Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include One-Pan Spaghetti & Meatballs and Cheesy Taco Meatloaf. Enjoy!
HEARTY SLOW COOKER CHICKEN CHILI
This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This easy slow cooker chicken chili is relatively light and low-calorie compared to the classic beef or pork chili. Boneless chicken breasts and a variety of canned beans make the chili super easy and convenient. If you prefer to cook the chili on the stovetop, see the tips below the recipe.
“Feel free to use boneless chicken thighs in the recipe and use the canned beans you have on hand. We used pinto beans and great northern beans, but kidney beans, navy beans, black beans and cannellini beans are all excellent alternatives.
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 4 hours; Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless chicken breasts (about 4 large chicken breast halves)
1 cup onion (chopped)
1/2 cup green bell pepper (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced; or 1 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder)
1 (15-ounce) can great northern beans (rinsed and drained)
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
1 (14.5-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups corn kernels (frozen, thawed)
1 tablespoon chili powder (heaping)
1 teaspoon cumin (ground)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
1 bay leaf
Garnish: sour cream or shredded cheese
Optional: chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Dice the chicken or cut it into strips. Put the chicken pieces in the slow cooker along with the onion, bell pepper, garlic, drained and rinsed beans, tomatoes and tomato sauce, corn, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Stir to blend ingredients.
Cover and cook on high for 1 hour, then cook on low for 3 to 4 hours longer, or until the chicken is cooked and tender. Or cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Remove the bay leaf.
Spoon the chili into bowls and garnish with sour cream or shredded cheese, along with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.
Serve with cornbread, crackers, or crusty bread.
Tips
Stovetop: Put ingredients in a large Dutch oven instead of a slow cooker. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 to 2 hours.
For thicker chili, add a few tablespoons of cornmeal about 30 minutes before it's done.
Recipe Variations
Other vegetables that may be added include sliced summer squash or zucchini, shredded or julienne-cut carrots, and sliced celery.
For a little heat, add a few tablespoons of minced jalapeno pepper or serrano. Or add some crushed red pepper flakes.
Use different varieties of canned beans, or use cooked dried beans instead. See crock pot great northern beans.
Use part or all boneless chicken thighs in the recipe. Chicken thighs stay tender and juicy in the slow cooker, so they're especially good in this recipe if you will be cooking it longer than the recommended times.
PHILADELPHIA-CHERRY DANISH DESSERT
This is from Kraft, and begins, “Skip the line at the bakeshop and make your own cherry Danish dessert! These PHILADELPHIA-Cherry Danish Dessert squares take just 15 minutes of prep.” Very yummy!
Prep Time: 14 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Makes: 24 Servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cans (8 oz. each) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
1 egg white
1 tsp. vanilla
1 can (20 oz.) cherry pie filling
3 Tbsp. milk
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Unroll 1 can crescent dough into 2 rectangles; press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray, firmly pressing perforations and seams together to seal.
Beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, egg white and vanilla with mixer until blended; spread onto crust. Cover with pie filling.
Unroll remaining can of crescent dough into 2 rectangles; pat into 13x9-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations and seams together seal. Place over pie filling.
Bake 25 to 30 min. or until golden brown; cool slightly.
Mix milk and remaining sugar until blended; drizzle over dessert.
QUICK, HIGH-PROTEIN VEGGIE LASAGNA
This recipe is from Vegetarian Times, and was posted on their website on January 2, 2005. It begins, “This easy-to-follow recipe provides you with 21 grams of protein per serving, thanks to the soy "steak" strips. The lasagna can be assembled quickly since you don't have to cook the pasta first. Excerpted from Diet Simple by Katherine Tallmadge.” Makes 10 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. minced garlic
12 oz. soy "steak" strips
1/2 lb. eggplant, cubed
1 ripe tomato, cubed
1 zucchini, diced
2 1/2 cups marinara sauce
2 tsp. dried oregano, or to taste
1 9-oz. pkg. oven-ready lasagna sheets
2 cups low-fat ricotta cheese
2 cups low-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray nonstick 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat, and brown garlic 2 to 3 minutes. Add soy strips, and sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggplant, tomato, zucchini and 1 cup of marinara sauce; cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in oregano, salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, place 6 sheets of lasagna in bottom of pan, overlapping as needed to fill gaps. Spoon in eggplant mixture, and top with layer of ricotta cheese. Place remaining lasagna strips over ricotta, and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Spread remaining marinara sauce on top, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and cover pan tightly with foil. Bake 30 to 45 minutes, or until top layer of pasta is soft. Remove and serve.
CHEESY TACO MEATLOAF
This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “It takes just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to put together this scrumptious meatloaf...and when it comes out of the oven you've got two family favorites, tacos and meatloaf, combined into one tasty dish!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes; Serves: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Chunky Salsa or Pace® Picante Sauce - Medium
1 1/2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (about 1/2 cup)
1 egg
1 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Set the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly mix the beef, 1 cup salsa, tortilla chips, egg, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a 3-quart shallow baking pan and shape into an 9x4-inch loaf.
Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.
Spread the remaining salsa over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
ONE-PAN SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
This recipe comes from Pure Wow, and begins, “Guys, this lazy cook's one-pan spaghetti and meatballs recipe is a total game changer. The next time you want to get dinner on the table with ease—and not deal with a million dirty dishes--we've got you covered.” Makes 8 servings.
To view this online, go to https://www.purewow.com/recipes/one-pan-spaghetti-and-meatballs-recipe.
Ingredients
Meatballs
1 pound ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, whisked
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Spaghetti
1 pound dried spaghetti
3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Directions
Make the Meatballs: In a medium bowl, mix the beef with the garlic powder, parsley and Parmesan to combine. Add the egg and bread crumbs, and mix to combine.
Form the mixture into balls, using about 2 tablespoons of meat per ball.In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the meatballs to the pan and cook until they are fully cooked and golden brown all over, 3 to 5 minutes.
Make the Spaghetti: Remove the meatballs from the pan and set them aside. Drain any grease from the pan, and then fill it with three inches of water and a few pinches of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti in an even layer and boil until al dente, 8 to 9 minutes (or according to package directions).
Drain the spaghetti, then return it to the pan. Add the marinara sauce and meatballs; toss to coat. Garnish with Parmesan and parsley. Serve warm, immediately.
APPLE SPICE CAKE WITH VANILLA BUTTER SAUCE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Makes 10 servings.
Ingredients
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon Apple Pie Spice
1 teaspoon Ground Allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
2 apples (Granny Smith or Gala), peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Vanilla Butter Sauce (recipe follows)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, apple pie spice, allspice and salt in small bowl; set aside.
Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium speed 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla on low speed just until blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in apples, raisins and walnuts. Spread evenly in greased 9-inch round cake pan.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving plate.
Serve warm with Vanilla Butter Sauce.
Vanilla Butter Sauce:
Bring 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter and 1/2 cup heavy cream to boil in 2-quart saucepan on medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons Pure Vanilla Extract. Serve warm. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
Test Kitchen Tip: The cake and sauce can be prepared and refrigerated separately the day before. Warm the cake in the oven and the sauce on top of the stove before serving.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday. What's in today's offerings? Grilled Steak Tacos with Cherry Tomato-Avocado Salsa, Middle-School Tacos (for the kid in all of us), as well as four other yummy taco recipes. Enjoy!
SPICY SHRIMP TACOS
I found this, along with five other taco recipes, on the Runner’s World website (posted on June 26, 2018), though it’s originally from the Prevention test kitchen.
This one begins, “Flavored with a zesty spread and cool pickled vegetables, these shrimp tacos have half the saturated fat and twice the protein of a fried fish taco.”
Serves: 4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes
This can be found at https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a21946015/healthy-taco-recipes/. They were originally from: Prevention US.
Ingredients
1/3 c white vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 c grated carrot
1/2 c grated daikon radish
1/4 c mayonnaise
2 tsp Sriracha sauce
1 tsp less-sodium soy sauce
4 lg butter lettuce leaves
12 oz med shrimp, cooked, peeled, and deveined
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp cilantro leaves
Directions
Stir together 1/3 cup hot water, vinegar, sugar, ginger, and salt in medium bowl until sugar dissolves. Submerge carrot and radish; let sit 10 minutes.
Mix mayonnaise, Sriracha, and soy sauce in small bowl. Spread over 4 lettuce leaves. Add shrimp and jalapeno. Top with pickled carrot-radish mixture and sprinkle with cilantro.
Per serving: 175 calories, 22 g protein, 7 g carb, 1 g fiber, 3 g sugars (1 g added sugars), 6.5 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 176 mg cholesterol, 480 mg sodium
STEAK TACOS
This recipe begins, “Your slow cooker makes Mexican-style magic, turning flank steak fork-tender and infusing it with irresistible flavors for the best steak tacos you ever ate.”
http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/2664-steak-tacos
Ingredients
1 lb raw lean flank steak (I use semi-frozen steak)
1 packet Taco Seasoning Mix
1 medium onion
4 oz chopped green chilies
1/2 cup (or more) sliced bell pepper
6 Corn tortillas
Directions
Cut steaks in half; rub with taco seasoning. Place in a crock pot coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with onion, bell pepper and chilies. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat is tender. Remove steaks and cool slightly; shred meat with two forks. Return to crock pot; heat through. Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with cheese, tomato and sour cream. Fold ends and sides over filling.
Nutritional Facts: Servings 6; Yield 6 servings – 210 Calories; 9 g fat (48.1% calories from fat); 17 g Protein; 16 g Carbohydrate; 2 g Dietary Fiber; 39 mg Cholesterol; 186 mg Sodium.
CARROT-AND-BLACK BEAN CRISPY TACOS
This recipe comes from Country Living, and begins, “Dig into vegetarian tacos with tons of fresh flavor.” Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 small onion, chopped
1 poblano pepper, diced
1 tsp. chili powder
1 (15.5-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp. fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lb. medium carrots, cut into 3" to 4" sticks
1 tsp. ground cumin
8 whole-grain taco shells, warmed
Sliced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, and chopped fresh cilantro and radishes, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 4to 6 minutes. Add chili powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add black beans and 1/3 cup water. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 4 to 6 minutes. Mash beans with the back of the spoon until thick. Stir in lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, toss carrots with cumin and 1 1/2 tablespoons oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast, turning once, until just tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
Divide beans and carrots between taco shells. Top with avocado, queso fresco, cilantro, and radishes. Serve with lime wedges alongside.
PER SERVING: protein: 8 g; fat: 17 g; carbohydrate: 42 g; fiber: 10 g; sodium: 261 mg; cholesterol: 0 mg; calories: 334.
TACO CASSEROLE
This comes from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “Give your friends and family something to taco about with this quick and easy Taco Casserole recipe. Make this yummy Taco Casserole in under one hour.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 12 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 green onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pkg. (1 oz.) TACO BELL® Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can (15.5 oz.) kidney beans, undrained
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 can (4.5 oz.) chopped green chiles, undrained
1 pkg. (30 oz.) ORE-IDA Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Cook meat, onions, garlic and taco seasoning mix in large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat 10 min. or until meat is done, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
Drain beans, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid; set beans aside. Add reserved bean liquid to meat mixture along with the tomato sauce and chiles; mix well.
Spread half the meat mixture onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover with layers of half each of the beans and potatoes. Repeat layers.
Bake 30 min. or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted.
Kitchen Tips
Tip 1
Serving Suggestion
Serve topped with guacamole, BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream, and/or additional sliced green onions.
Tip 2
Make Ahead
This delicious casserole can be mixed together ahead of time. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed, increasing the baking time as necessary until casserole is hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted.
MIDDLE-SCHOOL TACOS
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Here is a taste of a time when Mexican food was not as widely available in the United States as it is today, when parents and sports bars looked for food to serve children and those who eat like them, when the combination of crunch and fat and silk was divine. It still can be, if you avoid the taco kits of yore and make your own picadillo, then put it in hard-shell tacos and top how you like. For those who want to avoid prefabricated taco shells, make a form out of aluminum foil, fry fresh corn tortillas in shimmering neutral oil and then allow them to cool into shape on their aluminum saddle. Taco night. You can’t eat just two.”
Serves 6; Time: 30 minutes.
This was featured in “The Case for Hard-Shell Tacos” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola, peanut or grapeseed
1 medium-size yellow onion, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 pounds ground beef
2 tablespoons chile powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or substitute hot or sweet paprika)
1 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes, or to taste
1 cup chicken broth or beef broth, low-sodium if store-bought
12-18 hard taco shells
Toppings: grated cheese, sliced jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, etc.
Preparation
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the oil. When it begins to shimmer, add the onion, and cook until softened and starting to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the garlic, and cook for a minute or so to soften, and then the ground beef. Cook until the beef is starting to brown, stirring and chopping with a spoon to break up the meat, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off excess fat, leaving only a tablespoon or two in the pan.
Heat oven to 325. Add the chile powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cornstarch, paprika and red-pepper flakes, and stir to combine. Add the broth, stir, bring to a simmer and cook uncovered until the sauce has thickened slightly, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
As sauce cooks, place taco shells on a sheet pan, and toast in oven until they are crisp and smell nutty. Serve a few tablespoons of meat in each taco, along with whatever toppings you like.
GRILLED STEAK TACOS WITH CHERRY TOMATO-AVOCADO SALSA
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “In this supremely summery taco recipe, chile-rubbed grilled steak is topped with a spicy tomato-avocado salsa before being rolled into warm corn tortillas. Grilling the onions, garlic and jalapeño for the salsa adds a concentrated sweetness, while lime zest keeps everything sharp and bright. If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to use your broiler.”
Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Steak:
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 1/2 teaspoons New Mexican or other mild chile powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large garlic clove, finely grated or minced
Finely grated zest of 1 lime (cut lime into wedges for serving)
2 1/2 pounds skirt steak (usually 2 steaks)
For the Salsa:
1 white onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch-thick slices
2 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 jalapeños
1 quart cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, more to taste
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
Corn or flour tortillas, for serving
Sliced radishes, for serving
Mexican crema or sour cream, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the steak: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chile powder, coriander, cumin, garlic and lime zest. Rub mixture all over the steaks, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
Prepare the salsa: Light the grill or heat to medium-high (or heat the broiler). Grill onion, garlic and 1 jalapeño until tender and charred on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes (or place on a broiler pan and broil). Remove from heat until cool enough to handle, then roughly chop onions, peel garlic and remove seeds and stem from jalapeño.
Transfer grilled onion, garlic and jalapeño to a blender or mini food processor. Halve the fresh jalapeño and seed it, if desired, then add it to the blender. Process to a chunky paste. Scrape into a serving bowl and toss with tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and salt.
Add more charcoal to the grill, if needed, and grill the steaks until done to taste, about 2 minutes per side for rare (or broil). Let meat rest on a cutting board covered with foil for at least 7 minutes. Meanwhile, grill or broil the tortillas until warm.
To serve, slice the meat across the grain, and serve with the warm tortillas, radishes, lime wedges, salsa and crema. Let people assemble their own tacos at the table.
SPICY SHRIMP TACOS
I found this, along with five other taco recipes, on the Runner’s World website (posted on June 26, 2018), though it’s originally from the Prevention test kitchen.
This one begins, “Flavored with a zesty spread and cool pickled vegetables, these shrimp tacos have half the saturated fat and twice the protein of a fried fish taco.”
Serves: 4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes
This can be found at https://www.runnersworld.com/nutrition-weight-loss/a21946015/healthy-taco-recipes/. They were originally from: Prevention US.
Ingredients
1/3 c white vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 c grated carrot
1/2 c grated daikon radish
1/4 c mayonnaise
2 tsp Sriracha sauce
1 tsp less-sodium soy sauce
4 lg butter lettuce leaves
12 oz med shrimp, cooked, peeled, and deveined
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp cilantro leaves
Directions
Stir together 1/3 cup hot water, vinegar, sugar, ginger, and salt in medium bowl until sugar dissolves. Submerge carrot and radish; let sit 10 minutes.
Mix mayonnaise, Sriracha, and soy sauce in small bowl. Spread over 4 lettuce leaves. Add shrimp and jalapeno. Top with pickled carrot-radish mixture and sprinkle with cilantro.
Per serving: 175 calories, 22 g protein, 7 g carb, 1 g fiber, 3 g sugars (1 g added sugars), 6.5 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 176 mg cholesterol, 480 mg sodium
STEAK TACOS
This recipe begins, “Your slow cooker makes Mexican-style magic, turning flank steak fork-tender and infusing it with irresistible flavors for the best steak tacos you ever ate.”
http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/2664-steak-tacos
Ingredients
1 lb raw lean flank steak (I use semi-frozen steak)
1 packet Taco Seasoning Mix
1 medium onion
4 oz chopped green chilies
1/2 cup (or more) sliced bell pepper
6 Corn tortillas
Directions
Cut steaks in half; rub with taco seasoning. Place in a crock pot coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with onion, bell pepper and chilies. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat is tender. Remove steaks and cool slightly; shred meat with two forks. Return to crock pot; heat through. Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with cheese, tomato and sour cream. Fold ends and sides over filling.
Nutritional Facts: Servings 6; Yield 6 servings – 210 Calories; 9 g fat (48.1% calories from fat); 17 g Protein; 16 g Carbohydrate; 2 g Dietary Fiber; 39 mg Cholesterol; 186 mg Sodium.
CARROT-AND-BLACK BEAN CRISPY TACOS
This recipe comes from Country Living, and begins, “Dig into vegetarian tacos with tons of fresh flavor.” Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 small onion, chopped
1 poblano pepper, diced
1 tsp. chili powder
1 (15.5-oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp. fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lb. medium carrots, cut into 3" to 4" sticks
1 tsp. ground cumin
8 whole-grain taco shells, warmed
Sliced avocado, crumbled queso fresco, and chopped fresh cilantro and radishes, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 4to 6 minutes. Add chili powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add black beans and 1/3 cup water. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 4 to 6 minutes. Mash beans with the back of the spoon until thick. Stir in lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, toss carrots with cumin and 1 1/2 tablespoons oil on a rimmed baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast, turning once, until just tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
Divide beans and carrots between taco shells. Top with avocado, queso fresco, cilantro, and radishes. Serve with lime wedges alongside.
PER SERVING: protein: 8 g; fat: 17 g; carbohydrate: 42 g; fiber: 10 g; sodium: 261 mg; cholesterol: 0 mg; calories: 334.
TACO CASSEROLE
This comes from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “Give your friends and family something to taco about with this quick and easy Taco Casserole recipe. Make this yummy Taco Casserole in under one hour.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 12 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb. lean ground beef
2 green onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pkg. (1 oz.) TACO BELL® Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can (15.5 oz.) kidney beans, undrained
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 can (4.5 oz.) chopped green chiles, undrained
1 pkg. (30 oz.) ORE-IDA Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F.
Cook meat, onions, garlic and taco seasoning mix in large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat 10 min. or until meat is done, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
Drain beans, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid; set beans aside. Add reserved bean liquid to meat mixture along with the tomato sauce and chiles; mix well.
Spread half the meat mixture onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover with layers of half each of the beans and potatoes. Repeat layers.
Bake 30 min. or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted.
Kitchen Tips
Tip 1
Serving Suggestion
Serve topped with guacamole, BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream, and/or additional sliced green onions.
Tip 2
Make Ahead
This delicious casserole can be mixed together ahead of time. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed, increasing the baking time as necessary until casserole is hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with cheese; bake 5 min. or until melted.
MIDDLE-SCHOOL TACOS
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Here is a taste of a time when Mexican food was not as widely available in the United States as it is today, when parents and sports bars looked for food to serve children and those who eat like them, when the combination of crunch and fat and silk was divine. It still can be, if you avoid the taco kits of yore and make your own picadillo, then put it in hard-shell tacos and top how you like. For those who want to avoid prefabricated taco shells, make a form out of aluminum foil, fry fresh corn tortillas in shimmering neutral oil and then allow them to cool into shape on their aluminum saddle. Taco night. You can’t eat just two.”
Serves 6; Time: 30 minutes.
This was featured in “The Case for Hard-Shell Tacos” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola, peanut or grapeseed
1 medium-size yellow onion, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 pounds ground beef
2 tablespoons chile powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or substitute hot or sweet paprika)
1 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes, or to taste
1 cup chicken broth or beef broth, low-sodium if store-bought
12-18 hard taco shells
Toppings: grated cheese, sliced jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, etc.
Preparation
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the oil. When it begins to shimmer, add the onion, and cook until softened and starting to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the garlic, and cook for a minute or so to soften, and then the ground beef. Cook until the beef is starting to brown, stirring and chopping with a spoon to break up the meat, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off excess fat, leaving only a tablespoon or two in the pan.
Heat oven to 325. Add the chile powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cornstarch, paprika and red-pepper flakes, and stir to combine. Add the broth, stir, bring to a simmer and cook uncovered until the sauce has thickened slightly, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
As sauce cooks, place taco shells on a sheet pan, and toast in oven until they are crisp and smell nutty. Serve a few tablespoons of meat in each taco, along with whatever toppings you like.
GRILLED STEAK TACOS WITH CHERRY TOMATO-AVOCADO SALSA
This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “In this supremely summery taco recipe, chile-rubbed grilled steak is topped with a spicy tomato-avocado salsa before being rolled into warm corn tortillas. Grilling the onions, garlic and jalapeño for the salsa adds a concentrated sweetness, while lime zest keeps everything sharp and bright. If you don’t have access to a grill, feel free to use your broiler.”
Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Steak:
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 1/2 teaspoons New Mexican or other mild chile powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 large garlic clove, finely grated or minced
Finely grated zest of 1 lime (cut lime into wedges for serving)
2 1/2 pounds skirt steak (usually 2 steaks)
For the Salsa:
1 white onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch-thick slices
2 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 jalapeños
1 quart cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, more to taste
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
Corn or flour tortillas, for serving
Sliced radishes, for serving
Mexican crema or sour cream, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the steak: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, chile powder, coriander, cumin, garlic and lime zest. Rub mixture all over the steaks, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
Prepare the salsa: Light the grill or heat to medium-high (or heat the broiler). Grill onion, garlic and 1 jalapeño until tender and charred on all sides, 5 to 10 minutes (or place on a broiler pan and broil). Remove from heat until cool enough to handle, then roughly chop onions, peel garlic and remove seeds and stem from jalapeño.
Transfer grilled onion, garlic and jalapeño to a blender or mini food processor. Halve the fresh jalapeño and seed it, if desired, then add it to the blender. Process to a chunky paste. Scrape into a serving bowl and toss with tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, lime juice and salt.
Add more charcoal to the grill, if needed, and grill the steaks until done to taste, about 2 minutes per side for rare (or broil). Let meat rest on a cutting board covered with foil for at least 7 minutes. Meanwhile, grill or broil the tortillas until warm.
To serve, slice the meat across the grain, and serve with the warm tortillas, radishes, lime wedges, salsa and crema. Let people assemble their own tacos at the table.
Monday, April 29, 2019
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's six recipes include Stir-Fried Vegetables and Honolulu Bob's Burgers. Enjoy!
HAM WITH SWEET ONION SAUCE
This is from Publix Supermarket's April 2006 issue of Aprons
Ingredients
1 (6 1/2- to 7-pound) semi-boneless ham half
aluminum foil
1 (.87-ounce) packet onion gravy mix
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice (undrained)
1/4 cup sherry
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon country-style Dijon mustard
Directions
Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove all packaging and wrap ham in foil. Place in shallow baking pan. Bake 20 minutes per pound until internal temperature is 140°F. Use meat thermometer to accurately ensure doneness.
15 minutes before serving ham, combine remaining ingredients in medium saucepan; mix well. Bring to boil on medium-high; stir and serve over ham. (Ham makes 15 servings, sauce makes 10 servings.)
CALORIES (per 1/15 ham, 1/10 sauce) 440kcal; FAT 31g; CHOL 117mg; SODIUM 1921mg; CARB 12g; FIBER less than 1g; PROTEIN 28g; VIT A 0%; VIT C 3%; CALC 0%; IRON 9%
GOURMET GREEN BEANS
This is also from Publix Supermarket's April 2006 issue of Aprons
Ingredients
2 (12-ounce) bags fresh snipped green beans (snapped, if desired)
1 (8-ounce) package sliced baby portabella mushrooms
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons garlic butter
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Directions
Place beans, mushrooms, and water in microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on HIGH 12–14 minutes, stirring once, until crisp tender.
Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Place butter in sauté pan and swirl to coat. Add sesame seeds and heat 1–2 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned.
Drain beans and mushrooms and add to sauté pan. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until desired tenderness. Serve.
CALORIES (per 1/8 recipe) 70kcal; FAT 4g; CHOL 5mg; SODIUM 220mg; CARB 8g; FIBER 3g; PROTEIN 2g; VIT A 15%; VIT C 25%; CALC 4%; IRON 6%
HONOLULU BOB'S BURGERS
This comes from Country Bob's. Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
4 slices Cheddar Cheese
4 well-drained canned pineapple slices
Directions
Divide ground beef into 4 portions & shape each into a patty. Grill over hot coals until cooked on one side. Turn patties over. Spread with Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & top with pineapple slices. Grill for several min-utes or until cooked through. Add cheese slices. Grill until cheese melts. Top with additional Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & serve as desired.
STIR-FRIED VEGETABLES
This was from an old Weight Watchers email; 1 point/serving (old value). Serves 4.
Ingredients
1 spray cooking spray
2 tsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 C sugar snap peas or pea pods, trimmed (*)
2 C carrots, thinly diagonally sliced (*)
2 scallions, chopped (*)
1 1/2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)
Directions
Coat wok or large nonstick skillet with cooking spray & set over medium-high heat. Add oil & heat. Add garlic & stir-fry 1 minute. Add sugar snap peas, carrots & scallions; stir-fry 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soy sauce & cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Remove from heat & stir in cilantro. Yields about 1/2 C per serving.
Note:
Adding 1 C each of baby corn & water chestnuts changes recipe to 2 points/serving. (*) foods are filling foods.
TUSCAN-STYLE QUINOA
This is from the November 2005 issue of Runner’s World.
Ingredients
1 1/2 C quinoa
3 C water
2 Tbls olive oil
3 coves garlic, minced
1/2 medium red onion, chopped
6 C shredded Swiss chard
1 large tomato, diced
1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
1/3 C Parmesan cheese
Directions
Place one tablespoon of the olive oil in saucepan, heat to medium-high, pour in quinoa to toast for four minutes. Cover with water, turn down to simmer, cook for 15 minutes until tender. Heat nonstick skillet with remaining olive oil & sauté garlic & onion until golden, about 5 minutes. Add chard & sauté until wilted. Add tomato & heat through. Fold in cooked quinoa, season with salt, pepper, & chili flakes to taste, & top with Parmesan cheese. Let stand 3-5 minutes to blend flavors.
PASTA PRIMAVERA
This also comes from Publix. Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients
12 ounces of dried linguine, ziti, or penne pasta
2 Tbls olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, sliced
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 medium red sweet pepper, sliced
1 medium yellow sweet pepper, sliced
1 small zucchini, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 C chicken or veggie broth
1 C snipped fresh basil
1/4 C finely shredded Parmesan cheese
2 Tbls pine nuts, toasted
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Return pasta to saucepan; cover & keep warm.
Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat olive oil. Add garlic & onions; cook for 30 seconds. Stir in carrots & sweet peppers. Cook & stir for 3 minutes. Add zucchini, salt, & pepper. Stir in chicken or veggie broth. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 1 minute or until vegetables are just tender.
Stir vegetable mixture & basil into pasta & toss. Transfer to serving dish. Sprinkle with cheese & pine nuts. Makes 4 servings.
Per serving: Calories: 443; fat: 20 g (9 g sat. fat); chol: 38 mg; sodium: 328 mg; carbs: 51 g; fiber: 6 g; protein: 14 g.
HAM WITH SWEET ONION SAUCE
This is from Publix Supermarket's April 2006 issue of Aprons
Ingredients
1 (6 1/2- to 7-pound) semi-boneless ham half
aluminum foil
1 (.87-ounce) packet onion gravy mix
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice (undrained)
1/4 cup sherry
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon country-style Dijon mustard
Directions
Preheat oven to 325°F. Remove all packaging and wrap ham in foil. Place in shallow baking pan. Bake 20 minutes per pound until internal temperature is 140°F. Use meat thermometer to accurately ensure doneness.
15 minutes before serving ham, combine remaining ingredients in medium saucepan; mix well. Bring to boil on medium-high; stir and serve over ham. (Ham makes 15 servings, sauce makes 10 servings.)
CALORIES (per 1/15 ham, 1/10 sauce) 440kcal; FAT 31g; CHOL 117mg; SODIUM 1921mg; CARB 12g; FIBER less than 1g; PROTEIN 28g; VIT A 0%; VIT C 3%; CALC 0%; IRON 9%
GOURMET GREEN BEANS
This is also from Publix Supermarket's April 2006 issue of Aprons
Ingredients
2 (12-ounce) bags fresh snipped green beans (snapped, if desired)
1 (8-ounce) package sliced baby portabella mushrooms
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons garlic butter
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
Directions
Place beans, mushrooms, and water in microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on HIGH 12–14 minutes, stirring once, until crisp tender.
Preheat large sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Place butter in sauté pan and swirl to coat. Add sesame seeds and heat 1–2 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned.
Drain beans and mushrooms and add to sauté pan. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until desired tenderness. Serve.
CALORIES (per 1/8 recipe) 70kcal; FAT 4g; CHOL 5mg; SODIUM 220mg; CARB 8g; FIBER 3g; PROTEIN 2g; VIT A 15%; VIT C 25%; CALC 4%; IRON 6%
HONOLULU BOB'S BURGERS
This comes from Country Bob's. Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
4 slices Cheddar Cheese
4 well-drained canned pineapple slices
Directions
Divide ground beef into 4 portions & shape each into a patty. Grill over hot coals until cooked on one side. Turn patties over. Spread with Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & top with pineapple slices. Grill for several min-utes or until cooked through. Add cheese slices. Grill until cheese melts. Top with additional Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & serve as desired.
STIR-FRIED VEGETABLES
This was from an old Weight Watchers email; 1 point/serving (old value). Serves 4.
Ingredients
1 spray cooking spray
2 tsp sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 C sugar snap peas or pea pods, trimmed (*)
2 C carrots, thinly diagonally sliced (*)
2 scallions, chopped (*)
1 1/2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)
Directions
Coat wok or large nonstick skillet with cooking spray & set over medium-high heat. Add oil & heat. Add garlic & stir-fry 1 minute. Add sugar snap peas, carrots & scallions; stir-fry 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soy sauce & cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Remove from heat & stir in cilantro. Yields about 1/2 C per serving.
Note:
Adding 1 C each of baby corn & water chestnuts changes recipe to 2 points/serving. (*) foods are filling foods.
TUSCAN-STYLE QUINOA
This is from the November 2005 issue of Runner’s World.
Ingredients
1 1/2 C quinoa
3 C water
2 Tbls olive oil
3 coves garlic, minced
1/2 medium red onion, chopped
6 C shredded Swiss chard
1 large tomato, diced
1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
1/3 C Parmesan cheese
Directions
Place one tablespoon of the olive oil in saucepan, heat to medium-high, pour in quinoa to toast for four minutes. Cover with water, turn down to simmer, cook for 15 minutes until tender. Heat nonstick skillet with remaining olive oil & sauté garlic & onion until golden, about 5 minutes. Add chard & sauté until wilted. Add tomato & heat through. Fold in cooked quinoa, season with salt, pepper, & chili flakes to taste, & top with Parmesan cheese. Let stand 3-5 minutes to blend flavors.
PASTA PRIMAVERA
This also comes from Publix. Makes 4 servings.
Ingredients
12 ounces of dried linguine, ziti, or penne pasta
2 Tbls olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, sliced
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 medium red sweet pepper, sliced
1 medium yellow sweet pepper, sliced
1 small zucchini, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 C chicken or veggie broth
1 C snipped fresh basil
1/4 C finely shredded Parmesan cheese
2 Tbls pine nuts, toasted
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Return pasta to saucepan; cover & keep warm.
Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat olive oil. Add garlic & onions; cook for 30 seconds. Stir in carrots & sweet peppers. Cook & stir for 3 minutes. Add zucchini, salt, & pepper. Stir in chicken or veggie broth. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 1 minute or until vegetables are just tender.
Stir vegetable mixture & basil into pasta & toss. Transfer to serving dish. Sprinkle with cheese & pine nuts. Makes 4 servings.
Per serving: Calories: 443; fat: 20 g (9 g sat. fat); chol: 38 mg; sodium: 328 mg; carbs: 51 g; fiber: 6 g; protein: 14 g.
Meatless Monday
It's time for another Meatless Monday. Today's offerings include Italian Eggplant Ragoût and Herbed Tofu Lasagna with Zucchini. Enjoy!
BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
This recipe, as well as the next one (Fluffy Pancakes) comes from Compassion Over Killing, and can be found in the breakfast section of their Easy Vegan Recipes.
You can request (or download) Compassion Over Killing's free Easy Vegan Recipes booklet here.
Makes 1 dozen
Ingredients
2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (not thawed)
Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
1 1/2 cups dairy-free milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a muffin tin or line tin with paper cups.
Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Toss in blueberries and lemon zest, if using.
Separately, whisk together dairy-free milk, vegetable oil, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Spoon mixture evenly into prepared muffin tin, filling each tin about two-thirds of the way.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and let muffins sit 5 minutes before removing from tin.
FLUFFY PANCAKES
Serves 4.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups dairy-free milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat until a drop of water gently sizzles and pops.
Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk in the wet ingredients, being careful not to over-mix. If there are lumps, allow the batter to sit for a minute so they can break down.
Fill a quarter cup and pour batter onto the skillet. Cook over medium heat. Flip when the edges begin to dry and bubbles on the top start to pop.
Cook for another 1-2 minutes and serve with vegan butter, such as Earth Balance, maple syrup, agave syrup, or fresh fruit.
SLOW COOKER MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from country music star Trisha Yearwood, who also stars in The Food Network show Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. Total Time: 3 hr 25 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 3 hr 15 min; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/crockpot-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
Cooking spray
8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked
One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick ) of butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
Two 10-ounce bricks sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 5 cups)
Dash of paprika
Directions
In a large 4-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray, mix the macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, butter, salt, pepper, eggs and all but 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Turn off the slow cooker, stir the mixture and serve hot.
ASPARAGUS-PESTO LASAGNA
This is from the April 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “This recipe uses two popular Italian lasagna fillings: asparagus and pesto.” Serves 10.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/asparagus-pesto-lasagna/
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups low-fat milk, divided
6 Tbs. pesto*, or more to taste
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish, optional
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
1 1/4 lb. asparagus spears, tips cut off and reserved, spears trimmed and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz.)
2 cups shredded Fontina or part-skim mozzarella cheese (8 oz.), divided
Preheat oven to 350F. Whisk flour and 1/2 cup milk in saucepan until smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and boil 1 minute, or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in pesto, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Reserve 1 cup white sauce.
Warm oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped asparagus (not tips) and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic; cook, stirring, 1 minute, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Coat 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place layer of noodles in dish, overlapping slightly. Layer with half of cooked asparagus, 3/4 cup Fontina and half of sauce. Add another layer of pasta, remaining sauce, remaining cooked asparagus and 3/4 cup Fontina. Top with layer of noodles, then with reserved 1 cup white sauce. Arrange reserved asparagus tips over top and sprinkle with remaining Fontina.
Bake, uncovered, 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden. Let stand 10 minutes; serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
* Look for the freshest, most flavorful pesto in the refrigerator section of the supermarket, packaged in vacuum-sealed bags or in plastic tubs.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 413; Protein: 21 g; Total Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 44 g; Cholesterol: 44 mg; Sodium: 686 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 8 g
HERBED TOFU LASAGNA WITH ZUCCHINI
This also comes from the April 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Simple, fresh flavors and an innovative way with tofu—it's blended with herbs and seasonings until creamy and ricotta-like—make this lasagna one you'll want to make year-round. The key: Use the best purchased marinara sauce you can find, then drizzle each serving with extra virgin olive oil.” Serves 10.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/herbed-tofu-lasagna-with-zucchini/.
2 14-oz. pkg. firm tofu, well drained
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. sugar
1 Tbs. olive oil
4 medium-size zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices (about 3 cups)
5 cups marinara sauce
16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz.)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine tofu, basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt, red pepper flakes and sugar in food processor; blend until smooth and similar to ricotta in texture.
Put oil and zucchini in large nonstick skillet. Sauté 3 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat, or until just tender.
Spread 3 Tbs. marinara sauce over bottom of prepared baking dish. Cover with layer of noodles, overlapping slightly, half of tofu mixture and half of zucchini mixture. Top with another layer of noodles, remaining tofu and zucchini, and 1/2 cup sauce. Finish with another layer of noodles and remaining sauce.
Cover with foil, and bake 1 hour. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 314; Protein: 18 g; Total Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Sodium: 617 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 10 g; Vegan
ITALIAN EGGPLANT RAGOUT
This also comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The meaty texture of eggplant makes it an ideal ingredient in vegetarian entrées, and its antioxidant content makes it a nutritional powerhouse. Eggplant is rich in a phenolic compound called chlorogenic acid, a potent free-radical scavenger that confers antiviral, antimicrobial, and cholesterol-lowering benefits. Prep tip: Salting the eggplant before cooking it draws out any bitter juices and helps the vegetable hold its shape when cooked.” Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 medium eggplants, halved
2 Tbs. salt
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 Tbs. capers
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
Scoop out center and seeds of eggplant halves. Cut eggplants into 3/4-inch dice. Toss with salt in bowl, and let stand 30 minutes. Drain, rinse well, and pat dry.
Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more, or until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, chickpeas, and eggplants. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 15 minutes, or until eggplants are tender but not mushy. Stir in capers and sugar, and cook 2 minutes more. Fold in parsley, and season with black pepper.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 197; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 5.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 33 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 681 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 8 g; Yield: Serves 6
BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
This recipe, as well as the next one (Fluffy Pancakes) comes from Compassion Over Killing, and can be found in the breakfast section of their Easy Vegan Recipes.
You can request (or download) Compassion Over Killing's free Easy Vegan Recipes booklet here.
Makes 1 dozen
Ingredients
2 cups flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (not thawed)
Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
1 1/2 cups dairy-free milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a muffin tin or line tin with paper cups.
Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Toss in blueberries and lemon zest, if using.
Separately, whisk together dairy-free milk, vegetable oil, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Spoon mixture evenly into prepared muffin tin, filling each tin about two-thirds of the way.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and let muffins sit 5 minutes before removing from tin.
FLUFFY PANCAKES
Serves 4.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups dairy-free milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat until a drop of water gently sizzles and pops.
Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk in the wet ingredients, being careful not to over-mix. If there are lumps, allow the batter to sit for a minute so they can break down.
Fill a quarter cup and pour batter onto the skillet. Cook over medium heat. Flip when the edges begin to dry and bubbles on the top start to pop.
Cook for another 1-2 minutes and serve with vegan butter, such as Earth Balance, maple syrup, agave syrup, or fresh fruit.
SLOW COOKER MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from country music star Trisha Yearwood, who also stars in The Food Network show Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. Total Time: 3 hr 25 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 3 hr 15 min; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/crockpot-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
Cooking spray
8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked
One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick ) of butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
Two 10-ounce bricks sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 5 cups)
Dash of paprika
Directions
In a large 4-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray, mix the macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, butter, salt, pepper, eggs and all but 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Turn off the slow cooker, stir the mixture and serve hot.
ASPARAGUS-PESTO LASAGNA
This is from the April 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “This recipe uses two popular Italian lasagna fillings: asparagus and pesto.” Serves 10.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/asparagus-pesto-lasagna/
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups low-fat milk, divided
6 Tbs. pesto*, or more to taste
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish, optional
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
1 1/4 lb. asparagus spears, tips cut off and reserved, spears trimmed and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)
16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz.)
2 cups shredded Fontina or part-skim mozzarella cheese (8 oz.), divided
Preheat oven to 350F. Whisk flour and 1/2 cup milk in saucepan until smooth. Gradually whisk in remaining milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly, and boil 1 minute, or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in pesto, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Reserve 1 cup white sauce.
Warm oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped asparagus (not tips) and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic; cook, stirring, 1 minute, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Coat 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Place layer of noodles in dish, overlapping slightly. Layer with half of cooked asparagus, 3/4 cup Fontina and half of sauce. Add another layer of pasta, remaining sauce, remaining cooked asparagus and 3/4 cup Fontina. Top with layer of noodles, then with reserved 1 cup white sauce. Arrange reserved asparagus tips over top and sprinkle with remaining Fontina.
Bake, uncovered, 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden. Let stand 10 minutes; serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
* Look for the freshest, most flavorful pesto in the refrigerator section of the supermarket, packaged in vacuum-sealed bags or in plastic tubs.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 413; Protein: 21 g; Total Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 44 g; Cholesterol: 44 mg; Sodium: 686 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 8 g
HERBED TOFU LASAGNA WITH ZUCCHINI
This also comes from the April 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Simple, fresh flavors and an innovative way with tofu—it's blended with herbs and seasonings until creamy and ricotta-like—make this lasagna one you'll want to make year-round. The key: Use the best purchased marinara sauce you can find, then drizzle each serving with extra virgin olive oil.” Serves 10.
To view this online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/herbed-tofu-lasagna-with-zucchini/.
2 14-oz. pkg. firm tofu, well drained
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. sugar
1 Tbs. olive oil
4 medium-size zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices (about 3 cups)
5 cups marinara sauce
16 no-cook lasagna noodles (9 oz.)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Combine tofu, basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt, red pepper flakes and sugar in food processor; blend until smooth and similar to ricotta in texture.
Put oil and zucchini in large nonstick skillet. Sauté 3 to 5 minutes over medium-high heat, or until just tender.
Spread 3 Tbs. marinara sauce over bottom of prepared baking dish. Cover with layer of noodles, overlapping slightly, half of tofu mixture and half of zucchini mixture. Top with another layer of noodles, remaining tofu and zucchini, and 1/2 cup sauce. Finish with another layer of noodles and remaining sauce.
Cover with foil, and bake 1 hour. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 314; Protein: 18 g; Total Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Sodium: 617 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 10 g; Vegan
ITALIAN EGGPLANT RAGOUT
This also comes from Vegetarian Times, and begins, “The meaty texture of eggplant makes it an ideal ingredient in vegetarian entrées, and its antioxidant content makes it a nutritional powerhouse. Eggplant is rich in a phenolic compound called chlorogenic acid, a potent free-radical scavenger that confers antiviral, antimicrobial, and cholesterol-lowering benefits. Prep tip: Salting the eggplant before cooking it draws out any bitter juices and helps the vegetable hold its shape when cooked.” Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 medium eggplants, halved
2 Tbs. salt
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 Tbs. capers
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
Scoop out center and seeds of eggplant halves. Cut eggplants into 3/4-inch dice. Toss with salt in bowl, and let stand 30 minutes. Drain, rinse well, and pat dry.
Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute more, or until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, chickpeas, and eggplants. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 15 minutes, or until eggplants are tender but not mushy. Stir in capers and sugar, and cook 2 minutes more. Fold in parsley, and season with black pepper.
Nutrition Information: Calories: 197; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 5.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 33 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 681 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 8 g; Yield: Serves 6
Friday, April 26, 2019
Friday Recipes
it's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Comfort Meatballs and Supernatural Brownies. Enjoy!
SUPERNATURAL BROWNIES
This is from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This recipe is an accidental creation by Nick Malgieri, who (in a rare human moment for a pastry chef) once forgot to double the flour when baking his own fudge brownie recipe. He also adds a measure of brown sugar to the basic formula. The experts are divided as to whether the brown sugar actually contributes flavor or simply makes the brownie moister (molasses, which makes brown sugar brown, is powerfully hydrophilic). It’s my belief that the slightly bitter taste of molasses acts as an invisible enhancer to the chocolate. The result is as complex and sophisticated as any terrine or truffle I have ever produced.”
Yield: 15 large or 24 small brownies; Time: About 1 hour
This was featured in “Simple Pleasure, American Style”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter, more for pan and parchment paper
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup dark brown sugar, such as muscovado
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 3/4 cup whole walnuts, optional
Preparation
Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and line with buttered parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, or on low power in a microwave, melt butter, chocolate and sugars together. Cool slightly. In a large bowl or mixer, whisk eggs. Whisk in salt and vanilla.
Whisk in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour just until combined. If using chopped walnuts, stir them in. Pour batter into prepared pan. If using whole walnuts, arrange on top of batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until shiny and beginning to crack on top. Cool in pan on rack.
Tip
For best flavor, bake 1 day before serving, let cool and store, tightly wrapped.
MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RN, LD on VeryWell.com. Kaleigh wrote, "When your blood pressure is high, it’s important to include plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and fiber in your diet. Stuffed bell peppers incorporate all of these into one convenient meal. This Mediterranean version includes whole grain quinoa, chickpeas, and plenty of vegetables, which all provide filling fiber. The bright red peppers and tomatoes also provide vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene for a nutritious punch.
"Stuffed peppers are easy to prepare and hold up well in the refrigerator for lunches during the week. You can customize what you add to them. Switch up the grains with brown rice or farro if you have it, or add different beans and vegetables that need to be used up. You can also add cooked chicken or steak if you want to add a little more protein if you plan to eat the peppers by themselves."
Total Time: 35 min; Prep 10 min, Cook 25 min; Yield 2 peppers (346 calories)
To view this online, click here. To check out Kaleigh's website, go to Lively Table.
Ingredients
2 large red bell peppers
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup low sodium cooked chickpeas
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Chopped parsley, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 350F.
Cut bell peppers vertically down the center in half and remove stems and seeds. Place peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
In a mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Scoop mixture into pepper halves.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until peppers are soft but still hold their shape. Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley before serving (optional).
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You may use cooked brown rice or other grain, such as farro, in place of the quinoa.
Include any vegetables that you have in your refrigerator that need to be used.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve these stuffed peppers hot as a vegetarian dinner or cold as lunch.
Serve one pepper half as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish for a higher protein meal.
SPICE ORANGE CHICKEN THAT'S BETTER THAN TAKE-OUT
This comes from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD on Very Well. Kaleigh's website, Lively Table, is full of wonderful recipes.
Kaleigh wrote, "Chinese takeout is notorious for being full of sodium. Between the sugar and sodium-laden sauces, breaded meat, egg rolls, and fried rice, a takeout meal can quickly add up when it comes to saturated fat and salt. A better option is to make your own at home. It may seem intimidating at first, but it's actually pretty easy and doesn't require too many ingredients.
"This recipe for spicy orange chicken uses fresh orange juice, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes for tons of flavor without added sugar or salt. The only sodium comes from a little bit of reduced-sodium soy sauce, which research shows can actually reduce the amount of sodium in dishes without affecting flavor. Searing the chicken instead of breading and frying it and adding plenty of carrots makes this dish even more virtuous.
"Serve this dish with a side of cooked brown rice or quinoa and top with sliced green onions and red pepper flakes for a super-easy version of takeout that is much healthier. It all comes together in less than 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinner!"
To view this online, click here.
Total Time: 25 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 15 min; Yield: 2 servings (400 calories each)
Ingredients
3/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (from about 2 medium oranges)
zest from 1/2 an orange
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 boneless skinless chicken breast (8 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa
2 sliced green onion
red pepper flakes, to taste
Preparation
In a medium bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, stirring occasionally so that all sides get browned. Once chicken has browned, add carrots and cook, stirring, until carrots are softened, about 5 minutes.
Pour in sauce and cook until sauce is thickened, 3 to 5 more minutes.
Spoon into bowls with rice or quinoa and sprinkle with green onions and red pepper flakes.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
To bulk up this dish even more, add more veggies like broccoli, snow peas, or cabbage.
For a gluten-free version, use low-sodium tamari instead of soy sauce, or look for gluten-free soy sauce.
For a grain-free version, use low-sodium tamari instead of soy sauce or arrowroot (or tapioca) starch instead of cornstarch and serve with cauliflower “rice."
Cooking and Serving Tips
This dish comes together quickly, so make sure your ingredients are chopped and prepped ahead of time to make cooking go more smoothly.
COMFORT MEATBALLS
This is from Ree Drummond of The Food Network’s The Pioneer Woman.
Total: 2 hr; Prep: 15 min; Inactive: 45 min; Cook: 1 hr; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/comfort-meatballs-recipe-2042533
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3/4 cup quick oats
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons very finely minced onion
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Plenty of ground black pepper
4 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Sauce:
1 cup ketchup
4 to 6 tablespoons minced onion
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Dash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco
Directions
For the meatballs: In bowl, combine the ground beef and oats. Pour in the milk, and then add the onions, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls and refrigerate them for 30 to 45 minutes to firm.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dredge the meatballs in the flour, and then brown the meatballs in batches until light brown. As they brown, place them into a rectangular baking dish.
For the sauce: Stir together the ketchup, onions, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Drizzle the sauce evenly on the meatballs.
Bake until bubbly and hot, about 45 minutes.
MEATLOAF
This recipe begins, “The mix of ground turkey and beef gives this meatloaf half the fat and all of the flavor!”
This is from Diabetic Connect
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/51-meatloaf
Ingredients
1 pound ground skinless turkey breast
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 egg
1/4 cup low-fat (1%) milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 slices white bread, lightly toasted and made into coarse crumbs
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons water
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the meats with your hands or a large fork. Blend in the onion, garlic, and parsley; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg until frothy, about 1 minute. Add the milk, mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and whisk to blend. Add the bread crumbs and let stand for 5 minutes.
Add the egg mixture to the meat mixture and blend well, about 1 minute. Spread evenly into a 9x5-inch loaf pan.In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and water until blended. Spread on top of the meat. Bake until the meat is no longer pink, about 90 minutes.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Per serving (yield 6 servings):Calories: 139; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Cholesterol: 36 mg; Sodium: 133 mg; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Fiber: 0.5 g; Protein: 20 g
ZUCCHINI ENCHILADAS
This comes from The Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “No tortillas? No problem. Take advantage of summer's squash bounty and wrap your enchilada filling up in zucchini.”
Total Time: 1 hr 5 min; Active Time: 35 min; Yield: 4 servings (3 enchiladas per person); Level: Easy
To view this line, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 scallions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (skin discarded)1 1/2 cups salsa (not chunky)
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
3 to 4 medium zucchini
Several dashes chipotle hot sauce, plus more for serving, optional
2 tablespoons sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the scallion whites and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in the chili powder and cook, stirring, until the scallions are coated and the oil is brick red, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the chicken, 1/2 cup of the salsa and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Set aside.
Halve the zucchini lengthwise and arrange cut-side down on a work surface. Use a Y-shaped vegetable peeler to shave off ribbons the entire length of each zucchini and as wide as possible (the first few may be too skinny). Make 36 zucchini ribbons total.
Lay out 3 ribbons, slightly overlapping to make a rectangle (think of this as your "tortilla"). Pile about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture down along one of the short ends of the zucchini tortilla and then roll up to enclose the filling. Put in a 2- to 3-quart baking dish. Roll up the remaining zucchini ribbons and filling and arrange in the dish. Top the rolls with the remaining 1 cup salsa. Add several dashes of the hot sauce and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
Bake until the cheese is melted and the filling is hot, about 25 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes. Thin the sour cream out with a little water and drizzle over the enchiladas. Sprinkle with the reserved scallion greens and serve with more hot sauce if you'd like.
SUPERNATURAL BROWNIES
This is from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This recipe is an accidental creation by Nick Malgieri, who (in a rare human moment for a pastry chef) once forgot to double the flour when baking his own fudge brownie recipe. He also adds a measure of brown sugar to the basic formula. The experts are divided as to whether the brown sugar actually contributes flavor or simply makes the brownie moister (molasses, which makes brown sugar brown, is powerfully hydrophilic). It’s my belief that the slightly bitter taste of molasses acts as an invisible enhancer to the chocolate. The result is as complex and sophisticated as any terrine or truffle I have ever produced.”
Yield: 15 large or 24 small brownies; Time: About 1 hour
This was featured in “Simple Pleasure, American Style”, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter, more for pan and parchment paper
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup dark brown sugar, such as muscovado
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or 3/4 cup whole walnuts, optional
Preparation
Butter a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and line with buttered parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In top of a double boiler set over barely simmering water, or on low power in a microwave, melt butter, chocolate and sugars together. Cool slightly. In a large bowl or mixer, whisk eggs. Whisk in salt and vanilla.
Whisk in chocolate mixture. Fold in flour just until combined. If using chopped walnuts, stir them in. Pour batter into prepared pan. If using whole walnuts, arrange on top of batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until shiny and beginning to crack on top. Cool in pan on rack.
Tip
For best flavor, bake 1 day before serving, let cool and store, tightly wrapped.
MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RN, LD on VeryWell.com. Kaleigh wrote, "When your blood pressure is high, it’s important to include plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and fiber in your diet. Stuffed bell peppers incorporate all of these into one convenient meal. This Mediterranean version includes whole grain quinoa, chickpeas, and plenty of vegetables, which all provide filling fiber. The bright red peppers and tomatoes also provide vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene for a nutritious punch.
"Stuffed peppers are easy to prepare and hold up well in the refrigerator for lunches during the week. You can customize what you add to them. Switch up the grains with brown rice or farro if you have it, or add different beans and vegetables that need to be used up. You can also add cooked chicken or steak if you want to add a little more protein if you plan to eat the peppers by themselves."
Total Time: 35 min; Prep 10 min, Cook 25 min; Yield 2 peppers (346 calories)
To view this online, click here. To check out Kaleigh's website, go to Lively Table.
Ingredients
2 large red bell peppers
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup low sodium cooked chickpeas
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Chopped parsley, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 350F.
Cut bell peppers vertically down the center in half and remove stems and seeds. Place peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
In a mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Scoop mixture into pepper halves.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until peppers are soft but still hold their shape. Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley before serving (optional).
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You may use cooked brown rice or other grain, such as farro, in place of the quinoa.
Include any vegetables that you have in your refrigerator that need to be used.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve these stuffed peppers hot as a vegetarian dinner or cold as lunch.
Serve one pepper half as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish for a higher protein meal.
SPICE ORANGE CHICKEN THAT'S BETTER THAN TAKE-OUT
This comes from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD on Very Well. Kaleigh's website, Lively Table, is full of wonderful recipes.
Kaleigh wrote, "Chinese takeout is notorious for being full of sodium. Between the sugar and sodium-laden sauces, breaded meat, egg rolls, and fried rice, a takeout meal can quickly add up when it comes to saturated fat and salt. A better option is to make your own at home. It may seem intimidating at first, but it's actually pretty easy and doesn't require too many ingredients.
"This recipe for spicy orange chicken uses fresh orange juice, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes for tons of flavor without added sugar or salt. The only sodium comes from a little bit of reduced-sodium soy sauce, which research shows can actually reduce the amount of sodium in dishes without affecting flavor. Searing the chicken instead of breading and frying it and adding plenty of carrots makes this dish even more virtuous.
"Serve this dish with a side of cooked brown rice or quinoa and top with sliced green onions and red pepper flakes for a super-easy version of takeout that is much healthier. It all comes together in less than 30 minutes—perfect for weeknight dinner!"
To view this online, click here.
Total Time: 25 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 15 min; Yield: 2 servings (400 calories each)
Ingredients
3/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (from about 2 medium oranges)
zest from 1/2 an orange
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 boneless skinless chicken breast (8 ounces), cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 cup cooked brown rice or quinoa
2 sliced green onion
red pepper flakes, to taste
Preparation
In a medium bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, stirring occasionally so that all sides get browned. Once chicken has browned, add carrots and cook, stirring, until carrots are softened, about 5 minutes.
Pour in sauce and cook until sauce is thickened, 3 to 5 more minutes.
Spoon into bowls with rice or quinoa and sprinkle with green onions and red pepper flakes.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
To bulk up this dish even more, add more veggies like broccoli, snow peas, or cabbage.
For a gluten-free version, use low-sodium tamari instead of soy sauce, or look for gluten-free soy sauce.
For a grain-free version, use low-sodium tamari instead of soy sauce or arrowroot (or tapioca) starch instead of cornstarch and serve with cauliflower “rice."
Cooking and Serving Tips
This dish comes together quickly, so make sure your ingredients are chopped and prepped ahead of time to make cooking go more smoothly.
COMFORT MEATBALLS
This is from Ree Drummond of The Food Network’s The Pioneer Woman.
Total: 2 hr; Prep: 15 min; Inactive: 45 min; Cook: 1 hr; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/comfort-meatballs-recipe-2042533
Ingredients
Meatballs:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3/4 cup quick oats
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons very finely minced onion
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Plenty of ground black pepper
4 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Sauce:
1 cup ketchup
4 to 6 tablespoons minced onion
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Dash of hot sauce, such as Tabasco
Directions
For the meatballs: In bowl, combine the ground beef and oats. Pour in the milk, and then add the onions, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls and refrigerate them for 30 to 45 minutes to firm.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dredge the meatballs in the flour, and then brown the meatballs in batches until light brown. As they brown, place them into a rectangular baking dish.
For the sauce: Stir together the ketchup, onions, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Drizzle the sauce evenly on the meatballs.
Bake until bubbly and hot, about 45 minutes.
MEATLOAF
This recipe begins, “The mix of ground turkey and beef gives this meatloaf half the fat and all of the flavor!”
This is from Diabetic Connect
To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/51-meatloaf
Ingredients
1 pound ground skinless turkey breast
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 medium onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 egg
1/4 cup low-fat (1%) milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 slices white bread, lightly toasted and made into coarse crumbs
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons water
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the meats with your hands or a large fork. Blend in the onion, garlic, and parsley; set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg until frothy, about 1 minute. Add the milk, mustard, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and whisk to blend. Add the bread crumbs and let stand for 5 minutes.
Add the egg mixture to the meat mixture and blend well, about 1 minute. Spread evenly into a 9x5-inch loaf pan.In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and water until blended. Spread on top of the meat. Bake until the meat is no longer pink, about 90 minutes.
Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Per serving (yield 6 servings):Calories: 139; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Cholesterol: 36 mg; Sodium: 133 mg; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Fiber: 0.5 g; Protein: 20 g
ZUCCHINI ENCHILADAS
This comes from The Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “No tortillas? No problem. Take advantage of summer's squash bounty and wrap your enchilada filling up in zucchini.”
Total Time: 1 hr 5 min; Active Time: 35 min; Yield: 4 servings (3 enchiladas per person); Level: Easy
To view this line, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 scallions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (skin discarded)1 1/2 cups salsa (not chunky)
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
3 to 4 medium zucchini
Several dashes chipotle hot sauce, plus more for serving, optional
2 tablespoons sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the scallion whites and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in the chili powder and cook, stirring, until the scallions are coated and the oil is brick red, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the chicken, 1/2 cup of the salsa and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Set aside.
Halve the zucchini lengthwise and arrange cut-side down on a work surface. Use a Y-shaped vegetable peeler to shave off ribbons the entire length of each zucchini and as wide as possible (the first few may be too skinny). Make 36 zucchini ribbons total.
Lay out 3 ribbons, slightly overlapping to make a rectangle (think of this as your "tortilla"). Pile about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture down along one of the short ends of the zucchini tortilla and then roll up to enclose the filling. Put in a 2- to 3-quart baking dish. Roll up the remaining zucchini ribbons and filling and arrange in the dish. Top the rolls with the remaining 1 cup salsa. Add several dashes of the hot sauce and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
Bake until the cheese is melted and the filling is hot, about 25 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes. Thin the sour cream out with a little water and drizzle over the enchiladas. Sprinkle with the reserved scallion greens and serve with more hot sauce if you'd like.
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Salads - Double-Post Thursday
Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's double post deals with salads.
Of course, salads don't have to be that iconic side of years past, where we had simply lettuce-tomatoes-onions-and-dressing (though there's really nothing wrong with that!). Today's salads are so much more, as these salads will show, including kid-friendly Pot Luck Pasta Salad and the Beef Taco Salad. Enjoy!
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 1/2 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.
POT LUCK PASTA SALAD (KID-FRIENDLY)
This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The program has changed, but I'm using the values from when this was sent.
This recipe begins, “This colorful salad has something for everyone. If you’re short on time, buy the ingredients already cut from a salad bar and use your favorite bottled fat-free Italian dressing.”
POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 12; Preparation Time: 30 minutes; Cooking Time: 15 minutes; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
4 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, corkscrew shape (about 1 1/2 cups)
4 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, wheel shaped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 oz olives, canned, sliced, black (about 10 medium black olives)
1 medium green peppers, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 medium sweet red peppers, chopped (about 1 cup)
3/4 cup grape tomatoes, or other small tomatoes, halved (about 10 tomatoes)
1 medium yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise and sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse pasta with cold water; drain again and set aside.
Meanwhile, prepare salad dressing by mixing together oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, salt, black pepper and garlic in a small bowl; set aside until ready to use.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta with vegetables; pour in dressing and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and chill about 2 hours. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
CONFETTI BEAN SALAD
Servings: 6
Source: The Diabetic Newsletter
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/43.shtml
Ingredients
16 ounces can mixed cut green & wax beans
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons pimiento, chopped
1/2 cup cider vinegar
Sugar substitute equivalent to 5 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon mixed pickling spices
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
Crisp lettuce leaves
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
Directions
Drain beans, saving liquid.
Combine this liquid with vinegar in a saucepan.
Add mixed pickling spice, either loose or in a small cheesecloth bag.
Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix all the vegetables in a bowl.
Remove liquid from heat; add sweetener and stir until dissolved.
Pour over vegetables and remove spice bag or loose spices.
Chill several hours, stirring occasionally.
Drain before serving on crisp lettuce.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 28; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable
WINTER FRUIT SALAD
This is from OnTrackDiabetes, a site with some good information for diabetics and their families.
You can view this at https://www.ontrackdiabetes.com/recipes/salads/winter-fruit-salad.
Ingredients
8 red apples, such as Jonathan or Gala, cored and diced
8 green Bartlett or Anjou pears, cored and diced
4 cups fresh strawberries, stems removed, sliced
2 cups fresh orange juice
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur (optional)
sugar substitute, to taste (optional)
4 bananas, sliced
Directions
Place all of the fruit (except bananas), juices and liqueur (if using) in a large attractive bowl. Add sugar substitute, if using. Gently mix.
Cover bowl and refrigerate 4 to 8 hours, but no longer.
Just before serving, stir in banana slices.
Nutritional Information Per serving: 131 calories (5% calories from fat), 1 g protein, 1 g total fat (0.1 g saturated fat), 33 g carbohydrates, 5 g dietary fiber, 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 2 carbohydrate (fruit)
BEEF TACO SALAD
This comes from Judy Kim on Delish. 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.
For this recipe, Judy wrote, “Try a healthier twist on Taco Tuesdays.” Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Taco Seasoning
2 tbsp. tomato paste
vegetable oil
2 corn tortillas, cut into 1/4" strips
2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Pico de Gallo
sour cream
1/4 c. Chopped cilantro
Directions
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef using a wooden spoon and break up meat into small pieces. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons water, and tomato paste. Cook through, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside.
In a sauté pan add about 1/2" of vegetable oil. Heat until hot but not smoking. Fry tortilla strips until golden brown; transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Season tortillas with salt just after removing from hot oil.
Assemble salad in 4 bowls with romaine, tomatoes, black beans, and warm taco meat. Top with cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. Garnish with cilantro and crisp tortilla strips.
TOMATO AND WATERMELON SALAD
This comes from Sam Sifton for The New York Times Cooking section (featured in How to Make a Perfect Summer Feast, on July 3, 2015). Sam wrote, “Summer in a bowl: salty and sweet, with a hint of acidity. Make it with the best tomatoes you can find, a cold watermelon, less dressing than you would think and, if you can find it, Bulgarian feta.” Serves 6 to 8 in 15 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 to 6 large tomatoes, ideally heirloom varieties, cut into 1 1/4-inch cubes
1 small seedless watermelon, cut into 1 1/4-inch cubes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 cup feta cheese, torn into large crumbles
Preparation
Combine the cubed tomatoes and watermelon in a large, nonreactive bowl and toss gently to combine. Add salt and let stand 5 to 10 minutes while you prepare the dressing.
Whisk together the oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cheese to the tomatoes and watermelon, then the dressing, and toss gently to combine.
Of course, salads don't have to be that iconic side of years past, where we had simply lettuce-tomatoes-onions-and-dressing (though there's really nothing wrong with that!). Today's salads are so much more, as these salads will show, including kid-friendly Pot Luck Pasta Salad and the Beef Taco Salad. Enjoy!
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 1/2 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.
POT LUCK PASTA SALAD (KID-FRIENDLY)
This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The program has changed, but I'm using the values from when this was sent.
This recipe begins, “This colorful salad has something for everyone. If you’re short on time, buy the ingredients already cut from a salad bar and use your favorite bottled fat-free Italian dressing.”
POINTS® Value: 3; Servings: 12; Preparation Time: 30 minutes; Cooking Time: 15 minutes; Level of Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
4 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, corkscrew shape (about 1 1/2 cups)
4 oz uncooked whole-wheat pasta, wheel shaped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 oz olives, canned, sliced, black (about 10 medium black olives)
1 medium green peppers, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 medium sweet red peppers, chopped (about 1 cup)
3/4 cup grape tomatoes, or other small tomatoes, halved (about 10 tomatoes)
1 medium yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise and sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse pasta with cold water; drain again and set aside.
Meanwhile, prepare salad dressing by mixing together oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, salt, black pepper and garlic in a small bowl; set aside until ready to use.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta with vegetables; pour in dressing and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and chill about 2 hours. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
CONFETTI BEAN SALAD
Servings: 6
Source: The Diabetic Newsletter
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/43.shtml
Ingredients
16 ounces can mixed cut green & wax beans
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons pimiento, chopped
1/2 cup cider vinegar
Sugar substitute equivalent to 5 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon mixed pickling spices
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
Crisp lettuce leaves
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
Directions
Drain beans, saving liquid.
Combine this liquid with vinegar in a saucepan.
Add mixed pickling spice, either loose or in a small cheesecloth bag.
Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix all the vegetables in a bowl.
Remove liquid from heat; add sweetener and stir until dissolved.
Pour over vegetables and remove spice bag or loose spices.
Chill several hours, stirring occasionally.
Drain before serving on crisp lettuce.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 28; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable
WINTER FRUIT SALAD
This is from OnTrackDiabetes, a site with some good information for diabetics and their families.
You can view this at https://www.ontrackdiabetes.com/recipes/salads/winter-fruit-salad.
Ingredients
8 red apples, such as Jonathan or Gala, cored and diced
8 green Bartlett or Anjou pears, cored and diced
4 cups fresh strawberries, stems removed, sliced
2 cups fresh orange juice
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup orange-flavored liqueur (optional)
sugar substitute, to taste (optional)
4 bananas, sliced
Directions
Place all of the fruit (except bananas), juices and liqueur (if using) in a large attractive bowl. Add sugar substitute, if using. Gently mix.
Cover bowl and refrigerate 4 to 8 hours, but no longer.
Just before serving, stir in banana slices.
Nutritional Information Per serving: 131 calories (5% calories from fat), 1 g protein, 1 g total fat (0.1 g saturated fat), 33 g carbohydrates, 5 g dietary fiber, 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium
Diabetic exchanges: 2 carbohydrate (fruit)
BEEF TACO SALAD
This comes from Judy Kim on Delish. 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.
For this recipe, Judy wrote, “Try a healthier twist on Taco Tuesdays.” Total Time: 20 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Taco Seasoning
2 tbsp. tomato paste
vegetable oil
2 corn tortillas, cut into 1/4" strips
2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Pico de Gallo
sour cream
1/4 c. Chopped cilantro
Directions
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef using a wooden spoon and break up meat into small pieces. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons water, and tomato paste. Cook through, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and set aside.
In a sauté pan add about 1/2" of vegetable oil. Heat until hot but not smoking. Fry tortilla strips until golden brown; transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Season tortillas with salt just after removing from hot oil.
Assemble salad in 4 bowls with romaine, tomatoes, black beans, and warm taco meat. Top with cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. Garnish with cilantro and crisp tortilla strips.
TOMATO AND WATERMELON SALAD
This comes from Sam Sifton for The New York Times Cooking section (featured in How to Make a Perfect Summer Feast, on July 3, 2015). Sam wrote, “Summer in a bowl: salty and sweet, with a hint of acidity. Make it with the best tomatoes you can find, a cold watermelon, less dressing than you would think and, if you can find it, Bulgarian feta.” Serves 6 to 8 in 15 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 to 6 large tomatoes, ideally heirloom varieties, cut into 1 1/4-inch cubes
1 small seedless watermelon, cut into 1 1/4-inch cubes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 cup feta cheese, torn into large crumbles
Preparation
Combine the cubed tomatoes and watermelon in a large, nonreactive bowl and toss gently to combine. Add salt and let stand 5 to 10 minutes while you prepare the dressing.
Whisk together the oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cheese to the tomatoes and watermelon, then the dressing, and toss gently to combine.
Diabetic Thursday
If you've followed this food blog for a while, you no doubt realize that today is Diabetic Thursday, a time to explore how yummy and un-boring diabetic food can be. Today's for proves that point.
That said, here are today's six yummy diabetic recipes for you to try, including Spicy Thai Chicken and Chocolate-Cherry Parfait. Enjoy!
MASHED TURNIPS WITH ROASTED GARLIC
Yield: Makes 8 servings.
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/34.shtml
Source: Family Circle's All-Time Favorite Recipes
Ingredients
1-1/2 pound small turnips, peeled and quartered
1 ripe bartlett pear, about 6 ounces, peeled, cored, chopped
4 cloves garlic, roasted and peeled
1 tablespoon margarine
2 tablespoons skim milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
Steam turnips over boiling water until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain turnips and place in a food processor or blender along with pear, garlic, and margarine.
Process until smooth, adding skim milk as needed.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 4; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable
ROASTED TURNIPS WITH GINGER
Servings: 4
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/101.shtml
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound turnips, peeled, cut into 2 x 1/2 x 1/2-inch strips
2 teaspoons dark Asian sesame oil
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Bring 2 quarts water and 1/4 teaspoon salt to boiling in a large saucepan over high heat. Add turnips; return to boiling. Lower heat to medium; cover and cook 3 minutes or until turnips are just tender.
Drain turnips. Turn into a large roasting pan. Stir in sesame oil, ginger, pepper and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Roast into heated 375 degree F. oven 40 minutes, stirring turnips several times with a wooden spoon.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 52; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 343 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg ; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat
BEEF STEAK AND ROASTED VEGETABLE SALAD
Yield: Makes 4 servings.
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1007.shtml
Source: NCBA
Ingredients
2 beef top loin steaks or four beef tenderloin steaks, cut 1 inch thick
8 cups torn salad greens
3/4 cup Italian dressing
Roasted Vegetables:
16 small mushrooms
1 large red, yellow or green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch wide strips
1 medium Japanese eggplant, sliced (1-inch)
1 medium onion, cut into 8 wedges
1 medium zucchini, sliced (1-inch)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
Directions
Heat oven to 425F. Spray 15 x 10-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place vegetables in pan; spray generously with cooking spray. Drizzle with vinegar; sprinkle with garlic, rosemary and salt and pepper. Stir to coat. Roast in 425F oven 30 to 35 minutes or until tender, stirring once. Cool slightly.
Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place steaks in skillet; cook top loin steaks 12 to 15 minutes (tenderloin steaks 10 to 13 minutes) for medium rare (145F) to medium (160F) doneness, turning occasionally. Remove; let stand 10 minutes.
Carve steaks; season with salt. Arrange beef and vegetables on greens. Serve with dressing.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 418; Protein: 3 g; Sodium: 849 mg; Cholesterol: 56 mg; Fat: 24 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 8.7 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g
SPICY THAI CHICKEN
Servings: 2 (4 oz. each)
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/143.shtml
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=143
Ingredients
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp white vinegar
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 packet Equal sugar substitute (or similar substitute)
2-4oz boneless chicken breasts, skinned
1 lime, sliced into 6 wedges
Directions
Puree red bell pepper with vinegar in a food processor.
Pour puree into a saucepan. Add red pepper flakes and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 3 minutes more.
Remove from the heat and let stand til cool.
Once the red pepper puree is cooled, stir in the Equal sugar substitute.
In a preheated oven, broil the chicken breasts for about 10 minutes (or until browned). Turn chicken and broil approximately 5 minutes more.
Prepare a serving platter with a bed of hot, cooked, white rice, brown rice, or couscous.
Remove chicken from oven and place breasts atop the bed of rice/couscous. Spoon the spicy red pepper sauce atop the chicken breasts, garnish with the lime wedges, and serve at once.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 200; Protein: 35 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 85 mg; Carbohydrates: 331; Exchanges: 4 Lean Meat
CHOCOLATE-CHERRY PARFAIT
Servings: 6
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/158.shtml
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=158
Ingredients
3 oz Neufchatel cream cheese
2 cup cold skim milk
3 oz package Jell-o sugar-free instant chocolate pudding1 pound fresh bing cherries, pitted, cut in half (or frozen, thawed)
Directions
Blend cream cheese with 1/4 cup skim milk, on low speed of electric mixer, until smooth. Add remaining milk and pudding mix. Mix 1 or 2 minutes until smooth and well blended.
Add to 75% of the fresh cherries to 1/2 cup water, and cook until it boils for 1 minute. Remove from heat, drain well.
Alternately spoon pudding and cherries into parfait dishes, ending with pudding.
Garnish the top of each parfait with the remaining cherries.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 116; Fat: 3.5 g; Sodium: 305 mg; Cholesterol: 14.5 mg; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Bread; 1/2 Fruit; 1 Fat
QUINOA SALAD
Yield: 4 servings (1/2 cup each)
Source: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/852.shtml
Ingredients
1/2 cup raw quinoa, rinsed
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped red pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced green onions
Fresh ground pepper and salt to taste
Directions
Prepare the quinoa. Rinse the quinoa in a fine sieve for 20 seconds.
In a 1-quart saucepan bring 1-1/2 cups water to a boil.
Add the quinoa and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile prepare the vegetables. Combine the chopped yellow pepper, red pepper, carrot, celery, and parsley in a medium bowl.
In a blender, combine the oil, vinegar, garlic, green onions, salt, and pepper. Blend for 15 seconds.
Once the quinoa is cooked, add it to the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetables and toss well.
Refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve over lettuce if desired.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 125; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 12 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fat
That said, here are today's six yummy diabetic recipes for you to try, including Spicy Thai Chicken and Chocolate-Cherry Parfait. Enjoy!
MASHED TURNIPS WITH ROASTED GARLIC
Yield: Makes 8 servings.
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/34.shtml
Source: Family Circle's All-Time Favorite Recipes
Ingredients
1-1/2 pound small turnips, peeled and quartered
1 ripe bartlett pear, about 6 ounces, peeled, cored, chopped
4 cloves garlic, roasted and peeled
1 tablespoon margarine
2 tablespoons skim milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
Steam turnips over boiling water until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain turnips and place in a food processor or blender along with pear, garlic, and margarine.
Process until smooth, adding skim milk as needed.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 4; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable
ROASTED TURNIPS WITH GINGER
Servings: 4
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/101.shtml
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound turnips, peeled, cut into 2 x 1/2 x 1/2-inch strips
2 teaspoons dark Asian sesame oil
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Bring 2 quarts water and 1/4 teaspoon salt to boiling in a large saucepan over high heat. Add turnips; return to boiling. Lower heat to medium; cover and cook 3 minutes or until turnips are just tender.
Drain turnips. Turn into a large roasting pan. Stir in sesame oil, ginger, pepper and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Roast into heated 375 degree F. oven 40 minutes, stirring turnips several times with a wooden spoon.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 52; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 343 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg ; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat
BEEF STEAK AND ROASTED VEGETABLE SALAD
Yield: Makes 4 servings.
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1007.shtml
Source: NCBA
Ingredients
2 beef top loin steaks or four beef tenderloin steaks, cut 1 inch thick
8 cups torn salad greens
3/4 cup Italian dressing
Roasted Vegetables:
16 small mushrooms
1 large red, yellow or green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch wide strips
1 medium Japanese eggplant, sliced (1-inch)
1 medium onion, cut into 8 wedges
1 medium zucchini, sliced (1-inch)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
Directions
Heat oven to 425F. Spray 15 x 10-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place vegetables in pan; spray generously with cooking spray. Drizzle with vinegar; sprinkle with garlic, rosemary and salt and pepper. Stir to coat. Roast in 425F oven 30 to 35 minutes or until tender, stirring once. Cool slightly.
Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place steaks in skillet; cook top loin steaks 12 to 15 minutes (tenderloin steaks 10 to 13 minutes) for medium rare (145F) to medium (160F) doneness, turning occasionally. Remove; let stand 10 minutes.
Carve steaks; season with salt. Arrange beef and vegetables on greens. Serve with dressing.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 418; Protein: 3 g; Sodium: 849 mg; Cholesterol: 56 mg; Fat: 24 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 8.7 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g
SPICY THAI CHICKEN
Servings: 2 (4 oz. each)
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/143.shtml
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=143
Ingredients
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
2 tbsp white vinegar
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 packet Equal sugar substitute (or similar substitute)
2-4oz boneless chicken breasts, skinned
1 lime, sliced into 6 wedges
Directions
Puree red bell pepper with vinegar in a food processor.
Pour puree into a saucepan. Add red pepper flakes and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 3 minutes more.
Remove from the heat and let stand til cool.
Once the red pepper puree is cooled, stir in the Equal sugar substitute.
In a preheated oven, broil the chicken breasts for about 10 minutes (or until browned). Turn chicken and broil approximately 5 minutes more.
Prepare a serving platter with a bed of hot, cooked, white rice, brown rice, or couscous.
Remove chicken from oven and place breasts atop the bed of rice/couscous. Spoon the spicy red pepper sauce atop the chicken breasts, garnish with the lime wedges, and serve at once.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 200; Protein: 35 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 85 mg; Carbohydrates: 331; Exchanges: 4 Lean Meat
CHOCOLATE-CHERRY PARFAIT
Servings: 6
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/158.shtml
Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=158
Ingredients
3 oz Neufchatel cream cheese
2 cup cold skim milk
3 oz package Jell-o sugar-free instant chocolate pudding1 pound fresh bing cherries, pitted, cut in half (or frozen, thawed)
Directions
Blend cream cheese with 1/4 cup skim milk, on low speed of electric mixer, until smooth. Add remaining milk and pudding mix. Mix 1 or 2 minutes until smooth and well blended.
Add to 75% of the fresh cherries to 1/2 cup water, and cook until it boils for 1 minute. Remove from heat, drain well.
Alternately spoon pudding and cherries into parfait dishes, ending with pudding.
Garnish the top of each parfait with the remaining cherries.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 116; Fat: 3.5 g; Sodium: 305 mg; Cholesterol: 14.5 mg; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Bread; 1/2 Fruit; 1 Fat
QUINOA SALAD
Yield: 4 servings (1/2 cup each)
Source: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/852.shtml
Ingredients
1/2 cup raw quinoa, rinsed
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped red pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced green onions
Fresh ground pepper and salt to taste
Directions
Prepare the quinoa. Rinse the quinoa in a fine sieve for 20 seconds.
In a 1-quart saucepan bring 1-1/2 cups water to a boil.
Add the quinoa and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile prepare the vegetables. Combine the chopped yellow pepper, red pepper, carrot, celery, and parsley in a medium bowl.
In a blender, combine the oil, vinegar, garlic, green onions, salt, and pepper. Blend for 15 seconds.
Once the quinoa is cooked, add it to the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetables and toss well.
Refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve over lettuce if desired.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 125; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 12 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fat
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Meatloaf
Is there anything more iconic of the term comfort food than meatloaf? Okay, maybe mac and cheese, but we'll save that for another day.
Before checking out today's recipes, you might want to read this post from The Spruce Eats, titled “The Secrets to a Perfectly Moist Meatloaf”. Very helpful stuff!
And now, on to today's recipes, which include Mexican Meatloaf and Simple Meatloaf with Optional Topping. Enjoy!
MEAT LOAF WITH SWEET & SOUR SAUCE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
1-1/2 lbs. ground round
small onion, chopped
1 egg
bread crumbs
4 oz. tomato sauce
salt/pepper to taste
Combine all above ingredients and mix well.
Sweet/Sour Sauce
4 oz. tomato sauce
couple oz. water
2 T. mustard
2 T. vinegar
2 T. Worchestershire sauce
3 T. brown sugar
Mix all ingredients for sauce. Pour about half of sauce over meatloaf. Bake meet loaf at 350 for 1 15 min. Pour more sauce over meatloaf about half way thru cooking time.
Leftover meatloaf makes delicious sandwiches.
The ingredients for the sauce aren't exact. I've been making this recipe for so long I just kinda estimate the quantity. My family LOVES this meatloaf recipe and will not eat meatloaf anywhere, but home. Hope you enjoy it!!!
GRACELAND OATMEAL MEATLOAF
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Serving Size : 10
2 Green peppers , diced
2 medium Onions, diced
2 large Eggs, lightly beaten
2 pounds Ground chuck
1 pound Bulk sausage meat
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon Onion powder
1 cup Rolled oats
1 1/2 cups Hunt's ketchup
Preheat the oven to 375'F. Combine all the ingredients except 1/2 cup of the ketchup in a large mixing bowl. Mix well and shape into a nice, even loaf. Place the loaf in a shallow baking dish and top with the remaining ketchup. Bake for 90 minutes or until well-done.
SIMPLE MEATLOAF WITH OPTIONAL TOPPING
This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This delicious and simple meatloaf recipe is a great fit for Sunday dinner. Feel free to use plain ketchup to top this dish, or, if you're feeling a little adventurous, make the optional topping. For a tasty meal, serve the meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes and peas and carrots or your favorite vegetables.
“Note: Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 80 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Optional Glaze/Topping:
4 tablespoons ketchup
4 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
2 tablespoons Dijon (or similar mustard)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Meatloaf:
2 pounds ground beef
2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
1/2 cup milk
1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs (plain)
2 tablespoons dried minced onion (or 1/2 cup finely minced fresh onion)
1 1/2 teaspoons burger seasoning (or 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper)
1/2 cup ketchup (plus more for topping, if desired)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Heat over to 350 degrees F.
Spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
If using the optional topping, in a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons ketchup, maple syrup, mustard and Worcestershire until well mixed. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, onion, burger seasoning, and 1/2 cup of ketchup.
Mix until well blended and pack into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake the meatloaf for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Carefully drain off any excess fat and then top the loaf with the optional topping mixture or about 4 tablespoons of ketchup. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer.
Serve and enjoy!
Tips
Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan.
Experiment with meat mixtures in meatloaf. While beef gives excellent flavor and holds together well, adding a portion of lean ground pork will provide juiciness. Ground veal would add lightness to a loaf, and ground chicken or turkey would reduce some of the fat and calories.
Top the meatloaf with prepared barbecue sauce just before it's finished baking.
Use cracker crumbs or soft breadcrumbs in the meatloaf instead of fine dry breadcrumbs.
Line the loaf pan with parchment paper or foil, like a sling. Just grab the ends of the paper or foil and lift the meatloaf out of the pan when it's done.
Bake the meatloaf in individual muffin cups. Use about 1/4 cup of meatloaf mixture for each muffin cup.
Pack the meatloaf mixture into individual oiled ramekins, and then invert them onto a rimmed baking sheet for perfectly shaped individual meatloaves.
Instead of breadcrumbs, use crushed cheese crackers in the meat mixture.
Top a meatloaf with strips of bacon before baking, or add crumbled cooked bacon to the meat mixture.
MEXICAN MEATLOAF
This comes from Stephanie Gallagher, About.com’s Cooking for Families expert. Stephanie wrote, “This Mexican meatloaf recipe gets its zing from salsa and Mexican cheese blend. If you're a fan of make-ahead cooking. you can make this easy meatloaf recipe and freeze it, either before or after cooking.
“If you freeze it before cooking, shape the meatloaf and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then put it in a zip-loc bag.“If freezing it after cooking, wrap the meatloaf tightly and store in an airtight container. Be sure to defrost the meatloaf overnight in the refrigerator before cooking or reheating.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar and Monterey Jack)
3/4 cup tomato salsa, divided
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine Panko, eggs, cheese, 1/2 cup of the salsa, mustard and meats.
Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape meat mixture into a loaf on the baking sheet.
Spread remaining 1/4 cup of salsa on top.
Bake 50-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf (as measured with a thermometer) reaches 155 degrees. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
TURKEY MEATLOAF
This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “This turkey meatloaf is so moist and flavorful it’s guaranteed to be a hit! It gets wonderful taste from the addition of tomato soup, onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Try it tonight for dinner and watch how fast it disappears!”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 40 minutes; Serves: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds lean 99% fat free ground turkey
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Healthy Request® Condensed Tomato Soup
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed
3/4 cup plain dry whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup cholesterol-free egg substitute
Directions
Heat the oven to 350°F.
Thoroughly mix the turkey, 1/2 cup soup, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, bread crumbs and egg substitute in a large bowl. Place the mixture into a 13x9x2-inch baking pan and firmly shape into an 8x4-inch loaf. Pour the remaining soup over the meatloaf.
Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes or until the meatloaf is cooked through. Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
CHEESY TACO MEATLOAF
This also comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “It takes just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to put together this scrumptious meatloaf...and when it comes out of the oven you've got two family favorites, tacos and meatloaf, combined into one tasty dish!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes; Serves: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Chunky Salsa or Pace® Picante Sauce - Medium
1 1/2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (about 1/2 cup)
1 egg
1 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Set the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly mix the beef, 1 cup salsa, tortilla chips, egg, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a 3-quart shallow baking pan and shape into an 9x4-inch loaf.
Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.
Spread the remaining salsa over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Before checking out today's recipes, you might want to read this post from The Spruce Eats, titled “The Secrets to a Perfectly Moist Meatloaf”. Very helpful stuff!
And now, on to today's recipes, which include Mexican Meatloaf and Simple Meatloaf with Optional Topping. Enjoy!
MEAT LOAF WITH SWEET & SOUR SAUCE
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
1-1/2 lbs. ground round
small onion, chopped
1 egg
bread crumbs
4 oz. tomato sauce
salt/pepper to taste
Combine all above ingredients and mix well.
Sweet/Sour Sauce
4 oz. tomato sauce
couple oz. water
2 T. mustard
2 T. vinegar
2 T. Worchestershire sauce
3 T. brown sugar
Mix all ingredients for sauce. Pour about half of sauce over meatloaf. Bake meet loaf at 350 for 1 15 min. Pour more sauce over meatloaf about half way thru cooking time.
Leftover meatloaf makes delicious sandwiches.
The ingredients for the sauce aren't exact. I've been making this recipe for so long I just kinda estimate the quantity. My family LOVES this meatloaf recipe and will not eat meatloaf anywhere, but home. Hope you enjoy it!!!
GRACELAND OATMEAL MEATLOAF
This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Serving Size : 10
2 Green peppers , diced
2 medium Onions, diced
2 large Eggs, lightly beaten
2 pounds Ground chuck
1 pound Bulk sausage meat
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon Onion powder
1 cup Rolled oats
1 1/2 cups Hunt's ketchup
Preheat the oven to 375'F. Combine all the ingredients except 1/2 cup of the ketchup in a large mixing bowl. Mix well and shape into a nice, even loaf. Place the loaf in a shallow baking dish and top with the remaining ketchup. Bake for 90 minutes or until well-done.
SIMPLE MEATLOAF WITH OPTIONAL TOPPING
This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This delicious and simple meatloaf recipe is a great fit for Sunday dinner. Feel free to use plain ketchup to top this dish, or, if you're feeling a little adventurous, make the optional topping. For a tasty meal, serve the meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes and peas and carrots or your favorite vegetables.
“Note: Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 80 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Optional Glaze/Topping:
4 tablespoons ketchup
4 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)
2 tablespoons Dijon (or similar mustard)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
For the Meatloaf:
2 pounds ground beef
2 large eggs (lightly beaten)
1/2 cup milk
1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs (plain)
2 tablespoons dried minced onion (or 1/2 cup finely minced fresh onion)
1 1/2 teaspoons burger seasoning (or 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper)
1/2 cup ketchup (plus more for topping, if desired)
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Heat over to 350 degrees F.
Spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
If using the optional topping, in a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons ketchup, maple syrup, mustard and Worcestershire until well mixed. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, onion, burger seasoning, and 1/2 cup of ketchup.
Mix until well blended and pack into the prepared loaf pan.
Bake the meatloaf for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Carefully drain off any excess fat and then top the loaf with the optional topping mixture or about 4 tablespoons of ketchup. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer.
Serve and enjoy!
Tips
Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan.
Experiment with meat mixtures in meatloaf. While beef gives excellent flavor and holds together well, adding a portion of lean ground pork will provide juiciness. Ground veal would add lightness to a loaf, and ground chicken or turkey would reduce some of the fat and calories.
Top the meatloaf with prepared barbecue sauce just before it's finished baking.
Use cracker crumbs or soft breadcrumbs in the meatloaf instead of fine dry breadcrumbs.
Line the loaf pan with parchment paper or foil, like a sling. Just grab the ends of the paper or foil and lift the meatloaf out of the pan when it's done.
Bake the meatloaf in individual muffin cups. Use about 1/4 cup of meatloaf mixture for each muffin cup.
Pack the meatloaf mixture into individual oiled ramekins, and then invert them onto a rimmed baking sheet for perfectly shaped individual meatloaves.
Instead of breadcrumbs, use crushed cheese crackers in the meat mixture.
Top a meatloaf with strips of bacon before baking, or add crumbled cooked bacon to the meat mixture.
MEXICAN MEATLOAF
This comes from Stephanie Gallagher, About.com’s Cooking for Families expert. Stephanie wrote, “This Mexican meatloaf recipe gets its zing from salsa and Mexican cheese blend. If you're a fan of make-ahead cooking. you can make this easy meatloaf recipe and freeze it, either before or after cooking.
“If you freeze it before cooking, shape the meatloaf and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then put it in a zip-loc bag.“If freezing it after cooking, wrap the meatloaf tightly and store in an airtight container. Be sure to defrost the meatloaf overnight in the refrigerator before cooking or reheating.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar and Monterey Jack)
3/4 cup tomato salsa, divided
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine Panko, eggs, cheese, 1/2 cup of the salsa, mustard and meats.
Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape meat mixture into a loaf on the baking sheet.
Spread remaining 1/4 cup of salsa on top.
Bake 50-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf (as measured with a thermometer) reaches 155 degrees. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
TURKEY MEATLOAF
This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “This turkey meatloaf is so moist and flavorful it’s guaranteed to be a hit! It gets wonderful taste from the addition of tomato soup, onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Try it tonight for dinner and watch how fast it disappears!”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 40 minutes; Serves: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds lean 99% fat free ground turkey
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Healthy Request® Condensed Tomato Soup
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed
3/4 cup plain dry whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup cholesterol-free egg substitute
Directions
Heat the oven to 350°F.
Thoroughly mix the turkey, 1/2 cup soup, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, bread crumbs and egg substitute in a large bowl. Place the mixture into a 13x9x2-inch baking pan and firmly shape into an 8x4-inch loaf. Pour the remaining soup over the meatloaf.
Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes or until the meatloaf is cooked through. Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
CHEESY TACO MEATLOAF
This also comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “It takes just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to put together this scrumptious meatloaf...and when it comes out of the oven you've got two family favorites, tacos and meatloaf, combined into one tasty dish!”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes; Serves: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Chunky Salsa or Pace® Picante Sauce - Medium
1 1/2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (about 1/2 cup)
1 egg
1 teaspoon chili powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Directions
Set the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly mix the beef, 1 cup salsa, tortilla chips, egg, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a 3-quart shallow baking pan and shape into an 9x4-inch loaf.
Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.
Spread the remaining salsa over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday (since not everyone loves tacos!). Today's offerings include Three-Cup Chicken and Apple-Cheddar Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
THREE-CUP VEGETABLES
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Ali wrote, “This vegan dish is inspired by three-cup chicken, a deeply savory Taiwanese specialty that can be traced back to the 13th century, to the execution of Wen Tianxiang, a scholar-general of the Song dynasty who resisted Kublai Khan’s invasion. The night before Wen’s death, a guard is said to have made him the surprisingly pungent chicken dish with the prison’s limited resources. It has many variations, but usually calls for braising chicken in rice wine, soy sauce and sesame oil with plenty of ginger, garlic and basil. Here, root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and turnips take the place of the chicken, but feel free to also add tofu and quick-cooking vegetables like broccoli or snap peas with the roots. Serve over rice or ramen noodles to soak up sauce.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.
To view this on the Times’ website, click here.
Note: If, like me, you don't keep alcohol around the house, don't panic. I've been known to add water (or a suitable broth) in place of wine in recipes.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil
6 cups root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and-or turnips, cut into 1/4-inch slices and halved or quartered if large (about 2 pounds)
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
10 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
3/4 cup Chinese rice wine
6 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 dried chiles, like chiles de árbol, or 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
2 cups fresh basil leaves, torn if large
Preparation
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the vegetables, ginger and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender and browned in spots, 7 to 10 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium and stir in the rice wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has reduced, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the basil.
THREE-CUP CHICKEN
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Ask 30 people how to make this simple Taiwanese recipe, and you’ll receive 30 different responses. Some fry the chicken before braising it, use more oil, less wine, different blends of soy sauce. Debates rage over how thick the sauce should be, over which parts of the chicken to use. (Few follow the folk recipe that calls for making the sauce with a cup each of sesame oil, soy sauce and rice wine. ‘If you actually cook it that way,’ says Eddie Huang, the Taiwanese-American chef who inspired the television program ‘Fresh Off the Boat,’ ‘you’ll be in trouble.’) Our reporting and testing led us to the recipe below. Use it as a starting point, and then make it your own.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in “A Taste of Taiwan,” and can be viewed online here.
Note: If, like me, you don't keep alcohol around the house, don't panic. I've been known to add water (or a suitable broth) in place of wine in recipes.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1 2-to-3-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced into coins, approximately 12
12 cloves of garlic, peeled
4 whole scallions, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 dried red peppers or 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless or bone-in, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon unrefined or light brown sugar
1/2 cup rice wine
1/4 cup light soy sauce
2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves or regular basil leaves
Preparation
Heat a wok over high heat and add 2 tablespoons sesame oil. When the oil shimmers, add the ginger, garlic, scallions and peppers, and cook until fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
Scrape the aromatics to the sides of the wok, add remaining oil and allow to heat through. Add the chicken, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and crisping at the edges, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
Add sugar and stir to combine, then add the rice wine and soy sauce, and bring just to a boil. Lower the heat, then simmer until the sauce has reduced and started to thicken, approximately 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat, add the basil and stir to combine. Serve with white rice.
EASY SLOW-COOKER LASAGNA
This is from tbsp. (Tablespoon.com), and begins, “This lasagna tastes like you spent all day making it, without all of the work.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 10
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup diced white onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ Organic Pasta Sauce
1/2 cup water
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
6 uncooked lasagna noodles
Directions
In a large skillet, brown beef and onion. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Drain.
Add spaghetti sauce and water to skillet and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Mix ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, egg and parsley.
Pour 1 cup of spaghetti meat sauce into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Place half of the noodles and half of the ricotta mixture on top of the sauce. Cover with 2 cups meat sauce. Top with remaining noodles (if the noodles don't fit exactly, break them to fit), cheese mixture and meat sauce.
Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or until noodles are soft, being careful not to overcook. (Don't try to speed up the process by cooking on high.) Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella and remaining Parmesan on top. Cover with the lid to melt the cheese and allow to sit 10 minutes before serving.
APPLE-CHEDDAR MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “Raise your hand if you like mac and cheese? And when it's teamed with apples, you'll want to raise both hands!” Serves: 4; Prep Time: 25 to 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups dry elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups small diced, unpeeled, tart green or red apples
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups whole milk, lower fat milk can be substituted
1 small bay leaf
2 1/3 cup shredded sharp white or yellow Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon dry sherry (see second note)
Salt to taste
Ground white pepper to taste
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs can be substituted
Directions
Butter a 1 1/2-quart round casserole.
Cook the pasta in a large saucepan according to package directions until al dente. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and drain well. Return the pasta to the saucepan and add the apples.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the onions and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until tender. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly until simmering gently. Add the bay leaf, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Remove and discard the bay leaf and then stir 2 cups of the cheese and the sherry into the milk. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the cheese melts. Remove the pan from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add the cheese sauce to the pasta and apples and stir gently to combine. Transfer the mac and cheese to the casserole and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and the panko. Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or just until heated through and lightly browned. Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving.
Note: You can bake the mac and cheese in individual ramekins. Butter them and bake for about 15 minutes.
Note: If you’re like me and don’t have alcohol around the house, no worries. Omit the Sherry, or add 1/2 teaspoon of milk or water with the cheese.
Per Serving: 600 calories; 33 g fat; 20 g saturated fat; 100 mg cholesterol; 660 mg sodium; 48 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 27g protein
SAVORY MEATLOAF
This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “Meatloaf is the definition of comfort food and this saucy version shines when the family gathers for a good meal.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 30 minutes; Serves: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato Soup
1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup water
Directions
Thoroughly mix the beef, 1/2 cup soup, bread crumbs, egg, onion, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a shallow 3-quart baking pan and shape firmly into an 8 x 4-inch loaf.
Bake at 350°F. for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through. Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
Heat 2 tablespoons pan drippings, remaining soup and water in a 1-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Serve the soup mixture with the meatloaf.
BOMBOLONI
This comes from John Alberti and was posted on the TODAY Show website. John wrote, “Bomboloni are Italian doughnuts, and they are as much fun to say as they are to make and eat. They are like a party in your mouth, with their gooey centers and sugary, soft dough.
“Swap option: They are delightful even without a filling, but if you fill them with chocolate-hazelnut spread, jam or pastry cream.”
Cook Time: 5 minutes; Prep Time: 2 hours; Servings: 10. Special equipment: Round pastry cutter.
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/bomboloni-recipe-t150524.
Ingredients
3 cups bread or all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons fast-acting dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for coating
1 lemon, zested
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil, for frying
Chocolate-hazelnut spread, jam or pastry cream, for filling
Directions
In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and lemon zest. Then add the eggs, milk, butter and vanilla extract, and mix well. Knead the dough in the stand mixer for 2 minutes, or if making the dough by hand, tip it onto a floured work surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until it's smooth and elastic but still quite sticky. Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until about 3/4 inch thick. Then, using a round pastry cutter the size of a cup, cut the dough into disks. Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for another hour.
Heat oil in a large, deep pan to 350 F. Fry the doughnuts, in batches, for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Dredge the doughnuts in granulated sugar until completely covered.
Spoon the filling of your choice into a piping bag fitted with a medium nozzle. Make a small hole in the side of each doughnut, push in the nozzle and squeeze to fill the bomboloni. Serve warm.
THREE-CUP VEGETABLES
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Ali wrote, “This vegan dish is inspired by three-cup chicken, a deeply savory Taiwanese specialty that can be traced back to the 13th century, to the execution of Wen Tianxiang, a scholar-general of the Song dynasty who resisted Kublai Khan’s invasion. The night before Wen’s death, a guard is said to have made him the surprisingly pungent chicken dish with the prison’s limited resources. It has many variations, but usually calls for braising chicken in rice wine, soy sauce and sesame oil with plenty of ginger, garlic and basil. Here, root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and turnips take the place of the chicken, but feel free to also add tofu and quick-cooking vegetables like broccoli or snap peas with the roots. Serve over rice or ramen noodles to soak up sauce.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.
To view this on the Times’ website, click here.
Note: If, like me, you don't keep alcohol around the house, don't panic. I've been known to add water (or a suitable broth) in place of wine in recipes.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil
6 cups root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and-or turnips, cut into 1/4-inch slices and halved or quartered if large (about 2 pounds)
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
10 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
3/4 cup Chinese rice wine
6 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 dried chiles, like chiles de árbol, or 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
2 cups fresh basil leaves, torn if large
Preparation
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the vegetables, ginger and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender and browned in spots, 7 to 10 minutes.
Lower the heat to medium and stir in the rice wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has reduced, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the basil.
THREE-CUP CHICKEN
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Ask 30 people how to make this simple Taiwanese recipe, and you’ll receive 30 different responses. Some fry the chicken before braising it, use more oil, less wine, different blends of soy sauce. Debates rage over how thick the sauce should be, over which parts of the chicken to use. (Few follow the folk recipe that calls for making the sauce with a cup each of sesame oil, soy sauce and rice wine. ‘If you actually cook it that way,’ says Eddie Huang, the Taiwanese-American chef who inspired the television program ‘Fresh Off the Boat,’ ‘you’ll be in trouble.’) Our reporting and testing led us to the recipe below. Use it as a starting point, and then make it your own.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in “A Taste of Taiwan,” and can be viewed online here.
Note: If, like me, you don't keep alcohol around the house, don't panic. I've been known to add water (or a suitable broth) in place of wine in recipes.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons sesame oil
1 2-to-3-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced into coins, approximately 12
12 cloves of garlic, peeled
4 whole scallions, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 dried red peppers or 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless or bone-in, cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon unrefined or light brown sugar
1/2 cup rice wine
1/4 cup light soy sauce
2 cups fresh Thai basil leaves or regular basil leaves
Preparation
Heat a wok over high heat and add 2 tablespoons sesame oil. When the oil shimmers, add the ginger, garlic, scallions and peppers, and cook until fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
Scrape the aromatics to the sides of the wok, add remaining oil and allow to heat through. Add the chicken, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and crisping at the edges, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
Add sugar and stir to combine, then add the rice wine and soy sauce, and bring just to a boil. Lower the heat, then simmer until the sauce has reduced and started to thicken, approximately 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat, add the basil and stir to combine. Serve with white rice.
EASY SLOW-COOKER LASAGNA
This is from tbsp. (Tablespoon.com), and begins, “This lasagna tastes like you spent all day making it, without all of the work.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 10
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup diced white onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ Organic Pasta Sauce
1/2 cup water
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
6 uncooked lasagna noodles
Directions
In a large skillet, brown beef and onion. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Drain.
Add spaghetti sauce and water to skillet and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Mix ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, egg and parsley.
Pour 1 cup of spaghetti meat sauce into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Place half of the noodles and half of the ricotta mixture on top of the sauce. Cover with 2 cups meat sauce. Top with remaining noodles (if the noodles don't fit exactly, break them to fit), cheese mixture and meat sauce.
Cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or until noodles are soft, being careful not to overcook. (Don't try to speed up the process by cooking on high.) Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella and remaining Parmesan on top. Cover with the lid to melt the cheese and allow to sit 10 minutes before serving.
APPLE-CHEDDAR MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “Raise your hand if you like mac and cheese? And when it's teamed with apples, you'll want to raise both hands!” Serves: 4; Prep Time: 25 to 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups dry elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups small diced, unpeeled, tart green or red apples
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups whole milk, lower fat milk can be substituted
1 small bay leaf
2 1/3 cup shredded sharp white or yellow Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon dry sherry (see second note)
Salt to taste
Ground white pepper to taste
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs can be substituted
Directions
Butter a 1 1/2-quart round casserole.
Cook the pasta in a large saucepan according to package directions until al dente. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and drain well. Return the pasta to the saucepan and add the apples.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the onions and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until tender. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly until simmering gently. Add the bay leaf, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Remove and discard the bay leaf and then stir 2 cups of the cheese and the sherry into the milk. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the cheese melts. Remove the pan from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add the cheese sauce to the pasta and apples and stir gently to combine. Transfer the mac and cheese to the casserole and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and the panko. Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or just until heated through and lightly browned. Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving.
Note: You can bake the mac and cheese in individual ramekins. Butter them and bake for about 15 minutes.
Note: If you’re like me and don’t have alcohol around the house, no worries. Omit the Sherry, or add 1/2 teaspoon of milk or water with the cheese.
Per Serving: 600 calories; 33 g fat; 20 g saturated fat; 100 mg cholesterol; 660 mg sodium; 48 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 27g protein
SAVORY MEATLOAF
This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “Meatloaf is the definition of comfort food and this saucy version shines when the family gathers for a good meal.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 30 minutes; Serves: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato Soup
1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup water
Directions
Thoroughly mix the beef, 1/2 cup soup, bread crumbs, egg, onion, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a shallow 3-quart baking pan and shape firmly into an 8 x 4-inch loaf.
Bake at 350°F. for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through. Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
Heat 2 tablespoons pan drippings, remaining soup and water in a 1-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Serve the soup mixture with the meatloaf.
BOMBOLONI
This comes from John Alberti and was posted on the TODAY Show website. John wrote, “Bomboloni are Italian doughnuts, and they are as much fun to say as they are to make and eat. They are like a party in your mouth, with their gooey centers and sugary, soft dough.
“Swap option: They are delightful even without a filling, but if you fill them with chocolate-hazelnut spread, jam or pastry cream.”
Cook Time: 5 minutes; Prep Time: 2 hours; Servings: 10. Special equipment: Round pastry cutter.
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/bomboloni-recipe-t150524.
Ingredients
3 cups bread or all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons fast-acting dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for coating
1 lemon, zested
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vegetable oil, for frying
Chocolate-hazelnut spread, jam or pastry cream, for filling
Directions
In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and lemon zest. Then add the eggs, milk, butter and vanilla extract, and mix well. Knead the dough in the stand mixer for 2 minutes, or if making the dough by hand, tip it onto a floured work surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until it's smooth and elastic but still quite sticky. Transfer the dough to a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough until about 3/4 inch thick. Then, using a round pastry cutter the size of a cup, cut the dough into disks. Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for another hour.
Heat oil in a large, deep pan to 350 F. Fry the doughnuts, in batches, for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Dredge the doughnuts in granulated sugar until completely covered.
Spoon the filling of your choice into a piping bag fitted with a medium nozzle. Make a small hole in the side of each doughnut, push in the nozzle and squeeze to fill the bomboloni. Serve warm.
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