If your week has seemed as long as mine has, you're probably glad that it's finally Friday. (Can I get a yay?!)
And in celebration of that, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Thai Stir-Fried Vegetables With Garlic, Ginger, and Lime and No Churn Ice Cream. Enjoy!
CORNY GREEN ENCHILADAS
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves: 4; Preparation time: 25-30 minutes
Ingredients (use vegan versions):
12 corn tortillas
1 can of fiesta corn (drained)
1 can of black beans (drained)
1 can of green enchilada sauce
2 cups of vegan cheese
2 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Directions:
This is a layered casserole. You can vary the layers to your liking.
Mix the spices with your enchilada sauce and stir until well incorporated. Taste the enchilada sauce to see if it needs salt. Normally the canned sauce is seasoned very well.
Using a casserole dish, layer the ingredients, starting with 1/4 of sauce on the bottom. Layer sauce, tortillas (torn or whole), corn, beans and vegan cheese. Continue layering and end with a layer of tortillas and then sauce.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup of vegan cheese over the top and cover loosely with aluminum foil.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until it starts to bubble. Remove the foil the last 5-10 minutes to let the vegan cheese brown.
Serve with a salad, salsa and smoothie! Good eats!
TUSCAN TORTELLINI SALAD
This comes from Rian Handler on Delish. Rian wrote, “This hearty pasta salad might be better than a trip to Tuscany.”
Yields: 6; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb. fresh cheese tortellini
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tbsp. honey
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3/4 c. chopped salami or prosciutto
1/2 c. baby spinach
1/2 c. oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan
Directions
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook tortellini according to package directions. Drain and transfer to large serving bowl.
Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar and honey and season with salt and pepper.
To bowl, add prosciutto, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and dressing and toss until well combined.
Garnish with Parmesan.
SUMMER MINESTRONE WITH FRESH BASIL
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “You can finish this hearty summer soup with slivered fresh basil, or with pistou, the Provençal version of pesto (it’s pesto without the pine nuts). A Parmesan rind, simmered in the soup and then removed, adds great depth of flavor without adding fat. On a hot summer day in Italy the soup might be served at room temperature, or just barely warm.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
This was featured in “Summer Minestrone with Fresh Basil” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Soup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
Salt
4 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped, or 1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with liquid
1 medium turnip, peeled and diced
3/4 pound zucchini, diced
A bouquet garni consisting of 1 Parmesan rind, 1 bay leaf, 3 sprigs parsley and 3 sprigs thyme, tied together with kitchen string or tied into a piece of cheesecloth
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
6 ounces green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths
1/2 cup soup pasta, such as elbow macaroni, or broken spaghetti, or 3/4 cup penne
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1/4 cup slivered fresh basil leaves, or 1/2 cup pistou (see recipe; you'll need to subscribe to The New York Times cooking e-newsletter to get this)
Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish
Preparation
Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 more minutes. Add the garlic, stir together for about a minute, and stir in the tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes. Stir in 2 quarts water, the turnip, zucchini, and the bouquet garni, and bring to a simmer. Add 2 teaspoons salt, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the canned beans. Taste and adjust salt. Remove the bouquet garni.
While the soup is simmering, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the green beans. Boil 5 minutes, until just tender but still bright green. Transfer to a bowl of ice water, allow to cool, and drain. Retain the cooking water in case you want to thin out the soup later.
Add the pasta to the soup and simmer another 10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Stir the cooked green beans into the soup. Grind in some pepper and taste and adjust seasonings. It should be savory and rich-tasting.
Stir in the basil or pistou, or place a spoonful of pistou in each bowl and stir in. Serve in wide soup bowls, with a sprinkling of Parmesan over the top.
THAI PEANUT CHICKEN
This recipe, from FamilyTime, begins, “This company-worthy, skillet dish is perfect for weeknight dinners too...it's ready in just 30 minutes and features a savory peanut sauce accented with garlic, lime and cilantro.”
Serves: 4 servings (about 1 1/4 cups each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 pound), cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
4 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced (about 1 cup)
2 medium red, yellow or orange bell pepper, cut into 2-inch-long strips (about 3 cups)
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1 cup milk or water
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
Hot cooked rice
Directions
Stir the chicken, garlic, lime juice and 1 tablespoon cilantro in a medium bowl.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken mixture and cook until the chicken is well browned, stirring often. Remove the chicken mixture from the skillet.
Heat the remaining oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and peppers and cook until they're tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
Stir the soup, milk and peanut butter in the skillet and heat to a boil. Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Serve the chicken mixture with the rice and sprinkle with the remaining cilantro.
For Thai Chicken: Substitute 1 cup coconut milk for the milk and add 1 tablespoon green or red curry paste with the peanut butter.
THAI STIR-FRIED VEGETABLES WITH GARLIC, GINGER, AND LIME
This is from DARLENE SCHMIDT on The Spruce Eats. Darlene wrote, “Making a 'simple stir-fry' isn't always all that simple if you can't get the stir-fry sauce to taste just right. But with this no-fail recipe for Thai stir-fried vegetables, the technique is a shoe-in mostly because the sauce is made up before beginning to fry the vegetables, allowing you to adjust the flavors to your liking. This can be made vegetarian/vegan by substituting soy sauce for the fish sauce.
“This is quite a 'saucy' stir-fry that is never dry and is terrific served over rice or noodles. Feel free to experiment with your own choice of vegetables, using whatever is fresh and available where you live.
“Great as a side dish, you can turn it into a main course by adding tofu, wheat gluten, cashews, cooked shrimp or slices of chicken as a protein source.
“Best of all it takes about 20 minutes from start to finish—perfect for gathering the family around the table for a weeknight meal. Things will go even faster if much of the slicing, dicing, and chopping is done the night before.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup shallots (finely chopped, or purple onion)
5 to 6 cloves garlic (minced or finely chopped)
1 to 2 pieces galangal (thumb-size OR ginger, sliced into thin matchstick pieces)
1/2 to 1 small fresh red chili (sliced OR 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes)
1 medium-size carrot (sliced)
5 to 6 shiitake mushrooms (sliced or left in halves or quarters)
Optional: 1 small head cauliflower (cut into florets)
1 small head broccoli (cut into florets)
1 red bell pepper (sliced into strips)
2 to 3 cups baby bok choy (or other Chinese cabbage, leaves left whole if not too large, otherwise cut in half or thirds)
1 handful fresh Thai basil (chopped)
For the Stir-Fry Sauce
2/3 cup coconut milk
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/3 to 1/2 teaspoons dried crushed chili flakes
2 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
Directions
Make the Stir-Fry Sauce
In a large cup or small bowl, combine coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, chili flakes, and brown sugar, stirring well to dissolve the sugar. Taste-test, keeping in mind that the first taste should be spicy-salty, followed by sweetness and the rich taste of the coconut milk.
Adjust these flavors to suit your taste, adding more lime juice if too sweet or salty (note that it will be less salty when combined with the vegetables).
Stir-Fry the Dish
Warm a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil and swirl around, then add the shallots, garlic, galangal, and chili. Stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes, then add the carrot, mushrooms, optional cauliflower, and 1/4 of the stir-fry sauce. Continue stir-frying 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the broccoli and red pepper plus enough stir-fry sauce to gently simmer vegetables (about 2 minutes). This is meant to be a "saucy" stir-fry that is never dry so the sauce can flavor the rice or noodles it is served with.
Finally, add the bok choy or Chinese cabbage. Add more of the stir-fry sauce as needed, almost enough to just cover vegetables in sauce. Simmer until bok choy or cabbage is cooked but still bright green with some crispness (2 to 3 minutes more).
Remove from heat and taste-test. If not salty enough, add a little more soy sauce. If too salty or sweet, add a squeeze of lime juice. Add more sugar or chili if desired.
Top with fresh basil and serve over Thai jasmine rice or Thai coconut rice.
Note: Any leftover stir-fry sauce can be stored for 1 week in a covered container in your refrigerator for future stir-fries.
Main Course Variation
Use this sauce to make a main course dish by adding cooked chicken or shrimp, or tofu/cashews if vegetarian/vegan.
If using raw chicken or raw shrimp, combine with 3 tablespoons of the stir-fry sauce as a marinade. Add marinated chicken/shrimp at the beginning of stir-frying together with the shallots, garlic, galangal, and chili.
NO CHURN ICE CREAM
This comes from GE Appliances’ email list. It begins, “No one will believe that this ultra-creamy ice cream is so easy to make. No fancy ice cream machine required.”
12 servings (6 cups total)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch fine sea salt
2 cups heavy cream, chilled
Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla and salt until thoroughly combined; set aside.
In a large metal bowl, whip the cream with a hand mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Fold about 1 cup of the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture with a rubber spatula until combined, then fold the lightened mixture into the whipped cream until well blended.
Pour into a chilled 9-by-5-by-3-inch metal loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until solid and scoopable, about 3-4 hours.
Chef’s Notes:
For best results, chill both the metal bowl and loaf pan before starting this recipe.
Try adding in additional ingredients after the ice cream has set for a few hours. Crushed up chocolate sandwich cookies, toasted nuts or chopped up candy bars are all great additions. Stir them in and place the ice cream back in the freezer until firm.
Friday, September 28, 2018
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Double-Post Thursday
Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's offerings include Bistro Onion Burgers and Homemade Ginger Tea. Enjoy!
STRAWBERRY SORBET
This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarters; Time: 10 minutes.
This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.
By the way, I highly recommend The Times’ Melissa Clark’s “How to Make Ice Cream”. I dare you to check it out and not want to immediately start making ice cream!
Ingredients
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Preparation
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.
Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.
MINI CHEDDAR QUICHE BITES
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “These simple, mini quiche bites are easy to make ahead and then reheat in the microwave. Perfect for kids, breakfasts on-the-go, parties, pot-lucks and more.”
Makes 24 mini-quiches; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/4 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
4 large eggs
1/3 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Generously spray 24 mini-muffin cups with flavorless cooking spray.
Lightly pat 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of crumbs in the bottom of each muffin cup. Tap the muffin pan to insure the crumbs lightly coat the sides.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, salt and pepper until blended. Add the cheese and mix well. Spoon evenly into the muffin cups. Each cup will take about 1 tablespoon.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or just until set. Let the muffin pans cool on wire racks for about 5 minutes. Loosen the quiches from the sides of the muffin cups with a thin knife and remove them. Serve warm.
HOMEMADE GINGER TEA
This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Wondering how to make a simple and easy homemade ginger tea? Why go out and buy stale old tea bags when you can easily make your own fresh and homemade ginger tea at home using fresh ginger? Treat yourself to a cup of piping hot ginger tea, a healthy drink that's great for digestion.
”Here's how to make the tastiest and most soothing and healing ginger tea you've ever had! There's really no comparison.
“This healing ginger tea recipe actually comes from the raw food and natural health retreat center I used to work at in Thailand, where we served it to our guests bright and early every single morning, seven days a week. The secret to the perfect healing ginger tea? Lots and lots of fresh ginger, simmered for a long time to bring out the flavor, and the lime, which compliments the ginger perfectly, and plenty of natural agave nectar or honey for a refined sugar-free sweetener (or you might prefer it unsweetened, depending on your health goals - It's still delicious, I promise!). Try this simple ginger tea for an immune system boost or for an invigorating way to start the morning.
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 2 servings of ginger tea
To check this out online, click here.
Ingredients
About 2 inches of fresh raw ginger (use more or less, depending on how strong you want it!)
1 1/2 to 2 cups water
1 to 2 tablespoons honey (or agave nectar, to taste)
Optional: 1/2 lime (juiced, or to taste)
Directions
First, prepare the fresh ginger by peeling it and slicing it thinly to maximize the surface area. This will help you make a very flavorful ginger tea.
Boil the ginger in water for at least 10 minutes. For a stronger and tangier tea, allow to boil for 20 minutes or more, and use more slices of ginger. You really can't over do it, so feel free to add as much ginger and simmer it for as long as you want.
Remove from heat and add lime juice and honey (or agave nectar) to taste.
The secret to making a really flavorful ginger tea is to use plenty of ginger-more than you think you will need-and also to add a bit of lime juice and honey to your ginger tea. You will also probably want to add more honey than you think you will need as well.
Enjoy your hot ginger tea! A homemade ginger tea is excellent in soothing stomach aches and in aiding digestion.
TURKEY BURGERS
This is from Bobby Flay, host of The Food Network show Grill It! with Bobby Flay. The recipe begins, “‘I always like to offer a turkey burger at my outdoor barbecue for friends who no longer eat red meat,’ says Bobby. ‘Luckily poultry is a perfect canvas for many big flavors, and this combination of tart goat cheese, sweet Meyer lemon-honey and peppery arugula makes for one outstanding burger.’”
Total:24 hr 30 minPrep: 20 min Inactive: 24 hr Cook: 10 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy.
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/turkey-burgers-recipe-1920942.
Ingredients
Meyer Lemon-Honey Mustard:
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 heaping tablespoon clover honey
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh Meyer lemon juice, from Meyer lemons, if possible
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Burgers:
1 1/2 pounds 90-percent lean, freshly ground turkey (not all white meat), chilled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices goat cheese, sliced 1/2-inch thick
4 sesame seed hamburger buns, split and lightly grilled
Watercress, for serving
Directions
For the Meyer lemon-honey mustard: Whisk together in a small bowl the mustard, honey, orange juice, lemon zest, lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
For the burgers: Preheat the grill to high. Form the meat into four 6-ounce burgers. If you are not going to cook right away, keep the burgers cold in the refrigerator. Sprinkle the burgers on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. During the last minutes of cooking, add 2 slices of cheese to each burger, cover the grill and let the cheese soften slightly, about 1 minute. Put the burgers on the buns, drizzle with some of the Meyer lemon-honey mustard and top with a few sprigs of watercress. Serve with extra mustard on the side.
BISTRO ONION BURGERS
This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “Are you looking for a quick and easy dinner that everyone will love? Try these burgers that use dry onion soup mix to add a savory touch.”
Serves: 6 servings; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 envelope (about 1 ounce) dry onion soup and recipe mix
3 tablespoons water
6 Pepperidge Farm® Farmhouse™ Premium White Rolls with Sesame Seeds, split and toasted
lettuce leaves
tomatoes slices
Directions
Thoroughly mix the beef, soup mix and water. Shape the beef mixture into 6 (1/2-inch thick) burgers.
Cook the burgers in batches in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until well browned on both sides, 10 minutes for medium or to desired doneness.
Serve the burgers on the rolls. Top with the lettuce and tomato.
SUMMER RATATOUILLE WITH FARRO
This is from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Ratatouille tastes best the day after you make it, and in the summer, you can serve it chilled or at room temperature, with a vinaigrette drizzled over the top. Here, it tops a pile of farro. Top it with a poached egg, or with crumbled feta or grated Parmesan.”
Yield: Serves 6; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes for the ratatouille 15 minutes for assembling the big bowls.
This was featured in “Just Add Farro”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Ratatouille
1 1/2 pounds eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
3/4 pound (2 medium) onions, thinly sliced
3/4 pound mixed sweet peppers (red, yellow, green), cut into slices about 3/4 inch wide by 1 1/2 inches long
4 to 6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 1/4 pounds zucchini, sliced about 1/2 inch thick (if very thick, cut in half lengthwise first)
1 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 to 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Freshly ground pepper
For the Vinaigrette
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt to taste
1 very small garlic clove, pureéd
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
For the Big Bowl
3 to 4 cups cooked farro or spelt
2 to 4 tablespoons slivered or chopped fresh basil, to taste
6 eggs, poached
2 ounces crumbled feta or freshly grated Parmesan
Preparation
For the Ratatouille
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place diced eggplant in a large, heavy, flameproof casserole. Toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and salt to taste. Place in hot oven and roast uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring from time to time, until eggplant is lightly browned and fragrant. Remove the casserole from the oven, cover tightly and allow eggplant to steam in the hot casserole while you pan-cook onions, peppers, and zucchini.
Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of the remaining oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until just about tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in peppers and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until peppers have softened and smell fragrant, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in half the garlic and cook for another minute, then season with salt and pepper and transfer to casserole with eggplant. Heat remaining oil in the skillet and add zucchini. Cook, stirring often, until tender but still bright, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in remaining garlic for a minute, until fragrant, season to taste with salt and pepper, and transfer to casserole.
Add tomatoes to the casserole with bay leaf, thyme, oregano, and more salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together and place over medium-low heat. When vegetables begin to sizzle, cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for 30 to 45 minutes, until the mix is juicy and fragrant and the vegetables are thoroughly tender. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve warm or cold, preferably the next day.
For the Big Bowl
Whisk together ingredients for the vinaigrette.
To assemble the big bowl, spoon warm or room temperature farro or spelt into each bowl (1/2 cup to 3/4 cup, to taste). Top with a generous spoonful of ratatouille. Spoon a tablespoon of vinaigrette over the ratatouille and garnish with some of the basil. Top with a poached egg if desired and sprinkle with feta or Parmesan. Garnish with more basil and serve.
STRAWBERRY SORBET
This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.”
Yield: Makes 1 1/2 quarters; Time: 10 minutes.
This was featured in “The Arsenal” and can be viewed online here.
By the way, I highly recommend The Times’ Melissa Clark’s “How to Make Ice Cream”. I dare you to check it out and not want to immediately start making ice cream!
Ingredients
1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped
2 cups sugar
2 pounds strawberries, hulled
Juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Preparation
Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.
Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.
MINI CHEDDAR QUICHE BITES
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “These simple, mini quiche bites are easy to make ahead and then reheat in the microwave. Perfect for kids, breakfasts on-the-go, parties, pot-lucks and more.”
Makes 24 mini-quiches; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/4 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
4 large eggs
1/3 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Generously spray 24 mini-muffin cups with flavorless cooking spray.
Lightly pat 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of crumbs in the bottom of each muffin cup. Tap the muffin pan to insure the crumbs lightly coat the sides.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, salt and pepper until blended. Add the cheese and mix well. Spoon evenly into the muffin cups. Each cup will take about 1 tablespoon.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or just until set. Let the muffin pans cool on wire racks for about 5 minutes. Loosen the quiches from the sides of the muffin cups with a thin knife and remove them. Serve warm.
HOMEMADE GINGER TEA
This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Wondering how to make a simple and easy homemade ginger tea? Why go out and buy stale old tea bags when you can easily make your own fresh and homemade ginger tea at home using fresh ginger? Treat yourself to a cup of piping hot ginger tea, a healthy drink that's great for digestion.
”Here's how to make the tastiest and most soothing and healing ginger tea you've ever had! There's really no comparison.
“This healing ginger tea recipe actually comes from the raw food and natural health retreat center I used to work at in Thailand, where we served it to our guests bright and early every single morning, seven days a week. The secret to the perfect healing ginger tea? Lots and lots of fresh ginger, simmered for a long time to bring out the flavor, and the lime, which compliments the ginger perfectly, and plenty of natural agave nectar or honey for a refined sugar-free sweetener (or you might prefer it unsweetened, depending on your health goals - It's still delicious, I promise!). Try this simple ginger tea for an immune system boost or for an invigorating way to start the morning.
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 2 servings of ginger tea
To check this out online, click here.
Ingredients
About 2 inches of fresh raw ginger (use more or less, depending on how strong you want it!)
1 1/2 to 2 cups water
1 to 2 tablespoons honey (or agave nectar, to taste)
Optional: 1/2 lime (juiced, or to taste)
Directions
First, prepare the fresh ginger by peeling it and slicing it thinly to maximize the surface area. This will help you make a very flavorful ginger tea.
Boil the ginger in water for at least 10 minutes. For a stronger and tangier tea, allow to boil for 20 minutes or more, and use more slices of ginger. You really can't over do it, so feel free to add as much ginger and simmer it for as long as you want.
Remove from heat and add lime juice and honey (or agave nectar) to taste.
The secret to making a really flavorful ginger tea is to use plenty of ginger-more than you think you will need-and also to add a bit of lime juice and honey to your ginger tea. You will also probably want to add more honey than you think you will need as well.
Enjoy your hot ginger tea! A homemade ginger tea is excellent in soothing stomach aches and in aiding digestion.
TURKEY BURGERS
This is from Bobby Flay, host of The Food Network show Grill It! with Bobby Flay. The recipe begins, “‘I always like to offer a turkey burger at my outdoor barbecue for friends who no longer eat red meat,’ says Bobby. ‘Luckily poultry is a perfect canvas for many big flavors, and this combination of tart goat cheese, sweet Meyer lemon-honey and peppery arugula makes for one outstanding burger.’”
Total:24 hr 30 minPrep: 20 min Inactive: 24 hr Cook: 10 min; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy.
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/turkey-burgers-recipe-1920942.
Ingredients
Meyer Lemon-Honey Mustard:
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 heaping tablespoon clover honey
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon fresh Meyer lemon juice, from Meyer lemons, if possible
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Burgers:
1 1/2 pounds 90-percent lean, freshly ground turkey (not all white meat), chilled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices goat cheese, sliced 1/2-inch thick
4 sesame seed hamburger buns, split and lightly grilled
Watercress, for serving
Directions
For the Meyer lemon-honey mustard: Whisk together in a small bowl the mustard, honey, orange juice, lemon zest, lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
For the burgers: Preheat the grill to high. Form the meat into four 6-ounce burgers. If you are not going to cook right away, keep the burgers cold in the refrigerator. Sprinkle the burgers on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. During the last minutes of cooking, add 2 slices of cheese to each burger, cover the grill and let the cheese soften slightly, about 1 minute. Put the burgers on the buns, drizzle with some of the Meyer lemon-honey mustard and top with a few sprigs of watercress. Serve with extra mustard on the side.
BISTRO ONION BURGERS
This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “Are you looking for a quick and easy dinner that everyone will love? Try these burgers that use dry onion soup mix to add a savory touch.”
Serves: 6 servings; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 envelope (about 1 ounce) dry onion soup and recipe mix
3 tablespoons water
6 Pepperidge Farm® Farmhouse™ Premium White Rolls with Sesame Seeds, split and toasted
lettuce leaves
tomatoes slices
Directions
Thoroughly mix the beef, soup mix and water. Shape the beef mixture into 6 (1/2-inch thick) burgers.
Cook the burgers in batches in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until well browned on both sides, 10 minutes for medium or to desired doneness.
Serve the burgers on the rolls. Top with the lettuce and tomato.
SUMMER RATATOUILLE WITH FARRO
This is from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “Ratatouille tastes best the day after you make it, and in the summer, you can serve it chilled or at room temperature, with a vinaigrette drizzled over the top. Here, it tops a pile of farro. Top it with a poached egg, or with crumbled feta or grated Parmesan.”
Yield: Serves 6; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes for the ratatouille 15 minutes for assembling the big bowls.
This was featured in “Just Add Farro”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Ratatouille
1 1/2 pounds eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
3/4 pound (2 medium) onions, thinly sliced
3/4 pound mixed sweet peppers (red, yellow, green), cut into slices about 3/4 inch wide by 1 1/2 inches long
4 to 6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 1/4 pounds zucchini, sliced about 1/2 inch thick (if very thick, cut in half lengthwise first)
1 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 to 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Freshly ground pepper
For the Vinaigrette
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt to taste
1 very small garlic clove, pureéd
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
For the Big Bowl
3 to 4 cups cooked farro or spelt
2 to 4 tablespoons slivered or chopped fresh basil, to taste
6 eggs, poached
2 ounces crumbled feta or freshly grated Parmesan
Preparation
For the Ratatouille
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place diced eggplant in a large, heavy, flameproof casserole. Toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and salt to taste. Place in hot oven and roast uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring from time to time, until eggplant is lightly browned and fragrant. Remove the casserole from the oven, cover tightly and allow eggplant to steam in the hot casserole while you pan-cook onions, peppers, and zucchini.
Meanwhile, heat a tablespoon of the remaining oil over medium heat in a large, heavy skillet. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until just about tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in peppers and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until peppers have softened and smell fragrant, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in half the garlic and cook for another minute, then season with salt and pepper and transfer to casserole with eggplant. Heat remaining oil in the skillet and add zucchini. Cook, stirring often, until tender but still bright, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in remaining garlic for a minute, until fragrant, season to taste with salt and pepper, and transfer to casserole.
Add tomatoes to the casserole with bay leaf, thyme, oregano, and more salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together and place over medium-low heat. When vegetables begin to sizzle, cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, for 30 to 45 minutes, until the mix is juicy and fragrant and the vegetables are thoroughly tender. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve warm or cold, preferably the next day.
For the Big Bowl
Whisk together ingredients for the vinaigrette.
To assemble the big bowl, spoon warm or room temperature farro or spelt into each bowl (1/2 cup to 3/4 cup, to taste). Top with a generous spoonful of ratatouille. Spoon a tablespoon of vinaigrette over the ratatouille and garnish with some of the basil. Top with a poached egg if desired and sprinkle with feta or Parmesan. Garnish with more basil and serve.
Diabetic Thursday
It's time for another Diabetic Thursday.
It's usually only a matter of time before a family is affected by diabetes. And one of the things that changes is how the family approaches food. There are quite a few resources, at doctors' offices, the internet (check out Diabetic Gourmet, Diabetic Connect, and Diabetes Self-Management, for starters), and your local hospitals to find helpful hints.
And now, on to today's offerings, including Turkey Spinach and Apple Wraps and Raspberry-Almond Bar Cookies. Enjoy!
MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE
Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cheesy-pesto-stuffed-mushrooms
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cheesy-pesto-stuffed-mushrooms/print/
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup orange juice without pulp
2 cloves
4 ripe pears - Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)
1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
4 large, room temperature egg whites
Dash of cream of tartar
Dash of salt
2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar
Directions
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears.
Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute).
With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.
Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges.
Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.
When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.
Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue.
To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler.
Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior.
Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g: Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g
TANGY APPLE SLAW
This recipe begins, “A take-off on the traditional creamy version of coleslaw - chopped apples add crunch and a hint of sweetness.”
Recipe Yield: Serves: 6
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/tangy-apple-slaw
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/tangy-apple-slaw/print/
Ingredients
4 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup chopped unpeeled apple (1 medium)
1/2 cup thinly sliced red or green bell pepper strips
2/3 cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/3 cup reduced fat sour cream
3 tablespoons Equal ® Spoonful or Granulated*
1-1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon pepper
* May substitute 4-1/2 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
Combine cabbage, carrots, apple and pepper strips in medium size bowl.
Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Equal, mustard, lemon juice and pepper.
Spoon Equal mixture over cabbage mixture; toss to combine.
Refrigerate, covered, 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 152; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 331 mg; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 vegetable, 2 fat
RASPBERRY-ALMOND BAR COOKIES
This recipe begins, “An easy to make bar cookie that is filled with flavor rich raspberry spreadable fruit. This buttery treat has 31% fewer calories than the traditional recipe.”
Recipe Yield: Yield: 24 servings
View online with photo: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/raspberry-almond-bar-cookies
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/raspberry-almond-bar-cookies/print/
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons cold stick butter or margarine, cut into pieces
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 jar (10 ounces) seedless raspberry spreadable fruit
3 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds
* May substitute 12 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
Combine flour, Equal and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in egg, water and lemon peel. Mixture will be crumbly.
Press mixture evenly onto bottom of well-sprayed 8 x 8-inch square baking pan. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 12 to 15 minutes or until edges of crust are lightly browned.
Remove pan from oven and spread raspberry fruit over top. Sprinkle with almonds. Return to oven, and bake an additional 10 to 12 minutes or until raspberry fruit is bubbly. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into bars.
Store in airtight containers at room temperature.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 86; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 16 mg; Cholesterol: 19 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat
APPLE AND PEACH CHUTNEY TURKEY PATTIE
Recipe Yield: 4 servings.
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/apple-and-peach-chutney-turkey-pattie
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/apple-and-peach-chutney-turkey-pattie/print/
Ingredients
4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1 apple, peeled, cored and finely diced
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1 clove garlic, finely diced
1 pound ground turkey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup peach chutney
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In medium-size fry pan, heat 2 tablespoons canola oil.
Saute red onion, apple, green onion and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes, over medium-low heat.
Place ground turkey in large mixing bowl.
Add apple mixture, mustard, peach chutney, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Form into burgers.
In large fry pan, heat remaining 2 tablespoons canola oil.
Cook burgers over medium heat until juices run clear, approximately 15 minutes.
Cooking time will depend on thickness of burgers. Turn once during cooking time.
Serve on whole wheat roll with side of baked chips.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 420; Fat: 26 g; Sodium: 370 mg; Cholesterol: 95 mg; Protein: 23 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g
MUSHROOM & CHICKEN SKILLET
This is fromDiabetes Self-Management and can be viewed online here.
Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: 1 1/2 cups.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can (about 14 ounces) fat-free chicken broth
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups uncooked instant rice
8 ounces mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) 98% fat-free cream of celery soup, undiluted
Chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Cook chicken in broth and water in 12-inch nonstick skillet until mixture comes to a full boil. Stir in thyme and rice. Place mushrooms on top. (Do not stir mushrooms into rice.) Cover skillet; turn off heat and let stand 5 minutes.
Stir in soup; cook over low heat 5 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with parsley.
Tip: Serve with mixed greens salad and sliced fresh strawberries.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 277 calories, Carbohydrates: 28 g, Protein: 32 g, Fat: 4 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 67 mg, Sodium: 774 mg, Fiber: 2 g
Exchanges per serving: 2 Bread/Starch, 3 Meat.
TURKEY, SPINACH AND APPLE WRAP
Recipe Yield: Makes two wraps, or 2 servings
Source: AICR
To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/turkey-spinach-and-apple-wrap.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tsp. honey mustard
2 whole-wheat lavash wraps or flour tortillas
2 cups (washed and dried) baby spinach leaves, loosely packed, or two large leaves of a soft leafy green lettuce
4 thin slices turkey breast (4 ounces)
1/4 Granny Smith apple, sliced paper-thin
Directions
Combine mayonnaise and mustard. Lay out both wraps. Spread the edges of each with the mayonnaise mixture. Leaving a margin free on the side closest to you, arrange a layer of greens on top of wraps. Top each layer with half the turkey. Evenly divide apple slices and lay lengthwise across turkey. Fold over the end of the wrap closest to you, then the two sides. Roll the wrap as tightly as possible toward the opposite side. Cover each wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate, seam side down, up to 4 hours before serving. When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap and cut each wrap in half, at an angle.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 234; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 294 mg; Protein: 20 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch, 2 Vegetable, 1 Fruit, 1-1/2 Fat
It's usually only a matter of time before a family is affected by diabetes. And one of the things that changes is how the family approaches food. There are quite a few resources, at doctors' offices, the internet (check out Diabetic Gourmet, Diabetic Connect, and Diabetes Self-Management, for starters), and your local hospitals to find helpful hints.
And now, on to today's offerings, including Turkey Spinach and Apple Wraps and Raspberry-Almond Bar Cookies. Enjoy!
MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE
Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cheesy-pesto-stuffed-mushrooms
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cheesy-pesto-stuffed-mushrooms/print/
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup orange juice without pulp
2 cloves
4 ripe pears - Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)
1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
4 large, room temperature egg whites
Dash of cream of tartar
Dash of salt
2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar
Directions
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears.
Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute).
With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.
Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges.
Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.
When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.
Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue.
To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler.
Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior.
Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g: Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g
TANGY APPLE SLAW
This recipe begins, “A take-off on the traditional creamy version of coleslaw - chopped apples add crunch and a hint of sweetness.”
Recipe Yield: Serves: 6
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/tangy-apple-slaw
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/tangy-apple-slaw/print/
Ingredients
4 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup chopped unpeeled apple (1 medium)
1/2 cup thinly sliced red or green bell pepper strips
2/3 cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/3 cup reduced fat sour cream
3 tablespoons Equal ® Spoonful or Granulated*
1-1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon pepper
* May substitute 4-1/2 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
Combine cabbage, carrots, apple and pepper strips in medium size bowl.
Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Equal, mustard, lemon juice and pepper.
Spoon Equal mixture over cabbage mixture; toss to combine.
Refrigerate, covered, 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 152; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 331 mg; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 vegetable, 2 fat
RASPBERRY-ALMOND BAR COOKIES
This recipe begins, “An easy to make bar cookie that is filled with flavor rich raspberry spreadable fruit. This buttery treat has 31% fewer calories than the traditional recipe.”
Recipe Yield: Yield: 24 servings
View online with photo: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/raspberry-almond-bar-cookies
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/raspberry-almond-bar-cookies/print/
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons cold stick butter or margarine, cut into pieces
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 jar (10 ounces) seedless raspberry spreadable fruit
3 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds
* May substitute 12 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
Combine flour, Equal and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Stir in egg, water and lemon peel. Mixture will be crumbly.
Press mixture evenly onto bottom of well-sprayed 8 x 8-inch square baking pan. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 12 to 15 minutes or until edges of crust are lightly browned.
Remove pan from oven and spread raspberry fruit over top. Sprinkle with almonds. Return to oven, and bake an additional 10 to 12 minutes or until raspberry fruit is bubbly. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into bars.
Store in airtight containers at room temperature.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 86; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 16 mg; Cholesterol: 19 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat
APPLE AND PEACH CHUTNEY TURKEY PATTIE
Recipe Yield: 4 servings.
View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/apple-and-peach-chutney-turkey-pattie
Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/apple-and-peach-chutney-turkey-pattie/print/
Ingredients
4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1 apple, peeled, cored and finely diced
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1 clove garlic, finely diced
1 pound ground turkey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup peach chutney
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In medium-size fry pan, heat 2 tablespoons canola oil.
Saute red onion, apple, green onion and garlic for 3 to 5 minutes, over medium-low heat.
Place ground turkey in large mixing bowl.
Add apple mixture, mustard, peach chutney, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Form into burgers.
In large fry pan, heat remaining 2 tablespoons canola oil.
Cook burgers over medium heat until juices run clear, approximately 15 minutes.
Cooking time will depend on thickness of burgers. Turn once during cooking time.
Serve on whole wheat roll with side of baked chips.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 420; Fat: 26 g; Sodium: 370 mg; Cholesterol: 95 mg; Protein: 23 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g
MUSHROOM & CHICKEN SKILLET
This is fromDiabetes Self-Management and can be viewed online here.
Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: 1 1/2 cups.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can (about 14 ounces) fat-free chicken broth
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups uncooked instant rice
8 ounces mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) 98% fat-free cream of celery soup, undiluted
Chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Cook chicken in broth and water in 12-inch nonstick skillet until mixture comes to a full boil. Stir in thyme and rice. Place mushrooms on top. (Do not stir mushrooms into rice.) Cover skillet; turn off heat and let stand 5 minutes.
Stir in soup; cook over low heat 5 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with parsley.
Tip: Serve with mixed greens salad and sliced fresh strawberries.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 277 calories, Carbohydrates: 28 g, Protein: 32 g, Fat: 4 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 67 mg, Sodium: 774 mg, Fiber: 2 g
Exchanges per serving: 2 Bread/Starch, 3 Meat.
TURKEY, SPINACH AND APPLE WRAP
Recipe Yield: Makes two wraps, or 2 servings
Source: AICR
To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/turkey-spinach-and-apple-wrap.
Ingredients
1 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tsp. honey mustard
2 whole-wheat lavash wraps or flour tortillas
2 cups (washed and dried) baby spinach leaves, loosely packed, or two large leaves of a soft leafy green lettuce
4 thin slices turkey breast (4 ounces)
1/4 Granny Smith apple, sliced paper-thin
Directions
Combine mayonnaise and mustard. Lay out both wraps. Spread the edges of each with the mayonnaise mixture. Leaving a margin free on the side closest to you, arrange a layer of greens on top of wraps. Top each layer with half the turkey. Evenly divide apple slices and lay lengthwise across turkey. Fold over the end of the wrap closest to you, then the two sides. Roll the wrap as tightly as possible toward the opposite side. Cover each wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate, seam side down, up to 4 hours before serving. When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap and cut each wrap in half, at an angle.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 234; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 294 mg; Protein: 20 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch, 2 Vegetable, 1 Fruit, 1-1/2 Fat
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Chicken!
If you've read this blog for a while, you're probably aware that there was a time when chicken was a Sunday-only meal. But now they're more of an anytime meal. Just think how many chicken restaurants, as well as burger places selling chicken sandwiches, are around.
Here are six chicken recipes to check out, including Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Tomato & Basil & Potatoes with Peppers & Onions and 20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas. Enjoy!
SZECHUAN PEANUT CHICKEN
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Pace® Picante Sauce provides the flavor punch to this peanut sauce seasoned with soy, ginger and garlic. Stir-fried chicken and spaghetti are tossed with this Szechuan-inspired sauce for an out-of-the-ordinary dinner dish.”
Serves: 4 servings (2 cups each); Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into strips
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
3 green onion, thickly sliced (about 3/4 cup)
1/2 of a 16-ounce package thin spaghetti, cooked and drained (about 4 cups) green onion, thickly sliced
Directions
Stir the chicken, soy, ginger and garlic in a medium bowl.
Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken mixture and stir-fry until it's well browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken mixture from the skillet and set it aside.
Stir the picante sauce, peanut butter and onions in the skillet. Return the chicken mixture to the skillet and heat until it's hot and bubbling. Serve over the spaghetti. Sprinkle with additional onions.
PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TOMATO AND BASIL AND POTATOES WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS
This comes from Rachael Ray, star of the Food Network show 30 Minute Meals.
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 27 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 to 2 pounds fingerling potatoes or red skin baby potatoes
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
1 Italian mild green pepper, cubanelle, seeded and thinly sliced
1 medium yellow skinned onion, thinly sliced
4 large cloves garlic, cracked away from skin
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Coarse salt and pepper
2 cups shredded Parmesan, available in tubs near deli -- make sure to get shredded cheese, not grated
4 (6 to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 plum Roma tomatoes or small, vine ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
15 to 20 leaves fresh basil, pile leaves, roll then thinly slice -- chiffonade
Directions
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
Cut fingerling potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on thickness of fingerlings -- thin, small fingerlings may also be left hole, larger potatoes should be quartered to speed cooking process. If you are using small red potatoes, halve or quarter them in the same way.
Cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place potatoes on cookie sheet. Combine with peppers and onions, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Coat the potatoes, peppers and onions with extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat vegetables in a thin layer, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place potatoes in the oven and roast 20 to 22 minutes, until potatoes are just tender and peppers and onions are crisp at edges. Toss mixture with tongs, turning the potatoes after 15 minutes. When the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish and peel the foil off the cookie sheet and discard for super-quick clean up!
While potatoes cook, prepare chicken. Roll out a 2-foot piece of waxed paper or foil near the stove top. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat -- your pan must be very hot when the chicken is added. Pile the shredded cheese on the work surface created with the waxed paper or foil. Season your chicken breasts with black pepper but no salt; the cheese will add enough salt to the taste of the dish. Press the breasts firmly into the cheese. Coat both sides of breasts with as much cheese as possible. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 1 turn of the pan. Set breasts into the skillet and cook 7 minutes on each side, until cheese forms an even, golden casing around the tender chicken breasts.
While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.
Drain off any excess oil from chicken as you remove it from the skillet. Top chicken with big spoonfuls of raw sauce and serve with potatoes, peppers and onions.
LEMON CHICKEN TARRAGON
This recipe is from Family Time, and begins, “A restaurant-style dish in just 30 minutes? You bet...this tasty skillet dish is simply amazing!”
Serves: 4 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Vegetable Oil or 1 tablespoon olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 pound)
2 cups water
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
2 tablespoons Lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups uncooked instant white rice
Directions
Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until well browned on both sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
Stir the water, soup, lemon juice, tarragon and black pepper in the skillet and heat to a boil.
Stir in the rice. Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
LEMONY ROASTED CHICKEN WINGS
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “These meaty out-of-the-ordinary roasted wings are infused with lots of lemon, garlic and rosemary, then roasted on a bed of fingerling potatoes. Use a large roasting pan that's at least 3 inches deep, or a big earthenware gratin dish, or a couple of Pyrex lasagna pans side by side. The lemony chicken and potatoes are delicious hot and crisp, but just as good at cool room temperature.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 1 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “Lemony Chicken Wings, Soaring Above the Rest”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 pounds very small potatoes, such as fingerlings, whole, or use medium-size yellow-fleshed potatoes, cut in halves or wedges)
3 pounds chicken wings, preferably drumettes
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flakes, to taste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 small lemons, cut into 1/4-inch thick half-moon slices
6 large rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped
8 garlic cloves, minced, or 1/2 cup chopped green garlic shoots
1 cup dry white or rosé wine
Pinch of dried oregano (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse potatoes with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Spread chicken wings out on a baking sheet or cutting board in a single layer. Season both sides of wings generously with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle with red-pepper flakes as desired.
Transfer seasoned wings to a large bowl. Add olive oil, lemon slices, rosemary and garlic and toss well with (plastic-gloved) hands so everything is evenly coated.
Place potatoes on the bottom of a roasting pan. Arrange seasoned wings over potatoes in a single layer. Add wine and cover pan tightly with foil.
Bake, covered, for about 45 minutes, until potatoes are done. Remove foil and return the pan to the oven and bake about 20 minutes more, until wings are nicely browned. Using tongs, turn wings over and bake for another 20 minutes to brown the wings’ other side. Sprinkle with dried oregano, and serve hot or at room temperature.
20-MINUTE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
This was posted in MyRecipes, and is originally from CookingLight. This begins, “Quick tip: While the sauce cooks, shred the chicken. For a spicy kick, top with chopped jalapeños.”
Yield: Serves 6 (serving size: 2 enchiladas and 1 tablespoon sour cream)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup prechopped onion
1 cup unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (15-ounce) can unsalted tomato sauce
3 cups shredded skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast (about 15 ounces)
1 (15-ounce) can unsalted black beans, rinsed and drained
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
Cooking spray
3 ounces preshredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese (about 3/4 cup)
1 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 tablespoons sour cream
Directions
Preheat broiler to high.
Combine first 9 ingredients in a medium saucepan; stir with a whisk. Bring to a boil over high heat; cook 2 minutes or until thickened. Reserve 1 1/2 cups sauce mixture. Add chicken and beans to pan; cook 2 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly heated.
Stack tortillas; wrap stack in damp paper towels and microwave at HIGH for 25 seconds. Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture in center of each tortilla; roll up. Arrange tortillas, seam sides down, in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with reserved sauce and cheese. Broil 3 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and sauce is bubbly. Top with tomato and cilantro. Serve with sour cream.
Chef's Notes
MyRecipes is working with Let's Move!, the Partnership for a Healthier America, and USDA's MyPlate to give anyone looking for healthier options access to a trove of recipes that will help them create healthy, tasty plates. For more information about creating a healthy plate, visit www.choosemyplate.gov.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
This was posted in MyRecipes, and is originally from CookingLight. This begins, “Our take saves 446 calories, 22 grams of fat, and 1,260 milligrams of sodium over one serving of a leading chain's sweet and sour chicken.”
Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: 1 cup)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 large egg whites
4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 tablespoons unsalted ketchup
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
Directions
Combine egg whites and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add chicken to bowl; toss to coat.
Combine remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ketchup, and next 4 ingredients (through soy sauce) in a bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add bell pepper to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add pineapple, ginger, and onions to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer bell pepper mixture to a plate.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add chicken mixture, allowing any excess egg white mixture to drip back into bowl. Stir-fry 6 minutes or until chicken is browned and done. Add ketchup mixture and bell pepper mixture to pan. Bring to a simmer; simmer 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Sprinkle with salt; serve immediately.
Here are six chicken recipes to check out, including Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Tomato & Basil & Potatoes with Peppers & Onions and 20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas. Enjoy!
SZECHUAN PEANUT CHICKEN
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Pace® Picante Sauce provides the flavor punch to this peanut sauce seasoned with soy, ginger and garlic. Stir-fried chicken and spaghetti are tossed with this Szechuan-inspired sauce for an out-of-the-ordinary dinner dish.”
Serves: 4 servings (2 cups each); Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into strips
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon ground ginger or 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger root
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
3 green onion, thickly sliced (about 3/4 cup)
1/2 of a 16-ounce package thin spaghetti, cooked and drained (about 4 cups) green onion, thickly sliced
Directions
Stir the chicken, soy, ginger and garlic in a medium bowl.
Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken mixture and stir-fry until it's well browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken mixture from the skillet and set it aside.
Stir the picante sauce, peanut butter and onions in the skillet. Return the chicken mixture to the skillet and heat until it's hot and bubbling. Serve over the spaghetti. Sprinkle with additional onions.
PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TOMATO AND BASIL AND POTATOES WITH PEPPERS AND ONIONS
This comes from Rachael Ray, star of the Food Network show 30 Minute Meals.
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 27 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 to 2 pounds fingerling potatoes or red skin baby potatoes
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips
1 Italian mild green pepper, cubanelle, seeded and thinly sliced
1 medium yellow skinned onion, thinly sliced
4 large cloves garlic, cracked away from skin
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Coarse salt and pepper
2 cups shredded Parmesan, available in tubs near deli -- make sure to get shredded cheese, not grated
4 (6 to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 plum Roma tomatoes or small, vine ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
15 to 20 leaves fresh basil, pile leaves, roll then thinly slice -- chiffonade
Directions
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
Cut fingerling potatoes into halves or quarters, depending on thickness of fingerlings -- thin, small fingerlings may also be left hole, larger potatoes should be quartered to speed cooking process. If you are using small red potatoes, halve or quarter them in the same way.
Cover a large cookie sheet with foil. Place potatoes on cookie sheet. Combine with peppers and onions, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Coat the potatoes, peppers and onions with extra-virgin olive oil just enough to coat vegetables in a thin layer, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place potatoes in the oven and roast 20 to 22 minutes, until potatoes are just tender and peppers and onions are crisp at edges. Toss mixture with tongs, turning the potatoes after 15 minutes. When the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a serving dish and peel the foil off the cookie sheet and discard for super-quick clean up!
While potatoes cook, prepare chicken. Roll out a 2-foot piece of waxed paper or foil near the stove top. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat -- your pan must be very hot when the chicken is added. Pile the shredded cheese on the work surface created with the waxed paper or foil. Season your chicken breasts with black pepper but no salt; the cheese will add enough salt to the taste of the dish. Press the breasts firmly into the cheese. Coat both sides of breasts with as much cheese as possible. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet, 1 turn of the pan. Set breasts into the skillet and cook 7 minutes on each side, until cheese forms an even, golden casing around the tender chicken breasts.
While chicken cooks, combine chopped tomatoes with basil in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.
Drain off any excess oil from chicken as you remove it from the skillet. Top chicken with big spoonfuls of raw sauce and serve with potatoes, peppers and onions.
LEMON CHICKEN TARRAGON
This recipe is from Family Time, and begins, “A restaurant-style dish in just 30 minutes? You bet...this tasty skillet dish is simply amazing!”
Serves: 4 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Vegetable Oil or 1 tablespoon olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 pound)
2 cups water
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
2 tablespoons Lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups uncooked instant white rice
Directions
Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until well browned on both sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
Stir the water, soup, lemon juice, tarragon and black pepper in the skillet and heat to a boil.
Stir in the rice. Return the chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
LEMONY ROASTED CHICKEN WINGS
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. David wrote, “These meaty out-of-the-ordinary roasted wings are infused with lots of lemon, garlic and rosemary, then roasted on a bed of fingerling potatoes. Use a large roasting pan that's at least 3 inches deep, or a big earthenware gratin dish, or a couple of Pyrex lasagna pans side by side. The lemony chicken and potatoes are delicious hot and crisp, but just as good at cool room temperature.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 1 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “Lemony Chicken Wings, Soaring Above the Rest”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 pounds very small potatoes, such as fingerlings, whole, or use medium-size yellow-fleshed potatoes, cut in halves or wedges)
3 pounds chicken wings, preferably drumettes
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flakes, to taste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 small lemons, cut into 1/4-inch thick half-moon slices
6 large rosemary sprigs, leaves stripped
8 garlic cloves, minced, or 1/2 cup chopped green garlic shoots
1 cup dry white or rosé wine
Pinch of dried oregano (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse potatoes with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Spread chicken wings out on a baking sheet or cutting board in a single layer. Season both sides of wings generously with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle with red-pepper flakes as desired.
Transfer seasoned wings to a large bowl. Add olive oil, lemon slices, rosemary and garlic and toss well with (plastic-gloved) hands so everything is evenly coated.
Place potatoes on the bottom of a roasting pan. Arrange seasoned wings over potatoes in a single layer. Add wine and cover pan tightly with foil.
Bake, covered, for about 45 minutes, until potatoes are done. Remove foil and return the pan to the oven and bake about 20 minutes more, until wings are nicely browned. Using tongs, turn wings over and bake for another 20 minutes to brown the wings’ other side. Sprinkle with dried oregano, and serve hot or at room temperature.
20-MINUTE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
This was posted in MyRecipes, and is originally from CookingLight. This begins, “Quick tip: While the sauce cooks, shred the chicken. For a spicy kick, top with chopped jalapeños.”
Yield: Serves 6 (serving size: 2 enchiladas and 1 tablespoon sour cream)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup prechopped onion
1 cup unsalted chicken stock (such as Swanson)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 (15-ounce) can unsalted tomato sauce
3 cups shredded skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast (about 15 ounces)
1 (15-ounce) can unsalted black beans, rinsed and drained
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
Cooking spray
3 ounces preshredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese (about 3/4 cup)
1 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 tablespoons sour cream
Directions
Preheat broiler to high.
Combine first 9 ingredients in a medium saucepan; stir with a whisk. Bring to a boil over high heat; cook 2 minutes or until thickened. Reserve 1 1/2 cups sauce mixture. Add chicken and beans to pan; cook 2 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly heated.
Stack tortillas; wrap stack in damp paper towels and microwave at HIGH for 25 seconds. Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture in center of each tortilla; roll up. Arrange tortillas, seam sides down, in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with reserved sauce and cheese. Broil 3 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned and sauce is bubbly. Top with tomato and cilantro. Serve with sour cream.
Chef's Notes
MyRecipes is working with Let's Move!, the Partnership for a Healthier America, and USDA's MyPlate to give anyone looking for healthier options access to a trove of recipes that will help them create healthy, tasty plates. For more information about creating a healthy plate, visit www.choosemyplate.gov.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
This was posted in MyRecipes, and is originally from CookingLight. This begins, “Our take saves 446 calories, 22 grams of fat, and 1,260 milligrams of sodium over one serving of a leading chain's sweet and sour chicken.”
Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: 1 cup)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 large egg whites
4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 tablespoons unsalted ketchup
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
Directions
Combine egg whites and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add chicken to bowl; toss to coat.
Combine remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ketchup, and next 4 ingredients (through soy sauce) in a bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add bell pepper to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add pineapple, ginger, and onions to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer bell pepper mixture to a plate.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add chicken mixture, allowing any excess egg white mixture to drip back into bowl. Stir-fry 6 minutes or until chicken is browned and done. Add ketchup mixture and bell pepper mixture to pan. Bring to a simmer; simmer 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Sprinkle with salt; serve immediately.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Fancy Meatloaf and Double Good Blueberry Pie. Enjoy!
LAYERS OF LOVE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Love will follow you after you try this recipe....At least chocolate-lovers will follow you!”
Serves: 16 brownies; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes
View this online here.
Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Baking Cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut in pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup pecans, chopped
3/4 cup NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Premier White Morsels
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
3/4 cup NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 8-inch-square baking pan.
Combine cocoa, flour and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Reserve 3/4 cup batter. Spread remaining batter into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle pecans and white morsels over batter. Drizzle caramel topping over top. Beat remaining egg and reserved batter in same large bowl until light in color. Stir in semi-sweet morsels. Spread evenly over caramel topping.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares.
FANCY MEATLOAF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “I was invited to cook dinner for Nora Ephron.’ As was wont to happen at one point in New York. Back in 2009, Sam Sifton was invited to a potluck in which “guests were meant to bring food inspired by Ephron’s career or by the woman herself.” He drew meatloaf, a dish she was known for. Here, in this recipe adapted from Gourmet, he pairs beef, veal, pancetta and Parmesan. The end result, he described, as ‘luxurious.’ And what did Ms. Ephron think? She called it ‘remarkable.’”
Yield: Serves 6 to 8; Time: 80 minutes.
This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1/2 loaf Italian bread, crust removed, torn into small pieces (about 2 cups)
1 cup whole milk
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground veal
2 large eggs, scrambled
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 bunch parsley, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup butter
1 cup dry white wine
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes.
Mix beef, veal, eggs, pancetta, Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk, then chop and add it to the meat. Mix gently until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, shy of a foot in length and 4 inches across. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Heat oil and butter in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatloaf and sear without moving it until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the meatloaf, then gently use another spatula to help turn it and brown the second side, again without moving it for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, return skillet to the stove and raise heat to high. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits stuck to it with a wooden spoon. Return meatloaf to the skillet and then transfer to the oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 150 degrees, about 25 minutes.
Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, 10 minutes. Slice, pour the pan juices over the top and serve.
SLOPPY JOES
This is from Andrea Strong in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Some foods are memory triggers, meals that send you back to long-forgotten moments in your life. The sloppy Joe sandwich is one such time machine.
“This version is an adaptation of one developed by Chris Gesualdi, the chef at TriBakery in Manhattan. It's a tribute to the one his mother, Rose, used to make for him as a child, and it is perfect: a sweet and spicy hill of thick sautéed ground beef spilling out of a toasted homemade kaiser roll. He tops his with melted cheddar, and that can't be a bad thing. All in all, it is a terrific antidote to adulthood.”
Yield: 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
This was featured in “An Ode to Sloppy Joe, a Delicious Mess”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup finely diced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup tomato paste
2 3/4 cups tomato puree
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon pureed canned chipotle in adobo
1 bay leaf
12 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns
12 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
Preparation
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm oil, and saute onions until translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic, and saute for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, and saute until well browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
Add tomato paste, tomato puree, chili powder, Tabasco, chipotle and bay leaf. Stir until blended. Raise heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to spread on a sandwich, about 45 minutes.
To serve, heat a broiler. Slice the rolls open and place them under the broiler until lightly toasted, turning as necessary. Ladle about 1/2 cup onto the bottom of each roll, and top with cheddar cheese to taste. Return bottom halves to the broiler until cheese just melts. Top with the remaining halves, and serve immediately.
TURKEY BURGER
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Turkey burgers are much leaner than hamburgers, but they can be dry and dull. Moisten them by adding ketchup and a bit of grated onion to the ground turkey — or mayonnaise and a bit of mustard. The idea is to emphasize condiments, and keep the turkey moist.”
Yield: 4 burgers; Time: 30 minutes
The recipe was featured in “6 Food Mistakes Parents Make” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Burgers:
1/2 medium onion
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
3/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
4 hamburger buns, preferably whole wheat
1 tablespoon canola oil, or use pan spray
For Serving:
Sliced tomato
Sliced onion
Iceberg lettuce
Pickles
Sliced red pepper
Ketchup and mustard
Preparation
Grate the onion on the fine holes of a grater. You should have about two tablespoons of grated onion (and a lot of juice, which you can discard). Place in a bowl with the ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt and pepper. Using a fork, mix together well. Shape into four patties — the mixture will be quite moist — and press the patties into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
Heat the canola oil in a nonstick griddle or large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. (Alternately, spray the griddle or pan with pan spray.) When you can feel the heat while holding your hand just above griddle or pan, cook the patties for five minutes on each side. Serve on buns, with the condiments of your choice.
DOUBLE GOOD BLUEBERRY PIE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
3/4 c. sugar
3 tbsp. cornstarch
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 c. water
2 c. blueberries
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 c. blueberries
1 baked 9 inch pie shell
Sweetened whipped cream
Directions
Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in saucepan. Add 2 cups blueberries and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils, thickens and is clear. Add butter and lemon juice. Cool. Place 2 cups blueberries in pie shell. Top with cooled mixture. Chill. Garnish with whipped cream.
CHUNKY PIZZA SOUP
This also comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 tb Oil, vegetable
1 Onion, chopped small
1/2 c Mushrooms, sliced
1/4 c Green peppers, slivered
1 c Tomatoes, undrained
1 c Stock, beef
1 c Pepperoni, thin sliced
1/2 ts Basil, dried
1 c Cheese, mozzarella shredded
Directions
Preheat oven broiler. Heat oil over medium heat, stirfry onion, mushroom and green pepper till soft, not browned. Add tomatoes, stock, pepperoni and basil, cook till heated through. Ladle soup into ovenproof bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Broil till cheese melts and is bubbly.
LAYERS OF LOVE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Love will follow you after you try this recipe....At least chocolate-lovers will follow you!”
Serves: 16 brownies; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes
View this online here.
Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Baking Cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cut in pieces
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup pecans, chopped
3/4 cup NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Premier White Morsels
1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
3/4 cup NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 8-inch-square baking pan.
Combine cocoa, flour and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla extract; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Reserve 3/4 cup batter. Spread remaining batter into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle pecans and white morsels over batter. Drizzle caramel topping over top. Beat remaining egg and reserved batter in same large bowl until light in color. Stir in semi-sweet morsels. Spread evenly over caramel topping.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into squares.
FANCY MEATLOAF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “I was invited to cook dinner for Nora Ephron.’ As was wont to happen at one point in New York. Back in 2009, Sam Sifton was invited to a potluck in which “guests were meant to bring food inspired by Ephron’s career or by the woman herself.” He drew meatloaf, a dish she was known for. Here, in this recipe adapted from Gourmet, he pairs beef, veal, pancetta and Parmesan. The end result, he described, as ‘luxurious.’ And what did Ms. Ephron think? She called it ‘remarkable.’”
Yield: Serves 6 to 8; Time: 80 minutes.
This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1/2 loaf Italian bread, crust removed, torn into small pieces (about 2 cups)
1 cup whole milk
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground veal
2 large eggs, scrambled
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 bunch parsley, cleaned and finely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup butter
1 cup dry white wine
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes.
Mix beef, veal, eggs, pancetta, Parmesan, parsley and lemon zest in a large bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Squeeze the bread to remove excess milk, then chop and add it to the meat. Mix gently until well combined, but do not overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, shy of a foot in length and 4 inches across. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Heat oil and butter in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatloaf and sear without moving it until it is browned, about 5 minutes. Carefully slide a spatula under the meatloaf, then gently use another spatula to help turn it and brown the second side, again without moving it for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat, return skillet to the stove and raise heat to high. Add wine and deglaze pan, scraping up browned bits stuck to it with a wooden spoon. Return meatloaf to the skillet and then transfer to the oven, basting occasionally with the pan juices, until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the loaf reads 150 degrees, about 25 minutes.
Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, 10 minutes. Slice, pour the pan juices over the top and serve.
SLOPPY JOES
This is from Andrea Strong in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Some foods are memory triggers, meals that send you back to long-forgotten moments in your life. The sloppy Joe sandwich is one such time machine.
“This version is an adaptation of one developed by Chris Gesualdi, the chef at TriBakery in Manhattan. It's a tribute to the one his mother, Rose, used to make for him as a child, and it is perfect: a sweet and spicy hill of thick sautéed ground beef spilling out of a toasted homemade kaiser roll. He tops his with melted cheddar, and that can't be a bad thing. All in all, it is a terrific antidote to adulthood.”
Yield: 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
This was featured in “An Ode to Sloppy Joe, a Delicious Mess”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup finely diced onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup tomato paste
2 3/4 cups tomato puree
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon pureed canned chipotle in adobo
1 bay leaf
12 kaiser rolls or hamburger buns
12 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
Preparation
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm oil, and saute onions until translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Add garlic, and saute for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, and saute until well browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
Add tomato paste, tomato puree, chili powder, Tabasco, chipotle and bay leaf. Stir until blended. Raise heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until thick enough to spread on a sandwich, about 45 minutes.
To serve, heat a broiler. Slice the rolls open and place them under the broiler until lightly toasted, turning as necessary. Ladle about 1/2 cup onto the bottom of each roll, and top with cheddar cheese to taste. Return bottom halves to the broiler until cheese just melts. Top with the remaining halves, and serve immediately.
TURKEY BURGER
This comes from Martha Rose Schulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Turkey burgers are much leaner than hamburgers, but they can be dry and dull. Moisten them by adding ketchup and a bit of grated onion to the ground turkey — or mayonnaise and a bit of mustard. The idea is to emphasize condiments, and keep the turkey moist.”
Yield: 4 burgers; Time: 30 minutes
The recipe was featured in “6 Food Mistakes Parents Make” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Burgers:
1/2 medium onion
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
3/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
4 hamburger buns, preferably whole wheat
1 tablespoon canola oil, or use pan spray
For Serving:
Sliced tomato
Sliced onion
Iceberg lettuce
Pickles
Sliced red pepper
Ketchup and mustard
Preparation
Grate the onion on the fine holes of a grater. You should have about two tablespoons of grated onion (and a lot of juice, which you can discard). Place in a bowl with the ground turkey, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt and pepper. Using a fork, mix together well. Shape into four patties — the mixture will be quite moist — and press the patties into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
Heat the canola oil in a nonstick griddle or large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. (Alternately, spray the griddle or pan with pan spray.) When you can feel the heat while holding your hand just above griddle or pan, cook the patties for five minutes on each side. Serve on buns, with the condiments of your choice.
DOUBLE GOOD BLUEBERRY PIE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
3/4 c. sugar
3 tbsp. cornstarch
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 c. water
2 c. blueberries
1 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 c. blueberries
1 baked 9 inch pie shell
Sweetened whipped cream
Directions
Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in saucepan. Add 2 cups blueberries and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils, thickens and is clear. Add butter and lemon juice. Cool. Place 2 cups blueberries in pie shell. Top with cooled mixture. Chill. Garnish with whipped cream.
CHUNKY PIZZA SOUP
This also comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
1 tb Oil, vegetable
1 Onion, chopped small
1/2 c Mushrooms, sliced
1/4 c Green peppers, slivered
1 c Tomatoes, undrained
1 c Stock, beef
1 c Pepperoni, thin sliced
1/2 ts Basil, dried
1 c Cheese, mozzarella shredded
Directions
Preheat oven broiler. Heat oil over medium heat, stirfry onion, mushroom and green pepper till soft, not browned. Add tomatoes, stock, pepperoni and basil, cook till heated through. Ladle soup into ovenproof bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Broil till cheese melts and is bubbly.
Taco Tuesday
Time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's offerings include Spicy Moroccan Chickpea Tacos and Easy Green Chile Chicken Tacos. Enjoy!
SPICY TURKEY TACOS
This is from Judy Kim on Delish and begins, “Thought ground turkey was blah? Think again.”
According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.” Check out both Delish and The Judy Lab.
Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 hard corn taco shells
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb. ground turkey
4 tsp. Mexican seasoning
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1 c. crushed tomatoes
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
1 c. grated mozzarella
1 c. Pico de Gallo
1 c. sour cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Place taco shells on a sheet pan.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and add ground turkey; brown while breaking up with a wooden spoon. Season with Mexican seasoning, cayenne, salt and pepper.
Add garlic and onions; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and cilantro and stir until warmed through. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.
Just before serving, bake taco shells until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Spoon spicy turkey mixture into taco shells and top with mozzarella, pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve with sour cream.
SPICY MOROCCAN CHICKPEA TACOS
This one, also from Vegetarian Times, begins, "For a switch from corn or flour tortillas, try these tacos wrapped in small, warmed whole pita rounds." Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
1 6-oz. pkg. chicken-style vegetarian strips, such as Lightlife Smart Strips
1 tsp. fennel seeds
1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed, drained, and lightly mashed with fork
2 small carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 Tbs. harissa
1/3 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 minutes, or until softened. Add chicken-style strips and fennel seeds, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in chickpeas, carrots, raisins, harissa, and 1/3 cup water. Cook 1 minute, or until sauce thickens slightly but carrots remain crisp. Stir in tomatoes, and immediately remove from heat. Fill tortillas with chickpea mixture, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 269; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 37 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 388 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 10 g
CHICKEN NACHO TACOS
This recipe is from Family Time, and begins, “These tasty tacos combine a few on-hand ingredients with canned chicken and fiesta nacho cheese soup to make a delicious dish super-simple!”
Serves: 4 servings (2 tacos each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
2 cans (4.5 ounces each) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained
8 taco shell, warmed
shredded lettuce
Chopped tomatoes
Directions
Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and chili powder and cook until the onion is tender, stirring often.
Stir the soup and chicken in the skillet and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Spoon the chicken mixture into the taco shells. Top with the lettuce and tomato.
AVOCADO TACOS
This comes from Jeff Gordinier in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Most top chefs will tell you the same thing: When they finally escape from the elaborate labors they oversee in the kitchen, they crave late-night street food that’s poetically simple and satisfying: hot dogs, fried rice, a bowl of noodles. For Enrique Olvera, the chef at Cosme in New York and Pujol in Mexico City, that hand-to-mouth haiku can be found in avocado tacos, which he scarfs down around the clock. They serve as both ‘a comfort,’ he said, and ‘a cultural expression.’ In its most basic form, an avocado taco is like a two-bite couplet in praise of Mexican ingredients: a chewy corn tortilla enclosing creamy slices of the-butter-that-grows-on-trees. Spare additions elevate that avocado: a pinch of salt, a spray of lime juice, a sprinkle of chopped onions and cilantro. But the chef takes elevation one step further with a salsa made of pasilla chiles and tomatillos.”
Yield: 12 tacos; Time: 45 minutes.
This recipe was featured in “Scouting the Scene” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
4 pasilla chiles
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
2 garlic cloves
10 tomatillos, boiled in salted water for 15 minutes or until soft
3 avocados, sliced thin
12 corn tortillas
3/4 cup white onion, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Preparation
Make the salsa: Snap the stems off the chiles and remove the seeds. Using tongs, carefully hold the chiles over a medium flame to char on all sides. Transfer chiles to a food processor, add the salt and process into a powder. Add the garlic and tomatillos and purée until smooth. (This makes 1 pint salsa, more than needed; refrigerate the rest in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.)
To serve, place 3 or 4 slices of avocado on each tortilla and top with salsa, onion and cilantro.
MUSHROOM TACOS
This is from Runner's World and can be viewed online here. Recipe feeds 2-3 runners; Time needed: 30-45 minutes
What you’ll need:
Pound of scrubbed assorted mushrooms (creminis and portabellos work well)
1 yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
6 small corn tortillas
1 orange
1 lime
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons dark chili powder
1 teaspoon oregano
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste
Cilantro
How to make it:
Dice up one onion, setting aside three tablespoons for onion topping. Cut mushrooms into large chunks.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high-heat. Add onions and mushrooms and sauté for about 10 minutes until onions are tender and mushrooms begin to brown.
Mince garlic. Juice orange and lime. Reserve two wedges of lime.
Add garlic, cumin, oregano, and chili powder to onions and mushroom.
Saute for 30 seconds until garlic is aromatic, then add orange and lime juice, along with about a teaspoon of salt.
Cook for two to three minutes until the juice reduces.
Heat tortillas individually in a dry pan on the stove or all together wrapped in a towel in the microwave.
Spoon mushroom mix into tortillas and garnish with reserved raw onion and chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
EASY GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TACOS
This taco recipe is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, who not only posts recipes on VeryWell Fit, but has her own food site, called Lively Table.
For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, “Instead of making the same old tacos this week, why not change things up with delicious and healthy green chile chicken tacos?
“This chicken taco recipe is super easy to make. Just boil the chicken in a bit of broth, shred, and add diced green chiles. It's a simple nutritious meal that the whole family will love.
“Corn tortillas are naturally whole grain, so they make a great choice for these tacos. Top with a bit of shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro to make a weeknight meal.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; CookTime: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 (2 tacos each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 cloves garlic
1 fresh jalapeno
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
Water
1 can (7-ounce) diced green chiles
8 warm corn tortillas
1 small avocado, sliced
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
Fresh cilantro, to taste
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, add chicken, garlic, jalapeno, and broth. Add water to cover the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Discard garlic and jalapeno, reserving cooking liquid.
In a skillet, add green chiles and shredded chicken. Cook over low heat, stirring until warmed through and sauce is thickened. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.
Serve with warmed corn tortillas, avocado, cabbage, and cilantro.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Use any type of tortilla that you like. Look for whole grain options, if possible.
You can also leave out the tortillas and serve the chicken on top of lettuce to make a taco salad or with brown rice and beans to make taco bowls.
Canned green chiles are usually found in the Mexican food aisle at the grocery store. They come in two varieties, spicy and mild. Choose the kind that best suits your taste.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve tacos with a side of low-sodium canned black beans for a quick and easy meal.
Add any toppings you like, such as your favorite salsa, tomatoes, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
SPICY TURKEY TACOS
This is from Judy Kim on Delish and begins, “Thought ground turkey was blah? Think again.”
According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.” Check out both Delish and The Judy Lab.
Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 hard corn taco shells
1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb. ground turkey
4 tsp. Mexican seasoning
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1 c. crushed tomatoes
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
1 c. grated mozzarella
1 c. Pico de Gallo
1 c. sour cream
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Place taco shells on a sheet pan.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil and add ground turkey; brown while breaking up with a wooden spoon. Season with Mexican seasoning, cayenne, salt and pepper.
Add garlic and onions; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and cilantro and stir until warmed through. Turn off heat and cover to keep warm.
Just before serving, bake taco shells until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Spoon spicy turkey mixture into taco shells and top with mozzarella, pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve with sour cream.
SPICY MOROCCAN CHICKPEA TACOS
This one, also from Vegetarian Times, begins, "For a switch from corn or flour tortillas, try these tacos wrapped in small, warmed whole pita rounds." Yield: Serves 4.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients:
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 small onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (1 cup)
1 6-oz. pkg. chicken-style vegetarian strips, such as Lightlife Smart Strips
1 tsp. fennel seeds
1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed, drained, and lightly mashed with fork
2 small carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup golden raisins
1 Tbs. harissa
1/3 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
Instructions:
Heat olive oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook 3 minutes, or until softened. Add chicken-style strips and fennel seeds, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in chickpeas, carrots, raisins, harissa, and 1/3 cup water. Cook 1 minute, or until sauce thickens slightly but carrots remain crisp. Stir in tomatoes, and immediately remove from heat. Fill tortillas with chickpea mixture, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 269; Protein: 12 g; Total Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 37 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 388 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 10 g
CHICKEN NACHO TACOS
This recipe is from Family Time, and begins, “These tasty tacos combine a few on-hand ingredients with canned chicken and fiesta nacho cheese soup to make a delicious dish super-simple!”
Serves: 4 servings (2 tacos each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Fiesta Nacho Cheese Soup
2 cans (4.5 ounces each) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained
8 taco shell, warmed
shredded lettuce
Chopped tomatoes
Directions
Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and chili powder and cook until the onion is tender, stirring often.
Stir the soup and chicken in the skillet and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Spoon the chicken mixture into the taco shells. Top with the lettuce and tomato.
AVOCADO TACOS
This comes from Jeff Gordinier in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Most top chefs will tell you the same thing: When they finally escape from the elaborate labors they oversee in the kitchen, they crave late-night street food that’s poetically simple and satisfying: hot dogs, fried rice, a bowl of noodles. For Enrique Olvera, the chef at Cosme in New York and Pujol in Mexico City, that hand-to-mouth haiku can be found in avocado tacos, which he scarfs down around the clock. They serve as both ‘a comfort,’ he said, and ‘a cultural expression.’ In its most basic form, an avocado taco is like a two-bite couplet in praise of Mexican ingredients: a chewy corn tortilla enclosing creamy slices of the-butter-that-grows-on-trees. Spare additions elevate that avocado: a pinch of salt, a spray of lime juice, a sprinkle of chopped onions and cilantro. But the chef takes elevation one step further with a salsa made of pasilla chiles and tomatillos.”
Yield: 12 tacos; Time: 45 minutes.
This recipe was featured in “Scouting the Scene” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
4 pasilla chiles
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
2 garlic cloves
10 tomatillos, boiled in salted water for 15 minutes or until soft
3 avocados, sliced thin
12 corn tortillas
3/4 cup white onion, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Preparation
Make the salsa: Snap the stems off the chiles and remove the seeds. Using tongs, carefully hold the chiles over a medium flame to char on all sides. Transfer chiles to a food processor, add the salt and process into a powder. Add the garlic and tomatillos and purée until smooth. (This makes 1 pint salsa, more than needed; refrigerate the rest in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.)
To serve, place 3 or 4 slices of avocado on each tortilla and top with salsa, onion and cilantro.
MUSHROOM TACOS
This is from Runner's World and can be viewed online here. Recipe feeds 2-3 runners; Time needed: 30-45 minutes
What you’ll need:
Pound of scrubbed assorted mushrooms (creminis and portabellos work well)
1 yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
6 small corn tortillas
1 orange
1 lime
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons dark chili powder
1 teaspoon oregano
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste
Cilantro
How to make it:
Dice up one onion, setting aside three tablespoons for onion topping. Cut mushrooms into large chunks.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high-heat. Add onions and mushrooms and sauté for about 10 minutes until onions are tender and mushrooms begin to brown.
Mince garlic. Juice orange and lime. Reserve two wedges of lime.
Add garlic, cumin, oregano, and chili powder to onions and mushroom.
Saute for 30 seconds until garlic is aromatic, then add orange and lime juice, along with about a teaspoon of salt.
Cook for two to three minutes until the juice reduces.
Heat tortillas individually in a dry pan on the stove or all together wrapped in a towel in the microwave.
Spoon mushroom mix into tortillas and garnish with reserved raw onion and chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
EASY GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TACOS
This taco recipe is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, who not only posts recipes on VeryWell Fit, but has her own food site, called Lively Table.
For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, “Instead of making the same old tacos this week, why not change things up with delicious and healthy green chile chicken tacos?
“This chicken taco recipe is super easy to make. Just boil the chicken in a bit of broth, shred, and add diced green chiles. It's a simple nutritious meal that the whole family will love.
“Corn tortillas are naturally whole grain, so they make a great choice for these tacos. Top with a bit of shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro to make a weeknight meal.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; CookTime: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 (2 tacos each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 cloves garlic
1 fresh jalapeno
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
Water
1 can (7-ounce) diced green chiles
8 warm corn tortillas
1 small avocado, sliced
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
Fresh cilantro, to taste
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, add chicken, garlic, jalapeno, and broth. Add water to cover the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Discard garlic and jalapeno, reserving cooking liquid.
In a skillet, add green chiles and shredded chicken. Cook over low heat, stirring until warmed through and sauce is thickened. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.
Serve with warmed corn tortillas, avocado, cabbage, and cilantro.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Use any type of tortilla that you like. Look for whole grain options, if possible.
You can also leave out the tortillas and serve the chicken on top of lettuce to make a taco salad or with brown rice and beans to make taco bowls.
Canned green chiles are usually found in the Mexican food aisle at the grocery store. They come in two varieties, spicy and mild. Choose the kind that best suits your taste.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve tacos with a side of low-sodium canned black beans for a quick and easy meal.
Add any toppings you like, such as your favorite salsa, tomatoes, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Black-Eyed Chicken and Celebration Cake. Enjoy!
BEEF OR CHICKEN FAJITAS
This yummy fajita recipe is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Fajitas were made popular in the 1970s by Texans and soon fajitas were sizzling on grills and frying pans across the country. Serve with warm black beans topped with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and Nestea.”
Serves: 4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
2 small green or red bell peppers, cut into strips
1 small onion, sliced
3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound lean beef sirloin or boneless skinless chicken breast meat, cut into 2-inch strips
1 1/4 teaspoons cumin, ground
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 cup ORTEGA® Thick & Chunky Salsa
4 (6-inch) fajita-size tortillas, warmed
Toppings: sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, guacamole, shredded cheddar cheese and olives.
Directions
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet. Add bell peppers, onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is slightly golden and peppers are tender.
Stir in beef or chicken, cumin and chili powder; cook, stirring occasionally, until meat is no longer pink. Stir in salsa; heat through.
Serve in tortillas; top with desired toppings.
ENGINE 2 DIET VEGAN LASAGNA
This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Vegetable lasagna is always a good meal choice for a vegan. And if you've heard about the heart-healthy and cholesterol-lowering Engine 2 Diet and want to try an approved recipe, this vegan lasagna is a good place to start.
“From Rip Esselstyn's The Engine 2 Diet, ‘Raise the Roof’ sweet potato vegan lasagna replaces the high fat and cholesterol of cheese and beef with whole-grain noodles, tofu, and antioxidant-rich vegetables including mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, and corn crowned with a crunchy good-fat cashew topping. It's so delicious, he says, he served it at his own wedding.
“As if that's enough to be happy about, the lasagna noodles cook in the oven so there is no need to boil them first—what a time saver.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 75 minutes; Yield: 10 to 12 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 onion (chopped)
1 head garlic (small, all cloves chopped or pressed)
8 ounces mushrooms (sliced)
1 head broccoli (chopped)
2 carrots (peeled and chopped)
2 red bell peppers (seeded and chopped)
1 can corn (rinsed and drained)
1 package silken lite tofu
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon rosemary
2 (24-ounce) jars pasta sauce
2 (13.25-ounce) boxes whole-grain lasagna noodles (uncooked)
16 ounces frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
2 sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed)
6 Roma tomatoes (sliced thin)
1 cup raw cashews (ground)
Directions
Prepare the FillingHeat oven to 400 F.
Sauté the onion and garlic on high heat for 3 minutes in a wok or nonstick pan without any oil.
Add the mushrooms and cook until the onions are limp and the mushrooms give up their liquid. Remove them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon and leave the mushroom liquid in the pan.
Add the broccoli and carrots to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes, remove, and add them to the bowl containing the onion, garlic, and mushrooms, leaving any liquid in the pan.
Add the peppers and corn, and sauté until the peppers are just beginning to soften. Add them and any liquid to the vegetable bowl.
Drain the silken tofu by wrapping in paper towels. Break it up directly in the towel and mix into the vegetable bowl.
Add cayenne pepper, oregano, basil, and rosemary to the vegetable bowl and combine thoroughly.
Assemble the Lasagna
Cover the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole with pasta sauce. Add a single layer of uncooked noodles (do not overlap) and cover completely with a generous portion of sauce.
Spread the vegetable-tofu mixture over the sauced noodles. Cover with a second layer of noodles and another generous portion of sauce.
Add a layer of thawed and drained spinach followed by a layer of mashed sweet potatoes. Top with another generous portion of sauce, a final layer of noodles, and the remainder of the sauce.
Cover the lasagna with thinly sliced Roma tomatoes.
Bake and Serve
Cover with foil and bake in the heated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the ground cashews, and return to the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and let the lasagna sit for 15 minutes before serving.
More About the Engine 2 Diet
Jolinda wrote, “Rip Esselstyn developed the Engine 2 Diet, he says, to help a person rid their diet of what he considers junk (meat, dairy, refined and processed foods) while still enjoying tasty, nutritious, whole plant-based foods.
“His vegan diet with a twist (no vegetable oils) theory is that plant-based foods and unrefined grains are superior to animal products.
“His regimen includes fitness ideas and recipes like Engine 2 Diet black bean and hummus wrap sandwich and Rip's oil-free, tahini-free almost fat-free hummus.
EASY WHOLE WHEAT VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This also comes from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Easy whole wheat vegetarian lasagna with spinach baked in the oven with three kinds of cheeses. What's not to love? This is the perfect classic spinach lasagna recipe for the whole family!
“Make your vegetarian lasagna just a bit healthier by using this recipe, which calls for whole wheat lasagna noodles and spinach. Even though it uses whole wheat noodles, this Italian spinach lasagna is incredibly rich and creamy as it uses plenty of mozzarella, Parmesan, and low-fat cottage cheese. Of course, you don't have to use whole wheat lasagna noodles if you prefer the regular kind.
“This spinach lasagna recipe is courtesy of the Wheat Foods Council.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 75 minutes; Total Time: 90 minutes; Yield: 10 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package whole wheat lasagne noodles, cooked slightly (al dente)
1 9-ounce package frozen raw spinach (well thawed and drained)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 eggs
3 cups low-fat cottage cheese
3 cups pre-made or store-bought pasta sauce
3 cups grated low-moisture part skim mozzarella cheese
Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs then add the cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese. Spray a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a homemade olive oil spray.
Put one layer of the slightly cooked lasagna noodles flat across the bottom of the baking dish. Add about half of the spinach, pressing down lightly and evenly over the noodles. Top with another layer of lasagna noodles. Top this layer of noodles with the cottage cheese mixture then add the remaining spinach. Then add the last of the lasagna noodles laid evenly on top of spinach.
Once you've layered everything, spread the pasta sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle the whole thing with mozzarella cheese. Press down lightly.
Cover baking dish with foil, using foil sprayed with cooking spray and keeping foil off the center of the lasagna. Secure sides tightly over baking dish.
Bake about 1 hour 15 minutes in oven. To lightly brown the top, remove foil for a few minutes at the end of baking time.
Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving): 282 Calories; 12g Fat; 23g Carbs; 19g Protein
CELEBRATION CAKE
This comes from Seattle’s own Macrina Bakery. I’m on their mailing list (they send out the yummiest recipes!), and I highly recommend signing up.
If I’m ever out in Seattle, I fully intend to pay a visit to any of their bakeries…
According to Macrina’s Leslie Mackie, “This is one of my favorite birthday or special occasion cakes. The natural sweet flavor of toasted coconut layered with fresh summer berries and lemon cream makes for a light yet decadent summer treat.”
To view this online, click here.
INGREDIENTS: COCONUT CAKE
1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut 1 cup coconut milk
5 egg whites
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups cake flour
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.
2 pints fresh raspberries (for assembly)
LEMON CREAM
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup whipping cream
WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING
12 ounces white chocolate chips
8 ounces unsalted butter, room temp. 1 pound cream cheese, room temp.
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
DIRECTIONS: COCONUT CAKE
Preheat oven to 325°F. Spread coconut evenly on a rimmed baking sheet and toast for 3 minutes. Toss with tongs to toast evenly and return to the oven for 3 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to a bowl. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the coconut milk, egg whites, and almond and vanilla extracts. Mix with a whisk and set aside.
Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the toasted coconut and mix on low speed using the paddle attachment for 30 seconds. Cut butter into small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Mix on low speed until it is coarse and crumbly with no visible pieces of butter, approximately 4 minutes. Add half the wet ingredients and mix on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and add the remaining wet ingredients, mixing for another 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl again to ensure it is well incorporated.
Prepare a 12" x 18" baking sheet pan with 1/2" rim by brushing it with oil and lining the bottom with parchment paper. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake on the center rack for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown. When cool, run a knife around the edge of the cake and invert onto another sheet pan. Gently remove parchment paper and then cut three 7" circles of cake. You will have excess cake scraps, which make great trifle with fresh berries and whipped cream. Cover cake circles until ready to assemble layer cake.
LEMON CREAM
Combine egg yolks, sugar and lemon juice in a medium stainless steel bowl and mix well with a whisk. Place the bowl on top of a saucepan filled with 2" of simmering water. Whisking constantly, slowly cook for about 10 minutes. You don’t want to cook this too fast or the egg will scramble. As it thickens you will see ribbons form in the custard. Add the butter and continue whisking until it is dissolved. Remove bowl from the saucepan and whisk to cool slightly. Cover with plastic wrap, allowing it to rest on the surface of the lemon curd.
Cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Whip the heavy cream to medium stiff peaks and fold into the chilled lemon curd. Set aside in the refrigerator.
WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING
Place the white chocolate into a medium stainless steel bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan filled with 2" of simmering water. Stir with a rubber spatula until it is completely melted. Remove bowl from the saucepan and cool to room temperature.
Place the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat until the mixture is completely smooth, approximately 3-6 minutes. Add the lemon juice and then the melted white chocolate. Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated. If it is too soft (this can happen if your room temperature is warm) chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before using.
ASSEMBLY
Begin layering the cake using a single cut layer at the base. Top with a 1/2" thick layer of lemon cream and a single layer of raspberries. Keep a 1" border at the edge of cake so when the additional layers are added it doesn’t push the filling out. Repeat with the second layer and top with the final layer. Place the cake into the refrigerator or freezer to chill for 20 minutes.
To add a crumb coat (a base coat of frosting that allows for a perfect finish), spread the sides and top with a thin layer of frosting. Chill for 30 minutes.
To add the finishing coat of frosting, start by covering and smoothing the sides before completing the top. You can add some color by taking a small portion of the white chocolate frosting and mixing a little bit of food coloring into it. Then smooth onto the sides to create color blushes. Don’t be afraid to be creative!
Chill this cake for 1-1/2 hours before serving so that it is completely set. Decorate with fresh garden flowers and raspberries.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
This was posted in MyRecipes, and is originally from CookingLight. This begins, “Our take saves 446 calories, 22 grams of fat, and 1,260 milligrams of sodium over one serving of a leading chain's sweet and sour chicken.”
Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: 1 cup)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 large egg whites
4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 tablespoons unsalted ketchup
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
Directions
Combine egg whites and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add chicken to bowl; toss to coat.
Combine remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ketchup, and next 4 ingredients (through soy sauce) in a bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add bell pepper to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add pineapple, ginger, and onions to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer bell pepper mixture to a plate.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add chicken mixture, allowing any excess egg white mixture to drip back into bowl. Stir-fry 6 minutes or until chicken is browned and done. Add ketchup mixture and bell pepper mixture to pan. Bring to a simmer; simmer 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Sprinkle with salt; serve immediately.
BLACK-EYED CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/black-eyed-chicken.
Ingredients
16 oz can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
1 cup diced celery
1 cup red bell pepper
1 cup green bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced green onion
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
3 Tbsp fat-free Italian salad dressing
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
6 cups lettuce leaves
Directions
Combine all ingredients except lettuce in a bowl. Stir well. Cover and chill for 4 hours. Serve on lettuce leaves.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 170; Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 430 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 20 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Sugars: 3 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 2 Meat, 1 Carbohydrate
BEEF OR CHICKEN FAJITAS
This yummy fajita recipe is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Fajitas were made popular in the 1970s by Texans and soon fajitas were sizzling on grills and frying pans across the country. Serve with warm black beans topped with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and Nestea.”
Serves: 4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes
View this online here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
2 small green or red bell peppers, cut into strips
1 small onion, sliced
3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound lean beef sirloin or boneless skinless chicken breast meat, cut into 2-inch strips
1 1/4 teaspoons cumin, ground
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 cup ORTEGA® Thick & Chunky Salsa
4 (6-inch) fajita-size tortillas, warmed
Toppings: sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, guacamole, shredded cheddar cheese and olives.
Directions
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet. Add bell peppers, onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is slightly golden and peppers are tender.
Stir in beef or chicken, cumin and chili powder; cook, stirring occasionally, until meat is no longer pink. Stir in salsa; heat through.
Serve in tortillas; top with desired toppings.
ENGINE 2 DIET VEGAN LASAGNA
This is from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Vegetable lasagna is always a good meal choice for a vegan. And if you've heard about the heart-healthy and cholesterol-lowering Engine 2 Diet and want to try an approved recipe, this vegan lasagna is a good place to start.
“From Rip Esselstyn's The Engine 2 Diet, ‘Raise the Roof’ sweet potato vegan lasagna replaces the high fat and cholesterol of cheese and beef with whole-grain noodles, tofu, and antioxidant-rich vegetables including mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, and corn crowned with a crunchy good-fat cashew topping. It's so delicious, he says, he served it at his own wedding.
“As if that's enough to be happy about, the lasagna noodles cook in the oven so there is no need to boil them first—what a time saver.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 75 minutes; Yield: 10 to 12 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 onion (chopped)
1 head garlic (small, all cloves chopped or pressed)
8 ounces mushrooms (sliced)
1 head broccoli (chopped)
2 carrots (peeled and chopped)
2 red bell peppers (seeded and chopped)
1 can corn (rinsed and drained)
1 package silken lite tofu
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon rosemary
2 (24-ounce) jars pasta sauce
2 (13.25-ounce) boxes whole-grain lasagna noodles (uncooked)
16 ounces frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
2 sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed)
6 Roma tomatoes (sliced thin)
1 cup raw cashews (ground)
Directions
Prepare the FillingHeat oven to 400 F.
Sauté the onion and garlic on high heat for 3 minutes in a wok or nonstick pan without any oil.
Add the mushrooms and cook until the onions are limp and the mushrooms give up their liquid. Remove them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon and leave the mushroom liquid in the pan.
Add the broccoli and carrots to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes, remove, and add them to the bowl containing the onion, garlic, and mushrooms, leaving any liquid in the pan.
Add the peppers and corn, and sauté until the peppers are just beginning to soften. Add them and any liquid to the vegetable bowl.
Drain the silken tofu by wrapping in paper towels. Break it up directly in the towel and mix into the vegetable bowl.
Add cayenne pepper, oregano, basil, and rosemary to the vegetable bowl and combine thoroughly.
Assemble the Lasagna
Cover the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole with pasta sauce. Add a single layer of uncooked noodles (do not overlap) and cover completely with a generous portion of sauce.
Spread the vegetable-tofu mixture over the sauced noodles. Cover with a second layer of noodles and another generous portion of sauce.
Add a layer of thawed and drained spinach followed by a layer of mashed sweet potatoes. Top with another generous portion of sauce, a final layer of noodles, and the remainder of the sauce.
Cover the lasagna with thinly sliced Roma tomatoes.
Bake and Serve
Cover with foil and bake in the heated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the ground cashews, and return to the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and let the lasagna sit for 15 minutes before serving.
More About the Engine 2 Diet
Jolinda wrote, “Rip Esselstyn developed the Engine 2 Diet, he says, to help a person rid their diet of what he considers junk (meat, dairy, refined and processed foods) while still enjoying tasty, nutritious, whole plant-based foods.
“His vegan diet with a twist (no vegetable oils) theory is that plant-based foods and unrefined grains are superior to animal products.
“His regimen includes fitness ideas and recipes like Engine 2 Diet black bean and hummus wrap sandwich and Rip's oil-free, tahini-free almost fat-free hummus.
EASY WHOLE WHEAT VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA
This also comes from Jolinda Hackett on The Spruce Eats. Jolinda wrote, “Easy whole wheat vegetarian lasagna with spinach baked in the oven with three kinds of cheeses. What's not to love? This is the perfect classic spinach lasagna recipe for the whole family!
“Make your vegetarian lasagna just a bit healthier by using this recipe, which calls for whole wheat lasagna noodles and spinach. Even though it uses whole wheat noodles, this Italian spinach lasagna is incredibly rich and creamy as it uses plenty of mozzarella, Parmesan, and low-fat cottage cheese. Of course, you don't have to use whole wheat lasagna noodles if you prefer the regular kind.
“This spinach lasagna recipe is courtesy of the Wheat Foods Council.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 75 minutes; Total Time: 90 minutes; Yield: 10 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package whole wheat lasagne noodles, cooked slightly (al dente)
1 9-ounce package frozen raw spinach (well thawed and drained)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 eggs
3 cups low-fat cottage cheese
3 cups pre-made or store-bought pasta sauce
3 cups grated low-moisture part skim mozzarella cheese
Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs then add the cottage cheese and Parmesan cheese. Spray a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a homemade olive oil spray.
Put one layer of the slightly cooked lasagna noodles flat across the bottom of the baking dish. Add about half of the spinach, pressing down lightly and evenly over the noodles. Top with another layer of lasagna noodles. Top this layer of noodles with the cottage cheese mixture then add the remaining spinach. Then add the last of the lasagna noodles laid evenly on top of spinach.
Once you've layered everything, spread the pasta sauce evenly over the top and sprinkle the whole thing with mozzarella cheese. Press down lightly.
Cover baking dish with foil, using foil sprayed with cooking spray and keeping foil off the center of the lasagna. Secure sides tightly over baking dish.
Bake about 1 hour 15 minutes in oven. To lightly brown the top, remove foil for a few minutes at the end of baking time.
Allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving): 282 Calories; 12g Fat; 23g Carbs; 19g Protein
CELEBRATION CAKE
This comes from Seattle’s own Macrina Bakery. I’m on their mailing list (they send out the yummiest recipes!), and I highly recommend signing up.
If I’m ever out in Seattle, I fully intend to pay a visit to any of their bakeries…
According to Macrina’s Leslie Mackie, “This is one of my favorite birthday or special occasion cakes. The natural sweet flavor of toasted coconut layered with fresh summer berries and lemon cream makes for a light yet decadent summer treat.”
To view this online, click here.
INGREDIENTS: COCONUT CAKE
1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut 1 cup coconut milk
5 egg whites
1 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups cake flour
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp.
2 pints fresh raspberries (for assembly)
LEMON CREAM
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup whipping cream
WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING
12 ounces white chocolate chips
8 ounces unsalted butter, room temp. 1 pound cream cheese, room temp.
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
DIRECTIONS: COCONUT CAKE
Preheat oven to 325°F. Spread coconut evenly on a rimmed baking sheet and toast for 3 minutes. Toss with tongs to toast evenly and return to the oven for 3 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to a bowl. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the coconut milk, egg whites, and almond and vanilla extracts. Mix with a whisk and set aside.
Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the toasted coconut and mix on low speed using the paddle attachment for 30 seconds. Cut butter into small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Mix on low speed until it is coarse and crumbly with no visible pieces of butter, approximately 4 minutes. Add half the wet ingredients and mix on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and add the remaining wet ingredients, mixing for another 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl again to ensure it is well incorporated.
Prepare a 12" x 18" baking sheet pan with 1/2" rim by brushing it with oil and lining the bottom with parchment paper. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake on the center rack for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown. When cool, run a knife around the edge of the cake and invert onto another sheet pan. Gently remove parchment paper and then cut three 7" circles of cake. You will have excess cake scraps, which make great trifle with fresh berries and whipped cream. Cover cake circles until ready to assemble layer cake.
LEMON CREAM
Combine egg yolks, sugar and lemon juice in a medium stainless steel bowl and mix well with a whisk. Place the bowl on top of a saucepan filled with 2" of simmering water. Whisking constantly, slowly cook for about 10 minutes. You don’t want to cook this too fast or the egg will scramble. As it thickens you will see ribbons form in the custard. Add the butter and continue whisking until it is dissolved. Remove bowl from the saucepan and whisk to cool slightly. Cover with plastic wrap, allowing it to rest on the surface of the lemon curd.
Cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Whip the heavy cream to medium stiff peaks and fold into the chilled lemon curd. Set aside in the refrigerator.
WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING
Place the white chocolate into a medium stainless steel bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan filled with 2" of simmering water. Stir with a rubber spatula until it is completely melted. Remove bowl from the saucepan and cool to room temperature.
Place the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat until the mixture is completely smooth, approximately 3-6 minutes. Add the lemon juice and then the melted white chocolate. Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated. If it is too soft (this can happen if your room temperature is warm) chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before using.
ASSEMBLY
Begin layering the cake using a single cut layer at the base. Top with a 1/2" thick layer of lemon cream and a single layer of raspberries. Keep a 1" border at the edge of cake so when the additional layers are added it doesn’t push the filling out. Repeat with the second layer and top with the final layer. Place the cake into the refrigerator or freezer to chill for 20 minutes.
To add a crumb coat (a base coat of frosting that allows for a perfect finish), spread the sides and top with a thin layer of frosting. Chill for 30 minutes.
To add the finishing coat of frosting, start by covering and smoothing the sides before completing the top. You can add some color by taking a small portion of the white chocolate frosting and mixing a little bit of food coloring into it. Then smooth onto the sides to create color blushes. Don’t be afraid to be creative!
Chill this cake for 1-1/2 hours before serving so that it is completely set. Decorate with fresh garden flowers and raspberries.
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
This was posted in MyRecipes, and is originally from CookingLight. This begins, “Our take saves 446 calories, 22 grams of fat, and 1,260 milligrams of sodium over one serving of a leading chain's sweet and sour chicken.”
Yield: Serves 4 (serving size: 1 cup)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 large egg whites
4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 tablespoons unsalted ketchup
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
Directions
Combine egg whites and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add chicken to bowl; toss to coat.
Combine remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch, ketchup, and next 4 ingredients (through soy sauce) in a bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add bell pepper to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add pineapple, ginger, and onions to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer bell pepper mixture to a plate.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add chicken mixture, allowing any excess egg white mixture to drip back into bowl. Stir-fry 6 minutes or until chicken is browned and done. Add ketchup mixture and bell pepper mixture to pan. Bring to a simmer; simmer 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Sprinkle with salt; serve immediately.
BLACK-EYED CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/black-eyed-chicken.
Ingredients
16 oz can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
1 cup diced celery
1 cup red bell pepper
1 cup green bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced green onion
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
3 Tbsp fat-free Italian salad dressing
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
6 cups lettuce leaves
Directions
Combine all ingredients except lettuce in a bowl. Stir well. Cover and chill for 4 hours. Serve on lettuce leaves.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 170; Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 430 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 20 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Sugars: 3 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 2 Meat, 1 Carbohydrate
Meatless Monday
It's time for another Meatless Monday. Here are today's six vegetarian recipes for you to try, including Superfast Fudge Brownies and Roasted-Vegetable Lasagna. Enjoy!
PEACH “DOUGHNUTS”
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “These doughnuts are pure fruit. They are inspired by a baked pistachio-encrusted Saturn peach doughnut I learned to make from the pastry chef Sherry Yard. I coat mine with a mix of ground almonds and raw brown sugar, sear them in butter and set them on a lime-inflected raspberry sauce. It’s a match made in heaven.” Time: 45 minutes; makes 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the raspberry sauce:
1/4 cup sugar
1 6-ounce box raspberries
1 tablespoon crème de cassis liqueur
Finely grated or chopped zest of 1 lime
For the peaches:
6 ripe Saturn peaches
1/2 cup almonds
2 tablespoons raw brown sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons butter, as needed
For serving:
Vanilla ice cream or ice milk (optional)
Additional raspberries (optional)
Preparation
To make raspberry sauce, combine 1/3 cup water and the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium low and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Stir in raspberries and cassis liqueur. Return to a simmer, cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
Place lime zest in a bowl and strain hot raspberry sauce into bowl. Press raspberry pulp through strainer; discard seeds. Whisk to blend pulp and syrup, and return to saucepan.
To skin peaches, bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add peaches. Blanch for 30 seconds and transfer to a bowl of ice water; drain. Cut peaches laterally around pit and gently twist apart. If peaches do not twist apart easily, insert knife tip and cut around the pit, then gently ease it out and separate the peach halves. Remove skin.
Place almonds and sugar in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until mixture is finely ground. Transfer to a wide bowl. Gently dip each peach half into the mixture to coat both sides, and place on a plate.
Shortly before serving, heat sauce and spoon a few tablespoons onto dessert plates.
Heat a large, heavy, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and when it has stopped foaming, add a batch of peach halves; do not crowd the pan. Sear for about 1 minute, until almond coating has browned, and flip over. Sear for another 30 seconds to a minute and remove to dessert plates, placing two halves on each plate, cut side up. Add more butter to pan if necessary and finish searing peaches. If desired, serve peaches with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and, for garnish, additional raspberries.
SUPERFAST FUDGE BROWNIES
This recipe comes from The Working Stiff Cookbook, by Bob Sloan and illustrated by Michael Klein. I absolutely love this cookbook. Even vegetarians can find plenty to love in it. The great thing about this recipe is that it really doesn't take much longer than a boxed mix, and is so much better!
The recipe starts with, "The perfect comfort food to go with your burgers. Brownies always lift the spirits. Especially these brownies. They're fast, easy, and foolproof." While I eat veggie burgers, rather than the meat version, I agree! These brownies are quick, easy, and yummy!
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter (or margarine), cut into 4 pieces
1/2 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the cocoa powder, stirring continuously until the butter is just melted. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the butter mixture to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for 2 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring until each is well combined. Add the flour and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with tiny crumbs on it. Serve warm or at room temperature.
CREAMY SPINACH SOUP WITH PANEER CROUTONS
This is from the October 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 32. It starts out, “Paneer, a mild Indian cheese, tops this tasty soup. If you can’t find paneer, substitute cubed fresh mozzarella or tofu.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 Tbs. butter, divided
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. black mustard seeds
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1 cup frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
3 2/3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 1-lb. pkg. frozen spinach
4 oz. paneer cheese, cubed (1 cup)
Heat 1 Tbs. butter in pot over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in ginger, garlic, curry powder, mustard seeds, and turmeric. Cook 1 minute. Add hash browns and broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 7 minutes. Stir in spinach, and cook 2 minutes more, or until wilted. Purée with immersion blender until smooth.
Heat remaining 1 Tbs. butter in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add paneer cubes, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown, turning occasionally. Spoon paneer over soup, and serve hot.
nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 264; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Cholesterol: 44 mg; Sodium: 453 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 6 g; Gluten-Free
CUBAN-STYLE ARROZ CONGRI
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, “The combination of white rice and black beans is a Cuban staple. Black beans served on top of or next to white rice is most commonly called Moros y Cristianos, a reference to the medieval battle between Islamic Moors and Christian Spaniards on the Iberian Peninsula. When rice and beans are mixed with sautéed aromatic vegetables and sometimes bits of pork, the result is called congrí. (In some Cuban households, it is also called Moros y Cristianos.) As a rule, congrí is a fluffier and drier dish than Moros y Cristianos. Yolanda Horruitiner, who has lived in Cuba for all of her 70 years, makes this simple version of congrí without pork or cumin, which is a staple in some versions. Feel free to add either to the sofrito base. This recipe uses a stovetop to cook both the rice and beans, although the dish can be assembled more quickly using a pressure cooker and rice cooker and making the sofrito in a separate sauté pan, then mixing it into the rice before it’s all cooked.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “For Cuban Home Cooks, Ingenuity and Luck Are Key Ingredients” and can be viewed online here.
Note: This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon dry red wine, or vino seco. Since I don’t keep alcohol around, I would substitute 1 tablespoon water.
Ingredients
1 cup dried black beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small green pepper, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
5 or 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
2 small bay leaves
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dry red wine, or vino seco
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
Preparation
Rinse the beans and pick them over for any small stones. Put the beans and 8 cups water in a medium-size pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer, partly cover and cook until tender, about 1 to 2 hours. (Time will vary depending on the bean.)
Meanwhile, make the sofrito: Put the oil in a medium-size pot (large enough to hold the rice as well) over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the onion, green pepper and garlic. Add a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are limp. Stir in the oregano, dill and bay leaves and remove from heat.
Drain the beans, reserving the broth and being careful to not break the beans. In a large measuring cup, add the vinegar and wine, 1 cup of the reserved bean broth and enough water for all the liquid to measure 2 1/4 cups.
Put the sofrito back on medium heat, add the rice and stir to combine. Cook the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the seasoned bean broth/water mixture and the salt. Bring to a boil, stir, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 17 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and return cover to pot for 10 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and put rice mixture into a mixing bowl. Gently mix in the beans, being careful not to break them. Season well with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot.
ROASTED-VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This recipe begins, “Who needs meat? This gourmet veggie lasagna from one of our favorite chefs will be the centerpiece of your dinner table.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4198-roasted-vegetable-lasagna.
Ingredients
Vegetables:
4 red bell peppers
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 large onion, cut into 16 wedges
4 garlic cloves, minced
Cheese mixture:
2 cups 2% low-fat cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated sharp provolone cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
White sauce:
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
9 cooked lasagna noodles
2 cups spinach leaves, divided
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
Directions
Preheat broiler.
To prepare vegetables, cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel; set aside.
Preheat oven to 450°.
Combine oil, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, squash, and onion on a baking sheet; toss well. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; combine squash mixture and garlic in a bowl.
Decrease oven temperature to 375°.
To prepare cheese mixture, combine cottage cheese and next 3 ingredients (cottage cheese through oregano) in a bowl.
To prepare white sauce, place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk; stir with a whisk. Place over medium heat. Cook until thick; stir constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Spread 1/4 cup white sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture, 1 cup spinach, 4 bell pepper halves, 2 cups vegetable mixture, and 1/4 cup white sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining white sauce over noodles. Cover and bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 20 minutes. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.
Note: Use a sharp, potent cheese in this dish for the most flavor. Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, or sharp cheddar will all work as well in the filling. Stick to mozzarella for the top, however, as it melts and browns the best. For extra browning, place the lasagna under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 9; Amount per serving Calories: 275; Calories from fat 30%; Fat 9.1 g; Saturated fat: 5.2 g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.6 g; Polyunsaturated fat 0.6 g; Protein: 19.3 g; Carbohydrate: 29.3 g; Fiber: 2.9 g;Cholesterol: 24 mg; Iron: 2.3 mg; Sodium: 564 mg; Calcium: 308 mg
SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE
This is my mom’s recipe. Mom used to make this for holiday meals or if she was fixing ham for Sunday dinner. There was seldom any leftover soufflé.
Not to worry: since this is a vegetarian blog, I'm not going to suddenly post meat here. I'm just sharing a memory for decades past. Feel free to fix it whenever you want something a little festive.
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
4 – 5 sweet potatoes
1 egg
1 small can pineapple
1 C nuts
2 T orange juice concentrate
1/2 tsp. salt
Cinnamon
dash pepper
1/2 C brown sugar
9 large marshmallows
Peel & dice sweet potatoes, place in pan of water, and cook until tender. Mash & add other ingredients except marshmallows. Put in square pan, cut in 9 squares & place 1 marshmallow in each square. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
PEACH “DOUGHNUTS”
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, “These doughnuts are pure fruit. They are inspired by a baked pistachio-encrusted Saturn peach doughnut I learned to make from the pastry chef Sherry Yard. I coat mine with a mix of ground almonds and raw brown sugar, sear them in butter and set them on a lime-inflected raspberry sauce. It’s a match made in heaven.” Time: 45 minutes; makes 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the raspberry sauce:
1/4 cup sugar
1 6-ounce box raspberries
1 tablespoon crème de cassis liqueur
Finely grated or chopped zest of 1 lime
For the peaches:
6 ripe Saturn peaches
1/2 cup almonds
2 tablespoons raw brown sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons butter, as needed
For serving:
Vanilla ice cream or ice milk (optional)
Additional raspberries (optional)
Preparation
To make raspberry sauce, combine 1/3 cup water and the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium low and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Stir in raspberries and cassis liqueur. Return to a simmer, cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
Place lime zest in a bowl and strain hot raspberry sauce into bowl. Press raspberry pulp through strainer; discard seeds. Whisk to blend pulp and syrup, and return to saucepan.
To skin peaches, bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add peaches. Blanch for 30 seconds and transfer to a bowl of ice water; drain. Cut peaches laterally around pit and gently twist apart. If peaches do not twist apart easily, insert knife tip and cut around the pit, then gently ease it out and separate the peach halves. Remove skin.
Place almonds and sugar in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until mixture is finely ground. Transfer to a wide bowl. Gently dip each peach half into the mixture to coat both sides, and place on a plate.
Shortly before serving, heat sauce and spoon a few tablespoons onto dessert plates.
Heat a large, heavy, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and when it has stopped foaming, add a batch of peach halves; do not crowd the pan. Sear for about 1 minute, until almond coating has browned, and flip over. Sear for another 30 seconds to a minute and remove to dessert plates, placing two halves on each plate, cut side up. Add more butter to pan if necessary and finish searing peaches. If desired, serve peaches with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and, for garnish, additional raspberries.
SUPERFAST FUDGE BROWNIES
This recipe comes from The Working Stiff Cookbook, by Bob Sloan and illustrated by Michael Klein. I absolutely love this cookbook. Even vegetarians can find plenty to love in it. The great thing about this recipe is that it really doesn't take much longer than a boxed mix, and is so much better!
The recipe starts with, "The perfect comfort food to go with your burgers. Brownies always lift the spirits. Especially these brownies. They're fast, easy, and foolproof." While I eat veggie burgers, rather than the meat version, I agree! These brownies are quick, easy, and yummy!
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter (or margarine), cut into 4 pieces
1/2 cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the cocoa powder, stirring continuously until the butter is just melted. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the butter mixture to a large mixing bowl and let it cool for 2 minutes. Add the sugar and vanilla and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring until each is well combined. Add the flour and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with tiny crumbs on it. Serve warm or at room temperature.
CREAMY SPINACH SOUP WITH PANEER CROUTONS
This is from the October 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 32. It starts out, “Paneer, a mild Indian cheese, tops this tasty soup. If you can’t find paneer, substitute cubed fresh mozzarella or tofu.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 Tbs. butter, divided
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. black mustard seeds
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1 cup frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
3 2/3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 1-lb. pkg. frozen spinach
4 oz. paneer cheese, cubed (1 cup)
Heat 1 Tbs. butter in pot over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in ginger, garlic, curry powder, mustard seeds, and turmeric. Cook 1 minute. Add hash browns and broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 7 minutes. Stir in spinach, and cook 2 minutes more, or until wilted. Purée with immersion blender until smooth.
Heat remaining 1 Tbs. butter in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add paneer cubes, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until golden brown, turning occasionally. Spoon paneer over soup, and serve hot.
nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 264; Protein: 11 g; Total Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Cholesterol: 44 mg; Sodium: 453 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 6 g; Gluten-Free
CUBAN-STYLE ARROZ CONGRI
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, “The combination of white rice and black beans is a Cuban staple. Black beans served on top of or next to white rice is most commonly called Moros y Cristianos, a reference to the medieval battle between Islamic Moors and Christian Spaniards on the Iberian Peninsula. When rice and beans are mixed with sautéed aromatic vegetables and sometimes bits of pork, the result is called congrí. (In some Cuban households, it is also called Moros y Cristianos.) As a rule, congrí is a fluffier and drier dish than Moros y Cristianos. Yolanda Horruitiner, who has lived in Cuba for all of her 70 years, makes this simple version of congrí without pork or cumin, which is a staple in some versions. Feel free to add either to the sofrito base. This recipe uses a stovetop to cook both the rice and beans, although the dish can be assembled more quickly using a pressure cooker and rice cooker and making the sofrito in a separate sauté pan, then mixing it into the rice before it’s all cooked.”
Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours.
This was featured in “For Cuban Home Cooks, Ingenuity and Luck Are Key Ingredients” and can be viewed online here.
Note: This recipe calls for 1 tablespoon dry red wine, or vino seco. Since I don’t keep alcohol around, I would substitute 1 tablespoon water.
Ingredients
1 cup dried black beans
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small green pepper, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
5 or 6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
2 small bay leaves
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dry red wine, or vino seco
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice, rinsed
Preparation
Rinse the beans and pick them over for any small stones. Put the beans and 8 cups water in a medium-size pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer, partly cover and cook until tender, about 1 to 2 hours. (Time will vary depending on the bean.)
Meanwhile, make the sofrito: Put the oil in a medium-size pot (large enough to hold the rice as well) over medium heat. When it’s hot, add the onion, green pepper and garlic. Add a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are limp. Stir in the oregano, dill and bay leaves and remove from heat.
Drain the beans, reserving the broth and being careful to not break the beans. In a large measuring cup, add the vinegar and wine, 1 cup of the reserved bean broth and enough water for all the liquid to measure 2 1/4 cups.
Put the sofrito back on medium heat, add the rice and stir to combine. Cook the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the seasoned bean broth/water mixture and the salt. Bring to a boil, stir, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 17 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and return cover to pot for 10 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and put rice mixture into a mixing bowl. Gently mix in the beans, being careful not to break them. Season well with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve hot.
ROASTED-VEGETABLE LASAGNA
This recipe begins, “Who needs meat? This gourmet veggie lasagna from one of our favorite chefs will be the centerpiece of your dinner table.”
This is from Diabetic Connect.
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4198-roasted-vegetable-lasagna.
Ingredients
Vegetables:
4 red bell peppers
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 large onion, cut into 16 wedges
4 garlic cloves, minced
Cheese mixture:
2 cups 2% low-fat cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated sharp provolone cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
White sauce:
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking spray
9 cooked lasagna noodles
2 cups spinach leaves, divided
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
Directions
Preheat broiler.
To prepare vegetables, cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel; set aside.
Preheat oven to 450°.
Combine oil, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, squash, and onion on a baking sheet; toss well. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; combine squash mixture and garlic in a bowl.
Decrease oven temperature to 375°.
To prepare cheese mixture, combine cottage cheese and next 3 ingredients (cottage cheese through oregano) in a bowl.
To prepare white sauce, place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk; stir with a whisk. Place over medium heat. Cook until thick; stir constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Spread 1/4 cup white sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture, 1 cup spinach, 4 bell pepper halves, 2 cups vegetable mixture, and 1/4 cup white sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining white sauce over noodles. Cover and bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 20 minutes. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.
Note: Use a sharp, potent cheese in this dish for the most flavor. Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, or sharp cheddar will all work as well in the filling. Stick to mozzarella for the top, however, as it melts and browns the best. For extra browning, place the lasagna under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 9; Amount per serving Calories: 275; Calories from fat 30%; Fat 9.1 g; Saturated fat: 5.2 g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.6 g; Polyunsaturated fat 0.6 g; Protein: 19.3 g; Carbohydrate: 29.3 g; Fiber: 2.9 g;Cholesterol: 24 mg; Iron: 2.3 mg; Sodium: 564 mg; Calcium: 308 mg
SWEET POTATO SOUFFLE
This is my mom’s recipe. Mom used to make this for holiday meals or if she was fixing ham for Sunday dinner. There was seldom any leftover soufflé.
Not to worry: since this is a vegetarian blog, I'm not going to suddenly post meat here. I'm just sharing a memory for decades past. Feel free to fix it whenever you want something a little festive.
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.
4 – 5 sweet potatoes
1 egg
1 small can pineapple
1 C nuts
2 T orange juice concentrate
1/2 tsp. salt
Cinnamon
dash pepper
1/2 C brown sugar
9 large marshmallows
Peel & dice sweet potatoes, place in pan of water, and cook until tender. Mash & add other ingredients except marshmallows. Put in square pan, cut in 9 squares & place 1 marshmallow in each square. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
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