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Showing posts with label Mississippi Roast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mississippi Roast. Show all posts

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Double-Post Thursday

Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's offerings include Thai Peanut Chicken, Mississippi Roast, and Ambrosia Salad. Enjoy!

WORLD'S BEST SMOOTHIE

This recipe, as well as the next one (Pineapple Passion) are from “20 Super Healthy Smoothie Recipes” on the Runner’s World website. They’re originally from The Editors of Prevention.

This one begins, “Slurp down this smoothie recipe at breakfast, and you’ll feel satisfied until lunchtime.”

Servings: 1

1 cup plain nonfat yogurt

1 banana

1/2 cup orange juice

6 frozen strawberries

Combine the yogurt, banana, juice, and strawberries for 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides and blend for an additional 15 seconds.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 300; Protein: 14 g; Carbs: 63 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 45 g; Total fat: 0.5 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 180 mg

PINEAPPLE PASSION

This recipe begins, “This decadently thick smoothie recipe is almost like drinking ice cream!”

Servings: 1

1 cup low-fat or light vanilla yogurt

6 ice cubes

1 cup pineapple chunks

Combine the yogurt and ice cubes. Blend, pulsing as needed, until the ice is in large chunks.

Add the pineapple and blend at “whip” speed until smooth.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 283; Protein: 13 g; Carbs: 53.5 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 48 g; Total fat: 3.5 g; Saturated fat: 2 g; Sodium: 167 mg

SUMMER MINESTRONE WITH FRESH BASIL

This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “You can finish this hearty summer soup with slivered fresh basil, or with pistou, the Provençal version of pesto (it’s pesto without the pine nuts). A Parmesan rind, simmered in the soup and then removed, adds great depth of flavor without adding fat. On a hot summer day in Italy the soup might be served at room temperature, or just barely warm.”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.

This was featured in “Summer Minestrone with Fresh Basil” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

Salt

4 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed

1 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped, or 1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with liquid

1 medium turnip, peeled and diced

3/4 pound zucchini, diced

A bouquet garni consisting of 1 Parmesan rind, 1 bay leaf, 3 sprigs parsley and 3 sprigs thyme, tied together with kitchen string or tied into a piece of cheesecloth

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or borlotti beans, drained and rinsed

6 ounces green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths

1/2 cup soup pasta, such as elbow macaroni, or broken spaghetti, or 3/4 cup penne

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 cup slivered fresh basil leaves, or 1/2 cup pistou (see recipe; you'll need to subscribe to The New York Times cooking e-newsletter to get this)

Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish

Preparation

Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 more minutes. Add the garlic, stir together for about a minute, and stir in the tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes. Stir in 2 quarts water, the turnip, zucchini, and the bouquet garni, and bring to a simmer. Add 2 teaspoons salt, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the canned beans. Taste and adjust salt. Remove the bouquet garni.

While the soup is simmering, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the green beans. Boil 5 minutes, until just tender but still bright green. Transfer to a bowl of ice water, allow to cool, and drain. Retain the cooking water in case you want to thin out the soup later.

Add the pasta to the soup and simmer another 10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Stir the cooked green beans into the soup. Grind in some pepper and taste and adjust seasonings. It should be savory and rich-tasting.

Stir in the basil or pistou, or place a spoonful of pistou in each bowl and stir in. Serve in wide soup bowls, with a sprinkling of Parmesan over the top.

THAI PEANUT CHICKEN

This recipe, from FamilyTime, begins, “This company-worthy, skillet dish is perfect for weeknight dinners too...it's ready in just 30 minutes and features a savory peanut sauce accented with garlic, lime and cilantro.”

Serves: 4 servings (about 1 1/4 cups each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 pound), cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

4 teaspoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)

2 medium red, yellow or orange bell pepper, cut into 2-inch-long strips (about 3 cups)

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1 cup milk or water

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Hot cooked rice

Directions

Stir the chicken, garlic, lime juice and 1 tablespoon cilantro in a medium bowl.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken mixture and cook until the chicken is well browned, stirring often. Remove the chicken mixture from the skillet.

Heat the remaining oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and peppers and cook until they're tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.

Stir the soup, milk and peanut butter in the skillet and heat to a boil. Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Serve the chicken mixture with the rice and sprinkle with the remaining cilantro.

For Thai Chicken: Substitute 1 cup coconut milk for the milk and add 1 tablespoon green or red curry paste with the peanut butter.

AMBROSIA SALAD

This comes from Delish, and begins, “There's a reason it's a classic.”

To view this online, click here.

Yields: 6 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. Cool Whip

1/2 c. sour cream

3 c. mini marshmallows

1 (15-oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained

1 c. chopped fresh pineapple

1 c. shredded coconut

3/4 c. halved maraschino cherries (stems removed), drained

3/4 c. toasted pecans

Directions

In a large bowl, fold together Cool Whip and sour cream. Add oranges, pineapple, cherries, coconut, pecans, and marshmallows and stir gently.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

MISSISSIPPI ROAST

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “An Internet darling of a recipe, a favorite of mom bloggers and Pinterest, Mississippi Roast is traditionally made by placing a chuck roast in a slow cooker and simmering it beneath a stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix, another of “au jus” gravy mix and a handful of pepperoncini. And you can certainly cook it that way. The raves are justified. But replacing the packaged mixes is no real chore, and it results in a luscious tangle of deliciously tangy beef that goes beautifully with mashed or roasted potatoes or egg noodles, or as a hot-sandwich filling. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast and the effectiveness of your slow cooker. But six to eight hours generally does the trick. (If you're in the market for a slow-cooker, our colleagues at The Sweethome have spent a great deal of time testing them. Check out their guide to the best on the market.)”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.

This was featured in “The Improbable Rise of Mississippi Roast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 to 12 pepperoncini

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Preparation

Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.

Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.

As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Double-Post Thursday

Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's offerings include Thai Peanut Chicken, Mississippi Roast, and Ambrosia Salad. Enjoy!

WORLD'S BEST SMOOTHIE

This recipe, as well as the next one (Pineapple Passion) are from “20 Super Healthy Smoothie Recipes” on the Runner’s World website. They’re originally from The Editors of Prevention.

This one begins, “Slurp down this smoothie recipe at breakfast, and you’ll feel satisfied until lunchtime.”

Servings: 1

1 cup plain nonfat yogurt

1 banana

1/2 cup orange juice

6 frozen strawberries

Combine the yogurt, banana, juice, and strawberries for 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides and blend for an additional 15 seconds.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 300; Protein: 14 g; Carbs: 63 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sugar: 45 g; Total fat: 0.5 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 180 mg

PINEAPPLE PASSION

This recipe begins, “This decadently thick smoothie recipe is almost like drinking ice cream!”

Servings: 1

1 cup low-fat or light vanilla yogurt

6 ice cubes

1 cup pineapple chunks

Combine the yogurt and ice cubes. Blend, pulsing as needed, until the ice is in large chunks.

Add the pineapple and blend at “whip” speed until smooth.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 283; Protein: 13 g; Carbs: 53.5 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 48 g; Total fat: 3.5 g; Saturated fat: 2 g; Sodium: 167 mg

SUMMER MINESTRONE WITH FRESH BASIL

This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “You can finish this hearty summer soup with slivered fresh basil, or with pistou, the Provençal version of pesto (it’s pesto without the pine nuts). A Parmesan rind, simmered in the soup and then removed, adds great depth of flavor without adding fat. On a hot summer day in Italy the soup might be served at room temperature, or just barely warm.”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.

This was featured in “Summer Minestrone with Fresh Basil” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

1 celery stalk, chopped

Salt

4 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed

1 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped, or 1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with liquid

1 medium turnip, peeled and diced

3/4 pound zucchini, diced

A bouquet garni consisting of 1 Parmesan rind, 1 bay leaf, 3 sprigs parsley and 3 sprigs thyme, tied together with kitchen string or tied into a piece of cheesecloth

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or borlotti beans, drained and rinsed

6 ounces green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths

1/2 cup soup pasta, such as elbow macaroni, or broken spaghetti, or 3/4 cup penne

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 cup slivered fresh basil leaves, or 1/2 cup pistou (see recipe; you'll need to subscribe to The New York Times cooking e-newsletter to get this)

Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish

Preparation

Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 more minutes. Add the garlic, stir together for about a minute, and stir in the tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes. Stir in 2 quarts water, the turnip, zucchini, and the bouquet garni, and bring to a simmer. Add 2 teaspoons salt, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the canned beans. Taste and adjust salt. Remove the bouquet garni.

While the soup is simmering, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the green beans. Boil 5 minutes, until just tender but still bright green. Transfer to a bowl of ice water, allow to cool, and drain. Retain the cooking water in case you want to thin out the soup later.

Add the pasta to the soup and simmer another 10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Stir the cooked green beans into the soup. Grind in some pepper and taste and adjust seasonings. It should be savory and rich-tasting.

Stir in the basil or pistou, or place a spoonful of pistou in each bowl and stir in. Serve in wide soup bowls, with a sprinkling of Parmesan over the top.

THAI PEANUT CHICKEN

This recipe, from FamilyTime, begins, “This company-worthy, skillet dish is perfect for weeknight dinners too...it's ready in just 30 minutes and features a savory peanut sauce accented with garlic, lime and cilantro.”

Serves: 4 servings (about 1 1/4 cups each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 pound), cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

4 teaspoons minced garlic

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)

2 medium red, yellow or orange bell pepper, cut into 2-inch-long strips (about 3 cups)

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1 cup milk or water

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Hot cooked rice

Directions

Stir the chicken, garlic, lime juice and 1 tablespoon cilantro in a medium bowl.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken mixture and cook until the chicken is well browned, stirring often. Remove the chicken mixture from the skillet.

Heat the remaining oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and peppers and cook until they're tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.

Stir the soup, milk and peanut butter in the skillet and heat to a boil. Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Serve the chicken mixture with the rice and sprinkle with the remaining cilantro.

For Thai Chicken: Substitute 1 cup coconut milk for the milk and add 1 tablespoon green or red curry paste with the peanut butter.

AMBROSIA SALAD

This comes from Delish, and begins, “There's a reason it's a classic.”

To view this online, click here.

Yields: 6 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. Cool Whip

1/2 c. sour cream

3 c. mini marshmallows

1 (15-oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained

1 c. chopped fresh pineapple

1 c. shredded coconut

3/4 c. halved maraschino cherries (stems removed), drained

3/4 c. toasted pecans

Directions

In a large bowl, fold together Cool Whip and sour cream. Add oranges, pineapple, cherries, coconut, pecans, and marshmallows and stir gently.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

MISSISSIPPI ROAST

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “An Internet darling of a recipe, a favorite of mom bloggers and Pinterest, Mississippi Roast is traditionally made by placing a chuck roast in a slow cooker and simmering it beneath a stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix, another of “au jus” gravy mix and a handful of pepperoncini. And you can certainly cook it that way. The raves are justified. But replacing the packaged mixes is no real chore, and it results in a luscious tangle of deliciously tangy beef that goes beautifully with mashed or roasted potatoes or egg noodles, or as a hot-sandwich filling. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast and the effectiveness of your slow cooker. But six to eight hours generally does the trick. (If you're in the market for a slow-cooker, our colleagues at The Sweethome have spent a great deal of time testing them. Check out their guide to the best on the market.)”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.

This was featured in “The Improbable Rise of Mississippi Roast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 to 12 pepperoncini

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Preparation

Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.

Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.

As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.

Friday, September 14, 2018

Friday Food

It's Friday, time to start getting ready for the weekend. Today's offerings include Mississippi Roast and Lasagna Roll-Ups. Enjoy!

SUMMERTIME COBBLER WITH ORANGE BISCUIT CRUST

This is from Family Time, and begins, “A bubbling hot cobbler, bursting with summer berries, is a delicious dessert.”

Serves: 4 to 6; Prep. time: 30 minutes; Cooking time: 30 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups sliced, skinned peaches

2 cups sliced nectarines

1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries

1 1/2 cups blueberries

1 cup plus 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1/3 cup plus 4 teaspoons sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind

4 tablespoons butter or margarine

1/4 cup whole milk

Directions

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a 2-quart baking dish, toss the fruit with 4 teaspoons of flour, 1/3 cup of sugar and the lemon juice. Spread the fruit over the bottom of the dish.



Combine the remaining cup of flour with the remaining tablespoon of sugar and the salt, baking powder and orange rind in a bowl. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the milk and toss with a fork until the dough holds together.

On a floured work surface, pat the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick round, oval, square or rectangle (depending on the shape of your baking dish). The dough does not need to completely cover the fruit.

Position the dough over the fruit and sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon of sugar. Bake for about 30 minutes until the fruit is bubbling and crust is golden brown.

LEMON MERINGUE TART

This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “The celebrated pastry chef Dolester Miles learned to bake in a small town called Bessemer, outside Birmingham, Ala. She took the tastes of Southern desserts passed down from her mother and her aunt, and elevated them with fine-dining technique she has picked up in her more than 30 years at the Birmingham restaurants Highlands Bar & Grill, Chez Fonfon and Bottega Café. This lemon meringue tart, reminiscent of a Southern icebox cake but with a French feel, is a perfect example. She stirs in white chocolate to give the curd a luscious mouth feel, and finishes it with a drift of soft Swiss meringue toasted with a blowtorch. A few seconds under the broiler will work, too. She cautions cooks never to take their eyes off the tart during that final step. ‘It’ll get away from you fast,’ she said.”

Yield: 10 to 12 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling and freezing.

This was featured in “An Alabama Chef and Her Beloved Desserts Hit the Big Time”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Tart:1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter (1 stick), cubed

2 egg yolks

For the Filling and Meringue:4 large eggs

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

Zest from 2 lemons

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into large pieces

4 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped

Preparation

In the bowl of a food processor, place flour, confectioners’ sugar and salt, and quickly pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs, then add egg yolks and pulse until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch, then transfer it into a 9 1/2-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Press the dough evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the pan, then trim it by rolling your rolling pin over the top of the tart pan edge. Pierce crust all over with a fork and freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer, place tart pan on a baking sheet, and bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Remove tart from baking sheet and let pan cool slightly on a rack.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Separate the eggs, saving 3 of the whites to use in the meringue. In a small saucepan, stir together 1/2 cup/101 grams sugar, the lemon zest and juice and the egg yolks. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until quite warm. Stir in butter and continue to cook, whisking to prevent burning, for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the mixture becomes thick. Remove from heat and stir in the white chocolate until it melts into the mixture.

Pour lemon mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl and use a spatula to press until just the solids remain. Discard the solids. Spoon mixture into the prepared tart shell and chill for 4 hours.

Make the meringue: Set up a double boiler and bring the water in the bottom pan to a boil over medium-high heat. Combine the 3 egg whites with 3/4 cup/151 grams sugar in the top of the double boiler and whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is hot.

Pour the meringue mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip at medium-high speed for about 2 minutes then increase speed to high and whip for about 4 to 6 minutes more or until the mixture is stiff. Spoon meringue over tart and spread with an offset spatula.

Using a kitchen torch, brown the meringue lightly, holding the torch about 2 inches away from the tart. Alternatively, place tart under a preheated broiler with the oven rack placed 8 inches from the heat source. Broil 30 to 45 seconds, watching carefully so the meringue turns golden brown and does not burn. Remove tart ring and serve immediately.

MISSISSIPPI ROAST

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “An Internet darling of a recipe, a favorite of mom bloggers and Pinterest, Mississippi Roast is traditionally made by placing a chuck roast in a slow cooker and simmering it beneath a stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix, another of “au jus” gravy mix and a handful of pepperoncini. And you can certainly cook it that way. The raves are justified. But replacing the packaged mixes is no real chore, and it results in a luscious tangle of deliciously tangy beef that goes beautifully with mashed or roasted potatoes or egg noodles, or as a hot-sandwich filling. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast and the effectiveness of your slow cooker. But six to eight hours generally does the trick. (If you're in the market for a slow-cooker, our colleagues at The Sweethome have spent a great deal of time testing them. Check out their guide to the best on the market.)”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.

This was featured in “The Improbable Rise of Mississippi Roast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 to 12 pepperoncini

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Preparation

Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.

Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.

As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.

CLASSIC LASAGNA

This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “It's all about the layering when you make lasagna and is so easy when you start with a sauce already made and delicious.”

Serves: 12 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each); Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 cups ricotta cheese

12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 3 cups)

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 eggs

1 pound ground beef

1 jar (45 ounces) Prego® Three Cheese Italian Sauce

12 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained

Directions

Stir the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and eggs in a medium bowl and set it aside.

In a 3-quart saucepan over medium- high heat, cook the beef until it's well browned, stirring often to break up the meat. Pour off any fat. Stir the sauce in the saucepan.

Spoon 1 cup meat mixture in each of two 2-quart shallow baking dishes. Top each with 2 lasagna noodles and about 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining 2 lasagna noodles, remaining meat mixture and the Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or it's until hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Tip: To freeze, prepare lasagna but do not bake. Cover tightly with foil and freeze. Bake frozen lasagna uncovered at 350°F. for 1 hour 15 minutes or until hot. Or, refrigerate 24 hours to thaw. Bake thawed lasagna uncovered at 350°F. for 50 minutes or until hot. Let stand for 10 minutes.

EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This baked macaroni and cheese casserole is easy to make with cheddar cheese and eggs along with milk and butter. There's no separate sauce to make for this version, making cleanup much easier than other versions made with a stovetop cheese sauce. Eggs and milk are whisked together and then combined with the cooked macaroni, butter, and shredded cheese. The eggs give the mixture a soft and creamy texture. Feel free to use a gluten-free macaroni in the recipe.

“It's a simple, homey recipe that lends itself to many possible variations. Add crumbled bacon, diced cooked sausage, or diced ham, or change the cheese. Add some Velveeta to the cheddar cheese or use some Monterey Jack cheese. Pepper jack cheese can add some pleasant heat to the casserole And a buttery bread crumb topping makes for a nice crunchy finish.

“This easy macaroni and cheese bake takes about 30 minutes to bake, and it serves 4 to 6 people.

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked; about 8 ounces)

4 tablespoons butter

2 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)

salt to taste (kosher)

black pepper (to taste)

2 large eggs

1/2 cup milk

Optional: paprika, for the top

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan or 2-quart casserole.

Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water following the package directions. Drain well and return the pasta to the pot. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.

In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with the milk. Add the milk mixture to the macaroni. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Spoon the pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole or baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the top. Sprinkle with paprika, if using.

Bake the macaroni and cheese (uncovered) for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned and casserole is cooked through.

Tips and Variations

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Bacon – Crumble 4 to 6 strips of cooked bacon and add to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the baking dish and proceed with the recipe.

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Ham – Add 1 to 2 cups of diced cooked ham to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and proceed with the recipe.

Macaroni and Cheese With Chile Peppers – Add a few tablespoons of minced jalapeno peppers or add 1 small can of mild chopped green chile peppers.

Breadcrumb Topping – For a crunchy, browned topping, toss 1 cup of finely shredded fresh breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the crumbs over the macaroni and cheese and then bake as directed. Buttered panko crumbs may be used for a crispier topping.

LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

This recipe, from FamilyTime, begins, “These tender lasagna rolls are filled with a ricotta-mushroom-pesto mixture, and baked in a special sauce made by combining Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce and Pace® Picante Sauce.”

Serves: 4 servings (2 roll-ups each); Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 can (about 4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained

1/2 cup refrigerated pesto sauce

8 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained

2 cups Prego® Traditional Italian Sauce or Tomato, Basil & Garlic Italian Sauce

3/4 cup Pace® Picante Sauce

4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)

Directions

Stir the ricotta, mushrooms and pesto in a medium bowl. Top each noodle with 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Spread to the edges. Roll up like a jelly roll. Place the rolls seam-side down in a 2-quart shallow baking dish.

Stir the Italian sauce and picante sauce in a small bowl and pour the mixture over the roll-ups.

Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or until they're hot and bubbling. Top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Monday, August 13, 2018

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's six offerings include Mississippi Roast and Bill Blass’s Meatloaf. Enjoy!

TUSCAN TORTELLINI SALAD

This comes from Rian Handler on Delish. Rian wrote, “This hearty pasta salad might be better than a trip to Tuscany.”

Yields: 6; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 lb. fresh cheese tortellini

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil

2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1/2 tbsp. honey

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

3/4 c. chopped salami or prosciutto

1/2 c. baby spinach

1/2 c. oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and transfer to large serving bowl.

Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar and honey and season with salt and pepper.

To bowl, add prosciutto, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and dressing and toss until well combined.

Garnish with Parmesan.

MISSISSIPPI ROAST

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “An Internet darling of a recipe, a favorite of mom bloggers and Pinterest, Mississippi Roast is traditionally made by placing a chuck roast in a slow cooker and simmering it beneath a stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix, another of “au jus” gravy mix and a handful of pepperoncini. And you can certainly cook it that way. The raves are justified. But replacing the packaged mixes is no real chore, and it results in a luscious tangle of deliciously tangy beef that goes beautifully with mashed or roasted potatoes or egg noodles, or as a hot-sandwich filling. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast and the effectiveness of your slow cooker. But six to eight hours generally does the trick. (If you're in the market for a slow-cooker, our colleagues at The Sweethome have spent a great deal of time testing them. Check out their guide to the best on the market.)”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.

This was featured in “The Improbable Rise of Mississippi Roast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 to 12 pepperoncini

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Preparation

Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.

Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.

As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.

ITALIAN MAC & CHEESE

This recipe, from Delish, begins, “This is our new Italian dreamboat.”

Yields: 4; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 lb. Italian sausage

1 large onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 red bell pepper, diced

10 oz. shells

16 oz. marinara or tomato sauce

4 c. low-sodium chicken broth

1/2 c. half-and-half or heavy cream

1 c. shredded mozzarella

Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Directions

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown sausage until golden.

Add onion, garlic and bell pepper and cook until soft, 5 minutes.

Add shells and stir until coated in sausage and peppers, then pour over marinara and chicken broth. Simmer until shells are al dente and almost all of the liquid is absorbed, 20 minutes.

Stir in half-and-half and mozzarella. Garnish with parsley and serve.

BILL BLASS’S MEATLOAF

This is from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and starts off, “This homespun, bacon-wrapped version of the American classic is attributed to Bill Blass, the world-famous clothing designer of the 60s, 70s and 80s, who is perhaps best known for dressing First Lady Nancy Reagan and the upper echelons of New York society. While he became hugely successful – he reportedly sold his business for $50 million in 1999 – his culinary tastes remained firmly Midwestern. From his 2002 obituary in The Times: ‘A man of robust but simple tastes who would go out of his way for a hamburger, Mr. Blass would serve guests his own meatloaf recipe, followed perhaps by lemon meringue pie. He always maintained, only partly in jest, “My claim to immortality will be my meatloaf.”’ This is his recipe.”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

This was featured in “Not Your Mother’s Meatloaf”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 cup chopped celery

1 onion, chopped

3 tablespoons butter

2 pounds ground beef sirloin

1/2 pound ground veal

1/2 pound ground pork

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/3 cup sour cream

1/2 cup soft bread crumbs

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 egg

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 cups Heinz chili sauce

3 slices bacon

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil an 8-by-4-inch loaf pan. In a heavy skillet over medium heat, saute the celery and onion in the butter until soft, about 5 minutes. Scrape into a large mixing bowl and cool.

When the onions are cool enough to handle, add the meats, parsley, sour cream, bread crumbs, thyme, marjoram and salt and pepper to the bowl. Whisk the egg with the Worcestershire sauce and add to the mixture. Using a wooden spoon or your hands, combine the mixture and mold into the shape of a loaf.

Place the meatloaf in the prepared pan. Top with the chili sauce and bacon slices. Bake until firm and nicely browned, about 1 hour.

RASPBERRY LIME PIE

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

Ingredients

14 ozs. sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup lime juice

8 ozs. frozen whipped topping -- thawed

Few drops red food coloring -- optional

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 9 inch graham cracker crust -- baked and cooled

Additional raspberries for garnish -- optional

Fresh mint for garnish -- optional

Lime slices for garnish -- optional

Directions

In a mixing bowl, stir together milk and lime juice (mixture will begin to thicken). Mix in whipped topping and food coloring, if desired. Gently fold in raspberries. Spoon into crust. Chill. Garnish with raspberries, mint and/or lime if desired.

Note: Whoever submitted this to the list added, “Here is a pretty and refreshing dessert that tastes good after any meal. I especially like to serve it after a picnic or barbecued meal.”

BROWNIE CUPCAKE BITES

This is from a Weight Watcher's emailing list from y-e-a-r-s ago, and began, “These Halloween treats will trick your taste buds: They're moist and delicious with less fat than normal. If you're not a fan of candy corn, get festive with orange and black sprinkles.”

At the time this was sent, it had a points value of 3 per serving.

Servings: 24; Preparation Time: 12 min; Cooking Time: 14 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

21 oz regular brownies, dry mix

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 large egg white(s), lightly beaten

1 1/2 cup lite whipped topping

1 1/4 oz candy corn, about 24 pieces

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 24 mini muffin tin holes with mini cupcake papers.

Combine brownie mix, water, applesauce and egg whites in a large mixing bowl. Beat 50 strokes with a wooden spoon; do not under mix. Pour brownie mixture into prepared muffin tins.

Bake cupcakes until a tester inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely; remove cupcakes from pan. Before serving, decorate each cooled cupcake with a tablespoon dollop of whipped topping and 1 piece of candy corn. Yields 1 cupcake per serving.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Double-Post Thursday

Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's offerings include Creamy No Churn Raspberry Crumble Ice Cream and Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas. Enjoy!

TIE-DYE CHEESECAKE

This is from The Food Network, and begins, “This outrageous psychedelic cheesecake is an ode to all the tie-dye of the 1960s. Making the vibrant swirls is much easier to do than it looks; all you need is a wooden skewer – groovy!” Total: 10 hr 45 min; Active: 35 min; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 18 whole crackers)

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons sugar

Pinch fine salt

Filling:

Three 11.5-ounce containers whipped cream cheese

1 1/4 cups sugar

One 16-ounce container sour cream, at room temperature

1 cup heavy cream

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Neon blue, pink and purple food coloring

Yellow food coloring

Whipped cream, for serving

Directions

Special equipment: a 10-inch springform pan and a wooden skewer

Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.

For the crust: Mix together the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and salt and press into bottom of a 10-inch springform pan. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool completely. Wrap up the bottom and sides of pan with a large piece of foil and put in a large roasting pan.

For the filling: Beat the cream cheese and sugar, in a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the sour cream and mix until just combined. Add the heavy cream and mix until just combined. Mix in the eggs, by hand, 1 at time. Then mix in the vanilla, lemon juice, by hand as well, until just combined. (Overmixing can turn your cheesecake into a souffle.)

Using a ladle, divide the cheesecake batter into 4 separate bowls. Dye each a separate color; blue, pink, purple and yellow. Add enough food coloring so that the colors are very vibrant and intense.

Use an ice cream scoop or large spoon to drop spoonfuls of the batter onto the crust, alternating the colors, until all the batter has been scooped. Use a wooden skewer and drag it through the colors to marble them for tie-dye effect, making sure the skewer reaches down to the bottom of the pan. Transfer the pan to the roasting pan. Add enough hot water to come about halfway up the side of the springform pan.

Bake until the outside of the cake is set and the center is still slightly loose, about 1 hour 20 minutes. Turn the oven off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour. Remove the cheesecake from the roasting pan to a cooling rack. Run a knife around the edge and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.

Unmold the cheesecake and transfer to a serving plate or cake stand. Serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream.

EAT-YOUR-VEGGIES MEDITERRANEAN MEATBALLS

This comes from the Food Network, and begins, “These meatballs have a secret -- they're packed with spinach. Veggie-shy kids (and adults) won't even notice since they are happily tucked into a warm pita with lettuce and tomato and drizzled with tangy dill yogurt sauce.”

Total: 45 min; Active: 30 min; Yield: 6 servings (half a sandwich per person); Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray, for coating the baking sheet

2 cups frozen spinach (from a 10-ounce package)

1 pound 80 percent ground turkey

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium carrot, grated

1 large egg

2 tablespoons fresh dill fronds, chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt

Juice of half a lemon

3 pitas with pockets, cut in half and warmed

2 cups shredded romaine lettuce

2 Roma tomatoes, sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and coat with cooking spray.

Cook the spinach in a large bowl in the microwave according to the package instructions. Let cool slightly.

Add the turkey, breadcrumbs, cumin, garlic, carrot, egg, 1 tablespoon of the dill, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Mix with your hands until just combined. Scoop mounds of the meat mixture (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheet. With damp hands, roll the mounds into balls and space them evenly apart on the baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir together the yogurt, lemon juice and remaining dill in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve 3 meatballs in each pita half. Pack in shredded lettuce and sliced tomatoes. Drizzle with the yogurt sauce.

PINA COLADA CHICKEN SALAD

This comes from Delish, and begins, “We're obsessed with the crunchy coconut chicken.”

Yields: 4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into tenders

1 c. all-purpose flour

2 large eggs, beaten

1 c. shredded coconut

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 head romaine

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

2 c. pineapple, chopped

1/2 c. coconut milk

Juice of 2 limes

Zest of 1 lime

pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Dredge chicken in flour, egg and coconut and transfer to a baking sheet. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Bake until cooked through and coconut is golden, 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, arrange salad: In a large bowl combine romaine, red pepper, pineapple and chicken.

In a small bowl, whisk together coconut milk, lime juice and zest, and red pepper flakes and season with salt.

Drizzle with dressing and serve.

CREAMY NO CHURN RASPBERRY CRUMBLE ICE CREAM

This comes from the wonderful people at Feedfeed, and begins, “Sunshine in Vancouver got me like... let’s make homemade ice cream!!”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Brown Sugar Crisp

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 tbsp butter, cold

No Churn Ice Cream

1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp salt

4 oz cream cheese, softened

2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

Raspberry Jam, about 2/3 cup

Directions

For the Brown Sugar Crisp: Preheat oven to 350˚F degrees and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add cold butter and work the butter into the dry ingredients with a pasty cutter until the butter is incorporated and you are left with a crumbly mixture. Spread onto prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to bake for about 10-15 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and and allow to cool completely. Set aside until ready to use assemble ice cream.

For the No Churn Ice Cream: In a small bowl, whisk together condensed milk, vanilla and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment on high until smooth and creamy and there are no lumps. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the whipping cream in a steady stream. Once all the cream in incorporated, turn the mixer to high and whip until stiff peaks form; about 3-4 minutes.

Add half of the whipped cream cheese mixture to the condensed milk mixture and whisk to combine. Add the condensed milk mixture to your bowl of whipped cream and use a spatula to fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk until smooth and no streaks of whipped cream remain.

Pour 1/2 of the mixture into a 9 or 10 inch cake pan (alternatively you could use a loaf pan). Set the pan and the remaining ice cream mixture in your freezer for 15 minutes to set slightly. Once set remove and begin assembling your ice cream.

Dollop about 1/3 of a cup of your raspberry jam over the ice cream in the pan. Use a spoon to spread it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with 1/2 of your crumble mixture. Dollop the rest of your ice cream mixture on top and use a spoon to smooth. Dollop the remaining jam across the top of the ice cream and use a knife or the back of your spoon to create the pretty swirls. Sprinkle with remaining crisp mixture.

Cover with plastic wrap and set in the freezer for 5-6 hours before serving.

BUFFALO CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

This tasty recipe is from the Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “Rotisserie chicken is the time-saving secret to this mash-up of two crowd-pleasing foods. Stuff corn tortillas with a cheesy buffalo filling and bake until melted for an easy weeknight meal or game day snack that's ready in a half hour.”

Total Time: 30 minutes; Active Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing the pan

4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

2 cups shredded Cheddar

1 cup hot sauce, plus more for serving, such as Frank's

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

16 corn tortillas

2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese

2 tablespoons blue cheese dressing

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

Mix the chicken, cream cheese, 1 cup of the Cheddar, 1/3 cup of the hot sauce, white parts of the scallions and cumin in a large bowl until well combined. Stir together the butter, remaining 2/3 cup hot sauce and 3 tablespoons water in a medium bowl.

Microwave the tortillas in batches until warm, softened and foldable, about 30 seconds. Keep warm between damp paper towels.

Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture down the middle of each tortilla and roll up. Place them side by side, seam-side down, in the prepared pan. Pour the hot sauce mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup Cheddar and the blue cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 15 to 17 minutes.

Drizzle the blue cheese dressing over the enchiladas and sprinkle with the scallion greens. Serve with more hot sauce.

MISSISSIPPI ROAST

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “An Internet darling of a recipe, a favorite of mom bloggers and Pinterest, Mississippi Roast is traditionally made by placing a chuck roast in a slow cooker and simmering it beneath a stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix, another of “au jus” gravy mix and a handful of pepperoncini. And you can certainly cook it that way. The raves are justified. But replacing the packaged mixes is no real chore, and it results in a luscious tangle of deliciously tangy beef that goes beautifully with mashed or roasted potatoes or egg noodles, or as a hot-sandwich filling. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast and the effectiveness of your slow cooker. But six to eight hours generally does the trick. (If you're in the market for a slow-cooker, our colleagues at The Sweethome have spent a great deal of time testing them. Check out their guide to the best on the market.)”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.

This was featured in “The Improbable Rise of Mississippi Roast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 to 12 pepperoncini

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Preparation

Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.

Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.

As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Where's the Beef?

Today's six recipes are centered around beef, and include Fancy Meatloaf and Mississippi Roast. Enjoy!

JALAPENO CHEESEBURGERS

This yummy burger recipe comes from Familytime, and begins, “A spicy cheeseburger variation custom-made for the hamburger lovers in the family. Serve these with salsa instead of ketchup, if you prefer.”

Serves: 4; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 14 to 16 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef

2 teaspoons seeded, chopped jalapeño pepper

1 1/2 teaspoon Mexican seasoning

1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, or another mild cheese

4 thin slices tomato

4 hamburger buns, split, toasted

Directions

In medium bowl, combine the ground beef, jalapeno pepper, and Mexican seasoning and mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.

Prepare a charcoal or gas grill so that the coals are medium-hot or preheat the broiler.

Grill or broil the burgers for 10 to 12 minutes or until no longer pink in the center. Approximately 1 minute before the burgers are done, sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of cheeese.

Place 1 slice tomato on bottom half of each bun and top with a burger. Close and serve immediately with ketchup, salsa, pickles and all the usual trimmings.

SIMPLE PERFECT ENCHILADAS

This is from Ree Drummond of The Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman.

Total: 1 hr 15 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Sauce:

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

One 28-ounce can enchilada or Mexican red sauce

2 cups chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Meat:

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

The Rest:

Canola oil, for frying

10 to 14 corn tortillas

Two 4-ounce cans diced green chilies

1 cup chopped green onions

1/2 cup chopped black olives

3 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese

Cilantro, for garnish

Directions

For the sauce:

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the canola oil and flour. Whisk together and allow to bubble for 1 minute. Pour in the red sauce, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer while you prepare the other ingredients.

For the meat:

While the sauce is simmering, brown the ground beef with the onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the fat, add the salt and stir to combine. Turn off the heat and set aside.

For the rest:

In a small skillet over medium heat, heat some canola oil. Lightly fry the tortillas just until soft. Do not crisp. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat until all the tortillas have been fried.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Next, one at a time, dip each tortilla into the sauce. Set the sauce-soaked tortilla on a plate. Place on some of the meat mixture, chilies, green onions and black olives. Top with a generous portion of grated Cheddar. Roll up the tortilla to contain the filling inside.

Place the tortilla seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas and pour the remaining sauce over the top. End with a generous sprinkling of cheese and any other bits of chiles, green onions or olives you have left over from the filling.

Bake the enchiladas for 20 minutes, or until bubbly. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top and serve.

JUICY GRILLED BURGERS

This perfect burger recipe comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “These juicy grilled burgers are perfect for a summer cookout or holiday. Top them off with sliced tomatoes, pickles, and red onions, or add some bacon to your toppings.

“Tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce add to the flavor and juiciness of these hamburgers.

“If you like a flavorful burger, this recipe is an excellent choice. The burgers are made with a small amount of bread crumbs, grated onion, tomato juice (I use V-8), and some simple seasonings.

“See the tips and variations below the recipe for some extra flavor ideas and burger shaping and cooking tips.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 5 servings.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds chuck (ground, or ground round)

3 tablespoons breadcrumbs (plain, fine, dry)

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons onion (grated)

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons tomato juice

Salt to taste (seasoned)

Pepper to taste

Optional: tomatoes (sliced)

Optional: pickles (sliced)

Optional: onion (sliced)

Optional: lettuce

Optional: condiments (as desired)

Directions

Combine the ground beef with bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, grated onion, garlic powder, and tomato juice; mix well. Shape the ground beef into 4 to 5 large burger patties. Sprinkle both sides of burgers lightly with seasoned salt and pepper.

Prepare your gas or charcoal grill for high heat and oil the grate with vegetable oil.

Place the burgers on a foil-lined pan. Cover and refrigerate until the grill is ready.

Put burgers on the prepared grill over direct heat. Grill the burgers for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until done as desired.

Serve on split toasted buns with your choice of sliced vegetables and condiments.

Burger Shaping and Cooking Tips

Weigh your burgers as you shape them for uniform size and even cooking.

Using your thumb or a finger, make an indention in the center of each patty, especially if they're quite thick. This will help it stay flat and cook evenly.

Grind your own beef. Choose chuck steak or cubes or boneless short ribs, or another cut with good flavor and a decent amount of fat.

Use an instant-read food thermometer to check the burger temperature. An inexpensive instant-read thermometer is fine, but if you use a food thermometer frequently, consider the ThermoWorks Thermapen. It's super fast and reliable.

Burger Temperatures

Rare: 120 F to 125 F

Medium Rare: 130 F to 135 F

Medium: 140 F to 145 F

Medium Well: 150 F to 155 F

Well Done: 160 F to 165 F

Keep in mind that Foodsafety.gov recommends a minimum safe temperature of 160 F for ground beef, or 165 F for ground poultry.

FANCY MEATLOAF

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “I was invited to cook dinner for Nora Ephron.’ As was wont to happen at one point in New York. Back in 2009, Sam Sifton was invited to a potluck in which “guests were meant to bring food inspired by Ephron’s career or by the woman herself.” He drew meatloaf, a dish she was known for. Here, in this recipe adapted from Gourmet, he pairs beef, veal, pancetta and Parmesan. The end result, he described, as ‘luxurious.’ And what did Ms. Ephron think? She called it ‘remarkable.’”

Yield: Serves 6 to 8; Time: 80 minutes.

This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 loaf Italian bread, crust removed, torn into small pieces (about 2 cups)

1 cup whole milk

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground veal

2 large eggs, scrambled

4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped

3/4 cup grated Parmesan

1 bunch parsley, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1 cup)

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup butter

1 cup dry white wine

Preparation

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes.

Mix beef, veal, eggs, pancetta, Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk, then chop and add it to the meat. Mix gently until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, shy of a foot in length and 4 inches across. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Heat oil and butter in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatloaf and sear without moving it until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the meatloaf, then gently use another spatula to help turn it and brown the second side, again without moving it for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, return skillet to the stove and raise heat to high. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits stuck to it with a wooden spoon. Return meatloaf to the skillet and then transfer to the oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 150 degrees, about 25 minutes.

Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, 10 minutes. Slice, pour the pan juices over the top and serve.

MISSISSIPPI ROAST

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “An Internet darling of a recipe, a favorite of mom bloggers and Pinterest, Mississippi Roast is traditionally made by placing a chuck roast in a slow cooker and simmering it beneath a stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix, another of “au jus” gravy mix and a handful of pepperoncini. And you can certainly cook it that way. The raves are justified. But replacing the packaged mixes is no real chore, and it results in a luscious tangle of deliciously tangy beef that goes beautifully with mashed or roasted potatoes or egg noodles, or as a hot-sandwich filling. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast and the effectiveness of your slow cooker. But six to eight hours generally does the trick. (If you're in the market for a slow-cooker, our colleagues at The Sweethome have spent a great deal of time testing them. Check out their guide to the best on the market.)”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.

This was featured in “The Improbable Rise of Mississippi Roast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 to 12 pepperoncini

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Preparation

Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.

Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.

As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.

CLASSIC LASAGNA

This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “It's all about the layering when you make lasagna and is so easy when you start with a sauce already made and delicious.”

Serves: 12 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each); Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 cups ricotta cheese

12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 3 cups)

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 eggs

1 pound ground beef

1 jar (45 ounces) Prego® Three Cheese Italian Sauce

12 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained

Directions

Stir the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and eggs in a medium bowl and set it aside.

In a 3-quart saucepan over medium- high heat, cook the beef until it's well browned, stirring often to break up the meat. Pour off any fat. Stir the sauce in the saucepan.

Spoon 1 cup meat mixture in each of two 2-quart shallow baking dishes. Top each with 2 lasagna noodles and about 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture. Repeat the layers. Top with the remaining 2 lasagna noodles, remaining meat mixture and the Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or it's until hot and bubbling. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Tip: To freeze, prepare lasagna but do not bake. Cover tightly with foil and freeze. Bake frozen lasagna uncovered at 350°F. for 1 hour 15 minutes or until hot. Or, refrigerate 24 hours to thaw. Bake thawed lasagna uncovered at 350°F. for 50 minutes or until hot. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Mississippi Roast and Ambrosia Salad. Enjoy!

CAULIFLOWER CORNBREAD MUFFINS

This recipe, from the Food Network Kitchen, begins, “Whipped egg whites make this gluten-free cornbread rise just like the real deal, and the consistency is right on, thanks to cauliflower rice. We spiced it up further with Cheddar and jalapenos.”

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Active Time: 40 minutes; Yiel: 12 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray, for the muffin tin

4 cups riced cauliflower (about 1 pound)

1 1/4 cups yellow cornmeal

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

6 large eggs, yolks and whites separated

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar (about 3 1/2 ounces)

2 jalapenos, 1 finely diced and 1 thinly sliced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.

Place the cauliflower in a large microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave until warm and tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze tightly to release as much moisture as possible.

Wipe the bowl clean and add back the cauliflower. Add the cornmeal, butter, sugar, baking powder, egg yolks, 1 cup of the Cheddar, the diced jalapeno, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and stir until well combined.

Beat the egg whites in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Fold half of the whites into the cauliflower mixture until combined. Repeat with the remaining egg whites.

Pour a scant 1/2 cup batter into each muffin cup and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar. Place a few jalapeno slices on top of the batter in each cup. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean and the tops are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove the muffins to a rack to cool completely. Serve at room temperature.

RASPBERRY-LIME GRANITA

This was from an old Weight Watchers emailing list. The points may be outdated, but it's still worth trying.

The recipe begins, “Short for time? No problem. Simply let the frozen mixture sit for about 10 minutes, then use a fork to scrape the entire mixture until it's light and fluffy.”

POINTS® value: 1; Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 0 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

6 cups raspberries

2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tsp lime zest

Instructions

Boil sugar and water in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Let syrup cool.

Purée raspberries and syrup in a food processor. Add lime juice. Mixture should be just thick enough to stick to the back of a spoon. If too thick, add a little water.

Pour into a shallow plastic container or baking dish. Cover and freeze. Stir with a fork approximately every 30 minutes until frozen, about six hours.

Divide into eight dessert glasses and garnish with lime zest if desired.

FANCY MEATLOAF

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “I was invited to cook dinner for Nora Ephron.’ As was wont to happen at one point in New York. Back in 2009, Sam Sifton was invited to a potluck in which “guests were meant to bring food inspired by Ephron’s career or by the woman herself.” He drew meatloaf, a dish she was known for. Here, in this recipe adapted from Gourmet, he pairs beef, veal, pancetta and Parmesan. The end result, he described, as ‘luxurious.’ And what did Ms. Ephron think? She called it ‘remarkable.’”

Yield: Serves 6 to 8; Time: 80 minutes.

This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 loaf Italian bread, crust removed, torn into small pieces (about 2 cups)

1 cup whole milk

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground veal

2 large eggs, scrambled

4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped

3/4 cup grated Parmesan

1 bunch parsley, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1 cup)

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup butter

1 cup dry white wine

Preparation

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes.

Mix beef, veal, eggs, pancetta, Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk, then chop and add it to the meat. Mix gently until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, shy of a foot in length and 4 inches across. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Heat oil and butter in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatloaf and sear without moving it until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the meatloaf, then gently use another spatula to help turn it and brown the second side, again without moving it for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, return skillet to the stove and raise heat to high. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits stuck to it with a wooden spoon. Return meatloaf to the skillet and then transfer to the oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 150 degrees, about 25 minutes.

Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, 10 minutes. Slice, pour the pan juices over the top and serve.

AMBROSIA SALAD

This comes from Delish, and begins, “There's a reason it's a classic.”

To view this online, click here.

Yields: 6 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. Cool Whip

1/2 c. sour cream

3 c. mini marshmallows

1 (15-oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained

1 c. chopped fresh pineapple

1 c. shredded coconut

3/4 c. halved maraschino cherries (stems removed), drained

3/4 c. toasted pecans

Directions

In a large bowl, fold together Cool Whip and sour cream. Add oranges, pineapple, cherries, coconut, pecans, and marshmallows and stir gently.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

MISSISSIPPI ROAST

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “An Internet darling of a recipe, a favorite of mom bloggers and Pinterest, Mississippi Roast is traditionally made by placing a chuck roast in a slow cooker and simmering it beneath a stick of butter, a package of ranch dressing mix, another of “au jus” gravy mix and a handful of pepperoncini. And you can certainly cook it that way. The raves are justified. But replacing the packaged mixes is no real chore, and it results in a luscious tangle of deliciously tangy beef that goes beautifully with mashed or roasted potatoes or egg noodles, or as a hot-sandwich filling. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast and the effectiveness of your slow cooker. But six to eight hours generally does the trick. (If you're in the market for a slow-cooker, our colleagues at The Sweethome have spent a great deal of time testing them. Check out their guide to the best on the market.)”

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 6 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours.

This was featured in “The Improbable Rise of Mississippi Roast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 boneless chuck roast or top or bottom round roast, 3 to 4 pounds

2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 to 12 pepperoncini

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 teaspoon buttermilk, optional

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Preparation

Place roast on a cutting board and rub the salt and pepper all over it. Sprinkle the flour all over the seasoned meat and massage it into the flesh.

Heat the oil in a large sauté pan set over high heat until it is shimmering and about to smoke. Place the roast in the pan and brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes a side, to create a crust. Remove roast from pan and place it in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the butter and the pepperoncini to the meat. Put the lid on the slow cooker, and set the machine to low.

As the roast heats, make a ranch dressing. Combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and paprika in a small bowl and whisk to emulsify. Add the buttermilk if using, then whisk again. Remove the lid from the slow cooker and add the dressing. Replace the top and allow to continue cooking, undisturbed, for 6 to 8 hours, or until you can shred the meat easily using 2 forks. Mix the meat with the gravy surrounding it. Garnish with parsley, and serve with egg noodles or roast potatoes, or pile on sandwich rolls, however you like.

EASY MACARONI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce. Diana wrote, “This baked macaroni and cheese casserole is easy to make with cheddar cheese and eggs along with milk and butter. There's no separate sauce to make for this version, making cleanup much easier than other versions made with a stovetop cheese sauce. Eggs and milk are whisked together and then combined with the cooked macaroni, butter, and shredded cheese. The eggs give the mixture a soft and creamy texture. Feel free to use a gluten-free macaroni in the recipe.

“It's a simple, homey recipe that lends itself to many possible variations. Add crumbled bacon, diced cooked sausage, or diced ham, or change the cheese. Add some Velveeta to the cheddar cheese or use some Monterey Jack cheese. Pepper jack cheese can add some pleasant heat to the casserole And a buttery bread crumb topping makes for a nice crunchy finish.

“This easy macaroni and cheese bake takes about 30 minutes to bake, and it serves 4 to 6 people.

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked; about 8 ounces)

4 tablespoons butter

2 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)

salt to taste (kosher)

black pepper (to taste)

2 large eggs

1/2 cup milk

Optional: paprika, for the top

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Grease an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan or 2-quart casserole.

Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water following the package directions. Drain well and return the pasta to the pot. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add 2 cups of the shredded cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed.

In a medium bowl, whisk eggs with the milk. Add the milk mixture to the macaroni. Stir until thoroughly combined.

Spoon the pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole or baking pan. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the top. Sprinkle with paprika, if using.

Bake the macaroni and cheese (uncovered) for 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted and browned and casserole is cooked through.

Tips and Variations

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Bacon – Crumble 4 to 6 strips of cooked bacon and add to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the baking dish and proceed with the recipe.

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Ham – Add 1 to 2 cups of diced cooked ham to the macaroni and cheese mixture. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and proceed with the recipe.

Macaroni and Cheese With Chile Peppers – Add a few tablespoons of minced jalapeno peppers or add 1 small can of mild chopped green chile peppers.

Breadcrumb Topping – For a crunchy, browned topping, toss 1 cup of finely shredded fresh breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Sprinkle the crumbs over the macaroni and cheese and then bake as directed. Buttered panko crumbs may be used for a crispier topping.