Friday Recipes

Today's the last Friday of 2018. Here are six delicious recipes to help you through this last weekend, including Tortellini with Ham, Peas, and Tomato Cream Sauce and Nutty Dark Banana Bread. Enjoy!

EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE

This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?

“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)

2 cups green peas (cooked)

2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese

2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)

1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

1 cup soft breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons butter (melted)

Directions

Heat oven to 350 F.

Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.

Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.

Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.

Tips and Variations

Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.

Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.

Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.

Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.

Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.

ORANGE RICOTTA BARS

This is from Michelle Stark, food editor for the Tampa Bay Times. She also has her own site, Stark From Scratch.

Makes about 12 bars.

To view this online, click here.

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

8 ounces ricotta cheese

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Zest from 1 orange (save a pinch for the glaze)

Juice from half of that orange

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the glaze:

2 tablespoons milk

Pinch of orange zest

1 cup confectioners' sugar, more if needed

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Fresh mint, for garnish

Orange slices, for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a square baking pan (I used a 9- by 9-inch pan) with cooking spray.

Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl; should take between 20 and 30 seconds. Add to a large mixing bowl. Add the sugar, orange zest and juice, and mix. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and whisk until the batter is smooth.

Add in the flour, baking powder and salt, and gently mix until everything is incorporated. Pour batter into the pan and bake for 40 minutes. You can start checking after 30-35 minutes, but mine took the full 40. The bars will be slightly brown around the edges, but don't let them get too brown. Make sure a toothpick or knife inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, gently run a knife or spatula around the edge of the pan to loosen bars, then flip pan over carefully so the bars wiggle out. Let bars cool on a baking rack for another 15 to 30 minutes, or until cool to the touch.

Meanwhile, make the glaze: Mix all glaze ingredients in a small bowl, whisking to thoroughly combine. If very thin, add more confectioners' sugar. You want it somewhat runny; it won't be thick like frosting.

When the bars are cool, cut into 10 to 12 squares. Gently spread about 1 tablespoon of glaze on each square (it will be drippy; that's okay). Top each one with a fresh mint sprig and orange slice. Serve immediately, or refrigerate but let come to room temperature before serving.

TORTELLINI WITH HAM, PEAS, AND TOMATO CREAM SAUCE

This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “You’ll be surprised how easy it is to make this creamy tomato sauce that is so popular in Italian restaurants. If you prefer, replace the cheese tortellini with mushroom- or meat-filled pasta of any shape.”

Serves: 4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 16 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

1 onion, chopped

2 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree, from one 28-ounce can

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 pound cheese-filled tortellini

1/4 pound deli ham, cut into 1/4-inch dice

3/4 cup frozen petite peas, defrosted

Directions

In a large stainless-steel frying pan, melt the butter over moderately low heat. Add the onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes with their juice, the salt, and the pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add the cream and cook for 1 minute longer.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the tortellini until just done, about 4 minutes for fresh, 12 minutes for frozen. Drain the pasta and add it to the pan with the sauce. Stir in the ham and peas and cook until warmed through, about 2 minutes.

NUTTY DARK BANANA BREAD

This is from tbsp. (tablespoon.com), and begins, “Crunchy walnuts and dark brown sugar make this banana bread moist and utterly sinful.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Servings: 2 loaves

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 large bananas

1 1/s cups sugar

1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

4 large eggs

2/3 cup water

1 cup oil

3 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

2 cups walnuts, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Spray 2 loaf pans with non-stick baking spray (preferably the kind with flour in it).

Peel bananas and add to large mixing bowl. With mixer, cream bananas and add sugar and brown sugar, salt and soda, mixing well. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Add water and oil.

Slowly add flour, mixing well. When all flour is added, beat well. Stir in nuts.

Pour into prepared pans and bake at 350° F for 60-65 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and edges of loaves are brown.

Cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.

MAC AND CHEESE

This comes from Ina Garten of the Food Network show Barefoot Contessa.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Kosher salt

Vegetable oil

1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi

1 quart milk

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)

8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)

1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

INA GARTEN'S MAPLE-ROASTED CARROT SALAD

This recipe is from ‘Cooking for Jeffrey,’ by Ina Garten, and was posted on Tasting Table.

To view this online, click here.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

2 pounds carrots, preferably with leafy tops

Good olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup pure Grade A maple syrup

2/3 cup dried cranberries

2/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)

3 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar

2 garlic cloves, grated on a Microplane

6 ounces baby arugula

6 ounces goat cheese, such as Montrachet, medium-diced

2/3 cup roasted, salted Marcona almonds

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Trim and scrub the carrots. If the carrots are more than 1 inch in diameter, cut them in half lengthwise. Cut the carrots in large diagonal slices 1 inch wide × 2 inches long (they will shrink when they roast) and place in a medium bowl with 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Toss well and transfer to two sheet pans. (If you use just one, they’ll steam instead of roasting.) Roast for 20 minutes, tossing once, until the carrots are tender. Transfer all the carrots to one of the sheet pans, add the maple syrup, toss, and roast for 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges are caramelized. Watch them carefully! Toss with a metal spatula and set aside for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the cranberries and orange juice in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer, then set aside for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Place the arugula in a large bowl and add the carrots, cranberries (with their liquid), goat cheese, almonds, and the vinaigrette. Toss with large spoons, sprinkle with salt, and serve at room temperature.