Friday Recipes

It's Friday, time to get ready for the weekend. Here are six yummy recipes to help you over the weekend, including Tex-Mex Macaroni and Ground Beef Casserole and Slow Cooker Chicken with Biscuits. Enjoy!

RUMPLEMAYER’S HOT CHOCOLATE

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

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 2 minutes.

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

Ingredients

4 cups milk

6 tablespoons sugar

7 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 cup heavy cream (optional)

Ground cinnamon, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

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

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

CREAMY SLOW COOKER RICE PUDDING

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

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

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

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3/4 cup long grain rice

3 cups milk

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Spray the slow cooker stoneware with cooking spray.

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

Serve warm and add toppings if desired.

Toppings to add:

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

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

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

Drizzle on some honey or sweetened condensed milk

Sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar

Shave milk or dark chocolate on top

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

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

Rice to use:

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

TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE

This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti

1 cup chopped onion

1 pound lean ground beef

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning

1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack

Preparation

Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.

Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.

Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.

Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.

BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE

I'm really not sure where I found this recipe. It's been kicking around my computer for a while.

Ingredients:

8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

1 cup Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk

1/2 cup light sour cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups (8 oz. Pkg) shredded 2% cheddar cheese, divided

6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided

Sliced green onions (optional)

Directions:

Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 2 1/2 – to 3-quart casserole dish.

Return potatoes to saucepan, add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN WITH BISCUITS

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

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

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

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

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

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

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

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

1 (12 oz) jar chicken gravy

1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

Dash black pepper

2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (thawed)

6 frozen biscuits (or homemade, see below)

Optional Homemade Southern Biscuits:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

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

1 teaspoon (scant) salt

6 tablespoons butter, chilled

3/4 cup buttermilk (or sweet milk)

Directions

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

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

Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.

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

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

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

Optional Homemade Biscuits

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

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

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

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

CLASSIC LASAGNA

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

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

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 cups ricotta cheese

12 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (about 3 cups)

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 eggs

1 pound ground beef

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

12 lasagna noodle, cooked and drained

Directions

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

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

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

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

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

ALMOND JOY ENERGY BITES

I found this on Runner’s World website in an article titled “18 No-Bake High-Protein Energy Bites for Easy Fueling.”

This particular recipe is from Ali at Gimme Some Oven. It begins, “These Almond Joy Energy Bites taste like the candy bar we all love, but are made with healthier ingredients and sweetened with dates.”

Total Time: 15 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes.

To view this online, go to https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/almond-joy-energy-bites-recipe/

Ingredients:

12 oz. (about 2 cups, loosely-packed) Medjool dates (**see note below about types of dates and substitutions**)

2 cups almonds

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract (optional)

Directions:

Add dates and remaining ingredients to a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine, then use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl. Blend the mixture for about 3 minutes, or until the mixture has moved past the crumbly stage and begins to clump and stick to the sides of the food processor.

Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to measure out a tablespoon of dough (or your desired size) and roll it into a ball. If desired, roll the ball in a bowl of coconut flakes. Or just set it aside to eat as-is. Repeat with the remaining dough. (Alternately, you can flatten the dough into the bottom of an 8×8-inch parchment-lined baking dish, then cut it into bars.)

Store the energy bites in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

**I used Medjool dates in this recipe, which are already nice and soft. If you substitute another kind of date, you may need to soak them in warm water for 10 minutes first in order to soften then. (Then drain them before using.)