upon the specific pasta shape suggested, so we do not recommend substitutions.
QUICK WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
This is from Southern Living, and begins, "Comforting quick white chicken chili is ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish."
The recipe also begins, "Two store-bought shortcuts make this comforting soup a cinch to make. One is the chili seasoning mix, which not only thickens the soup, but adds heat and a smoky-earthy flavor from the cumin included in it. The other hero ingredient is shredded rotisserie chicken, one of our regular go-tos for effortless weeknight meals.
"Meanwhile, the canned green chiles impart a mild kick, and come in a close third for ingredient MVP too. All said and done, you truly cannot tell that this soup is semi-homemade."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/quick-white-chicken-chili-8712863.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (2 tsp.)
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 2 rotisserie chickens)
2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans chicken broth
2 (4-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
1 (1 1/4-oz.) pkg. white chicken chili seasoning mix
3 (15 1/2-oz.) cans white beans (such as navy beans), drained, rinsed, and divided
Toppings: Sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and chopped avocado
Ingredients
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until onion softens, about 4 minutes.
Stir in chicken, broth, chiles, seasoning mix, and 2 cans of the beans. Coarsely mash remaining 1 can beans; stir into chicken mixture.
Bring to a boil over high. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly and flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
BARBECUE-CHEDDAR CHICKEN PASTA
This is from a Publix email. Servings: 6; Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours, 16 minutes
To view this online, go to https://ww4.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-simple-meals/barbecue-cheddar-chicken-pasta-with-simple-watermelon-ice-cream. It comes with another recipe (Simple Watermelon Ice Cream).
Ingredients
1 small red onion, coarsely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 block sharp cheddar cheese (6–8 oz), shredded
1 Deli smoked (or oven-roasted) chicken, shredded
4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained
2 cups no-salt-added chicken stock (or broth)
1/2 cup bold and spicy barbecue sauce
9 oz fresh linguine (or fettucine) pasta
3 oz presliced green onions
Directions
Chop red onion and pepper. Shred cheese (about 2 cups).
Shred chicken (2 cups).
Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces, then place in large sauté pan on medium (wash hands); cook bacon 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in pan.
Return pan to heat, then add red onions and peppers; cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lightly browned. Add tomatoes, stock, and barbecue sauce; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
Stir in chicken, pasta, and 1 cup cheese; cook and stir 2–3 minutes or until pasta is tender, cheese has melted, and sauce has thickened. Divide mixture among serving plates; top evenly with reserved bacon pieces, remaining 1 cup cheese, and green onions. Serve.
Aprons Advice
Complete your meal with fresh salad blend, steamed vegetables, crusty bread, and lemonade.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN WITH VEGETABLES
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Looking for a veggie-packed all-in-one chicken dish? This is it! This skillet meal takes no time to whip together. And, with its great color and nutrition plus authentic Asian flavor, it's sure to be a hit."
Cook Time: 12 minutes; Serves: 6; Serving Size: 4 ounces chicken strips and 3/4 cup veggies
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Chicken/Sweet-and-Sour-Chicken-with-Vegetables-103208.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola oil
1-1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks in syrup, drained and liquid reserved
1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 cup fresh broccoli florets
1 medium-sized red bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup fresh snow peas, trimmed
Directions
In a large skillet or wok, heat oil over high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes, or until no pink remains.
Add pineapple chunks, water chestnuts, broccoli, and red pepper. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
In a small bowl, combine the reserved pineapple liquid, the soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, cornstarch, and sugar; mix well. Stir into skillet or wok and cook 3 minutes. Add snow peas and cook 1 minute, or until sauce has thickened. Serve immediately.
CHICKEN STIR-FRY
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Make a fabulous diabetic-friendly stir-fry with chicken, fresh vegetables, and low-sodium soy sauce! Our Chicken Stir-Fry is a weeknight winner, since it cooks up in just about 15 minutes. You'll love how flavorful this dinner dish is!"
Cook Time: 15 minutes; Serves: 4; Serving Size: 6 ounces chicken strips and 1/2 cup vegetables
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Chicken/Chicken-Stir-Fry.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
1-1/2 pound boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces fresh asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup low sodium, fat-free chicken broth
2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Directions
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 teaspoons oil until hot. Cook chicken and garlic 5 to 6 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Remove chicken to a plate. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil to skillet and cook asparagus, bell pepper, and ginger 3 to 4 minutes or until crisp-tender.
In a small bowl, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, water, and black pepper. Whisk cornstarch into mixture until smooth.
Stir mixture into vegetables and cook 1 minute or until thickened. Add chicken to skillet and cook 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through. Serve immediately.
CHICKEN BACON RANCH CASSEROLE
This is from the Pillsbury emailing list. It begins, "Level up your casserole game in the easiest way with a yummy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole. Simple, hearty and guaranteed to please, this creamy chicken pasta dish will have the whole family asking for seconds. Prep your casserole in just 20 minutes, then let your oven do all the heavy lifting—this chicken bacon ranch pasta bake is the definition of comfort food!"
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 45; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb penne pasta, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
1/2 cup ranch dressing
6 slices chopped cooked bacon
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
Chopped parsley, if desired
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray 13x9-inch pan.
In large bowl, place 1 lb cooked and drained penne pasta, 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce and 1/2 cup ranch dressing. Stir to combine. Pour mixture in pan; spread evenly.
Sprinkle 6 slices chopped cooked bacon evenly over top, then sprinkle with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz).
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
Don't skimp on the optional sprinkle of chopped parsley. It adds bright color and a fresh taste to your bacon ranch chicken bake.
Tip 2
If you don't have any leftover chicken, pick up a rotisserie chicken at your grocery store. A 2-lb bird will provide about 3 cups of meat.
Tip 3
To add a more distinct cheesy flavor to your chicken bacon casserole, use cheddar cheese instead of the mozzarella.
Tip 4
You can use any short pasta, including fusilli or rotini, in this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole recipe. The short noodles make the casserole easy to scoop up and serve.
ONE-POT CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA
This is from the Food Network. Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/one-pot-cajun-chicken-pasta-8051436.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4), cut into 1-inch pieces
2-1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
2 medium green bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
12 ounces smooth penne (see Cook's Note)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
6 ounces cream cheese, cubed, at room temperature
Kosher salt
4 scallions, sliced, for serving
Directions
Heat the oil in large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken just starts to change color and the spices are toasted, about 2 minutes.
Add the peppers and onions and cook until they just begin to release some of their juices, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until softened, 1 minute.
Add the pasta, chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it boils, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened and reduced by about half, about 15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add the cream cheese and 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Stir until the cream cheese is combined and melted. Don't worry if the sauce looks runny, it will thicken as it sits. Top with sliced scallions.
Cook’s Note
The success of this recipe depends upon the specific pasta shape suggested, so we do not recommend substitutions.
QUICK WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
This is from Southern Living, and begins, "Comforting quick white chicken chili is ready in just 30 minutes, start to finish."
The recipe also begins, "Two store-bought shortcuts make this comforting soup a cinch to make. One is the chili seasoning mix, which not only thickens the soup, but adds heat and a smoky-earthy flavor from the cumin included in it. The other hero ingredient is shredded rotisserie chicken, one of our regular go-tos for effortless weeknight meals.
"Meanwhile, the canned green chiles impart a mild kick, and come in a close third for ingredient MVP too. All said and done, you truly cannot tell that this soup is semi-homemade."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/quick-white-chicken-chili-8712863.
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (2 tsp.)
4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (from 2 rotisserie chickens)
2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans chicken broth
2 (4-oz.) cans chopped green chiles
1 (1 1/4-oz.) pkg. white chicken chili seasoning mix
3 (15 1/2-oz.) cans white beans (such as navy beans), drained, rinsed, and divided
Toppings: Sour cream, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and chopped avocado
Ingredients
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until onion softens, about 4 minutes.
Stir in chicken, broth, chiles, seasoning mix, and 2 cans of the beans. Coarsely mash remaining 1 can beans; stir into chicken mixture.
Bring to a boil over high. Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly and flavors meld, about 10 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday (because not everyone loves tacos). Today's offerings include Simple Perfect Chili and a Salted Maple Pie. Enjoy!
BEEF STROGANOFF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewletter. Sam wrote, "Forget what you think you remember about this putatively Russian dish, which saw its zenith in American kitchens during the 1950s and its nadir in school cafeterias two decades later. Beef stroganoff makes for an outstanding dinner: a vat of tender sautéed meat in a silken gravy studded with caramelized mushrooms, alongside a huge tangle of buttered noodles. Be careful when adding the cream at the end: Sour cream easily curdles in the heat, while crème fraîche or heavy cream offer smoother results."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour
This was featured in "How Cooking Dinner Can Change Your Life", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020862-beef-stroganoff.
Ingredients
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds sirloin roast, or beef tenderloin, if you’re feeling fancy
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons hot paprika
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound button mushrooms, cleaned and cut into quarters
2 small shallots, thinly sliced
12 ounces wide egg noodles
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup heavy cream or crème fraîche
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cut the beef against the grain into 1/2-inch slices, pound lightly, then cut those slices into 1-inch-wide strips.
Add the flour, paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper to a large shallow bowl and toss to combine. Dredge the strips of meat in the flour mixture, shake them to remove excess flour, then transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet.
Place a large skillet over high heat and swirl in the oil. When the oil begins to shimmer, sauté the beef slices, in two batches, until they are well browned on both sides but rare inside, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Transfer the seared meat to the baking sheet. Turn the heat down slightly.
Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the pan. When it has melted and started to foam, add the mushrooms, toss to coat them with the fat, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms have released their moisture and are a deep, dark brown, 12 to 15 minutes. About halfway into the process, add the sliced shallots and 1 tablespoon butter and stir to combine.
While the mushrooms cook, add the noodles to the boiling water, and cook until just done, about 10 minutes. Drain the noodles, and toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Set aside.
When the mushrooms and shallots are soft and caramelized, deglaze the pan with the wine, scraping at all the stuck-on bits on the pan’s surface. When the wine has reduced by about half, slowly stir in the cream, followed by the Worcestershire and mustard. Add the meat, along with any accumulated juices, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the dish is hot and the beef is medium-rare, 2 to 3 minutes. Taste, and adjust the seasonings.
Serve the noodles under or alongside the stroganoff; sprinkle stroganoff with parsley.
SIMPLE, PERFECT CHILI
This yummy chili recipe is from Ree Drummond on The Food Network. Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/simple-perfect-chili-recipe-2107099.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup masa harina
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded Cheddar, for serving
Chopped onions, for serving
Tortilla chips, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain off the excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.
After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork. Dump the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings. Add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips and lime wedges.
ITALIAN MEATBALL SOUP
Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings (about 2 cups each)
Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/italian-meatball-soup.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ground turkey
2 egg whites
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided
Olive oil cooking spray
4 cans (15 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cups green beans, diagonally cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
8 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked, broken into 2-to 3-inch pieces
2 medium plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Mix ground turkey, egg whites, bread crumbs, 2 cloves of garlic, and 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning until well blended; shape mixture into 32 meatballs. Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add chicken broth, water, green beans, carrots, onions, remaining 2 cloves garlic, and remaining 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until vegetables are almost tender, about 8 minutes.
Heat soup to boiling; add pasta and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 8.7 g; Sodium: 174 mg; Cholesterol: 31.7 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread, 2 Meat, 1/2 Fat
TWO-PEA RAVIOLI
This comes from Weight Watchers, and begins, "Convenient frozen cheese ravioli is bulked up with sugar snap and green peas, then tossed with the zest and juice of a lemon for a dish that feels bright and fresh. For the best snap and crunch, choose fresh sugar snap peas—but know that frozen ones will also work well. Thaw them and toss them into the boiling water with the green peas, just long enough to warm them through. Try to serve this dish shortly after tossing everything together; if it sits for a while, the acid in the lemon juice will discolor the peas."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20; Serves: 4; Difficultly: Easy; Serving size: 1 1/4 cups
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 oz frozen cheese ravioli
8 oz., trimmed (or frozen snap peas) uncooked sugar snap peas
1 cup, thawed froze green peas
1 tsp lemon zest
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add ravioli and cook 3 minutes. Add sugar snap peas and cook 2 minutes. Add green peas and cook 1 minute or until ravioli is tender and sugar snap peas are crisp-tender. Drain.
In a large bowl, stir together lemon zest and juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Add ravioli mixture and toss gently to coat.
SALTED MAPLE PIE
This yumminess is from Margaux Laskey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Margaux wrote, "Sort of a Yankee riff on the South’s chess pie, this buttery and rich custard pie is adapted from 'Sister Pie: The Recipes and Stories of a Big-Hearted Bakery in Detroit' by Lisa Ludwinski. Use the best dark maple syrup you can find, and don’t forget the flaky sea salt. It takes the pie from simply sweet to sophisticated. Keep on eye on the crust while it's baking: If it’s browning too much for your taste, lightly cover the entire pie with a sheet of aluminum foil for the remaining time."
Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 2 hours, plus chilling and freezing.
This was featured in "The Best Baking Cookbooks of 2018", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019782-salted-maple-pie.
Ingredients
Perfect Pie Crust, prepared for a custard pie and chilled
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/4 sticks), melted and cooled
1 cup dark robust (formerly Grade B) maple syrup
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup fine yellow cornmeal
Heaping 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
3/4 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 large egg, beaten
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Preparation
On a lightly floured surface and using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out a disc of dough into a circle about 1/4-inch thick. Starting at one end, gently roll up the dough onto the rolling pin. Unfurl the dough over a 9-inch pie plate and press it in lightly, making sure it’s lining the plate.
Trim so there’s about 1/2-inch of excess dough hanging over the edge of the pie plate. (If the dough feels warm, refrigerate it for 15 minutes.) Tuck the excess dough under itself so it is flush with the edge of the pie plate; leave the pie like this for a straight-edge finish, or crimp as desired. Freeze for at least 15 minutes. Heat your oven to 450 degrees with the rack on the lowest level.
Remove the pie crust from the freezer, tear off a square of aluminum foil that is slightly larger than the pie shell, and gently fit it into the frozen crust. Fill the crust with pie weights or dried beans (they should come all the way up to the crimps) and place the pie pan on a baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven, and bake for 25 to 27 minutes. Check for doneness by peeling up a piece of foil — the crimps should be light golden brown. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. After 6 minutes, carefully remove the foil and beans. You are now ready to fill the pie. Reduce your oven to 350 degrees.
Make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter and maple syrup. Whisk in the brown sugar, cornmeal and kosher salt.
Crack the eggs and yolk into another medium bowl. Add the cream and vanilla, and whisk until combined.
Slowly pour the egg mixture into the maple mixture, and whisk just until combined.
Place the blind-baked shell on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the crimped edge with the beaten egg. Pour the maple filling into the pie shell until it reaches the bottom of the crimps.
Transfer the baking sheet with the pie on it to the oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the edges are puffed and the center jiggles only slightly when shaken. It will continue to set as it cools.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool for 4 to 6 hours. Once fully cooled and at room temperature, sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt, slice into 8 to 10 pieces, and serve. Store leftover pie, well wrapped in plastic wrap or under a pie dome, at room temperature for up to 3 days.
MAPLE PECAN SWEET POTATO SCONES
This comes from United HealthCare, and begins, "Tender and fluffy, these spiced scones are full of veggies, whole grains and maple syrup and are best served warm. Even better? They’re easy enough to whip up for brunch or afternoon coffee."
Yields:12
You can view this online by clicking here.
Ingredients:
Scones
2 3/4 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 stick cold butter, diced
2/3 cup sweet potato, cooked and mashed
1/3 cup real maple syrup
2 eggs
Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon real maple syrup
2–3 teaspoons milk
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger and nutmeg. Cut in the butter with two knives or a pastry blender until crumbly. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sweet potato, maple syrup and eggs until blended.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and combine until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in half and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat each half into a 6-inch circle about 1 inch thick. Transfer the two circles to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a knife, cut each circle into 6 wedges, gently separating the wedges with the knife until they are about 1/4 inch apart.
Bake the scones for 16–18 minutes or until golden. Whisk together the glaze ingredients and drizzle over the warm scones. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Yields 12. Calories: 231, Total fat: 10.8g, Saturated fat: 5.4g, Cholesterol: 51.3mg, Sodium: 96mg, Carbs: 30.8g, Dietary fiber: 3.7g, Sugars: 8.3g, Protein: 5.2g
BEEF STROGANOFF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewletter. Sam wrote, "Forget what you think you remember about this putatively Russian dish, which saw its zenith in American kitchens during the 1950s and its nadir in school cafeterias two decades later. Beef stroganoff makes for an outstanding dinner: a vat of tender sautéed meat in a silken gravy studded with caramelized mushrooms, alongside a huge tangle of buttered noodles. Be careful when adding the cream at the end: Sour cream easily curdles in the heat, while crème fraîche or heavy cream offer smoother results."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour
This was featured in "How Cooking Dinner Can Change Your Life", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020862-beef-stroganoff.
Ingredients
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds sirloin roast, or beef tenderloin, if you’re feeling fancy
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons hot paprika
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound button mushrooms, cleaned and cut into quarters
2 small shallots, thinly sliced
12 ounces wide egg noodles
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup heavy cream or crème fraîche
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cut the beef against the grain into 1/2-inch slices, pound lightly, then cut those slices into 1-inch-wide strips.
Add the flour, paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper to a large shallow bowl and toss to combine. Dredge the strips of meat in the flour mixture, shake them to remove excess flour, then transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet.
Place a large skillet over high heat and swirl in the oil. When the oil begins to shimmer, sauté the beef slices, in two batches, until they are well browned on both sides but rare inside, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Transfer the seared meat to the baking sheet. Turn the heat down slightly.
Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the pan. When it has melted and started to foam, add the mushrooms, toss to coat them with the fat, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms have released their moisture and are a deep, dark brown, 12 to 15 minutes. About halfway into the process, add the sliced shallots and 1 tablespoon butter and stir to combine.
While the mushrooms cook, add the noodles to the boiling water, and cook until just done, about 10 minutes. Drain the noodles, and toss with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Set aside.
When the mushrooms and shallots are soft and caramelized, deglaze the pan with the wine, scraping at all the stuck-on bits on the pan’s surface. When the wine has reduced by about half, slowly stir in the cream, followed by the Worcestershire and mustard. Add the meat, along with any accumulated juices, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the dish is hot and the beef is medium-rare, 2 to 3 minutes. Taste, and adjust the seasonings.
Serve the noodles under or alongside the stroganoff; sprinkle stroganoff with parsley.
SIMPLE, PERFECT CHILI
This yummy chili recipe is from Ree Drummond on The Food Network. Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/simple-perfect-chili-recipe-2107099.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup masa harina
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded Cheddar, for serving
Chopped onions, for serving
Tortilla chips, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain off the excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.
After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork. Dump the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings. Add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips and lime wedges.
ITALIAN MEATBALL SOUP
Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings (about 2 cups each)
Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/italian-meatball-soup.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ground turkey
2 egg whites
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided
Olive oil cooking spray
4 cans (15 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cups green beans, diagonally cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
8 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked, broken into 2-to 3-inch pieces
2 medium plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Mix ground turkey, egg whites, bread crumbs, 2 cloves of garlic, and 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning until well blended; shape mixture into 32 meatballs. Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add chicken broth, water, green beans, carrots, onions, remaining 2 cloves garlic, and remaining 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until vegetables are almost tender, about 8 minutes.
Heat soup to boiling; add pasta and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 8.7 g; Sodium: 174 mg; Cholesterol: 31.7 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread, 2 Meat, 1/2 Fat
TWO-PEA RAVIOLI
This comes from Weight Watchers, and begins, "Convenient frozen cheese ravioli is bulked up with sugar snap and green peas, then tossed with the zest and juice of a lemon for a dish that feels bright and fresh. For the best snap and crunch, choose fresh sugar snap peas—but know that frozen ones will also work well. Thaw them and toss them into the boiling water with the green peas, just long enough to warm them through. Try to serve this dish shortly after tossing everything together; if it sits for a while, the acid in the lemon juice will discolor the peas."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20; Serves: 4; Difficultly: Easy; Serving size: 1 1/4 cups
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 oz frozen cheese ravioli
8 oz., trimmed (or frozen snap peas) uncooked sugar snap peas
1 cup, thawed froze green peas
1 tsp lemon zest
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add ravioli and cook 3 minutes. Add sugar snap peas and cook 2 minutes. Add green peas and cook 1 minute or until ravioli is tender and sugar snap peas are crisp-tender. Drain.
In a large bowl, stir together lemon zest and juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Add ravioli mixture and toss gently to coat.
SALTED MAPLE PIE
This yumminess is from Margaux Laskey in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Margaux wrote, "Sort of a Yankee riff on the South’s chess pie, this buttery and rich custard pie is adapted from 'Sister Pie: The Recipes and Stories of a Big-Hearted Bakery in Detroit' by Lisa Ludwinski. Use the best dark maple syrup you can find, and don’t forget the flaky sea salt. It takes the pie from simply sweet to sophisticated. Keep on eye on the crust while it's baking: If it’s browning too much for your taste, lightly cover the entire pie with a sheet of aluminum foil for the remaining time."
Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 2 hours, plus chilling and freezing.
This was featured in "The Best Baking Cookbooks of 2018", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019782-salted-maple-pie.
Ingredients
Perfect Pie Crust, prepared for a custard pie and chilled
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/4 sticks), melted and cooled
1 cup dark robust (formerly Grade B) maple syrup
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup fine yellow cornmeal
Heaping 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
3/4 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 large egg, beaten
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Preparation
On a lightly floured surface and using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out a disc of dough into a circle about 1/4-inch thick. Starting at one end, gently roll up the dough onto the rolling pin. Unfurl the dough over a 9-inch pie plate and press it in lightly, making sure it’s lining the plate.
Trim so there’s about 1/2-inch of excess dough hanging over the edge of the pie plate. (If the dough feels warm, refrigerate it for 15 minutes.) Tuck the excess dough under itself so it is flush with the edge of the pie plate; leave the pie like this for a straight-edge finish, or crimp as desired. Freeze for at least 15 minutes. Heat your oven to 450 degrees with the rack on the lowest level.
Remove the pie crust from the freezer, tear off a square of aluminum foil that is slightly larger than the pie shell, and gently fit it into the frozen crust. Fill the crust with pie weights or dried beans (they should come all the way up to the crimps) and place the pie pan on a baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven, and bake for 25 to 27 minutes. Check for doneness by peeling up a piece of foil — the crimps should be light golden brown. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. After 6 minutes, carefully remove the foil and beans. You are now ready to fill the pie. Reduce your oven to 350 degrees.
Make the filling: In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter and maple syrup. Whisk in the brown sugar, cornmeal and kosher salt.
Crack the eggs and yolk into another medium bowl. Add the cream and vanilla, and whisk until combined.
Slowly pour the egg mixture into the maple mixture, and whisk just until combined.
Place the blind-baked shell on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the crimped edge with the beaten egg. Pour the maple filling into the pie shell until it reaches the bottom of the crimps.
Transfer the baking sheet with the pie on it to the oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the edges are puffed and the center jiggles only slightly when shaken. It will continue to set as it cools.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool for 4 to 6 hours. Once fully cooled and at room temperature, sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt, slice into 8 to 10 pieces, and serve. Store leftover pie, well wrapped in plastic wrap or under a pie dome, at room temperature for up to 3 days.
MAPLE PECAN SWEET POTATO SCONES
This comes from United HealthCare, and begins, "Tender and fluffy, these spiced scones are full of veggies, whole grains and maple syrup and are best served warm. Even better? They’re easy enough to whip up for brunch or afternoon coffee."
Yields:12
You can view this online by clicking here.
Ingredients:
Scones
2 3/4 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 stick cold butter, diced
2/3 cup sweet potato, cooked and mashed
1/3 cup real maple syrup
2 eggs
Glaze
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon real maple syrup
2–3 teaspoons milk
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger and nutmeg. Cut in the butter with two knives or a pastry blender until crumbly. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sweet potato, maple syrup and eggs until blended.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and combine until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in half and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat each half into a 6-inch circle about 1 inch thick. Transfer the two circles to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a knife, cut each circle into 6 wedges, gently separating the wedges with the knife until they are about 1/4 inch apart.
Bake the scones for 16–18 minutes or until golden. Whisk together the glaze ingredients and drizzle over the warm scones. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Yields 12. Calories: 231, Total fat: 10.8g, Saturated fat: 5.4g, Cholesterol: 51.3mg, Sodium: 96mg, Carbs: 30.8g, Dietary fiber: 3.7g, Sugars: 8.3g, Protein: 5.2g
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's yummy offerings include Grilled Steak Tacos with Cherry Tomato-Avocado Tacos and Chipotle Shrimp Tacos. Enjoy!
CHEESEBURGER TACOS
This is from Family Time, and begins, “Cheeseburger tacos are a tasty take on tried-and-true burgers. Try them filled with lettuce, onion and pickle relish and seasoned with savory taco seasoning mix.”
Serves: 6; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound lean lean beef
3/4 cup water
1 packet (1.25-oz.) ORTEGA® Taco Seasoning Mix
8 ounces pasteurized prepared cheese, cubed
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
12 ORTEGA® Taco Shells or White Corn Taco Shells, warmed
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 cups chopped tomato
1 cup sweet pickle relish
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup ORTEGA® Medium Taco Sauce
Directions
Brown beef; drain. Stir in water and seasoning mix; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes or until thickened. Add cheese and mustard; stir until cheese is melted.
Fill taco shells with beef mixture. Top with lettuce, tomato, relish, onion and taco sauce.
VEGAN TACOS
This recipe is by Taqueria Los Gorditos and was in the September 2009 issue of Bon Appetite. Makes 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 onion, sliced
2 teaspoons chopped seeded jalapeño chile
1 12-ounce package soy chorizo (sometimes labeled Soyrizo), casing removed
1 15.4-ounce to 16-ounce can vegetarian refried black beans
12 corn tortillas, warm
Diced onion
Chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and jalapeño; sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add soy chorizo and cook until beginning to brown in spots, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook beans in heavy small saucepan over low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Stack 2 warm tortillas for each of 6 tacos. Spread scant 2 tablespoons beans over each stack. Top with soy chorizo mixture, dividing equally. Sprinkle with diced onion and cilantro.
CHICKEN TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “For good tacos, you need fresh, hot tortillas and a zesty filling. Canned chipotle chiles will do the trick with their smoky heat; it's an easy way to get flavor fast. Look for small cans with “chipotle chiles in adobo” on the label. And Mexican groceries generally have better-quality tortillas than the ones you find in supermarkets; it's worth seeking those out and heating them gently over steam, or by toasting them in a dry cast-iron pan. You can also use this recipe with precooked chicken, which makes this already quite simple recipe as easy as falling out of bed.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “Chichen Tacos Let You Think Fast” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
4 large bone-in chicken thighs, about 1-1/2 pounds
3 scallions, left whole
1 bay leaf
1 thyme branch
3 black peppercorns
1 allspice berry
2 cloves
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 or 3 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped
3 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can
1/2 cup broth (use broth from simmered chicken)
8 fresh corn tortillas
For Garnish:
1 small white onion, finely chopped, soaked in ice water for 10 minutes and drained
Thinly sliced serrano chile
Thinly sliced radishes
Sliced avocado
Crumbled queso fresco or mild feta cheese
Crème fraîche or Mexican crema
Cilantro sprigs
Dried oregano
Lime wedges
Preparation
Put chicken thighs in a saucepan and cover with 3 cups water. Add scallions, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, allspice, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove chicken and cool. Shred chicken with your fingers, discarding chicken skin and bone. Strain broth and reserve. You should have about 2 cups shredded chicken.
Put olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion, season with salt and cook until softened and a bit browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute more. Add chopped chipotle chile and adobo sauce and stir to combine. Add shredded chicken, salt lightly and stir to coat. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes, until sauce has thickened somewhat. Keep warm.
Heat the tortillas over steam or by your favorite method, keeping them soft and pliable.
Build the tacos quickly: Put a spoonful of the saucy chicken in the center of each tortilla. Top with a teaspoon of chopped white onion, a few slivers of serrano chile, some radish and avocado slices, a teaspoon of queso fresco and a teaspoon of crème fraîche. Add a few cilantro springs and a small pinch of oregano. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
TACO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Lauren Miyahira on Delish, and begins, “Taco 'bout a healthy dinner!”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 Onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
3 bell peppers, halved (seeds removed)
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
1 c. Shredded lettuce
Pico de gallo, for serving
Hot sauce, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° and spray a large baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Add onion and cook until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain fat.
Add chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika to beef mixture, then season with salt and pepper.
Drizzle bell peppers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the peppers, cut side up, in the baking dish and spoon meat mixture into each pepper. Top with cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and the peppers are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
Top each pepper with lettuce and serve with pico de gallo, hot sauce, and lime wedges.
GRILLED STEAK TACOS WITH CHERRY TOMATO-AVOCADO SALSA
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “In this supremely summery taco recipe, chile-rubbed grilled steak is topped with a spicy tomato-avocado salsa before being rolled into warm corn tortillas. Grilling the onions, garlic and jalapeño for the salsa adds a concentrated sweetness, while lime zest keeps everything sharp and bright. If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to use your broiler.”
Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Steak:
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2-1/2 teaspoons New Mexican or other mild chile powder
1-1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large garlic clove, finely grated or minced
Finely grated zest of 1 lime (cut lime into wedges for serving)
2-1/2 pounds skirt steak (usually 2 steaks)
For the Salsa:
1 white onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch-thick slices
2 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 jalapeños
1 quart cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, more to taste
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
Corn or flour tortillas, for serving
Sliced radishes, for serving
Mexican crema or sour cream, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the steak: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chile powder, coriander, cumin, garlic and lime zest. Rub mixture all over the steaks, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
Prepare the salsa: Light the grill or heat to medium-high (or heat the broiler). Grill onion, garlic and 1 jalapeño until tender and charred on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes (or place on a broiler pan and broil). Remove from heat until cool enough to handle, then roughly chop onions, peel garlic and remove seeds and stem from jalapeño.
Transfer grilled onion, garlic and jalapeño to a blender or mini food processor. Halve the fresh jalapeño and seed it, if desired, then add it to the blender. Process to a chunky paste. Scrape into a serving bowl and toss with tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and salt.
Add more charcoal to the grill, if needed, and grill the steaks until done to taste, about 2 minutes per side for rare (or broil). Let meat rest on a cutting board covered with foil for at least 7 minutes. Meanwhile, grill or broil the tortillas until warm.
To serve, slice the meat across the grain, and serve with the warm tortillas, radishes, lime wedges, salsa and crema. Let people assemble their own tacos at the table.
CHIPOTLE SHRIMP TACOS
This is from TasteforLife, and can be viewed online here.
Prep Time: 35 minutes prep time + 1 hour marinate time;Number of Servings: Serves 4 (2 tacos each); Recipe Source: From the Taste for Life test kitchen
Ingredients:
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c thinly sliced red radish
1 c thinly sliced red cabbage
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp oil
2 tsp chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce*
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb raw small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 soft corn taco shells
Diced cucumber, for garnish
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Directions:
Place garlic, radish, and cabbage in a medium bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Place in fridge for 1 to 2 hours to allow vegetables to marinate.
Combine yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl. Set aside in fridge while making shrimp.
Preheat oven to 300°. To make shrimp, whisk together oil, chipotle chile, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat.
Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan. Grill shrimp until cooked through, approximately 1 to 3 minutes per side, depending on size of shrimp.
Lay soft corn taco shells directly over oven racks in preheated oven. Carefully, using oven mitts and a fork, and without burning yourself, gently push edges of taco shells toward bottom of oven—encouraging shells to droop over racks. Bake until shells are curved and crisp, about 30 minutes. (For soft taco shells, use shells as is without baking them.)
To assemble tacos, place some pickled radish and cabbage on bottom of a shell. Add shrimp. Garnish with yogurt sauce, cucumbers, and cilantro.
Notes:
A chipotle chile is a smoked and dried jalapeno. You can find them canned in adobo sauce in the Mexican or International foods aisle of most supermarkets.
CHEESEBURGER TACOS
This is from Family Time, and begins, “Cheeseburger tacos are a tasty take on tried-and-true burgers. Try them filled with lettuce, onion and pickle relish and seasoned with savory taco seasoning mix.”
Serves: 6; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound lean lean beef
3/4 cup water
1 packet (1.25-oz.) ORTEGA® Taco Seasoning Mix
8 ounces pasteurized prepared cheese, cubed
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
12 ORTEGA® Taco Shells or White Corn Taco Shells, warmed
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 cups chopped tomato
1 cup sweet pickle relish
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup ORTEGA® Medium Taco Sauce
Directions
Brown beef; drain. Stir in water and seasoning mix; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes or until thickened. Add cheese and mustard; stir until cheese is melted.
Fill taco shells with beef mixture. Top with lettuce, tomato, relish, onion and taco sauce.
VEGAN TACOS
This recipe is by Taqueria Los Gorditos and was in the September 2009 issue of Bon Appetite. Makes 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 onion, sliced
2 teaspoons chopped seeded jalapeño chile
1 12-ounce package soy chorizo (sometimes labeled Soyrizo), casing removed
1 15.4-ounce to 16-ounce can vegetarian refried black beans
12 corn tortillas, warm
Diced onion
Chopped fresh cilantro
Preparation
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and jalapeño; sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add soy chorizo and cook until beginning to brown in spots, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook beans in heavy small saucepan over low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Stack 2 warm tortillas for each of 6 tacos. Spread scant 2 tablespoons beans over each stack. Top with soy chorizo mixture, dividing equally. Sprinkle with diced onion and cilantro.
CHICKEN TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “For good tacos, you need fresh, hot tortillas and a zesty filling. Canned chipotle chiles will do the trick with their smoky heat; it's an easy way to get flavor fast. Look for small cans with “chipotle chiles in adobo” on the label. And Mexican groceries generally have better-quality tortillas than the ones you find in supermarkets; it's worth seeking those out and heating them gently over steam, or by toasting them in a dry cast-iron pan. You can also use this recipe with precooked chicken, which makes this already quite simple recipe as easy as falling out of bed.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “Chichen Tacos Let You Think Fast” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
4 large bone-in chicken thighs, about 1-1/2 pounds
3 scallions, left whole
1 bay leaf
1 thyme branch
3 black peppercorns
1 allspice berry
2 cloves
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 or 3 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped
3 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can
1/2 cup broth (use broth from simmered chicken)
8 fresh corn tortillas
For Garnish:
1 small white onion, finely chopped, soaked in ice water for 10 minutes and drained
Thinly sliced serrano chile
Thinly sliced radishes
Sliced avocado
Crumbled queso fresco or mild feta cheese
Crème fraîche or Mexican crema
Cilantro sprigs
Dried oregano
Lime wedges
Preparation
Put chicken thighs in a saucepan and cover with 3 cups water. Add scallions, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, allspice, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove chicken and cool. Shred chicken with your fingers, discarding chicken skin and bone. Strain broth and reserve. You should have about 2 cups shredded chicken.
Put olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion, season with salt and cook until softened and a bit browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute more. Add chopped chipotle chile and adobo sauce and stir to combine. Add shredded chicken, salt lightly and stir to coat. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes, until sauce has thickened somewhat. Keep warm.
Heat the tortillas over steam or by your favorite method, keeping them soft and pliable.
Build the tacos quickly: Put a spoonful of the saucy chicken in the center of each tortilla. Top with a teaspoon of chopped white onion, a few slivers of serrano chile, some radish and avocado slices, a teaspoon of queso fresco and a teaspoon of crème fraîche. Add a few cilantro springs and a small pinch of oregano. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
TACO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Lauren Miyahira on Delish, and begins, “Taco 'bout a healthy dinner!”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 Onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
3 bell peppers, halved (seeds removed)
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
1 c. Shredded lettuce
Pico de gallo, for serving
Hot sauce, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° and spray a large baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Add onion and cook until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain fat.
Add chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika to beef mixture, then season with salt and pepper.
Drizzle bell peppers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the peppers, cut side up, in the baking dish and spoon meat mixture into each pepper. Top with cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and the peppers are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
Top each pepper with lettuce and serve with pico de gallo, hot sauce, and lime wedges.
GRILLED STEAK TACOS WITH CHERRY TOMATO-AVOCADO SALSA
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “In this supremely summery taco recipe, chile-rubbed grilled steak is topped with a spicy tomato-avocado salsa before being rolled into warm corn tortillas. Grilling the onions, garlic and jalapeño for the salsa adds a concentrated sweetness, while lime zest keeps everything sharp and bright. If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to use your broiler.”
Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Steak:
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2-1/2 teaspoons New Mexican or other mild chile powder
1-1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large garlic clove, finely grated or minced
Finely grated zest of 1 lime (cut lime into wedges for serving)
2-1/2 pounds skirt steak (usually 2 steaks)
For the Salsa:
1 white onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch-thick slices
2 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 jalapeños
1 quart cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, more to taste
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
Corn or flour tortillas, for serving
Sliced radishes, for serving
Mexican crema or sour cream, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the steak: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chile powder, coriander, cumin, garlic and lime zest. Rub mixture all over the steaks, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
Prepare the salsa: Light the grill or heat to medium-high (or heat the broiler). Grill onion, garlic and 1 jalapeño until tender and charred on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes (or place on a broiler pan and broil). Remove from heat until cool enough to handle, then roughly chop onions, peel garlic and remove seeds and stem from jalapeño.
Transfer grilled onion, garlic and jalapeño to a blender or mini food processor. Halve the fresh jalapeño and seed it, if desired, then add it to the blender. Process to a chunky paste. Scrape into a serving bowl and toss with tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and salt.
Add more charcoal to the grill, if needed, and grill the steaks until done to taste, about 2 minutes per side for rare (or broil). Let meat rest on a cutting board covered with foil for at least 7 minutes. Meanwhile, grill or broil the tortillas until warm.
To serve, slice the meat across the grain, and serve with the warm tortillas, radishes, lime wedges, salsa and crema. Let people assemble their own tacos at the table.
CHIPOTLE SHRIMP TACOS
This is from TasteforLife, and can be viewed online here.
Prep Time: 35 minutes prep time + 1 hour marinate time;Number of Servings: Serves 4 (2 tacos each); Recipe Source: From the Taste for Life test kitchen
Ingredients:
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c thinly sliced red radish
1 c thinly sliced red cabbage
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp oil
2 tsp chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce*
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb raw small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 soft corn taco shells
Diced cucumber, for garnish
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Directions:
Place garlic, radish, and cabbage in a medium bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Place in fridge for 1 to 2 hours to allow vegetables to marinate.
Combine yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl. Set aside in fridge while making shrimp.
Preheat oven to 300°. To make shrimp, whisk together oil, chipotle chile, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat.
Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan. Grill shrimp until cooked through, approximately 1 to 3 minutes per side, depending on size of shrimp.
Lay soft corn taco shells directly over oven racks in preheated oven. Carefully, using oven mitts and a fork, and without burning yourself, gently push edges of taco shells toward bottom of oven—encouraging shells to droop over racks. Bake until shells are curved and crisp, about 30 minutes. (For soft taco shells, use shells as is without baking them.)
To assemble tacos, place some pickled radish and cabbage on bottom of a shell. Add shrimp. Garnish with yogurt sauce, cucumbers, and cilantro.
Notes:
A chipotle chile is a smoked and dried jalapeno. You can find them canned in adobo sauce in the Mexican or International foods aisle of most supermarkets.
Monday, July 28, 2025
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Old-Fashioned Meatloaf and Tomato Soup Cake. (Do I have your attention yet?) Enjoy!
SLOW COOKER CHILI
This comes from Sarah Digregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sarah wrote, “A great chili should be richly spiced, with layers of deep, savory flavor. Here, that big flavor comes from the usual contenders, but also from the unexpected additions of unsweetened cocoa, soy sauce and Worcestershire, which provide complexity. This recipe makes a thick, comforting chili that can be prepared in a slow cooker or in a Dutch oven on the stovetop. Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer. This makes a big batch, perfect for a cold-weather get-together, but if you’re making it for a smaller group, the leftovers freeze well.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes.
Check out the Times guide (by Sam Sifton) titled “How to Make Chili”. Very helpful, very informative.
To view the recipe online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019903-slow-cooker-chili.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow or red onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt
2 pounds ground beef, 80 percent lean, 20 percent fat
8 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
2 teaspoons chipotle powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons mustard powder
2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) pilsner beer, such as Modelo Especial
1 (14-ounce) can diced or crushed tomatoes in juice
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup or dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons beef stock bouillon paste, such as Better Than Bouillon
1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 (14-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 (14-ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Hot sauce, grated sharp Cheddar, sliced scallions, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips, for serving
Preparation
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium. Add the onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 8 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the beef and garlic, season with salt and cook, breaking the beef into crumbles with a spatula, until the beef has lost its pink color, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until slightly darkened and caramelized, about 1 minute. Stir in all the spices and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beer and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan.
Transfer the beef mixture into a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker. Stir in the tomatoes, vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, beef bouillon paste, cocoa, beans and 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook on low for at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours. (The chili can hold well on warm for an additional 2 hours.)
When ready to serve, stir in the Worcestershire sauce. If the chili is too thick, stir in a bit of water until the texture is to your liking. Season to taste with salt. Serve in bowls and pass the toppings at the table.
Tip
You can also cook the chili in a Dutch oven on your stovetop in about 1 hour. In step 2, add 1 cup water instead of 1/2 cup and let the mixture come to a simmer over medium-high. (Because the cooking liquid reduces further on the stovetop, this method starts with more water.) Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the meat is tender, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes.
SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN at VeryWellFit. Vicki wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.
“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“
Total Time: 65 min; Prep Time: 20 min; Cook Time: 45 min; Servings 9 (1 cup each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
Preparation
Preheat the oven the 350F.
On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.
On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.
If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
Cooking and Serving Tips
To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.
This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
CORN MUFFINS
Recipe Yield: Servings: 12
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/corn-muffins
Ingredients
1/2 cup corn meal
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
Directions
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add lightly beaten egg, milk and butter.
Mix just until moist.
Bake in muffin tins lined with cupcake papers for 20 minutes at 400F.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 95; Fat: 2.5 g; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g
BOMBOLONI
This comes from John Alberti and was posted on the TODAY Show website. John wrote, “Bomboloni are Italian doughnuts, and they are as much fun to say as they are to make and eat. They are like a party in your mouth, with their gooey centers and sugary, soft dough.
“Swap option: They are delightful even without a filling, but if you fill them with chocolate-hazelnut spread, jam or pastry cream.”
Cook Time: 5 minutes; Prep Time: 2 hours; Servings: 10. Special equipment: Round pastry cutter.
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/bomboloni-recipe-t150524.
Ingredients
3 cups bread or all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons fast-acting dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for coating
1 lemon, zested
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil, for frying
Chocolate-hazelnut spread, jam or pastry cream, for filling
Directions
In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and lemon zest. Then add the eggs, milk, butter and vanilla extract, and mix well. Knead the dough in the stand mixer for 2 minutes, or if making the dough by hand, tip it onto a floured work surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until it's smooth and elastic but still quite sticky. Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until about 3/4 inch thick. Then, using a round pastry cutter the size of a cup, cut the dough into disks. Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for another hour.
Heat oil in a large, deep pan to 350 F. Fry the doughnuts, in batches, for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Dredge the doughnuts in granulated sugar until completely covered.
Spoon the filling of your choice into a piping bag fitted with a medium nozzle. Make a small hole in the side of each doughnut, push in the nozzle and squeeze to fill the bomboloni. Serve warm.
OLD-FASHIONED MEATLOAF
This comes from VeryWellFit, and begins, “This lighter meatloaf recipe is similar to the one most of us enjoyed during our childhoods, but without all of the extra fat. Choose a lean ground beef or, better yet, ground turkey to cut down on the fat. And since you can't make meatloaf without breadcrumbs, why not replace the white, unrefined with whole wheat for added fiber? Also, using two egg whites in place of one whole egg will reduce the calories and fat while still helping to bind the mixture together.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground meat (85% to 90% lean, or ground turkey)
1 cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat)
1/4 cup onion (finely chopped or 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes)
2 cloves garlic (minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup water (or low-fat milk)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients. Mix well, using your hands, but don't overmix because you will toughen the meat.
Turn mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips, and bake for about 1 hour.
To be sure the meatloaf is done, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the center of the loaf. The temperature should register 155F when it is done.
About 10 to 15 minutes before you think the meatloaf will be done, you can cover it with barbecue sauce if you like.
International Meatloaf
If you are looking for a different kind of meatloaf, try kofta kebabs, a Middle Eastern grilled ground meat recipe. The spices in this meat mixture (traditionally lamb) are a delicious change of pace from the usual. If you don't have the time or inclination to place them on skewers, you can make them into oblong-oval shapes that look like sausages without the casings.
TOMATO SOUP CAKE
This came from Carroll Pellegrinelli on The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “Tomato Soup Cake you say? Yuk. That’s what I thought about this cake. It’s not like that at all. First of all, you can’t even taste or smell any tomatoes. Secondly, if you enjoy spice cakes, you’ll enjoy this one too. The cream cheese frosting makes it taste even better.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: 24 pieces (24 servings)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon*
1/2 teaspoon cloves*
1 1/2 teaspoon allspice*
1 10 ounce can tomato soup
1/2 cup butter (melted or vegetable oil)
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk (or water)
For the Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese (room temperature)
1/2 cup/4 ounces butter (room temperature)
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. (325 degrees F. for a dark or glass pan). Grease an 13 x 9 baking pan. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground all spice in a large bowl with a wire whisk. Set the bowl aside. In a medium bowl, combine the tomato soup, melted butter, eggs and milk. Mix completely. Add the soup mixture to the flour mixture and mix until completely combined. Carefully, pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake the cake for at least 40 minutes or until it is tested done. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack.
Once the cake is completely cool, make the frosting. Beat the cream cheese until it’s fluffy. Add the butter until the mixture is even fluffier. Slowly add the milk. Be sure to mix each time the milk is added. Add the vanilla and continue to mix the frosting. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Continue to add the sugar until all of it is used. If the frosting seems too dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time. Frost the cake with the cream cheese frosting. If you don’t want that much frosting, the excess can be frozen for a later use.
*Feel free to substitute nutmeg for one of the spices you don't happen to have.
SLOW COOKER CHILI
This comes from Sarah Digregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sarah wrote, “A great chili should be richly spiced, with layers of deep, savory flavor. Here, that big flavor comes from the usual contenders, but also from the unexpected additions of unsweetened cocoa, soy sauce and Worcestershire, which provide complexity. This recipe makes a thick, comforting chili that can be prepared in a slow cooker or in a Dutch oven on the stovetop. Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer. This makes a big batch, perfect for a cold-weather get-together, but if you’re making it for a smaller group, the leftovers freeze well.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes.
Check out the Times guide (by Sam Sifton) titled “How to Make Chili”. Very helpful, very informative.
To view the recipe online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019903-slow-cooker-chili.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow or red onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt
2 pounds ground beef, 80 percent lean, 20 percent fat
8 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
2 teaspoons chipotle powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons mustard powder
2 teaspoons hot smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) pilsner beer, such as Modelo Especial
1 (14-ounce) can diced or crushed tomatoes in juice
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup or dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons beef stock bouillon paste, such as Better Than Bouillon
1 1/2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 (14-ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 (14-ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Hot sauce, grated sharp Cheddar, sliced scallions, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips, for serving
Preparation
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium. Add the onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 8 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the beef and garlic, season with salt and cook, breaking the beef into crumbles with a spatula, until the beef has lost its pink color, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until slightly darkened and caramelized, about 1 minute. Stir in all the spices and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beer and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan.
Transfer the beef mixture into a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker. Stir in the tomatoes, vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, beef bouillon paste, cocoa, beans and 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook on low for at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours. (The chili can hold well on warm for an additional 2 hours.)
When ready to serve, stir in the Worcestershire sauce. If the chili is too thick, stir in a bit of water until the texture is to your liking. Season to taste with salt. Serve in bowls and pass the toppings at the table.
Tip
You can also cook the chili in a Dutch oven on your stovetop in about 1 hour. In step 2, add 1 cup water instead of 1/2 cup and let the mixture come to a simmer over medium-high. (Because the cooking liquid reduces further on the stovetop, this method starts with more water.) Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the meat is tender, stirring occasionally, about 35 minutes.
SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This comes from Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN at VeryWellFit. Vicki wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.
“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“
Total Time: 65 min; Prep Time: 20 min; Cook Time: 45 min; Servings 9 (1 cup each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 package no-boil lasagna noodles
2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon oregano
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated
3 cups raw baby spinach leaves
Preparation
Preheat the oven the 350F.
On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.
On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.
Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.
If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.
Cooking and Serving Tips
To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.
This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.
CORN MUFFINS
Recipe Yield: Servings: 12
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/corn-muffins
Ingredients
1/2 cup corn meal
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1 egg
Directions
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add lightly beaten egg, milk and butter.
Mix just until moist.
Bake in muffin tins lined with cupcake papers for 20 minutes at 400F.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 95; Fat: 2.5 g; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g
BOMBOLONI
This comes from John Alberti and was posted on the TODAY Show website. John wrote, “Bomboloni are Italian doughnuts, and they are as much fun to say as they are to make and eat. They are like a party in your mouth, with their gooey centers and sugary, soft dough.
“Swap option: They are delightful even without a filling, but if you fill them with chocolate-hazelnut spread, jam or pastry cream.”
Cook Time: 5 minutes; Prep Time: 2 hours; Servings: 10. Special equipment: Round pastry cutter.
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/bomboloni-recipe-t150524.
Ingredients
3 cups bread or all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons fast-acting dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for coating
1 lemon, zested
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil, for frying
Chocolate-hazelnut spread, jam or pastry cream, for filling
Directions
In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and lemon zest. Then add the eggs, milk, butter and vanilla extract, and mix well. Knead the dough in the stand mixer for 2 minutes, or if making the dough by hand, tip it onto a floured work surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until it's smooth and elastic but still quite sticky. Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until about 3/4 inch thick. Then, using a round pastry cutter the size of a cup, cut the dough into disks. Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for another hour.
Heat oil in a large, deep pan to 350 F. Fry the doughnuts, in batches, for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Dredge the doughnuts in granulated sugar until completely covered.
Spoon the filling of your choice into a piping bag fitted with a medium nozzle. Make a small hole in the side of each doughnut, push in the nozzle and squeeze to fill the bomboloni. Serve warm.
OLD-FASHIONED MEATLOAF
This comes from VeryWellFit, and begins, “This lighter meatloaf recipe is similar to the one most of us enjoyed during our childhoods, but without all of the extra fat. Choose a lean ground beef or, better yet, ground turkey to cut down on the fat. And since you can't make meatloaf without breadcrumbs, why not replace the white, unrefined with whole wheat for added fiber? Also, using two egg whites in place of one whole egg will reduce the calories and fat while still helping to bind the mixture together.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground meat (85% to 90% lean, or ground turkey)
1 cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat)
1/4 cup onion (finely chopped or 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes)
2 cloves garlic (minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup water (or low-fat milk)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients. Mix well, using your hands, but don't overmix because you will toughen the meat.
Turn mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips, and bake for about 1 hour.
To be sure the meatloaf is done, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the center of the loaf. The temperature should register 155F when it is done.
About 10 to 15 minutes before you think the meatloaf will be done, you can cover it with barbecue sauce if you like.
International Meatloaf
If you are looking for a different kind of meatloaf, try kofta kebabs, a Middle Eastern grilled ground meat recipe. The spices in this meat mixture (traditionally lamb) are a delicious change of pace from the usual. If you don't have the time or inclination to place them on skewers, you can make them into oblong-oval shapes that look like sausages without the casings.
TOMATO SOUP CAKE
This came from Carroll Pellegrinelli on The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “Tomato Soup Cake you say? Yuk. That’s what I thought about this cake. It’s not like that at all. First of all, you can’t even taste or smell any tomatoes. Secondly, if you enjoy spice cakes, you’ll enjoy this one too. The cream cheese frosting makes it taste even better.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: 24 pieces (24 servings)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon*
1/2 teaspoon cloves*
1 1/2 teaspoon allspice*
1 10 ounce can tomato soup
1/2 cup butter (melted or vegetable oil)
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk (or water)
For the Frosting:
1 pound cream cheese (room temperature)
1/2 cup/4 ounces butter (room temperature)
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. (325 degrees F. for a dark or glass pan). Grease an 13 x 9 baking pan. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground all spice in a large bowl with a wire whisk. Set the bowl aside. In a medium bowl, combine the tomato soup, melted butter, eggs and milk. Mix completely. Add the soup mixture to the flour mixture and mix until completely combined. Carefully, pour the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake the cake for at least 40 minutes or until it is tested done. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack.
Once the cake is completely cool, make the frosting. Beat the cream cheese until it’s fluffy. Add the butter until the mixture is even fluffier. Slowly add the milk. Be sure to mix each time the milk is added. Add the vanilla and continue to mix the frosting. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Continue to add the sugar until all of it is used. If the frosting seems too dry, add a tablespoon of milk at a time. Frost the cake with the cream cheese frosting. If you don’t want that much frosting, the excess can be frozen for a later use.
*Feel free to substitute nutmeg for one of the spices you don't happen to have.
Meatless Monday
It's time to start the week off with another Meatless Monday. Here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to get you started, including Broccoli and Cheese Crustless Quiche and Basic Vegetable Soup. Enjoy!
AL ROKER'S VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This yumminess is from Al Roker on the Today Show site. It begins, "This vegetarian lasagna, which is bubbling with gooey cheese, is a delicious way to sneak lots of vegetable servings into dinner."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/al-roker-s-vegetable-lasagna-t108791.
Ingredients
Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 zucchini, medium dice
1 small yellow squash, medium dice
1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
1 medium red bell pepper, medium dice
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups marinara sauce
3 tablespoons chopped basil
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Lasagna
32 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 pound dry lasagna noodles, cooked according to packaging
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Preparation
For the sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add zucchini, squash, onion and red peppers. Season with salt and sauté vegetables until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Pour in marinara sauce and chopped basil. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook sauce for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
For the lasagna:
While sauce is cooking, mix together ricotta cheese and egg until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, assemble the lasagna: Spoon vegetable sauce on bottom, cover with noodles in a single layer, spread a layer of the ricotta mixture and sprinkle some Parmesan. Repeat until the lasagna is fully built, finishing by covering the top with the shredded mozzarella.
Cover lasagna with aluminum foil. Bake in a 400°F oven, covered, for 40 minutes, then remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese turns golden brown.
Once cooked, let lasagna sit for 8-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE
This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
5 cups broccoli florets
1 1/4 cups 1% milk
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.
Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
CINNAMON-MAPLE APPLESAUCE
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Samantha wrote, "Applesauce isn’t just for babies. Sure, this very basic version is perfect for tender palates, but it also works as the base for many a sweet treat. In the fall you might try swapping in 1 1/2 pounds of pears for half of the apples and a bit of caramel in place of the maple. (Omit the maple syrup if serving with savory foods.) In the summer, swap out some of the apples for red plums for a tangy and a beautifully pink variation that’s lovely served over vanilla ice cream. Add a bit of grated ginger and a few plump medjool dates to make a sophisticated purée that would be nice with some whipped cream or even a pork chop. Make extra, as it doubles easily and freezes well, too."
Yield: 3 cups; Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022568-cinnamon-maple-applesauce.
Ingredients
3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 2-inch chunks, both tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith, Gala and Pink Lady
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more as needed
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Preparation
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine apples, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, maple syrup and cinnamon, cover, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the apples have softened, around 15 minutes. Remove lid and cook for another 5 minutes, until any excess liquid cooks off.
For a chunky sauce, use a potato masher to carefully mash the apples. For a smooth sauce, transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse to your desired consistency. If you like a thinner sauce, add up to 1/2 cup of water.
Taste and add a bit more maple syrup as necessary. (It will depend on the combination of apples.) Stir in a pinch of kosher salt.
Tip
To make this applesauce in the Instant Pot, add all the ingredients to the pot, cover, and set the pressure cooker to high. Allow it to come to pressure, let cook for 5 minutes, then immediately release the pressure. Carefully open the lid. Continue with the recipe from Step 2.
BEIGNETS
Who doesn't love beignets? This yummy recipe is from Scott Hocker for the Food Network. He wrote, "In New Orleans, where I live, beignets are served with a snowstorm of powdered sugar. The puffy fried dough squares are sold at loads of places here, including the rightfully famous Café du Monde. (Insider tip: Café du Monde's location in City Park is even more magical than the well-traveled one in the French Quarter.) Anytime you order beignets to go, the paper bag is likewise loaded with powdered sugar. Capture that spirit by tossing these New Orleans–style beignets with powdered sugar in a large paper grocery bag. Or use a baking sheet coated with sugar. Whatever approach you choose, be sure to eat them while they’re piping hot. That’s half the point. The other half is finding yourself covered in white powder after a few bites."
Active Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes (includes rising time); Yield: 42 beignets; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/beignets-9621174.
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk, warmed but not hot
One 1/4-ounce package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg, beaten
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
Canola oil, for frying (about 8 cups)
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Directions
Put the milk, yeast and 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and mix on low to combine. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Add the butter, salt, egg and remaining granulated sugar to the bowl and mix on low speed to combine. Add the flour in 1/2-cup increments, mixing on low speed just until the dough becomes sticky and pliable, about 2 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put somewhere warm to rise, such as inside an unlit oven, until the dough is roughly doubled in size, about 2 hours. (You can also refrigerate the covered dough overnight.)
Lightly flour a large work surface. Punch down the dough with your fist to remove air, then place the dough on the work surface. Roll the dough into a 12-by-14-inch rectangle that is about 1/4 inch thick. Make 6 cuts 2 inches apart along the 12-inch side and 7 cuts 2 inches apart along the 14-inch side using a sharp knife or pizza cutter for a total of forty-two 2-inch squares. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rest for at least 30 minutes. (If you refrigerated the dough, let the dough rest at least 1 hour.)
Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven or electric fryer. Put the confectioners' sugar in a large paper grocery bag or on a large baking sheet. Fry 6 to 8 beignets at a time, flipping them every 30 seconds or so, until both sides are golden brown, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes per batch. If using the paper bag, transfer the beignets to the bag and shake to coat well with the sugar. If using a baking sheet, transfer the beignets to the sheet and, using tongs, toss to coat well with the sugar. Repeat with the remaining dough. Serve immediately.
BASIC VEGETABLE SOUP
This is from Weight Watchers, and begins, "Some say this soup is the secret to their weight-loss success. It's a great midday snack or dinner appetizer. If you like thick soups, consider pureeing this recipe in the pot with an immersion blender. There are so many variations on this recipe. Add or leave out vegetables to suit your taste. Save time by using frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones (though the texture of the soup might change a bit). You can also buy small amounts of pre-cut vegetables from your supermarket's salad bar."
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 12; Serving Size: 1 cup; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 medium uncooked carrots, diced
2 small uncooked zucchini, diced
2 cups uncooked savoy cabbage, shredded, or other variety, shredded
2 cups uncooked Swiss chard, chopped
2 cups uncooked cauliflower, small floret
2 cups uncooked broccoli, small florets
1 medium uncooked onion, diced
1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
1 rib medium uncooked celery, diced
2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
6 cups fat free reduced sodium vegetable broth
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, or fresh chives, chopped
1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice, optional
Directions
Put garlic, vegetables, thyme, and broth into a large soup pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
Stir in parsley or chives; season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
HEARTY BROCCOLI AND ORECCHIETTE
This was in the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 30). It begins, "A classic Italian combination is filled out with mushrooms and spicy soy sausage for a hearty main dish." Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/hearty-broccoli-and-orecchiette/.
Ingredients
1 cup orecchiette pasta
6 cups small broccoli florets
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 cups sliced button mushrooms
1 Soyrizo sausage (6 oz.), chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
Preparation
Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente in large pot of boiling, salted water; add broccoli 3 minutes before end of cooking time. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water; drain pasta and broccoli, and set aside.
Wipe out pot, add oil, and heat over medium heat. Add mushrooms and Soyrizo, and cook 7 to 10 minutes, or until mushrooms are browned. Stir in garlic, and cook 30 seconds. Return pasta, broccoli, and reserved pasta-cooking water to pot, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until heated through. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
AL ROKER'S VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This yumminess is from Al Roker on the Today Show site. It begins, "This vegetarian lasagna, which is bubbling with gooey cheese, is a delicious way to sneak lots of vegetable servings into dinner."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/al-roker-s-vegetable-lasagna-t108791.
Ingredients
Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 zucchini, medium dice
1 small yellow squash, medium dice
1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
1 medium red bell pepper, medium dice
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups marinara sauce
3 tablespoons chopped basil
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Lasagna
32 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 pound dry lasagna noodles, cooked according to packaging
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Preparation
For the sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add zucchini, squash, onion and red peppers. Season with salt and sauté vegetables until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Pour in marinara sauce and chopped basil. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook sauce for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
For the lasagna:
While sauce is cooking, mix together ricotta cheese and egg until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, assemble the lasagna: Spoon vegetable sauce on bottom, cover with noodles in a single layer, spread a layer of the ricotta mixture and sprinkle some Parmesan. Repeat until the lasagna is fully built, finishing by covering the top with the shredded mozzarella.
Cover lasagna with aluminum foil. Bake in a 400°F oven, covered, for 40 minutes, then remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese turns golden brown.
Once cooked, let lasagna sit for 8-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE
This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
5 cups broccoli florets
1 1/4 cups 1% milk
1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
4 large egg whites, lightly beaten
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.
Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
CINNAMON-MAPLE APPLESAUCE
This is from Samantha Seneviratne in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Samantha wrote, "Applesauce isn’t just for babies. Sure, this very basic version is perfect for tender palates, but it also works as the base for many a sweet treat. In the fall you might try swapping in 1 1/2 pounds of pears for half of the apples and a bit of caramel in place of the maple. (Omit the maple syrup if serving with savory foods.) In the summer, swap out some of the apples for red plums for a tangy and a beautifully pink variation that’s lovely served over vanilla ice cream. Add a bit of grated ginger and a few plump medjool dates to make a sophisticated purée that would be nice with some whipped cream or even a pork chop. Make extra, as it doubles easily and freezes well, too."
Yield: 3 cups; Time: 35 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022568-cinnamon-maple-applesauce.
Ingredients
3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 2-inch chunks, both tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith, Gala and Pink Lady
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more as needed
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of kosher salt (about 1/8 teaspoon)
Preparation
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine apples, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, maple syrup and cinnamon, cover, and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the apples have softened, around 15 minutes. Remove lid and cook for another 5 minutes, until any excess liquid cooks off.
For a chunky sauce, use a potato masher to carefully mash the apples. For a smooth sauce, transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse to your desired consistency. If you like a thinner sauce, add up to 1/2 cup of water.
Taste and add a bit more maple syrup as necessary. (It will depend on the combination of apples.) Stir in a pinch of kosher salt.
Tip
To make this applesauce in the Instant Pot, add all the ingredients to the pot, cover, and set the pressure cooker to high. Allow it to come to pressure, let cook for 5 minutes, then immediately release the pressure. Carefully open the lid. Continue with the recipe from Step 2.
BEIGNETS
Who doesn't love beignets? This yummy recipe is from Scott Hocker for the Food Network. He wrote, "In New Orleans, where I live, beignets are served with a snowstorm of powdered sugar. The puffy fried dough squares are sold at loads of places here, including the rightfully famous Café du Monde. (Insider tip: Café du Monde's location in City Park is even more magical than the well-traveled one in the French Quarter.) Anytime you order beignets to go, the paper bag is likewise loaded with powdered sugar. Capture that spirit by tossing these New Orleans–style beignets with powdered sugar in a large paper grocery bag. Or use a baking sheet coated with sugar. Whatever approach you choose, be sure to eat them while they’re piping hot. That’s half the point. The other half is finding yourself covered in white powder after a few bites."
Active Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes (includes rising time); Yield: 42 beignets; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/beignets-9621174.
Ingredients
1 cup whole milk, warmed but not hot
One 1/4-ounce package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg, beaten
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
Canola oil, for frying (about 8 cups)
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Directions
Put the milk, yeast and 1 teaspoon of the granulated sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook and mix on low to combine. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Add the butter, salt, egg and remaining granulated sugar to the bowl and mix on low speed to combine. Add the flour in 1/2-cup increments, mixing on low speed just until the dough becomes sticky and pliable, about 2 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put somewhere warm to rise, such as inside an unlit oven, until the dough is roughly doubled in size, about 2 hours. (You can also refrigerate the covered dough overnight.)
Lightly flour a large work surface. Punch down the dough with your fist to remove air, then place the dough on the work surface. Roll the dough into a 12-by-14-inch rectangle that is about 1/4 inch thick. Make 6 cuts 2 inches apart along the 12-inch side and 7 cuts 2 inches apart along the 14-inch side using a sharp knife or pizza cutter for a total of forty-two 2-inch squares. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and let rest for at least 30 minutes. (If you refrigerated the dough, let the dough rest at least 1 hour.)
Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven or electric fryer. Put the confectioners' sugar in a large paper grocery bag or on a large baking sheet. Fry 6 to 8 beignets at a time, flipping them every 30 seconds or so, until both sides are golden brown, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes per batch. If using the paper bag, transfer the beignets to the bag and shake to coat well with the sugar. If using a baking sheet, transfer the beignets to the sheet and, using tongs, toss to coat well with the sugar. Repeat with the remaining dough. Serve immediately.
BASIC VEGETABLE SOUP
This is from Weight Watchers, and begins, "Some say this soup is the secret to their weight-loss success. It's a great midday snack or dinner appetizer. If you like thick soups, consider pureeing this recipe in the pot with an immersion blender. There are so many variations on this recipe. Add or leave out vegetables to suit your taste. Save time by using frozen vegetables instead of fresh ones (though the texture of the soup might change a bit). You can also buy small amounts of pre-cut vegetables from your supermarket's salad bar."
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 12; Serving Size: 1 cup; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
2 medium uncooked carrots, diced
2 small uncooked zucchini, diced
2 cups uncooked savoy cabbage, shredded, or other variety, shredded
2 cups uncooked Swiss chard, chopped
2 cups uncooked cauliflower, small floret
2 cups uncooked broccoli, small florets
1 medium uncooked onion, diced
1 medium sweet red pepper, diced
1 rib medium uncooked celery, diced
2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
6 cups fat free reduced sodium vegetable broth
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, or fresh chives, chopped
1/2 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice, optional
Directions
Put garlic, vegetables, thyme, and broth into a large soup pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer, partly covered, about 10 minutes.
Stir in parsley or chives; season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice.
HEARTY BROCCOLI AND ORECCHIETTE
This was in the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 30). It begins, "A classic Italian combination is filled out with mushrooms and spicy soy sausage for a hearty main dish." Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/hearty-broccoli-and-orecchiette/.
Ingredients
1 cup orecchiette pasta
6 cups small broccoli florets
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 cups sliced button mushrooms
1 Soyrizo sausage (6 oz.), chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
Preparation
Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente in large pot of boiling, salted water; add broccoli 3 minutes before end of cooking time. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water; drain pasta and broccoli, and set aside.
Wipe out pot, add oil, and heat over medium heat. Add mushrooms and Soyrizo, and cook 7 to 10 minutes, or until mushrooms are browned. Stir in garlic, and cook 30 seconds. Return pasta, broccoli, and reserved pasta-cooking water to pot, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until heated through. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Friday, July 25, 2025
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Chili Mac and Hamburger Stroganoff Skillet. Enjoy!
CHICKEN MARSALA
This is from Tyler Florence on the Food Network.
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/chicken-marsala-recipe-1951778.
Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
All-purpose flour, for dredging
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced
8 ounces crimini or porcini mushrooms, stemmed and halved
1/2 cup sweet Marsala wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions
Put the chicken breasts side by side on a cutting board and lay a piece of plastic wrap over them; pound with a flat meat mallet, until they are about 1/4-inch thick. Put some flour in a shallow platter and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly.
Heat the oil over medium-high flame in a large skillet. When the oil is nice and hot, dredge both sides of the chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess. Slip the cutlets into the pan and fry for 5 minutes on each side until golden, turning once – do this in batches if the pieces don't fit comfortably in the pan. Remove the chicken to a large platter in a single layer to keep warm.
Lower the heat to medium and add the prosciutto to the drippings in the pan, saute for 1 minute to render out some of the fat. Now, add the mushrooms and saute until they are nicely browned and their moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Pour the Marsala in the pan and boil down for a few seconds to cook out the alcohol. Add the chicken stock and simmer for a minute to reduce the sauce slightly. Stir in the butter and return the chicken to the pan; simmer gently for 1 minute to heat the chicken through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
MARRY ME BEANS
This is from Laurel Randolph, senior editor at Simply Recipes. The recipe begins, "Marry me chicken has taken the internet by storm the last few years, and its popularity has led to countless riffs. One of those riffs is marry me beans, which intrigued me—I love me some creamy beans...
"After playing around in the kitchen, I’ve now added this dish to my regular rotation. It’s hearty thanks to the beans, creamy and rich thanks to (again) the beans, a dash of cream, and Parmesan cheese, and packed with umami flavor thanks to the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic."
Prep Time: 8 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 18 minutes; Servings: 3
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon oil from a jar of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, plus more for serving
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup packed chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained if oil-packed)
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/3 cup freshy grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish, optional
4 slices sourdough bread, toasted, for serving
Directions
Heat the oil in a medium pot, braiser, or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until sizzling and aromatic, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Add the sun-dried tomatoes and stir. Then add the beans, broth, oregano, and salt and stir. Bring to a simmer, then roughly mash about 1/4 of the beans for a creamier mixture. I just use the back of a wooden spoon.
Once the mixture is bubbling and heated through, reduce the heat to low and add the cream, about 2/3 of the Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Stir until the cheese is melted, then taste. Add more salt and/or lemon if needed.
Top with a drizzle of additional sun-dried tomato oil, the remaining Parmesan, and fresh parsley or basil (if using). Serve with toasty bread for dunking.
CABBAGE AND POTATOES
This is from Kimberly Holland at Southern Living. The recipe is described as, "The perfect side dish that goes with just about anything."
Kimberly wrote, "This is a Southern classic for a reason: Cabbage and potatoes go so well together. Though this dish is made with humble ingredients, the final recipe is ultimately a rich, comforting, and aromatic side.
"Once cooked and composed, the cabbage is sweet and slightly bitter while the potatoes are nutty. Bacon boosts the meatiness of this dish and adds a bit of crunch. The black and crushed red peppers add a nice level of heat and aroma, elevating this from a flat, one-night flavor. Acid, in this case in the form of apple cider vinegar, is added at the end to brighten the dish up and actually makes things taste more of themselves.
"Learn how to make cabbage and potatoes, and whether you serve it as a side dish or a simple, filling main, you'll love how well these basic ingredients go together to make something unforgettable and special."
Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/cabbage-and-potatoes-8769488.
Ingredients
8 oz. thick-cut bacon, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 medium-size (8 oz.) sweet onion, thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
4 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced (about 2 Tbsp.)
6 (4-in.) fresh thyme sprigs
1 fresh bay leaf (optional)
1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more taste
3/4 tsp. cracked black pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 small (2 lb.) head green cabbage, coarsely chopped (about 12 cups)
12 oz. baby gold potatoes, halved or quartered if large (about 2 cups)
1/3 cup tap water
1-1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
Directions
Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 12 minutes. Transfer, using a slotted spoon, to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside. Reserve bacon drippings in Dutch oven.
Add onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper to bacon drippings; cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 8 minutes.
Add cabbage, potatoes, and 1/3 cup water; cover and cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and cabbage are tender, 18 to 20 minutes.
Remove from heat. Remove and discard thyme and bay leaf. Stir in vinegar and reserved cooked bacon. Taste and season with additional salt, if needed.
STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
This is from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Martha wrote, "This will taste like a strawberry shake if you use a banana that is truly ripe. Frozen strawberries will lend it a shake-like texture."
Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: One 16-ounce or two 8-ounce servings
This was featured in "Want More Fruit? Get Out the Blender," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012542-strawberry-smoothie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
1 medium-size or large, ripe banana
1 heaped cup fresh or frozen hulled strawberries
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
2 to 3 ice cubes
Preparation
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve right away.
Tip
Advance preparation: Smoothies should be made and drunk right away. This will thicken and lose flavor if it sits.
CHILI MAC
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Ali wrote, "“Nothing induces a feeling of security and comfort better than the come-hither aroma of an honest pot of chili mac keeping warm on the stove.” Many would agree with what Jane and Michael Stern wrote in “The Lexicon of Real American Food” (Lyons Press, 2011), whether they’ve had the thrifty, hearty combination of macaroni and chili at a family dinner table, around a campfire, bellied up to a bar somewhere near Lake Michigan or even in an M.R.E. in a military dining room. This supersavory version is a cinch, requiring just one pot and minimal chopping. (For another common chili pasta, see this Cincinnati chili con carne.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 35 mnutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024668-chili-mac. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great food, guides, and more.
Speaking of guides, check out Sam Sifton's guide, "Our Ultimate Guide to Making the Best Chili."
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or grapeseed), plus more as needed
1 pound ground beef
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon store-bought or homemade chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can beans (such as kidney, black or any bean you like in chili), with their liquid
8 ounces elbow macaroni or another small pasta
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
4 ounces grated sharp Cheddar, plus more for serving (both optional)
Hot sauce, thinly sliced scallions and chopped cilantro (all optional), for serving
Preparation
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the beef and press into an even layer to fill the pot. Sprinkle with the onion. Cook, undisturbed, until the beef is deeply browned underneath, 6 to 8 minutes (the meat won’t be fully cooked). If you don’t see fat sizzling around the edges of the pot, add a teaspoon or two of more oil.
Add the chili powder, cumin and garlic powder and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon into small pieces, until the onion is softened and the spices are fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, beans and their liquid, pasta and Worcestershire sauce and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add water, ¼ cup at a time.
Turn off the heat and stir in the Cheddar, if using, until melted. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce (if using). Serve topped with scallions, cilantro, hot sauce and more Cheddar as desired.
HAMBURGER STROGANOFF SKILLET
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Give ground beef the stroganoff treatment by combining it with sauteed mushrooms and rich cream. Cook pasta right in the sauce for an easy one-pan dinner."
Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/hamburger-stroganoff-skillet-5478672.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 10-ounce package white mushrooms, halved or quartered if large
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
One 15-ounce can low-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups dried penne pasta
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, season with salt and pepper and cook, breaking the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until well browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, leaving behind any drippings, and reduce the heat to medium.
To the same skillet, add the mushrooms, season with salt and cook until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to the bowl with the beef. Add the oil, paprika, garlic, carrot and onion to the skillet and cook until the carrots are soft and the onion is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook until the tomato paste has toasted and is evenly coating the vegetables, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth, Worcestershire and 1-1/2 cups of water to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and stir in the pasta. Cover and cook according to package directions until just al dente. Uncover, stir in the reserved beef and mushrooms and cook until heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, chives and parsley until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
CHICKEN MARSALA
This is from Tyler Florence on the Food Network.
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/chicken-marsala-recipe-1951778.
Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
All-purpose flour, for dredging
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced
8 ounces crimini or porcini mushrooms, stemmed and halved
1/2 cup sweet Marsala wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions
Put the chicken breasts side by side on a cutting board and lay a piece of plastic wrap over them; pound with a flat meat mallet, until they are about 1/4-inch thick. Put some flour in a shallow platter and season with a fair amount of salt and pepper; mix with a fork to distribute evenly.
Heat the oil over medium-high flame in a large skillet. When the oil is nice and hot, dredge both sides of the chicken cutlets in the seasoned flour, shaking off the excess. Slip the cutlets into the pan and fry for 5 minutes on each side until golden, turning once – do this in batches if the pieces don't fit comfortably in the pan. Remove the chicken to a large platter in a single layer to keep warm.
Lower the heat to medium and add the prosciutto to the drippings in the pan, saute for 1 minute to render out some of the fat. Now, add the mushrooms and saute until they are nicely browned and their moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Pour the Marsala in the pan and boil down for a few seconds to cook out the alcohol. Add the chicken stock and simmer for a minute to reduce the sauce slightly. Stir in the butter and return the chicken to the pan; simmer gently for 1 minute to heat the chicken through. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
MARRY ME BEANS
This is from Laurel Randolph, senior editor at Simply Recipes. The recipe begins, "Marry me chicken has taken the internet by storm the last few years, and its popularity has led to countless riffs. One of those riffs is marry me beans, which intrigued me—I love me some creamy beans...
"After playing around in the kitchen, I’ve now added this dish to my regular rotation. It’s hearty thanks to the beans, creamy and rich thanks to (again) the beans, a dash of cream, and Parmesan cheese, and packed with umami flavor thanks to the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic."
Prep Time: 8 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 18 minutes; Servings: 3
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon oil from a jar of oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, plus more for serving
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup packed chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained if oil-packed)
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1/3 cup freshy grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish, optional
4 slices sourdough bread, toasted, for serving
Directions
Heat the oil in a medium pot, braiser, or deep skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until sizzling and aromatic, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Add the sun-dried tomatoes and stir. Then add the beans, broth, oregano, and salt and stir. Bring to a simmer, then roughly mash about 1/4 of the beans for a creamier mixture. I just use the back of a wooden spoon.
Once the mixture is bubbling and heated through, reduce the heat to low and add the cream, about 2/3 of the Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Stir until the cheese is melted, then taste. Add more salt and/or lemon if needed.
Top with a drizzle of additional sun-dried tomato oil, the remaining Parmesan, and fresh parsley or basil (if using). Serve with toasty bread for dunking.
CABBAGE AND POTATOES
This is from Kimberly Holland at Southern Living. The recipe is described as, "The perfect side dish that goes with just about anything."
Kimberly wrote, "This is a Southern classic for a reason: Cabbage and potatoes go so well together. Though this dish is made with humble ingredients, the final recipe is ultimately a rich, comforting, and aromatic side.
"Once cooked and composed, the cabbage is sweet and slightly bitter while the potatoes are nutty. Bacon boosts the meatiness of this dish and adds a bit of crunch. The black and crushed red peppers add a nice level of heat and aroma, elevating this from a flat, one-night flavor. Acid, in this case in the form of apple cider vinegar, is added at the end to brighten the dish up and actually makes things taste more of themselves.
"Learn how to make cabbage and potatoes, and whether you serve it as a side dish or a simple, filling main, you'll love how well these basic ingredients go together to make something unforgettable and special."
Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/cabbage-and-potatoes-8769488.
Ingredients
8 oz. thick-cut bacon, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 medium-size (8 oz.) sweet onion, thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
4 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced (about 2 Tbsp.)
6 (4-in.) fresh thyme sprigs
1 fresh bay leaf (optional)
1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more taste
3/4 tsp. cracked black pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 small (2 lb.) head green cabbage, coarsely chopped (about 12 cups)
12 oz. baby gold potatoes, halved or quartered if large (about 2 cups)
1/3 cup tap water
1-1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
Directions
Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 12 minutes. Transfer, using a slotted spoon, to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside. Reserve bacon drippings in Dutch oven.
Add onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper to bacon drippings; cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 8 minutes.
Add cabbage, potatoes, and 1/3 cup water; cover and cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and cabbage are tender, 18 to 20 minutes.
Remove from heat. Remove and discard thyme and bay leaf. Stir in vinegar and reserved cooked bacon. Taste and season with additional salt, if needed.
STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
This is from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Martha wrote, "This will taste like a strawberry shake if you use a banana that is truly ripe. Frozen strawberries will lend it a shake-like texture."
Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: One 16-ounce or two 8-ounce servings
This was featured in "Want More Fruit? Get Out the Blender," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012542-strawberry-smoothie. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.
Ingredients
1 medium-size or large, ripe banana
1 heaped cup fresh or frozen hulled strawberries
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
2 to 3 ice cubes
Preparation
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve right away.
Tip
Advance preparation: Smoothies should be made and drunk right away. This will thicken and lose flavor if it sits.
CHILI MAC
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Ali wrote, "“Nothing induces a feeling of security and comfort better than the come-hither aroma of an honest pot of chili mac keeping warm on the stove.” Many would agree with what Jane and Michael Stern wrote in “The Lexicon of Real American Food” (Lyons Press, 2011), whether they’ve had the thrifty, hearty combination of macaroni and chili at a family dinner table, around a campfire, bellied up to a bar somewhere near Lake Michigan or even in an M.R.E. in a military dining room. This supersavory version is a cinch, requiring just one pot and minimal chopping. (For another common chili pasta, see this Cincinnati chili con carne.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 35 mnutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024668-chili-mac. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great food, guides, and more.
Speaking of guides, check out Sam Sifton's guide, "Our Ultimate Guide to Making the Best Chili."
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or grapeseed), plus more as needed
1 pound ground beef
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon store-bought or homemade chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can beans (such as kidney, black or any bean you like in chili), with their liquid
8 ounces elbow macaroni or another small pasta
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
4 ounces grated sharp Cheddar, plus more for serving (both optional)
Hot sauce, thinly sliced scallions and chopped cilantro (all optional), for serving
Preparation
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the beef and press into an even layer to fill the pot. Sprinkle with the onion. Cook, undisturbed, until the beef is deeply browned underneath, 6 to 8 minutes (the meat won’t be fully cooked). If you don’t see fat sizzling around the edges of the pot, add a teaspoon or two of more oil.
Add the chili powder, cumin and garlic powder and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon into small pieces, until the onion is softened and the spices are fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, beans and their liquid, pasta and Worcestershire sauce and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add water, ¼ cup at a time.
Turn off the heat and stir in the Cheddar, if using, until melted. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce (if using). Serve topped with scallions, cilantro, hot sauce and more Cheddar as desired.
HAMBURGER STROGANOFF SKILLET
This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Give ground beef the stroganoff treatment by combining it with sauteed mushrooms and rich cream. Cook pasta right in the sauce for an easy one-pan dinner."
Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/hamburger-stroganoff-skillet-5478672.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 10-ounce package white mushrooms, halved or quartered if large
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
One 15-ounce can low-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups dried penne pasta
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, season with salt and pepper and cook, breaking the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until well browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, leaving behind any drippings, and reduce the heat to medium.
To the same skillet, add the mushrooms, season with salt and cook until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to the bowl with the beef. Add the oil, paprika, garlic, carrot and onion to the skillet and cook until the carrots are soft and the onion is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook until the tomato paste has toasted and is evenly coating the vegetables, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth, Worcestershire and 1-1/2 cups of water to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and stir in the pasta. Cover and cook according to package directions until just al dente. Uncover, stir in the reserved beef and mushrooms and cook until heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, chives and parsley until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
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