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Showing posts with label Apple Spice Cake with Vanilla Butter Sauce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apple Spice Cake with Vanilla Butter Sauce. Show all posts

Monday, July 12, 2021

Meatless Monday

If it's Monday (and it is) it's time for another Meatless Monday. Today's offerings include Penne with Grilled Okra and Green Beans and Blueberry Lattice Pie. Enjoy!

APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice

1 teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.

Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Vanilla Butter Sauce:

Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.

VEGAN FRIED “CHICKEN” WITH SEITAN

This is from Jolinda Hackett, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Vegan fried ‘chicken’ made with seitan. This fried seitan "chicken" dish is deep-fried, so it isn't particularly healthy, though it is cholesterol-free and it sure is mighty tasty! Deep fried seitan and a blend of spices create a dish that's really quite similar in appearance and taste to fried chicken. If you like southern fried chicken, try vegan southern fried seitan made with all the same ingredients including a spicy batter and a coat of flour to make it just the perfect amount of crispiness. Make sure you have some ketchup or mustard or something to serve alongside to dip your vegan fried chicken in.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.

You can view this online here.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon salt (or seasoned salt)

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon black pepper

Optional: dash cayenne pepper

1 1/2 cups flour

Optional: 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1/4 cup mustard

2 tablespoons baking powder

1/2 cup water

1 lb. seitan (or another chicken substitute, cut into 1 to 2" square pieces)

Directions

In a medium to large bowl, mix together the salt, onion powder, garlic powder, flour, black pepper, cayenne, and nutritional yeast.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mustard and water. Add 1/3 cup of the flour mixture to the mustard mixture and combine well.

Add baking powder to the flour mixture and combine well.

Coat pieces of seitan or mock chicken with the mustard batter, then coat each piece with the dry flour mixture.

Fry chunks of "chicken" in the oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel, serve with ketchup, ranch dressing, honey mustard, hot sauce or barbecue sauce.

TOFU ALMONDINE

This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves: 4; Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 lb. tofu, drained, pressed & cut into cubes

4 tablespoons tamari

1/2 cup tamari

1/2 cup almond butter

2 2/3 cups water or veggie broth

2 2/3 tablespoons corn starch

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, sliced

1 green pepper, sliced

1 carrot, diced

2 cups mushrooms, sliced

1 cup broccoli florets

1/2 cup slivered almonds (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place tofu cubes in bowl & coat with 4 tablespoons tamari. Toss to combine & put on sprayed cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.

Whisk together almond butter, the rest of the tamari, water/veggie broth & corn starch.

Put tofu, veggies & sauce in 9x13 baking pan. Bake for about 1 hour or until veggies are soft & sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally (about every 15 minutes). Sprinkle with slivered almonds.

EASY VEGAN TEMPEH CHILI

This is from OnTrackDiabetes, a site with some good information for diabetics and their families.

Servings: 6; Prep time: 10 minutes; Cook time: 30 minutes; Total: 40 minutes

You can view this at https://www.ontrackdiabetes.com/recipes/easy-vegan-tempeh-chili.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

8 ounces tempeh

1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)

1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)

1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped (about 1 cup)

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1 15-ounce can of organic pinto beans (undrained)

1 15-ounce can of organic kidney beans (drained)

2 15-ounce cans of fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained)

3/4 cup of water

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large (6-quart) saucepan on medium heat.

Remove tempeh from the package and crumble it into saucepan. Brown for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add chopped onion, bell peppers and celery to saucepan. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes.

Add beans (1 drained and 1 undrained), tomatoes, water and remaining seasonings. Stir well to combine.

Simmer on low heat for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until peppers are cooked yet still firm.

BLUEBERRY LATTICE PIE

This is from Molly O’Neill in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Molly wrote, “Here's a showstopper of a summer pie if there ever was one. In this recipe that came to The Times in 1995, a generous pile of blueberries is tossed with sugar, cinnamon and orange zest then baked in a butter-shortening crust until the filling is bubbly and the crust golden brown. Don't be intimidated by the lattice top. Just take your time, and do your best. No matter what it looks like, it'll taste delicious.”

Yield: 8 servings; Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

This was featured in “On Blueberry Hill”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/9290-blueberry-lattice-pie.

Also, check out “How to Make a Pie Crust,” by Melissa Clark. Very helpful!

Ingredients

The Crust:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons plus 2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut in small pieces

6 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening

6 to 8 tablespoons ice water

1 egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water

The Filling:

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

6 cups fresh blueberries, cleaned

Preparation

To make the crust, combine the flour, 2 teaspoons of sugar and salt in a large bowl. Use your fingers to rub in the butter and shortening until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Gradually and lightly mix in just enough ice water so the dough can be gently pressed into a ball. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.

To make the filling, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the sugar, cinnamon, flour and orange zest. Place the blueberries in a large bowl and toss with the sugar mixture.

Divide the dough in half and roll out 1 piece on a lightly floured surface and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Place the filling in the dish. Roll out the remaining dough, cut 1/2-inch-wide strips and weave into a lattice top. Seal, trim and crimp the edges. Brush the top pastry with the egg wash and sprinkle it with the remaining sugar.

Bake for 30 minutes. Reduce temperature to 325 and bake until crust is browned and filling is set, about 20 minutes longer. Cool on a rack. Cut into wedges and serve.

PENNE WITH GRILLED OKRA AND GREEN BEANS

This is from the Food Network. Active Time: 25 minutes; Tota Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/penne-with-grilled-okra-and-green-beans-5258431.

Ingredients

8 ounces okra, trimmed and halved lengthwise

8 ounces green beans, trimmed

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

12 ounces penne rigate

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup fresh basil

Directions

Preheat a grill to medium high. Toss the okra and green beans with 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a sheet of foil or a grill basket with the okra cut-side down. Grill the vegetables, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and tender, 6 to 8 minutes.

Transfer to a cutting board. Halve the beans crosswise and halve any large okra pieces lengthwise.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest; season with salt and pepper.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 3/4 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and return to the pot. Stir in the grilled okra and green beans, parmesan and garlic, stirring in enough of the reserved cooking water to loosen. Stir in the basil. Divide among bowls and top with the panko mixture.

Friday, June 5, 2020

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday, time to get ready for the weekend. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend (and beyond), including 30-Minute Chili with Ground Beef and Beans and Mexican-Style Stuffed Bell Peppers. Enjoy!

ITALIAN PASTA BAKE

This comes from John Alberti and was posted on the TODAY Show website. John wrote, “We love pasta bakes in our family. You can always make a big batch to feed everyone; they are filling and packed with amazing flavor.

“Swap option: For a vegetarian option substitute fresh veggies like peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant chili, etc. for the sausage.”

Cook Time: 25 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 6-8

To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/italian-pasta-bake-recipe-t150523.

Ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil

2 pounds Italian sausage

1 large onion, finely chopped

5 cloves garlic, finely chopped

5 cups tomato puree

1 tablespoon tomato paste

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup fresh spinach

1 handful fresh basil leaves

2 pounds rigatoni

5 cups sliced mozzarella

1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Directions

In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Take the casings off the sausages, and add meat to skillet. Break up with wooden spoon into thick chunks. Cook for about 8 minutes.

Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until golden. Add the tomato puree and tomato paste, and season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

Chop the spinach and basil and add to the skillet. Mix well and reduce heat. As the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Drain the rigatoni and add to the skillet with the sausages and sauce. Mix well, then lightly oil a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Spread the pasta mixture in the baking dish, then break up the mozzarella and spread it around the top of the dish. Cover with Parmigiano Reggiano.

Bake until the sauce is bubbling, the Parmigiano is nice and crispy on top, and the mozzarella is melted, 20-25 minutes.

APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice

1 teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.

Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Vanilla Butter Sauce:

Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.

ASIAN CHICKEN AND SLAW

Recipe Yield: Servings: 4

Source: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes"

Book Title: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/asian-chicken-and-slaw.

Ingredients

1-1/4 pounds ground chicken

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green onions (including some green), finely chopped

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 can (8 ounces) water chestnuts, drained and chopped

2 tablespoons dark Asian sesame oil

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 package (16 ounces) shredded coleslaw mix

1/4 cup beef broth

Directions

Combine chicken, 2 cloves garlic, green onions, 2 teaspoons ginger, half of water chestnuts, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, hoisin sauce, 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a medium- size bowl. Shape into patties.

Heat remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook 4 minutes per side or until internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant thermometer. Remove to a serving platter and keep warm.

Add remaining garlic, water chestnuts, soy sauce and salt to skillet, along with coleslaw mix. Cook over medium-high heat 7 minutes. Add broth, cover and cook 3 minutes or until tender. Serve slaw alongside patties.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 344; Fat: 16 g; Sodium: 579 mg; Protein: 32 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Low-Fat Meat; 2 Fat

HOME-STYLE GINGERBREAD

This was originally from about.com, which has changed to dotdash.com. I've checked around, and can't locate this recipe on any of their channels; if anyone happens to find it there, please let me know!

This recipe began, “This wonderful ginger and cinnamon-scented cake is sure to bring a smile to your face, and it's the perfect dessert for a cold winter weekend. Top this warm gingerbread with a generous dollop of fresh sweetened whipped cream and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.”

Ingredients

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup molasses

3/4 cup hot water

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Grease & flour 9-inch square baking pan or spray with baking spray with flour. Heat oven to 325°. Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl; beat on low speed of electric mixer until ingredients are combined. Scrape sides of the bowl & increase mixer speed to medium; beat for about 3 minutes longer. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Cut into squares and serve with freshly whipped cream. To serve leftover gingerbread, warm slightly in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds.

This gingerbread freezes well: cut into squares and wrap individually. Thaw & warm in the microwave just before serving.

30-MINUTE CHILI WITH GROUND BEEF AND BEANS

This comes from Diana Rattray, a southern food cook on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This ground beef chili is hearty and delicious, and it takes only 30 minutes from start to finish! Don't feel overwhelmed by the list of ingredients, many are suggested toppings.

“The ground beef is quickly browned, then it is combined with a spice mixture, beans, and tomatoes for a quick and easy meal for a busy day. It's also easy on the budget.

“Make a pan of cornbread to go with the chili, along with a salad or slaw, or serve it with hot cooked rice and warm tortillas.

“If you're making this for a party game day gathering, offer several toppings with the chili and add a bowl of tortilla chips to the menu. The recipe is easily doubled.”

Total Time: 30 mins; PrepTime: 5 mins; Cook: 25 mins; Yield: 6 Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Seasoning Mix:

3 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons onion (dried minced)

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Chili:

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

1 can/14.5 ounces diced tomatoes

1 can/14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with mild green chile peppers*

1 can/8 ounces tomato sauce

1 can/15 to 16 ounces black beans (undrained)

salt to taste

Optional: shredded cheddar, cheddar-jack, or a Mexican blend of cheeses

For Toppings (optional):

sour cream

green onion (chopped)

red onion (chopped)

lettuce (shredded)

cilantro

guacamole

tomatoes (diced)

Directions

In a small bowl or cup, combine the chili powder with the dried minced onion, cumin, oregano, sugar, garlic powder, and the black and cayenne peppers. Blend well and set aside.

In a Dutch oven or large sauté pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef, turning and breaking up with a spatula as it cooks.

Drain the ground beef well. Return the beef to the pan over medium heat. Add the chili seasoning mix and stir to blend.

Add the 2 cans of tomatoes, tomato sauce, and undrained black beans. Stir to blend ingredients.

Bring the chili to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

Taste and add salt, as needed.

Serve with a Tex-Mex cornbread or classic Southern cornbread, biscuits, crackers, or tortilla chips, along with shredded cheese and your favorite toppings.

Tip

If you don't have diced tomatoes with chile peppers, use regular diced tomatoes and add mild green chile peppers. Or, use about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chunky mild to medium salsa in place of the second can of tomatoes.

MEXICAN-STYLE STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

This also comes from the November 2014 issue of Heart Insight Magazine. This one begins, “In this Latin twist on stuffed bell peppers, black beans replace the traditional rice and salsa stands in for the standard tomato sauce.” Serves 4; 1 stuffed bell pepper per serving.

To view this online, go to http://heartinsight.heart.org/November-2014/Mexican-Style-Stuffed-Bell-Peppers/.

Ingredients

4 large red or green bell peppers, or a combination, stems, seeds, and ribs discarded, tops chopped and reserved

Cooking spray

1/2 cup chopped onion

3 medium garlic cloves, minced

8 ounces 95% fat-free ground beef

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup salsa (lowest sodium available)

1 cup canned no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided use

1/4 cup low-fat shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend

1/4 cup fat-free sour cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

In a microwave oven, place the bell peppers with the cut side up on a paper towel. Microwave on 100% power (high) for 4–5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Transfer with the cut side up to a 9-inch square baking dish or shallow casserole dish.

Meanwhile, lightly spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Cook the chopped bell pepper tops, onion, and garlic for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the beef. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to turn and break up the beef. Discard any drippings.

Sprinkle the beef mixture with the chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the salsa. Remove from the heat.

Gently stir in the beans and cup cilantro. Spoon the beef mixture into the peppers. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the Mexican blend cheese over the beef mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Top the peppers with the sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Cake

If there's one dessert that says celebration, it's cake. Here are six yummy cake recipes to help you through almost any celebration, including Fabulous Vegan Fudge Cake with Bittersweet Icing and Tomato Soup Cake. (Before you say yuck about that, check it out.) Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CAKE

This comes from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times' cooking newsletter. Nigella writes, “For me, a chocolate cake is the basic unit of celebration. The chocolate Guinness cake here is simple but deeply pleasurable, and has earned its place as a stand-alone treat.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; one 9-inch cake or 12 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

Butter for pan

1 cup Guinness stout

10 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups superfine sugar

3/4 cup sour cream

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

For the Topping:

1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 cup heavy cream

Preparation:

For the cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, combine Guinness and butter. Place over medium-low heat until butter melts, then remove from heat. Add cocoa and superfine sugar, and whisk to blend.

In a small bowl, combine sour cream, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add to Guinness mixture. Add flour and baking soda, and whisk again until smooth. Pour into buttered pan, and bake until risen and firm, 45 minutes to one hour. Place pan on a wire rack and cool completely in pan.

For the topping: Using a food processor or by hand, mix confectioners' sugar to break up lumps. Add cream cheese and blend until smooth. Add heavy cream, and mix until smooth and spreadable.

Remove cake from pan and place on a platter or cake stand. Ice top of cake only, so that it resembles a frothy pint of Guinness.

APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice

1 teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.

Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Vanilla Butter Sauce:

Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.

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.

LEMON SNACKING CAKE WITH COCONUT GLAZE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “With a poundcake-like texture and zippy lemon flavor, this tender treat is loaded with grated citrus zest and topped with a sweet, mellow coconut frosting. Like many snacking cakes, it’s easily whisked together without a mixer, and quick to bake. Perfect as an afternoon pick-me-up, it goes as well with a glass of milk as it does with mugs of coffee, tea or hot cocoa.”

Yield: 12 servings; Time: 1 hour, plus cooling

This was featured in “Three Snacking Cakes to Change Your Afternoons”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola, plus more for pan

3 lemons

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup coconut milk

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 packed cup shredded sweetened coconut

For the Glaze:

3 tablespoons coconut milk

1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

Pinch of fine sea salt

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Finely grated lemon zest, for garnish

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-9-inch pan, and then line with parchment paper, letting the two long ends hang over the edge of the pan by at least 2 inches.

Grate 2 tablespoons of zest from the lemons. Juice the lemons so you have 1/4 cup juice. Add juice and zest to a medium bowl, then whisk in oil, sour cream, coconut milk and eggs.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk wet mixture into dry mixture until smooth.

Scrape batter into baking pan and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle evenly with shredded sweetened coconut. Bake until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed in the center, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely.

When cake is cool, make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, oil and salt. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Pour over the cake, and grate some lemon zest over the top. Let the glaze set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

DUMP CAKE

This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients

1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling

1 (15 oz) can crushed pineapple

1 (18 oz) pkg. yellow cake mix

8 oz. chopped walnuts

1/2 C. butter (melted)

Directions

In a 9x13 pan mix cherry pie filling and pineapple. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pineapple and cherry mixture, stir until just combined. Then sprinkle walnuts over top. Drizzle top with melted butter. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

FABULOUS VEGAN FUDGE CAKE WITH BITTERSWEET ICING

This recipe, from the September 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 66, begins, “'I’ve tried vegan cake recipes in the past, but didn’t like the sour taste of the vinegar that is usually used to activate the leavening,' says single mom and café manager Shelly Platten. 'I tinkered with some recipes that didn’t use vinegar to come up with a fudgy, satisfying cake.'” Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups Bob’s Red Mill organic unbleached white flour

1 2/3 cups Florida Crystals organic cane sugar, divided

1 1/3 cups Chatfield’s cocoa powder, divided

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup Silk vanilla soymilk, divided

1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup canola oil, divided

1 cup toasted chopped hazelnuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch round pan with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray.

Whisk together flour, 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup cocoa, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Whisk together 2/3 cup soymilk, 1/3 cup oil, and 1/2 cup water in separate bowl. Stir soymilk mixture into flour mixture. Spread in prepared pan, and bake 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Unmold onto plate.

Warm remaining 2/3 cup cocoa, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup oil in saucepan over medium heat. Pour in remaining 1/3 cup soymilk, and cook 1 minute, or until smooth. Spread icing over warm cake, and sprinkle with hazelnuts.

from the September 2012 issue, p.66

nutritional information

Per Slice:

Calories: 525; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 25 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 67 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 315 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 43 g

Friday, August 9, 2019

Friday Recipes

Since it's Friday (yay!), today's offerings can help you through the weekend, and include Old-Fashioned Meatloaf and Crockpot Maple BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. Enjoy!

APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice

1 teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.

Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Vanilla Butter Sauce:

Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.

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.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY PASTITSIO (GREEK LASAGNA)

This is from Diabetes Food Hub, and begins, “This version of Greek Lasagna is a great family meal that pairs well with a green salad topped with a little feta cheese and light Greek salad dressing.”

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 12; Serving Size: 1 slice

View this online at https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/budget-friendly-pastitsio-greek-lasagna.html.

Ingredients

1 spray Nonstick cooking spray

1 medium onion (diced)

20 oz lean ground turkey (93% fat-free)

2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground oregano

1/2 tsp salt (optional)

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 can tomato sauce (15 ounce, low-sodium)

1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

1 lbs brown rice or quinoa penne pasta (or whole wheat penne pasta)

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp whole wheat flour

2 cups skim milk

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)

1 egg

Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 8

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.

Add cooking spray to a large nonstick sauté pan. Sauté onions for 4-5 minutes or until translucent. Add in ground turkey and sauté for 8-10 minutes, or until turkey is cooked through.

Add cinnamon, oregano, salt (optional), ground black pepper, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer for 5-7 minutes or until just starting to thicken.

Stir in parsley and set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt. Drain and stir immediately into turkey mixture. Pour the pasta and turkey mixture into the baking sheet and press down so it is evenly spread in the pan.

Add the olive oil to a small sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook the flour for 1-2 minutes, taking care not to brown it. Stir constantly.

Slowly whisk in the skim milk and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Whisk in the nutmeg and parmesan cheese.

In a small bowl, whisk the egg and then slowly whisk in the hot milk mixture to temper the egg. Add the rest of the milk mixture to the egg and then pour over the top of the pasta, spreading to coat the entire thing.

Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly and top is golden brown.

COUSCOUS WITH MIXED VEGETABLES

This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients

Couscous:

16 oz couscous

2 cups water

2 teaspoons oil or margarine

Salt & pepper

Aromatic broth:

1 onion, chopped

1/2 cup golden raisins

2 Tablespoons turmeric

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 Tablespoon coriander, ground

1 Tablespoon cumin

1 cinnamon stick

1 cup water

Salt & pepper to taste

Vegetables:

1/2 zucchini

1/2 yellow squash

1 turnip

1 carrot

1/8 cabbage

Directions

Boil water with salt, pepper & oil. Mix in couscous & place plastic wrap on top. Let steam for 15 minutes. Sauté onion. Add raisins, turmeric, coriander, cumin & cinnamon stick & 6 cups of water. Boil for 25 minutes, then strain. Cook zucchini, yellow squash, turnip, carrot, & cabbage in broth & set aside until ready to use.

CROCKPOT MAPLE BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICHES

This came from a Weight Watchers crockpot email list maybe a decade or more ago. The points value is from then.

4 servings = 225 calories, 4g fat, 1g fiber; 5 points per serving

Ingredients

1/2 C. maple flavored syrup

2 T. prepared mustard

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

2 t. lemon juice

1/2 t. chili powder

1/4 t. garlic powder

4 boneless, skinned chicken breasts

Directions

Place all ingredients in crockpot & cook on LOW for about 7 to 8 hours or until chicken is done.

You can either eat the breasts whole or shred them on buns or rice for more points.

SUMMER MINISTRONE SOUP

This comes from tbsp.com, and begins, “Minestrone soup, swimming with beans and macaroni, is vegetable soup’s heartier Italian cousin. Preparing it in advance and having at the ready in your freezer will have you singing ‘That’s Amore’ when dinnertime comes around.”

Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed (from 15-oz can)

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 medium carrot, thinly sliced

1/2 cup fresh or frozen cut (1/2-inch) green beans

1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ broth vegetable

Shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired

Directions

In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onion and salt; cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, thyme and oregano; cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, cannellini beans, zucchini, carrot, green beans and macaroni.

Add stock; heat to simmering over medium-high heat. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is al dente. Top with Parmesan cheese.

To freeze: In 8-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and salt; cook about 4 minutes or until softened. Add garlic, thyme and oregano; cook 2 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Stir in tomatoes and cannellini beans. Transfer to 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag. Mix zucchini, carrot, green beans and macaroni in another 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag. Freeze both bags up to 3 months. When ready to serve: In 4-quart saucepan, mix broth and bag of frozen tomato-bean mixture; heat to simmering over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook until frozen tomato-bean mixture is completely thawed, stirring occasionally. Add bag of vegetables and macaroni; return to simmering. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is al dente. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Expert Tips

Lots of fun small pasta shapes are on your grocery store shelves. Try ditalini, orzo or small shells for a change of pace from elbow macaroni.

Canned chickpeas are a good substitute for the cannellini beans in this soup.

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Cake - Double-Post Thursday

Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's double post deals with that iconic dessert often associated with celebrations (Cake), and include Chocolate Guinness Cake and Fabulous Vegan Fudge Cake with Bittersweet Icing. Enjoy!

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.

CHOCOLATE GUINNESS CAKE

This comes from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times' cooking newsletter. Nigella writes, “For me, a chocolate cake is the basic unit of celebration. The chocolate Guinness cake here is simple but deeply pleasurable, and has earned its place as a stand-alone treat.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; one 9-inch cake or 12 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

Butter for pan

1 cup Guinness stout

10 tablespoons (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons) unsalted butter

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups superfine sugar

3/4 cup sour cream

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

For the Topping:

1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar

8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 cup heavy cream

Preparation:

For the cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, combine Guinness and butter. Place over medium-low heat until butter melts, then remove from heat. Add cocoa and superfine sugar, and whisk to blend.

In a small bowl, combine sour cream, eggs and vanilla; mix well. Add to Guinness mixture. Add flour and baking soda, and whisk again until smooth. Pour into buttered pan, and bake until risen and firm, 45 minutes to one hour. Place pan on a wire rack and cool completely in pan.

For the topping: Using a food processor or by hand, mix confectioners' sugar to break up lumps. Add cream cheese and blend until smooth. Add heavy cream, and mix until smooth and spreadable.

Remove cake from pan and place on a platter or cake stand. Ice top of cake only, so that it resembles a frothy pint of Guinness.

APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE

This comes from another infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice

1 teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.

Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Vanilla Butter Sauce:

Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.

DUMP CAKE

This came from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients

1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling

1 (15 oz) can crushed pineapple

1 (18 oz) pkg. yellow cake mix

8 oz. chopped walnuts

1/2 C. butter (melted)

Directions

In a 9x13 pan mix cherry pie filling and pineapple. Sprinkle dry cake mix over pineapple and cherry mixture, stir until just combined. Then sprinkle walnuts over top. Drizzle top with melted butter. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

ALL-IN-ONE CHOCOLATE CAKE

This also comes from Nigella Lawson, in The New York Times' cooking newsletter. If you haven't signed up for their newsletter, I highly recommend it. Nigella writes, “This is the perfect chocolate cake: beautiful, melting, intense but not heavy. The batter comes together quickly in a food processor, and the cake bakes at 350 degrees for a while, giving the baker time to assemble the frosting, which is given a luscious sheen by a bit of corn syrup. Use the best chocolate you can find for the frosting, and gild it however you like: with a few flowers, some birthday candles or nothing at all.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 10 to 12 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

Butter for greasing baking pans

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder

6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla

3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

For the Frosting:

6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces

3 ounces (3/4 stick) unsalted butter

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Preparation

For cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides of two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process to make a smooth, thick batter.

Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans, and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.

For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners' sugar to thicken.

Cut four strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place them side by side on a cake plate, covering the surface. Place one cake layer domed-side down on plate.

Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed side up. Spoon another third of frosting on top of cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread sides of cake with remaining frosting, and allow to sit for a few minutes until set. Carefully remove paper strips. Place cake under glass or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool place until serving.

FABULOUS VEGAN FUDGE CAKE WITH BITTERSWEET ICING

This recipe, from the September 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 66, begins, “'I’ve tried vegan cake recipes in the past, but didn’t like the sour taste of the vinegar that is usually used to activate the leavening,' says single mom and café manager Shelly Platten. 'I tinkered with some recipes that didn’t use vinegar to come up with a fudgy, satisfying cake.'” Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

1 1/4 cups Bob’s Red Mill organic unbleached white flour

1 2/3 cups Florida Crystals organic cane sugar, divided

1 1/3 cups Chatfield’s cocoa powder, divided

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup Silk vanilla soymilk, divided

1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup canola oil, divided

1 cup toasted chopped hazelnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch round pan with parchment paper, and spray with cooking spray.

2. Whisk together flour, 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup cocoa, baking soda, and salt in bowl. Whisk together 2/3 cup soymilk, 1/3 cup oil, and 1/2 cup water in separate bowl. Stir soymilk mixture into flour mixture. Spread in prepared pan, and bake 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Unmold onto plate.

3. Warm remaining 2/3 cup cocoa, 2/3 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup oil in saucepan over medium heat. Pour in remaining 1/3 cup soymilk, and cook 1 minute, or until smooth. Spread icing over warm cake, and sprinkle with hazelnuts.

from the September 2012 issue, p.66

nutritional information

Per Slice:

Calories: 525; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 25 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 67 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 315 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 43 g

Thursday, July 11, 2019

Double-Post Thursday

Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's yummy offerings include Cheesy Taco Meatloaf and Coke-Brined Fried Chicken. Enjoy!

NEW ENGLAND BAKED BEANS

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. It seems to be from a diabetic source, though I've checked on the diabetic sites that I've subscribed to and could not find this recipe listed.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients

8 ounces dried navy, or Great Northern beans, washed, sorted

4 slices bacon, fried crisp, well drained, cut into 1-inch pieces

3/4 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic

3 tablespoons tomato paste

3 tablespoons dark molasses

3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Cover beans with 2 inches of water in large saucepan; heat to boiling and boil, uncovered, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 1 hour.

Add more water to beans to cover, if necessary. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until beans are tender, about 1-1/4 hours. Drain beans; reserve liquid.

Mix beans, bacon, onion, garlic, tomato paste, molasses, brown sugar, dry mustard, thyme, and salt in 1-1/2-quart casserole; add enough reserved cooking liquid to cover beans. Bake, covered, at 325 degrees F, stirring occasionally, 3 hours. Bake, uncovered, until beans are desired consistency, about 1 hour more.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/8 of recipe): Calories: 161, Fat: 2.1 g, Cholesterol: 2.7 g, Sodium: 246 mg, Protein: 7.8 g, Carbohydrate: 29.1 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Bread, 1/2 Fat

APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE

This comes from another infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice

1 teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.

Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Vanilla Butter Sauce:

Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.

SUMMER MINISTRONE SOUP

This comes from tbsp.com, and begins, “Minestrone soup, swimming with beans and macaroni, is vegetable soup’s heartier Italian cousin. Preparing it in advance and having at the ready in your freezer will have you singing ‘That’s Amore’ when dinnertime comes around.”

Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed (from 15-oz can)

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 medium carrot, thinly sliced

1/2 cup fresh or frozen cut (1/2-inch) green beans

1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ broth vegetable

Shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired

Directions

In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add the onion and salt; cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, thyme and oregano; cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, cannellini beans, zucchini, carrot, green beans and macaroni.

Add stock; heat to simmering over medium-high heat. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is al dente. Top with Parmesan cheese.

To freeze: In 8-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and salt; cook about 4 minutes or until softened. Add garlic, thyme and oregano; cook 2 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Stir in tomatoes and cannellini beans. Transfer to 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag. Mix zucchini, carrot, green beans and macaroni in another 1-quart resealable freezer plastic bag. Freeze both bags up to 3 months. When ready to serve: In 4-quart saucepan, mix broth and bag of frozen tomato-bean mixture; heat to simmering over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; cook until frozen tomato-bean mixture is completely thawed, stirring occasionally. Add bag of vegetables and macaroni; return to simmering. Cook 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is al dente. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Expert Tips

Lots of fun small pasta shapes are on your grocery store shelves. Try ditalini, orzo or small shells for a change of pace from elbow macaroni.

Canned chickpeas are a good substitute for the cannellini beans in this soup.

CHEESY TACO MEATLOAF

This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “It takes just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to put together this scrumptious meatloaf...and when it comes out of the oven you've got two family favorites, tacos and meatloaf, combined into one tasty dish!”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes; Serves: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Chunky Salsa or Pace® Picante Sauce - Medium

1 1/2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (about 1/2 cup)

1 egg

1 teaspoon chili powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Set the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly mix the beef, 1 cup salsa, tortilla chips, egg, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a 3-quart shallow baking pan and shape into an 9x4-inch loaf.

Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.

Spread the remaining salsa over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

SKINNY MEXICAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE

This comes from the Tablespoon newsletter, and begins, “An easy Mexican dinner for under 300 calories per serving. You can even assemble it ahead of time and bake before serving!” Prep Time: 25 min; Total Time: 60 min; Servings: 5

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 bag (11 oz) Green Giant™ Steamers™ frozen corn & black beans with brown rice in a Southwestern style sauce

2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce

1/4 cup chopped green onions (4 medium)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 small red bell pepper, chopped

3/4 cup finely shredded 2% milk reduced-fat Mexican style cheese blend (3 oz)

1 cup shredded lettuce

1 tomato, chopped

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate or shallow small casserole with cooking spray. Cook rice mixture as directed on bag for minimum time. In large bowl, mix chicken, rice mixture and enchilada sauce. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the green onions, the cilantro and bell pepper. Spoon into pie plate.

Bake uncovered 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly and heated through. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Top with shredded lettuce, tomato and remaining green onions.

COKE-BRINED FRIED CHICKEN

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "John Currence, of City Grocery in Oxford, Miss., spent a long time in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit, and was justly celebrated for his hard work there helping to rebuild a cathedral of Southern fried chicken, Willie Mae’s Scotch House. In his 2013 cookbook, “Pickles, Pigs and Whiskey,” Currence paid tribute to the wet batter used on Willie Mae’s legendary dish. But for the purpose of weekend chicken warriors we have omitted it in our adaptation of his homage, concentrating instead on Currence’s use of a Coke-based poultry brine that not only adds some sweetness to the chicken thighs he uses but mildly tenderizes them along the way. Let the meat sit in the brine for a few hours before using, but not so long as overnight, where it really begins to break down. Then dry the thighs, dredge them in seasoned flour, and fry in peanut oil, ideally enhanced by lard. The result is mahogany-brown chicken with a crisp crust and a luscious interior." Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Brine:

5 cups Coca-Cola

1 tablespoon kosher salt

10 sprigs fresh thyme

4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

4 teaspoons mild hot sauce like Crystal, Texas Pete or Cholula

8 to 12 chicken thighs, preferably free-range, organic

For the Seasoned Flour:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

2 teaspoons smoked Spanish paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Frying:

3 cups peanut oil

1 cup lard, optional, or replace with peanut oil

For Serving:

Hot sauce

Preparation

Make the brine: Combine cola, salt, thyme, garlic and hot sauce in a large metal bowl and stir until the salt has dissolved. Add the chicken thighs, cover and refrigerate 3 to 5 hours.

Make the seasoned flour: In a wide, shallow bowl or pan, combine the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Put the peanut oil in a large heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until it reaches 375 degrees on a candy thermometer. While the oil heats, remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. Dredge the thighs in the flour and shake to remove excess.

Working in batches of 2 or 3 at a time, carefully lower thighs into the hot oil. The oil temperature will plummet when the cold chicken goes into the pan; turn up the heat and carefully monitor the temperature. Cook for a little more than 3 minutes on one side, a little more than 3 minutes on the other, and then a final 3 minutes on the first side. Remove to a wire rack or paper towel to drain.

The juices should run clear when the chicken is poked with a knife. If necessary, transfer the browned chicken to a baking sheet and bake until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees on a instant-read thermometer. Serve hot or at room temperature with hot sauce.

Friday, June 14, 2019

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday, time to get ready for the weekend. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend (and beyond), including 30-Minute Chili with Ground Beef and Beans and Mexican-Style Stuffed Bell Peppers. Enjoy!

ITALIAN PASTA BAKE

This comes from John Alberti and was posted on the TODAY Show website. John wrote, “We love pasta bakes in our family. You can always make a big batch to feed everyone; they are filling and packed with amazing flavor.

“Swap option: For a vegetarian option substitute fresh veggies like peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant chili, etc. for the sausage.”

Cook Time: 25 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 6-8

To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/italian-pasta-bake-recipe-t150523.

Ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil

2 pounds Italian sausage

1 large onion, finely chopped

5 cloves garlic, finely chopped

5 cups tomato puree

1 tablespoon tomato paste

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup fresh spinach

1 handful fresh basil leaves

2 pounds rigatoni

5 cups sliced mozzarella

1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Directions

In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Take the casings off the sausages, and add meat to skillet. Break up with wooden spoon into thick chunks. Cook for about 8 minutes.

Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until golden. Add the tomato puree and tomato paste, and season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

Chop the spinach and basil and add to the skillet. Mix well and reduce heat. As the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Drain the rigatoni and add to the skillet with the sausages and sauce. Mix well, then lightly oil a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Spread the pasta mixture in the baking dish, then break up the mozzarella and spread it around the top of the dish. Cover with Parmigiano Reggiano.

Bake until the sauce is bubbling, the Parmigiano is nice and crispy on top, and the mozzarella is melted, 20-25 minutes.

APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice

1 teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.

Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Vanilla Butter Sauce:

Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.

ASIAN CHICKEN AND SLAW

Recipe Yield: Servings: 4

Source: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes"

Book Title: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/asian-chicken-and-slaw.

Ingredients

1-1/4 pounds ground chicken

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green onions (including some green), finely chopped

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 can (8 ounces) water chestnuts, drained and chopped

2 tablespoons dark Asian sesame oil

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 package (16 ounces) shredded coleslaw mix

1/4 cup beef broth

Directions

Combine chicken, 2 cloves garlic, green onions, 2 teaspoons ginger, half of water chestnuts, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, hoisin sauce, 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a medium- size bowl. Shape into patties.

Heat remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook 4 minutes per side or until internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant thermometer. Remove to a serving platter and keep warm.

Add remaining garlic, water chestnuts, soy sauce and salt to skillet, along with coleslaw mix. Cook over medium-high heat 7 minutes. Add broth, cover and cook 3 minutes or until tender. Serve slaw alongside patties.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 344; Fat: 16 g; Sodium: 579 mg; Protein: 32 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Low-Fat Meat; 2 Fat

HOME-STYLE GINGERBREAD

This was originally from about.com, which has changed to dotdash.com. I've checked around, and can't locate this recipe on any of their channels; if anyone happens to find it there, please let me know!

This recipe began, “This wonderful ginger and cinnamon-scented cake is sure to bring a smile to your face, and it's the perfect dessert for a cold winter weekend. Top this warm gingerbread with a generous dollop of fresh sweetened whipped cream and sprinkle with a little cinnamon.”

Ingredients

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup molasses

3/4 cup hot water

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1 large egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Grease & flour 9-inch square baking pan or spray with baking spray with flour. Heat oven to 325°. Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl; beat on low speed of electric mixer until ingredients are combined. Scrape sides of the bowl & increase mixer speed to medium; beat for about 3 minutes longer. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Cut into squares and serve with freshly whipped cream. To serve leftover gingerbread, warm slightly in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds.

This gingerbread freezes well: cut into squares and wrap individually. Thaw & warm in the microwave just before serving.

30-MINUTE CHILI WITH GROUND BEEF AND BEANS

This comes from Diana Rattray, a southern food cook on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This ground beef chili is hearty and delicious, and it takes only 30 minutes from start to finish! Don't feel overwhelmed by the list of ingredients, many are suggested toppings.

“The ground beef is quickly browned, then it is combined with a spice mixture, beans, and tomatoes for a quick and easy meal for a busy day. It's also easy on the budget.

“Make a pan of cornbread to go with the chili, along with a salad or slaw, or serve it with hot cooked rice and warm tortillas.

“If you're making this for a party game day gathering, offer several toppings with the chili and add a bowl of tortilla chips to the menu. The recipe is easily doubled.”

Total Time: 30 mins; PrepTime: 5 mins; Cook: 25 mins; Yield: 6 Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Seasoning Mix:

3 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons onion (dried minced)

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Chili:

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

1 can/14.5 ounces diced tomatoes

1 can/14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with mild green chile peppers*

1 can/8 ounces tomato sauce

1 can/15 to 16 ounces black beans (undrained)

salt to taste

Optional: shredded cheddar, cheddar-jack, or a Mexican blend of cheeses

For Toppings (optional):

sour cream

green onion (chopped)

red onion (chopped)

lettuce (shredded)

cilantro

guacamole

tomatoes (diced)

Directions

In a small bowl or cup, combine the chili powder with the dried minced onion, cumin, oregano, sugar, garlic powder, and the black and cayenne peppers. Blend well and set aside.

In a Dutch oven or large sauté pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef, turning and breaking up with a spatula as it cooks.

Drain the ground beef well. Return the beef to the pan over medium heat. Add the chili seasoning mix and stir to blend.

Add the 2 cans of tomatoes, tomato sauce, and undrained black beans. Stir to blend ingredients.

Bring the chili to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

Taste and add salt, as needed.

Serve with a Tex-Mex cornbread or classic Southern cornbread, biscuits, crackers, or tortilla chips, along with shredded cheese and your favorite toppings.

Tip

If you don't have diced tomatoes with chile peppers, use regular diced tomatoes and add mild green chile peppers. Or, use about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chunky mild to medium salsa in place of the second can of tomatoes.

MEXICAN-STYLE STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

This also comes from the November 2014 issue of Heart Insight Magazine. This one begins, “In this Latin twist on stuffed bell peppers, black beans replace the traditional rice and salsa stands in for the standard tomato sauce.” Serves 4; 1 stuffed bell pepper per serving.

To view this online, go to http://heartinsight.heart.org/November-2014/Mexican-Style-Stuffed-Bell-Peppers/.

Ingredients

4 large red or green bell peppers, or a combination, stems, seeds, and ribs discarded, tops chopped and reserved

Cooking spray

1/2 cup chopped onion

3 medium garlic cloves, minced

8 ounces 95% fat-free ground beef

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup salsa (lowest sodium available)

1 cup canned no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided use

1/4 cup low-fat shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend

1/4 cup fat-free sour cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.

In a microwave oven, place the bell peppers with the cut side up on a paper towel. Microwave on 100% power (high) for 4–5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Transfer with the cut side up to a 9-inch square baking dish or shallow casserole dish.

Meanwhile, lightly spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Cook the chopped bell pepper tops, onion, and garlic for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the beef. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to turn and break up the beef. Discard any drippings.

Sprinkle the beef mixture with the chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the salsa. Remove from the heat.

Gently stir in the beans and cup cilantro. Spoon the beef mixture into the peppers. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the Mexican blend cheese over the beef mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Top the peppers with the sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro.

Monday, May 20, 2019

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Bacon-Wrapped Cauliflower and Skinny Mexican Chicken Casserole. Enjoy!

BAKED BANANA SPLITS

This was in an old Weight Watchers email (we're talking more than 10 years ago). The plan has changed several times since then.

This recipe begins, “Try substituting any flavored extract you like in the sauce for this creative take on banana splits. Almond, maple, rum, orange -- let your imagination run wild. They're perfect for Mother's Day!”

POINTS® Value: 4 (value from when this recipe was emailed); Servings | 4; Preparation Time: 15 min; Cooking Time: 30 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1 sprays cooking spray

4 large banana(s), ripe, peeled

8 oz canned crushed pineapple in juice, drained

2 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, divided

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cups raspberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place bananas in pan.

Combine pineapple, 1 tablespoon of Splenda and cinnamon in a small bowl; pour over bananas. Cover pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes. (Note: The canned pineapple is already sweet so omit the Splenda if you prefer.)

Meanwhile, combine ricotta, remaining tablespoon of Splenda and vanilla in another small bowl; set aside.

Place one baked banana in each of four individual serving bowls and top each with about 2 tablespoons of pineapple sauce and 1/4 cup of ricotta mixture. Top each with 1/4 cup of raspberries. Serve immediately.

Note: Okay, this is me talking. I personally would refrain from the Splenda, simply because I'm not a big fan of non-sugar (read not-quite-sure-it's-not-synthetic) sweeteners. But that's my preference. I would use sugar or no sweetener at all. It's your call here.

APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice

1 teaspoon Ground Allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract

2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.

Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Vanilla Butter Sauce:

Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.

APPLE-CHEDDAR MAC AND CHEESE

This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “Raise your hand if you like mac and cheese? And when it's teamed with apples, you'll want to raise both hands!” Serves: 4; Prep Time: 25 to 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups dry elbow macaroni

1 1/2 cups small diced, unpeeled, tart green or red apples

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 1/4 cups whole milk, lower fat milk can be substituted

1 small bay leaf

2 1/3 cup shredded sharp white or yellow Cheddar cheese

1/2 teaspoon dry sherry (see second note)

Salt to taste

Ground white pepper to taste

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs can be substituted

Directions

Butter a 1 1/2-quart round casserole.

Cook the pasta in a large saucepan according to package directions until al dente. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and drain well. Return the pasta to the saucepan and add the apples.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the onions and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until tender. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly until simmering gently. Add the bay leaf, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Remove and discard the bay leaf and then stir 2 cups of the cheese and the sherry into the milk. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the cheese melts. Remove the pan from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add the cheese sauce to the pasta and apples and stir gently to combine. Transfer the mac and cheese to the casserole and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and the panko. Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or just until heated through and lightly browned. Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving.

Note: You can bake the mac and cheese in individual ramekins. Butter them and bake for about 15 minutes.

Note: If you’re like me and don’t have alcohol around the house, no worries. Omit the Sherry, or add 1/2 teaspoon of milk or water with the cheese.

Per Serving: 600 calories; 33 g fat; 20 g saturated fat; 100 mg cholesterol; 660 mg sodium; 48 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 27g protein

MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED PEPPERS

This came from Betty Crocker Kitchens, and begins, “For this light and flavorful take on stuffed peppers, we made a filling of seasoned ground turkey, chick peas, artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese and feta cheese that comes in at just 260 calories. Simply stuff your peppers, bake and finish the dish with a fresh tomato-basil topping.”

Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings: 8 To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 large red or yellow bell peppers (about 1⁄2 lb each) 1 lb lean (at least 93%) ground turkey

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

3⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup Muir GlenTM organic roasted garlic pasta sauce (from 25.5-oz jar)

3⁄4 cup ProgressoTM chick peas, drained, rinsed (from 15-oz can)

1 jar (6 oz) ProgressoTM artichoke hearts, marinated, drained, chopped (about 2/3 cup)

3/4 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese (3 oz)

1 package (4 oz) feta cheese crumbles (3/4 cup)

2 cups chopped plum (Roma) tomatoes (4 medium)

3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking parchment paper. Cut each bell pepper in half vertically, leaving stem intact; remove seeds and membranes. In 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 3 quarts water to boiling.Add bell peppers to boiling water, making sure water covers peppers. Cook 2 minutes; drain. Place peppers cut side up in pan.

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook turkey, garlic, Italian seasoning, 1⁄2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up turkey, until turkey is no longer pink; drain.

Transfer turkey mixture to medium bowl; stir in pasta sauce, chick peas and artichoke hearts. Stir in mozzarella cheese and 1⁄2 cup of the feta cheese.

Divide turkey mixture evenly among bell peppers in pan (peppers will be full). Spray one side of foil with cooking spray; cover with foil, sprayed side down. Bake 32 to 37 minutes or until bell peppers are tender and filling is hot.

In small bowl, mix tomatoes, basil and remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon salt.Top cooked bell peppers with tomato mixture and remaining 1⁄4 cup feta cheese before serving.

SKINNY MEXICAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE

This comes from the Tablespoon newsletter, and begins, “An easy Mexican dinner for under 300 calories per serving. You can even assemble it ahead of time and bake before serving!” Prep Time: 25 min; Total Time: 60 min; Servings: 5

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 bag (11 oz) Green Giant™ Steamers™ frozen corn & black beans with brown rice in a Southwestern style sauce

2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce

1/4 cup chopped green onions (4 medium)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 small red bell pepper, chopped

3/4 cup finely shredded 2% milk reduced-fat Mexican style cheese blend (3 oz)

1 cup shredded lettuce

1 tomato, chopped

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate or shallow small casserole with cooking spray. Cook rice mixture as directed on bag for minimum time. In large bowl, mix chicken, rice mixture and enchilada sauce. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the green onions, the cilantro and bell pepper. Spoon into pie plate.

Bake uncovered 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly and heated through. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Top with shredded lettuce, tomato and remaining green onions.

BACON-WRAPPED CAULIFLOWER

I first saw this recipe by Laura Rege (on Delish) on Facebook when a friend posted the video for it. I was instantly hooked! When he mentioned he'd tried it and how good it was, that was all it took.

Laura wrote, “Want to make this vegetarian-friendly? Easy—leave out the bacon! If you like, mix up a little minced garlic and olive oil to brush on the outside before baking. Since you don't need to worry about crisping any bacon, you can get away with a shorter bake time—10 minutes at 450° should do the trick.”

Yields: 4 servings; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes.

View this online at https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a26882653/bacon-wrapped-cauliflower-recipe/

Ingredients

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 c. lemon juice

Kosher salt

1 head cauliflower, leaves removed and stem trimmed so cauliflower lays flat, but still intact

1 (10-oz.) package frozen spinach, thawed, water squeezed out and chopped

2 large eggs, beaten

4 green onions, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 c. shredded cheddar

4 oz. cream cheese, softened and cubed

1/2 c. panko

1/4 c. grated Parmesan

1 lb. thinly sliced bacon

Directions

Preheat oven to 450°. Bring 8 cups water, oil, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil in a large pot. Add cauliflower and bring back to a boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer and place a plate on top of the cauliflower to keep it submerged. Simmer until a knife easily inserts into the center, about 12 minutes.

Using 2 slotted spoons or a mesh spider, transfer cauliflower to a small rimmed baking sheet. Let cool.

Meanwhile, combine spinach, eggs, green onions, garlic, cheddar, cream cheese, panko, and Parmesan and place in a piping bag with a 3/4-inch tip.

Position cooled cauliflower stem side up on a rimmed baking sheet. Pipe filling between stalks of florets. Flip cauliflower stem side down, then lay strips of bacon, just slightly overlapping strips, over cauliflower, tucking ends of strips into bottom of cauliflower.

Roast, rotating sheet halfway through, until golden all over, about 30 minutes.