It's finally Friday, the last Friday in July. This year seems to be flying by...
Here are today's offerings to help you through the weekend, including Old-Fashioned Meatloaf and Slow-Cooker Bolognese. Enjoy!
SAM SIFTON’S CUCUMBER KIMCHI
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, “This recipe came to The Times in 2011 as an accompaniment to bulgogi sloppy Joes, as envisioned by the chef Hooni Kim of Danji, but they add a tangy flavor to whatever they’re paired with. Making it is as simple as it gets — the cucumbers are quick pickled in rice vinegar and flavored deeply with gochugaru, or Korean red-pepper flakes. Serve it with the sloppy Joes, or alone, as a bar snack, with an ice cold beer.”
Yield: 6 servings; Time: About 25 minutes, plus overnight refrigeration (optional).
This was featured in “Cucumber Kimchi”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013830-sam-siftons-cucumber-kimchi.
Ingredients
3 small cucumbers, cut into 1/8-inch slices
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon gochugaru (Korean red-pepper flakes)
1/4 cup mirin
6 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon grated garlic
1 teaspoon fermented krill or baby shrimp (optional)
Preparation
Place the cucumbers in a medium-size bowl, then sprinkle with the salt. Let stand 20 minutes.
Rinse cucumbers in cold water to remove salt, drain and pat dry.
Return cucumbers to bowl, add other ingredients, toss to combine, cover tightly and place in refrigerator overnight or until ready to use.
VEGAN LASAGNA
This was in the October 1997 issue of Vegetarian Times, and posted online on May 10, 2017. It begins, “The tomato sauce recipe makes enough to serve on the side or to freeze and enjoy later with pasta.” Makes 12 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 6-oz. can tomato paste
3 28-oz. cans peeled plum tomatoes, chopped with juices reserved
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Lasagna
1 Tbs. salt
1 lb. dry uncooked eggless lasagna noodles
2 16-oz. pkg. firm tofu, drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Preparation
To make Sauce: In large, heavy saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomatoes with juice, basil, parsley, oregano and red pepper flakes. Cover and simmer over low heat about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, bring large pot of water to boil. When water boils, add salt and noodles. Cook until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain, rinse with water and drain again.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Crumble tofu into medium bowl. Add garlic, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir until well blended.
Spoon about 1 cup sauce over bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Add layer of noodles and top with one-third tofu mixture. Spoon over about 1 1/2 cups sauce and top with another layer of noodles. Cover with one-third tofu mixture and top with 1 1/2 cups of sauce and another layer of noodles. Top with remaining tofu mixture and 1 cup sauce.
Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand about 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Serve with remaining sauce.
TRADITIONAL STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from VeryWellFit, and begins, “Stuffed peppers are usually made with bell peppers, which makes sense—they are readily available, and they stand up in a baking dish. However, you can make them with poblano peppers just by splitting them lengthwise and making two filled peppers out of each one. These will be spicier than the usual stuffed peppers you may be used to, but it's a welcomed change from the norm if you're looking for a recipe twist. You can use any color of bell peppers to make this recipe—it's fun to have a mixture of two or three colors. You can also use whatever spice mixture strikes your fancy, from Middle Eastern to Asian. It can be fun to experiment a little once you get the basic recipe down.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 bell peppers, any color, medium or large*
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 8-ounce can of tomato sauce or 4 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder (or any spices you like)
1/3 cup fat-free mozzarella cheese
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Slice off the top of the peppers and remove the ribs and seeds. Either microwave them on a plate or baking dish (whatever fits in the microwave oven) covered with plastic wrap for 4 minutes or blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes.
Heat a large skillet, and cook the beef, onions, garlic, and spices. If you are using tomato paste, include that as well. If you are using the tomato sauce, pour about 2/3 of the can in, and save the rest for a topping. Cook until the beef is cooked through and the onions are soft. If it gets too dry you can add a little water.
Loosely fill the peppers with the beef mixture, and sit upright in a baking dish. If you are using tomato sauce, spoon some of the leftover sauce on top of each pepper. Add about a tablespoon of cheese on each one. Bake for half an hour in the oven, or 12 minutes in the microwave, turning half-way through the cooking.
*Nutrition information calculated using large peppers.
OLD-FASHIONED MEATLOAF
This is from VeryWellFit, and begins, “This lighter meatloaf recipe is similar to the one most of us enjoyed during our childhoods, but without all of the extra fat. Choose a lean ground beef or, better yet, ground turkey to cut down on the fat. And since you can't make meatloaf without breadcrumbs, why not replace the white, unrefined with whole wheat for added fiber? Also, using two egg whites in place of one whole egg will reduce the calories and fat while still helping to bind the mixture together.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Servings: 8
This can be viewed online by clicking here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground meat (85% to 90% lean, or ground turkey)
1 cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat)
1/4 cup onion (finely chopped or 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes)
2 cloves garlic (minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup water (or low-fat milk)
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients. Mix well, using your hands, but don't overmix because you will toughen the meat.
Turn mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips, and bake for about 1 hour.
To be sure the meatloaf is done, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the center of the loaf. The temperature should register 155F when it is done.
About 10 to 15 minutes before you think the meatloaf will be done, you can cover it with barbecue sauce if you like.
International Meatloaf
If you are looking for a different kind of meatloaf, try kofta kebabs, a Middle Eastern grilled ground meat recipe. The spices in this meat mixture (traditionally lamb) are a delicious change of pace from the usual. If you don't have the time or inclination to place them on skewers, you can make them into oblong-oval shapes that look like sausages without the casings.
ROAST CHICKENS WITH PLUMS
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This recipe, which roasts two chickens at the same time, has been engineered to feed a crowd. It's no harder than roasting one chicken. The birds get rubbed down with a garlicky sumac spice rub brightened with lemon zest. Then, as they cook, their fragrant drippings season sliced plums roasting in the pan underneath them, which caramelize into a fruity, chutney-like sauce. Feel free to halve the recipe if you’d rather, but be sure to reduce the oven temperature to 425 degrees. For two chickens you need the higher heat so they both crisp properly, but for only one chicken, slightly lower heat keeps the plums from burning.”
Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Times: 1 1/2 hours, plus marinating
This was featured in “Roast Chicken With Plums Gets a Touch of Spice for Rosh Hashana”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017684-roast-chickens-with-plums.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 large lemons
2 tablespoons ground sumac
4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, grated or minced
2 chickens, 4 to 4 1/2 pounds each
1 bunch thyme, more for garnish
For the Plums:
2 1/4 pounds plums, halved or quartered if large
4 shallots, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 bay leaf, torn in half
Preparation:
Grate the zest from the lemons and place in a small bowl. Set aside the zested lemons.
Stir sumac, salt, pepper, cinnamon and allspice into the lemon zest. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and the garlic. The mixture should feel like wet sand. Rub it all over the chickens, including inside the cavity.
Divide thyme bunch in half and place in the chicken cavities. Place chickens on a roasting rack set over a rimmed baking sheet, and let marinate, uncovered, in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
When ready to roast, let chickens come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 450 degrees.
In a large roasting pan, toss together plums, shallots, honey, oil, salt, cinnamon, allspice, bay leaf and 2 tablespoons water. Spread out plum mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Place chickens on the rack over the plums in the pan. Roast for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, squeeze 1 tablespoon juice from reserved lemon and mix it with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drizzle this over the chicken, then continue to roast until the birds are golden-skinned and cooked through, about 30 to 45 minutes longer.
Let chickens rest, covered lightly with foil, for 10 minutes. Carve and serve with the plums and more thyme for garnish.
SLOW-COOKER BOLOGNESE
This comes from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.
Level: Easy; Total: 6 hr 45 min; Active: 45 min; Yield: 16 servings
This can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 onions, chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cloves garlic, chopped
One 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
4 pounds ground beef
2 cups whole milk
Two 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 Parmesan rind, optional, plus grated Parmesan, for serving
Cooked spaghetti, for serving
Chopped fresh basil, for serving
Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Directions
Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery, carrots and onions, season with salt and pepper and cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute. Pour in the red wine and cook until it is mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes. Pour this mixture into a slow cooker.
Pour the remaining 2 tablespoons oil into the skillet, add the beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up any lumps, until it is nicely browned, about 15 minutes. Drain off any excess fat. Stir in the milk and cook until it is mostly absorbed by the meat, about 5 minutes. Add this to the slow cooker along with the tomatoes, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes, nutmeg and Parmesan rind if using. Add some salt. Give it a good stir, cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
Skim off any fat on top and check the consistency. If it is too thick, add a bit of water. If it is too thin, cook for another 30 minutes with the cover off.
Remove the rind and serve over spaghetti with lots of grated Parmesan and topped with fresh basil and parsley. Extra sauce can be frozen for later use.
Friday, July 30, 2021
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Soup's On!
Sometimes, we just need a bit of comfort food. That's where homemade soup fits in. It's one of those yummy comfort foods that just feel (and taste) good.
That said, here are six yummy soup recipes to try, including Sausage and Lentil Soup and Slow-Cooker Cuban Black Bean Soup. Enjoy!
ENCHILADA SOUP
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Give your go-to chicken dish a soup-upgrade with this Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe. The best part is that with the help of some Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce, your slow cooker will do the work for you. You can bring the heat with the hot sauce or keep it mild, but either way, it's an easy option to bring delicious chicken enchilada soup flavor to your next fall meal."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/enchilada-soup.
Ingredients
2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild or hot enchilada sauce
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped mild green chiles
1 package (20 oz) bone-in chicken breasts, skin removed
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
1 bag (12 oz) frozen corn, thawed, drained
Shredded Mexican cheese blend, if desired
Chopped fresh cilantro, if desired
Crushed tortilla chips, if desired
Preparation
Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, mix broth, enchilada sauce and chiles. Place chicken into enchilada sauce mixture; spoon sauce over chicken.
Cover; cook on Low heat setting 7 to 8 hours.
Remove chicken from cooker with slotted spoon. Stir beans and corn into mixture in cooker. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook 5 to 10 minutes longer. Meanwhile, shred chicken by pulling apart with 2 forks; return to cooker. Cook until thoroughly heated.
Top each serving with cheese, cilantro and tortilla chips.
Expert Tips
Transfer corn from freezer to refrigerator when chicken starts to cook. It will be completely thawed by the time it is added to the slow cooker.
Vary the heat in this soup by using mild or hot enchilada sauce and serving with red pepper sauce on the side.
ITALIAN MEATBALL SOUP
Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings (about 2 cups each)
Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/italian-meatball-soup.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ground turkey
2 egg whites
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided
Olive oil cooking spray
4 cans (15 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cups green beans, diagonally cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
8 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked, broken into 2-to 3-inch pieces
2 medium plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Mix ground turkey, egg whites, bread crumbs, 2 cloves of garlic, and 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning until well blended; shape mixture into 32 meatballs. Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add chicken broth, water, green beans, carrots, onions, remaining 2 cloves garlic, and remaining 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until vegetables are almost tender, about 8 minutes.
Heat soup to boiling; add pasta and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 8.7 g; Sodium: 174 mg; Cholesterol: 31.7 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread, 2 Meat, 1/2 Fat
TOFU MUSHROOM SOUP
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, "For a full meal in a bowl, serve this deeply flavorful soup with warm brown rice or noodles."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
This was featured in "Tofu and Mushroom Broth: Happy Together", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017969-tofu-mushroom-soup.
Ingredients
1 ounce dried mushrooms (about 1 cup), preferably porcinis
1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms
1/2 pound fresh button or cremini mushrooms, quartered
1 head of garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
6 slices fresh ginger, from the widest part of the root
2 tablespoons soy sauce
14 to 16 ounces tofu (1 box), either firm or soft, cut in 1-inch dice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Preparation
Place dried mushrooms in a bowl or large heatproof measuring cup and cover with 2 cups boiling water. Let sit for 30 minutes. If mushrooms are sandy, agitate from time to time. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place over a 1-quart measuring cup. Drain through the strainer, then twist mushrooms in the cheesecloth, holding them over the strainer, to squeeze out the last of the flavorful liquid. Discard reconstituted mushrooms or set aside for another use.
While porcinis are soaking, pull tough stems away from shiitake mushroom caps. Slice caps thin and set aside.
Combine the mushroom broth with enough water to make 9 cups liquid and place in a saucepan or soup pot. Add shiitake stems, quartered button or cremini mushrooms, halved head of garlic, salt and ginger slices, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
Use a slotted spoon or skimmer to remove mushrooms, stems, garlic and ginger from broth. Add soy sauce to broth. Taste and adjust salt.
Bring broth back to a boil and add tofu. Reduce heat to a simmer or a gentle boil, cover partly and simmer for 30 minutes. Tofu will puff a little, and texture will become more porous and spongy.
Add thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro and chives. Taste, adjust seasoning and serve.
Tip
Broth can be prepared in advance through Step 4 and refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 2 months. Soup can be prepared through Step 5 a day ahead of time.
SLOW-COOKER CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "This all-day slow-cooker recipe isn’t your average bean soup—it’s wildly flavorful and extra hearty, and we’d bet it’ll become your favorite on the first try. The secret is in cooking the beans with a bone-in ham shank that infuses flavor into every bite. The key to getting the perfect consistency, mashing the beans, is a can’t-skip step that’s super easy. Finish your bowl with the toppings of your choice, like pico de gallo, sour cream, avocado or a squeeze of lime juice, and prepare to be impressed!"
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Soup
1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ chicken broth
1 ham shank (about 1 1/2 lb)
3 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Toppings
Fresh pico de gallo, sour cream, sliced avocado, lime slices, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart slow cooker, mix all Soup ingredients except lime juice. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours or until ham easily pulls away from bone.
Remove ham shank from slow cooker. Pull ham away from bone; chop, discarding the bone. With potato masher, carefully mash black beans inside slow cooker insert. Stir in 1 cup of the ham and the lime juice. Serve soup with Toppings.
Expert Tips
Ham shanks vary in size, and some may have more meat than others. Save any remaining ham for another use.
To add more spicy heat, stir in an additional 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or top with a medium or hot fresh pico de gallo.
VEGETARIAN GUMBO
This comes from Vallery Lomas in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Vallery wrote, "This meatless gumbo has a distinct Louisiana flavor, thanks to the roux, Creole seasoning and the 'holy trinity' of Creole cooking (onion, celery, bell pepper). Gumbo is traditionally made with a variety of smoked meats and seafood, but this version gets an added bit of smokiness from an optional splash of liquid smoke. Here, the okra is roasted in the oven before being added to the pot, which eliminates the gooey-ness. There is also no skimping on vegetables in this gumbo, and the red lentils thicken it while adding protein. Serving this gumbo over white rice helps make it a complete meal."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 50 minutes
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022206-vegetarian-gumbo.
Ingredient
1 (10- to 16-ounce) bag frozen sliced okra
Kosher salt and black pepper
5 tablespoons unsalted butter or vegetable oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices
3 cups vegetable or chicken stock, plus more as needed
1/2 cup red lentils
1 tablespoon hot sauce, plus more to taste
2 teaspoons liquid smoke (optional)
Cooked white rice or quinoa, for serving
Preparation
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place the frozen okra in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, breaking up any large clumps, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast, until cooked through and just starting to brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
As okra roasts, prepare the roux: Melt the butter in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. (Either vessel will help evenly distribute the heat for a better roux.) If using vegetable oil, simply heat over medium. Using a heatproof rubber spatula or wooden spoon, mix the flour into the fat. Stir continuously, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot so the roux does not burn (a burned roux cannot be saved), until the roux transforms from pale to peanut butter to a rich cinnamon color, about 7 minutes. Remove the roux from the heat and set aside. (Pull the pot from the heat just as the desired color is reached; the retained heat will continue to cook the roux slightly.)
Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add the celery and bell pepper, and cook until softened, another 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Lastly, add the Creole and Old Bay seasonings, and stir so that they coat the vegetables and are lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, stock and lentils. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then reduce the heat to a light simmer. Cover and allow the lentils to cook undisturbed for 15 minutes. (Add more water or stock if needed.)
Add the okra and cook uncovered until softened, another 5 minutes. Stir in the hot sauce, and the liquid smoke, if using. Give the cooled roux a good stir and add it to the pot, making sure to mix it in thoroughly, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding salt, pepper, creole seasoning or hot sauce, if desired. Serve warm over white rice or quinoa.
SAUSAGE AND LENTIL SOUP
This comes from one of my favorite sites, TheKitchn. (Check it out, as well as its sister site, Apartment Therapy. Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours to 8 hours; Yield: Serves 6 to 8
To view this online, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/sausage-lentil-soup-267145.
Ingredients
2 cups dried French lentils, also known as du Puy
12 ounces cooked andouille-style chicken sausage, such as Aidells, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 cups chopped kale leaves
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Place all the ingredients in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on the LOW setting until the lentils are tender, about 8 hours.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
That said, here are six yummy soup recipes to try, including Sausage and Lentil Soup and Slow-Cooker Cuban Black Bean Soup. Enjoy!
ENCHILADA SOUP
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Give your go-to chicken dish a soup-upgrade with this Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe. The best part is that with the help of some Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce, your slow cooker will do the work for you. You can bring the heat with the hot sauce or keep it mild, but either way, it's an easy option to bring delicious chicken enchilada soup flavor to your next fall meal."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/enchilada-soup.
Ingredients
2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild or hot enchilada sauce
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped mild green chiles
1 package (20 oz) bone-in chicken breasts, skin removed
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
1 bag (12 oz) frozen corn, thawed, drained
Shredded Mexican cheese blend, if desired
Chopped fresh cilantro, if desired
Crushed tortilla chips, if desired
Preparation
Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, mix broth, enchilada sauce and chiles. Place chicken into enchilada sauce mixture; spoon sauce over chicken.
Cover; cook on Low heat setting 7 to 8 hours.
Remove chicken from cooker with slotted spoon. Stir beans and corn into mixture in cooker. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook 5 to 10 minutes longer. Meanwhile, shred chicken by pulling apart with 2 forks; return to cooker. Cook until thoroughly heated.
Top each serving with cheese, cilantro and tortilla chips.
Expert Tips
Transfer corn from freezer to refrigerator when chicken starts to cook. It will be completely thawed by the time it is added to the slow cooker.
Vary the heat in this soup by using mild or hot enchilada sauce and serving with red pepper sauce on the side.
ITALIAN MEATBALL SOUP
Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings (about 2 cups each)
Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/italian-meatball-soup.
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ground turkey
2 egg whites
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
3 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided
Olive oil cooking spray
4 cans (15 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
2 cups green beans, diagonally cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
8 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked, broken into 2-to 3-inch pieces
2 medium plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Mix ground turkey, egg whites, bread crumbs, 2 cloves of garlic, and 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning until well blended; shape mixture into 32 meatballs. Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add chicken broth, water, green beans, carrots, onions, remaining 2 cloves garlic, and remaining 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until vegetables are almost tender, about 8 minutes.
Heat soup to boiling; add pasta and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 8.7 g; Sodium: 174 mg; Cholesterol: 31.7 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread, 2 Meat, 1/2 Fat
TOFU MUSHROOM SOUP
This comes from Martha Rose Shulman in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, "For a full meal in a bowl, serve this deeply flavorful soup with warm brown rice or noodles."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
This was featured in "Tofu and Mushroom Broth: Happy Together", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017969-tofu-mushroom-soup.
Ingredients
1 ounce dried mushrooms (about 1 cup), preferably porcinis
1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms
1/2 pound fresh button or cremini mushrooms, quartered
1 head of garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
6 slices fresh ginger, from the widest part of the root
2 tablespoons soy sauce
14 to 16 ounces tofu (1 box), either firm or soft, cut in 1-inch dice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Preparation
Place dried mushrooms in a bowl or large heatproof measuring cup and cover with 2 cups boiling water. Let sit for 30 minutes. If mushrooms are sandy, agitate from time to time. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place over a 1-quart measuring cup. Drain through the strainer, then twist mushrooms in the cheesecloth, holding them over the strainer, to squeeze out the last of the flavorful liquid. Discard reconstituted mushrooms or set aside for another use.
While porcinis are soaking, pull tough stems away from shiitake mushroom caps. Slice caps thin and set aside.
Combine the mushroom broth with enough water to make 9 cups liquid and place in a saucepan or soup pot. Add shiitake stems, quartered button or cremini mushrooms, halved head of garlic, salt and ginger slices, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
Use a slotted spoon or skimmer to remove mushrooms, stems, garlic and ginger from broth. Add soy sauce to broth. Taste and adjust salt.
Bring broth back to a boil and add tofu. Reduce heat to a simmer or a gentle boil, cover partly and simmer for 30 minutes. Tofu will puff a little, and texture will become more porous and spongy.
Add thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro and chives. Taste, adjust seasoning and serve.
Tip
Broth can be prepared in advance through Step 4 and refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 2 months. Soup can be prepared through Step 5 a day ahead of time.
SLOW-COOKER CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "This all-day slow-cooker recipe isn’t your average bean soup—it’s wildly flavorful and extra hearty, and we’d bet it’ll become your favorite on the first try. The secret is in cooking the beans with a bone-in ham shank that infuses flavor into every bite. The key to getting the perfect consistency, mashing the beans, is a can’t-skip step that’s super easy. Finish your bowl with the toppings of your choice, like pico de gallo, sour cream, avocado or a squeeze of lime juice, and prepare to be impressed!"
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Soup
1 carton (32 oz) Progresso™ chicken broth
1 ham shank (about 1 1/2 lb)
3 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Toppings
Fresh pico de gallo, sour cream, sliced avocado, lime slices, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart slow cooker, mix all Soup ingredients except lime juice. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours or until ham easily pulls away from bone.
Remove ham shank from slow cooker. Pull ham away from bone; chop, discarding the bone. With potato masher, carefully mash black beans inside slow cooker insert. Stir in 1 cup of the ham and the lime juice. Serve soup with Toppings.
Expert Tips
Ham shanks vary in size, and some may have more meat than others. Save any remaining ham for another use.
To add more spicy heat, stir in an additional 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or top with a medium or hot fresh pico de gallo.
VEGETARIAN GUMBO
This comes from Vallery Lomas in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Vallery wrote, "This meatless gumbo has a distinct Louisiana flavor, thanks to the roux, Creole seasoning and the 'holy trinity' of Creole cooking (onion, celery, bell pepper). Gumbo is traditionally made with a variety of smoked meats and seafood, but this version gets an added bit of smokiness from an optional splash of liquid smoke. Here, the okra is roasted in the oven before being added to the pot, which eliminates the gooey-ness. There is also no skimping on vegetables in this gumbo, and the red lentils thicken it while adding protein. Serving this gumbo over white rice helps make it a complete meal."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 50 minutes
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022206-vegetarian-gumbo.
Ingredient
1 (10- to 16-ounce) bag frozen sliced okra
Kosher salt and black pepper
5 tablespoons unsalted butter or vegetable oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices
3 cups vegetable or chicken stock, plus more as needed
1/2 cup red lentils
1 tablespoon hot sauce, plus more to taste
2 teaspoons liquid smoke (optional)
Cooked white rice or quinoa, for serving
Preparation
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place the frozen okra in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, breaking up any large clumps, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast, until cooked through and just starting to brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
As okra roasts, prepare the roux: Melt the butter in a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. (Either vessel will help evenly distribute the heat for a better roux.) If using vegetable oil, simply heat over medium. Using a heatproof rubber spatula or wooden spoon, mix the flour into the fat. Stir continuously, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pot so the roux does not burn (a burned roux cannot be saved), until the roux transforms from pale to peanut butter to a rich cinnamon color, about 7 minutes. Remove the roux from the heat and set aside. (Pull the pot from the heat just as the desired color is reached; the retained heat will continue to cook the roux slightly.)
Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add the celery and bell pepper, and cook until softened, another 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Lastly, add the Creole and Old Bay seasonings, and stir so that they coat the vegetables and are lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, stock and lentils. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then reduce the heat to a light simmer. Cover and allow the lentils to cook undisturbed for 15 minutes. (Add more water or stock if needed.)
Add the okra and cook uncovered until softened, another 5 minutes. Stir in the hot sauce, and the liquid smoke, if using. Give the cooled roux a good stir and add it to the pot, making sure to mix it in thoroughly, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding salt, pepper, creole seasoning or hot sauce, if desired. Serve warm over white rice or quinoa.
SAUSAGE AND LENTIL SOUP
This comes from one of my favorite sites, TheKitchn. (Check it out, as well as its sister site, Apartment Therapy. Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours to 8 hours; Yield: Serves 6 to 8
To view this online, go to https://www.thekitchn.com/sausage-lentil-soup-267145.
Ingredients
2 cups dried French lentils, also known as du Puy
12 ounces cooked andouille-style chicken sausage, such as Aidells, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 cups chopped kale leaves
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Place all the ingredients in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on the LOW setting until the lentils are tender, about 8 hours.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Meatballs
There are some foods that just seem yummy, no matter what. Meatballs fit into that category. Check out today's six meatball recipes (and a couple of meatless balls), including a yummy Meatball Sandwich recipe (from Seattle's Macrina Bakery) and Spicy Buffalo-Style Meatballs. Enjoy!
KOREAN BARBECUE-STYLE MEATBALLS
This yumminess is from Kay Chun in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kay wrote, "These meatballs, inspired by traditional Korean barbecue, bring the savory-sweet flavors of caramelized meat without the need for a grill. As the meatballs bake, the soy sauce marries the garlic and scallions to create a glaze. This meatball mixture can be made ahead and left to marinate in the fridge for 3 hours or even overnight. Use ground beef that is 85 percent lean meat, 15 percent fat, or 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat for juicier meatballs. The Ritz crackers here make for a more tender meatball, but feel free to substitute plain dry bread crumbs. The meatballs are tasty on their own, but for a simple dipping sauce, combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar. Serve over steamed rice with kimchi, or as a sandwich with mayonnaise or marinara sauce."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 20 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019763-korean-barbecue-style-meatballs.
Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped scallions
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely crushed Ritz crackers (12 crackers)
1 pound ground beef (round or chuck)
Preparation
Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and use your hands to gently mix.
Shape the meat into 12 golf-ball-size rounds (about 2 inches in diameter), and arrange on a greased rimmed baking sheet.
Bake until golden and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.
Tips
Leftover meatballs freeze well and can be reheated in the oven at 375 degrees until warmed through (about 20 minutes).
To make the Ritz crumbs, place the crackers in a resealable plastic bag and lightly crush them with the back of a wooden spoon or measuring cup.
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
Ingredients
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Directions
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
MEATLESS MEATBALLS IN MARINARA SAUCE
This is from Melissa Clark, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “These ‘meatballs’ use plant-based ground meat, and a combination of onions, garlic and tamari give them a satisfying chew and robust flavor. Because there’s no egg for binding, these are slightly more delicate than other meatballs, so use a light touch when shaping them, and make sure the mixture is very cold. Serve them on their own, covered in marinara sauce, or stuff them into hero rolls for sandwiches. They are also excellent over spaghetti.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling
This was featured in “The Meat-Lover’s Guide to Eating Less Meat”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020740-meatless-meatballs-in-marinara-sauce.
Ingredients
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves and tender stems
3 garlic cloves, grated or minced
1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of red-pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 pounds plant-based vegan ground beef (such as Beyond Meat)
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
3 cups marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
Parmesan (optional, or use vegetarian Parmesan if you prefer), for garnish
Preparation
In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, onion, parsley, garlic, tamari, salt, pepper, oregano and red-pepper flakes, if using, and mix well. Add plant-based beef, and blend with your hands until well mixed. Cover mixture and chill for at least an hour or up to 24 hours. (It’s easiest to form the meatballs when the mixture is very cold.)
Heat the broiler. Form 28 meatballs, each about 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Transfer meatballs to one or two rimmed baking sheets, and drizzle with olive oil.
Broil meatballs until golden and firm, 7 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat marinara sauce in a pot. Serve meatballs with sauce on top, showered with cheese if you like and drizzled with a little more olive oil.
SPICY BUFFALO-STYLE MEATBALLS
Recipe Yield: Makes 32 appetizer servings.
View this inline at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spicy-buffalo-style-meatballs.
Ingredients
1 pound 95% lean ground beef
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon honey
Blue cheese dressing
Celery sticks
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
Shape beef mixture into 32 1-inch meatballs; place on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 350F oven 18 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine hot pepper sauce, butter and honey in large bowl; mix well. Add meatballs; stir to coat.
Serve with dressing and celery sticks, as desired. Makes 32 appetizer servings.
Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef done-ness.
Cook's Tip: 1 package (about 18 ounces) frozen fully-cooked beef meatballs can be substituted for ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook meatballs according to package directions. Continue as directed in step 3.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 33; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 78 mg; Cholesterol: 16 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 1 g
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten-emailing-list.
Prep Time 15 minutes; Cooking Time 60 minutes; Serves 10
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 egg, (or 2 egg whites)
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons grated onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 cups chicken broth
6 cups water
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon celery salt
2/3 cup orzo, (tiny rice shaped grains of pasta)
2 cups thinly sliced escarole
grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Combine first 7 ingredients and form into tiny balls, about 1/2 inch in diameter.
Bring 6 cups of water to a slow boil in a stockpot. Add the chicken broth and season with onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, salt and pepper to taste.
Add the meatballs, and cook for a few minutes until done. Remove the meatballs with a slotted spoon. Add the orzo and cook for about 5 minutes.
Add the escarole. Add the meatballs back to the soup pot, heat and serve.
Top with Parmesan cheese.
Tips
The secret to this recipe's flavor is the cheese, add a tablespoon or two to the finished soup to enhance the flavor!
MEATBALL SANDWICH
This is from Macrina Bakery's emailing list. The bakery, located in Seattle, is one of those places I wouldn't mind visiting, if I ever take a road trip. But since that road trip isn't in the near future, I'll stay on their Recipe of the Month emailing list.
The meatball sandwich recipe starts off with the following: "Meatball sandwiches are a fun way to shake up your weeknight dinner rotation. We play up the flavors in our Italian-style meatballs with a generous slather of pesto and toothsome slices of fresh mozzarella. Our Fresh Herb Roll is strong enough to hold in all of the juices while adding the earthiness of freshly picked herbs and coarse sea salt. Warning: This sandwich can be messy, but it is guaranteed to get a thumbs-up from the whole family!"
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
1/2 cup day-old bread, trimmed of crust and diced into 1/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup milk
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
8 ounces ground turkey
8 ounces ground pork
2 tablespoons tomato paste or ketchup
1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan, shredded
1 large egg
For the sandwiches:
4 Macrina Fresh Herb Sandwich Rolls, 5 ounces each
1/4 cup pesto
12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced into 8 to 12 pieces
2 cups tomato sauce
Preparation
Makes 4 Sandwiches
Assembling the meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 400°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the diced bread into a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the milk until it starts to boil. Remove from heat and pour over the diced bread. Let the bread mixture stand and cool to room temperature. As it cools, the bread will absorb the milk.
In a skillet over medium, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the garlic and sauté just until fragrant. Set aside.
Add the garlic, turkey, pork, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, salt, basil, Parmesan and egg to the bread mixture. Use a spatula to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Using a small ice cream scoop or your hands, form 12 golf ball-size meatballs. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
Assembling the sandwiches:
Slice each roll lengthwise and place cut side up on a baking sheet. Brush each half with the remaining olive oil and spread with 1 tablespoon of pesto. Top the bottom halves with 2 to 3 slices of mozzarella.
Warm the bread in the 400°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the tomato sauce.
Once the bread is removed from the oven, top each bottom half with three meatballs and ladle them with tomato sauce.
Enjoy these sandwiches with a side of mixed greens - and don’t forget a few napkins!
KOREAN BARBECUE-STYLE MEATBALLS
This yumminess is from Kay Chun in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kay wrote, "These meatballs, inspired by traditional Korean barbecue, bring the savory-sweet flavors of caramelized meat without the need for a grill. As the meatballs bake, the soy sauce marries the garlic and scallions to create a glaze. This meatball mixture can be made ahead and left to marinate in the fridge for 3 hours or even overnight. Use ground beef that is 85 percent lean meat, 15 percent fat, or 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat for juicier meatballs. The Ritz crackers here make for a more tender meatball, but feel free to substitute plain dry bread crumbs. The meatballs are tasty on their own, but for a simple dipping sauce, combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar. Serve over steamed rice with kimchi, or as a sandwich with mayonnaise or marinara sauce."
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 20 minutes
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019763-korean-barbecue-style-meatballs.
Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped scallions
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely crushed Ritz crackers (12 crackers)
1 pound ground beef (round or chuck)
Preparation
Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and use your hands to gently mix.
Shape the meat into 12 golf-ball-size rounds (about 2 inches in diameter), and arrange on a greased rimmed baking sheet.
Bake until golden and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.
Tips
Leftover meatballs freeze well and can be reheated in the oven at 375 degrees until warmed through (about 20 minutes).
To make the Ritz crumbs, place the crackers in a resealable plastic bag and lightly crush them with the back of a wooden spoon or measuring cup.
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
Ingredients
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Directions
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
MEATLESS MEATBALLS IN MARINARA SAUCE
This is from Melissa Clark, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “These ‘meatballs’ use plant-based ground meat, and a combination of onions, garlic and tamari give them a satisfying chew and robust flavor. Because there’s no egg for binding, these are slightly more delicate than other meatballs, so use a light touch when shaping them, and make sure the mixture is very cold. Serve them on their own, covered in marinara sauce, or stuff them into hero rolls for sandwiches. They are also excellent over spaghetti.”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus chilling
This was featured in “The Meat-Lover’s Guide to Eating Less Meat”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020740-meatless-meatballs-in-marinara-sauce.
Ingredients
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves and tender stems
3 garlic cloves, grated or minced
1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of red-pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 pounds plant-based vegan ground beef (such as Beyond Meat)
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
3 cups marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
Parmesan (optional, or use vegetarian Parmesan if you prefer), for garnish
Preparation
In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs, onion, parsley, garlic, tamari, salt, pepper, oregano and red-pepper flakes, if using, and mix well. Add plant-based beef, and blend with your hands until well mixed. Cover mixture and chill for at least an hour or up to 24 hours. (It’s easiest to form the meatballs when the mixture is very cold.)
Heat the broiler. Form 28 meatballs, each about 1 1/4 inches in diameter. Transfer meatballs to one or two rimmed baking sheets, and drizzle with olive oil.
Broil meatballs until golden and firm, 7 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat marinara sauce in a pot. Serve meatballs with sauce on top, showered with cheese if you like and drizzled with a little more olive oil.
SPICY BUFFALO-STYLE MEATBALLS
Recipe Yield: Makes 32 appetizer servings.
View this inline at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spicy-buffalo-style-meatballs.
Ingredients
1 pound 95% lean ground beef
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tablespoons chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon honey
Blue cheese dressing
Celery sticks
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
Shape beef mixture into 32 1-inch meatballs; place on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 350F oven 18 to 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine hot pepper sauce, butter and honey in large bowl; mix well. Add meatballs; stir to coat.
Serve with dressing and celery sticks, as desired. Makes 32 appetizer servings.
Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef done-ness.
Cook's Tip: 1 package (about 18 ounces) frozen fully-cooked beef meatballs can be substituted for ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook meatballs according to package directions. Continue as directed in step 3.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 33; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 78 mg; Cholesterol: 16 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 1 g
ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten-emailing-list.
Prep Time 15 minutes; Cooking Time 60 minutes; Serves 10
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 egg, (or 2 egg whites)
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons grated onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 cups chicken broth
6 cups water
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon celery salt
2/3 cup orzo, (tiny rice shaped grains of pasta)
2 cups thinly sliced escarole
grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Combine first 7 ingredients and form into tiny balls, about 1/2 inch in diameter.
Bring 6 cups of water to a slow boil in a stockpot. Add the chicken broth and season with onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, salt and pepper to taste.
Add the meatballs, and cook for a few minutes until done. Remove the meatballs with a slotted spoon. Add the orzo and cook for about 5 minutes.
Add the escarole. Add the meatballs back to the soup pot, heat and serve.
Top with Parmesan cheese.
Tips
The secret to this recipe's flavor is the cheese, add a tablespoon or two to the finished soup to enhance the flavor!
MEATBALL SANDWICH
This is from Macrina Bakery's emailing list. The bakery, located in Seattle, is one of those places I wouldn't mind visiting, if I ever take a road trip. But since that road trip isn't in the near future, I'll stay on their Recipe of the Month emailing list.
The meatball sandwich recipe starts off with the following: "Meatball sandwiches are a fun way to shake up your weeknight dinner rotation. We play up the flavors in our Italian-style meatballs with a generous slather of pesto and toothsome slices of fresh mozzarella. Our Fresh Herb Roll is strong enough to hold in all of the juices while adding the earthiness of freshly picked herbs and coarse sea salt. Warning: This sandwich can be messy, but it is guaranteed to get a thumbs-up from the whole family!"
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
1/2 cup day-old bread, trimmed of crust and diced into 1/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup milk
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
8 ounces ground turkey
8 ounces ground pork
2 tablespoons tomato paste or ketchup
1/2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1/2 cup Parmesan, shredded
1 large egg
For the sandwiches:
4 Macrina Fresh Herb Sandwich Rolls, 5 ounces each
1/4 cup pesto
12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced into 8 to 12 pieces
2 cups tomato sauce
Preparation
Makes 4 Sandwiches
Assembling the meatballs:
Preheat the oven to 400°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the diced bread into a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the milk until it starts to boil. Remove from heat and pour over the diced bread. Let the bread mixture stand and cool to room temperature. As it cools, the bread will absorb the milk.
In a skillet over medium, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the garlic and sauté just until fragrant. Set aside.
Add the garlic, turkey, pork, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, salt, basil, Parmesan and egg to the bread mixture. Use a spatula to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Using a small ice cream scoop or your hands, form 12 golf ball-size meatballs. Place the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
Assembling the sandwiches:
Slice each roll lengthwise and place cut side up on a baking sheet. Brush each half with the remaining olive oil and spread with 1 tablespoon of pesto. Top the bottom halves with 2 to 3 slices of mozzarella.
Warm the bread in the 400°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the tomato sauce.
Once the bread is removed from the oven, top each bottom half with three meatballs and ladle them with tomato sauce.
Enjoy these sandwiches with a side of mixed greens - and don’t forget a few napkins!
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Turkey Sliders with Avocado, Mushrooms, and Swiss Cheese and Brigadeiros. Enjoy!
VEGGIE CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
This comes from Taylerand20 at Allrecipes. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Servings: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270846/veggie-chili-cornbread-casserole/.
Ingredients
Chili:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon lime juice
Cornbread:
1 1/2 cups milk
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped
Garnish:
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Mix to combine and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn to the Dutch oven and stir to combine. Pour in broth and lime juice; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring chili to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Whisk milk and egg together in a large bowl until well combined.
Combine cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Add melted butter and stir to combine. Add jalapeno and stir to incorporate into the cornbread batter.
Remove Dutch oven from the stove. Pour batter over the chili in the Dutch oven. Use a spatula to cover chili completely and smooth the top.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Garnish cornbread casserole with sliced jalapeno and cilantro.
HARVEST WALNUT PUMPKIN PIE
This comes from Allrecipes, and begins, "A walnut topping adds lovely crunch to this quick and easy spiced pumpkin pie with a hint of maple flavoring. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Servings: 8; Yield: 1 9-inch pie
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/268384/harvest-walnut-pumpkin-pie/.
Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can plain pumpkin puree
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon maple-flavored extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
Walnut Topping
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter, cubed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Combine pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, maple extract, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Mix well and pour into the graham cracker crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking until filling is set, about 30 minutes.
Prepare walnut topping while pie is baking. Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Cut in butter with a fork until coarse crumbs form. Stir in walnuts.
Remove pie from the oven and cover evenly with the topping. Continue baking until topping is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.
Cook's Note
Substitute an unbaked pie shell for the graham cracker crust if preferred.
CHICKEN GREEN CHILE FOOTBALL EMPANADAS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Are you ready for some football empanadas? These chile- and cheese-filled pies are a cinch to make and look great on your gameday appetizer table."
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Makes 12 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/chicken-green-chile-football-empanadas.
Ingredients
3/4 cup chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (2 oz)
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles
2 oz cream cheese (from 8-oz package), softened
4 teaspoons Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix (from 0.85-oz package)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon water
1 box Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
Guacamole, if desired
Salsa, if desired
Preparation
Heat oven to 375°F. Line large rimmed pan with cooking parchment paper. In medium bowl, mix chicken, green onions, cheese, chiles, cream cheese and taco seasoning mix. In small bowl, mix egg and water.
Unroll one of the pie crusts. Using 4 1/2-inch football cookie cutter, cut out 12 footballs from crust, rerolling dough scraps together as necessary. Repeat with second pie crust, to total 24 footballs.
Place about 2 tablespoons filling in center of football; spread slightly to create even layer on dough with 1/4-inch border around all sides. Brush egg wash around outer edge of football, then gently stretch second dough football and place over top; using fork, crimp edges to seal together. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough. Place on pan.
Using paring knife, score laces into top of each empanada.
Brush tops with egg wash. Bake 27 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with guacamole and salsa.
Expert Tips
We used rotisserie chicken for this recipe, but feel free to use leftover chicken breasts or thighs.
Don’t have a football-shaped cutter? Use a pliable 3 1/2-inch round cutter, and bend into the shape of a football.
Exchanges: 1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choices: 1
LOADED CHICKEN TOTCHOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Nachos and tots join forces in this fun and festive easy sheet-pan appetizer."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/loaded-chicken-totchos.
Ingredients
1 bag (32 oz) Ore-Ida™ Tater Tots™ frozen potatoes
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix
2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)
1/4 cup sour cream
2 medium plum (Roma) tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Preparation
Heat oven to 425°F. Line large rimmed pan with cooking parchment paper. Place frozen potatoes on pan. Bake as directed on bag, stirring halfway through.
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix chiles, oil, water and taco seasoning mix. Stir in chicken.
Sprinkle potatoes with 1 cup of the cheese; top with chicken mixture. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake 7 to 9 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and chicken mixture is hot.
Top with sour cream, tomatoes and cilantro.
Expert Tips
Like crispy tots? Add 5 minutes to initial bake time for crispier totchos. Want pretty sour cream? Spoon sour cream into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal, and cut 1/4-inch tip from corner. Squeeze sour cream in zigzag pattern over totchos.
TURKEY SLIDERS WITH AVOCADO, MUSHROOMS, AND SWISS CHEESE
This is from American Heart Association, and begins, "These mini turkey burgers just melt in your mouth thanks to gooey cheese, warm mushrooms, and creamy avocado."
Makes 4 servings; Serving Size: 2 sliders
To view this yumminess online, go to https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/turkey-sliders-with-avocado-mushrooms-and-swiss-cheese.
Ingredients
8 whole-grain slider buns (lowest sodium available)
1 1/4 pounds ground skinless turkey breast
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sliced brown (cremimi) mushrooms
4 slices low-fat Swiss cheese, cut in half
1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted, and mashed with a fork
1 medium tomato, cut into 8 slices (about 1/4-inch thick)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450°F.
Arrange the buns with the cut side up in a single layer on a baking sheet. Set aside.
Using your hands or a spoon, shape the turkey into 8 patties, each about 3 inches in diameter. (The uncooked patties will be larger than the bun and will shrink as they cook.) Sprinkle the salt over each patty.
Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle pan over medium-high heat.
Cook the patties for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn over. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the patties are no longer pink in the center and register 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Transfer the patties to the bottoms of the buns.
In the same skillet, cook the mushrooms over medium heat for about 3 minutes, or until soft, stirring frequently.
Spoon the mushrooms onto each patty. Top with the Swiss cheese.
Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven. Bake the sliders for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the Swiss cheese is melted and the buns are heated through. Remove from the oven.
Spread the avocado over the Swiss cheese. Top with the tomato slices. Put the tops of the buns on the sliders.
Using four short skewers, pierce two sliders with each skewer, if desired. Serve immediately.
BRIGADEIROS
This is from Natalia Pereira (and adapted by Tejal Rao) on The New York Times cooking site. Tejal wrote, "The Brazilian sweets known as brigadeiros are a classic treat at birthday parties and family get-togethers, where the fudgy, chocolate-milk caramels are often rolled in sprinkles. The chef Natalia Pereira of Woodspoon in Los Angeles also makes more grownup, bittersweet brigadeiros by rolling them in cocoa powder or shredded coconut. Try her recipe, which she learned from her mother in Minas Gerais, Brazil, using either canned condensed milk or a homemade version. Either way, the candies will be tender and delicious."
Yield: About 24 pieces; Time: 1-1/2 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "A Brazilian Treat for Home Cooks in a Hurry" (in The New York Times Magazine on February 21, 2021), and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021918-brigadeiros.
Note: I originally read the article that this was featured in back in February, and reread it again when I was looking at this online. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend doing so.
Ingredients
For the Sweetened Condensed Milk (optional):
5 cups whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar
For the Brigadeiros:
2 teaspoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing your hands
1-3/4 cups homemade sweetened condensed milk or 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
5 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
Pinch of flaky sea salt
1 cup chocolate or rainbow sprinkles
Preparation
If using store-bought condensed milk, skip to Step 2. If making the sweetened condensed milk from scratch, add the milk and sugar to a large saucepan. Heat over medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally and scraping the sides and bottom of the pan with a spatula, for about 30 to 40 minutes. When the milk reduces to about 1 3/4 cups, thickens to a syrup texture and turns slightly yellow, it is ready.
Prepare the brigadeiros: Melt the butter in a heavy skillet over low heat. Add the condensed milk, cocoa powder and salt, and whisk until no trace of cocoa remains, about 5 minutes.
Turn the heat up to medium, and use a heatproof spatula to stir the mixture constantly until it becomes thick and shiny and pulls away from the bottom of the pan as a mass when you drag the spatula across it, about 7 minutes. If you’re not sure the mixture is ready, take 1/2 teaspoon of it and run it under cold water. When it’s cool enough to touch, squish it with your fingers — it should be the texture of a soft and fudgy caramel.
Scrape all of the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper, and let it cool down until it’s easy to handle, about 30 minutes. Lightly butter your hands, and use them to shape a scant tablespoon of the mixture into a ball or rough cube, then roll it in the sprinkles. Place each one on a paper wrapper, if you like. The brigadeiros will keep in the fridge for 1 week, or in the freezer for 1 month. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
VEGGIE CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE
This comes from Taylerand20 at Allrecipes. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Servings: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270846/veggie-chili-cornbread-casserole/.
Ingredients
Chili:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen corn
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon lime juice
Cornbread:
1 1/2 cups milk
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped
Garnish:
1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Mix to combine and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn to the Dutch oven and stir to combine. Pour in broth and lime juice; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring chili to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Whisk milk and egg together in a large bowl until well combined.
Combine cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Add melted butter and stir to combine. Add jalapeno and stir to incorporate into the cornbread batter.
Remove Dutch oven from the stove. Pour batter over the chili in the Dutch oven. Use a spatula to cover chili completely and smooth the top.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
Garnish cornbread casserole with sliced jalapeno and cilantro.
HARVEST WALNUT PUMPKIN PIE
This comes from Allrecipes, and begins, "A walnut topping adds lovely crunch to this quick and easy spiced pumpkin pie with a hint of maple flavoring. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Servings: 8; Yield: 1 9-inch pie
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/268384/harvest-walnut-pumpkin-pie/.
Ingredients
1 (15 ounce) can plain pumpkin puree
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon maple-flavored extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
Walnut Topping
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter, cubed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Combine pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, maple extract, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Mix well and pour into the graham cracker crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking until filling is set, about 30 minutes.
Prepare walnut topping while pie is baking. Mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon together in a bowl. Cut in butter with a fork until coarse crumbs form. Stir in walnuts.
Remove pie from the oven and cover evenly with the topping. Continue baking until topping is golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.
Cook's Note
Substitute an unbaked pie shell for the graham cracker crust if preferred.
CHICKEN GREEN CHILE FOOTBALL EMPANADAS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Are you ready for some football empanadas? These chile- and cheese-filled pies are a cinch to make and look great on your gameday appetizer table."
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Makes 12 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/chicken-green-chile-football-empanadas.
Ingredients
3/4 cup chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (2 oz)
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles
2 oz cream cheese (from 8-oz package), softened
4 teaspoons Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix (from 0.85-oz package)
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon water
1 box Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box
Guacamole, if desired
Salsa, if desired
Preparation
Heat oven to 375°F. Line large rimmed pan with cooking parchment paper. In medium bowl, mix chicken, green onions, cheese, chiles, cream cheese and taco seasoning mix. In small bowl, mix egg and water.
Unroll one of the pie crusts. Using 4 1/2-inch football cookie cutter, cut out 12 footballs from crust, rerolling dough scraps together as necessary. Repeat with second pie crust, to total 24 footballs.
Place about 2 tablespoons filling in center of football; spread slightly to create even layer on dough with 1/4-inch border around all sides. Brush egg wash around outer edge of football, then gently stretch second dough football and place over top; using fork, crimp edges to seal together. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough. Place on pan.
Using paring knife, score laces into top of each empanada.
Brush tops with egg wash. Bake 27 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with guacamole and salsa.
Expert Tips
We used rotisserie chicken for this recipe, but feel free to use leftover chicken breasts or thighs.
Don’t have a football-shaped cutter? Use a pliable 3 1/2-inch round cutter, and bend into the shape of a football.
Exchanges: 1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choices: 1
LOADED CHICKEN TOTCHOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Nachos and tots join forces in this fun and festive easy sheet-pan appetizer."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/loaded-chicken-totchos.
Ingredients
1 bag (32 oz) Ore-Ida™ Tater Tots™ frozen potatoes
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix
2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)
1/4 cup sour cream
2 medium plum (Roma) tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Preparation
Heat oven to 425°F. Line large rimmed pan with cooking parchment paper. Place frozen potatoes on pan. Bake as directed on bag, stirring halfway through.
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix chiles, oil, water and taco seasoning mix. Stir in chicken.
Sprinkle potatoes with 1 cup of the cheese; top with chicken mixture. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake 7 to 9 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and chicken mixture is hot.
Top with sour cream, tomatoes and cilantro.
Expert Tips
Like crispy tots? Add 5 minutes to initial bake time for crispier totchos. Want pretty sour cream? Spoon sour cream into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal, and cut 1/4-inch tip from corner. Squeeze sour cream in zigzag pattern over totchos.
TURKEY SLIDERS WITH AVOCADO, MUSHROOMS, AND SWISS CHEESE
This is from American Heart Association, and begins, "These mini turkey burgers just melt in your mouth thanks to gooey cheese, warm mushrooms, and creamy avocado."
Makes 4 servings; Serving Size: 2 sliders
To view this yumminess online, go to https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/turkey-sliders-with-avocado-mushrooms-and-swiss-cheese.
Ingredients
8 whole-grain slider buns (lowest sodium available)
1 1/4 pounds ground skinless turkey breast
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sliced brown (cremimi) mushrooms
4 slices low-fat Swiss cheese, cut in half
1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted, and mashed with a fork
1 medium tomato, cut into 8 slices (about 1/4-inch thick)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450°F.
Arrange the buns with the cut side up in a single layer on a baking sheet. Set aside.
Using your hands or a spoon, shape the turkey into 8 patties, each about 3 inches in diameter. (The uncooked patties will be larger than the bun and will shrink as they cook.) Sprinkle the salt over each patty.
Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle pan over medium-high heat.
Cook the patties for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn over. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the patties are no longer pink in the center and register 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Transfer the patties to the bottoms of the buns.
In the same skillet, cook the mushrooms over medium heat for about 3 minutes, or until soft, stirring frequently.
Spoon the mushrooms onto each patty. Top with the Swiss cheese.
Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven. Bake the sliders for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the Swiss cheese is melted and the buns are heated through. Remove from the oven.
Spread the avocado over the Swiss cheese. Top with the tomato slices. Put the tops of the buns on the sliders.
Using four short skewers, pierce two sliders with each skewer, if desired. Serve immediately.
BRIGADEIROS
This is from Natalia Pereira (and adapted by Tejal Rao) on The New York Times cooking site. Tejal wrote, "The Brazilian sweets known as brigadeiros are a classic treat at birthday parties and family get-togethers, where the fudgy, chocolate-milk caramels are often rolled in sprinkles. The chef Natalia Pereira of Woodspoon in Los Angeles also makes more grownup, bittersweet brigadeiros by rolling them in cocoa powder or shredded coconut. Try her recipe, which she learned from her mother in Minas Gerais, Brazil, using either canned condensed milk or a homemade version. Either way, the candies will be tender and delicious."
Yield: About 24 pieces; Time: 1-1/2 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "A Brazilian Treat for Home Cooks in a Hurry" (in The New York Times Magazine on February 21, 2021), and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021918-brigadeiros.
Note: I originally read the article that this was featured in back in February, and reread it again when I was looking at this online. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend doing so.
Ingredients
For the Sweetened Condensed Milk (optional):
5 cups whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar
For the Brigadeiros:
2 teaspoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing your hands
1-3/4 cups homemade sweetened condensed milk or 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
5 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
Pinch of flaky sea salt
1 cup chocolate or rainbow sprinkles
Preparation
If using store-bought condensed milk, skip to Step 2. If making the sweetened condensed milk from scratch, add the milk and sugar to a large saucepan. Heat over medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally and scraping the sides and bottom of the pan with a spatula, for about 30 to 40 minutes. When the milk reduces to about 1 3/4 cups, thickens to a syrup texture and turns slightly yellow, it is ready.
Prepare the brigadeiros: Melt the butter in a heavy skillet over low heat. Add the condensed milk, cocoa powder and salt, and whisk until no trace of cocoa remains, about 5 minutes.
Turn the heat up to medium, and use a heatproof spatula to stir the mixture constantly until it becomes thick and shiny and pulls away from the bottom of the pan as a mass when you drag the spatula across it, about 7 minutes. If you’re not sure the mixture is ready, take 1/2 teaspoon of it and run it under cold water. When it’s cool enough to touch, squish it with your fingers — it should be the texture of a soft and fudgy caramel.
Scrape all of the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper, and let it cool down until it’s easy to handle, about 30 minutes. Lightly butter your hands, and use them to shape a scant tablespoon of the mixture into a ball or rough cube, then roll it in the sprinkles. Place each one on a paper wrapper, if you like. The brigadeiros will keep in the fridge for 1 week, or in the freezer for 1 month. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Taco Tuesday
It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Yum! Today's offerings include Easy Teriyaki Chicken Tacos and Chipotle Shrimp Tacos. Enjoy!
OUTRAGEOUS RANCH TACOS
This is from Hidden Valley. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/outrageous-ranch-tacos/.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 packet (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning mix
3 cups shredded lettuce
1/2 cup Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® dressing
8 large taco shells, heated
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
Directions
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the ground beef and taco seasoning and cook for about 10 minutes, or until browned; drain.
In a large bowl, toss the lettuce with the dressing until evenly coated.
Fill each taco shell with the beef mixture and top with lettuce, cheese and tomato. Serve immediately.
Notes: For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
For dips, make and enjoy your dip creation. Then, refrigerate within 2 hours or discard.
CHIPOTLE SHRIMP TACOS
This is from Taste for Life, and can be viewed online here.
Prep Time: 35 minutes prep time + 1 hour marinate time; Serves 4 (2 tacos each); Recipe Source: From the Taste for Life test kitchen
Ingredients
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c thinly sliced red radish
1 c thinly sliced red cabbage
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp oil
2 tsp chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce*
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb raw small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 soft corn taco shells
Diced cucumber, for garnish
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Directions
Place garlic, radish, and cabbage in a medium bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Place in fridge for 1 to 2 hours to allow vegetables to marinate.
Combine yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl. Set aside in fridge while making shrimp.
Preheat oven to 300°. To make shrimp, whisk together oil, chipotle chile, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat.
Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan. Grill shrimp until cooked through, approximately 1 to 3 minutes per side, depending on size of shrimp.
Lay soft corn taco shells directly over oven racks in preheated oven. Carefully, using oven mitts and a fork, and without burning yourself, gently push edges of taco shells toward bottom of oven—encouraging shells to droop over racks. Bake until shells are curved and crisp, about 30 minutes. (For soft taco shells, use shells as is without baking them.)
To assemble tacos, place some pickled radish and cabbage on bottom of a shell. Add shrimp. Garnish with yogurt sauce, cucumbers, and cilantro.
Notes:
A chipotle chile is a smoked and dried jalapeno. You can find them canned in adobo sauce in the Mexican or International foods aisle of most supermarkets.
EGGPLANT TACOS
This is from Reiko on her blog, The Culinary Tribune. She starts off writing, “I love eggplant!…
“These tacos are so delicious!!
“If you like eggplant, try this.
“If you are a vegan or vegetarian, try this.
“If you want good tacos, try this.”
To view this online, click here. It looks like this makes 2 tacos.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 eggplant, cut into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoons water
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon garlic chili paste
dry oregano
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon corn starch plus water (for thickening)
salt and pepper
2 taco shells
a few slices of red onion
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
Directions
Cook eggplant in oil until tender. Add water, sugar, soy sauce, garlic chili paste, oregano, and cumin. Add corn starch and water mixture to thicken it slightly. Salt and pepper.
Warm taco shells in a toaster.
Fill the shells with the eggplant. Serve with red onion slices, cilantro, and green onion.
EASY GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TACOS
This taco recipe is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, who not only posts recipes on VeryWell Fit, but has her own food site, called Lively Table.
For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, “Instead of making the same old tacos this week, why not change things up with delicious and healthy green chile chicken tacos?
“This chicken taco recipe is super easy to make. Just boil the chicken in a bit of broth, shred, and add diced green chiles. It's a simple nutritious meal that the whole family will love.
“Corn tortillas are naturally whole grain, so they make a great choice for these tacos. Top with a bit of shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro to make a weeknight meal.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; CookTime: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 (2 tacos each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 cloves garlic
1 fresh jalapeno
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
Water
1 can (7-ounce) diced green chiles
8 warm corn tortillas
1 small avocado, sliced
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
Fresh cilantro, to taste
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, add chicken, garlic, jalapeno, and broth. Add water to cover the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Discard garlic and jalapeno, reserving cooking liquid.
In a skillet, add green chiles and shredded chicken. Cook over low heat, stirring until warmed through and sauce is thickened. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.
Serve with warmed corn tortillas, avocado, cabbage, and cilantro.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Use any type of tortilla that you like. Look for whole grain options, if possible.
You can also leave out the tortillas and serve the chicken on top of lettuce to make a taco salad or with brown rice and beans to make taco bowls.
Canned green chiles are usually found in the Mexican food aisle at the grocery store. They come in two varieties, spicy and mild. Choose the kind that best suits your taste.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve tacos with a side of low-sodium canned black beans for a quick and easy meal.
Add any toppings you like, such as your favorite salsa, tomatoes, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
VEGGIE BEAN TACOS
This comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Tonya Burkhard (Davis, Illinois), " In the summer when fresh corn and just-picked tomatoes are in season, authentic Mexican dishes like this leave you always wanting that next bite. My personal preference is to serve them with a slice of lime to squeeze over the avocado."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Makes: 6 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/veggie-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh corn
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 small zucchini, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup salsa verde
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
Reduced-fat sour cream, optional
Directions
In a large skillet, saute corn in 1 tablespoon oil until lightly browned. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, saute tomatoes, zucchini and onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the beans, oregano, salt, pepper and corn; heat through.
Divide filling among tortillas. Top with cheese, salsa, avocado and, if desired, sour cream.
EASY TERIYAKI CHICKEN TACOS
This yummy taco recipe is from Old El Paso, and begins, "If you’re cruisin’ for some fusion, look no further than these easy Japanese-inspired teriyaki tacos. Loaded with savory chicken and fresh veggies, they come together fast and taste great!"
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 10 servings.
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-teriyaki-chicken-tacos.
Ingredient
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1/3 cup water
1 package Old El Paso™ Japanese Inspired Teriyaki World Taco Kit
1 cup shredded Napa cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/3 cup diced avocado
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Preparation
In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center.
Stir in water and seasoning mix (from taco kit); heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 1 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
While chicken is cooking, heat tortillas (from taco kit) as directed on package. Divide chicken among tortillas, and drizzle with sauce (from taco kit). Top with cabbage, carrot, avocado, green onions and cilantro.
Expert Tips
For best results, pat chicken slices dry before adding to hot skillet.
Shredded lettuce makes a nice substitute for the cabbage.
OUTRAGEOUS RANCH TACOS
This is from Hidden Valley. Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Servings: 4
To view this online, go to https://www.hiddenvalley.com/recipe/outrageous-ranch-tacos/.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1 packet (1.25 ounces) taco seasoning mix
3 cups shredded lettuce
1/2 cup Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® dressing
8 large taco shells, heated
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
Directions
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat, then add the ground beef and taco seasoning and cook for about 10 minutes, or until browned; drain.
In a large bowl, toss the lettuce with the dressing until evenly coated.
Fill each taco shell with the beef mixture and top with lettuce, cheese and tomato. Serve immediately.
Notes: For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
For dips, make and enjoy your dip creation. Then, refrigerate within 2 hours or discard.
CHIPOTLE SHRIMP TACOS
This is from Taste for Life, and can be viewed online here.
Prep Time: 35 minutes prep time + 1 hour marinate time; Serves 4 (2 tacos each); Recipe Source: From the Taste for Life test kitchen
Ingredients
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c thinly sliced red radish
1 c thinly sliced red cabbage
1/2 c apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp oil
2 tsp chopped chipotle chile in adobo sauce*
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1 lb raw small or medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 soft corn taco shells
Diced cucumber, for garnish
Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Directions
Place garlic, radish, and cabbage in a medium bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. Place in fridge for 1 to 2 hours to allow vegetables to marinate.
Combine yogurt, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl. Set aside in fridge while making shrimp.
Preheat oven to 300°. To make shrimp, whisk together oil, chipotle chile, cumin, and salt in a large bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat.
Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan. Grill shrimp until cooked through, approximately 1 to 3 minutes per side, depending on size of shrimp.
Lay soft corn taco shells directly over oven racks in preheated oven. Carefully, using oven mitts and a fork, and without burning yourself, gently push edges of taco shells toward bottom of oven—encouraging shells to droop over racks. Bake until shells are curved and crisp, about 30 minutes. (For soft taco shells, use shells as is without baking them.)
To assemble tacos, place some pickled radish and cabbage on bottom of a shell. Add shrimp. Garnish with yogurt sauce, cucumbers, and cilantro.
Notes:
A chipotle chile is a smoked and dried jalapeno. You can find them canned in adobo sauce in the Mexican or International foods aisle of most supermarkets.
EGGPLANT TACOS
This is from Reiko on her blog, The Culinary Tribune. She starts off writing, “I love eggplant!…
“These tacos are so delicious!!
“If you like eggplant, try this.
“If you are a vegan or vegetarian, try this.
“If you want good tacos, try this.”
To view this online, click here. It looks like this makes 2 tacos.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 eggplant, cut into bite sized pieces
2 tablespoons water
1/2 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon garlic chili paste
dry oregano
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon corn starch plus water (for thickening)
salt and pepper
2 taco shells
a few slices of red onion
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
Directions
Cook eggplant in oil until tender. Add water, sugar, soy sauce, garlic chili paste, oregano, and cumin. Add corn starch and water mixture to thicken it slightly. Salt and pepper.
Warm taco shells in a toaster.
Fill the shells with the eggplant. Serve with red onion slices, cilantro, and green onion.
EASY GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TACOS
This taco recipe is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, who not only posts recipes on VeryWell Fit, but has her own food site, called Lively Table.
For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, “Instead of making the same old tacos this week, why not change things up with delicious and healthy green chile chicken tacos?
“This chicken taco recipe is super easy to make. Just boil the chicken in a bit of broth, shred, and add diced green chiles. It's a simple nutritious meal that the whole family will love.
“Corn tortillas are naturally whole grain, so they make a great choice for these tacos. Top with a bit of shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro to make a weeknight meal.”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; CookTime: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 (2 tacos each)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 cloves garlic
1 fresh jalapeno
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
Water
1 can (7-ounce) diced green chiles
8 warm corn tortillas
1 small avocado, sliced
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
Fresh cilantro, to taste
Preparation
In a medium saucepan, add chicken, garlic, jalapeno, and broth. Add water to cover the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Discard garlic and jalapeno, reserving cooking liquid.
In a skillet, add green chiles and shredded chicken. Cook over low heat, stirring until warmed through and sauce is thickened. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.
Serve with warmed corn tortillas, avocado, cabbage, and cilantro.
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
Use any type of tortilla that you like. Look for whole grain options, if possible.
You can also leave out the tortillas and serve the chicken on top of lettuce to make a taco salad or with brown rice and beans to make taco bowls.
Canned green chiles are usually found in the Mexican food aisle at the grocery store. They come in two varieties, spicy and mild. Choose the kind that best suits your taste.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve tacos with a side of low-sodium canned black beans for a quick and easy meal.
Add any toppings you like, such as your favorite salsa, tomatoes, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.
VEGGIE BEAN TACOS
This comes from Taste of Home, and begins with this note from Tonya Burkhard (Davis, Illinois), " In the summer when fresh corn and just-picked tomatoes are in season, authentic Mexican dishes like this leave you always wanting that next bite. My personal preference is to serve them with a slice of lime to squeeze over the avocado."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Makes: 6 servings
View this online at https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/veggie-bean-tacos/.
Ingredients
2 cups fresh corn
2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
4 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 small zucchini, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup salsa verde
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
Reduced-fat sour cream, optional
Directions
In a large skillet, saute corn in 1 tablespoon oil until lightly browned. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, saute tomatoes, zucchini and onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the beans, oregano, salt, pepper and corn; heat through.
Divide filling among tortillas. Top with cheese, salsa, avocado and, if desired, sour cream.
EASY TERIYAKI CHICKEN TACOS
This yummy taco recipe is from Old El Paso, and begins, "If you’re cruisin’ for some fusion, look no further than these easy Japanese-inspired teriyaki tacos. Loaded with savory chicken and fresh veggies, they come together fast and taste great!"
Prep Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 10 servings.
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-teriyaki-chicken-tacos.
Ingredient
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1/3 cup water
1 package Old El Paso™ Japanese Inspired Teriyaki World Taco Kit
1 cup shredded Napa cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/3 cup diced avocado
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Preparation
In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center.
Stir in water and seasoning mix (from taco kit); heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 1 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
While chicken is cooking, heat tortillas (from taco kit) as directed on package. Divide chicken among tortillas, and drizzle with sauce (from taco kit). Top with cabbage, carrot, avocado, green onions and cilantro.
Expert Tips
For best results, pat chicken slices dry before adding to hot skillet.
Shredded lettuce makes a nice substitute for the cabbage.
Monday, July 26, 2021
Chicken - Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's double post deals with that old stand-by chicken, and includes Mini Hawaiian Chicken Skewers and Barbecue-Cheddar Chicken Pasta. Enjoy!
CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM JUK WITH SCALLION SAUCE
This is from Kay Chun at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kay wrote, "Originally created to soothe an upset stomach, this nourishing Korean porridge has become popular as a satisfying meal no matter how you feel. The simplest juk is made with just rice and broth, but here, the addition of chicken turns the porridge into a hearty one-pot dinner. Start by poaching a whole chicken, which creates a rich chicken stock as well as juicy, tender meat. Simmer rice in the homemade broth until it breaks down, forming a creamy porridge, then add thinly sliced mushrooms for an earthy flavor. Finish with a tangy ginger-scallion sauce, which brings brightness. (You can also prepare juk in a pressure cooker with this recipe, which uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs.)"
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 3/4 hours
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021777-chicken-and-mushroom-juk-with-scallion-sauce. (And don't forget to sign up for the Times' emails; it's well worth it!)
Ingredients
1 cup short-grain rice (about 7 1/2 ounces)
1 whole (3 1/2- to 4-pound) chicken
5 trimmed scallions, 3 halved crosswise and 2 finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
5 garlic cloves, crushed
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3 ounces white button mushrooms, very thinly sliced (about 1 packed cup)
1 small carrot, peeled and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
3 tablespoons safflower or canola oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 ounces baby spinach (about 2 packed cups)
Any combination of soy sauce, chile oil and hot sauce, for serving
Preparation
In a bowl, combine rice with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, in a large pot or Dutch oven, combine chicken, halved scallions, garlic, half the ginger and 4 quarts water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, skimming any foam and fat that rises to the top. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Transfer chicken to a large bowl and let stand until cool enough to handle. Strain liquid through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard solids. You will have about 12 cups of broth.
Clean out the pot or Dutch oven, then heat the sesame oil over low. Add drained rice and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and carrot, and stir until pan is very dry, scraping up the rice that sticks to the bottom, about 1 minute. Add 8 cups of the broth and bring to a boil over high heat. (Reserve or freeze remaining broth for future use.) Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced, rice is plump and a porridge forms, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, julienne the remaining ginger and transfer to a small bowl. Add the chopped scallions, safflower oil and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Mix well. Set aside.
Remove skin from the cooled chicken and discard. Shred chicken meat and discard bones. Reserve 4 cups of the shredded chicken for the juk and save the remaining chicken for another use. Add the spinach and 2 cups of the reserved chicken to the juk and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide juk among bowls. Top each with some of the remaining 2 cups chicken and drizzle with the scallion sauce. Serve with soy sauce and chile oil or hot sauce on the side, if desired.
ALOHA CHICKEN BURGERS
This is from Chris McDaniel at AllRecipes. Chris wrote, "This tasty sandwich is like a luau on a bun!”
Time: 1 hr 20 minutes; Prep: 20 min; Cook Time: 30 min; Makes 2 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 slices thick cut bacon
2 large hamburger buns, split
1 tablespoon softened butter
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 slices pineapple
2 slices tomato
2 slices of iceberg lettuce
Directions
Place chicken breasts into a plastic zipper bag with soy sauce, seal the bag, and marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes. While chicken is marinating, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, and set aside. Spread cut sides of hamburger buns with butter.
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil the grate.
Remove the chicken from the soy sauce, and discard the excess soy sauce. Place the chicken breasts onto the preheated grill, and grill until chicken shows good grill marks, is no longer pink inside, and the juices run clear, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
When chicken is almost done, brush each piece generously on both sides with teriyaki sauce to finish grilling. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast, and cover with a lid to help the cheese melt onto the chicken.
While chicken is grilling, spread the buns open on the grill and cook until toasted and showing grill lines, about 2 minutes. Set the buns aside.
To assemble, spread the grilled sides of each bun with mayonnaise, and top each bottom bun with a cooked chicken breast, 1 1/2 slices of bacon, a slice of pineapple, a slice from a head of lettuce, a slice of tomato, and the top bun.
Footnotes
Cook's Note:
If you don't want to grill, loosely roll up marinated chicken breast with teriyaki sauce in foil, and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Then open foil, and melt cheese on top.
Tip
Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.
BARBECUE-CHEDDAR CHICKEN PASTA
This is from a Publix email. Servings: 6; Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours, 16 minutes
To view this online, go to https://ww4.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-simple-meals/barbecue-cheddar-chicken-pasta-with-simple-watermelon-ice-cream. It comes with another recipe (Simple Watermelon Ice Cream).
Ingredients
1 small red onion, coarsely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 block sharp cheddar cheese (6–8 oz), shredded
1 Deli smoked (or oven-roasted) chicken, shredded
4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained
2 cups no-salt-added chicken stock (or broth)
1/2 cup bold and spicy barbecue sauce
9 oz fresh linguine (or fettucine) pasta
3 oz presliced green onions
Directions
Chop red onion and pepper. Shred cheese (about 2 cups).
Shred chicken (2 cups).
Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces, then place in large sauté pan on medium (wash hands); cook bacon 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in pan.
Return pan to heat, then add red onions and peppers; cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lightly browned. Add tomatoes, stock, and barbecue sauce; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
Stir in chicken, pasta, and 1 cup cheese; cook and stir 2–3 minutes or until pasta is tender, cheese has melted, and sauce has thickened. Divide mixture among serving plates; top evenly with reserved bacon pieces, remaining 1 cup cheese, and green onions. Serve.
Aprons Advice
Complete your meal with fresh salad blend, steamed vegetables, crusty bread, and lemonade.
MAANGCHI'S CHEESE BULDAK (FIRE CHICKEN)
This is from Maangchi and adapted by Sam Sifton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "Cheese buldak is a Korean dish that is incredibly easy to prepare: a marinade of red-pepper paste and red-pepper flakes that becomes a fiery sauce for braised chicken, which is then served beneath a cloak of broiler-melted mozzarella. A child could do it, or an adult who often acts like one. Mine is an adaptation of a recipe that owes its deepest debt to Emily Kim, the Korean web star known as Maangchi, whose video for cheese buldak has been viewed on YouTube more than seven million times. (Omit the rice cakes if you can’t find them easily!) Thanks to subtitling by her fans, the video can be read in 24 languages. There are thousands and thousands of comments below it, mostly positive. One reads, 'Can you be my mom?'"
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "Melt Away the Pain of This Korean Fire Chicken With Cheese", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020366-maangchis-cheese-buldak-fire-chicken.
Ingredients
1/4 cup gochugaru (Korean red-pepper flakes)
2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red-pepper paste)
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced (about 2 tablespoons)
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or peanut
4 ounces sliced Korean rice cakes (optional)
6 to 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, thinly sliced
2 scallions, sliced, for garnish
Preparation
Combine the gochugaru, gochujang, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and black pepper in a medium bowl and mix well. Add the chicken and stir until it is well coated.
If you’re using the rice cakes, swirl the oil into a large, oven-safe skillet set over medium-high heat and wait for it to shimmer. Add the rice cakes and cook, turning the cakes often, until they are a little crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the rice cakes to a small bowl and set aside. If you’re not using rice cakes, simply swirl the oil into the pan and move along to the next step.
Add the chicken mixture to the pan along with 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes, adding the rice cakes halfway through, if using. Meanwhile, heat the broiler in your oven.Remove the chicken from the heat. Cover the pan with the sliced mozzarella, then slide the pan under the broiler. Cook until the cheese has melted and browned in spots, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle with scallions. Serve immediately, with rice.
LOADED CHICKEN TOTCHOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Nachos and tots join forces in this fun and festive easy sheet-pan appetizer."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/loaded-chicken-totchos.
Ingredients
1 bag (32 oz) Ore-Ida™ Tater Tots™ frozen potatoes
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix
2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)
1/4 cup sour cream
2 medium plum (Roma) tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Preparation
Heat oven to 425°F. Line large rimmed pan with cooking parchment paper. Place frozen potatoes on pan. Bake as directed on bag, stirring halfway through.
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix chiles, oil, water and taco seasoning mix. Stir in chicken.
Sprinkle potatoes with 1 cup of the cheese; top with chicken mixture. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake 7 to 9 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and chicken mixture is hot.
Top with sour cream, tomatoes and cilantro.
Expert Tips
Like crispy tots? Add 5 minutes to initial bake time for crispier totchos. Want pretty sour cream? Spoon sour cream into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal, and cut 1/4-inch tip from corner. Squeeze sour cream in zigzag pattern over totchos.
MINI HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SKEWERS
This is from Ree Drummond, from the Food Network.
Active Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 30 skewers (15 servings); Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/mini-hawaiian-chicken-skewers-7164260.
Ingredients
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce (the thick variety)
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1/2 lime
Kosher salt
4 green onions, sliced
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into bite-size chunks
2 red bell peppers, cut into chunks the size of the chicken and pineapple
One 20-ounce can pineapple chunks, drained
Freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil, for the grill pan
Directions
Special equipment: wooden skewers soaked in water for at least 1 hour
Add the teriyaki sauce to a bowl and stir in the ginger, brown sugar, crushed red pepper, garlic, lime juice, a pinch of salt and half of the green onions; set aside.
Using wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for at least an hour, assemble your skewers. Start with a piece of chicken, then add a piece of bell pepper and a piece pineapple, then repeat until you 2 pieces of each on the skewer. Continue with the remaining ingredients for a total of 30 skewers. Season the skewers with salt and pepper and brush them with the marinade on one side.
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with olive oil. Arrange the skewers on the grill sauce-side down (in batches if necessary) and grill for 3 minutes. While the skewers are cooking, brush the tops with the remaining marinade. After 3 minutes, flip and cook the other side for an additional 3 minutes. Remove to a serving platter and garnish with the remaining green onions.
CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM JUK WITH SCALLION SAUCE
This is from Kay Chun at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kay wrote, "Originally created to soothe an upset stomach, this nourishing Korean porridge has become popular as a satisfying meal no matter how you feel. The simplest juk is made with just rice and broth, but here, the addition of chicken turns the porridge into a hearty one-pot dinner. Start by poaching a whole chicken, which creates a rich chicken stock as well as juicy, tender meat. Simmer rice in the homemade broth until it breaks down, forming a creamy porridge, then add thinly sliced mushrooms for an earthy flavor. Finish with a tangy ginger-scallion sauce, which brings brightness. (You can also prepare juk in a pressure cooker with this recipe, which uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs.)"
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 3/4 hours
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021777-chicken-and-mushroom-juk-with-scallion-sauce. (And don't forget to sign up for the Times' emails; it's well worth it!)
Ingredients
1 cup short-grain rice (about 7 1/2 ounces)
1 whole (3 1/2- to 4-pound) chicken
5 trimmed scallions, 3 halved crosswise and 2 finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
5 garlic cloves, crushed
1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
3 ounces white button mushrooms, very thinly sliced (about 1 packed cup)
1 small carrot, peeled and chopped into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
3 tablespoons safflower or canola oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 ounces baby spinach (about 2 packed cups)
Any combination of soy sauce, chile oil and hot sauce, for serving
Preparation
In a bowl, combine rice with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, in a large pot or Dutch oven, combine chicken, halved scallions, garlic, half the ginger and 4 quarts water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, skimming any foam and fat that rises to the top. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Transfer chicken to a large bowl and let stand until cool enough to handle. Strain liquid through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard solids. You will have about 12 cups of broth.
Clean out the pot or Dutch oven, then heat the sesame oil over low. Add drained rice and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and carrot, and stir until pan is very dry, scraping up the rice that sticks to the bottom, about 1 minute. Add 8 cups of the broth and bring to a boil over high heat. (Reserve or freeze remaining broth for future use.) Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced, rice is plump and a porridge forms, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, julienne the remaining ginger and transfer to a small bowl. Add the chopped scallions, safflower oil and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Mix well. Set aside.
Remove skin from the cooled chicken and discard. Shred chicken meat and discard bones. Reserve 4 cups of the shredded chicken for the juk and save the remaining chicken for another use. Add the spinach and 2 cups of the reserved chicken to the juk and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide juk among bowls. Top each with some of the remaining 2 cups chicken and drizzle with the scallion sauce. Serve with soy sauce and chile oil or hot sauce on the side, if desired.
ALOHA CHICKEN BURGERS
This is from Chris McDaniel at AllRecipes. Chris wrote, "This tasty sandwich is like a luau on a bun!”
Time: 1 hr 20 minutes; Prep: 20 min; Cook Time: 30 min; Makes 2 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 slices thick cut bacon
2 large hamburger buns, split
1 tablespoon softened butter
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 slices pineapple
2 slices tomato
2 slices of iceberg lettuce
Directions
Place chicken breasts into a plastic zipper bag with soy sauce, seal the bag, and marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes. While chicken is marinating, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, and set aside. Spread cut sides of hamburger buns with butter.
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil the grate.
Remove the chicken from the soy sauce, and discard the excess soy sauce. Place the chicken breasts onto the preheated grill, and grill until chicken shows good grill marks, is no longer pink inside, and the juices run clear, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
When chicken is almost done, brush each piece generously on both sides with teriyaki sauce to finish grilling. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast, and cover with a lid to help the cheese melt onto the chicken.
While chicken is grilling, spread the buns open on the grill and cook until toasted and showing grill lines, about 2 minutes. Set the buns aside.
To assemble, spread the grilled sides of each bun with mayonnaise, and top each bottom bun with a cooked chicken breast, 1 1/2 slices of bacon, a slice of pineapple, a slice from a head of lettuce, a slice of tomato, and the top bun.
Footnotes
Cook's Note:
If you don't want to grill, loosely roll up marinated chicken breast with teriyaki sauce in foil, and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Then open foil, and melt cheese on top.
Tip
Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.
BARBECUE-CHEDDAR CHICKEN PASTA
This is from a Publix email. Servings: 6; Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours, 16 minutes
To view this online, go to https://ww4.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-simple-meals/barbecue-cheddar-chicken-pasta-with-simple-watermelon-ice-cream. It comes with another recipe (Simple Watermelon Ice Cream).
Ingredients
1 small red onion, coarsely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 block sharp cheddar cheese (6–8 oz), shredded
1 Deli smoked (or oven-roasted) chicken, shredded
4 slices thick-cut bacon
1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained
2 cups no-salt-added chicken stock (or broth)
1/2 cup bold and spicy barbecue sauce
9 oz fresh linguine (or fettucine) pasta
3 oz presliced green onions
Directions
Chop red onion and pepper. Shred cheese (about 2 cups).
Shred chicken (2 cups).
Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces, then place in large sauté pan on medium (wash hands); cook bacon 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in pan.
Return pan to heat, then add red onions and peppers; cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lightly browned. Add tomatoes, stock, and barbecue sauce; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
Stir in chicken, pasta, and 1 cup cheese; cook and stir 2–3 minutes or until pasta is tender, cheese has melted, and sauce has thickened. Divide mixture among serving plates; top evenly with reserved bacon pieces, remaining 1 cup cheese, and green onions. Serve.
Aprons Advice
Complete your meal with fresh salad blend, steamed vegetables, crusty bread, and lemonade.
MAANGCHI'S CHEESE BULDAK (FIRE CHICKEN)
This is from Maangchi and adapted by Sam Sifton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "Cheese buldak is a Korean dish that is incredibly easy to prepare: a marinade of red-pepper paste and red-pepper flakes that becomes a fiery sauce for braised chicken, which is then served beneath a cloak of broiler-melted mozzarella. A child could do it, or an adult who often acts like one. Mine is an adaptation of a recipe that owes its deepest debt to Emily Kim, the Korean web star known as Maangchi, whose video for cheese buldak has been viewed on YouTube more than seven million times. (Omit the rice cakes if you can’t find them easily!) Thanks to subtitling by her fans, the video can be read in 24 languages. There are thousands and thousands of comments below it, mostly positive. One reads, 'Can you be my mom?'"
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes
This was featured in "Melt Away the Pain of This Korean Fire Chicken With Cheese", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020366-maangchis-cheese-buldak-fire-chicken.
Ingredients
1/4 cup gochugaru (Korean red-pepper flakes)
2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean red-pepper paste)
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced (about 2 tablespoons)
1 (1-inch) piece ginger, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or peanut
4 ounces sliced Korean rice cakes (optional)
6 to 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, thinly sliced
2 scallions, sliced, for garnish
Preparation
Combine the gochugaru, gochujang, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and black pepper in a medium bowl and mix well. Add the chicken and stir until it is well coated.
If you’re using the rice cakes, swirl the oil into a large, oven-safe skillet set over medium-high heat and wait for it to shimmer. Add the rice cakes and cook, turning the cakes often, until they are a little crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the rice cakes to a small bowl and set aside. If you’re not using rice cakes, simply swirl the oil into the pan and move along to the next step.
Add the chicken mixture to the pan along with 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes, adding the rice cakes halfway through, if using. Meanwhile, heat the broiler in your oven.Remove the chicken from the heat. Cover the pan with the sliced mozzarella, then slide the pan under the broiler. Cook until the cheese has melted and browned in spots, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle with scallions. Serve immediately, with rice.
LOADED CHICKEN TOTCHOS
This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Nachos and tots join forces in this fun and festive easy sheet-pan appetizer."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/loaded-chicken-totchos.
Ingredients
1 bag (32 oz) Ore-Ida™ Tater Tots™ frozen potatoes
1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix
2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (8 oz)
1/4 cup sour cream
2 medium plum (Roma) tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Preparation
Heat oven to 425°F. Line large rimmed pan with cooking parchment paper. Place frozen potatoes on pan. Bake as directed on bag, stirring halfway through.
Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix chiles, oil, water and taco seasoning mix. Stir in chicken.
Sprinkle potatoes with 1 cup of the cheese; top with chicken mixture. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake 7 to 9 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and chicken mixture is hot.
Top with sour cream, tomatoes and cilantro.
Expert Tips
Like crispy tots? Add 5 minutes to initial bake time for crispier totchos. Want pretty sour cream? Spoon sour cream into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag; seal, and cut 1/4-inch tip from corner. Squeeze sour cream in zigzag pattern over totchos.
MINI HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SKEWERS
This is from Ree Drummond, from the Food Network.
Active Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 30 skewers (15 servings); Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/mini-hawaiian-chicken-skewers-7164260.
Ingredients
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce (the thick variety)
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1/2 lime
Kosher salt
4 green onions, sliced
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into bite-size chunks
2 red bell peppers, cut into chunks the size of the chicken and pineapple
One 20-ounce can pineapple chunks, drained
Freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil, for the grill pan
Directions
Special equipment: wooden skewers soaked in water for at least 1 hour
Add the teriyaki sauce to a bowl and stir in the ginger, brown sugar, crushed red pepper, garlic, lime juice, a pinch of salt and half of the green onions; set aside.
Using wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for at least an hour, assemble your skewers. Start with a piece of chicken, then add a piece of bell pepper and a piece pineapple, then repeat until you 2 pieces of each on the skewer. Continue with the remaining ingredients for a total of 30 skewers. Season the skewers with salt and pepper and brush them with the marinade on one side.
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with olive oil. Arrange the skewers on the grill sauce-side down (in batches if necessary) and grill for 3 minutes. While the skewers are cooking, brush the tops with the remaining marinade. After 3 minutes, flip and cook the other side for an additional 3 minutes. Remove to a serving platter and garnish with the remaining green onions.
Meatless Monday
It's time for another Meatless Monday. Today's vegetarian post deals with New Year's Eve recipes. Here are today's six recipes to help you wind-down the old year, including Boston Brown Bread, two kinds of macaroni and cheese and Peppermint Meringues. Enjoy!
BUTTERNUT SQUASH CAKE WITH HAZELNUTS
This came from Brett Moore, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Brett wrote, “Squash for dessert? Butternut squash makes a wonderful component for desserts. The complex flavor adds a nice dimension to your cake that your guests won't be able to figure out. The hazelnut frosting is the perfect complement to this sweet and moist cake.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: Serves 8 to 10
Brett wrote for About.com has since changed into .dash, where you can find The Spruce Eats, as well as other channels. While I still haven't found a link for this recipe on here (there had been one on about.com, which no longer works), I'll continue to look for it.
Ingredients
Cake:
4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup canola or other neutral oil
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 1/2 ounces (3 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cups peeled and grated butternut squash (about 8 ounces)
Frosting:
1 lb unsalted butter, softened
4 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup ground hazelnuts
1/4 cup whole hazelnuts, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9- by 13-inch cake pan or 10-cup Bundt pan.
In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add the oil and beat for about half a minute until combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well on low speed after each one.
Add the vinegar and vanilla and mix again until just combined.
Add half of the flour and the baking soda, salt, ginger and nutmeg, mixing on low speed until just combined. Add half of the buttermilk and mix until just combined. Repeat with the remaining flour and buttermilk.
Stir the squash into the batter and transfer the batter to the prepared pan; smooth the top evenly.
Bake for approximately an hour or until a toothpick or small knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes; then carefully invert the cake onto the rack and remove the pan.
When the cake is completely cool it may be frosted.
Make the Hazelnut Frosting:
Use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth.
Fold in the ground hazelnuts.
Frost cake. If you like, roughly chop some toasted hazelnuts and sprinkle over the top of the cake for decoration.
HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
I had been looking for a really simple but good homemade macaroni and cheese recipe, and this fits the bill. My daughter and granddaughter had come over on my granddaughter's birthday; while they were here, my daughter whipped up this recipe. She'd been making it for quite a while. It was a definite hit with everyone in the house.
Ingredients
1 box (16 ounce) cannelloni pasta (see Note)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Note: Just about any tubular pasta can be used in this recipe, though it seems to work best with something bigger than elbow macaroni. Some of the better substitutes for the cannelloni would be ziti, penne, rigatoni, or elicoidali.
Directions
Turn oven on to 350 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions. If the package gives you a bracket – say, 12 – 14 minutes – lean toward the lower time, since you don't want the pasta to be too mushy. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
In a large pot, melt butter on low heat, then add flour, salt, and pepper. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add milk and cook on medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until mixture thickens, stirring continuously.
Remove from heat and add macaroni, stirring it into mixture. Add the shredded cheese, and stir in completely.
Pour mixture into a 13 X 9 inch pan and bake at 350 for 10 – 15 minutes. Remove carefully, as it will be hot. (You knew that, right?) Dig in.
This makes 4 – 5 servings.
Photo: Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, on the left in the blue dish, and Benecol Macaroni and Cheese, on right, in orange casserole dish (from Avon)
BENECOL MACARONI AND CHEESE
For several years, there was a magazine dedicated to walking, titled Walking Magazine. It had many good articles, tips and recipes for those of us who feel a little more comfortable race-walking than running. Unfortunately, the magazine folded several years ago. This recipe was in it during its final year. Serves 4.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. small shell style macaroni
4 Tbs. Benecol
3 Tbs. all purpose flour
3 Tbs. finely chopped onion
1 1/2 C 2% milk, warmed
few drops Tabasco Sauce
1-pint nonfat cottage (or ricotta) cheese
1 tsp. salt
1/2 C flavored bread crumbs
1 Tbs. olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-9 inch pan liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Cook shells according to package directions, strain, and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
To prepare sauce, melt Benecol in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Quickly whisk in flour, add onions, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour milk into flour mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add Tabasco Sauce and cook an additional minute. Whisk in cheese and salt, and blend in shells; transfer mixture to prepared pan.
In small bowl, mix oil and bread crumbs together; spoon over top of macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
Per Serving: 510 calories; 27.2% calories from fat; 3G saturated fat; 65G carbohydrates; 12MG cholesterol; 612MG sodium; 2G fiber
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
This comes from Jeff Gordinier in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Jeff writes, “Bread that slides out of a can? It might strike many Americans as a dubious culinary eccentricity, but throughout New England it is a staple, often purchased at the supermarket and served at home with a generous pour of baked beans. 'I had this growing up,' said Meghan Thompson, the pastry chef at Townsman, in Boston, where the cylindrical brown tower comes to the table as something of a regional wink. Her version, commissioned by the chef Matt Jennings, dials down the cloying sweetness and amps up the flavor with a totally different manifestation of beans: doenjang, the funky Korean paste made from fermented soybeans.” Time: about 2 hours; makes 2 coffee-can-size loaves, or 1 standard loaf
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons white rye flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons stone-ground whole wheat flour
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons dark rye flour
1 cup fine-ground cornmeal
1 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup egg whites (from 4 to 5 large eggs)
3/4 cup (scant) blackstrap molasses
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and generously coat the insides of 2 10-ounce coffee cans or a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Place the white rye flour in a large skillet over medium heat and toast, whisking constantly, for 7 minutes. The flour will darken slightly and smell nutty.
Whisk the flours, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the doenjang and buttermilk until combined; set aside. With an electric mixer, whip the egg whites with 1 tablespoon of the molasses until stiff, silky peaks form, about 5 minutes. Whisk the remaining molasses into the buttermilk mixture. Gradually stir the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients until combined. Fold in the whipped egg whites in 2 additions.
Pour batter into the prepared cans or loaf pan. Coat pieces of foil with cooking spray, then cover the tops of the cans or pan securely. Set the cans or pan in a baking dish and add enough hot water to come about 1/4 inch up the side. Transfer to oven and bake until the top springs back when lightly touched, about 1 hour 40 minutes for the cans, or 2 hours for the loaf pan. Let cool 20 minutes on a wire rack, then invert and remove the bread to a cutting board. Let cool completely before slicing.
BAKED BEANS
Of course, you can't have Boston Brown Bread without a helping of Baked Beans. This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Sam writes, “Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread.” Makes 6 to 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups navy beans
Salt
1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1/3 cup molasses
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Preparation
Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.
Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.
Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.
PEPPERMINT MERINGUES
This comes from The Food Network Kitchen. It begins, “These minty, pink-striped meringues are easy to make and use a clever decorating trick: Paint lines of food coloring gel up the sides of a pastry bag before filling it with meringue, and each cookie comes out striped as you pipe it. You can use this same trick with frosting for cupcakes.” Total Time: 3 hr 30 min; Prep: 30 min; Inactive: 2 hr; Cook: 1 hr; Yield: about 42 meringues; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/peppermint-meringues.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
3 large egg whites
Pinch fine salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup superfine sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Red food coloring, preferably gel
Directions
Special equipment: a pastry bag fitted with a round tip; a small paintbrush or cotton swab
Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat the egg whites and salt with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat until soft peaks form. While beating, add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Beat in the peppermint.
Fold the top of a pastry bag fitted with a round tip over and down a few inches. Dip a paintbrush in the food coloring. Starting inside the pastry tip, brush a stroke of food coloring from the tip to the top of the bag. Repeat with 3 more evenly spaced strokes. Fill the bag with the meringue; try to spoon it directly into the center so as not to smudge the food coloring (though some smudging is inevitable). Pipe 1-inch-diameter mounds of meringue spaced 1 inch apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
Bake until the meringues are no longer glossy and feel light and dry when picked up, about 1 hour. Open the oven for a few minutes, then turn it off and shut the door. Leave the meringues in the oven until they are completely dry inside, about 2 hours. The meringues can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH CAKE WITH HAZELNUTS
This came from Brett Moore, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Brett wrote, “Squash for dessert? Butternut squash makes a wonderful component for desserts. The complex flavor adds a nice dimension to your cake that your guests won't be able to figure out. The hazelnut frosting is the perfect complement to this sweet and moist cake.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: Serves 8 to 10
Brett wrote for About.com has since changed into .dash, where you can find The Spruce Eats, as well as other channels. While I still haven't found a link for this recipe on here (there had been one on about.com, which no longer works), I'll continue to look for it.
Ingredients
Cake:
4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup canola or other neutral oil
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
13 1/2 ounces (3 cups) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cups peeled and grated butternut squash (about 8 ounces)
Frosting:
1 lb unsalted butter, softened
4 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup ground hazelnuts
1/4 cup whole hazelnuts, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter and flour a 9- by 13-inch cake pan or 10-cup Bundt pan.
In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add the oil and beat for about half a minute until combined.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well on low speed after each one.
Add the vinegar and vanilla and mix again until just combined.
Add half of the flour and the baking soda, salt, ginger and nutmeg, mixing on low speed until just combined. Add half of the buttermilk and mix until just combined. Repeat with the remaining flour and buttermilk.
Stir the squash into the batter and transfer the batter to the prepared pan; smooth the top evenly.
Bake for approximately an hour or until a toothpick or small knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes; then carefully invert the cake onto the rack and remove the pan.
When the cake is completely cool it may be frosted.
Make the Hazelnut Frosting:
Use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth.
Fold in the ground hazelnuts.
Frost cake. If you like, roughly chop some toasted hazelnuts and sprinkle over the top of the cake for decoration.
HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
I had been looking for a really simple but good homemade macaroni and cheese recipe, and this fits the bill. My daughter and granddaughter had come over on my granddaughter's birthday; while they were here, my daughter whipped up this recipe. She'd been making it for quite a while. It was a definite hit with everyone in the house.
Ingredients
1 box (16 ounce) cannelloni pasta (see Note)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Note: Just about any tubular pasta can be used in this recipe, though it seems to work best with something bigger than elbow macaroni. Some of the better substitutes for the cannelloni would be ziti, penne, rigatoni, or elicoidali.
Directions
Turn oven on to 350 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions. If the package gives you a bracket – say, 12 – 14 minutes – lean toward the lower time, since you don't want the pasta to be too mushy. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
In a large pot, melt butter on low heat, then add flour, salt, and pepper. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add milk and cook on medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until mixture thickens, stirring continuously.
Remove from heat and add macaroni, stirring it into mixture. Add the shredded cheese, and stir in completely.
Pour mixture into a 13 X 9 inch pan and bake at 350 for 10 – 15 minutes. Remove carefully, as it will be hot. (You knew that, right?) Dig in.
This makes 4 – 5 servings.
Photo: Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, on the left in the blue dish, and Benecol Macaroni and Cheese, on right, in orange casserole dish (from Avon)
BENECOL MACARONI AND CHEESE
For several years, there was a magazine dedicated to walking, titled Walking Magazine. It had many good articles, tips and recipes for those of us who feel a little more comfortable race-walking than running. Unfortunately, the magazine folded several years ago. This recipe was in it during its final year. Serves 4.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. small shell style macaroni
4 Tbs. Benecol
3 Tbs. all purpose flour
3 Tbs. finely chopped onion
1 1/2 C 2% milk, warmed
few drops Tabasco Sauce
1-pint nonfat cottage (or ricotta) cheese
1 tsp. salt
1/2 C flavored bread crumbs
1 Tbs. olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-9 inch pan liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Cook shells according to package directions, strain, and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
To prepare sauce, melt Benecol in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Quickly whisk in flour, add onions, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour milk into flour mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add Tabasco Sauce and cook an additional minute. Whisk in cheese and salt, and blend in shells; transfer mixture to prepared pan.
In small bowl, mix oil and bread crumbs together; spoon over top of macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
Per Serving: 510 calories; 27.2% calories from fat; 3G saturated fat; 65G carbohydrates; 12MG cholesterol; 612MG sodium; 2G fiber
BOSTON BROWN BREAD
This comes from Jeff Gordinier in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Jeff writes, “Bread that slides out of a can? It might strike many Americans as a dubious culinary eccentricity, but throughout New England it is a staple, often purchased at the supermarket and served at home with a generous pour of baked beans. 'I had this growing up,' said Meghan Thompson, the pastry chef at Townsman, in Boston, where the cylindrical brown tower comes to the table as something of a regional wink. Her version, commissioned by the chef Matt Jennings, dials down the cloying sweetness and amps up the flavor with a totally different manifestation of beans: doenjang, the funky Korean paste made from fermented soybeans.” Time: about 2 hours; makes 2 coffee-can-size loaves, or 1 standard loaf
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons white rye flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons stone-ground whole wheat flour
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons dark rye flour
1 cup fine-ground cornmeal
1 cup lightly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon doenjang (Korean soybean paste)
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup egg whites (from 4 to 5 large eggs)
3/4 cup (scant) blackstrap molasses
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and generously coat the insides of 2 10-ounce coffee cans or a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Place the white rye flour in a large skillet over medium heat and toast, whisking constantly, for 7 minutes. The flour will darken slightly and smell nutty.
Whisk the flours, cornmeal, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the doenjang and buttermilk until combined; set aside. With an electric mixer, whip the egg whites with 1 tablespoon of the molasses until stiff, silky peaks form, about 5 minutes. Whisk the remaining molasses into the buttermilk mixture. Gradually stir the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients until combined. Fold in the whipped egg whites in 2 additions.
Pour batter into the prepared cans or loaf pan. Coat pieces of foil with cooking spray, then cover the tops of the cans or pan securely. Set the cans or pan in a baking dish and add enough hot water to come about 1/4 inch up the side. Transfer to oven and bake until the top springs back when lightly touched, about 1 hour 40 minutes for the cans, or 2 hours for the loaf pan. Let cool 20 minutes on a wire rack, then invert and remove the bread to a cutting board. Let cool completely before slicing.
BAKED BEANS
Of course, you can't have Boston Brown Bread without a helping of Baked Beans. This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Sam writes, “Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread.” Makes 6 to 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups navy beans
Salt
1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1/3 cup molasses
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Preparation
Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.
Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.
Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.
PEPPERMINT MERINGUES
This comes from The Food Network Kitchen. It begins, “These minty, pink-striped meringues are easy to make and use a clever decorating trick: Paint lines of food coloring gel up the sides of a pastry bag before filling it with meringue, and each cookie comes out striped as you pipe it. You can use this same trick with frosting for cupcakes.” Total Time: 3 hr 30 min; Prep: 30 min; Inactive: 2 hr; Cook: 1 hr; Yield: about 42 meringues; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/peppermint-meringues.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
3 large egg whites
Pinch fine salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup superfine sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Red food coloring, preferably gel
Directions
Special equipment: a pastry bag fitted with a round tip; a small paintbrush or cotton swab
Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 250 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat the egg whites and salt with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat until soft peaks form. While beating, add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Beat in the peppermint.
Fold the top of a pastry bag fitted with a round tip over and down a few inches. Dip a paintbrush in the food coloring. Starting inside the pastry tip, brush a stroke of food coloring from the tip to the top of the bag. Repeat with 3 more evenly spaced strokes. Fill the bag with the meringue; try to spoon it directly into the center so as not to smudge the food coloring (though some smudging is inevitable). Pipe 1-inch-diameter mounds of meringue spaced 1 inch apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
Bake until the meringues are no longer glossy and feel light and dry when picked up, about 1 hour. Open the oven for a few minutes, then turn it off and shut the door. Leave the meringues in the oven until they are completely dry inside, about 2 hours. The meringues can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
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