It's Friday, time to get ready for the weekend. Here are six yummy recipes to help you over the weekend, including Tex-Mex Macaroni and Ground Beef Casserole and Slow Cooker Chicken with Biscuits. Enjoy!
RUMPLEMAYER’S HOT CHOCOLATE
This is from Molly O’Neill in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Molly wrote, “Hot chocolate is traceable to the Aztecs, who regarded the dark and bitter drink as a sacred brew. The hot cocoa that Columbus offered his patrons tasted “bitter, scummy and peppery,” according to Chantal Coady's account in “The Chocolate Companion,” which explains, no doubt, why they disliked it intensely. Sometime later, Cortez offered the same beverage to Charles V and his courtiers and succeeded in capturing their imagination with the addition, Ms. Coady writes, of some sugar and vanilla. This version, adapted from Rumplemayer's, a now-closed New York restaurant once known for its hot chocolate and pastries, falls into the latter camp; it is rich, sweet and smooth. It calls for real semisweet chocolate (we bet a mix of semisweet and bittersweet would be delightful, too) so there's none of the chalky aftertaste hot cocoa often leaves behind. A dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if you wish, take it over the top.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 2 minutes.
This was featured in “Food; Loco for Cocoa,” and can be viewed here.
Ingredients
4 cups milk
6 tablespoons sugar
7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream (optional)
Ground cinnamon, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Combine the milk, sugar and chocolate in a large saucepan. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture comes to a simmer.
Meanwhile, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Ladle the hot chocolate into 4 mugs, top with whipped cream and sprinkle lightly with ground cinnamon. Serve immediately.
CREAMY SLOW COOKER RICE PUDDING
This comes from Stephanie Gallagher, one of the writers on The Spruce. Stephanie wrote, “This easy rice pudding recipe is so simple to prepare, kids can do it all by themselves. The combination of vanilla and cinnamon give this creamy rice pudding recipe a warm and homey flavor. Using a slow cooker means that you can add all the ingredients, turn it on and walk away, and then come home hours later to a creamy, comforting dessert.
“Rice pudding is made from rice, water or milk, and other ingredients like cinnamon or raisins. It's a traditional dessert that can be found nearly all over the world. The recipes vary slightly depending on the region. Depending on the preparation (boiled or baked) and ingredients (different spices, toppings, and sweeteners), each rice pudding can have its own distinct taste. You can make it as flavorful and spicy as you want, and see below for some topping ideas.”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 3 hrs; Total Time: 3 hrs 5 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3/4 cup long grain rice
3 cups milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Spray the slow cooker stoneware with cooking spray.
Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 4-5 hours (follow the directions for your slow cooker, as they may vary depending on the model).
Serve warm and add toppings if desired.
Toppings to add:
Dust on some cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger or cardamom
Add chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds, cashews, walnuts)
Top with dried fruit (raisins, dried apricots, cranberries)
Drizzle on some honey or sweetened condensed milk
Sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar
Shave milk or dark chocolate on top
Arrange some fruit on top (bananas, berries, mangoes, coconut flakes, lemon zest)
You could also try making rice pudding with different kinds of milk, such as almond, soy, or coconut. Not only does it give the rice a new flavor (coconut milk would be delicious), it can be allergy friendly.
Rice to use:
Although rice pudding is traditionally made with long grain rice, you could use other types of white rice that bring their own unique textures and consistencies when cooked. To name a few, there's Carolina long grain (fluffy, slightly chewier), Basmati (slightly nutty), Jasmine (lightly floral), and Arborio (creamier).
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This also comes from Diana Rattray of The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
I'm really not sure where I found this recipe. It's been kicking around my computer for a while.
Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups (8 oz. Pkg) shredded 2% cheddar cheese, divided
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
Sliced green onions (optional)
Directions:
Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 2 1/2 – to 3-quart casserole dish.
Return potatoes to saucepan, add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN WITH BISCUITS
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food guide for The Spruce. Diana wrote, “This delicious slow cooker chicken and biscuits dish is a meal the whole family will enjoy, and your crock pot helps to make it quick and easy to prepare.
“The chicken mixture is made with a combination of gravy and condensed soup along with chicken breasts and seasonings. The biscuits — frozen, canned, or homemade — are baked separately and served atop the chicken and gravy mixture.
“I added an optional recipe for Southern buttermilk biscuits if you prefer homemade.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours; Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless chicken breast halves, cut into large chunks
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 (12 oz) jar chicken gravy
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Dash black pepper
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (thawed)
6 frozen biscuits (or homemade, see below)
Optional Homemade Southern Biscuits:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (omit if you use sweet milk)
1 teaspoon (scant) salt
6 tablespoons butter, chilled
3/4 cup buttermilk (or sweet milk)
Directions
In a slow cooker, layer the chunks of uncooked chicken breasts with chopped onion and celery.
Combine the soup and gravy with poultry seasoning, thyme, and pepper; pour over the chicken.
Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.
Add the thawed mixed vegetables, turn the slow cooker to HIGH, and continue cooking for 20 to 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
Meanwhile, bake the biscuits as directed on the package or prepare homemade biscuits (see below).
To serve, split a biscuit and spoon some of the chicken and vegetables over the bottom half. Put the top half of the biscuit on the chicken and gravy.
Optional Homemade Biscuits
In a food processor combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda (if using buttermilk). Pulse a few times to combine the ingredients. Cut the chilled butter into pieces and add to the food processor. Pulse several times, or until the mixture is the texture of coarse meal. Add the buttermilk or milk and pulse just until the dough begins to form.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead just until the dough comes together. Do not overwork the dough. Pat the dough into a circle or square about 3/4-inch thick and cut out with round or square biscuit cutters.
Arrange the biscuits about 2 inches apart on an ungreased or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
Bake in a preheated 425 F oven for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned.
CLASSIC LASAGNA
This comes 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.
ALMOND JOY ENERGY BITES
I found this on Runner’s World website in an article titled “18 No-Bake High-Protein Energy Bites for Easy Fueling.”
This particular recipe is from Ali at Gimme Some Oven. It begins, “These Almond Joy Energy Bites taste like the candy bar we all love, but are made with healthier ingredients and sweetened with dates.”
Total Time: 15 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes.
To view this online, go to https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/almond-joy-energy-bites-recipe/
Ingredients:
12 oz. (about 2 cups, loosely-packed) Medjool dates (**see note below about types of dates and substitutions**)
2 cups almonds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract (optional)
Directions:
Add dates and remaining ingredients to a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine, then use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl. Blend the mixture for about 3 minutes, or until the mixture has moved past the crumbly stage and begins to clump and stick to the sides of the food processor.
Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to measure out a tablespoon of dough (or your desired size) and roll it into a ball. If desired, roll the ball in a bowl of coconut flakes. Or just set it aside to eat as-is. Repeat with the remaining dough. (Alternately, you can flatten the dough into the bottom of an 8×8-inch parchment-lined baking dish, then cut it into bars.)
Store the energy bites in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
**I used Medjool dates in this recipe, which are already nice and soft. If you substitute another kind of date, you may need to soak them in warm water for 10 minutes first in order to soften then. (Then drain them before using.)
Showing posts with label Tex-Mex Macaroni and Ground Beef Casserole. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tex-Mex Macaroni and Ground Beef Casserole. Show all posts
Friday, February 21, 2020
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Mexican Food
If you're a fan of Mexican food, today's post is sure to make you happy. Here are six recipes from South of the Border, including Beef and Bean Burritos and Chicken Enchiladas Verde. Enjoy!
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
BEEF AND BEAN BURRITOS
This comes from Ree Drummond of The Food Network's The Pioneer Woman. Total time: 55 min; Prep: 35 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/beef-and-bean-burritos-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 medium onion, diced
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
Three 7-ounce cans Mexican tomato sauce (I use El Patobrand) or enchilada sauce
One 28-ounce can refried beans
3/4 cup grated Cheddar, plus extra for sprinkling
12 burrito-size flour tortillas
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 170 to 180 degrees F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the onions until softened. Then add the ground beef and cook until the beef is cooked through. Add the cumin, chili powder, oregano and salt and stir to combine. Pour 2 cans of the Mexican tomato sauce into the meat and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Add a little water if the mixture gets too dry.
Meanwhile, heat the refried beans in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the cheese, and stir it in till it's melted. Remove from the heat.
Heat the tortillas in the microwave for 1 minute, and then spread a small amount of beans on each tortilla. Add a small amount of the meat. Fold over the ends of the tortilla, and then roll them up. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Then place them in a large baking dish, cover with foil and keep warm in the oven.
When ready to serve, drizzle the remaining can of tomato sauce over all of the burritos and sprinkle with more grated Cheddar. Return to the oven for a couple of minutes just to melt the cheese.
Sprinkle the tops with the cilantro leaves and serve immediately to the fork-bangers in your life. They'll kiss you and hug you. Repeatedly.
VEGETARIAN TORTILLA SOUP
This is from Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking email. Alison wrote, “This vegetarian version of tortilla soup is no less complex than its chicken counterpart, thanks to plenty of vegetables, spices and a secret ingredient: canned chipotles in adobo. Smoked and dried jalapeños softened in a vinegar-tomato mixture, these little powerhouses do much of the heavy lifting in this vegetarian soup, offering depth and a certain meatiness to an otherwise light and tangy broth.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 1/4 hours
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, seeds removed, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons chile powder
2 chipotles in adobo, finely chopped
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and crushed
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen and thawed
For the Tortillas and Assembly:
2 cups vegetable oil
8 small corn tortillas, cut into 1/4-inch strips
Kosher salt
1 avocado, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded Cheddar or Monterey jack
3/4 cup sour cream or crema
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 red or yellow onion, finely chopped
Lime wedges, for serving
Preparation
Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Add chile powder and stir to coat. Cook a minute or two to toast the spices, then add chipotles and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to caramelize a bit on the bottom of the pot, concentrating their flavor.
Add vegetable broth, corn and 2 cups of water. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Simmer until flavors meld and broth tastes rich and flavorful, 15 to 20 minutes.
Heat oil in a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet or heavy-bottomed pot. Bring oil to 375 degrees and working in batches, fry tortilla strips until light golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt.
Place about 3/4 of the tortilla strips into broth and stir to submerge and soften for a few minutes. Divide soup among bowls and top with avocado, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, onion and remaining fried tortilla strips. Serve lime alongside for squeezing.
CHICKEN ENCHILADAS VERDE
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “What to do with leftover chicken or turkey? These baked chicken enchiladas are the perfect solution...and they're so good, you'll want to make them again and again.”
Serves: 6 servings (1 enchilada each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1/3 cup water
1 can (4.5 ounces) chopped green chiles, drained
1 teaspoon Dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (about 2 ounces)
6 corn tortilla (6-inch), warmed
Directions
Heat the oven to 400°F. Stir the soup, water, chiles, oregano and chili powder in a medium bowl.
Stir 1 cup soup mixture, chicken and 1/4 cup cheese in a medium bowl.
Divide the chicken mixture among the tortillas. Roll up the tortillas and place seam-side down in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the filled tortillas. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cover the baking dish.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the enchiladas are hot and bubbling.
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Verde: For a creamier version, reduce the water to 1/4 cup and stir 1/4 cup sour cream into the soup mixture.
Flavor Variation: Top the baked enchiladas with chopped tomatoes, sliced green onion, sliced pitted ripe olives and/or salsa.
Easy Substitution: You may substitute flour tortillas for the corn tortillas in this recipe.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This is from tbsp., and begins, “A delicious twist on lasagna!”
Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 10
View this online here.
Ingredients
6-8 large tortillas
1 lb ground beef
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
1/3 medium onion, diced
1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce
1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso™ refried beans, any type
1 1/2 cup cheddar or mexican blend cheese
3 small or medium tomatoes, diced
Cilantro, as desired
Black olives, as desired
Sour cream, for topping
Shredded lettuce, for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large non-stick skillet on stove, cook onions and beef until cooked through. Remove skillet from heat, drain off grease and stir in taco seasoning. Set aside.
Cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin coat of enchilada sauce. Layer tortilla halves in the bottom of the pan with the cut (straight) sides facing outward toward edges of pan. Cut pieces of another tortilla as needed to fill in any gaps and create a solid tortilla layer in the bottom of the pan.
Continue layering ingredients in the following order, making sure to save enough of each ingredient to form a second layer: refried beans, enchilada sauce, beef and onion mixture, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro and black olives (if desired).
Using equal amounts of ingredients as the first layer, form your second layer in the following order: tortillas, beans, enchilada sauce, meat and onions, cheese, tomatoes, cilantro and olives.
Top with a final layer of tortillas, and cover with a thin coating of enchilada sauce and cheese.
Bake lasagna for 30-45 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas start to crisp. Serve with sour cream, lettuce and additional toppings as desired.
CHICKEN FAJITA PASTA
This is from tbsp.com, and begins, “Tex-Mex meets Italian in this awesomely easy weeknight dinner dish.”
Prep: 20 minutes; Total: 40 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb. chicken breast, sliced thin
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix chicken
1/4 cup water
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1/2 green bell pepper, sliced thin
1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1/2 lb. spaghetti (1/2 of a 16 oz. box)
4 oz. cheddar cheese, grated
Salt and pepper
Directions
In a large skillet, add olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook, stirring regularly, until chicken is cooked through, around 8 minutes.
Add chicken seasoning to the skillet along with 1/4 cup water and stir together. Add sliced bell peppers and onion and cook until they are softened a bit.
Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package until al dente. When pasta is cooked through, use tongs to move it directly from the cooking water to the chicken fajita skillet. Stir to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Top the skillet with grated cheddar cheese and reduce heat to low until cheese is melted. Serve hot.
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
BEEF AND BEAN BURRITOS
This comes from Ree Drummond of The Food Network's The Pioneer Woman. Total time: 55 min; Prep: 35 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/beef-and-bean-burritos-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 medium onion, diced
2 pounds ground beef
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
Three 7-ounce cans Mexican tomato sauce (I use El Patobrand) or enchilada sauce
One 28-ounce can refried beans
3/4 cup grated Cheddar, plus extra for sprinkling
12 burrito-size flour tortillas
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 170 to 180 degrees F.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the onions until softened. Then add the ground beef and cook until the beef is cooked through. Add the cumin, chili powder, oregano and salt and stir to combine. Pour 2 cans of the Mexican tomato sauce into the meat and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Add a little water if the mixture gets too dry.
Meanwhile, heat the refried beans in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the cheese, and stir it in till it's melted. Remove from the heat.
Heat the tortillas in the microwave for 1 minute, and then spread a small amount of beans on each tortilla. Add a small amount of the meat. Fold over the ends of the tortilla, and then roll them up. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Then place them in a large baking dish, cover with foil and keep warm in the oven.
When ready to serve, drizzle the remaining can of tomato sauce over all of the burritos and sprinkle with more grated Cheddar. Return to the oven for a couple of minutes just to melt the cheese.
Sprinkle the tops with the cilantro leaves and serve immediately to the fork-bangers in your life. They'll kiss you and hug you. Repeatedly.
VEGETARIAN TORTILLA SOUP
This is from Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking email. Alison wrote, “This vegetarian version of tortilla soup is no less complex than its chicken counterpart, thanks to plenty of vegetables, spices and a secret ingredient: canned chipotles in adobo. Smoked and dried jalapeños softened in a vinegar-tomato mixture, these little powerhouses do much of the heavy lifting in this vegetarian soup, offering depth and a certain meatiness to an otherwise light and tangy broth.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 1/4 hours
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 jalapeño, seeds removed, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons chile powder
2 chipotles in adobo, finely chopped
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained and crushed
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen and thawed
For the Tortillas and Assembly:
2 cups vegetable oil
8 small corn tortillas, cut into 1/4-inch strips
Kosher salt
1 avocado, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded Cheddar or Monterey jack
3/4 cup sour cream or crema
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 red or yellow onion, finely chopped
Lime wedges, for serving
Preparation
Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Add chile powder and stir to coat. Cook a minute or two to toast the spices, then add chipotles and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to caramelize a bit on the bottom of the pot, concentrating their flavor.
Add vegetable broth, corn and 2 cups of water. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat to low. Simmer until flavors meld and broth tastes rich and flavorful, 15 to 20 minutes.
Heat oil in a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet or heavy-bottomed pot. Bring oil to 375 degrees and working in batches, fry tortilla strips until light golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt.
Place about 3/4 of the tortilla strips into broth and stir to submerge and soften for a few minutes. Divide soup among bowls and top with avocado, cheese, sour cream, cilantro, onion and remaining fried tortilla strips. Serve lime alongside for squeezing.
CHICKEN ENCHILADAS VERDE
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “What to do with leftover chicken or turkey? These baked chicken enchiladas are the perfect solution...and they're so good, you'll want to make them again and again.”
Serves: 6 servings (1 enchilada each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1/3 cup water
1 can (4.5 ounces) chopped green chiles, drained
1 teaspoon Dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (about 2 ounces)
6 corn tortilla (6-inch), warmed
Directions
Heat the oven to 400°F. Stir the soup, water, chiles, oregano and chili powder in a medium bowl.
Stir 1 cup soup mixture, chicken and 1/4 cup cheese in a medium bowl.
Divide the chicken mixture among the tortillas. Roll up the tortillas and place seam-side down in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the filled tortillas. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Cover the baking dish.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the enchiladas are hot and bubbling.
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas Verde: For a creamier version, reduce the water to 1/4 cup and stir 1/4 cup sour cream into the soup mixture.
Flavor Variation: Top the baked enchiladas with chopped tomatoes, sliced green onion, sliced pitted ripe olives and/or salsa.
Easy Substitution: You may substitute flour tortillas for the corn tortillas in this recipe.
MEXICAN LASAGNA
This is from tbsp., and begins, “A delicious twist on lasagna!”
Prep: 30 minutes; Total: 1 hour 10 minutes; Servings: 10
View this online here.
Ingredients
6-8 large tortillas
1 lb ground beef
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
1/3 medium onion, diced
1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce
1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso™ refried beans, any type
1 1/2 cup cheddar or mexican blend cheese
3 small or medium tomatoes, diced
Cilantro, as desired
Black olives, as desired
Sour cream, for topping
Shredded lettuce, for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large non-stick skillet on stove, cook onions and beef until cooked through. Remove skillet from heat, drain off grease and stir in taco seasoning. Set aside.
Cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin coat of enchilada sauce. Layer tortilla halves in the bottom of the pan with the cut (straight) sides facing outward toward edges of pan. Cut pieces of another tortilla as needed to fill in any gaps and create a solid tortilla layer in the bottom of the pan.
Continue layering ingredients in the following order, making sure to save enough of each ingredient to form a second layer: refried beans, enchilada sauce, beef and onion mixture, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro and black olives (if desired).
Using equal amounts of ingredients as the first layer, form your second layer in the following order: tortillas, beans, enchilada sauce, meat and onions, cheese, tomatoes, cilantro and olives.
Top with a final layer of tortillas, and cover with a thin coating of enchilada sauce and cheese.
Bake lasagna for 30-45 minutes until cheese is melted and tortillas start to crisp. Serve with sour cream, lettuce and additional toppings as desired.
CHICKEN FAJITA PASTA
This is from tbsp.com, and begins, “Tex-Mex meets Italian in this awesomely easy weeknight dinner dish.”
Prep: 20 minutes; Total: 40 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb. chicken breast, sliced thin
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix chicken
1/4 cup water
1/2 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1/2 green bell pepper, sliced thin
1/2 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1/2 lb. spaghetti (1/2 of a 16 oz. box)
4 oz. cheddar cheese, grated
Salt and pepper
Directions
In a large skillet, add olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook, stirring regularly, until chicken is cooked through, around 8 minutes.
Add chicken seasoning to the skillet along with 1/4 cup water and stir together. Add sliced bell peppers and onion and cook until they are softened a bit.
Meanwhile, cook spaghetti according to package until al dente. When pasta is cooked through, use tongs to move it directly from the cooking water to the chicken fajita skillet. Stir to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Top the skillet with grated cheddar cheese and reduce heat to low until cheese is melted. Serve hot.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Where's the Beef? - Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's double post deals with that age-old (?) question, Where's the Beef?
Does anyone remember the old commercial with the three little old ladies asking, "Where's the beef?" (Hint: you can see it here and here.)
Well, today's post is all about beef, with six beefy recipes to answer that old question, including Firehouse Chili Gumbo and Slow-Cooker Chili Mac 'n Cheese. Enjoy!
SLOW-COOKER BEEF & BROCCOLI
This comes from Delish, and begins, “The tender beef melts in your mouth.”
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves 4-6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb. sirloin steak, thinly sliced
1 c. low-sodium beef broth
1/2 c. low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 tbsp. sesame oil
1 tbsp. sriracha
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
2 tbsp. cornstarch
2 c. broccoli florets
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Cooked jasmine rice, for serving
Directions
In a large slow-cooker, add steak. Add beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, Sriracha, garlic, and green onions.
Cover and cook on low until beef is tender and cooked through, 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
When the steak is tender, spoon a few tablespoons of the slow-cooker broth into a bowl and whisk with cornstarch. Pour into slow cooker and toss with the beef until combined. Add broccoli and cook, covered, 20 minutes more.
Garnish with sesame things and green onions and serve over rice.
SLOW-COOKER CHILI MAC ’N CHEESE
This is from Judy Kim on Delish, and begins, “Put in a little bit of prep in the morning, come home to an insanely delish dinner.”
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4.
According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground cumin
1 tbsp. cayenne
2 lb. lean ground beef
2 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
15 oz. kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 lb. small pasta, such as macaroni or fusilli
2 c. shredded Cheddar
2 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Scallions, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro, and sour cream, for garnish
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook until softened. Add chili, cumin, and cayenne until fragrant, 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker along with tomatoes and kidney beans and season generously with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low, 6 hours.
When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Add pasta and cheese to slow cooker and stir until melted. Serve with scallions, jalapeños, avocado, cilantro, sour cream and cheese.
CLASSIC LASAGNA
This comes 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.
FIREHOUSE CHILI GUMBO
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “This recipe is adapted from the one that a Louisiana firefighter named Jeremy Chauvin entered into a national cook-off run by Hormel Foods in 2017, and that took home the prize for America’s Best Firehouse Chili. It is not really a chili in the Texas sense of the word. There is a roux at its base — it’s more like a chili gumbo, a bayou take on the original red. Serve with grated cheese and corn chips. Chauvin told me he was moved to enter the chili contest as a way to honor his brother Spencer, also a firefighter, who was killed in the line of duty in 2016. ‘I just want people to remember his sacrifice,’ he said.”
Yield: Serves 8 to 10; Time: 2 hours
This was featured in “This Is the Best Firehouse Chili” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed
3 pounds ground beef, ideally coarse-ground
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 tablespoons chile powder
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons steak sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
For the Gumbo:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 large yellow onion, peeled and diced
2 medium shallots, peeled and diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
3 ribs celery, trimmed and diced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 6-ounce cans tomato paste
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 to 2 cups tomato juice
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon apple-cider vinegar, or to taste
2 tablespoons hot sauce, or to taste
Preparation
Make the chili. Heat the oil in a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pot set over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the beef, stirring often, until it has begun to brown at the edges. Using a slotted spoon, transfer browned meat to a bowl.
Pour off excess fat, turn heat down to medium and return the browned beef to the skillet or pot. Add salt, peppers, chile powder, turmeric, oregano and cumin, and stir to combine. Add steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce and diced tomatoes, and stir again. Cover the skillet or pot, and cook, stirring a few times, for 15 minutes or so.
Make the gumbo. Place a large pot with a heavy bottom over medium heat, and put the butter and oil into it. When the butter is melted and foaming, sprinkle the flour into the pan, and whisk to combine. Continue whisking until the mixture is golden brown, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Add the onion, shallots, bell peppers, celery and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have started to soften, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Make the chili gumbo. Add the beef mixture to the pot with the vegetables along with the tomato paste, tomato sauce, tomato juice and ketchup, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes, then add apple-cider vinegar and hot sauce to taste. Take the pot off the heat, and serve, or allow to cool and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to cure. Heat before serving.
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
I'm really not sure where I found this recipe. It's been kicking around my computer for a while.
Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups (8 oz. Pkg) shredded 2% cheddar cheese, divided
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
Sliced green onions (optional)
Directions:
Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 2 1/2 – to 3-quart casserole dish.
Return potatoes to saucepan, add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
TACO ZUCCHINI LASAGNA
This is from Lindsay Funston on Delish. Lindsay wrote, “So flavorful, you won't even notice the noodles are gone.”
Yes, you read right: no noodles! But still delicious.
Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4 - 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. ground beef
3/4 c. ricotta
1/2 c. sour cream, plus more for drizzling
1 large egg
1/3 c. salsa
3 large zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
2 c. shredded Cheddar
2 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350º. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until tender, 5 minutes. Season with cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 8 minutes more. Drain fat.
In a small bowl, stir together ricotta, sour cream, and egg. Season with salt and pepper.
In a large baking or casserole dish, spread a thin layer of salsa. Top with a layer of zucchini noodles, sour cream mixture, ground beef, cheddar, and Monterey Jack. Repeat until all ingredients are used up, ending with zucchini noodles.
Bake until noodles are tender and cheese is bubbly, 25 minutes.
Drizzle with sour cream, garnish with cilantro, and serve.
Does anyone remember the old commercial with the three little old ladies asking, "Where's the beef?" (Hint: you can see it here and here.)
Well, today's post is all about beef, with six beefy recipes to answer that old question, including Firehouse Chili Gumbo and Slow-Cooker Chili Mac 'n Cheese. Enjoy!
SLOW-COOKER BEEF & BROCCOLI
This comes from Delish, and begins, “The tender beef melts in your mouth.”
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves 4-6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 lb. sirloin steak, thinly sliced
1 c. low-sodium beef broth
1/2 c. low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 tbsp. sesame oil
1 tbsp. sriracha
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 green onions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
2 tbsp. cornstarch
2 c. broccoli florets
Sesame seeds, for garnish
Cooked jasmine rice, for serving
Directions
In a large slow-cooker, add steak. Add beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, Sriracha, garlic, and green onions.
Cover and cook on low until beef is tender and cooked through, 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
When the steak is tender, spoon a few tablespoons of the slow-cooker broth into a bowl and whisk with cornstarch. Pour into slow cooker and toss with the beef until combined. Add broccoli and cook, covered, 20 minutes more.
Garnish with sesame things and green onions and serve over rice.
SLOW-COOKER CHILI MAC ’N CHEESE
This is from Judy Kim on Delish, and begins, “Put in a little bit of prep in the morning, come home to an insanely delish dinner.”
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4.
According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground cumin
1 tbsp. cayenne
2 lb. lean ground beef
2 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
15 oz. kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 lb. small pasta, such as macaroni or fusilli
2 c. shredded Cheddar
2 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Scallions, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro, and sour cream, for garnish
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook until softened. Add chili, cumin, and cayenne until fragrant, 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker along with tomatoes and kidney beans and season generously with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low, 6 hours.
When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Add pasta and cheese to slow cooker and stir until melted. Serve with scallions, jalapeños, avocado, cilantro, sour cream and cheese.
CLASSIC LASAGNA
This comes 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.
FIREHOUSE CHILI GUMBO
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. It begins, “This recipe is adapted from the one that a Louisiana firefighter named Jeremy Chauvin entered into a national cook-off run by Hormel Foods in 2017, and that took home the prize for America’s Best Firehouse Chili. It is not really a chili in the Texas sense of the word. There is a roux at its base — it’s more like a chili gumbo, a bayou take on the original red. Serve with grated cheese and corn chips. Chauvin told me he was moved to enter the chili contest as a way to honor his brother Spencer, also a firefighter, who was killed in the line of duty in 2016. ‘I just want people to remember his sacrifice,’ he said.”
Yield: Serves 8 to 10; Time: 2 hours
This was featured in “This Is the Best Firehouse Chili” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed
3 pounds ground beef, ideally coarse-ground
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 tablespoons chile powder
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 tablespoons steak sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 14.5-ounce cans diced tomatoes
For the Gumbo:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 large yellow onion, peeled and diced
2 medium shallots, peeled and diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
3 ribs celery, trimmed and diced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 6-ounce cans tomato paste
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 to 2 cups tomato juice
1 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon apple-cider vinegar, or to taste
2 tablespoons hot sauce, or to taste
Preparation
Make the chili. Heat the oil in a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pot set over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook the beef, stirring often, until it has begun to brown at the edges. Using a slotted spoon, transfer browned meat to a bowl.
Pour off excess fat, turn heat down to medium and return the browned beef to the skillet or pot. Add salt, peppers, chile powder, turmeric, oregano and cumin, and stir to combine. Add steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce and diced tomatoes, and stir again. Cover the skillet or pot, and cook, stirring a few times, for 15 minutes or so.
Make the gumbo. Place a large pot with a heavy bottom over medium heat, and put the butter and oil into it. When the butter is melted and foaming, sprinkle the flour into the pan, and whisk to combine. Continue whisking until the mixture is golden brown, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Add the onion, shallots, bell peppers, celery and garlic, and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have started to soften, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Make the chili gumbo. Add the beef mixture to the pot with the vegetables along with the tomato paste, tomato sauce, tomato juice and ketchup, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes, then add apple-cider vinegar and hot sauce to taste. Take the pot off the heat, and serve, or allow to cool and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to cure. Heat before serving.
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
I'm really not sure where I found this recipe. It's been kicking around my computer for a while.
Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups (8 oz. Pkg) shredded 2% cheddar cheese, divided
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
Sliced green onions (optional)
Directions:
Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 2 1/2 – to 3-quart casserole dish.
Return potatoes to saucepan, add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
TACO ZUCCHINI LASAGNA
This is from Lindsay Funston on Delish. Lindsay wrote, “So flavorful, you won't even notice the noodles are gone.”
Yes, you read right: no noodles! But still delicious.
Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4 - 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lb. ground beef
3/4 c. ricotta
1/2 c. sour cream, plus more for drizzling
1 large egg
1/3 c. salsa
3 large zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
2 c. shredded Cheddar
2 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 350º. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until tender, 5 minutes. Season with cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 8 minutes more. Drain fat.
In a small bowl, stir together ricotta, sour cream, and egg. Season with salt and pepper.
In a large baking or casserole dish, spread a thin layer of salsa. Top with a layer of zucchini noodles, sour cream mixture, ground beef, cheddar, and Monterey Jack. Repeat until all ingredients are used up, ending with zucchini noodles.
Bake until noodles are tender and cheese is bubbly, 25 minutes.
Drizzle with sour cream, garnish with cilantro, and serve.
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Tuesday Recipes
Enjoy!
MANGO LIME SORBET
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “This sorbet is tangy and not very sweet. I added only enough sugar and corn syrup to allow the mixture to freeze properly without developing ice crystals.” Yield: 1 quart, serving 5 to 6.
This was featured in “Mango Ice Means Summer Is Now”, and can be viewed online by clicking here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups diced mango (3 to 4 large mangos)
2/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 6 limes)
2 tablespoons corn syrup
Preparation
Combine 1/2 cup water and sugar in a small saucepan and stir. Bring to a simmer and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
Combine all ingredients in a blender and purée until completely smooth. Transfer to a bowl or container and chill overnight in refrigerator.
(Chill a 1-quart container in the freezer while you spin the sorbet.) Remove bowl from refrigerator and blend the mango purée again for 1 to 2 minutes in a blender or with an immersion blender. Add to ice cream maker and spin for about 25 minutes. Transfer to chilled container and freeze for 2 hours or longer to pack.
Once frozen solid, allow to soften in refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.
ALL-PURPOSE BISCUITS
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Biscuits are what take us into the kitchen today to cook: fat, flaky mounds of quick bread, golden brown, with a significant crumb. Composed of flour, baking powder, fat and a liquid, then baked in a hot oven, they are an excellent sop for sorghum syrup, molasses or honey. They are marvelous layered with country ham or smothered in white sausage gravy, with eggs, with grits. Biscuits are easy to make.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “A Quest for New York’s Perfect Biscuit”, and can be viewed online by clicking here.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 scant tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, preferably European style
1 cup whole milk
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425. Sift flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Transfer to a food processor. Cut butter into pats and add to flour, then pulse 5 or 6 times until the mixture resembles rough crumbs. (Alternatively, cut butter into flour in the mixing bowl using a fork or a pastry cutter.) Return dough to bowl, add milk and stir with a fork until it forms a rough ball.
Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and pat it down into a rough rectangle, about an inch thick. Fold it over and gently pat it down again. Repeat. Cover the dough loosely with a kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
Gently pat out the dough some more, so that the rectangle is roughly 10 inches by 6 inches. Cut dough into biscuits using a floured glass or biscuit cutter. Do not twist cutter when cutting; this crimps the edges of the biscuit and impedes its rise.
Place biscuits on a cookie sheet and bake until golden brown, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
MAPLE CINNAMON WALNUT BUTTER
This recipe and the next (Smokey Sriracha Peanut Butter) are from the November 2014 issue of Runner's World. Both can be found online here. This one begins, "Walnuts are one of the few vegetarian sources of omega-3s, fats that help calm postexercise inflammation, while cinnamon may help steady blood sugar. Walnuts are one of the few vegetarian sources of omega-3s, fats that help calm postexercise inflammation, while cinnamon may help steady blood sugar." Perfect Pairing: Whole-grain raisin bread; oatmeal.
Ingredients:
1 cup roasted walnuts
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt
Directions:
Blend walnuts in a food processor for 3 to 5 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
Add syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Process about 2 minutes longer, or until smooth.
Makes 1/2 cup (4 servings, 2 tablespoons each).
Nutrition per serving: 200 calories, 5 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein, 19 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 35 mg sodium.
SMOKEY SRIRACHA PEANUT BUTTER
This one begins, "High in fiber, protein, and fat, peanuts are especially satiating; studies show people who eat them often have a lower body-mass index. The hot peppers in sriracha boost calorie burning and add a moderate amount of spice." Perfect Pairing: Celery; chicken; bacon burgers (a favorite of RW’s Editor-in-Chief!)
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon sriracha
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt
Directions:
Blend peanuts in a food processor for 3 to 5 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
Add oil. Process 1 minute. Add sriracha, paprika, and a pinch of salt. Process 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth.
Makes 1/2 cup (4 servings, 2 tablespoons each).
Nutrition per serving: 230 calories, 9 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 9 g protein20 g total fat, 3 g saturated fat, 115 mg sodium.
BASIC ROASTED POTATOES
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “These roasted potatoes are a snap to prepare, and they taste amazing. Make them with or without the garlic, and serve along with a steak, chicken, or fish.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 to 2 1/2 pounds red skinned potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed and cut in 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, finely minced, optional
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves
Preparation
Heat the oven to 400° F.
In a large bowl, toss the potato chunks with the olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic, and parsley.
Spread the potatoes out in a single layer in a large, shallow rimmed baking pan, such as a large jelly roll pan or half sheet pan.
Roast the potatoes for about 50 to 60 minutes, or until nicely browned, turning every 20 minutes to brown evenly.
MANGO LIME SORBET
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “This sorbet is tangy and not very sweet. I added only enough sugar and corn syrup to allow the mixture to freeze properly without developing ice crystals.” Yield: 1 quart, serving 5 to 6.
This was featured in “Mango Ice Means Summer Is Now”, and can be viewed online by clicking here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups diced mango (3 to 4 large mangos)
2/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 6 limes)
2 tablespoons corn syrup
Preparation
Combine 1/2 cup water and sugar in a small saucepan and stir. Bring to a simmer and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
Combine all ingredients in a blender and purée until completely smooth. Transfer to a bowl or container and chill overnight in refrigerator.
(Chill a 1-quart container in the freezer while you spin the sorbet.) Remove bowl from refrigerator and blend the mango purée again for 1 to 2 minutes in a blender or with an immersion blender. Add to ice cream maker and spin for about 25 minutes. Transfer to chilled container and freeze for 2 hours or longer to pack.
Once frozen solid, allow to soften in refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.
ALL-PURPOSE BISCUITS
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Biscuits are what take us into the kitchen today to cook: fat, flaky mounds of quick bread, golden brown, with a significant crumb. Composed of flour, baking powder, fat and a liquid, then baked in a hot oven, they are an excellent sop for sorghum syrup, molasses or honey. They are marvelous layered with country ham or smothered in white sausage gravy, with eggs, with grits. Biscuits are easy to make.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “A Quest for New York’s Perfect Biscuit”, and can be viewed online by clicking here.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 scant tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, preferably European style
1 cup whole milk
Preparation
Preheat oven to 425. Sift flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Transfer to a food processor. Cut butter into pats and add to flour, then pulse 5 or 6 times until the mixture resembles rough crumbs. (Alternatively, cut butter into flour in the mixing bowl using a fork or a pastry cutter.) Return dough to bowl, add milk and stir with a fork until it forms a rough ball.
Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface and pat it down into a rough rectangle, about an inch thick. Fold it over and gently pat it down again. Repeat. Cover the dough loosely with a kitchen towel and allow it to rest for 30 minutes.
Gently pat out the dough some more, so that the rectangle is roughly 10 inches by 6 inches. Cut dough into biscuits using a floured glass or biscuit cutter. Do not twist cutter when cutting; this crimps the edges of the biscuit and impedes its rise.
Place biscuits on a cookie sheet and bake until golden brown, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
MAPLE CINNAMON WALNUT BUTTER
This recipe and the next (Smokey Sriracha Peanut Butter) are from the November 2014 issue of Runner's World. Both can be found online here. This one begins, "Walnuts are one of the few vegetarian sources of omega-3s, fats that help calm postexercise inflammation, while cinnamon may help steady blood sugar. Walnuts are one of the few vegetarian sources of omega-3s, fats that help calm postexercise inflammation, while cinnamon may help steady blood sugar." Perfect Pairing: Whole-grain raisin bread; oatmeal.
Ingredients:
1 cup roasted walnuts
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt
Directions:
Blend walnuts in a food processor for 3 to 5 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
Add syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Process about 2 minutes longer, or until smooth.
Makes 1/2 cup (4 servings, 2 tablespoons each).
Nutrition per serving: 200 calories, 5 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein, 19 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 35 mg sodium.
SMOKEY SRIRACHA PEANUT BUTTER
This one begins, "High in fiber, protein, and fat, peanuts are especially satiating; studies show people who eat them often have a lower body-mass index. The hot peppers in sriracha boost calorie burning and add a moderate amount of spice." Perfect Pairing: Celery; chicken; bacon burgers (a favorite of RW’s Editor-in-Chief!)
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon sriracha
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt
Directions:
Blend peanuts in a food processor for 3 to 5 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
Add oil. Process 1 minute. Add sriracha, paprika, and a pinch of salt. Process 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth.
Makes 1/2 cup (4 servings, 2 tablespoons each).
Nutrition per serving: 230 calories, 9 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 9 g protein20 g total fat, 3 g saturated fat, 115 mg sodium.
BASIC ROASTED POTATOES
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com’s Southern Food expert. Diana wrote, “These roasted potatoes are a snap to prepare, and they taste amazing. Make them with or without the garlic, and serve along with a steak, chicken, or fish.” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 to 2 1/2 pounds red skinned potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed and cut in 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cloves garlic, finely minced, optional
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves
Preparation
Heat the oven to 400° F.
In a large bowl, toss the potato chunks with the olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic, and parsley.
Spread the potatoes out in a single layer in a large, shallow rimmed baking pan, such as a large jelly roll pan or half sheet pan.
Roast the potatoes for about 50 to 60 minutes, or until nicely browned, turning every 20 minutes to brown evenly.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Friday Recipes
Finally, it's Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!
CRUSTY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “Macaroni and cheese may seem an easy proposition. Noodles, cheese. But the secret to this creamy dish with a crunchy and crisp top is American cheese. This is no place for fancy cheeses or fancy noodles. Leave the whole-wheat penne and artisanal orecchiette in the cupboard and bring on the elbow pasta.” Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Macaroni and Lots of Cheese” and can also be found by clicking here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
12 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
12 ounces American cheese or cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
1 pound elbow pasta, boiled in salted water until just tender, drained, and rinsed under cold water
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Salt
2/3 cup whole milk
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Use one tablespoon butter to thickly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Combine grated cheeses and set aside two heaping cups for topping.
In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, cheeses, cayenne (if using) and salt to taste. Place in prepared pan and evenly pour milk over surface. Sprinkle reserved cheese on top, dot with remaining butter and bake, uncovered, 45 minutes. Raise heat to 400 degrees and bake 15 to 20 minutes more, until crusty on top and bottom.
LOWCOUNTRY PICKLED COLESLAW
This comes from Kim Severs, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, “Ben Moïse, a retired game warden in South Carolina, has been serving a version of this coleslaw at his Frogmore stew parties for years. The hot, boiled dressing softens the cabbage and pickles it slightly. The result is a salad that stays delicious even when it sits outside on a picnic table for a few hours. The amount of vegetables can vary, and a finely chopped jalapeño can be added for a little extra heat.” Yield: 8 servings.
This was featured in “Summer Seafood Boils Take On Local Flavor”, and can be found by clicking here.
Ingredients
For the Slaw:
5 cups chopped green cabbage (1/2-inch pieces)
2 cups chopped purple cabbage (1/2-inch pieces)
1/2 heaping cup chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1/2 cup finely diced red bell or other sweet pepper
For the Dressing:
1 large clove garlic
1/2 tablespoon salt, more to taste
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
For Serving:
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lime
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation
Make the slaw: Put the chopped and diced vegetables in a bowl or other container that will fit in the refrigerator.
Make the dressing: Crush the garlic, and with the side of a knife work the salt into the clove until it makes a rough paste. Add the garlic paste, ginger, vinegar, oil and 1/3 cup water to a saucepan and bring to a low boil. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring now and then. Remove from heat. Allow to cool for 1 or 2 minutes, then pour over the vegetables, tossing well to combine. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Just before serving, toss with the lime juice and a few grinds of black pepper. Taste and add salt if needed.
HERBED BEEF KABOBS
This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Grilling marinated beef cubes over medium heat results in these tender evenly cooked morsels we all love.” Marinate: 1 hour; Grill: 20 minutes; Serves: 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 envelope (1 ounce) dry onion recipe soup & dip mix
1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced
1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium green peppers or red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
Instructions
Stir the soup mix, broth, oil, thyme, black pepper and garlic powder in a shallow nonmetallic dish or gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread the beef and peppers alternately onto 4 skewers.
Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
ULTIMATE NACHOS
Another recipe that has been kicking around my computer. After checking, I found the recipe on the Ro-Tel website; the recipe can be found here. It makes about six (6) servings, using 1 cup chips with topping each, and is 316 calories per serving. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. Extra lean ground beef
8 oz. Velveeta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
6 oz. Tortilla chips (about 7 cups)
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1 can (10 oz) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained well
Directions:
Brown meat in medium skillet; drain.
Microwave Velveeta in medium microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 minute or until completely melted, stirring after 30 seconds.
Place chips on large platter; top with Velveeta, meat and remaining ingredients.
GRILLED CORN ON THE COB
This comes from Ina Garten from The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 45 min; Prep: 25 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 1 serving; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/grilled-corn-on-the-cob.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 ear fresh corn on the cob, with the husk
1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted
Kosher salt
Directions
Prepare a charcoal grill with a single layer of hot coals.
Peel back the husk from the corn and remove the silk. Brush the kernels with the melted butter and replace the husk to cover the ear of corn.
Grill the corn for a total of 20 minutes, turning it every 5 minutes. Remove the ear from the grill and carefully peel back the husk. Sprinkle the kernels with salt and serve.
CRUSTY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “Macaroni and cheese may seem an easy proposition. Noodles, cheese. But the secret to this creamy dish with a crunchy and crisp top is American cheese. This is no place for fancy cheeses or fancy noodles. Leave the whole-wheat penne and artisanal orecchiette in the cupboard and bring on the elbow pasta.” Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Macaroni and Lots of Cheese” and can also be found by clicking here.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons butter
12 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
12 ounces American cheese or cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
1 pound elbow pasta, boiled in salted water until just tender, drained, and rinsed under cold water
1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
Salt
2/3 cup whole milk
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Use one tablespoon butter to thickly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Combine grated cheeses and set aside two heaping cups for topping.
In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, cheeses, cayenne (if using) and salt to taste. Place in prepared pan and evenly pour milk over surface. Sprinkle reserved cheese on top, dot with remaining butter and bake, uncovered, 45 minutes. Raise heat to 400 degrees and bake 15 to 20 minutes more, until crusty on top and bottom.
LOWCOUNTRY PICKLED COLESLAW
This comes from Kim Severs, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, “Ben Moïse, a retired game warden in South Carolina, has been serving a version of this coleslaw at his Frogmore stew parties for years. The hot, boiled dressing softens the cabbage and pickles it slightly. The result is a salad that stays delicious even when it sits outside on a picnic table for a few hours. The amount of vegetables can vary, and a finely chopped jalapeño can be added for a little extra heat.” Yield: 8 servings.
This was featured in “Summer Seafood Boils Take On Local Flavor”, and can be found by clicking here.
Ingredients
For the Slaw:
5 cups chopped green cabbage (1/2-inch pieces)
2 cups chopped purple cabbage (1/2-inch pieces)
1/2 heaping cup chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1/2 cup finely diced red bell or other sweet pepper
For the Dressing:
1 large clove garlic
1/2 tablespoon salt, more to taste
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
For Serving:
Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lime
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Preparation
Make the slaw: Put the chopped and diced vegetables in a bowl or other container that will fit in the refrigerator.
Make the dressing: Crush the garlic, and with the side of a knife work the salt into the clove until it makes a rough paste. Add the garlic paste, ginger, vinegar, oil and 1/3 cup water to a saucepan and bring to a low boil. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring now and then. Remove from heat. Allow to cool for 1 or 2 minutes, then pour over the vegetables, tossing well to combine. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Just before serving, toss with the lime juice and a few grinds of black pepper. Taste and add salt if needed.
HERBED BEEF KABOBS
This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Grilling marinated beef cubes over medium heat results in these tender evenly cooked morsels we all love.” Marinate: 1 hour; Grill: 20 minutes; Serves: 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 envelope (1 ounce) dry onion recipe soup & dip mix
1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced
1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 medium green peppers or red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
Instructions
Stir the soup mix, broth, oil, thyme, black pepper and garlic powder in a shallow nonmetallic dish or gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread the beef and peppers alternately onto 4 skewers.
Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
ULTIMATE NACHOS
Another recipe that has been kicking around my computer. After checking, I found the recipe on the Ro-Tel website; the recipe can be found here. It makes about six (6) servings, using 1 cup chips with topping each, and is 316 calories per serving. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. Extra lean ground beef
8 oz. Velveeta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
6 oz. Tortilla chips (about 7 cups)
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1 can (10 oz) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained well
Directions:
Brown meat in medium skillet; drain.
Microwave Velveeta in medium microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 minute or until completely melted, stirring after 30 seconds.
Place chips on large platter; top with Velveeta, meat and remaining ingredients.
GRILLED CORN ON THE COB
This comes from Ina Garten from The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 45 min; Prep: 25 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 1 serving; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/grilled-corn-on-the-cob.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 ear fresh corn on the cob, with the husk
1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted
Kosher salt
Directions
Prepare a charcoal grill with a single layer of hot coals.
Peel back the husk from the corn and remove the silk. Brush the kernels with the melted butter and replace the husk to cover the ear of corn.
Grill the corn for a total of 20 minutes, turning it every 5 minutes. Remove the ear from the grill and carefully peel back the husk. Sprinkle the kernels with salt and serve.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Tuesday Recipes
Ever have one of those days when you're running late from the time you get up? That's been my day so far - which is why this is late being posted. But that's okay, it's here now, with today's six yummy recipes to try. Enjoy!
LEMON POTATO SALAD WITH MINT
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This light and refreshing potato salad is the antithesis of the usual, creamy, mayonnaise-based recipes. The mint and scallion add a bright, herbal flavor while the sprinkle of chile lends a kick. Make this the morning you plan to serve it and let it marinate at room temperature all day long. Or refrigerate for longer storage but be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving. Other herbs like cilantro, parsley, tarragon and sage can be substituted for the mint; adjust the quantity to taste.” Yield: 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes.
This was featured in “Potato Salad Done Right” and can be found by clicking here.
Ingredients
2 pounds small waxy white or yellow potatoes, roughly about the same size
Juice of 1 lemon, more for serving
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and light green parts, more for serving
1/4 cup torn mint leaves, more for serving
1/4 teaspoon Turkish pepper, more for serving
Preparation
Place whole unpeeled potatoes in a large pot with enough salted water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until potatoes are just tender, 15 to 25 minutes depending upon size. Drain and cut potatoes into 1 1/2-inch chunks as soon as you can handle them.
In a bowl, whisk together lemon juice, salt and olive oil.
Transfer hot potatoes to a large bowl and toss with dressing, scallions, mint and Turkish pepper. Let cool to room temperature, or refrigerate until ready to use. Just before serving, top with additional lemon juice, scallions, mint and Turkish pepper.
SOFT TACOS WITH CHICKEN AND TOMATO-CORN SALSA
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Tomato-corn salsa is substantial, almost like a salad. These light, fresh tacos make a wonderful summer meal.” Yield: Serves four; Time: 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Sweet Corn: Getting an Earful in Summer”, and can be found online by clicking here.
Ingredients
1/2 small red or white onion, finely chopped
1 ear of corn, steamed for five minutes
1 pound ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
1 to 3 jalapeño or serrano peppers (to taste), seeded if desired and minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt to taste
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, poached and shredded (about 2 cups)
8 corn tortillas
1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese
Preparation
Place the chopped onion in a small bowl, and cover with cold water. Let sit for five minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water. Drain on paper towels. Cut the kernels off the steamed ear of corn.
Toss together the tomatoes, minced chiles, cilantro, onion and steamed corn. Season to taste with salt, and add up to 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. Place the shredded chicken in a bowl, and season with 1 tablespoon lime juice and salt to taste.
Heat the tortillas. Wrap in aluminum foil, and heat through in a 350-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes; or heat through one at a time in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until flexible. Place one or two on each plate, top with shredded chicken and a generous spoonful of the salsa, and sprinkle some cheese on top. Serve, passing additional salsa if there is any at the table.
Tip
Advance preparation: The poached, shredded chicken will keep for three days in the refrigerator. The salsa can be assembled several hours before serving. Martha Rose Shulman can be reached at martha-rose-shulman.com.
ZUCCHINI GRATIN
This comes from Ina Garten of The Food Network show Barefoot Contessa. This recipe begins, “Round out your perfect picnic or cookout with summer side dish recipes for pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw and more from your favorite chefs at Food Network.” Total Time: 1 hr 5 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 55 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/zucchini-gratin-recipe2.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for topping
1 pound yellow onions, cut in 1/2 and sliced (3 large)
2 pounds zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick (4 zucchini)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup hot milk
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
3/4 cup grated Gruyere
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a very large (12-inch) saute pan and cook the onions over low heat for 20 minutes, or until tender but not browned. Add the zucchini and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes. Stir in the flour. Add the hot milk and cook over low heat for a few minutes, until it makes a sauce. Pour the mixture into an 8 by 10-inch baking dish.
Combine the bread crumbs and Gruyere and sprinkle on top of the zucchini mixture. Dot with 1 tablespoon of butter cut into small bits and bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and browned.
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
I'm really not sure where I found this recipe. It's been kicking around my computer for a while.
Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups (8 oz. Pkg) shredded 2% cheddar cheese, divided
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
Sliced green onions (optional)
Directions:
Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 2 1/2 – to 3-quart casserole dish.
Return potatoes to saucepan, add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
BEEF TACO SALAD
This comes from Judy Kim on Delish. According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.
For this recipe, Judy wrote, “Try a healthier twist on Taco Tuesdays.” Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Taco Seasoning
2 tbsp. tomato paste
vegetable oil
2 corn tortillas, cut into 1/4" strips
2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Pico de Gallo
sour cream
1/4 c. Chopped cilantro
Directions
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef using a wooden spoon and break up meat into small pieces. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons water, and tomato paste. Cook through, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside.
In a sauté pan add about 1/2" of vegetable oil. Heat until hot but not smoking. Fry tortilla strips until golden brown; transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Season tortillas with salt just after removing from hot oil.
Assemble salad in 4 bowls with romaine, tomatoes, black beans, and warm taco meat. Top with cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. Garnish with cilantro and crisp tortilla strips.
LEMON POTATO SALAD WITH MINT
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This light and refreshing potato salad is the antithesis of the usual, creamy, mayonnaise-based recipes. The mint and scallion add a bright, herbal flavor while the sprinkle of chile lends a kick. Make this the morning you plan to serve it and let it marinate at room temperature all day long. Or refrigerate for longer storage but be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving. Other herbs like cilantro, parsley, tarragon and sage can be substituted for the mint; adjust the quantity to taste.” Yield: 8 servings; Time: 45 minutes.
This was featured in “Potato Salad Done Right” and can be found by clicking here.
Ingredients
2 pounds small waxy white or yellow potatoes, roughly about the same size
Juice of 1 lemon, more for serving
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions, white and light green parts, more for serving
1/4 cup torn mint leaves, more for serving
1/4 teaspoon Turkish pepper, more for serving
Preparation
Place whole unpeeled potatoes in a large pot with enough salted water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until potatoes are just tender, 15 to 25 minutes depending upon size. Drain and cut potatoes into 1 1/2-inch chunks as soon as you can handle them.
In a bowl, whisk together lemon juice, salt and olive oil.
Transfer hot potatoes to a large bowl and toss with dressing, scallions, mint and Turkish pepper. Let cool to room temperature, or refrigerate until ready to use. Just before serving, top with additional lemon juice, scallions, mint and Turkish pepper.
SOFT TACOS WITH CHICKEN AND TOMATO-CORN SALSA
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Tomato-corn salsa is substantial, almost like a salad. These light, fresh tacos make a wonderful summer meal.” Yield: Serves four; Time: 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Sweet Corn: Getting an Earful in Summer”, and can be found online by clicking here.
Ingredients
1/2 small red or white onion, finely chopped
1 ear of corn, steamed for five minutes
1 pound ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
1 to 3 jalapeño or serrano peppers (to taste), seeded if desired and minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt to taste
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, poached and shredded (about 2 cups)
8 corn tortillas
1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese
Preparation
Place the chopped onion in a small bowl, and cover with cold water. Let sit for five minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water. Drain on paper towels. Cut the kernels off the steamed ear of corn.
Toss together the tomatoes, minced chiles, cilantro, onion and steamed corn. Season to taste with salt, and add up to 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. Place the shredded chicken in a bowl, and season with 1 tablespoon lime juice and salt to taste.
Heat the tortillas. Wrap in aluminum foil, and heat through in a 350-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes; or heat through one at a time in a dry skillet over medium-high heat until flexible. Place one or two on each plate, top with shredded chicken and a generous spoonful of the salsa, and sprinkle some cheese on top. Serve, passing additional salsa if there is any at the table.
Tip
Advance preparation: The poached, shredded chicken will keep for three days in the refrigerator. The salsa can be assembled several hours before serving. Martha Rose Shulman can be reached at martha-rose-shulman.com.
ZUCCHINI GRATIN
This comes from Ina Garten of The Food Network show Barefoot Contessa. This recipe begins, “Round out your perfect picnic or cookout with summer side dish recipes for pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw and more from your favorite chefs at Food Network.” Total Time: 1 hr 5 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 55 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/zucchini-gratin-recipe2.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for topping
1 pound yellow onions, cut in 1/2 and sliced (3 large)
2 pounds zucchini, sliced 1/4-inch thick (4 zucchini)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup hot milk
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
3/4 cup grated Gruyere
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a very large (12-inch) saute pan and cook the onions over low heat for 20 minutes, or until tender but not browned. Add the zucchini and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes. Stir in the flour. Add the hot milk and cook over low heat for a few minutes, until it makes a sauce. Pour the mixture into an 8 by 10-inch baking dish.
Combine the bread crumbs and Gruyere and sprinkle on top of the zucchini mixture. Dot with 1 tablespoon of butter cut into small bits and bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and browned.
TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE
This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti
1 cup chopped onion
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning
1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack
Preparation
Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.
Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.
Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.
Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.
BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE
I'm really not sure where I found this recipe. It's been kicking around my computer for a while.
Ingredients:
8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk
1/2 cup light sour cream
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups (8 oz. Pkg) shredded 2% cheddar cheese, divided
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided
Sliced green onions (optional)
Directions:
Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.
Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 2 1/2 – to 3-quart casserole dish.
Return potatoes to saucepan, add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
BEEF TACO SALAD
This comes from Judy Kim on Delish. According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.
For this recipe, Judy wrote, “Try a healthier twist on Taco Tuesdays.” Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Taco Seasoning
2 tbsp. tomato paste
vegetable oil
2 corn tortillas, cut into 1/4" strips
2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Pico de Gallo
sour cream
1/4 c. Chopped cilantro
Directions
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef using a wooden spoon and break up meat into small pieces. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons water, and tomato paste. Cook through, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside.
In a sauté pan add about 1/2" of vegetable oil. Heat until hot but not smoking. Fry tortilla strips until golden brown; transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Season tortillas with salt just after removing from hot oil.
Assemble salad in 4 bowls with romaine, tomatoes, black beans, and warm taco meat. Top with cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. Garnish with cilantro and crisp tortilla strips.
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