Confessions of a Foodie

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Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Here are six recipes to help you through the day, including Cherry-Mallow Cake and Hearty Turkey Chili. Enjoy!

KENTUCKY CORN PUDDING

This is from that infamous long-since-forgotten-emailing-list. Very yummy. My late step-father was from Kentucky. I would have loved to have made this for him one last Christmas.

This recipe begins, “Corn on the cob was sometimes served at Christmas, but more often we had our corn the old southern way, as corn pudding. Great for a Thanksgiving as well.”

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

1 pint fresh corn, with pulp scraped from cob

2 egg yolks

1-1/2 tablespoons flour

1 cup whole milk

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

2 egg whites, beaten to stiff peaks

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine corn, egg yolk, flour, milk, sugar, butter, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Fold in egg whites. Turn into a buttered baking dish and bake in preheated 350°F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until set.

QUICK PASTA PESTO

This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The recipe begins, “Pasta with cheese and cream sauces can rack up a lot of empty calories, but make simple substitutions, like swapping cream for evaporated skim milk, and you can enjoy your favorite pasta dishes anytime.”

POINTS® Value: 8; Servings: 4; Preparation Time | 5 min; Cooking Time: 10 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

3 Tbsp pesto sauce, sun-dried tomato variety preferred

3 cup mixed vegetables, chopped, fresh or frozen

1 cup fat-free evaporated milk

4 cup cooked pasta

1 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions

Heat a large nonstick pan coated with cooking spray. Add pesto sauce and vegetables; cook, stirring until softened, about 2 minutes.

Add milk, bring to a boil and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in pasta and cheese; cook until heated through. Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

CHERRY-MALLOW CAKE

This recipe is from the infamous long-since-forgotten-emailing-list and begins, “This cake is a snap to make because you use a mix. As the marshmallows melt, they rise to the top and make a glaze.”

Prep. time: 15 minutes; Cooking time: 45 to 50 minutes; Serves: 15

Ingredients

4 cups miniature marshmallows, (about 3/4 of a 10-1/2 ounce package)

1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Lay the marshmallows evenly over the bottom of the pan.

Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions. Pour the batter over the marshmallows. Spoon the cherry filling evenly over the cake batter.

Remove pan from oven and cool on wire racks.

After the cake is cool, cut into squares.

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.

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.

HEARTY TURKEY CHILI

This comes from GE Appliances and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey

1 medium onion, chopped

2-15oz. cans chili-ready beans in chili gravy

1-12oz bottle beer (can use non-alcoholic)

1-14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes (chili ready)

1/2 c. chili sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

In a large saucepan, brown turkey and onion over medium/high heat until turkey is no longer pink and onions are tender.

Add meat to slow cooker.

Stir in undrained beans, beer, undrained tomatoes, chili sauce, chili powder, Cajun seasoning and garlic salt.

Cook in slow cooker on low for 4 hours.

CHEF'S NOTES:

If you are in a hurry, you can add the ingredients to a Dutch oven, cover and cook on stovetop over medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Flavors will not develop as fully, but dinner is done much quicker!

Taco Tuesday

Here we are, dealing with another Taco Tuesday. If you love them as much as I do, you probably don't mind.

To that end, here are six yummy taco recipes to get you through the day, including Spicy Turkey Tacos and Slow Cooker Chipotle-Honey Chicken Tacos. Enjoy!

CHIPOTLE SHRIMP TACOS

This is from TasteforLife, and can be viewed online here.

Prep Time: 35 minutes prep time + 1 hour marinate time;Number of Servings: Serves 4 (2 tacos each); Recipe Source: From the Taste for Life test kitchen

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic, minced

1 c thinly sliced red radish

1 c thinly sliced red cabbage

1/2 c apple cider vinegar

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c plain Greek yogurt or sour cream

1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

1 Tbsp oil

2 tsp chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce*

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1 lb raw small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

8 soft corn taco shells

Diced cucumber, for garnish

Chopped cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

Place garlic, radish, and cabbage in a medium bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Place in fridge for 1 to 2 hours to allow vegetables to marinate.

Combine yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl. Set aside in fridge while making shrimp.

Preheat oven to 300°. To make shrimp, whisk together oil, chipotle chile, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat.

Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan. Grill shrimp until cooked through, approximately 1 to 3 minutes per side, depending on size of shrimp.

Lay soft corn taco shells directly over oven racks in preheated oven. Carefully, using oven mitts and a fork, and without burning yourself, gently push edges of taco shells toward bottom of oven—encouraging shells to droop over racks. Bake until shells are curved and crisp, about 30 minutes. (For soft taco shells, use shells as is without baking them.)

To assemble tacos, place some pickled radish and cabbage on bottom of a shell. Add shrimp. Garnish with yogurt sauce, cucumbers, and cilantro.

Notes:

A chipotle chile is a smoked and dried jalapeno. You can find them canned in adobo sauce in the Mexican or International foods aisle of most supermarkets.

BLACK BEAN TACOS WITH ROASTED PEPPERS AND ONIONS

This comes from Vegetarian Times. This one begins, “For a fast meal that’s a surefire crowd-pleaser, these tacos fit the bill.” Yield: Serves 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

Roasted Peppers and Onions

3 red bell peppers, thinly sliced (3 cups)

1 large onion, thinly sliced (1-1/2 cups)

1 Tbs. olive oil

Tacos

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)

6 cloves garlic, minced (2 Tbs.)

2 15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 15-oz. can diced organic fire-roasted tomatoes

1 Tbs. chili powder

1 Tbs. ground cumin

1/8 tsp. hot sauce, or more to taste

16 organic corn taco shells, warmed

Toppings

3 cups shredded lettuce

1 16-oz. container prepared salsa

2 large tomatoes, diced (2 cups)

2 avocados, diced (2 cups)

1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup low-fat sour cream

Instructions:

To make Roasted Peppers and Onions: Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss peppers and onion with oil on large baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes, stir, and roast 15 minutes more, or until vegetables are tender and peppers are beginning to blacken. Transfer to small bowl.

Meanwhile, to make Tacos: Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until soft. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more, or until fragrant. Stir in beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, and 1 cup water. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Mash beans until filling is thickened, but chunky, and most beans remain intact. Adjust seasonings, if necessary. Transfer to serving bowl. Pass taco shells, filling, Roasted Peppers and Onions, and Toppings around the table.

Nutrition Information: Calories: 482; Protein: 16 g; Total Fat: 22 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 57 g; Cholesterol: 17 mg; Sodium: 665 mg; Fiber: 12 g; Sugar: 14 g

SLOW COOKER CHIPOTLE-HONEY CHICKEN TACOS

This is from Sarah DiGregorio in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Sarah wrote, "These may be the easiest tacos you ever make, but you’d never know it. The recipe hinges on just two ingredients: canned chipotles and honey, which slowly caramelize together for a glossy and incredibly tasty sauce. You may hesitate because there's so little liquid in the slow cooker with the chicken, but don't worry. That's how it's supposed to be. It allows the sauce to get a little sticky, which is exactly what you want. (Get the pressure cooker version of this recipe here.)"

Total Time: 3 to 5 hours; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, click here. While you're at it, if you haven't signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so. Great recipes, guides, and more.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

3 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 to 4 chipotles from a can of chipotles in adobo, finely chopped, plus 2 tablespoons adobo sauce

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

Juice of 1 lime

Warmed tortillas, for serving

Pickled onion, for serving (see Tip)

Sliced or cubed avocado, for serving

Preparation

Combine the chicken, honey, onion and garlic powders, cumin, salt and chipotle chiles and adobo sauce in a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker. Stir well. Cook for at least 3 hours and up to 5 hours on low. If it’s more convenient, you can let the slow cooker switch to warm after 5 hours. The dish will hold on warm for about another 3 hours before the chicken starts to become quite dry.

Using two forks, coarsely shred the chicken in the sauce. Stir in the black beans and lime juice. Cover and let the beans warm through, about 5 minutes. Taste and add more salt or lime juice if necessary. Serve in tortillas with pickled onion and avocado.

Tip

To make quick-pickled onions, thinly slice a red onion and put the slices in a bowl or container. Bring about 1-1/2 cups cider or white vinegar to a boil, and add about 3 heaping spoonfuls of sugar and a big pinch of salt to dissolve. You can also add a pinch of red-pepper flakes, a bay leaf or some dried oregano, if you like. Pour the hot vinegar over the onions and let them cool. They’re ready to use right away, and can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.

GROUND BEEF TACOS WITH SPICY SHELLS

This is from Delish and begins, “Line taco shells with lettuce leaves so the filling stays put inside.”

Total Time: 25 minutes; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves:4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. ground coriander

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 1/4 lb. ground beef (at least 90% lean)

3 tbsp. tomato paste

2 tsp. low-sodium beef bouillon base (we used Better than Bouillon)

8 small yellow corn tortillas (see box, below)

8 butter or iceberg lettuce leaves

2 tomatoes, chopped

Shredded cheddar, for serving

Directions

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, coriander and chili powder and cook, stirring, 1 minute.

Increase heat to medium-high, add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring 2 minutes. Add the bouillon base and 1 cup water and gently simmer until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.

While the beef is browning, prepare the spicy taco shells (see tip, below). Line the tortillas with lettuce, fill with the beef, and top with the tomatoes and cheese, if desired.

PER SERVING 494 CAL, 28 G FAT (7.5 G SAT FAT), 92 MG CHOL, 154 MG SOD, 33 G PRO, 29 G CAR, 5 G FIBER

SPICY TURKEY TACOS

This is from Judy Kim on Delish and begins, “Thought ground turkey was blah? Think again.”

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.” Check out both Delish and The Judy Lab.

Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 hard corn taco shells

1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 lb. ground turkey

4 tsp. Mexican seasoning

1 tsp. cayenne pepper

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, diced

1 c. crushed tomatoes

1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish

1 c. grated mozzarella

1 c. Pico de Gallo

1 c. sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°. Place taco shells on a sheet pan.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and add ground turkey; brown while breaking up with a wooden spoon. Season with Mexican seasoning, cayenne, salt and pepper.

Add garlic and onions; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and cilantro and stir until warmed through. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.

Just before serving, bake taco shells until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Spoon spicy turkey mixture into taco shells and top with mozzarella, pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve with sour cream.

LOADED GUACAMOLE VEGETARIAN TACOS

This is from Karen, the Soup Addict. Karen wrote, “Veggie-loaded with lots of guacamole, black beans, corn, and peppers, these vegetarian tacos are full-on yummy.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 8 minutes; Total Time: 28 minutes; Serves: 6 tacos.

This can be viewed online at http://soupaddict.com/2014/06/loaded-guacamole-vegetarian-tacos/.

Ingredients

for the guacamole

2 avocados, pit and skin removed, roughly chopped

1/2 of a lime

1/2 of a lemon

1/4 salt (plus extra as needed)

1/3 cup corn kernels (raw, from about 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

2 tablespoons diced poblano pepper

1 tablespoon diced red onion

1 tablespoon diced jalapeño pepper

2 teaspoons minced cilantro

1 clove garlic, minced

for the black beans

1 can black beans (15 ounces)

1/3 cup corn kerns (raw, from 1/2 of a large cob, or thawed from frozen)

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup poblano peppers, diced

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

for the tacos

6 small flour or soft corn tortillas

2 cups chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce

1 tablespoon minced cilantro

hot sauce, such as Cholula or Sriracha (optional)

lime and/or lemon wedges

Instructions

prepare the guacamole

Mash the avocado in a medium bowl with a fork (or molcajete) until it reaches your desired consistency, chunky or smooth. Add a small squeeze each of lime and lemon juice, along with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix well and taste. Add more lime juice, lemon juice, and salt as you like. Stir in the remaining guacamole ingredients. (To make ahead, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and press gently against the guacamole. The entire surface of the guac should be touching and covered by the wrap, to keep air out. Then, cover the bowl with a second sheet of wrap, and refrigerate.)

prepare the black beans

Add all of the black bean ingredients to a 2 quart sauce pot and heat over medium-low until hot. Turn off the heat and allow to cool to a very warm, eatable temp (a few minutes should do it).

assemble

If the tortillas are not soft and pliable (or if you like your tortillas warm), stack them on a microwaveable plate, separated with paper towels, and heat for 20 to 30 seconds.

Line half of each tortilla with lettuce. Spoon the black bean mixture over the lettuce (on half of the tortilla). Spoon guacamole on the other half. Top with a few shakes of hot sauce (optional) and a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve with lemon and lime wedges.

Monday, March 9, 2026

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Slow Cooker Chicken Stroganoff and Chef John's American Goulash. Enjoy!

HEARY BEEF STEW WITH RED ONIONS AND ALE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, "In this cozy beef stew, tender chunks of meat in a silky, savory, ale-tinged sauce share the pot with wedges of red onion and sweet nuggets of carrot. A little coriander and allspice add fragrance and depth to the mix, while a spoonful of tomato paste deepens and rounds out the flavors. Like all stews, it tastes even better a day or two later, and can be frozen for up to two months. Serve it over something soft and buttery to soak up the sauce: a mound of mashed potatoes, noodles or polenta."

Time: 3 hours; Yield: 6 servings

This was featured in "Looking for Comfort? Turn to This Beef Stew", and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021592-hearty-beef-stew-with-red-onions-and-ale.

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch chunks

Kosher salt and black pepper

3 medium red onions

1 to 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more as needed

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

2 cups beef or chicken stock, preferably homemade

1 cup ale or beer (nonalcoholic is fine)

1 rosemary sprig

3 carrots, sliced

1 tablespoon cider vinegar or sherry vinegar, plus more to taste

Chopped chives, for garnish

Flaky sea salt, for garnish

Preparation

Season the beef all over with salt and pepper. Set aside while you prepare the onions.

Peel the onions. Cut 2 of them in half root to stem, then thinly slice them crosswise into half-moons. Cut the third onion, root to stem, into 1/2-inch wedges.

Dust the beef cubes lightly with flour. Heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven or other pot over medium-high. Add beef, in batches taking care not to crowd the pan, and sear until it’s good and dark all over, 5 to 6 minutes per batch. Transfer beef cubes to a bowl as they brown. Add more oil and adjust heat if necessary to prevent burning.

Stir in sliced onions and raise heat to medium-high if you lowered it. Cook until pale golden brown and soft, 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden at the edges, 2 to 3 minutes longer.

Make a well in the center of the onions, then stir in tomato paste, coriander and allspice; cook, stirring until paste is darkened, 1 minute. Stir in stock, ale, 1 cup water and rosemary sprig. Return beef and any juices to the pot and bring to a simmer. Partly cover the pot and simmer gently for 45 minutes.

Give the beef a stir, then add onion wedges. Simmer for 15 minutes, then stir in carrots and continue to simmer until the meat, onions and carrots are tender, 30 to 45 minutes longer.

If the sauce seems thin, use a slotted spoon to transfer meat and vegetables to a platter; cover with foil to keep warm. Discard the rosemary. Return pot with liquid to stove and simmer until thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in vinegar. Taste and add more salt and vinegar if you like. Spoon sauce over meat and garnish with chives, flaky sea salt and more black pepper.

VEGAN MUSHROOM AND LEEK ROLLS

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, "Classic sausage rolls are filled with a meat-based sausage mixture, but this hearty vegan version substitutes mushrooms, fennel and plenty of leeks, along with almond butter for creaminess and farro for a delightfully chewy texture. These are best served warm from the oven, or reheated if they cool down. Ketchup is a traditional sausage roll accompaniment, but these are so flavorful on their own they don't need it."

Time: 1 1/2 hours; Yield: 4 rolls

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021541-vegan-mushroom-and-leek-rolls.

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

1/4 cup farro

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon cider vinegar or white wine vinegar

1 1/4 pounds mixed mushrooms, diced (about 8 cups)

2 large leeks, white and light green parts, cut lengthwise and sliced into 1/4-inch half-moons (about 2 cups)

1 cup diced fennel

2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced

1 teaspoon tomato paste

Pinch of red-pepper flakes (optional)

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 cup creamy almond butter

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, cilantro or dill

1 (13- to 17-ounce) package frozen vegan puff pastry, thawed but still cold

Preparation

Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil, then add farro. Cook until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain well and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and the vinegar while still warm, tossing to combine. Let the farro cool.

Heat oven to 375 degrees and line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

While the farro cooks, prepare the filling: In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until just tender and golden brown, stirring infrequently so the mushrooms have a chance to sear, 8 to 12 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, leeks and fennel. Cook until leeks and fennel soften, 8 to 12 minutes. Add thyme, garlic, tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pinch of red-pepper flakes, if using, and cook for another minute or until fragrant.

Add soy sauce to deglaze pan, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom. Transfer mushroom mixture to large mixing bowl and set aside to cool.

Add cooled farro, almond butter and herbs to mushrooms, and mix well.

Place the puff pastry dough between two sheets of parchment paper, and roll to about 1/8-inch thick. Cut pastry into 4 equal rectangles. In the center of each pastry, dollop a quarter of the mushroom mixture, forming it into a long “sausage” running lengthwise on the pastry strip.

Lightly brush one long edge of the pastry with water (to help seal the dough). Starting with the unbrushed sides of the pastry, firmly fold the pastry over the filling to make long rolls, pinching dough to seal. Place on prepared baking sheet, seam-sides down.

Bake until the pastry is golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm.

CORN CASSEROLE WITH THREE CHEESE BLEND

This is from My Food and Family, and begins, "Discover our rich and creamy Corn Casserole with Cheese. The three cheeses in this corn casserole come together with whole kernel corn and corn muffin mix."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 55 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Makes 12 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/recipe/126195/corn-casserole-with-three-cheese-blend.

Ingredients

2 eggs, beaten

1 can (15 oz.) cream-style corn

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen whole kernel corn

1 pkg. (8-1/2 oz.) corn muffin mix

1/2 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

1/8 tsp. ground red pepper (cayenne)

1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Three Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA, divided

4 green onions, sliced

4 slices cooked OSCAR MAYER Bacon, crumbled

Ingredients

Heat oven to 375°F.

Combine first 6 ingredients in medium bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Pour into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake 40 min. Meanwhile, combine remaining cheese, onions and bacon.

Top casserole with cheese mixture; bake 15 min. or until lightly browned.

Kitchen Tips

Tip 1

Size Wise

Since this delicious corn casserole serves 12, it's the perfect dish to serve at your next brunch.

Tip 2

Cooking Know-How

To soften cream cheese quickly, place in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 15 to 30 sec. or just until warmed.

Tip 3

Substitute

Substitute 3/4 cup each cornmeal and flour, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp. CALUMET Baking Powder for the corn muffin mix.

CHEF JOHN'S AMERICAN GOULASH

This comes from Chef John at Allrecipes. He wrote, "One of my all-time favorite comfort food meals growing up was the beef goulash they served in my school cafeteria alongside a slice of buttered white bread and a carton of milk. Little did I know that it wasn't really goulash, but an Americanized version, invented to stretch a small amount of beef into enough food for a not-so-small family. This is one of those very simple dishes that does not taste simple--perfect for your weeknight dinner rotation."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Additional Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Servings: 12

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/275489/chef-johns-american-goulash/.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, diced

2 pounds ground beef

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

2 tablespoons paprika

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

2 bay leaves

1 quart chicken broth

1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce

1 cup water

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 cups elbow macaroni

1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley

1 cup shredded white Cheddar cheese (Optional)

Directions

Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and ground beef. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces, until browned, about 5 minutes. Cook and stir until liquid is evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes more. Add garlic, salt, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, Italian seasoning, and bay leaves.

Cook and stir until flavors come together, about 3 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and marinara sauce. Rinse out the jar with 1 cup water and pour into the pot. Add soy sauce, stir, and bring soup to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and simmer to let flavors intensify, about 30 minutes.

Increase heat to medium-high and bring soup to a simmer. Add macaroni; simmer, stirring occasionally, until just barely tender, about 12 minutes. Check for doneness after 10 minutes.

Remove goulash from heat. Discard bay leaves; stir in parsley and Cheddar cheese. Cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Taste and season as desired.

Chef's Notes:

Make your own Italian herb mix with any desired blend of oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, and basil.

Feel free to swap water for chicken broth.

You can also add beans to turn this into an excellent pasta fazool.

TACO SPAGHETTI BAKE

This is from Betty Crocker kitchens, and begins, "This easy, family friendly casserole, dotted with melty pockets of cheese, proves that tacos and spaghetti are a match made in heaven."

Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/taco-spaghetti-bake/d777fa4f-7a46-4106-a893-bbc49e9fa97c.

Ingredients

12 oz uncooked spaghetti

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix

1/4 cup water

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

1 teaspoon ground cumin

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

1 can (15 oz) Muir Glen™ organic tomato sauce

2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)

8 oz Kraft™ Velveeta™ pasteurized prepared cheese product, cut in 1/2-inch cubes

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook spaghetti to al dente as directed on package.

In 5-quart Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat 8 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain. Stir in taco seasoning mix, water, chiles and cumin; stir until well blended. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese and the spaghetti; stir well to blend. Pour mixture into baking dish. Scatter cheese cubes throughout casserole, and push gently into pasta mixture. Top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Expert Tips

Garnish with sour cream, sliced jalapeño chiles and chopped fresh cilantro.

Ground turkey can be substituted for ground beef in this recipe.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN STROGANOFF

This comes from Judi Ann at Allrecipes. Judi Ann wrote, "Cubed chicken breast cooked in the slow cooker with a simple, creamy sauce mixture. This is so good, and so easy to make on a busy day. Serve over hot cooked rice, if desired."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 5 hours; Total: 5 hours 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/17227/slow-cooker-chicken-stroganoff/.

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed

1/8 cup margarine

1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup

Directions

Put chicken, margarine and dressing mix in slow cooker; mix together and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.

Add cream cheese and soup, mix together and cook on high for another 1/2 hour or until heated through and warm.

Meatless Monday

Here's to starting the week with another Meatless Monday. Today's yummy vegetarian offerings include Three Sisters Soup and Vegetarian Mexican Inspired Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!

BAKED ZITI

This is from Alison Roman in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Alison wrote, "This baked ziti is layered almost like a lasagna to ensure every bite has enough creamy ricotta, stringy mozzarella and tangy tomato sauce. But the key to its success comes from undercooking the pasta during the initial boil so it stays perfectly al dente, even after a trip to the oven. Heavy cream is added to prevent the ricotta from becoming grainy or dry during baking, letting it be its most luscious self. While this baked ziti is meatless (there’s plenty of richness from the cheese — three types, to be exact), you could always incorporate a bit of sausage, ground meat or pancetta, if you like. Simply add 1/2 pound to the onions while sautéeing and proceed with the recipe."

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

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018954-baked-ziti.

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, packed in juice

1 (28-ounce) can tomato purée or sauce

3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

16 ounces/1 pound ricotta

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan or Pecorino, plus more for grating on top

1 pound ziti, rigatoni, penne, manicotti or other short, tubelike pasta

1 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Preparation

Make the tomato sauce: Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is totally softened and translucent (without letting it brown), 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring until it has turned a deeper brick-red color, tinting the oil and onions a fiery orange color, about 2 minutes. Crush the whole tomatoes by hand and add them (including the juice) and the tomato purée to the pot, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Season with salt and pepper and add red pepper flakes, if using. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato sauce has thickened and flavors have come together, 20 to 30 minutes.

Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, heavy cream and 1/2 cup Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Prepare the pasta: As the sauce cooks, heat oven to 425 degrees, and place a large pot of salted water to boil on the stove.

Cook pasta until it’s nearly al dente. (You want to undercook the pasta slightly, as it will continue to cook in the oven. A good way to do this is cook it 2 minutes less than you normally would if preparing it al dente.) Reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid, drain pasta and rinse with cool water; set aside while the tomato sauce finishes cooking.

Once tomato sauce is done, stir in reserved pasta water.

Place pasta in a large bowl and add 2 cups sauce. Stir to coat pasta evenly encouraging the sauce to go inside each tube.

Spoon a bit of remaining sauce on the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish and top with 1/3 of the pasta. Spoon 1/3 of the remaining sauce on top, dollop with half the ricotta mixture and scatter 1/3 of the mozzarella on top of that. Repeat, beginning with the pasta, one more time. For the final layer, add the last 1/3 of pasta and the last of the sauce. Dot remaining mozzarella on top and shave a bit more Parmesan on top of that. Place baking dish on top of a sheet pan lined with parchment paper to catch any drips. Place in the oven and bake until the edges are golden brown and bubbling and the top has browned nicely, 30 to 40 minutes.

Let cool slightly before eating with a big green leafy salad.

Tip

Baked ziti can be assembled 2 hours before baking. It can be baked 1 day ahead and rewarmed before serving.

ALAMO MUFFINS

This yummy recipe is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. It was posted with the note, "A nice change from tacos or tortillas to accompany Mexican meals. Makes 1-1/2 dozen."

The poster, Carolyn, added, "I would just use a can of chopped green chilies, drained, if fresh ones are not convenient."

Yield: 18 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

1 tbs sugar

1 tbs baking powder(double-acting)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup shortening

2 eggs; slightly beaten

1 cup yogurt; plain

1 can cream-style corn (8-3/4 ounce)

1/4 cup green chili peppers,* seeded and minced (see note above)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450F. Mix together the cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Using pastry blender, cut in the shortening until the consistency is grainy. Beat the eggs into the yogurt, then add to the cornmeal mixture. Add the cream-style corn and chili peppers, mixing just until moistened.

Divide the batter evenly among 18 greased or paper-lined muffin cups. Bake until lightly browned, about 12 to 15 minutes.

THREE SISTERS SOUP

This is from American Heart Association, and begins, “Simple Cooking with Heart brings you this interesting vegetable and bean soup called Three Sisters Soup.

“This is actually a Native American recipe and the three 'sisters' refer to corn, beans and squash!”

Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/three-sisters-soup

Note: This recipe calls for either chicken or vegetable stock on the American Heart Association web site. However, since this is a vegetarian blog, I'm keeping it at only the veggie broth. Also, if you're looking for quite a few yummy heart-healthy recipes, check out the AHA's site and follow around to their recipes.

Ingredients

6 cups fat-free, low-sodium vegetable stock

16 oz. canned, low-sodium yellow corn or hominy, drained, rinsed

16 oz. canned, low-sodium kidney beans (drained, rinsed)

1 small onion (chopped)

1 rib celery (chopped)

15 oz. canned, cooked pumpkin (Tip: Be careful, don’t get pumpkin pie filling!)

5 fresh sage leaves

OR

1/2 tsp. dried sage

1/2 tsp. curry powder

Directions

Bring veggie stock to a slow boil.

Add corn/hominy, beans, onion and celery.Boil for 10 minutes.

Add sage leaves, curry and pumpkin and simmer on medium-low heat for 20 minutes.

VEGETARIAN MEXICAN INSPIRED STUFFED PEPPERS

This yumminess comes from Donnam at allrecipes. She wrote, "I created this so it's not too spicy, but is packed with flavor. My kids loved it! For variety, add corn or other vegetables or switch to other chopped tomato varieties (chiles, jalapenos, etc.). Follow the boiling method prior to baking if you don't want a crispy bell pepper. If you have small peppers, use more of them for this recipe. They taste great with a dollop of sour cream on top."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231514/vegetarian-mexican-inspired-stuffed-peppers/.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon salt

4 large green bell peppers - tops, seeds, and membranes removed

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cups cooked rice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (14.5 ounce) can chili-style diced tomatoes

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (8 ounce) package shredded Mexican cheese blend (such as Sargento® Authentic Mexican)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Bring a large pot of water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil; cook green bell peppers in the boiling water until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion in the hot oil until softened and transparent, 5 to 10 minutes.

Mix rice, black beans, tomatoes, and cooked onion in a large bowl. Add chili powder, garlic salt, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir until evenly mixed. Fold 1 1/2 cups Mexican cheese blend into rice mixture. Spoon rice mixture into each bell pepper; arrange peppers in 9x9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle peppers with remaining Mexican cheese blend.

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 30 minutes.

Cook's Note:

I like to use Sargento(R) Authentic Mexican shredded cheese, which takes it over the top!

SPICY PUMPKIN AND COLLARDS

This is from the Food Network. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 2 hours; Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy

You can view this online at https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/spicy-pumpkin-and-collards-recipe-2108870.

Ingredients

2 2-to-3-pound sugar pumpkins

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small onion, diced

1 plum tomato, diced

1 Scotch bonnet chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

1 clove garlic, chopped

4 scallions, chopped

1 pound frozen chopped collard greens, thawed

Kosher salt

1 cup evaporated milk

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

4 tablespoons breadcrumbs (preferably panko)

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Ingredients

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice off the top 1 1/2 inches of the pumpkins and discard. Scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, tomato, chile pepper, thyme and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the scallions and collard greens, add 1-1/4 teaspoons salt and cook, stirring, until the greens are slightly tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the evaporated milk and nutmeg and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs, the cheddar cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and cook, stirring, until the cheese melts and the mixture thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Put the pumpkins in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and fill evenly with the collard greens mixture.

Toss the remaining 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs with the parmesan. Sprinkle over the filling. Add 1 inch of boiling water to the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake until the pumpkins are tender, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until browned and bubbly on top, about 30 more minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, then scrape the pumpkin flesh and serve with the collards.

VEGGIE CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE

This comes from Taylerand20 at Allrecipes. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Servings: 10

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270846/veggie-chili-cornbread-casserole/.

Ingredients

Chili:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1-1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

salt to taste

ground black pepper to taste

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup frozen corn

2 cups vegetable broth

1 tablespoon lime juice

Cornbread:

1 1/2 cups milk

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped

Garnish:

1 jalapeno pepper, sliced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Mix to combine and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn to the Dutch oven and stir to combine. Pour in broth and lime juice; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring chili to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Whisk milk and egg together in a large bowl until well combined.

Combine cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Add melted butter and stir to combine. Add jalapeno and stir to incorporate into the cornbread batter.

Remove Dutch oven from the stove. Pour batter over the chili in the Dutch oven. Use a spatula to cover chili completely and smooth the top.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Garnish cornbread casserole with sliced jalapeno and cilantro.

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Thursday Recipes

Today's post has a little of this, a little of that, and a lot of yum. Check out the Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast, the St. Patrick's Day Mint Shakes, and the rest of today's recipes. Enjoy!

CABBAGE AND POTATOES

This is from Kimberly Holland at Southern Living. The recipe is described as, "The perfect side dish that goes with just about anything."

Kimberly wrote, "This is a Southern classic for a reason: Cabbage and potatoes go so well together. Though this dish is made with humble ingredients, the final recipe is ultimately a rich, comforting, and aromatic side.

"Once cooked and composed, the cabbage is sweet and slightly bitter while the potatoes are nutty. Bacon boosts the meatiness of this dish and adds a bit of crunch. The black and crushed red peppers add a nice level of heat and aroma, elevating this from a flat, one-night flavor. Acid, in this case in the form of apple cider vinegar, is added at the end to brighten the dish up and actually makes things taste more of themselves.

"Learn how to make cabbage and potatoes, and whether you serve it as a side dish or a simple, filling main, you'll love how well these basic ingredients go together to make something unforgettable and special."

Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Servings: 6

To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/cabbage-and-potatoes-8769488.

Ingredients

8 oz. thick-cut bacon, chopped (about 2 cups)

1 medium-size (8 oz.) sweet onion, thinly sliced (about 3 cups)

4 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced (about 2 Tbsp.)

6 (4-in.) fresh thyme sprigs

1 fresh bay leaf (optional)

1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more taste

3/4 tsp. cracked black pepper

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 small (2 lb.) head green cabbage, coarsely chopped (about 12 cups)

12 oz. baby gold potatoes, halved or quartered if large (about 2 cups)

1/3 cup tap water

1-1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Directions

Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 12 minutes. Transfer, using a slotted spoon, to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside. Reserve bacon drippings in Dutch oven.

Add onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper to bacon drippings; cook over medium, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 8 minutes.

Add cabbage, potatoes, and 1/3 cup water; cover and cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until potatoes and cabbage are tender, 18 to 20 minutes.

Remove from heat. Remove and discard thyme and bay leaf. Stir in vinegar and reserved cooked bacon. Taste and season with additional salt, if needed.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY MINT SHAKES

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Milk shakes, like other simple concoctions, are only as good as their ingredients, so use high-quality ice cream and vanilla extract. Combining peppermint extract and vanilla ice cream gives the drink an extra-refreshing, minty flavor you wouldn't get from using regular mint chip ice cream."

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 5 minutes; Yield: 1 or 2 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/st-patricks-day-mint-shakes-3362525.

Ingredients

1 pint vanilla ice cream (2 cups)

1/4 cup whole milk

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 or 4 drops green liquid food coloring

Whipped cream and green sanding sugar, for garnish

Directions

Blend the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, vanilla and food coloring in a blender until smooth. Pour into one or two serving glasses and garnish with whipped cream and sanding sugar.

CHOCOLATE CHIP BRIOCHE

This is from Macrina Bakery, and begins, "With Mother’s Day on the horizon — and as a mother myself — I love the idea of inspiring others to spoil the mothers in their lives. Baking something special is a way to show how much you care. Brioche, tender and subtly sweet, is a great way to do that. It’s an enriched bread made beautifully soft by eggs, butter, and sugar, giving it a texture that borders on cake. This recipe, one of my favorites, includes chocolate chips and a chocolate glaze. You can dress it up many ways: slice it and warm it in the oven, soak it in custard for French toast, or pan-fry it in butter and top it with a scoop of ice cream. Go ahead — pamper those you love!"

Makes one 9 x 4-inch loaf

To view this online, go to https://mailchi.mp/macrinabakery/macrina-recipe-of-the-month-chocolate-chip-brioche?e=c8b2de0f04.

Ingredients

1/4 cup warm water

1-1/2 tsp active dry yeast

1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided

3/4 cup whole milk, warmed

2 eggs

1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3-1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1 tsp kosher salt

10 Tbsp (5 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided

1 egg yolk + 1 Tbsp water

1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water, yeast, and 1/4 cup of the sugar. Whisk to dissolve and let sit for 3 minutes.

Add the warm milk, eggs, and vanilla to the yeast mixture. Place the bowl on a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed to combine. Add the flour, salt, and remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Mix for 2 minutes to incorporate everything thoroughly.

Lower the bowl, and switch to the dough hook. Mix on medium speed for 5 minutes. Add the butter a few cubes at a time. Once they are all added, continue to mix for another 10 minutes. The dough will turn shiny and gather around the hook. Let it rest for 2 minutes, then add 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips on low speed, mixing just until evenly distributed.

Lightly brush a medium bowl with neutral oil. Scoop the dough into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours, or until doubled in size.

Brush the bottom and sides of a 9 x 4-inch loaf pan with some neutral oil. Line it with a 9 x 16-inch piece of parchment, letting the paper extend over the sides to help lift the loaf out later.

Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Gently press to release the air bubbles and flatten into a 12 x 6-inch rectangle. With the longer side facing you, lift the two base corners to meet at the top, creating a “V” shape. Starting at the base of that “V,” roll the dough tightly into a log about 9 inches long. Place it seam-side down in the prepared pan, cover again with plastic, and let rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it’s just above the edge of the pan.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Adjust your oven for the loaf to bake on the center rack.

In a small bowl, make the egg wash by whisking together the egg yolk and 1 Tbsp water. Brush the top of the loaf for extra shine and caramelization while baking. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the loaf is deep golden brown. Cool briefly, then use a paring knife to loosen the short sides that aren’t covered by parchment. Lift the loaf out and let it cool for 1 hour.

While the loaf cools, make the chocolate glaze. In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Turn off the heat and add the remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips. Whisk until melted and saucy, then spoon the glaze over the loaf. Let the glaze set for about 20 minutes.

BARBECUE-CHEDDAR CHICKEN PASTA

This is from a Publix email. Servings: 6; Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours, 16 minutes

To view this online, go to https://ww4.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-simple-meals/barbecue-cheddar-chicken-pasta-with-simple-watermelon-ice-cream. It comes with another recipe (Simple Watermelon Ice Cream).

Ingredients

1 small red onion, coarsely chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

1 block sharp cheddar cheese (6–8 oz), shredded

1 Deli smoked (or oven-roasted) chicken, shredded

4 slices thick-cut bacon

1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained

2 cups no-salt-added chicken stock (or broth)

1/2 cup bold and spicy barbecue sauce

9 oz fresh linguine (or fettucine) pasta

3 oz presliced green onions

Directions

Chop red onion and pepper. Shred cheese (about 2 cups).

Shred chicken (2 cups).

Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces, then place in large sauté pan on medium (wash hands); cook bacon 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in pan.

Return pan to heat, then add red onions and peppers; cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lightly browned. Add tomatoes, stock, and barbecue sauce; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Stir in chicken, pasta, and 1 cup cheese; cook and stir 2–3 minutes or until pasta is tender, cheese has melted, and sauce has thickened. Divide mixture among serving plates; top evenly with reserved bacon pieces, remaining 1 cup cheese, and green onions. Serve.

Aprons Advice

Complete your meal with fresh salad blend, steamed vegetables, crusty bread, and lemonade.

ASIAN CHICKEN TENDERS

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "With only a handful of ingredients, this sweet and sour version of Asian Chicken Tenders is definitely among our favorite easy diabetic dinner recipes. Plus, it boasts lighter versions of flavorful teriyaki sauce and pineapple tidbits, but still packs full taste."

Cook Time: 5 minutes; Serves: 4; Serving Size: 2 chicken tenders

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Chicken/Asian-Chicken-Tenders--7089.

Ingredients

1 pound chicken breast tenders

1/3 cup reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce

2 teaspoons reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce

1/4 cup sliced green onion

1 can (8-ounce) pineapple tidbits with reduced-sugar juice, juice reserved

Directions

Place chicken and 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce in resealable plastic bag. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes. Remove chicken and discard marinade.

Coat a nonstick wok or skillet with cooking spray. Preheat over high heat.

Add about half the chicken to wok. Cook 5 to 7 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat as needed. Remove first batch to a serving platter and repeat with remaining chicken. Remove second batch.

Add green onion, pineapple, 1 tablespoon reserved pineapple juice, and remaining teriyaki sauce to wok. Cook about 1 minute. Spoon over chicken tenders and serve immediately.

CREAMED CHIPPED BEEF ON TOAST

This is from Lisa at allrecipes. The recipe begins, "This chipped beef recipe is straight from my mom. We called it SOS (Same Ole Stuff), and it's great comfort food! It's easy to make and tastes great with a cold beer."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/20225/creamed-chipped-beef-on-toast/.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups warm milk

1 (8 ounce) jar dried beef, chopped

1 pinch cayenne pepper

bread, toasted

Ingredients

Gather all ingredients.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add flour and whisk until smooth.

Add milk a little at a time, whisking well after each addition. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until thickened.

Stir in beef and cayenne; cook until warmed through.

Serve over toast.

Recipe Tip

This recipe can also be made with 3/4 pound browned, drained hamburger meat.

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Chicken

There was a time when chicken was reserved for Sunday or hoiday dinner. (Think early- to mid-twentieth century.) Now it's an anytime meal.

To that end, here are six chicken recipes, including Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole and Tuscan Chicken Skillet. Enjoy!

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN STROGANOFF

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Move over beef -- chicken is in the house. This great weeknight meal takes less than 15 minutes to prep, then the slow cooker does the rest."

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

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/slow-cooker-chicken-stroganoff-5536626.

Ingredients

2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon tomato paste

One 1-ounce package dry onion soup mix

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 ounces button mushrooms, quartered

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1-3/4 pounds)

12 ounces egg noodles

4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Special equipment: a 6-quart slow cooker

Directions

Whisk together the broth, flour, tomato paste, onion soup mix, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Add to a 6-quart slow cooker and top with the mushrooms and chicken. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.

When ready to serve, bring a large pot of water to a boil; salt the water generously. Add the noodles and cook until al dente according to the package directions. Drain and toss in a large bowl with the butter until the butter is melted and the noodles are completely coated.

Transfer the chicken to a small bowl and shred with 2 forks. Whisk the cream cheese into the sauce until completely incorporated; stir in the chicken and noodles. Top with parsley before serving.

TUSCAN CHICKEN SKILLET

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Bacon, cream, Parmesan -- is your mouth watering yet? There's no need to go out to dinner when you can make this restaurant-style creamy, cheesy chicken and fettuccine at home."

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/tuscan-chicken-skillet-5421728.

Ingredients

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

12 ounces fettuccine

4 slices bacon, chopped

1 pound chicken tenders, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 plum tomatoes, chopped

1 cup heavy cream

5 ounces baby spinach

3/4 cup grated Parmesan

3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions; drain.

Meanwhile, put the bacon in a large, cold skillet, then cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy, about 8 minutes; transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.

Sprinkle the chicken lightly with salt and pepper and add to the skillet in a single layer. Let cook, undisturbed, until golden brown on the underside, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, about 4 minutes more. Transfer to the plate with the bacon.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the garlic, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cream and bring to a simmer, then add the spinach and stir until just wilted. Add the bacon, chicken, fettuccine and Parmesan and toss with tongs until well coated; season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with basil and serve.

CREAMY CRUNCHY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Our Creamy Crunchy Chicken Casserole hits all the high notes. Plus, it comes together so quickly, you'll have this easy casserole recipe on the table before your gang can ask, "What's for dinner?"

Cook Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6; Serving Size: 3/4 cup

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Casseroles/Creamy-Crunchy-Chicken-Casserole.

Ingredients

3 cups cooked chicken breast (about 1 lb.), chopped

3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar or mozzarella cheese

1 (10-3/4-ounce) can, reduced-fat and reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup

1/4 cup low-fat milk

1 cup chopped red or yellow bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup low-sodium crushed cornflakes

1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 2-qt. casserole dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, stir together chicken, cheese, soup, milk, bell pepper, celery, green onions, and pepper. Pour into prepared casserole dish.

In a small bowl, stir together cornflakes and almonds. Sprinkle evenly over chicken mixture.

Bake, uncovered, about 30 minutes, or until heated through. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Want to make this ahead of time? No problem! Just assemble the casserole, cover tightly, freeze, thaw completely, then bake off!

BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN

Recipe Yield: Servings: 6

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/baked-chicken-parmesan.

Ingredients

Vegetable oil spray

4 slices whole-wheat bread

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1-1/2 tablespoons finely snipped fresh parsley

1-1/2 teaspoons paprika

3/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled

1/2 cup nonfat or low-fat buttermilk

Vegetable oil spray

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, about 4 ounces each, all visible fat removed

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly spray a rectangular baking sheet and slightly smaller cooling rack with vegetable oil spray. Put rack on baking sheet. Set aside.

In a food processor or blender, process bread into fine crumbs. Pour into a shallow bowl. Stir Parmesan, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, and thyme into crumbs.

Pour buttermilk into a shallow bowl.

Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Dip chicken into buttermilk, shake off excess liquid, dredge in crumbs, and shake off excess crumbs. Put chicken on cooling rack. Spray each breast with vegetable oil spray.

Bake for 15 minutes, turn chicken, and bake for 10 minutes, or until done.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 209; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 303 mg; Cholesterol: 68 mg; Protein: 38 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3/4 Bread/Starch; 4 Low-Fat Meat

NEIMAN MARCUS CHICKEN CASSEROLE

This is from Nicole McLaughlin at allrecipes. For this recipe, Nicole wrote, "This Neiman Marcus chicken casserole recipe is a casserole version of the famous department store's cafe dish. Saucy chicken, bacon, Cheddar, and almonds are baked with a buttery cracker topping in this quick-prep dinner."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Servings: 6 to 8; Yield: 1 (9x13-inch) casserole

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/neiman-marcus-chicken-casserole-recipe-11693255.

Ingredients

4 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup slivered almonds

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1-1/2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Tabasco® or to taste

1 sleeve buttery crackers, such as Ritz® crackers, crushed

1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Place chicken, chicken soup, sour cream, cheese, green onions, almonds, bacon, and hot sauce into a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Pour mixture into the prepared dish.

Stir crushed crackers and butter together until combined; spread mixture evenly over casserole.

Bake in the preheated oven until browned and bubbly, 40 to 45 minutes.

MEXICAN-INSPIRED CASSEROLE

This is from Lisa Blake at allrecipes. For this yummy recipe, Lisa wrote, "My busy weeknight dinner go-to consists of chicken cutlets and a can each of green chiles, black beans, cream of mushroom soup, and enchilada sauce. I cook the chicken, stir in all of the other ingredients, simmer it, top it with Colby or pepper jack cheese, and call it a day.

"When we’re tired of tacos or quesadillas, this is an excellent throw-together alternative. It’s creamy, easy, full of flavor, and everyone loves it. The bubbling cast-iron skillet meal can be served with warmed tortillas for a DIY enchilada-style dinner or served with chips, salsa, and guacamole as a scoopable nacho-inspired meal."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Servings: 6

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/simple-family-dinner-11825144.

Ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil

2 cups cooked and diced chicken cutlets or shredded rotisserie chicken

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper

1 (4.5-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained

1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup

1 (10-ounce) can red or green enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese or Colby Jack cheese

Optional toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream, diced white onion, salsa, sliced avocado, chopped green onions

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and add chicken and spices. Cook until chicken is cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.

Add chiles, beans and cream of mushroom to the skillet. Stir until well combined. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Top with enchilada sauce and cheese.

Transfer cast iron skillet to preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and starting to brown.

Serve hot with toppings of choice.

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday (since not everyone loves tacos). Today's offerings include Hamburger Stroganoff Skillet and Melt-in-Your-Mouth Buttermilk Meatloaf. Enjoy!

SLOW COOKER CHIPOTLE CHILI

This is from duboo, who posts recipes on AllRecipes. For this recipe, he wrote, "My friend Keni's love of smokey chipotle peppers inspired this recipe. It comes together perfectly and is a unique chili that will stand out against others. It is a spicy chili that at the same time is mellow. It gives you the kick without the lingering burn like many chilis do."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours 10 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours 35 minutes; Yield: 12 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/237576/slow-cooker-chipotle-chili/.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 pound bulk Italian sausage

1 large onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 (16 ounce) cans chili beans, undrained

2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

2 (14.5 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

2 ribs celery, chopped

1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 (7 ounce) can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped

1/2 (3 ounce) package bacon bits

1 tablespoon chili sauce

1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot®)

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and sausage in the hot skillet until some of the fat renders, 2 to 3 minutes; add onion and garlic and continue to cook and stir until the meats are browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes more. Transfer beef mixture to a slow cooker.

Stir kidney beans, chili beans, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, chipotle chiles, bacon bits, chili sauce, hot pepper sauce, chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, and salt with the beef mixture.

Cook on Low until vegetables are completely tender but the celery retains a slight bit of firmness, 6 to 8 hours (or 3 to 4 hours on High).

HAMBURGER STROGANOFF SKILLET

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Give ground beef the stroganoff treatment by combining it with sauteed mushrooms and rich cream. Cook pasta right in the sauce for an easy one-pan dinner."

Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/hamburger-stroganoff-skillet-5478672.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

One 10-ounce package white mushrooms, halved or quartered if large

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon paprika

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 small onion, chopped

1 tablespoon tomato paste

One 15-ounce can low-sodium beef broth

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 cups dried penne pasta

2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, season with salt and pepper and cook, breaking the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until well browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, leaving behind any drippings, and reduce the heat to medium.

To the same skillet, add the mushrooms, season with salt and cook until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to the bowl with the beef. Add the oil, paprika, garlic, carrot and onion to the skillet and cook until the carrots are soft and the onion is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Stir in the tomato paste and cook until the tomato paste has toasted and is evenly coating the vegetables, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth, Worcestershire and 1 1/2 cups of water to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and stir in the pasta. Cover and cook according to package directions until just al dente. Uncover, stir in the reserved beef and mushrooms and cook until heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, chives and parsley until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

DOUBLE CORN CAKES WITH BLACK BEANS

This is from Vegetarian Times (April/May 2015, page 77), and begins, "Dressed up with corn kernels, pre-cooked polenta is a cinch to transform into savory fritters. Serve with your favorite salsa." Serves 4

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/double-corn-cakes-with-black-beans/.

Ingredients

1 Tbs. olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced (1 1/2 cups)

3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)

1 jalapeño chile, seeded and diced (1/4 cup)

1 Tbs. ground cumin

2 15-oz. cans no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained

1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes

1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels, divided

1 Tbs. lime juice

1 18-oz. tube pre-cooked polenta

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Preparation

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, jalapeño, and cumin, and sauté 5 minutes. Stir in beans, tomatoes, 1 cup corn, and lime juice; season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cook 5 minutes, or until heated through. Transfer mixture to covered container, and keep warm. Wipe out skillet.

Meanwhile, crumble polenta into microwave-safe bowl, and mash with fork until nearly smooth. Add remaining 1/2 cup corn kernels. Microwave 1 minute to soften polenta. Stir, then add beaten egg, and fold into polenta mixture until smooth.

Coat skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Shape polenta into 8 1/3-cup cakes, gently flattening with palm. Cook corn cakes in two batches in skillet 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Serve corn cakes over black bean mixture.

MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH BUTTERMILK MEATLOAF

This is from John Mitzewich who wrote for The Spruce Eats. He wrote, "This easy meatloaf recipe sure lives up to its name. The buttermilk works its tangy magic to make this meatloaf tender, moist, and delicious. A glossy brown sugar glaze finishes off the meatloaf and is a perfect complement to the flavorful ingredients like onion, garlic, tarragon, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce that make it into the mixture. Enjoy this winning meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans for a complete meal."

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/buttermilk-meatloaf-recipe-101521.

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf:

2 tablespoons butter

1 onion (minced)

2 cloves garlic (minced)

2 1/2 pounds ground beef

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon dried tarragon

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 eggs (beaten)

1 teaspoon hot sauce

1 cup breadcrumbs (plain)

For the Glaze:

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cider vinegar

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Directions

Note: While there are multiple steps to this recipe, this meatloaf dish is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for cooking.

Make the Meatloaf:

Gather the ingredients.

In a sauté pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until translucent.

Remove from the heat, stir in the garlic, and let cool to room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 325 F.

In a large bowl, add the ground beef, the onion and garlic mixture, and all of the remaining meatloaf ingredients. Gently mix to incorporate.

Lightly grease the bottom of a shallow roasting pan with a few drops of oil.

Wet your hands with cold water and form the meatloaf mixture into a loaf shape, about 6 inches wide by about 3 to 4 inches high.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Make the Glaze:

Gather the ingredients.

While the meatloaf is baking, combine the brown sugar, vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and evenly spread the glaze over the top with a spoon. If you like, you can put a little of the glaze on the sides, but most of it should go on the top.

Bake for about 30 minutes more. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center to make sure the meatloaf is done; it should reach at least 160 F.

Serve and enjoy.

HEALTHY GRILLED PIZZA BURGERS

This comes from David Zinczenko at TODAY. He wrote, "Topping turkey burgers with traditional pizza toppings adds loads of flavor without packing on too many calories and carbs."

Serves 4

To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/healthy-grilled-pizza-burgers-recipe-t147408.

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds lean ground turkey

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup finely chopped red sweet pepper

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

4 slices uncured pepperoni

4 thin slices mozzarella cheese

4 sprouted whole grain buns or whole grain buns, split and toasted

1/2 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves

3 1/2 cups jarred pizza sauce, warmed

Preparation

In a medium bowl, combine turkey, onion, sweet pepper, oregano, fennel seeds, garlic powder, salt and crushed red pepper. Shape into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Brush tops and bottoms with olive oil.

For a charcoal grill, grill patties on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 14-18 minutes or until no longer pink and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, turning once halfway through grilling. (For a gas grill, preheat grill to medium. Place patties on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as above.)

Top each patty with a pepperoni slice and then a cheese slice for the last 1-2 minutes of grilling.

To assemble, place grilled patties on bun bottoms. Top with basil, pizza sauce and bun tops.

SLOW-COOKER CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP

We started today's post with a slow-cooker recipe, and are ending it the same way. This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "This all-day slow-cooker recipe isn’t your average bean soup—it’s wildly flavorful and extra hearty, and we’d bet it’ll become your favorite on the first try. The secret is in cooking the beans with a bone-in ham shank that infuses flavor into every bite. The key to getting the perfect consistency, mashing the beans, is a can’t-skip step that’s super easy. Finish your bowl with the toppings of your choice, like pico de gallo, sour cream, avocado or a squeeze of lime juice, and prepare to be impressed!"

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Soup

1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ chicken broth

1 ham shank (about 1 1/2 lb)

3 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed

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

1 medium onion, chopped

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Toppings

Fresh pico de gallo, sour cream, sliced avocado, lime slices, if desired

Directions

In 5-quart slow cooker, mix all Soup ingredients except lime juice. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours or until ham easily pulls away from bone.

Remove ham shank from slow cooker. Pull ham away from bone; chop, discarding the bone. With potato masher, carefully mash black beans inside slow cooker insert. Stir in 1 cup of the ham and the lime juice. Serve soup with Toppings.

Expert Tips

Ham shanks vary in size, and some may have more meat than others. Save any remaining ham for another use.

To add more spicy heat, stir in an additional 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or top with a medium or hot fresh pico de gallo.