Friday Recipes

It's Friday, the end of the work week. Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Hearty Turkey Chili and Chile Relleno Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN WITH BISCUITS

This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food guide for The Spruce. Diana wrote, “This delicious slow cooker chicken and biscuits dish is a meal the whole family will enjoy, and your crock pot helps to make it quick and easy to prepare.

“The chicken mixture is made with a combination of gravy and condensed soup along with chicken breasts and seasonings. The biscuits — frozen, canned, or homemade — are baked separately and served atop the chicken and gravy mixture.

“I added an optional recipe for Southern buttermilk biscuits if you prefer homemade.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours; Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless chicken breast halves, cut into large chunks

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1 (12 oz) jar chicken gravy

1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Dash black pepper

2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (thawed)

6 frozen biscuits (or homemade, see below)

Optional Homemade Southern Biscuits:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda (omit if you use sweet milk)

1 teaspoon (scant) salt

6 tablespoons butter, chilled

3/4 cup buttermilk (or sweet milk)

Directions

In a slow cooker, layer the chunks of uncooked chicken breasts with chopped onion and celery.

Combine the soup and gravy with poultry seasoning, thyme, and pepper; pour over the chicken.

Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.

Add the thawed mixed vegetables, turn the slow cooker to HIGH, and continue cooking for 20 to 30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, bake the biscuits as directed on the package or prepare homemade biscuits (see below).

To serve, split a biscuit and spoon some of the chicken and vegetables over the bottom half. Put the top half of the biscuit on the chicken and gravy.

Optional Homemade Biscuits

In a food processor combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda (if using buttermilk). Pulse a few times to combine the ingredients. Cut the chilled butter into pieces and add to the food processor. Pulse several times, or until the mixture is the texture of coarse meal. Add the buttermilk or milk and pulse just until the dough begins to form.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead just until the dough comes together. Do not overwork the dough. Pat the dough into a circle or square about 3/4-inch thick and cut out with round or square biscuit cutters.

Arrange the biscuits about 2 inches apart on an ungreased or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Bake in a preheated 425 F oven for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned.

CREAMY SLOW COOKER RICE PUDDING

This comes from Stephanie Gallagher, one of the writers on The Spruce. Stephanie wrote, “This easy rice pudding recipe is so simple to prepare, kids can do it all by themselves. The combination of vanilla and cinnamon give this creamy rice pudding recipe a warm and homey flavor. Using a slow cooker means that you can add all the ingredients, turn it on and walk away, and then come home hours later to a creamy, comforting dessert.

“Rice pudding is made from rice, water or milk, and other ingredients like cinnamon or raisins. It's a traditional dessert that can be found nearly all over the world. The recipes vary slightly depending on the region. Depending on the preparation (boiled or baked) and ingredients (different spices, toppings, and sweeteners), each rice pudding can have its own distinct taste. You can make it as flavorful and spicy as you want, and see below for some topping ideas.”

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 3 hrs; Total Time: 3 hrs 5 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3/4 cup long grain rice

3 cups milk

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Spray the slow cooker stoneware with cooking spray.

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on high 2-3 hours or low 4-5 hours (follow the directions for your slow cooker, as they may vary depending on the model).

Serve warm and add toppings if desired.

Toppings to add:

Dust on some cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger or cardamom

Add chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds, cashews, walnuts)

Top with dried fruit (raisins, dried apricots, cranberries)

Drizzle on some honey or sweetened condensed milk

Sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar

Shave milk or dark chocolate on top

Arrange some fruit on top (bananas, berries, mangoes, coconut flakes, lemon zest)

You could also try making rice pudding with different kinds of milk, such as almond, soy, or coconut. Not only does it give the rice a new flavor (coconut milk would be delicious), it can be allergy friendly.

Rice to use:

Although rice pudding is traditionally made with long grain rice, you could use other types of white rice that bring their own unique textures and consistencies when cooked. To name a few, there's Carolina long grain (fluffy, slightly chewier), Basmati (slightly nutty), Jasmine (lightly floral), and Arborio (creamier).

RUMPLEMAYER’S HOT CHOCOLATE

This is from Molly O’Neill in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Molly wrote, “Hot chocolate is traceable to the Aztecs, who regarded the dark and bitter drink as a sacred brew. The hot cocoa that Columbus offered his patrons tasted “bitter, scummy and peppery,” according to Chantal Coady's account in “The Chocolate Companion,” which explains, no doubt, why they disliked it intensely. Sometime later, Cortez offered the same beverage to Charles V and his courtiers and succeeded in capturing their imagination with the addition, Ms. Coady writes, of some sugar and vanilla. This version, adapted from Rumplemayer's, a now-closed New York restaurant once known for its hot chocolate and pastries, falls into the latter camp; it is rich, sweet and smooth. It calls for real semisweet chocolate (we bet a mix of semisweet and bittersweet would be delightful, too) so there's none of the chalky aftertaste hot cocoa often leaves behind. A dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if you wish, take it over the top.”

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 2 minutes.

This was featured in “Food; Loco for Cocoa,” and can be viewed here.

Ingredients

4 cups milk

6 tablespoons sugar

7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 cup heavy cream (optional)

Ground cinnamon, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

Combine the milk, sugar and chocolate in a large saucepan. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture comes to a simmer.

Meanwhile, whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Ladle the hot chocolate into 4 mugs, top with whipped cream and sprinkle lightly with ground cinnamon. Serve immediately.

HEARTY TURKEY CHILI

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

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey

1 medium onion, chopped

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

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

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

1/2 c. chili sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Directions

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

Add meat to slow cooker.

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

Cook in slow cooker on low for 4 hours.

CHEF'S NOTES:

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

CHILE RELLENO STUFFED PEPPERS

This comes from Molly Watson, a Local Foods Expert for The Spruce. Molly wrote, “Stuffed peppers don't have to be bland and boring, these chile relleno-inspired peppers are full of tons of flavor. The zesty and satisfying filling of spicy chorizo, diced zucchini, poblano chile, and potatoes gets a creamy edge from queso fresco. The topping of melted and browned jack cheese ain't too shabby either.

“Note that the potatoes and cheese add a bit of filling power, while the peppers, zucchini, and aromatics mean you're getting a decent dose of veggies in the mix. Rice and beans on the side are tasty and round out these peppers nicely, but simply a few tortillas or some bread fills out the meal too. You might also like these Baked Chiles Rellenos.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 green bell peppers

1 tablespoon olive oil, divided

1 small red onion

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 links Mexican chorizo (the kind in casings like bratwurst or Italian sausages)

2 Russett potatoes

1 zucchini

1 poblano chile

2 cloves garlic

6 ounces queso fresco*

3 ounces Monterey jack cheese

1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves

Directions

Preheat an oven to 375F.

Rinse the peppers clean and pat them dry. Use a sharp knife to cut out and remove the stems. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise; cut out and discard any white-ish parts from inside, and discard any seeds clinging to the sides.

Lightly grease a large baking dish using about a teaspoon of the olive oil, lay the peppers inside in a single layer, and set aside.

Peel and finely chop the onion. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.

Remove the chorizo from its casings and add it to the onion. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the chorizo into small bits as it cooks.

Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes. Add the to the pan, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking, until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.

While the potato cooks, chop the zucchini and chile and add them to the mixture for the last 5 minutes of the potato cooking time.

While that all cooks, peel and mince the garlic. Add it to the mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.

Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Crumble in the queso fresco and toss to combine. Divide the mixture between the 8 peppers halves.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. While they bake, grate the jack cheese. Uncover the pan sprinkle it on top of the stuffed peppers, and bake until bubbling and browned.

Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, if you like.

Make Ahead Tip: Make the peppers up through step 9 the day or morning before, cover and chill until ready to bake.

*Queso fresco means "fresh cheese" and is a softly firm milky cheese common in Mexican cooking. Look for it in the dairy case with other cheese. It crumbles easily into creamy chunks. If you can't find it, ricotta is frequently mentioned as a suitable substitute, although won't look as nice, or make the bit of effort and drain cottage cheese (just put it in a sieve or fine colander for about ten minutes) to dry it out a bit—it works great!

LOADED SWEET POTATO

This is from page 35 of the June 2017 issue of Runner’s World website, and begins, “Sweet potatoes have more antioxidants than white ones do.”

Makes 4 servings

To view this, as well as other recipes in the article, online here.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed

1 teaspoon each paprika, garlic powder, cumin

1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon, kosher salt

1 tablespoon apple-cider vinegar

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sweet potatoes to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 5 minutes. Add 3/4 cup water. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until potato pieces are soft, 6 to 8 minutes. Halfway through cooking, stir in beans. Cover and continue cooking. In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon, and salt. Stir spices and vinegar into skillet. Uncover skillet to let any excess water evaporate. Divide mixture among 4 bowls and top each portion with yogurt and cilantro.