Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Here are six meatloaf recipes to help you through the day, including Easy Homemade Meatloaf and Meatloaf Express. Enjoy!
CHEESY TACO MEATLOAF
This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, begins, “It takes just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to put together this scrumptious meatloaf...and when it comes out of the oven you've got two family favorites, tacos and meatloaf, combined into one tasty dish!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 16 minutes; Serves: 8 people
To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/cheesy-taco-meatloaf/.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Chunky Salsa - Mild or Pace® Picante Sauce - Medium
1 1/2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (about 1/2 cup)
1 egg
1 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Set the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly mix the beef, 1 cup salsa, tortilla chips, egg, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a 3-quart shallow baking pan and shape into an 9x4-inch loaf.
Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.
Spread the remaining salsa over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
MEATLOAF EXPRESS
This is also from Campbell’s Kitchen, begins, “Making them mini not only slashes the cook time, but makes mealtime fun, too. These single-serve meatloaves bake under a sweet and savory topping to ensure moist and flavorful little loaves that your whole family will love.”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6 people
To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/meatloaf-express/.
Ingredients
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed French Onion Soup
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup honey mustard (honey Dijon-style)
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup plain dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
Directions
Set the oven to 425°F. Stir the soup, ketchup and honey mustard in a medium bowl.
Thoroughly mix the beef, bread crumbs, egg and 1/4 cup soup mixture in a large bowl. Season the beef mixture as desired.
Shape the beef mixture into 6 mini meatloaves. Place the mini meatloaves into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the meatloaves.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the meatloaves are cooked through.
EASY HOMEMADE MEATLOAF
Servings: 6
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/45.shtml
Ingredients
1 egg
2 tablespoons green pepper, chopped fine
2 cups lean ground round (15% fat or less)
1 teaspoon salt
2 slice bread, cubed fine
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 cup catsup
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1/3 cup onion, chopped fine
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Mix all ingredients well.
Form into a loaf.
Place in foil-lined 5x9 pan.
Bake until done (15-20 minutes).
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 258; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 15 g; Carbohydrates: 7.5 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Bread; 3 Lean-Meat; 1-1/2 Fat
ATHENIAN MEATLOAF WITH YOGURT-CUCUMBER SAUCE
Makes 8 servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1258
View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1258.shtml
Ingredients
2 pounds 96% lean Ground Beef
1 cup soft bread crumbs*
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup 2% milk
1 large egg
1 tablespoon plus 1-1/2 teaspoons dried Greek seasoning, divided
1 cup low-fat or regular Greek-style yogurt
1/2 cup diced cucumber
* To make soft breadcrumbs: Tear several slices of fresh bread (French or whole wheat work well) into 1-inch pieces and pulse in a blender or food processor to make coarse crumbs. One slice of bread yields about 1/2 cup soft breadcrumbs.
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine Ground Beef, bread crumbs, onion, milk, egg, 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
Shape beef mixture into 10 x 4-inch loaf on rack in broiler pan.
Bake in 350F oven 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours, until instant-read thermometer inserted into center registers 160F.
Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cucumber and remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons Greek seasoning in medium bowl. Set aside.
Let stand 10 minutes; cut into slices. Serve with cucumber-yogurt sauce.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 187; Protein: 26 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 240 mg; Cholesterol: 95 mg; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Dietary Fiber: .4 g; Carbohydrates: 6 g
OLD-FASHIONED MEAT LOAF
A.K.A. ‘BASIC’ MEAT LOAF
This is from Paula Deen on The Food Network website.
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Active Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
8 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
Topping:
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a baking dish. Shape into a loaf.
Topping:
Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf. Bake for 1 hour.
MEXICAN MEATLOAF
This comes from Stephanie Gallagher, About.com’s Cooking for Families expert. Stephanie wrote, “This Mexican meatloaf recipe gets its zing from salsa and Mexican cheese blend. If you're a fan of make-ahead cooking. you can make this easy meatloaf recipe and freeze it, either before or after cooking.
“If you freeze it before cooking, shape the meatloaf and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then put it in a zip-loc bag.“If freezing it after cooking, wrap the meatloaf tightly and store in an airtight container. Be sure to defrost the meatloaf overnight in the refrigerator before cooking or reheating.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar and Monterey Jack)
3/4 cup tomato salsa, divided
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine Panko, eggs, cheese, 1/2 cup of the salsa, mustard and meats.
Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape meat mixture into a loaf on the baking sheet.
Spread remaining 1/4 cup of salsa on top.
Bake 50-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf (as measured with a thermometer) reaches 155 degrees. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Diabetic Thursday
It's Diabetic Thursday, time to post a few diabetic recipes to show that diabetic doesn't have to mean boring. Here are six recipes to help you through the rest of the weekend, including Neapolitan Meatballs and No Bake Cherry Custard Cake. Enjoy!
NEAPOLITAN MEATBALLS
This comes from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/2219-neapolitan-meatballs
Ingredients
1/2 cup bulgur
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
8 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes
4 cups diced plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
2 cups cubed whole-wheat country bread
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1 pound 93%-lean ground beef
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Directions
Place bulgur in a medium bowl and cover generously with hot water. Let soak for 30 minutes. Drain in a fine sieve, pressing to remove excess liquid.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 1 minute. Stir in canned tomatoes and plum tomatoes; increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low. Partially cover and let simmer while you prepare meatballs.
Place bread in a medium bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak for a few minutes. Drain and squeeze out moisture.
Whisk egg and egg white in a large bowl. Add the bulgur, the bread, beef, Parmesan, cinnamon, pepper and salt. Gently combine with a potato masher and/or your hands. Form into 20 oval meatballs about 2 inches long.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; blot with paper towels. Brown the remaining meatballs.
Mash the simmering tomato sauce with a potato masher to break down any large chunks of tomato. Add the meatballs to the sauce. Simmer over low heat, partially covered, for 50 minutes.
Taste the sauce and add sugar, if it seems tart, and additional pepper to taste. Serve the meatballs with the sauce.
Makes 8 servings, 2 – 3 meatballs each.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 1; Per serving: 283 calories; 11 g fat (4 g sat, 4 g mono); 73 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrate; 23 g protein; 5 g fiber; 687 mg sodium; 271 mg potassium. 1 Carbohydrate Serving; Exchanges1/2 starch; 1 vegetable; 2 1/2 lean meat
IRISH WHOLE WHEAT SODA BREAD
Yield: Makes 1 Round Loaf
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=637
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/637.shtml
Source: America's Everyday Diabetes Cookbook
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Add buttermilk all at once, stirring with a fork to make a soft, but slightly sticky dough.
With lightly floured hands, form dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 8 to 10 times. Pat the dough into a 6-inch thick round, with a slightly flattened top.
Place dough on prepared baking sheet. With a shape knife or pizza cutter, score the top in the shape of a cross or large X. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from baking sheet onto a cooling rack immediately. Dust top with rice flour. Serve warm from the oven.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 123; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 335 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch/Bread
BAKED APPLES WITH RAISINS
Servings: 2
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/159.shtml
Ingredients
2 apples
1 tbsp raisins
Orange juice
Pinch ground cinnamon
Directions
Peel and core the apples. Coat with the orange juice on the outer surface. Stuff with the raisins. Sprinkle on the cinnamon.
Place in Pyrex baking cups. Bake in a 350 F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until fork pierces surface easily. Serve warm or cold.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 74; Protein: 0 g; Sodium: 0 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Fruit
ASPARAGUS SPEARS WITH CITRUS-GINGER DIP
Yield: 8 servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=682
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/682.shtml
Ingredients
2 pounds asparagus
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1-1/2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Snap tough ends off asparagus. Peel stalks, if desired.
In large skillet, bring about 1-inch of water to boiling. Add asparagus and simmer, uncovered, until barely tender, about 4-5 minutes.
Drain and dunk in ice water until cold; drain, cover and chill until serving.
Meanwhile, combine well all remaining ingredients in medium bowl.
Transfer to serving bowl, serve with asparagus spears or cover and chill until serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 226; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 22 g; Sodium: 231 mg; Cholesterol: 22 mg; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g
ONION AND BLUE CHEESE FOCACCIA
Yield: 8 servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=685
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/685.shtml
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
Ingredients
Olive oil cooking spray
2 cups thinly sliced onions
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 focaccia (Italian flat bread, 10 ounces)
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)
2-3 ounces crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons grated fat-free Parmesan cheese
Directions
Spray large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot.
Cook onions and garlic, covered, over medium heat until wilted, about 5 minutes. Cook, uncovered, over low heat until tender and lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Stir in rosemary and season with salt and pepper.
Arrange onions on focaccia; sprinkle with sun-dried tomatoes and cheeses. Bake at 350 degrees until focaccia is hot and cheese melted, about 15 minutes. Cut into wedges.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 146; Protein: 5.9 g; Fat: 3.5 g; Sodium: 354 mg; Cholesterol: 5.2 mg; Carbohydrates: 23.3 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Bread, 1/2 Fat
NO BAKE CHERRY CUSTARD CAKE
Servings: 12
Source: Cinnamon Hearts
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/197.shtml
Ingredients
1 prepared Angel Food cake (10 inches)
1 package (1.4 oz) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
1-1/2 cups milk (2%)
1 cup light sour cream
1 can (21oz) light cherry pie filling
Directions
Tear the Angel Food cake into bite size pieces. Press into an 11x17-inch baking dish.
In a mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix, milk and sour cream. Beat until thickened, about 2 minutes. Spread over the cake.
Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the top of the cake. Chill thoroughly until serving time.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 184; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 319 mg; Cholesterol: 9 mg; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 1-1/2 Bread/Starch; 1/2 Fat
NEAPOLITAN MEATBALLS
This comes from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/2219-neapolitan-meatballs
Ingredients
1/2 cup bulgur
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
8 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes
4 cups diced plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
2 cups cubed whole-wheat country bread
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1 pound 93%-lean ground beef
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Directions
Place bulgur in a medium bowl and cover generously with hot water. Let soak for 30 minutes. Drain in a fine sieve, pressing to remove excess liquid.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 1 minute. Stir in canned tomatoes and plum tomatoes; increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low. Partially cover and let simmer while you prepare meatballs.
Place bread in a medium bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak for a few minutes. Drain and squeeze out moisture.
Whisk egg and egg white in a large bowl. Add the bulgur, the bread, beef, Parmesan, cinnamon, pepper and salt. Gently combine with a potato masher and/or your hands. Form into 20 oval meatballs about 2 inches long.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; blot with paper towels. Brown the remaining meatballs.
Mash the simmering tomato sauce with a potato masher to break down any large chunks of tomato. Add the meatballs to the sauce. Simmer over low heat, partially covered, for 50 minutes.
Taste the sauce and add sugar, if it seems tart, and additional pepper to taste. Serve the meatballs with the sauce.
Makes 8 servings, 2 – 3 meatballs each.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 1; Per serving: 283 calories; 11 g fat (4 g sat, 4 g mono); 73 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrate; 23 g protein; 5 g fiber; 687 mg sodium; 271 mg potassium. 1 Carbohydrate Serving; Exchanges1/2 starch; 1 vegetable; 2 1/2 lean meat
IRISH WHOLE WHEAT SODA BREAD
Yield: Makes 1 Round Loaf
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=637
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/637.shtml
Source: America's Everyday Diabetes Cookbook
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Add buttermilk all at once, stirring with a fork to make a soft, but slightly sticky dough.
With lightly floured hands, form dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 8 to 10 times. Pat the dough into a 6-inch thick round, with a slightly flattened top.
Place dough on prepared baking sheet. With a shape knife or pizza cutter, score the top in the shape of a cross or large X. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from baking sheet onto a cooling rack immediately. Dust top with rice flour. Serve warm from the oven.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 123; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 335 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch/Bread
BAKED APPLES WITH RAISINS
Servings: 2
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/159.shtml
Ingredients
2 apples
1 tbsp raisins
Orange juice
Pinch ground cinnamon
Directions
Peel and core the apples. Coat with the orange juice on the outer surface. Stuff with the raisins. Sprinkle on the cinnamon.
Place in Pyrex baking cups. Bake in a 350 F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until fork pierces surface easily. Serve warm or cold.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 74; Protein: 0 g; Sodium: 0 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Fruit
ASPARAGUS SPEARS WITH CITRUS-GINGER DIP
Yield: 8 servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=682
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/682.shtml
Ingredients
2 pounds asparagus
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1-1/2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Snap tough ends off asparagus. Peel stalks, if desired.
In large skillet, bring about 1-inch of water to boiling. Add asparagus and simmer, uncovered, until barely tender, about 4-5 minutes.
Drain and dunk in ice water until cold; drain, cover and chill until serving.
Meanwhile, combine well all remaining ingredients in medium bowl.
Transfer to serving bowl, serve with asparagus spears or cover and chill until serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 226; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 22 g; Sodium: 231 mg; Cholesterol: 22 mg; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g
ONION AND BLUE CHEESE FOCACCIA
Yield: 8 servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=685
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/685.shtml
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
Ingredients
Olive oil cooking spray
2 cups thinly sliced onions
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 focaccia (Italian flat bread, 10 ounces)
1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)
2-3 ounces crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons grated fat-free Parmesan cheese
Directions
Spray large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot.
Cook onions and garlic, covered, over medium heat until wilted, about 5 minutes. Cook, uncovered, over low heat until tender and lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Stir in rosemary and season with salt and pepper.
Arrange onions on focaccia; sprinkle with sun-dried tomatoes and cheeses. Bake at 350 degrees until focaccia is hot and cheese melted, about 15 minutes. Cut into wedges.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 146; Protein: 5.9 g; Fat: 3.5 g; Sodium: 354 mg; Cholesterol: 5.2 mg; Carbohydrates: 23.3 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Bread, 1/2 Fat
NO BAKE CHERRY CUSTARD CAKE
Servings: 12
Source: Cinnamon Hearts
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/197.shtml
Ingredients
1 prepared Angel Food cake (10 inches)
1 package (1.4 oz) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
1-1/2 cups milk (2%)
1 cup light sour cream
1 can (21oz) light cherry pie filling
Directions
Tear the Angel Food cake into bite size pieces. Press into an 11x17-inch baking dish.
In a mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix, milk and sour cream. Beat until thickened, about 2 minutes. Spread over the cake.
Spoon the cherry pie filling evenly over the top of the cake. Chill thoroughly until serving time.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 184; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 319 mg; Cholesterol: 9 mg; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 1-1/2 Bread/Starch; 1/2 Fat
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Wednesday Recipes
Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Supernatural Brownies and Crockpot Maple BBQ Chicken Sandwiches. Enjoy!
PEACH AND BLUEBERRY TART WITH PECAN CRUST
This recipe, as well as the next one (Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothie), was found in an article on Prevention, titled “11 Recipes with Fresh Blueberries.” Click here to see the article and all twelve recipes.
SERVINGS: 8
Crust
1 cup pecan halves
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
1/8 tsp salt
1 egg white, beaten
2 Tbsp canola oil
1/2 Tbsp cold water
Filling
3/4 cup all-fruit peach preserves
1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/4 pounds ripe but firm peaches, sliced
3/4 cup fresh blueberries
Topping
1 cup fat-free Greek-style yogurt
3 Tbsp wildflower honey
To Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a 10" fluted removable bottom tart pan or springform pan with cooking spray.
Set aside 8 pecan halves. Place the remaining pecans in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade or a blender. Process until finely ground. Add the flour, lemon zest, and salt. Process briefly to blend. Combine the egg white, oil, and water in a measuring cup. With the machine running, drizzle the liquid mixture into the bowl. Add up to 1 tablespoon water if needed. Turn off the machine as soon as the ingredients start to bind together.
Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured work surface. Pat into a disk (the mixture will be soft). Transfer to the bottom of the prepared pan. Press into the bottom and 1/2" up the side. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
To Prepare the Filling: Combine the preserves and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add the peaches and blueberries and toss gently to mix. Spoon into the prepared crust. Bake for about 1 hour 15 minutes or until the juices are bubbling. Place pan on a rack to cool completely.
To Prepare the Topping: Whisk the yogurt with the honey in a bowl. Spoon on top of each serving and top with a reserved pecan half.
NUTRITION (per serving) 322 calories, 6 g protein, 44 g carbohydrates, 15 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 1 mg cholesterol, 52 mg sodium, 3 g fiber
BLUEBERRY-POMEGRANATE SMOOTHIE
SERVINGS: 1
2/3 cup frozen blueberries (unthawed)
1/2 cup fat-free French vanilla yogurt (we used Stonyfield)
1/3 cup vanilla soy milk
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
Put 2/3 cup frozen blueberries (unthawed, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/3 cup soy milk, and 1/4 cup pomegranate juice into a blender.
Blend on high speed until smooth.
NUTRITION (per serving) 226.8 cal, 9.2 g pro, 44.9 g carb, 3 g fiber, 2 g fat, 0.3 g sat fat, 123.4 mg sodium
SUPERNATURAL BROWNIES
This is from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This recipe is an accidental creation by Nick Malgieri, who (in a rare human moment for a pastry chef) once forgot to double the flour when baking his own fudge brownie recipe. He also adds a measure of brown sugar to the basic formula. The experts are divided as to whether the brown sugar actually contributes flavor or simply makes the brownie moister (molasses, which makes brown sugar brown, is powerfully hydrophilic). It’s my belief that the slightly bitter taste of molasses acts as an invisible enhancer to the chocolate. The result is as complex and sophisticated as any terrine or truffle I have ever produced.”
Yield: 15 large or 24 small brownies; Time: About 1 hour
This was featured in “Simple Pleasure, American Style”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter, more for pan and parchment paper
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup dark brown sugar, such as muscovado
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 3/4 cup whole walnuts, optional
Preparation
Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and line with buttered parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, or on low power in a microwave, melt butter, chocolate and sugars together. Cool slightly. In a large bowl or mixer, whisk eggs. Whisk in salt and vanilla.
Whisk in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour just until combined. If using chopped walnuts, stir them in. Pour batter into prepared pan. If using whole walnuts, arrange on top of batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until shiny and beginning to crack on top. Cool in pan on rack.
Tip
For best flavor, bake 1 day before serving, let cool and store, tightly wrapped.
MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RN, LD on VeryWell.com. Kaleigh wrote, "When your blood pressure is high, it’s important to include plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and fiber in your diet. Stuffed bell peppers incorporate all of these into one convenient meal. This Mediterranean version includes whole grain quinoa, chickpeas, and plenty of vegetables, which all provide filling fiber. The bright red peppers and tomatoes also provide vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene for a nutritious punch.
"Stuffed peppers are easy to prepare and hold up well in the refrigerator for lunches during the week. You can customize what you add to them. Switch up the grains with brown rice or farro if you have it, or add different beans and vegetables that need to be used up. You can also add cooked chicken or steak if you want to add a little more protein if you plan to eat the peppers by themselves."
Total Time: 35 min; Prep 10 min, Cook 25 min; Yield 2 peppers (346 calories)
To view this online, click here. To check out Kaleigh's website, go to Lively Table.
Ingredients
2 large red bell peppers
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup low sodium cooked chickpeas
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Chopped parsley, for serving (optional)
PreparationHeat oven to 350F.
Cut bell peppers vertically down the center in half and remove stems and seeds. Place peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
In a mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Scoop mixture into pepper halves.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until peppers are soft but still hold their shape. Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley before serving (optional).
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You may use cooked brown rice or other grain, such as farro, in place of the quinoa.
Include any vegetables that you have in your refrigerator that need to be used.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve these stuffed peppers hot as a vegetarian dinner or cold as lunch.
Serve one pepper half as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish for a higher protein meal.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN PIE SOUP
This comes from a wonderful site I’ve just found called Baked by Rachel. I definitely recommend checking it out!
This recipe begins, “A hearty slow cooker chicken pie soup, loaded with chicken and vegetables. This comforting dish is perfect for chilly months!”
Yield: Serves 6 - 8; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless chicken breast
3/4 C onion
1/2 C celery
3/4 C carrots
7 oz can peas, drained (roughly 3/4C)
7 oz can corn, drained (roughly 3/4C)
3 1/2 C russet potatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
3 1/2 C chicken broth
1 1/2 C heavy cream
1/3 C all purpose flour* (see note)
Directions
Trim chicken breast of any fat. Chop onion, celery and carrots into small pieces. Peel and chop potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Drain peas and corn. Mince garlic.
To the bowl of a 5-6 quart slow cooker add prepared chicken and vegetables, along with salt, pepper, thyme, bay leaf and chicken broth. Cover and allow to cook on high for 4 hours.
Remove and discard bay leaf. Remove chicken breast, shred and return to slow cooker.
In a medium bowl whisk together flour and heavy cream until smooth. Pour into slow cooker, stirring to combine. Replace cover and continue cooking for an additional 30-45 minutes.
Serve warm.
Note: *2-3Tb cornstarch may be used in place of the flour
CROCKPOT MAPLE BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICHES
1/2 C. maple flavored syrup
2 T. prepared mustard
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 t. lemon juice
1/2 t. chili powder
1/4 t. garlic powder
4 boneless, skinned chicken breasts
Place all ingredients in crockpot & cook on LOW for about 7 to 8 hours or until chicken is done.
You can either eat the breasts whole or shred them on buns or rice for more points.
4 servings = 225 calories, 4g fat, 1g fiber.
5 points per serving
From: Weight Watchers crockpot email list
PEACH AND BLUEBERRY TART WITH PECAN CRUST
This recipe, as well as the next one (Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothie), was found in an article on Prevention, titled “11 Recipes with Fresh Blueberries.” Click here to see the article and all twelve recipes.
SERVINGS: 8
Crust
1 cup pecan halves
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
1/8 tsp salt
1 egg white, beaten
2 Tbsp canola oil
1/2 Tbsp cold water
Filling
3/4 cup all-fruit peach preserves
1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
1 1/4 pounds ripe but firm peaches, sliced
3/4 cup fresh blueberries
Topping
1 cup fat-free Greek-style yogurt
3 Tbsp wildflower honey
To Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a 10" fluted removable bottom tart pan or springform pan with cooking spray.
Set aside 8 pecan halves. Place the remaining pecans in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade or a blender. Process until finely ground. Add the flour, lemon zest, and salt. Process briefly to blend. Combine the egg white, oil, and water in a measuring cup. With the machine running, drizzle the liquid mixture into the bowl. Add up to 1 tablespoon water if needed. Turn off the machine as soon as the ingredients start to bind together.
Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured work surface. Pat into a disk (the mixture will be soft). Transfer to the bottom of the prepared pan. Press into the bottom and 1/2" up the side. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
To Prepare the Filling: Combine the preserves and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add the peaches and blueberries and toss gently to mix. Spoon into the prepared crust. Bake for about 1 hour 15 minutes or until the juices are bubbling. Place pan on a rack to cool completely.
To Prepare the Topping: Whisk the yogurt with the honey in a bowl. Spoon on top of each serving and top with a reserved pecan half.
NUTRITION (per serving) 322 calories, 6 g protein, 44 g carbohydrates, 15 g fat, 1.5 g saturated fat, 1 mg cholesterol, 52 mg sodium, 3 g fiber
BLUEBERRY-POMEGRANATE SMOOTHIE
SERVINGS: 1
2/3 cup frozen blueberries (unthawed)
1/2 cup fat-free French vanilla yogurt (we used Stonyfield)
1/3 cup vanilla soy milk
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
Put 2/3 cup frozen blueberries (unthawed, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/3 cup soy milk, and 1/4 cup pomegranate juice into a blender.
Blend on high speed until smooth.
NUTRITION (per serving) 226.8 cal, 9.2 g pro, 44.9 g carb, 3 g fiber, 2 g fat, 0.3 g sat fat, 123.4 mg sodium
SUPERNATURAL BROWNIES
This is from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This recipe is an accidental creation by Nick Malgieri, who (in a rare human moment for a pastry chef) once forgot to double the flour when baking his own fudge brownie recipe. He also adds a measure of brown sugar to the basic formula. The experts are divided as to whether the brown sugar actually contributes flavor or simply makes the brownie moister (molasses, which makes brown sugar brown, is powerfully hydrophilic). It’s my belief that the slightly bitter taste of molasses acts as an invisible enhancer to the chocolate. The result is as complex and sophisticated as any terrine or truffle I have ever produced.”
Yield: 15 large or 24 small brownies; Time: About 1 hour
This was featured in “Simple Pleasure, American Style”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter, more for pan and parchment paper
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup dark brown sugar, such as muscovado
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 3/4 cup whole walnuts, optional
Preparation
Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and line with buttered parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, or on low power in a microwave, melt butter, chocolate and sugars together. Cool slightly. In a large bowl or mixer, whisk eggs. Whisk in salt and vanilla.
Whisk in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour just until combined. If using chopped walnuts, stir them in. Pour batter into prepared pan. If using whole walnuts, arrange on top of batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until shiny and beginning to crack on top. Cool in pan on rack.
Tip
For best flavor, bake 1 day before serving, let cool and store, tightly wrapped.
MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RN, LD on VeryWell.com. Kaleigh wrote, "When your blood pressure is high, it’s important to include plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and fiber in your diet. Stuffed bell peppers incorporate all of these into one convenient meal. This Mediterranean version includes whole grain quinoa, chickpeas, and plenty of vegetables, which all provide filling fiber. The bright red peppers and tomatoes also provide vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene for a nutritious punch.
"Stuffed peppers are easy to prepare and hold up well in the refrigerator for lunches during the week. You can customize what you add to them. Switch up the grains with brown rice or farro if you have it, or add different beans and vegetables that need to be used up. You can also add cooked chicken or steak if you want to add a little more protein if you plan to eat the peppers by themselves."
Total Time: 35 min; Prep 10 min, Cook 25 min; Yield 2 peppers (346 calories)
To view this online, click here. To check out Kaleigh's website, go to Lively Table.
Ingredients
2 large red bell peppers
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup low sodium cooked chickpeas
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Chopped parsley, for serving (optional)
PreparationHeat oven to 350F.
Cut bell peppers vertically down the center in half and remove stems and seeds. Place peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
In a mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Scoop mixture into pepper halves.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until peppers are soft but still hold their shape. Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley before serving (optional).
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You may use cooked brown rice or other grain, such as farro, in place of the quinoa.
Include any vegetables that you have in your refrigerator that need to be used.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve these stuffed peppers hot as a vegetarian dinner or cold as lunch.
Serve one pepper half as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish for a higher protein meal.
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN PIE SOUP
This comes from a wonderful site I’ve just found called Baked by Rachel. I definitely recommend checking it out!
This recipe begins, “A hearty slow cooker chicken pie soup, loaded with chicken and vegetables. This comforting dish is perfect for chilly months!”
Yield: Serves 6 - 8; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 4 hours, 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless chicken breast
3/4 C onion
1/2 C celery
3/4 C carrots
7 oz can peas, drained (roughly 3/4C)
7 oz can corn, drained (roughly 3/4C)
3 1/2 C russet potatoes
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
3 1/2 C chicken broth
1 1/2 C heavy cream
1/3 C all purpose flour* (see note)
Directions
Trim chicken breast of any fat. Chop onion, celery and carrots into small pieces. Peel and chop potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Drain peas and corn. Mince garlic.
To the bowl of a 5-6 quart slow cooker add prepared chicken and vegetables, along with salt, pepper, thyme, bay leaf and chicken broth. Cover and allow to cook on high for 4 hours.
Remove and discard bay leaf. Remove chicken breast, shred and return to slow cooker.
In a medium bowl whisk together flour and heavy cream until smooth. Pour into slow cooker, stirring to combine. Replace cover and continue cooking for an additional 30-45 minutes.
Serve warm.
Note: *2-3Tb cornstarch may be used in place of the flour
CROCKPOT MAPLE BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICHES
1/2 C. maple flavored syrup
2 T. prepared mustard
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 t. lemon juice
1/2 t. chili powder
1/4 t. garlic powder
4 boneless, skinned chicken breasts
Place all ingredients in crockpot & cook on LOW for about 7 to 8 hours or until chicken is done.
You can either eat the breasts whole or shred them on buns or rice for more points.
4 servings = 225 calories, 4g fat, 1g fiber.
5 points per serving
From: Weight Watchers crockpot email list
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's double-post is dedicated to chicken recipes.
At one time, chicken was relegated to the Sunday dinner table. These days, though, you're liable to have chicken any day of the week, any time of day. Look at how many fast food places specialize in chicken or have chicken somewhere on the menu.
That said, here are six chicken recipes to help you through the day, including BBQ Chicken and Chicken Cacciatore. Enjoy!
CHICKEN PAPRIKASH
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Spices lose their flavor over time but few as quickly as paprika, which starts out tasting of pepper and sunshine but deteriorates in but a few months to sawdust and bitterness. For this recipe, get some new at the market: sweet or hot Hungarian paprika is best, but the generic article isn’t terrible and the smoky Spanish varieties known as pimentón de La Vera would not be out of place either, lending a deep, woodsy aroma reminiscent of cooking over an open fire. It’s a dish that pairs beautifully with butter-slicked egg noodles.” Yield: Serves 4 - 6; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “The Fresher the Spice, the Better the Chicken Paprikash” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3 to 4 pounds chicken thighs and drumsticks, or whole chicken legs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon neutral oil, like canola
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large yellow or Spanish onion, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons Hungarian paprika, sweet or hot, or a combination
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes or 1 large ripe tomato, chopped
1 cup chicken broth, homemade or, if not, low-sodium
1 pound egg noodles
3/4 cup sour cream
Preparation
Heat oven to 400. Season the chicken aggressively with salt and pepper. Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large, heavy, oven-safe sauté pan or Dutch oven set over high flame, until the butter is foaming. Sear the chicken in batches, skin-side down, until it is golden and crisp, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Then turn the chicken over, and repeat on the other side, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate to rest.
Pour off all but a tablespoon or 2 of the accumulated fat in the pot. Return the pot to the stove, over medium heat, and add the onion. Cook, stirring frequently with a spoon to scrape off any browned bits of chicken skin, until the onion has softened and gone translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add the garlic, and stir again, cooking it until it has softened, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Add the paprika and the flour, and stir well to combine, then cook until the mixture is fragrant and the taste of the flour has been cooked out, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes and broth, whisk until smooth and then nestle the chicken back in the pan, skin-side up. Slide the pan or pot into the oven, and cook until the chicken has cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, set a large pot of heavily salted water to boil over high heat. Cook noodles in the water until they are almost completely tender, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the noodles, and toss them in a bowl with the remaining butter, then toss again to coat.
Place the chicken on top of the noodles, then add the sour cream to the sauce, stir to combine and ladle it over the whole.
BBQ CHICKEN
This comes from the folks at GE Appliances, and begins, “This BBQ chicken recipe is a simple classic that will be the star of your next summer gathering.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken drumsticks
1 pound chicken thighs
2-3 cups Italian dressing
2-3 Cups BBQ sauce (homemade or store bought)
Directions
Marinate the Chicken:
Combine drumsticks and thighs in a bowl and add Italian dressing until chicken is covered. Let sit overnight (ideal) or for 3-4 hours.
Cooking:
Fire up a gas or charcoal grill to medium heat, put chicken on, and cook for 20 minutes (about 10 minutes per side). After 20 minutes, brush on your favorite BBQ sauce. Turn chicken and add more BBQ sauce. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. Watch closely, so you don't burn the BBQ sauce.
CHICKEN POT PIE TURNOVERS
This is from Melissa d’Arabian of The Food Network’s Ten Dollar Dinners. Total Time: 1 hr 25 min; Prep: 20 min; Inactive: 10 min; Cook: 55 min; Yield: 4 servings;Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/chicken-pot-pie-turnovers-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 tablespoon flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup chicken stock
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 1/2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook the onions, carrots, and celery with salt and pepper, to taste, until the carrots soften, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently. Add the flour and cook off the raw flavor, about 1 minute more. Turn up the heat to medium-high and deglaze the pan with the wine. Whisk in the stock and Dijon mustard. Add the peas and chicken and cook on a very low simmer until the sauce thickens up into a gravy, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
On a lightly floured surface, unfold the pastry dough and cut into 4 even squares (cut once horizontally and once vertically). Gently roll out each square, increasing the size of the square by about 20 percent. Place the squares on a baking sheet and spoon the chicken mixture in the center. Fold the squares diagonally to create triangles. Pinch the edges together to create turnovers (use a little water if needed to bind). Press the edges with a fork to create a decorative border. Whisk the egg with a splash of water and brush the turnovers with the egg wash. Cut a small slit in the top to allow the steam to escape during baking. Bake the turnovers until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving as the insides will be very hot.
CRAIG CLAIBORNE’S SMOTHERED CHICKEN
Along with being the founding editor for NYT Cooking and writing about food in the Sunday Times Magazine, Sam Sifton posts a ton of good food recipes in The New York Times cooking e-newsletters. With this recipe, Sam wrote, “Craig Claiborne was a child of Mississippi who started as food editor of The Times in 1957 and did as much as anyone to help bring home cooking into the spotlight. The dish “belongs in the ‘comfort’ category,” he wrote in 1983, “a food that gives solace to the spirit when you dine on it.” You could give your smothered chicken some European flair with mushrooms and small onions in the gravy, as Claiborne did in his experiments with Pierre Franey, then his kitchen co-pilot. Or you could send yourself south to the Creole tastes of the Delta, with a blend of tomatoes, chopped celery, onion and green peppers added to the sauce. But sometimes the easiest way is the best. Try it.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
This was featured in “Make Dinner: A Home Cooking Manifesto” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 chicken, about 3 1/2 pounds, spatchcocked (split down the backbone, breast left intact and unsplit)
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth, ideally homemade
Preparation
Craig Claiborne believed a cast-iron skillet to be essential for the authentic preparation of this dish. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Select a skillet large enough to hold the chicken comfortably when it is opened up, as for broiling. Fold wings under to secure them.
Melt the butter in the pan and add the chicken, skin side down. Cover chicken with a plate that will fit comfortably inside the skillet. Place a heavy can, stone or brick on top of the plate to weigh it down. Cook over low heat, checking the chicken skin, until it is nicely browned, about 25 minutes.
Remove weight and plate. Turn chicken so skin side is up. Replace plate and weight and continue cooking for about 15 minutes more.
Remove chicken and pour off fat from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan. Add the flour to the fat, stirring with a wire whisk over medium heat. Gradually add the chicken broth and, when thickened, return chicken to the skillet, skin side up. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover with the plate and weight and continue cooking over low heat about 20 to 30 minutes longer or until the meat is exceptionally tender. Spoon the sauce over it.
Cut chicken into serving pieces, and serve with the sauce and fluffy rice on the side.
BUFFALO CHICKEN GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH
This comes from Jennifer Meier, About.com’s Cheese expert. Jennifer wrote, “Perhaps this isn't a traditional grilled cheese sandwich - maybe it's just a sandwich - but either way it's delicious. This buffalo chicken grilled cheese sandwich recipe takes everything we love about Buffalo Chicken (spicy, crispy chicken, creamy blue cheese dip, celery on the side) and turns it into a memorable sandwich.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield; 4 sandwiches
Jennifer also added a note about using mayo on grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as what to do with leftover buttermilk.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/8-inch thickness. Or, make your life easier and buy 4 thin chicken breasts
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, whisked
1 cup panko
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup celery, very thinly sliced (plus any leaves you can pull from the stalks)
1/4 of a red onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
3/4 cup mayonnaise, divided, plus more for spreading on the outside of the bread slices
1 tablespoon buttermilk
2 teaspoons hot sauce, or more to taste
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 ounces blue cheese
8 slices of sourdough or country bread
Preparation
Generously season chicken breasts with salt. Cut each pounded chicken breast in half, so you have 4 pieces of chicken.
You’ll need three shallow bowls or dishes for dredging the chicken. One for the flour, one for the eggs, and one for the panko, salt and cayenne pepper.
Working with one piece of chicken at a time, dredge both sides of the breast in flour, shaking off excess. Next, dip the chicken into the egg, coating both sides and letting excess drip off.
Lastly, dredge through the panko/salt/cayenne mixture, pressing gently so the panko sticks to the chicken. Set the coated chicken pieces aside.
In a food processor, combine the celery (plus celery leaves if you have them), red onion, parsley, 1/4 cup of mayo and the buttermilk. Pulse just a few times until the celery and onion are roughly chopped. Don’t over-process or the mixture will get too mushy. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup of mayo with the hot sauce. Start with 1 teaspoon of hot sauce and then add more according to how spicy you want it. Set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 pieces of chicken to the skillet and cook until dark golden brown on both sides, about 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Heat the last 2 tablespoons of oil in the same pan and cook the remaining pieces of chicken. (If you have a very large pan, you might be able to cook all the chicken pieces at once)
Return all the chicken to the pan.
Top each piece of chicken with crumbles or slices of blue cheese. Turn the heat to low and put a lid on the pan.
Spread a thin layer of regular mayonnaise evenly on one side of each piece of bread. Flip the slices over and spread the spicy mayo on the other side of each slice of bread.
When the blue cheese on the chicken is warm and very soft, remove the chicken from the pan (use a wide spatula) and set one piece of chicken on the spicy mayo side of 4 slices of bread.
Top each breast with a scoop of celery slaw and another slice of bread, with the side spread with regular mayo on the outside.
Over medium heat cook the sandwiches until the bottom is golden brown. Flip. Brown again. Slice the sandwich in half and serve.
Why Use Mayo on Grilled Cheese Sandwiches?
Spreading the outer slice of bread with mayonnaise instead of butter or oil makes the perfect slice of toasted bread; crispy, flaky and evenly browned.
Leftover Buttermilk?
Buttermilk is the slightly sour liquid that remains after milk is churned into butter. It adds a tangy flavor to recipes that always punches the flavor up a notch or two. Buttermilk is usually sold in 1 quart containers, which means you're likely to have some leftover when you buy it for a recipe. How can you use up the buttermilk before it goes bad? Try my favorite buttermilk salad dressing, or one of these recipes for using up buttermilk.
CHICKEN CACCIATORE
Servings: 6
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/64.shtml
Source: Cooking Healthy and Fast
Ingredients
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup tomato sauce
1 16-ounce can whole plum tomatoes
1/2 cup white wine (or cooking wine)
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 bay leaf
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 chopped onion
4 half chicken breasts, skinned, boned
2 Tbsp. fat-free chicken broth
Directions
Heat liquid chicken broth in a non-stick skillet and brown chicken, onion, and garlic.
Add all other ingredients except mushrooms. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer about 30 minutes.
Add mushrooms, cook 10 minutes more.
Remove chicken from pan, boil down sauce until slightly thickened.
Serve over cooked rice.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 217; Protein: 28 g; Fat: 3.5 g; Sodium: 382 mg; Cholesterol: 73 mg; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch; 4 Lean Meat
At one time, chicken was relegated to the Sunday dinner table. These days, though, you're liable to have chicken any day of the week, any time of day. Look at how many fast food places specialize in chicken or have chicken somewhere on the menu.
That said, here are six chicken recipes to help you through the day, including BBQ Chicken and Chicken Cacciatore. Enjoy!
CHICKEN PAPRIKASH
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Spices lose their flavor over time but few as quickly as paprika, which starts out tasting of pepper and sunshine but deteriorates in but a few months to sawdust and bitterness. For this recipe, get some new at the market: sweet or hot Hungarian paprika is best, but the generic article isn’t terrible and the smoky Spanish varieties known as pimentón de La Vera would not be out of place either, lending a deep, woodsy aroma reminiscent of cooking over an open fire. It’s a dish that pairs beautifully with butter-slicked egg noodles.” Yield: Serves 4 - 6; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “The Fresher the Spice, the Better the Chicken Paprikash” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
3 to 4 pounds chicken thighs and drumsticks, or whole chicken legs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon neutral oil, like canola
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large yellow or Spanish onion, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons Hungarian paprika, sweet or hot, or a combination
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes or 1 large ripe tomato, chopped
1 cup chicken broth, homemade or, if not, low-sodium
1 pound egg noodles
3/4 cup sour cream
Preparation
Heat oven to 400. Season the chicken aggressively with salt and pepper. Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large, heavy, oven-safe sauté pan or Dutch oven set over high flame, until the butter is foaming. Sear the chicken in batches, skin-side down, until it is golden and crisp, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Then turn the chicken over, and repeat on the other side, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate to rest.
Pour off all but a tablespoon or 2 of the accumulated fat in the pot. Return the pot to the stove, over medium heat, and add the onion. Cook, stirring frequently with a spoon to scrape off any browned bits of chicken skin, until the onion has softened and gone translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Add the garlic, and stir again, cooking it until it has softened, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Add the paprika and the flour, and stir well to combine, then cook until the mixture is fragrant and the taste of the flour has been cooked out, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes and broth, whisk until smooth and then nestle the chicken back in the pan, skin-side up. Slide the pan or pot into the oven, and cook until the chicken has cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, set a large pot of heavily salted water to boil over high heat. Cook noodles in the water until they are almost completely tender, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the noodles, and toss them in a bowl with the remaining butter, then toss again to coat.
Place the chicken on top of the noodles, then add the sour cream to the sauce, stir to combine and ladle it over the whole.
BBQ CHICKEN
This comes from the folks at GE Appliances, and begins, “This BBQ chicken recipe is a simple classic that will be the star of your next summer gathering.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken drumsticks
1 pound chicken thighs
2-3 cups Italian dressing
2-3 Cups BBQ sauce (homemade or store bought)
Directions
Marinate the Chicken:
Combine drumsticks and thighs in a bowl and add Italian dressing until chicken is covered. Let sit overnight (ideal) or for 3-4 hours.
Cooking:
Fire up a gas or charcoal grill to medium heat, put chicken on, and cook for 20 minutes (about 10 minutes per side). After 20 minutes, brush on your favorite BBQ sauce. Turn chicken and add more BBQ sauce. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. Watch closely, so you don't burn the BBQ sauce.
CHICKEN POT PIE TURNOVERS
This is from Melissa d’Arabian of The Food Network’s Ten Dollar Dinners. Total Time: 1 hr 25 min; Prep: 20 min; Inactive: 10 min; Cook: 55 min; Yield: 4 servings;Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/chicken-pot-pie-turnovers-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 tablespoon flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup chicken stock
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 1/2 cups cubed or shredded cooked chicken
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook the onions, carrots, and celery with salt and pepper, to taste, until the carrots soften, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and thyme and cook for an additional minute, stirring frequently. Add the flour and cook off the raw flavor, about 1 minute more. Turn up the heat to medium-high and deglaze the pan with the wine. Whisk in the stock and Dijon mustard. Add the peas and chicken and cook on a very low simmer until the sauce thickens up into a gravy, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
On a lightly floured surface, unfold the pastry dough and cut into 4 even squares (cut once horizontally and once vertically). Gently roll out each square, increasing the size of the square by about 20 percent. Place the squares on a baking sheet and spoon the chicken mixture in the center. Fold the squares diagonally to create triangles. Pinch the edges together to create turnovers (use a little water if needed to bind). Press the edges with a fork to create a decorative border. Whisk the egg with a splash of water and brush the turnovers with the egg wash. Cut a small slit in the top to allow the steam to escape during baking. Bake the turnovers until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let cool at least 10 minutes before serving as the insides will be very hot.
CRAIG CLAIBORNE’S SMOTHERED CHICKEN
Along with being the founding editor for NYT Cooking and writing about food in the Sunday Times Magazine, Sam Sifton posts a ton of good food recipes in The New York Times cooking e-newsletters. With this recipe, Sam wrote, “Craig Claiborne was a child of Mississippi who started as food editor of The Times in 1957 and did as much as anyone to help bring home cooking into the spotlight. The dish “belongs in the ‘comfort’ category,” he wrote in 1983, “a food that gives solace to the spirit when you dine on it.” You could give your smothered chicken some European flair with mushrooms and small onions in the gravy, as Claiborne did in his experiments with Pierre Franey, then his kitchen co-pilot. Or you could send yourself south to the Creole tastes of the Delta, with a blend of tomatoes, chopped celery, onion and green peppers added to the sauce. But sometimes the easiest way is the best. Try it.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
This was featured in “Make Dinner: A Home Cooking Manifesto” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 chicken, about 3 1/2 pounds, spatchcocked (split down the backbone, breast left intact and unsplit)
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth, ideally homemade
Preparation
Craig Claiborne believed a cast-iron skillet to be essential for the authentic preparation of this dish. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Select a skillet large enough to hold the chicken comfortably when it is opened up, as for broiling. Fold wings under to secure them.
Melt the butter in the pan and add the chicken, skin side down. Cover chicken with a plate that will fit comfortably inside the skillet. Place a heavy can, stone or brick on top of the plate to weigh it down. Cook over low heat, checking the chicken skin, until it is nicely browned, about 25 minutes.
Remove weight and plate. Turn chicken so skin side is up. Replace plate and weight and continue cooking for about 15 minutes more.
Remove chicken and pour off fat from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan. Add the flour to the fat, stirring with a wire whisk over medium heat. Gradually add the chicken broth and, when thickened, return chicken to the skillet, skin side up. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover with the plate and weight and continue cooking over low heat about 20 to 30 minutes longer or until the meat is exceptionally tender. Spoon the sauce over it.
Cut chicken into serving pieces, and serve with the sauce and fluffy rice on the side.
BUFFALO CHICKEN GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH
This comes from Jennifer Meier, About.com’s Cheese expert. Jennifer wrote, “Perhaps this isn't a traditional grilled cheese sandwich - maybe it's just a sandwich - but either way it's delicious. This buffalo chicken grilled cheese sandwich recipe takes everything we love about Buffalo Chicken (spicy, crispy chicken, creamy blue cheese dip, celery on the side) and turns it into a memorable sandwich.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield; 4 sandwiches
Jennifer also added a note about using mayo on grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as what to do with leftover buttermilk.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/8-inch thickness. Or, make your life easier and buy 4 thin chicken breasts
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, whisked
1 cup panko
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup celery, very thinly sliced (plus any leaves you can pull from the stalks)
1/4 of a red onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
3/4 cup mayonnaise, divided, plus more for spreading on the outside of the bread slices
1 tablespoon buttermilk
2 teaspoons hot sauce, or more to taste
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 ounces blue cheese
8 slices of sourdough or country bread
Preparation
Generously season chicken breasts with salt. Cut each pounded chicken breast in half, so you have 4 pieces of chicken.
You’ll need three shallow bowls or dishes for dredging the chicken. One for the flour, one for the eggs, and one for the panko, salt and cayenne pepper.
Working with one piece of chicken at a time, dredge both sides of the breast in flour, shaking off excess. Next, dip the chicken into the egg, coating both sides and letting excess drip off.
Lastly, dredge through the panko/salt/cayenne mixture, pressing gently so the panko sticks to the chicken. Set the coated chicken pieces aside.
In a food processor, combine the celery (plus celery leaves if you have them), red onion, parsley, 1/4 cup of mayo and the buttermilk. Pulse just a few times until the celery and onion are roughly chopped. Don’t over-process or the mixture will get too mushy. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup of mayo with the hot sauce. Start with 1 teaspoon of hot sauce and then add more according to how spicy you want it. Set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 pieces of chicken to the skillet and cook until dark golden brown on both sides, about 8 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Heat the last 2 tablespoons of oil in the same pan and cook the remaining pieces of chicken. (If you have a very large pan, you might be able to cook all the chicken pieces at once)
Return all the chicken to the pan.
Top each piece of chicken with crumbles or slices of blue cheese. Turn the heat to low and put a lid on the pan.
Spread a thin layer of regular mayonnaise evenly on one side of each piece of bread. Flip the slices over and spread the spicy mayo on the other side of each slice of bread.
When the blue cheese on the chicken is warm and very soft, remove the chicken from the pan (use a wide spatula) and set one piece of chicken on the spicy mayo side of 4 slices of bread.
Top each breast with a scoop of celery slaw and another slice of bread, with the side spread with regular mayo on the outside.
Over medium heat cook the sandwiches until the bottom is golden brown. Flip. Brown again. Slice the sandwich in half and serve.
Why Use Mayo on Grilled Cheese Sandwiches?
Spreading the outer slice of bread with mayonnaise instead of butter or oil makes the perfect slice of toasted bread; crispy, flaky and evenly browned.
Leftover Buttermilk?
Buttermilk is the slightly sour liquid that remains after milk is churned into butter. It adds a tangy flavor to recipes that always punches the flavor up a notch or two. Buttermilk is usually sold in 1 quart containers, which means you're likely to have some leftover when you buy it for a recipe. How can you use up the buttermilk before it goes bad? Try my favorite buttermilk salad dressing, or one of these recipes for using up buttermilk.
CHICKEN CACCIATORE
Servings: 6
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/64.shtml
Source: Cooking Healthy and Fast
Ingredients
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup tomato sauce
1 16-ounce can whole plum tomatoes
1/2 cup white wine (or cooking wine)
1/4 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 bay leaf
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 chopped onion
4 half chicken breasts, skinned, boned
2 Tbsp. fat-free chicken broth
Directions
Heat liquid chicken broth in a non-stick skillet and brown chicken, onion, and garlic.
Add all other ingredients except mushrooms. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer about 30 minutes.
Add mushrooms, cook 10 minutes more.
Remove chicken from pan, boil down sauce until slightly thickened.
Serve over cooked rice.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 217; Protein: 28 g; Fat: 3.5 g; Sodium: 382 mg; Cholesterol: 73 mg; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch; 4 Lean Meat
Taco Tuesday!
Yay! It's Taco Tuesday! Here are six yummy taco recipes to help you through the day, including Grilled Steak Tacos W/Cherry Tomato-Avocado Salsa and Buffalo Style Tacos. Enjoy!
ROASTED TOMATILLO AND BLACK BEAN TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “To prepare fresh tomatillos, strip off the husks and rinse under warm water to remove any sticky sap clinging to the skin.” Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
3/4 lb. fresh whole tomatillos, husks removed
1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
3 Tbs. coarsely chopped cilantro, divided
1 1/2 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
4 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
1 small avocado, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 Tbs. queso fresco or feta cheese
1/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, optional
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream, optional
Instructions:
Preheat oven to broil. Place oven rack 3 inches from heat source. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray, and spread tomatillos, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic on prepared baking sheet. Broil 12 minutes, or until tomatillos are blistered and charred, and onion and bell pepper are softened and charred, tossing once halfway through cooking time.
Pulse garlic, 1 Tbs. cilantro, jalapeño, and tomatillos 10 times in food processor, or until chunky. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce with black beans, red bell pepper, and onion.
Fill tortillas with black bean mixture, avocado, and queso fresco. Garnish with remaining cilantro and corn kernels, if desired. Serve remaining tomatillo sauce and sour cream, if desired, on side.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 226; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Sodium: 457 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 7 g; Yield: Serves 4
SOFT BEAN TACOS
This also comes from Vegetarian Times. Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1/4 cup water
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
16-oz. can spicy fat-free refried beans
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, reduced-fat if desired, or soy cheese
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil and warm in oven.
In large saucepan, combine water and bell pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat, 2 minutes. Add corn, green onions, jalapeño pepper and refried beans. Stir gently until mixture is heated through, about 5 minutes.
Remove tortillas from oven. Spread some of the filling on one half of each tortilla, then sprinkle with a small amount of cheese. Fold over and arrange on individual plates. Top with salsa and yogurt if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 260; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 33 g; Cholesterol: 17 mg; Sodium: 455 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: g; Yield: 4 to 6 Servings
BUFFALO STYLE TACOS
Makes 8 servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1341
View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1341.shtml
Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O Lean Ground Turkey
1/3 cup hot pepper wing sauce
8 hard corn taco shells, heated as specified on package
1 cup shredded lettuce
2 tomatoes, diced
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
Directions
Cook turkey as specified on package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.
Add hot pepper sauce. Stir to combine.
Fill tacos shells with lettuce, turkey mixture, tomatoes and avocado.
Drizzle with blue cheese dressing.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 260 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g
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.
GRILLED STEAK TACOS WITH CHERRY TOMATO-AVOCADO SALSA
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “In this supremely summery taco recipe, chile-rubbed grilled steak is topped with a spicy tomato-avocado salsa before being rolled into warm corn tortillas. Grilling the onions, garlic and jalapeño for the salsa adds a concentrated sweetness, while lime zest keeps everything sharp and bright. If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to use your broiler.”
Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Steak:
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 1/2 teaspoons New Mexican or other mild chile powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large garlic clove, finely grated or minced
Finely grated zest of 1 lime (cut lime into wedges for serving)
2 1/2 pounds skirt steak (usually 2 steaks)
For the Salsa:
1 white onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch-thick slices
2 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 jalapeños
1 quart cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, more to taste
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
Corn or flour tortillas, for serving
Sliced radishes, for serving
Mexican crema or sour cream, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the steak: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chile powder, coriander, cumin, garlic and lime zest. Rub mixture all over the steaks, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
Prepare the salsa: Light the grill or heat to medium-high (or heat the broiler). Grill onion, garlic and 1 jalapeño until tender and charred on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes (or place on a broiler pan and broil). Remove from heat until cool enough to handle, then roughly chop onions, peel garlic and remove seeds and stem from jalapeño.
Transfer grilled onion, garlic and jalapeño to a blender or mini food processor. Halve the fresh jalapeño and seed it, if desired, then add it to the blender. Process to a chunky paste. Scrape into a serving bowl and toss with tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and salt.
Add more charcoal to the grill, if needed, and grill the steaks until done to taste, about 2 minutes per side for rare (or broil). Let meat rest on a cutting board covered with foil for at least 7 minutes. Meanwhile, grill or broil the tortillas until warm.
To serve, slice the meat across the grain, and serve with the warm tortillas, radishes, lime wedges, salsa and crema. Let people assemble their own tacos at the table.
GRILLED VEGETABLE AND BLACK BEAN FAJITAS
This yummy recipe is from The Scrumptious Pumpkin.
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 12 fajitas, 6 servings (2 fajitas per serving; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, click here
Ingredients
For the Grilled Vegetable and Black Bean Fajitas:
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 organic zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
16 ounces organic black beans, drained and thoroughly rinsed
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
3/4 teaspoons cumin
3/4 teaspoons chili powder
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Fresh Homemade Salsa (recipe below)
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced
12 organic whole wheat tortillas
Salt
For the Fresh Homemade Salsa:
1 large tomato, diced
1/4 cup green onions (scallions), chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lime, freshly squeezed
Salt
Instructions
For the Grilled Vegetable and Black Bean Fajitas:
Prepare the grill for 375 degrees F.
Layer first the onion, then the bell pepper, and finally the zucchini on a grill vegetable basket. Season with salt. Cook for about 8 minutes, or until vegetables are softened. Add the black beans to the basket, season with additional salt, and cook about 2 minutes more, or until beans are heated through.
Meanwhile, as vegetables are cooking, prepare the spice mixture. To a large mixing bowl, add garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, and chili powder. Season with a pinch of salt. Slowly whisk in extra virgin olive oil until well combined.
Immediately after removing the basket from the grill, pour the still-hot vegetables and beans into the mixing bowl. Stir and combine until the seasonings have melted into the vegetables and everything is well coated with oil.
Spoon the vegetable-black bean mixture onto whole wheat tortillas. Top with heaping spoonfuls of Fresh Homemade Salsa (recipe below) and slices of avocado. Roll up tortillas, and serve.
For the Fresh Homemade Salsa:
To a mixing bowl, add the tomato, green onion, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro. Add the lime juice and season with salt. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Storage: refrigerate salsa in a covered, airtight container.
ROASTED TOMATILLO AND BLACK BEAN TACOS
This is from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “To prepare fresh tomatillos, strip off the husks and rinse under warm water to remove any sticky sap clinging to the skin.” Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
3/4 lb. fresh whole tomatillos, husks removed
1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
3 Tbs. coarsely chopped cilantro, divided
1 1/2 tsp. minced jalapeno pepper
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
4 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
1 small avocado, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 Tbs. queso fresco or feta cheese
1/4 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed, optional
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream, optional
Instructions:
Preheat oven to broil. Place oven rack 3 inches from heat source. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray, and spread tomatillos, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic on prepared baking sheet. Broil 12 minutes, or until tomatillos are blistered and charred, and onion and bell pepper are softened and charred, tossing once halfway through cooking time.
Pulse garlic, 1 Tbs. cilantro, jalapeño, and tomatillos 10 times in food processor, or until chunky. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss 1/4 cup tomatillo sauce with black beans, red bell pepper, and onion.
Fill tortillas with black bean mixture, avocado, and queso fresco. Garnish with remaining cilantro and corn kernels, if desired. Serve remaining tomatillo sauce and sour cream, if desired, on side.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 226; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Sodium: 457 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 7 g; Yield: Serves 4
SOFT BEAN TACOS
This also comes from Vegetarian Times. Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1/4 cup water
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
16-oz. can spicy fat-free refried beans
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, reduced-fat if desired, or soy cheese
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil and warm in oven.
In large saucepan, combine water and bell pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat, 2 minutes. Add corn, green onions, jalapeño pepper and refried beans. Stir gently until mixture is heated through, about 5 minutes.
Remove tortillas from oven. Spread some of the filling on one half of each tortilla, then sprinkle with a small amount of cheese. Fold over and arrange on individual plates. Top with salsa and yogurt if desired.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 260; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 33 g; Cholesterol: 17 mg; Sodium: 455 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: g; Yield: 4 to 6 Servings
BUFFALO STYLE TACOS
Makes 8 servings
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1341
View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1341.shtml
Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O Lean Ground Turkey
1/3 cup hot pepper wing sauce
8 hard corn taco shells, heated as specified on package
1 cup shredded lettuce
2 tomatoes, diced
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
Directions
Cook turkey as specified on package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.
Add hot pepper sauce. Stir to combine.
Fill tacos shells with lettuce, turkey mixture, tomatoes and avocado.
Drizzle with blue cheese dressing.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 260 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g
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.
GRILLED STEAK TACOS WITH CHERRY TOMATO-AVOCADO SALSA
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “In this supremely summery taco recipe, chile-rubbed grilled steak is topped with a spicy tomato-avocado salsa before being rolled into warm corn tortillas. Grilling the onions, garlic and jalapeño for the salsa adds a concentrated sweetness, while lime zest keeps everything sharp and bright. If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to use your broiler.”
Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Steak:
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 1/2 teaspoons New Mexican or other mild chile powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large garlic clove, finely grated or minced
Finely grated zest of 1 lime (cut lime into wedges for serving)
2 1/2 pounds skirt steak (usually 2 steaks)
For the Salsa:
1 white onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch-thick slices
2 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 jalapeños
1 quart cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, more to taste
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
Corn or flour tortillas, for serving
Sliced radishes, for serving
Mexican crema or sour cream, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the steak: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chile powder, coriander, cumin, garlic and lime zest. Rub mixture all over the steaks, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
Prepare the salsa: Light the grill or heat to medium-high (or heat the broiler). Grill onion, garlic and 1 jalapeño until tender and charred on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes (or place on a broiler pan and broil). Remove from heat until cool enough to handle, then roughly chop onions, peel garlic and remove seeds and stem from jalapeño.
Transfer grilled onion, garlic and jalapeño to a blender or mini food processor. Halve the fresh jalapeño and seed it, if desired, then add it to the blender. Process to a chunky paste. Scrape into a serving bowl and toss with tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and salt.
Add more charcoal to the grill, if needed, and grill the steaks until done to taste, about 2 minutes per side for rare (or broil). Let meat rest on a cutting board covered with foil for at least 7 minutes. Meanwhile, grill or broil the tortillas until warm.
To serve, slice the meat across the grain, and serve with the warm tortillas, radishes, lime wedges, salsa and crema. Let people assemble their own tacos at the table.
GRILLED VEGETABLE AND BLACK BEAN FAJITAS
This yummy recipe is from The Scrumptious Pumpkin.
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 12 fajitas, 6 servings (2 fajitas per serving; Difficulty: Easy
To view this online, click here
Ingredients
For the Grilled Vegetable and Black Bean Fajitas:
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 organic zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
16 ounces organic black beans, drained and thoroughly rinsed
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
3/4 teaspoons cumin
3/4 teaspoons chili powder
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Fresh Homemade Salsa (recipe below)
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced
12 organic whole wheat tortillas
Salt
For the Fresh Homemade Salsa:
1 large tomato, diced
1/4 cup green onions (scallions), chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lime, freshly squeezed
Salt
Instructions
For the Grilled Vegetable and Black Bean Fajitas:
Prepare the grill for 375 degrees F.
Layer first the onion, then the bell pepper, and finally the zucchini on a grill vegetable basket. Season with salt. Cook for about 8 minutes, or until vegetables are softened. Add the black beans to the basket, season with additional salt, and cook about 2 minutes more, or until beans are heated through.
Meanwhile, as vegetables are cooking, prepare the spice mixture. To a large mixing bowl, add garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, and chili powder. Season with a pinch of salt. Slowly whisk in extra virgin olive oil until well combined.
Immediately after removing the basket from the grill, pour the still-hot vegetables and beans into the mixing bowl. Stir and combine until the seasonings have melted into the vegetables and everything is well coated with oil.
Spoon the vegetable-black bean mixture onto whole wheat tortillas. Top with heaping spoonfuls of Fresh Homemade Salsa (recipe below) and slices of avocado. Roll up tortillas, and serve.
For the Fresh Homemade Salsa:
To a mixing bowl, add the tomato, green onion, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro. Add the lime juice and season with salt. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Storage: refrigerate salsa in a covered, airtight container.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Comfort Meatballs and Stone Fruit Pouches. Enjoy!
HARD ROCK'S COLE SLAW
This recipe, as well as the next two (Hard Rock Cafe's Bar-B-Q Beans and Starbuck's Frappucino) are from Healing Heart Foundation.
This one begins, "Our very low-fat taste-alike."
1 1/3 C fat-free mayonnaise
3 T white vinegar
3 T granulated sugar
2 T soy milk or rice milk
dash salt
8 C chopped cabbage (1 head)
1/2 C shredded carrot
Combine all ingredients except the cabbage and carrots in a large bowl and blend until smooth with a hand or electric mixer. Add cabbage and carrots and toss well. Cover and refrigerate overnight in a plastic or ceramic container (don't use metal).
8 servings, each 96.7 calories: 4% from fat (0.04 g), 82% from carbohydrates (22.4 g), 14% from protein (3.92 g). Sodium 76 mg, Fiber 4 g.
Healing Heart Hint
To bring out the full flavors, keep one or two days in the refrigerator before serving.
For variety (but not like the Hard Rock Cafe's slaw), try adding golden or brown raisins, poppy seeds or chopped chestnuts.
For a kimchi-style slaw add garlic and chili paste.
HARD ROCK CAFE'S BAR-B-Q BEANS
This recipe begins, “The low-fat vegetarian clone of HRC's famous beans.”
2 15-ounce cans low-sodium pinto beans (with liquid)
2 T water
2 t cornstarch
1/2 C ketchup
1/3 C white vinegar
1/4 C brown sugar
2 T diced onion
1 t prepared mustard
1/2 t chili powder
1/4 t salt
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1/2 C soy imitation bacon bits
Preheat oven to 350° F. Empty the cans of pinto beans and liquid in a casserole dish. Dissolve cornstarch in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons of water and add to the beans. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well and cover. Bake for 90 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Stir every half hour. Remove from oven and let cool at least 5 minutes before serving. Serves 6 to 8 as a side dish.
6 servings, each 337 calories: 10% from fat (2.6 g), 70% from carbohydrates (42.6 g), 20% from protein (11.8 g). Sodium 638 mg, Fiber 4 g.
STARBUCK'S FRAPPUCINO
This recipe begins, “Make this popular frozen delight at home, without the caffeine buzz(or with it).”
1 1/2 cups strong cold decaffeinated coffee
1/2 cup fat-free or low-fat soy or rice milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon chocolate syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups crushed ice or ice cubes
Combine the coffee, milk, sugar, chocolate syrup and salt in a blender and mix on medium speed for 15 seconds to dissolve sugar. Add the vanilla extract and ice then blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Stir with a spoon if necessary to help blend. Pour into two 16-ounce glasses.
2 - 16 oz servings, each 191 calories: less than 1% from fat (0.029 g), 99% from carbohydrates (47.7 g), 1% from protein (0.24 g). Sodium 282 mg, Fiber 0 g.
COMFORT MEATBALLS
This is from Ree Drummond of The Food Network’s The Pioneer Woman.
Total: 2 hr; Prep: 15 min; Inactive: 45 min; Cook: 1 hr; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/comfort-meatballs-recipe-2042533
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3/4 cup quick oats
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons very finely minced onion
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Plenty of ground black pepper
4 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Sauce:
1 cup ketchup
4 to 6 tablespoons minced onion
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Dash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco
Directions
For the meatballs: In bowl, combine the ground beef and oats. Pour in the milk, and then add the onions, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls and refrigerate them for 30 to 45 minutes to firm.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dredge the meatballs in the flour, and then brown the meatballs in batches until light brown. As they brown, place them into a rectangular baking dish.
For the sauce: Stir together the ketchup, onions, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Drizzle the sauce evenly on the meatballs.
Bake until bubbly and hot, about 45 minutes.
STONE FRUIT POUCHES
This is from Alton Brown on The Cooking Channel.
Total Timei: 25 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups crushed gingersnaps
4 apricots, pit removed and cut into eighths
4 plums, pit removed and cut into fourths
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar
Pinch salt
4 teaspoons lime zest
2 limes, juiced
4 teaspoons brandy
Directions
Heat coals of grill or fire pit. Cut 8 (18 by 18-inch) squares of aluminum foil. Lay down double thickness of foil and divide gingersnaps evenly among the 4 squares. Divide fruit evenly and place on top of gingersnaps. Dot with butter. In small bowl mix sugar, salt, and lime zest. Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over fruit, drizzle with juice and brandy and seal packets. Once coals are ash covered, lay packets over them and cover with lid of grill. If cooking in a fire pit carefully try to partially bury packets in hot coals. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and open carefully, as steam inside packet is very hot. Serve on plates as is or spoon into shallow bowls and top with creme fraiche or ice cream.
SLOW COOKER LASAGNA
This is from Lauren Allen, whose site, Tastes Better From Scratch is one that you really, really should check out. Seriously. I’ll wait…
This yummy recipe makes 5 servings, and can be viewed on Lauren’s site here.
Ingredients
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage (I use hot)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 large onion, chopped*
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 Tbsp parsley
2 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups water
1 (8 oz) package regular lasagna noodles, uncooked
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1-1/2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef, Italian sausage and onion. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, and water. Stir and simmer 15-20 minutes. (You could make the sauce in advance!)
Spread a fourth of the meat sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker. Arrange a third of the noodles over the sauce (break the noodles to fit, if necessary). Combine the mozzarella, cottage cheese and parmesan cheese; spoon a third of the mixture over noodles. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with extra mozzarella cheese, if desired.
Cover and cook on low for about 4-5 hours or until noodles are tender.
Recipe Notes
*You could substitute 1-2 Tbsp dried minced onion
HARD ROCK'S COLE SLAW
This recipe, as well as the next two (Hard Rock Cafe's Bar-B-Q Beans and Starbuck's Frappucino) are from Healing Heart Foundation.
This one begins, "Our very low-fat taste-alike."
1 1/3 C fat-free mayonnaise
3 T white vinegar
3 T granulated sugar
2 T soy milk or rice milk
dash salt
8 C chopped cabbage (1 head)
1/2 C shredded carrot
Combine all ingredients except the cabbage and carrots in a large bowl and blend until smooth with a hand or electric mixer. Add cabbage and carrots and toss well. Cover and refrigerate overnight in a plastic or ceramic container (don't use metal).
8 servings, each 96.7 calories: 4% from fat (0.04 g), 82% from carbohydrates (22.4 g), 14% from protein (3.92 g). Sodium 76 mg, Fiber 4 g.
Healing Heart Hint
To bring out the full flavors, keep one or two days in the refrigerator before serving.
For variety (but not like the Hard Rock Cafe's slaw), try adding golden or brown raisins, poppy seeds or chopped chestnuts.
For a kimchi-style slaw add garlic and chili paste.
HARD ROCK CAFE'S BAR-B-Q BEANS
This recipe begins, “The low-fat vegetarian clone of HRC's famous beans.”
2 15-ounce cans low-sodium pinto beans (with liquid)
2 T water
2 t cornstarch
1/2 C ketchup
1/3 C white vinegar
1/4 C brown sugar
2 T diced onion
1 t prepared mustard
1/2 t chili powder
1/4 t salt
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1/2 C soy imitation bacon bits
Preheat oven to 350° F. Empty the cans of pinto beans and liquid in a casserole dish. Dissolve cornstarch in a small bowl with 2 tablespoons of water and add to the beans. Add the remaining ingredients, stir well and cover. Bake for 90 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Stir every half hour. Remove from oven and let cool at least 5 minutes before serving. Serves 6 to 8 as a side dish.
6 servings, each 337 calories: 10% from fat (2.6 g), 70% from carbohydrates (42.6 g), 20% from protein (11.8 g). Sodium 638 mg, Fiber 4 g.
STARBUCK'S FRAPPUCINO
This recipe begins, “Make this popular frozen delight at home, without the caffeine buzz(or with it).”
1 1/2 cups strong cold decaffeinated coffee
1/2 cup fat-free or low-fat soy or rice milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon chocolate syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups crushed ice or ice cubes
Combine the coffee, milk, sugar, chocolate syrup and salt in a blender and mix on medium speed for 15 seconds to dissolve sugar. Add the vanilla extract and ice then blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Stir with a spoon if necessary to help blend. Pour into two 16-ounce glasses.
2 - 16 oz servings, each 191 calories: less than 1% from fat (0.029 g), 99% from carbohydrates (47.7 g), 1% from protein (0.24 g). Sodium 282 mg, Fiber 0 g.
COMFORT MEATBALLS
This is from Ree Drummond of The Food Network’s The Pioneer Woman.
Total: 2 hr; Prep: 15 min; Inactive: 45 min; Cook: 1 hr; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/comfort-meatballs-recipe-2042533
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3/4 cup quick oats
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons very finely minced onion
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Plenty of ground black pepper
4 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Sauce:
1 cup ketchup
4 to 6 tablespoons minced onion
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Dash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco
Directions
For the meatballs: In bowl, combine the ground beef and oats. Pour in the milk, and then add the onions, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls and refrigerate them for 30 to 45 minutes to firm.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dredge the meatballs in the flour, and then brown the meatballs in batches until light brown. As they brown, place them into a rectangular baking dish.
For the sauce: Stir together the ketchup, onions, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Drizzle the sauce evenly on the meatballs.
Bake until bubbly and hot, about 45 minutes.
STONE FRUIT POUCHES
This is from Alton Brown on The Cooking Channel.
Total Timei: 25 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups crushed gingersnaps
4 apricots, pit removed and cut into eighths
4 plums, pit removed and cut into fourths
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar
Pinch salt
4 teaspoons lime zest
2 limes, juiced
4 teaspoons brandy
Directions
Heat coals of grill or fire pit. Cut 8 (18 by 18-inch) squares of aluminum foil. Lay down double thickness of foil and divide gingersnaps evenly among the 4 squares. Divide fruit evenly and place on top of gingersnaps. Dot with butter. In small bowl mix sugar, salt, and lime zest. Sprinkle sugar mixture evenly over fruit, drizzle with juice and brandy and seal packets. Once coals are ash covered, lay packets over them and cover with lid of grill. If cooking in a fire pit carefully try to partially bury packets in hot coals. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and open carefully, as steam inside packet is very hot. Serve on plates as is or spoon into shallow bowls and top with creme fraiche or ice cream.
SLOW COOKER LASAGNA
This is from Lauren Allen, whose site, Tastes Better From Scratch is one that you really, really should check out. Seriously. I’ll wait…
This yummy recipe makes 5 servings, and can be viewed on Lauren’s site here.
Ingredients
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound Italian sausage (I use hot)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 large onion, chopped*
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 Tbsp parsley
2 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups water
1 (8 oz) package regular lasagna noodles, uncooked
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1-1/2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef, Italian sausage and onion. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, and water. Stir and simmer 15-20 minutes. (You could make the sauce in advance!)
Spread a fourth of the meat sauce into the bottom of your slow cooker. Arrange a third of the noodles over the sauce (break the noodles to fit, if necessary). Combine the mozzarella, cottage cheese and parmesan cheese; spoon a third of the mixture over noodles. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with extra mozzarella cheese, if desired.
Cover and cook on low for about 4-5 hours or until noodles are tender.
Recipe Notes
*You could substitute 1-2 Tbsp dried minced onion
Meatless Monday
It's Monday, exactly one week until Labor Day. While summer might technically be around for almost another whole month, Labor Day usually signals the end of summer around the U.S. (Sorry for reminding everyone of that!). But over the next week, I'll be posting several recipes to help you enjoy the Labor Day weekend.
In the meantime, it's Meatless Monday, time for six yummy vegetarian recipes, including Maryann’s Fruit Salad and Vegetarian Red Curry Tofu with Green Peas. Enjoy!
MARYANN'S FRUIT SALAD
I hadn’t seen Maryann for over 18 years when she came for a week’s visit. One night, she fixed this to go with dinner.
This recipe, as well as the next one (Fruit Salad) are from my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
2 apples, peeled & diced
2/3 C raisins
3 oranges, peeled & sectioned
1 C grapes
Mix fruits together & chill. May be drizzled with honey just before serving.
FRUIT SALAD
1 cantaloupe, diced
1/2 C grapes (note)
2 bananas, cut up
1 C sour cream
1 can pineapple chunks
Mix & chill.
NOTE: Red grapes look especially nice in this, though any type can be used.
GOURMET GREEN BEANS
This is from Publix Supermarket's April 2006 issue of Aprons
2 (12-ounce) bags fresh snipped green beans (snapped, if desired)
1 (8-ounce) package sliced baby portabella mushrooms
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons garlic butter
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Place beans, mushrooms, and water in microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on HIGH 12–14 minutes, stirring once, until crisp tender.
Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Place butter in sauté pan and swirl to coat. Add sesame seeds and heat 1–2 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned.
Drain beans and mushrooms and add to sauté pan. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until desired tenderness. Serve.
CALORIES (per 1/8 recipe) 70kcal; FAT 4g; CHOL 5mg; SODIUM 220mg; CARB 8g; FIBER 3g; PROTEIN 2g; VIT A 15%; VIT C 25%; CALC 4%; IRON 6%
BLACK BEAN VEGGIE BURGERS
This recipe begins, “Hearty, tasty and inexpensive, these black bean burgers taste great grilled or baked in the oven.”
From Diabetic Connect
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4711-black-bean-veggie-burgers
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Directions
If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 4; Calories: 198; Total Fat: 3 g; Cholesterol: 53 mg; Sodium: 607 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 33.1 g; Dietary Fiber: 9.8 g; Protein: 11.2g
VEGETARIAN RED CURRY TOFU WITH GREEN PEAS
This comes from Jolinda Hackett, The Spruce’s vegetarian expert. Jolinda wrote, “This Thai inspired recipe for a basic vegetarian (and vegan!) red curry sauce with vegetables will go best served over steamed white rice, though you could always eat it plain as a curry soup dish. I'm personally not a big fan of green curry, though I suppose you could try a green curry paste instead of red in this recipe, if you'd like. I'd probably omit the fresh cilantro, in that case.
“Though the recipe calls for tofu, carrots, peas and baby corn (my personal favorite!) you can use just about any vegetable you have on hand, and adjust the cooking time accordingly if needed. A note about store-bought red curry pastes: be sure to read the ingredients to make sure it is vegetarian (a few brands will contain some sort of fish). I usually use Thai Kitchen brand red curry paste, which is easy to find, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
“This Thai red curry recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp vegetarian red curry paste (make sure it's vegetarian)
1 14 ounce can coconut milk
1 carrot, sliced thin
1/2 cup green peas
1/2 cup baby corn, chopped
1 block firm or extra firm tofu, well pressed
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp brown sugar
juice from one lime
Directions
Like most vegan tofu recipes, this one will taste best if you press the tofu first. Not sure how to do that? See this easy step-by-step guide: How to press tofu.
After your tofu is well-pressed, chop it into about 3/4-inch (bite-sized) chunks.
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the basil, vegetarian red curry paste and coconut over medium high heat, stirring well to mix curry paste.
Add the remaining ingredients, including the sliced carrot, green peas, baby corn and pressed and chopped tofu.
Bring the mixture to a slow simmer.
Cover the pot and allow your curry to cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the veggies are tender, but not overcooked.
Serve your vegan Thai red curry over rice if desired. Or, pair it with a healthier whole grain, such as quinoa or kaniwa for the extra protein boost.
If you like this red Thai curry, here's more vegetarian curries you might enjoy.
AL ROKER’S VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This is from The Today Show’s Al Roker. The recipe begins, “This vegetarian lasagna, which is bubbling with gooey cheese, is a delicious way to sneak lots of vegetable servings into dinner.”
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 1 lasagna
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 zucchini, medium dice
1 small yellow squash, medium dice
1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
1 medium red bell pepper, medium dice
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups marinara sauce
3 tablespoons chopped basil
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Lasagna
32 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 pound dry lasagna noodles, cooked according to packaging
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Preparation
For the sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add zucchini, squash, onion and red peppers. Season with salt and sauté vegetables until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Pour in marinara sauce and chopped basil. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook sauce for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
For the lasagna:
While sauce is cooking, mix together ricotta cheese and egg until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, assemble the lasagna: Spoon vegetable sauce on bottom, cover with noodles in a single layer, spread a layer of the ricotta mixture and sprinkle some Parmesan. Repeat until the lasagna is fully built, finishing by covering the top with the shredded mozzarella.
Cover lasagna with aluminum foil. Bake in a 400°F oven, covered, for 40 minutes, then remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese turns golden brown.
Once cooked, let lasagna sit for 8-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
In the meantime, it's Meatless Monday, time for six yummy vegetarian recipes, including Maryann’s Fruit Salad and Vegetarian Red Curry Tofu with Green Peas. Enjoy!
MARYANN'S FRUIT SALAD
I hadn’t seen Maryann for over 18 years when she came for a week’s visit. One night, she fixed this to go with dinner.
This recipe, as well as the next one (Fruit Salad) are from my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
2 apples, peeled & diced
2/3 C raisins
3 oranges, peeled & sectioned
1 C grapes
Mix fruits together & chill. May be drizzled with honey just before serving.
FRUIT SALAD
1 cantaloupe, diced
1/2 C grapes (note)
2 bananas, cut up
1 C sour cream
1 can pineapple chunks
Mix & chill.
NOTE: Red grapes look especially nice in this, though any type can be used.
GOURMET GREEN BEANS
This is from Publix Supermarket's April 2006 issue of Aprons
2 (12-ounce) bags fresh snipped green beans (snapped, if desired)
1 (8-ounce) package sliced baby portabella mushrooms
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons garlic butter
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Place beans, mushrooms, and water in microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on HIGH 12–14 minutes, stirring once, until crisp tender.
Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Place butter in sauté pan and swirl to coat. Add sesame seeds and heat 1–2 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned.
Drain beans and mushrooms and add to sauté pan. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until desired tenderness. Serve.
CALORIES (per 1/8 recipe) 70kcal; FAT 4g; CHOL 5mg; SODIUM 220mg; CARB 8g; FIBER 3g; PROTEIN 2g; VIT A 15%; VIT C 25%; CALC 4%; IRON 6%
BLACK BEAN VEGGIE BURGERS
This recipe begins, “Hearty, tasty and inexpensive, these black bean burgers taste great grilled or baked in the oven.”
From Diabetic Connect
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4711-black-bean-veggie-burgers
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Directions
If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 4; Calories: 198; Total Fat: 3 g; Cholesterol: 53 mg; Sodium: 607 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 33.1 g; Dietary Fiber: 9.8 g; Protein: 11.2g
VEGETARIAN RED CURRY TOFU WITH GREEN PEAS
This comes from Jolinda Hackett, The Spruce’s vegetarian expert. Jolinda wrote, “This Thai inspired recipe for a basic vegetarian (and vegan!) red curry sauce with vegetables will go best served over steamed white rice, though you could always eat it plain as a curry soup dish. I'm personally not a big fan of green curry, though I suppose you could try a green curry paste instead of red in this recipe, if you'd like. I'd probably omit the fresh cilantro, in that case.
“Though the recipe calls for tofu, carrots, peas and baby corn (my personal favorite!) you can use just about any vegetable you have on hand, and adjust the cooking time accordingly if needed. A note about store-bought red curry pastes: be sure to read the ingredients to make sure it is vegetarian (a few brands will contain some sort of fish). I usually use Thai Kitchen brand red curry paste, which is easy to find, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
“This Thai red curry recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp fresh basil, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp vegetarian red curry paste (make sure it's vegetarian)
1 14 ounce can coconut milk
1 carrot, sliced thin
1/2 cup green peas
1/2 cup baby corn, chopped
1 block firm or extra firm tofu, well pressed
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp brown sugar
juice from one lime
Directions
Like most vegan tofu recipes, this one will taste best if you press the tofu first. Not sure how to do that? See this easy step-by-step guide: How to press tofu.
After your tofu is well-pressed, chop it into about 3/4-inch (bite-sized) chunks.
In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the basil, vegetarian red curry paste and coconut over medium high heat, stirring well to mix curry paste.
Add the remaining ingredients, including the sliced carrot, green peas, baby corn and pressed and chopped tofu.
Bring the mixture to a slow simmer.
Cover the pot and allow your curry to cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the veggies are tender, but not overcooked.
Serve your vegan Thai red curry over rice if desired. Or, pair it with a healthier whole grain, such as quinoa or kaniwa for the extra protein boost.
If you like this red Thai curry, here's more vegetarian curries you might enjoy.
AL ROKER’S VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This is from The Today Show’s Al Roker. The recipe begins, “This vegetarian lasagna, which is bubbling with gooey cheese, is a delicious way to sneak lots of vegetable servings into dinner.”
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 1 lasagna
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 zucchini, medium dice
1 small yellow squash, medium dice
1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
1 medium red bell pepper, medium dice
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups marinara sauce
3 tablespoons chopped basil
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Lasagna
32 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 pound dry lasagna noodles, cooked according to packaging
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Preparation
For the sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add zucchini, squash, onion and red peppers. Season with salt and sauté vegetables until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Pour in marinara sauce and chopped basil. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Cook sauce for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
For the lasagna:
While sauce is cooking, mix together ricotta cheese and egg until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, assemble the lasagna: Spoon vegetable sauce on bottom, cover with noodles in a single layer, spread a layer of the ricotta mixture and sprinkle some Parmesan. Repeat until the lasagna is fully built, finishing by covering the top with the shredded mozzarella.
Cover lasagna with aluminum foil. Bake in a 400°F oven, covered, for 40 minutes, then remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes, until the cheese turns golden brown.
Once cooked, let lasagna sit for 8-10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Saturday, August 26, 2017
Saturday Recipes
I usually don't post on Saturday, but wanted to get a few recipes out here today. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the rest of the weekend, including my dad's Texas Chili and Pumpkin Croquettes. Enjoy!
MEATLOAF EXPRESS
This is also from Campbell’s Kitchen, begins, “Making them mini not only slashes the cook time, but makes mealtime fun, too. These single-serve meatloaves bake under a sweet and savory topping to ensure moist and flavorful little loaves that your whole family will love.”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6 people
To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/meatloaf-express/.
Ingredients
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed French Onion Soup
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup honey mustard (honey Dijon-style)
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup plain dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
Directions
Set the oven to 425°F. Stir the soup, ketchup and honey mustard in a medium bowl.
Thoroughly mix the beef, bread crumbs, egg and 1/4 cup soup mixture in a large bowl. Season the beef mixture as desired.
Shape the beef mixture into 6 mini meatloaves. Place the mini meatloaves into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the meatloaves.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the meatloaves are cooked through.
ROASTED GARBANZO BEANS
This recipe, as well as the next two (Temple Rolls and Pumpkin Croquettes), is from Healthy Heart Handbook.
This recipe begins, “A quick and portable snack.”
1 can garbanzo beans, no salt added
seasonings to taste (see hint below)
Rinse and drain a can of garbanzo beans. Shake in a zipper bag with spice of your choice. Lay out on a non-stick cookie sheet and sprinkle with your choice of flavorings (see Hint below). Bake at 400° for 25 minutes.
Each 4 oz serving: 186 calories: 12% from fat (3 g), 66% from carbohydrates (31 g), 22% from protein (9.4 g). Sodium: 1 mg (but salty spices will increase this) Fiber: 10 g
Healing Heart Hint
For flavorings try Spike, hickory-smoked tortula yeast, curry powder, onion powder, garlic powder or cinnamon and sugar (all have no sodium). Other flavors may raise sodium content, but if salt is not a concern: cajun flavor, artificial butter-flavor salt (for popcorn), or any others your imagination can provide.
TEMPLE ROLLS
delicate Vietnamese spring rolls
16 rice paper rounds
8 dried shiitake or wood mushrooms
2 packages bean thread noodles (long rice)
2 medium carrot, julienned
1 cup snow peas, chopped steamed broccoli or other vegetable
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 cup mung bean sprouts
3 scallions, cut into thin slivers
1 bunch mint leaves (about 24)
sprig Thai basil (at least 12 leaves)
Dipping sauce (see Hint below)
Rehydrate mushrooms in warm water for at least 20 minutes, then julienne cut. Immerse bean threads in cold water for 20 minutes and cook in 2 quarts boiling water until slightly soft, about 1 minute. Save water. In a colander, rinse bean threads in cold water and drain. Blanch carrots, snow peas or other vegetables 1 minute in saved boiling water. Blanch bean sprouts for 30 seconds. Rinse all in cold water.
Fill a large dish or bowl with cold water. Soak each sheet of rice paper for a minute and then transfer to a slightly damp cotton dish towel or paper towel.
To assemble rolls, arrange 1/12 of noodles, mushrooms, carrots, scallions and snow peas or vegetables, 2 mint leaves and one basil leaf in a row on top. Roll up rice paper tightly, folding in flaps at the first turn. Rolls will keep for 8 hours, if refrigerated and covered. Serve whole or diagonally cut in half with bowls of dipping sauce.
12 rolls, each 135 calories: 2% from fat (0.36 g), 83% from carbohydrates (20.3 g), 14% from protein (4.96 g). Sodium 198 mg, Fiber 1.1 g.
Healing Heart Hint:
Traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce contains nuoc mam, a very salty fish sauce. A delicious alternate sauce can be made from 1/4 C Hoisin sauce, 1 T vinegar, 1 T water and as much hot pepper or hot sauce as desired.
Thai basil is slightly different from Western basil, with a mint-like flavor. It is available in most Asian food markets. The stems and flowers are usually purple.
Rice paper is a thin, brittle sheet of dried rice flour, about the size of a tortilla. Handle with care, they break easily. They can be found in most Asian markets.
PUMPKIN CROQUETTES
Surprisingly tasty patties from the Middle East
1 C fine bulgur wheat (soaked in 2 C warm water)
2 C mashed cooked pumpkins (about 2 1/2 pounds raw) see hint or 16 oz canned pumpkin (not spiced pie filling)
1 C whole wheat flour
1/2 C water
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 t salt
1/2 t ground coriander
1/2 t grated black pepper
1/4 t ground allspice
1/4 t ground cumin
1 pinch red or cayenne (to taste)
Soak the bulgur wheat in warm water for 20 minutes, drain. Puree the bulgur wheat and all remaining ingredients in a food processor or blender. Add more flour to thicken, if needed. Shape into croquettes (1 inch round, two inches long) or patties about 2-inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick. In a non-stick pan, fry patties, turning once, until they're lightly brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Serve warm or at room temperature.
6 servings, each 201 calories: 6% from fat (1.44 g), 81% from carbohydrates (44.2 g), 13% from protein (6.2 g). Sodium 187 mg, Fiber 6.7 g.
Healing Heart Hint
To cook fresh pumpkin, cut into eighths, place in a large pot of lightly salted water, cover, and simmer over low heat until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, cut off the peel, and mash. Gently press in a strainer to remove the excess liquid.
GRILLED BARBECUE CHICKEN AND POTATO KABOBS
This is from Tablespoon (tbsp.), and begins, “You don’t need to slave over the grill for delicious barbecue flavor. These kabobs get the job done fast!”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 (10-inch) bamboo or metal skewers
Slaw
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1 package (14 oz) shredded tri-color coleslaw mix
1 unpeeled apple (Fuji or Gala), cut into matchstick pieces
Kabobs
1 lb baby red potatoes, quartered
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 medium sweet onion, cut into 1-inch wedges (1 cup)
1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch wide strips (about 6 thighs)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Directions
Heat gas or charcoal grill. If using bamboo skewers, soak in water 10 minutes; drain.
In large bowl, beat vinegar, honey, mustard, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt with whisk. Beat in 1/4 cup olive oil in a thin stream. Add coleslaw mix and apple; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate.
In large microwavable bowl, mix quartered potatoes and water. Cover; microwave on High 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once, until just tender when pierced with a knife. Carefully uncover and drain; set aside to cool.
In large bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, the barbecue seasoning and 1 teaspoon salt. Add potatoes and onion; toss to coat. On each of 4 skewers, alternately thread potatoes and onion, leaving 1/4-inch space between each piece. In same bowl, place chicken; toss with remaining oil and seasoning in bowl. On remaining 4 skewers, thread chicken.
Place kabobs on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 5 minutes. Brush kabobs with barbecue sauce; turn, and brush other sides with sauce. Cook 3 to 6 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink in center and vegetables are tender and browned in places. Serve with slaw.
TEXAS CHILI
This is one of my dad’s recipes. Whenever Dad fixed this, he’d have to make 2 batches of chili: this for those brave enough to try it, another for everyone else, somewhat cooler.
One time, during the 1960s, he was a member of the local Civil Defense, and overheard one of his friends, Larry – also a CD member – tell someone, “I can eat anything hot, the hotter, the better. I grew up in New Mexico, and love hot food.” Dad promptly invited Larry and his wife for dinner that weekend and made this chili.
Several weeks later, Dad overheard Larry tell someone, “I can eat anything hot, the hotter, the better – except for John's chili!” It's that hot.
I vaguely remember hearing something about Dad finding this chili recipe in some airline's magazine during a business trip. I'm not sure if that's true or if I'm remembering wrong. All I know is that this is good and not for people afraid of hot chili.
This can be found in my e-book, Off the Wall Cooking.
3 balls ground beef suet
3/4 tsp. black pepper
4 slices back, cut
1/4 tsp. cayenne
2 lbs. stew beef, cut small
6 – 9 T chili powder
2 lbs. chopped chuck
2 – 4 walnut-size pieces suet
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Bermuda onions
1 T paprika
1 can beef broth
1 tsp. oregano
3 cans measured water
3/4 tsp. cumin
6 C tomatoes & juice
1 2/3 T salt
1 1/2 lbs. drained kidney beans
In heavy pot place 3 balls suet with bacon. Cook out fat. Add & brown beef & chopped chuck. After browning, add garlic. Cook lightly. Add remainder of spices. In another pot, heat 2-4 pieces of suet. Add onions. Cook until almost burned. Add to meat pot. Deglaze pot with meat broth. Add water, tomatoes & juice. Mash tomatoes into chili. Cover & simmer slowly 1 1/2 – 2 hours. Uncover. Cook down for about 1/2 hour, adding kidney beans. Serves 6-8.
MEATLOAF EXPRESS
This is also from Campbell’s Kitchen, begins, “Making them mini not only slashes the cook time, but makes mealtime fun, too. These single-serve meatloaves bake under a sweet and savory topping to ensure moist and flavorful little loaves that your whole family will love.”
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6 people
To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/meatloaf-express/.
Ingredients
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed French Onion Soup
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup honey mustard (honey Dijon-style)
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup plain dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
Directions
Set the oven to 425°F. Stir the soup, ketchup and honey mustard in a medium bowl.
Thoroughly mix the beef, bread crumbs, egg and 1/4 cup soup mixture in a large bowl. Season the beef mixture as desired.
Shape the beef mixture into 6 mini meatloaves. Place the mini meatloaves into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining soup mixture over the meatloaves.
Bake for 25 minutes or until the meatloaves are cooked through.
ROASTED GARBANZO BEANS
This recipe, as well as the next two (Temple Rolls and Pumpkin Croquettes), is from Healthy Heart Handbook.
This recipe begins, “A quick and portable snack.”
1 can garbanzo beans, no salt added
seasonings to taste (see hint below)
Rinse and drain a can of garbanzo beans. Shake in a zipper bag with spice of your choice. Lay out on a non-stick cookie sheet and sprinkle with your choice of flavorings (see Hint below). Bake at 400° for 25 minutes.
Each 4 oz serving: 186 calories: 12% from fat (3 g), 66% from carbohydrates (31 g), 22% from protein (9.4 g). Sodium: 1 mg (but salty spices will increase this) Fiber: 10 g
Healing Heart Hint
For flavorings try Spike, hickory-smoked tortula yeast, curry powder, onion powder, garlic powder or cinnamon and sugar (all have no sodium). Other flavors may raise sodium content, but if salt is not a concern: cajun flavor, artificial butter-flavor salt (for popcorn), or any others your imagination can provide.
TEMPLE ROLLS
delicate Vietnamese spring rolls
16 rice paper rounds
8 dried shiitake or wood mushrooms
2 packages bean thread noodles (long rice)
2 medium carrot, julienned
1 cup snow peas, chopped steamed broccoli or other vegetable
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 cup mung bean sprouts
3 scallions, cut into thin slivers
1 bunch mint leaves (about 24)
sprig Thai basil (at least 12 leaves)
Dipping sauce (see Hint below)
Rehydrate mushrooms in warm water for at least 20 minutes, then julienne cut. Immerse bean threads in cold water for 20 minutes and cook in 2 quarts boiling water until slightly soft, about 1 minute. Save water. In a colander, rinse bean threads in cold water and drain. Blanch carrots, snow peas or other vegetables 1 minute in saved boiling water. Blanch bean sprouts for 30 seconds. Rinse all in cold water.
Fill a large dish or bowl with cold water. Soak each sheet of rice paper for a minute and then transfer to a slightly damp cotton dish towel or paper towel.
To assemble rolls, arrange 1/12 of noodles, mushrooms, carrots, scallions and snow peas or vegetables, 2 mint leaves and one basil leaf in a row on top. Roll up rice paper tightly, folding in flaps at the first turn. Rolls will keep for 8 hours, if refrigerated and covered. Serve whole or diagonally cut in half with bowls of dipping sauce.
12 rolls, each 135 calories: 2% from fat (0.36 g), 83% from carbohydrates (20.3 g), 14% from protein (4.96 g). Sodium 198 mg, Fiber 1.1 g.
Healing Heart Hint:
Traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce contains nuoc mam, a very salty fish sauce. A delicious alternate sauce can be made from 1/4 C Hoisin sauce, 1 T vinegar, 1 T water and as much hot pepper or hot sauce as desired.
Thai basil is slightly different from Western basil, with a mint-like flavor. It is available in most Asian food markets. The stems and flowers are usually purple.
Rice paper is a thin, brittle sheet of dried rice flour, about the size of a tortilla. Handle with care, they break easily. They can be found in most Asian markets.
PUMPKIN CROQUETTES
Surprisingly tasty patties from the Middle East
1 C fine bulgur wheat (soaked in 2 C warm water)
2 C mashed cooked pumpkins (about 2 1/2 pounds raw) see hint or 16 oz canned pumpkin (not spiced pie filling)
1 C whole wheat flour
1/2 C water
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 t salt
1/2 t ground coriander
1/2 t grated black pepper
1/4 t ground allspice
1/4 t ground cumin
1 pinch red or cayenne (to taste)
Soak the bulgur wheat in warm water for 20 minutes, drain. Puree the bulgur wheat and all remaining ingredients in a food processor or blender. Add more flour to thicken, if needed. Shape into croquettes (1 inch round, two inches long) or patties about 2-inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick. In a non-stick pan, fry patties, turning once, until they're lightly brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Serve warm or at room temperature.
6 servings, each 201 calories: 6% from fat (1.44 g), 81% from carbohydrates (44.2 g), 13% from protein (6.2 g). Sodium 187 mg, Fiber 6.7 g.
Healing Heart Hint
To cook fresh pumpkin, cut into eighths, place in a large pot of lightly salted water, cover, and simmer over low heat until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, cut off the peel, and mash. Gently press in a strainer to remove the excess liquid.
GRILLED BARBECUE CHICKEN AND POTATO KABOBS
This is from Tablespoon (tbsp.), and begins, “You don’t need to slave over the grill for delicious barbecue flavor. These kabobs get the job done fast!”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 (10-inch) bamboo or metal skewers
Slaw
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1 package (14 oz) shredded tri-color coleslaw mix
1 unpeeled apple (Fuji or Gala), cut into matchstick pieces
Kabobs
1 lb baby red potatoes, quartered
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon barbecue seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 medium sweet onion, cut into 1-inch wedges (1 cup)
1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2-inch wide strips (about 6 thighs)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Directions
Heat gas or charcoal grill. If using bamboo skewers, soak in water 10 minutes; drain.
In large bowl, beat vinegar, honey, mustard, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt with whisk. Beat in 1/4 cup olive oil in a thin stream. Add coleslaw mix and apple; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate.
In large microwavable bowl, mix quartered potatoes and water. Cover; microwave on High 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once, until just tender when pierced with a knife. Carefully uncover and drain; set aside to cool.
In large bowl, mix 1/4 cup olive oil, the barbecue seasoning and 1 teaspoon salt. Add potatoes and onion; toss to coat. On each of 4 skewers, alternately thread potatoes and onion, leaving 1/4-inch space between each piece. In same bowl, place chicken; toss with remaining oil and seasoning in bowl. On remaining 4 skewers, thread chicken.
Place kabobs on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 5 minutes. Brush kabobs with barbecue sauce; turn, and brush other sides with sauce. Cook 3 to 6 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink in center and vegetables are tender and browned in places. Serve with slaw.
TEXAS CHILI
This is one of my dad’s recipes. Whenever Dad fixed this, he’d have to make 2 batches of chili: this for those brave enough to try it, another for everyone else, somewhat cooler.
One time, during the 1960s, he was a member of the local Civil Defense, and overheard one of his friends, Larry – also a CD member – tell someone, “I can eat anything hot, the hotter, the better. I grew up in New Mexico, and love hot food.” Dad promptly invited Larry and his wife for dinner that weekend and made this chili.
Several weeks later, Dad overheard Larry tell someone, “I can eat anything hot, the hotter, the better – except for John's chili!” It's that hot.
I vaguely remember hearing something about Dad finding this chili recipe in some airline's magazine during a business trip. I'm not sure if that's true or if I'm remembering wrong. All I know is that this is good and not for people afraid of hot chili.
This can be found in my e-book, Off the Wall Cooking.
3 balls ground beef suet
3/4 tsp. black pepper
4 slices back, cut
1/4 tsp. cayenne
2 lbs. stew beef, cut small
6 – 9 T chili powder
2 lbs. chopped chuck
2 – 4 walnut-size pieces suet
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Bermuda onions
1 T paprika
1 can beef broth
1 tsp. oregano
3 cans measured water
3/4 tsp. cumin
6 C tomatoes & juice
1 2/3 T salt
1 1/2 lbs. drained kidney beans
In heavy pot place 3 balls suet with bacon. Cook out fat. Add & brown beef & chopped chuck. After browning, add garlic. Cook lightly. Add remainder of spices. In another pot, heat 2-4 pieces of suet. Add onions. Cook until almost burned. Add to meat pot. Deglaze pot with meat broth. Add water, tomatoes & juice. Mash tomatoes into chili. Cover & simmer slowly 1 1/2 – 2 hours. Uncover. Cook down for about 1/2 hour, adding kidney beans. Serves 6-8.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Cookies
If you read Wednesday's post, you might remember my mentioning the cookie recipes that I had posted, and that then managed to disappear. You might have even seen the cookie post.
Well, I found the post. (Yay!) Here are six cookie recipes for you to try, including The Spiciest Gingerbread Cookies Ever and Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. Enjoy!
OAT AND RAISIN COOKIES (GLUTEN-FREE)
This comes from The Vegan Society, and starts off, “These easy oat and raisin cookies are healthy, quick to make and taste great. Serves 12.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup gluten-free oats
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup shredded coconut
2 bananas, mashed
1/2 cup coconut milk
Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking tray.
Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
Using your hands, form balls and place them on the prepared tray (the mixture will be running, so be careful).
Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cookies are brown and firm to the touch.
Leave to cool and enjoy!
CLASSIC SUGAR COOKIES
This is from The Food Network Kitchen. It begins, “These are the familiar cookies, with crispy edges and a slightly soft middle. Superfine sugar gives them their crunchiness. The small amount of baking powder ensures that they puff just a little without spreading too much and losing their shape.” Total Time: 3 hr 55 minutes; Inactive: 2 hr 45 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/classic-sugar-cookies.html?oc=linkback.
Ingredients
Cookies:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup superfine sugar
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Royal Icing:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup meringue powder
Food coloring, optional
Decorating sugar, for topping, optional
Sprinkles, for topping, optional
Directions
Special equipment: cookie cutters in desired shapes
For the cookies: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.
Beat the superfine sugar and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes; beat in the egg, then the vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix on medium-low speed until completely incorporated. Divide the dough in half, pat into 2 discs about 1/4 inch thick, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Let the dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes to make rolling easier. Roll out 1 disc of dough at a time between 2 pieces of parchment paper until 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets until firm enough to transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
Gently gather any scraps of dough into a ball and press into a disc; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate the disc until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour. Cut out as many cookies as possible and bake.
For the royal icing: Beat the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and 1/3 cup water with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Beat in the food coloring if using. (The icing can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.)
Decorate the cookies with the icing; top with decorating sugar and sprinkles if using.
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
One of Grandma Hallock’s cookie recipes.
1/2 C butter
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Cream butter & peanut butter together. Add sugar & brown sugar gradually & cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder & salt together & add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
OATMEAL COOKIES
Another one of my grandmother's recipes. When it came to baking, cookies were her specialty. You can also find these in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
3 C quick cooking oatmeal (NOT the instant oats!)
1 C butter or margarine
1/4 C boiling water
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Mix flour & brown sugar. Add oatmeal; stir. Melt butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix baking soda into boiling water; add to other ingredients, stirring well. Place batter into loaf pan, lined with aluminum foil & place in freeze for several hours. Slice & bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Oatmeal Cookie dough, taken from the freezer; showing first cuts before baking
Then cut down the center, like so:
Placed on parchment paper-covered baking sheet, for easier handling
THE SPICIEST GINGERBREAD COOKIES EVER
This recipe from The Food Network Kitchen begins, “This gingerbread cookie is super-spicy from the very first bite. Molasses makes it chewy and white sugar rounds out the spices. Cayenne, allspice and a hefty dose of black pepper result in a complex, lingering heat that is surprising and pleasant.” Total Time: 5 hr 20 min; Prep: 1 hr 10 min; Inactive: 3 hr 40 min; Cook: 30 min; Yield: Eighteen 4-inch gingerbread people; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/the-spiciest-gingerbread-cookies-ever.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting and rolling (see Cook's Note)
3 tablespoons ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter cut into 1-inch pieces, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup meringue powder (egg white powder)
Cinnamon candies, such as Red Hots, chocolate chips, raisins or other candies for decorating
Directions
Make the cookies: Whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, baking soda, allspice, nutmeg, cayenne, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes (scrape down the sides of the bowl, as needed). Beat in the molasses until combined, then the egg (the mixture will look curdled). Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until the dough comes together. Divide the dough in 2 pieces, flatten each half into a disk and wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
Position 2 racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Keeping one disk refrigerated, roll the other disk on a well-floured work surface to 1/4 inch thick, sprinkling flour on and under the dough as needed and sliding a spatula underneath every so often to prevent sticking (If the dough looks crackly or breaks apart, press it back together from the outside edge in). Using cookie cutters, cut out gingerbread shapes as close together as possible. Pull away the extra dough around each shape then use a small offset spatula to transfer the shapes to the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart. Reroll the scraps and cut out more cookies. Freeze the cookies until firm, about 15 minutes.
Bake the cookies, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom and from front to back halfway through cooking, until they are slightly firm to the touch but not browned at the edges, about 12 minutes. Repeat the rolling, cutting and baking with the remaining dough disk.
Cool the cookies for 5 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes (The cookies will continue to firm as they cool).
Make the icing: Combine the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and 3 tablespoons water in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the frosting thickens, trying not to incorporate too much air. (The icing should be pure white and thick, but not fluffy and bubbly.)
Scrape the icing into a resealable plastic bag and snip the corner to the desired size. Pipe the icing onto the cookies to decorate, as desired, sticking the candy onto the icing while it is still wet. Let the cookies stand at room temperature until the icing hardens, at least 1 hour.
Special equipment: a small offset spatula
FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This is from Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, a registered dietician and certified athletic trainer who writes for Very Well. Dana wrote, “Gluten-free baked goods can be dull and dry, but that’s certainly not the case for this tasty yet effortless gluten-free cookies. They feature nothing but simple ingredients and are high in hearty-healthy fats, plus they will satisfy cravings for both sweet and salty.
“Generally, peanut butter doesn't contain gluten, but not all manufacturers keep gluten out of their production plants. Make sure to choose a gluten-free peanut butter and since peanut butter is the star ingredient, be sure to use a good quality brand with a simple ingredient list.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 24 cookies (111 calories each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup smooth natural peanut butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
pinch of coarse sea salt
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter and sugar until well combined.
Add egg, baking soda, and vanilla extract; continue to stir until all ingredients are well mixed.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, measure 8 cookies onto the prepared sheet pan, leaving about two inches between each cookie.
Gently press to flatten each cookie slightly.
Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until puffed and spread out.
Remove from oven, then sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
Using a spatula, transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You can inject different flavors into these cookies by replacing the vanilla extract with 1/4 teaspoon of almond extra or by swapping out the chocolate chips for finely chopped peanuts.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Mix the dough by hand using a sturdy spatula or use an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. The cookies spread out quite a bit so its best to make 3 batches of 8 if using a standard half sheet pan. Using a small ice cream scoop is very helpful to make the cookies evenly sized so they will cook evenly.
Well, I found the post. (Yay!) Here are six cookie recipes for you to try, including The Spiciest Gingerbread Cookies Ever and Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. Enjoy!
OAT AND RAISIN COOKIES (GLUTEN-FREE)
This comes from The Vegan Society, and starts off, “These easy oat and raisin cookies are healthy, quick to make and taste great. Serves 12.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup gluten-free oats
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup shredded coconut
2 bananas, mashed
1/2 cup coconut milk
Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking tray.
Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.
Using your hands, form balls and place them on the prepared tray (the mixture will be running, so be careful).
Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cookies are brown and firm to the touch.
Leave to cool and enjoy!
CLASSIC SUGAR COOKIES
This is from The Food Network Kitchen. It begins, “These are the familiar cookies, with crispy edges and a slightly soft middle. Superfine sugar gives them their crunchiness. The small amount of baking powder ensures that they puff just a little without spreading too much and losing their shape.” Total Time: 3 hr 55 minutes; Inactive: 2 hr 45 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/classic-sugar-cookies.html?oc=linkback.
Ingredients
Cookies:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 cup superfine sugar
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Royal Icing:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup meringue powder
Food coloring, optional
Decorating sugar, for topping, optional
Sprinkles, for topping, optional
Directions
Special equipment: cookie cutters in desired shapes
For the cookies: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.
Beat the superfine sugar and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes; beat in the egg, then the vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix on medium-low speed until completely incorporated. Divide the dough in half, pat into 2 discs about 1/4 inch thick, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Let the dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes to make rolling easier. Roll out 1 disc of dough at a time between 2 pieces of parchment paper until 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets until firm enough to transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.
Gently gather any scraps of dough into a ball and press into a disc; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate the disc until firm enough to roll, about 1 hour. Cut out as many cookies as possible and bake.
For the royal icing: Beat the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and 1/3 cup water with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until stiff peaks form. Beat in the food coloring if using. (The icing can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.)
Decorate the cookies with the icing; top with decorating sugar and sprinkles if using.
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
One of Grandma Hallock’s cookie recipes.
1/2 C butter
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Cream butter & peanut butter together. Add sugar & brown sugar gradually & cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder & salt together & add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
OATMEAL COOKIES
Another one of my grandmother's recipes. When it came to baking, cookies were her specialty. You can also find these in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
3 C quick cooking oatmeal (NOT the instant oats!)
1 C butter or margarine
1/4 C boiling water
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Mix flour & brown sugar. Add oatmeal; stir. Melt butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix baking soda into boiling water; add to other ingredients, stirring well. Place batter into loaf pan, lined with aluminum foil & place in freeze for several hours. Slice & bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Oatmeal Cookie dough, taken from the freezer; showing first cuts before baking
Then cut down the center, like so:
Placed on parchment paper-covered baking sheet, for easier handling
THE SPICIEST GINGERBREAD COOKIES EVER
This recipe from The Food Network Kitchen begins, “This gingerbread cookie is super-spicy from the very first bite. Molasses makes it chewy and white sugar rounds out the spices. Cayenne, allspice and a hefty dose of black pepper result in a complex, lingering heat that is surprising and pleasant.” Total Time: 5 hr 20 min; Prep: 1 hr 10 min; Inactive: 3 hr 40 min; Cook: 30 min; Yield: Eighteen 4-inch gingerbread people; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/the-spiciest-gingerbread-cookies-ever.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting and rolling (see Cook's Note)
3 tablespoons ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fine salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter cut into 1-inch pieces, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup meringue powder (egg white powder)
Cinnamon candies, such as Red Hots, chocolate chips, raisins or other candies for decorating
Directions
Make the cookies: Whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, baking soda, allspice, nutmeg, cayenne, and baking powder in a medium bowl.
Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes (scrape down the sides of the bowl, as needed). Beat in the molasses until combined, then the egg (the mixture will look curdled). Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until the dough comes together. Divide the dough in 2 pieces, flatten each half into a disk and wrap each disk in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
Position 2 racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Keeping one disk refrigerated, roll the other disk on a well-floured work surface to 1/4 inch thick, sprinkling flour on and under the dough as needed and sliding a spatula underneath every so often to prevent sticking (If the dough looks crackly or breaks apart, press it back together from the outside edge in). Using cookie cutters, cut out gingerbread shapes as close together as possible. Pull away the extra dough around each shape then use a small offset spatula to transfer the shapes to the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart. Reroll the scraps and cut out more cookies. Freeze the cookies until firm, about 15 minutes.
Bake the cookies, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom and from front to back halfway through cooking, until they are slightly firm to the touch but not browned at the edges, about 12 minutes. Repeat the rolling, cutting and baking with the remaining dough disk.
Cool the cookies for 5 minutes on the baking sheet then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes (The cookies will continue to firm as they cool).
Make the icing: Combine the confectioners' sugar, meringue powder and 3 tablespoons water in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the frosting thickens, trying not to incorporate too much air. (The icing should be pure white and thick, but not fluffy and bubbly.)
Scrape the icing into a resealable plastic bag and snip the corner to the desired size. Pipe the icing onto the cookies to decorate, as desired, sticking the candy onto the icing while it is still wet. Let the cookies stand at room temperature until the icing hardens, at least 1 hour.
Special equipment: a small offset spatula
FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This is from Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, a registered dietician and certified athletic trainer who writes for Very Well. Dana wrote, “Gluten-free baked goods can be dull and dry, but that’s certainly not the case for this tasty yet effortless gluten-free cookies. They feature nothing but simple ingredients and are high in hearty-healthy fats, plus they will satisfy cravings for both sweet and salty.
“Generally, peanut butter doesn't contain gluten, but not all manufacturers keep gluten out of their production plants. Make sure to choose a gluten-free peanut butter and since peanut butter is the star ingredient, be sure to use a good quality brand with a simple ingredient list.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 24 cookies (111 calories each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup smooth natural peanut butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
pinch of coarse sea salt
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350F.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter and sugar until well combined.
Add egg, baking soda, and vanilla extract; continue to stir until all ingredients are well mixed.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Using a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon, measure 8 cookies onto the prepared sheet pan, leaving about two inches between each cookie.
Gently press to flatten each cookie slightly.
Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until puffed and spread out.
Remove from oven, then sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
Using a spatula, transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You can inject different flavors into these cookies by replacing the vanilla extract with 1/4 teaspoon of almond extra or by swapping out the chocolate chips for finely chopped peanuts.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Mix the dough by hand using a sturdy spatula or use an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. The cookies spread out quite a bit so its best to make 3 batches of 8 if using a standard half sheet pan. Using a small ice cream scoop is very helpful to make the cookies evenly sized so they will cook evenly.
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