Confessions of a Foodie

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Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Wednesday Recipes

Wednesday (otherwise known as hump day): we're half-way through the week. If we made it this far, we can make it to the weekend.

Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day (and the down-hill slide to the weekend), including Melt-in-Your-Mouth Meat Loaf and Twice-Baked Potatoes. Enjoy!

IRISH WHEATEN BREAD

Years ago, when my better half and I first got cable, I was channel-surfing, something most of us have done occasionally. I ran across a baking show on PBS called Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, featuring Fr. Dominic Garramone. I fell in love with the show, and watched it almost every time it was on. (Unfortunately, it only ran from 1999 to 2001.)

Anywho, this recipe was featured on his show; you might even find it in one of his many cookbooks (and yes, I’m planning to pick up a copy of at least one or two of said cookbooks).

Makes 1 loaf.

Ingredients

2 to 2-1/2 cups whole wheat flour, divided

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 envelope FLEISCHMANN’S RapidRise Yeast

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup water

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

Directions

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, salt and baking soda. Heat buttermilk, water and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees); mixture will curdle. Gradually add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in enough remaining whole wheat flour to make a stiff dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Form into 5-inch smooth ball. Place in greased 9-inch round pan. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

With sharp knife, make an “X” (1 / 2-inch deep) on top of dough. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until done. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.

SPRING TWISTS

This was also from Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, featuring Fr. Dominic Garramone. This recipe was featured on his show; you might even find it in one of his many cookbooks (and yes, I’m planning to pick up a copy of at least one or two of said cookbooks).

Makes 48 twists

Ingredients

Dough

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1 envelope FLEISCHMANN’S RapidRise Yeast

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup water

1 (8-ounce) container sour cream

1 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs, large

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

Vanilla Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

3 to 4 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup finely chopped almonds

Directions

In a large bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups flour, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat water, sour cream, and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees). Gradually add to flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs, vanilla and 1/2 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in remaining flour to make a stiff batter. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 to 24 hours.

Divide dough in half, returning half to refrigerator. Roll remaining dough to 12 x 8-inch rectangle; sprinkle with 3 tablespoons sugar. Fold ends of dough over center (like folding a letter). Repeat rolling, sprinkling with sugar, and folding procedure twice more. Roll dough to 12 x 6-inch rectangle. Cut into 24 strips, 6 inches long and 1 / 2-inch wide. Twist each strip 3 to 4 times; place on greased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough and sugar.

Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes or until done. Remove from sheets; cool on wire racks. Drizzle with Vanilla Glaze; sprinkle with chopped almonds.

Vanilla Glaze: In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.

BLT PASTA

This is from Colu Henry on The New York Times cooking site. Colu wrote, "When another summer tomato sandwich just won’t do, try this BLT pasta instead. This clever twist on the classic sandwich substitutes spicy arugula for lettuce and in-season cherry tomatoes for heirlooms, which cook in bacon fat and produce a silky, smoky sauce. If baby arugula is out of reach, baby spinach, watercress or Swiss chard would work well in its place. Serve with a raw, shaved zucchini salad tossed with lemon juice, olive oil and mint."

Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019489-blt-pasta.

Ingredients

1 pound paccheri pasta or other tubelike shape, such as penne or rigatoni

8 ounces bacon, diced into 1/2-inch pieces

1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved

Kosher salt and black pepper

5 ounces baby arugula

1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving

Flaky salt, for serving (optional)

Preparation

Bring a large pot of well-salted water (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water) to a boil. Add pasta and cook until it is just under al dente, 1 minute less than package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, and drain the pasta.

Meanwhile, make the sauce: Place the bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-low heat until crisp, stirring occasionally to make sure it does not burn, about 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Turn heat to medium and add the tomatoes to the skillet, tossing them to coat in the bacon fat. Season with salt and pepper. As the moisture from the tomatoes releases, scrape any browned bits that have accumulated at the bottom of the pan (add a few tablespoons of the pasta water if you need to) and continue to cook until the tomatoes begin to fall apart, about 5 to 7 minutes more. Add half the cooked bacon back to the skillet and toss to combine.

Increase the heat to medium-high and add the pasta directly to the skillet tossing to coat with the sauce. Add the arugula and 1/4 cup of the pasta water and carefully toss (you'll have a very full pan) until the arugula wilts. Add the cheese and an additional 1/4 cup pasta water and toss together until the cheese emulsifies and the pasta is glossy with sauce. If needed, add another 1/4 cup pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Serve in bowls and top with remaining bacon. Pass the grated Pecorino Romano at the table and season with flaky salt, if desired.

MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH MEAT LOAF

This is from Suzanne Codner (from Starbuck, Minnesota), on the Taste of Home website. Suzanne wrote, "When my husband and I were first married, he refused to eat meat loaf because he said it was bland and dry. Then I prepared this version, and it became his favorite meal." Sometimes, all it takes is the right recipe!

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 5 hours 15 minutes + standing time; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/melt-in-your-mouth-meat-loaf/.

Ingredients

2 large eggs

3/4 cup 2% milk

2/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs

2 teaspoons dried minced onion

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage

1-1/2 pounds ground beef

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground mustard

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Cut two 25x3-in. strips of heavy-duty foil; crisscross so they resemble an X. Place strips on bottom and up sides of a 5-qt. slow cooker. Coat strips with cooking spray.

Combine the first 6 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into a round loaf; place in center of strips in slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low 5-6 hours or until a thermometer reads at least 160°.

In a small bowl, whisk ketchup, brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon over meat loaf. Cook until heated through, about 15 minutes longer. Using foil strips as handles, remove meat loaf to a platter. Let stand 10-15 minutes before slicing.

SUPER-DELICIOUS ZUPPA TOSCANA

This was on AllRecipes, and begins, "This is an oh-so-good recipe. Just the right amount of spice to make you take a cold drink but definitely keep coming back for more! This soup is irresistible!"

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/143069/super-delicious-zuppa-toscana/.

Ingredients

1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage

1-1/4 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 large onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

5 (13.75 ounce) cans chicken broth

6 potatoes, thinly sliced

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 bunch fresh spinach, tough stems removed

Directions

Cook the Italian sausage and red pepper flakes in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crumbly, browned, and no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Cook the bacon in the same Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes. Drain, leaving a few tablespoons of drippings with the bacon in the bottom of the Dutch oven. Stir in the onions and garlic; cook until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Pour the chicken broth into the Dutch oven with the bacon and onion mixture; bring to a boil over high heat. Add the potatoes, and boil until fork tender, about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream and the cooked sausage; heat through. Mix the spinach into the soup just before serving.

Editor's Note:

Please note the differences in serving size and the substitution of lacinato kale for spinach when using the magazine version of this recipe.

TWICE-BAKED POTATOES

This yummy recipes is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Yield: 12 to 16 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/twice-baked-potatoes-recipe-1925596.

Ingredients

8 baking potatoes, washed

3 tablespoons canola oil

2 sticks salted butter

1 cup bacon bits (fry your own!)

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Cheddar or Jack cheese (or a mix of both), plus more for topping

1 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons seasoned salt

3 green onions, sliced

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the potatoes on a baking sheet. Rub them with the canola oil and bake for 1 hour, making sure they're sufficiently cooked through.

Slice the butter into pats. Place in a large mixing bowl and add the bacon bits and sour cream. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Lower the heat to 350 degrees F.

With a sharp knife, cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scrape out the insides into the mixing bowl, being careful not to tear the shell. Leave a small rim of potato intact for support. Lay the hollowed out potato shells on a baking sheet.

Smash the potatoes into the butter, bacon and sour cream. Add the cheese, milk, seasoned salt, green onions and black pepper to taste and mix together well. (IMPORTANT: If you plan to freeze the twice-baked potatoes, do NOT add the green onions.)

Fill the potato shells with the filling. I like to fill the shells so they look abundant and heaping. Top each potato with a little more grated cheese and pop 'em in the oven until the potato is warmed through, 15 to 20 minutes.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Classic Chicken Pot Pie and Slow-Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup. Enjoy!

BIG-BATCH TURKEY CHILI

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Pull out your biggest pot and get ready to make a mess of chili. All the effort and time will pay off, knowing that your freezer is filled with easy dinners that can be thawed and quickly reheated."

Active Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Yield: 8 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/big-batch-turkey-chili-336493.

Ingredients

2 large yellow onions, chopped

10 cloves garlic, chopped

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon dried oregano

Kosher salt

1/4 cup tomato paste

3/4 cup olive oil

3 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, coarsely chopped, with 3 tablespoons sauce

4 pounds ground turkey

Four 12-ounce Mexican lager-style beers

Two 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes, with their juices

Four 15-ounce cans kidney beans, rinsed and strained

Optional garnishes: Sliced scallions, cilantro sprigs, avocado, sour cream, grated Monterey Jack cheese and/or tortilla chips

Directions

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, chili powder, oregano and 4 teaspoons salt, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and chipotle chiles and sauce, and cook 1 minute more. Add the turkey, breaking it up into bite-sized chunks with a wooden spoon, and cook until the meat loses its raw color, about 7 minutes. Add the beer, and simmer until reduced by about half, about 35 minutes. Add the tomatoes, crushing them with your fingers into the skillet, along with their juices and the beans; bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thick, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes.

Let the soup cool to room temperature, then divide among four 1-quart containers and freeze for up to 1 month.

To reheat: Let the soup thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bring it to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through. Thin it with a little water if desired, and add salt to taste. Serve with optional garnishes.

BALSAMIC MARINATED STEAK & ASPARAGUS

Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings

Source: TBC

Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/balsamic-marinated-steak-asparagus.

Ingredients

4 beef round (sirloin) tip side steaks, cut 1 inch thick (about 8 ounces each)

1 pound fresh asparagus

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Marinade:

2/3 cup prepared balsamic vinaigrette

2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard

Directions

Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Remove and reserve 2 tablespoons. Place beef steaks and remaining marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 15 minutes to 2 hours.

Place asparagus in shallow microwave-safe dish; add 1/2 cup water. Cover and microwave on HIGH 3 to 6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain asparagus. Add reserved 2 tablespoons marinade to asparagus; turn to coat. Set aside.

Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 12 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 14 minutes) for medium rare (145F) doneness, turning once. (Do not overcook.)

During last 3 minutes of grilling, arrange asparagus on grid around steaks; grill 2 to 3 minutes, turning once. Season steaks and asparagus with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 366; Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 2.5 g; Sodium: 591 mg; Cholesterol: 149 mg; Protein: 52 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g

CLASSIC CHICKEN POT PIE

This is from Diana Rattray on the Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, "Our classic chicken pot pie is loaded with tender chunks of chicken and vegetables in a thick, creamy gravy. A double crust makes the chicken pie satisfying and filling—make a homemade, buttery crust from scratch or make it even easier with convenient store-bought refrigerated crusts. Whichever option you choose, you will fall in love with this comforting pot pie.

"Feel free to customize this pie to suit your family's tastes. Add some celery or potatoes to the pie or cut back on the vegetables and add extra chicken. Or replace the fresh chicken breasts with leftover cooked chicken or turkey. Fresh herbs are another excellent option. Fresh or dried thyme is called for, but you may want to use a mixture of herbs. Chives, sage, and rosemary are some great alternatives.

"Serve chicken pot pie with a salad or fresh vegetables on the side. Sliced tomatoes and cucumbers make an excellent side dish with the pie, or you might serve it with a mound of freshly made coleslaw. Or serve the chicken pie with a cooked vegetable, such as green beans with bacon, a simple dish of sautéed asparagus with lemon, or roasted Brussels sprouts."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 74 minutes; Cooling Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 104 minutes; Makes 8 servings; Yield: 1 pie

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/chicken-pot-pie-with-herbs-3053112.

Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1-1/2 cups diced carrots

1/2 cup diced onion

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1-3/4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

2 (9-inch) homemade or store-bought pie crusts, divided

1 large egg, optional

Directions

Gather the ingredients.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 400 F.

Melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion, and chicken, and cook, stirring until the chicken is mostly cooked through and the vegetables begin to soften, about 10 minutes.

Add the flour and continue stirring until the mixture is well combined, about 1 minute.

Add the chicken broth and cook, stirring frequently until well combined, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the cream, peas, parsley, and thyme. Add salt and pepper, adjusting the seasoning to your liking. Let the filling cool slightly.

Line a 9-inch pie plate with 1 sheet of pie crust.

Add the filling mixture, smoothing it out evenly in the dish.

Top with the remaining pie crust. Trim the pastry and crimp the edge as desired. Cut a few vents in the top of the crust to allow steam to escape. If desired, mix the egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush the egg wash over the top crust.

Place the prepared pie on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven. Bake until the crust is golden brown, and the filling begins bubbling up through the vents, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool the pie on a rack before slicing and serving, about 10 minutes.

Glass Bakeware Warning

Do not use glass bakeware when broiling, or when a recipe calls for adding liquid to a hot pan, as glass may explode. Place a glass pie plate on an unheated baking sheet before placing the pie in the oven. Even if it states oven safe or heat resistant, tempered glass products can, and do, break occasionally.

Tips

To save time on baking day, prepare the filling and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When it's time to bake, gently heat the filling until warm, fill the crust, and bake as directed.

To avoid a soggy bottom, you may blind-bake or par-bake the untrimmed bottom crust. Fill, trim, and then top with the remaining crust. Tuck it under the trimmed bottom crust and crimp or flute as desired.

To keep the edges of your crust from getting too brown, cover with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.

How to Make Ahead and Freeze Unbaked Pot Pie

To Freeze: Prepare the pot pie in a metal or foil pie pan, but do not add an egg wash. Wrap the pie tightly in foil and place it in the freezer.

To Bake From Frozen: Cover the frozen pie with a sheet of foil and bake at 400 F for 30 minutes. Remove the foil—apply an egg wash, if desired—and continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

To Defrost, Then Bake: Place the frozen pie in the refrigerator and let it thaw for about 24 hours. Cover the pie with foil and bake it at 400 F for 20 minutes. Remove the foil—apply an egg wash, if desired—and continue to bake for about 25 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Recipe Variations

Swap out 1/2 cup of the diced carrots with diced or sliced celery.

Make the pie with leftover turkey or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Swap about 1/4 to 1/3 of the chicken with diced ham for a chicken and ham pie.

If you aren't a fan of peas, use thawed frozen cut green beans instead.

How to Store and Freeze

To store leftover chicken pot pie, simply cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator, where it will keep for three to five days. You can also freeze cooked chicken pot pie for up to six months.

What temperature should chicken pot pie be cooked to?

Use a food thermometer to check that the filling is thoroughly cooked; it should register at least 165 F when inserted into the center of the pie. This goes for leftovers as well.

What is the difference between chicken pie and chicken pot pie?

While there's no definitive difference between the two terms, some believe a pot pie is made with a top crust, and some think a chicken pie is made with more chicken and fewer vegetables.

SLOW-COOKER CHEESY POTATO SOUP

This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Searching for a new family-favorite meal to take some pressure off the dinner hour? Give this slow-cooker cheesy potato soup a try. Its velvety texture enriched with cheese and crispy bacon is mostly a hands-free affair. Potatoes cook all day in the slow cooker until they’ve broken down into a creamy broth. Stir in the thickener of half-and-half and flour during the last half hour and the cheese and bacon, right before serving. Garnish this soup like a loaded potato with more cheese, more bacon, a sprinkle of green onions and if you’re feeling extra, a dollop of sour cream! Once your family gets a taste, you’ll understand why this recipe has earned more than 600 ratings from satisfied home cooks."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes; Servings: 6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 bag (32 oz) frozen southern-style diced hash brown potatoes, thawed

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

1 medium stalk celery, diced (1/2 cup)

4 cups Progresso™ chicken broth

1 cup water

3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

1 cup half-and-half

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 oz)

12 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled

4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)

Directions

Spray 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, mix potatoes, onion, celery, broth and water. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.

In small bowl, mix flour and half-and-half; stir into potato mixture. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture thickens.

Stir in cheese until melted; stir in half of the bacon. Sprinkle individual servings with remaining bacon and the green onions.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1

Southern-style hash brown potatoes are diced instead of shredded. These work best in this recipe.

tip 2

This soup is indulgent, so don’t hold back. Load this up with all the garnishes you might lavish on a baked potato, like bacon, cheese, chopped green onions and sour cream.

tip 3

The dairy is added at the end of this recipe to prevent it from curdling. Mixing the half-and-half and flour before adding to the soup, will help you avoid a lumpy texture. The mixture is meant to be a thickener and you won’t want to skip it because that thick texture is part of what makes this recipe so delectable! It is important to allow the flour to cook because flour should not be consumed raw for food safety reasons.

BARBECUE LASAGNA

This is one of the yummy recipes from a long-since-forgotten emailing list that my son was on for a few years. Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds ground beef

1 cup ketchup

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

6 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Colby or mild cheddar cheese

1 cup (8 ounces) small-curd cottage cheese

1 egg

Directions

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. For barbecue sauce, combine the next 13 ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

Spread about 1/4 cup barbecue sauce in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Layer with three noodles and half of the beef.

Spread with half of the remaining barbecue sauce; sprinkle with half of the mozzarella, cheddar and Colby cheeses. Repeat layers.

Combine cottage cheese and egg; spoon evenly over the top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until lightly browned. Let stand for about 10 minutes before cutting.

MEAT LOAF

This is from Ina Garten on the Food Network. Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Makes 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/meat-loaf-recipe-1921718.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon good olive oil

3 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup canned chicken stock or broth

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 1/2 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)

1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs (recommended: Progresso)

2 extra-large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup ketchup (recommended: Heinz)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1-1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Yay! Today's offerings include Baja Shrimp Tacos With Creamy Slaw and Thanksgiving Leftovers Tacos With Cranberry Salsa. Enjoy!

CHICKEN AND CORN ENCHILADAS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Try this delicious take on an enchilada; they come to the dinner table in no time, and the whole family will love the flavor the corn brings."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Makes 5 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/chicken-and-corn-enchiladas.

Ingredients

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ green enchilada sauce

1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained

2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (6 oz)

1 cup shredded taco-flavored Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 package (8.2 oz) Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (10 tortillas; 6 inch)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Heat oven to 375°F.

Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce in bottom of baking dish. Reserve 1/3 cup corn.

In medium bowl, mix chicken, 1 cup of the Monterey Jack cheese, the Mexican cheese, remaining corn, cumin and garlic powder. Spoon about 1/2 cup filling onto each tortilla. Roll up each tortilla tightly; place seam side down in baking dish. Drizzle remaining enchilada sauce over top.

Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned. Sprinkle enchiladas with remaining 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, reserved corn and cilantro.

Expert Tips

If you love the taste of corn, make these enchiladas with corn tortillas. Microwave them in a damp paper towel about 15 seconds to make them easier to roll.

PERFECT FISH TACOS

This is from Lauren Miyashiro, the former Food Director and currently a "contributing recipe" for Delish. Lauren wrote, "Love fish tacos? Well, these are the end-all be-all...

"The fish—we use cod, but any flaky variety, like tilapia, works—marinates in a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and cumin that will become your standard. (Seriously, steak or chicken marinated in this will also taste bomb.) But the real gem of this recipe is the cabbage slaw—don't skip it. It takes just a few minutes to toss together and its brightness is the perfect condiment to the spiced cod."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yields: 4 servings

To view this online, including the rest of what Lauren wrote, go to https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a53296/easy-fish-taco-recipe/.

Ingredients

3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lime

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1-1/2 lb. cod (or other flaky white fish)

1/2 tbsp. vegetable oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

8 corn tortillas

1 avocado, diced

Lime wedges, for serving

Sour cream, for serving

For the corn slaw:

1/4 c. mayonnaise

Juice of 1 lime

2 tbsp. freshly chopped cilantro

1 tbsp. honey

2 c. shredded purple cabbage

1 c. corn kernels

1 jalapeño, minced

Directions

In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, paprika, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne.

Add cod, tossing until evenly coated. Let marinate 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, make slaw: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, cilantro, and honey. Stir in cabbage, corn, and jalapeño. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil. Remove cod from marinade and season both sides of each filet with salt and pepper. Add fish flesh side-down. Cook until opaque and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Let rest 5 minutes before flaking with a fork.

Assemble tacos: Serve fish over grilled tortillas with corn slaw and avocado. Squeeze lime juice on top and garnish with sour cream.

BEST BREAKFAST TACOS

This is from Lena Abraham, the Senior Food Editor for Delish. For this recipe, Lena wrote, "A good breakfast taco is a thing of beauty. Not only will these keep you full until lunch, they've also been known to cure a mean hangover. (Hair of the dog, a la Michelada, anyone?) Pickled onions aren't necessary, but they do add a nice crunch.

"(Psst! Vegetarians! These will still be great, sans chorizo. 😄)"

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yields: 2 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a32687489/breakfast-tacos-recipe/.

Ingredients

1 large russet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2" pieces

Kosher salt

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed

4 oz. fresh chorizo sausage, casing removed if necessary

1/4 small yellow onion, diced

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tbsp. butter

3 large eggs, beaten

4 medium flour tortillas

1/2 c. shredded cheddar

Hot sauce, for serving

2 green onions, thinly sliced, for serving

Sliced avocado, for serving (optional)

Pickled onions, for serving (optional)

Directions

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with 1" of cold water. Season water with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and bring to a boil. Simmer until potatoes are tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add chorizo and onion cook, stirring occasionally, until chorizo is cooked through and onions are translucent, 6 to 8 minutes.

Move chorizo and onion to the edges of your skillet and add another tablespoon of oil if the skillet looks dry. Add drained potatoes to the center of the skillet and spread out in an even layer. Let cook undisturbed until undersides of potatoes begin to turn brown and crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir potatoes into chorizo and turn off heat.Make eggs: In a medium nonstick skillet, melt butter. Pour eggs into the pan and let set slightly, then reduce heat to medium-low. Drag the eggs with a spatula or wooden spoon to create curds. When the eggs are cooked to your liking, season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.

Build the tacos: lightly toast each of your tortillas over an open flame or in a large dry skillet, then transfer to serving plates. Divide cheddar evenly between tortillas, then top with a scoop of chorizo and potatoes and a scoop of eggs. Serve with your choice of garnishes—and don’t forget the hot sauce!

TACOS CON PUERCO

Recipe Yield: Yield: Serves 4

Source: NPB

Recipe and image appear courtesy of the National Pork Board.

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/tacos-con-puerco.

Ingredients

1 pound Ground Pork

1 (14-1/2 oz) can tomatoes, diced, fire-roasted

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

8 taco shells

2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded

2 tomatoes, cut in wedges

1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

In heavy skillet, brown ground pork; stir in undrained canned tomatoes, onion, chili powder and garlic powder.

Bring to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until most liquid evaporates, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Heat taco shells and portion filling into shells; top with tomatoes and lettuce.

Notes:

Set up the table for everyone to be able to assemble their own tacos. Remember to have salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, guacamole and other taco favorites for condiments.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 285; Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 57 mg; Protein: 25 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g

THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS TACOS WITH CRANBERRY SALSA [VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE]

This is from Annessia Maillet & Beth DeCarlo at One Green Planet. The recipe begins, "Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches are kind of legendary. We mean, the best part about Thanksgiving is getting to put all those leftovers in a sandwich, right? Well, why no try it in a taco? You can make this recipe using your Thanksgiving leftovers, but if you don’t happen to have a refrigerator full of leftovers, you can easily whip up some Thanksgiving tacos from scratch. Just roast a couple of veggies, sauté up some herbed seitan or veggie meat, top it off with some cranberry salsa and a drizzle of tahini, and you have yourself one glorious taco."

Serves 8

To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/thanksgiving-leftovers-tacos-with-cranberry-salsa/.

Ingredients

For the Cranberry Salsa:

1-1/2 cups fresh cranberries

1 large apple (a sweet variety, like Gala or Fuji, works best)

1/2 a jalapeño pepper

1 shallot or 1/2 small onion

Juice from 1 lime

3 tablespoons of sugar or coconut sugar

For the Tacos:

2 small sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes

8 ounces Brussels sprouts

8 ounces seitan or 2 cups any veggie meat, cubed

2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon ground sage

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 flour tortillas (gluten-free if necessary)

Tahini, for drizzling (see notes)

Preparation

To Make the Salsa:

Dice the apple, jalapeño, and shallot into 1/4-inch pieces. Remove the seeds from the jalapeno before dicing if you prefer.

Add the cranberries, apple, jalapeño, and shallot to your food processor. Pulse several times so that the ingredients are finely chopped but are not liquefied.

Put the mixture in a small bowl. Add the lime juice and sugar, then stir. Let the flavors meld for at least 15 minutes before serving.

To Make the Tacos:

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Peel and cut the sweet potato into 1/2-inch cubes. Cut the Brussels sprouts into quarters.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the sweet potatoes on one sheet and the Brussels sprouts on the other. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over each sheet, and sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and salt. Toss to make sure the vegetables are well-coated.

Bake both sheets for 15-20 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are soft and the Brussels sprouts are soft and beginning to brown. The sweet potatoes may need to be baked 5 minutes longer than the Brussels sprouts. Remove both sheets from the oven when they are ready.

While the vegetables are baking, cut the seitan or veggie meat into bite-size pieces. Heat a skillet over medium heat.

When the pan is hot, add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and the seitan. Add the thyme and sage and stir to make sure the seitan is well-coated. Cook the seitan for 5-7 minutes, turning the seitan frequently to brown on all sides.

Remove from the heat once brown and crispy.

Warm the tortillas in a skillet, add the sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and seitan. Top with salsa. Drizzle tahini over each taco.

Notes

If your tahini is too thick to drizzle, thin it out with some warm water.

BAJA SHRIMP TACOS WITH CREAMY SLAW

This is from Real Simple, and begins, " For these tacos, we took a couple extra steps to keep the batter for the fried shrimp light: 1) We cut the flour with a little cornstarch, which prevents it from getting tough (because cornstarch has no gluten), but you can substitute rice flour or arrowroot; and 2) Bubbles in the seltzer add air, so the batter stays crisp and light. Pro tip: Whisk your batter over an ice bath to preserve more seltzer bubbles, and then keep it cold until ready to use.

"A tangy cabbage slaw topping balances the richness of the fried shrimp, and then lime, hot sauce, and sliced scallions seal the deal."

Hands On Time: 25minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/baja-shrimp-tacos-creamy-slaw.

Ingredients

For the slaw:

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1-1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups thinly sliced red cabbage (about 6 oz.)

2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage (about 6 oz.)

1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

For the tacos:

Vegetable oil

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup seltzer or club soda

1 large egg white

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

8 6-in. flour tortillas, warmed

Lime wedges, hot sauce, and sliced scallions, for serving

Directions

Prepare the Slaw: Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and cayenne in a large bowl, add both cabbages and cilantro, and then toss to combine. Let stand at least 20 minutes.

Prepare the Tacos: Pour oil into a large heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of about 2 inches, affix with a deep-fry thermometer, and then heat over medium-high to 350°F.

Combine flour, cornstarch, and salt in a medium bowl, and then make a well in the center and whisk in seltzer and egg white until just combined.

Dredge a half-pound of shrimp in batter, shaking off excess, and then carefully lower into hot oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer fried shrimp to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, and then repeat with remaining shrimp.

Divide shrimp evenly among tortillas and top with slaw, hot sauce, and scallions. Serve with lime wedges.

Monday, November 28, 2022

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Meatless Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes and Simple Perfect Chili. Enjoy!

CLASSIC MEATLOAF WITH OATMEAL

This is from Kristina Vanni for The Spruce Eats. Kristina wrote, " This classic meatloaf with oatmeal recipe is an easy recipe that is quick to assemble. Here, quick-cooking rolled oats are used as a filler to help keep the texture of the meatloaf light and to help retain the moisture of the meatloaf so it doesn't become dry. Quick-cooking oats are ideal because they are finer than old-fashioned rolled oats which would add too much texture to the dish. Do not use steel-cut oats in a meatloaf, since they will remain hard and inedible.

"Meatloaf tastes great when served alongside buttery mashed potatoes and your choice of green vegetable such as string beans. Any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. It is common to transform leftover meatloaf into a delicious meatloaf sandwich the next day."

Prept Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 70 minutes; Rest: 15 minutes; Total Time: 100 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/meatloaf-with-oatmeal-recipe-5089174.

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf:

2 pounds ground beef

3/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats

1 cup finely chopped onion

3/4 cup milk

2 large eggs, slightly beaten

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

For the Glaze:

1/3 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

Directions

Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl combine the ground beef, quick-cooking rolled oats, onion, milk, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Use your hands to combine. Do not overwork.

Transfer to a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Smooth out the surface at the top.

In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard until smooth.

Spoon half of the glaze over the meatloaf.

Bake (uncovered) for about 1 hour.

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and tilt the pan to drain off the grease. Spread the remaining glaze on top and return to the oven for 10 more minutes, or until meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 160 F.

Let stand on a wire rack for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Tips

When making meatloaf, do not overmix or overwork the meat, otherwise the final product can become tough and dry.

Meatloaves prepared in a loaf pan have a uniform shape and look great when sliced. However, you might need to drain off excess grease that may accumulate while the meat is cooking.

Freeform meatloaves are shaped by hand and cooked on lined a baking sheet. This option allows the grease to flow from the meat while it is cooking.

Exercise caution when pouring the grease out of the pan. Hot grease can cause severe burns.

Recipe Variations

You can swap the oatmeal for a heaping 1/2 cup of dry breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs.

Boost the flavor by doubling up on the garlic and onion powders, adding 1/2 teaspoon of oregano or parsley, or a few cloves of finely minced garlic.

Switch from ketchup to chili sauce—not the spicy kind but the sort found near the ketchup. Use it alone or mixed with the mustard and brown sugar.

Try topping the meatloaf with barbecue sauce instead of the glaze.

How to Store and Freeze

Wrapped properly, the cooked meatloaf will stay fresh in the refrigerator for at least 2 to 3 days.

Meatloaf leftovers freeze well and can be reheated for a wholesome and delicious meal later on.

Once the meatloaf is fully cooked, allow to cool completely. Wrap the meatloaf in plastic wrap or slice into desired sizes and wrap the individual slices. Place in a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. Be sure to clearly label with the name of the recipe and the date frozen. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When ready to reheat frozen leftover meatloaf, thaw the individual piece or pieces overnight in the refrigerator. Place on a microwave-safe plate and heat in the microwave until warmed through.

What Is the Best Beef for Meatloaf?

One of the secrets to moist meatloaf is to use meat with a good amount of fat. Save lean beef for other dishes and use ground beef with 80 percent meat and 20 percent fat (often called 80/20) in meatloaf for the best results.

Why Does Meatloaf Fall Apart?

There are a few factors that cause meatloaf to fall apart. Too much filler (the oatmeal in this recipe) and vegetables that aren't finely chopped are two common issues. Dry meatloaf will also fall apart and that can be caused by working the meat or compressing the loaf too much or overcooking the meatloaf.

MEATLESS TEX-MEX SLOPPY JOES

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Meatless Mondays just got a new star recipe. Impossible™ Burger is made from plants and makes this vegetarian sloppy joe recipe a delicious new addition to your meatless repertoire. These Meatless Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes use Old El Paso™ Mild Taco Sauce and Old El Paso™ Original Taco Seasoning Mix. Meatless sloppy joes are as fast and easy as the original, taking just 20 minutes from start to finish."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/meatless-tex-mex-sloppy-joes.

Ingredients

1 package (12 oz) Impossible™ Burger

2/3 cup water

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ Original Taco Seasoning Mix

1/2 cup Old El Paso™ Mild Taco Sauce (from 9-oz bottle)

4 burger buns, toasted

1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend (from 8-oz package)

1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

Preparation

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook Impossible™ Burger over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until crumbles are browned and cooked through.

Stir water, taco seasoning mix and taco sauce into Impossible™ Burger mixture; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.

Place about 1/2 cup mixture over bottom of each bun; top with cheese, lettuce, avocado and tomatoes, then top of bun.

Expert Tips

Cooking Vegetarian? Always read labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is vegetarian. Products and ingredient sources can change.

Old El Paso™ Mild Taco Sauce plays the role that tomato sauce would play in a traditional sloppy joe recipe, with the added benefit of loads of taco flavor for these vegetarian sloppy joes.

We call for Old El Paso™ Mild Taco Sauce in this recipe, but if you’d prefer a bit more heat in your meatless sloppy joes, feel free to substitute Old El Paso™ Medium Taco Sauce.

Buying a whole head of lettuce and slicing it thinly yourself, as opposed to buying it preshredded in a bag, will help to guarantee a fresh, extra-crisp topping for your sloppy joes.

Nutrition: 1 Sandwich: Calories: 500 (Calories from Fat: 230); Total Fat: 26g (Saturated Fat 12g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 30mg; Sodium 1240mg; Total Carbohydrate 41g (Dietary Fiber 6g, Sugars 7g); Protein 25g

% Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 6%; Calcium 40%; Iron 35%

Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 2 1/2 Very Lean Meat, 1/2 High-Fat Meat, 4 Fat

Carbohydrate Choices: 3

BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CRUSTLESS QUICHE

This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "Enjoy this no-crust savory custard pie with a salad for lunch or dinner. For a variation, substitute 5 cups spinach for the broccoli. Serve with warm whole-grain bread."

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/broccoli-and-cheese-crustless-quiche/. Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

2 tsp. olive oil

1/2 cup thinly sliced onion

1 clove garlic, minced

5 cups broccoli florets

1 1/4 cups 1% milk

1 cup shredded reduced-fat Swiss cheese

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

4 large egg whites, lightly beaten

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 Tbs. grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring often, 1 1/2 minutes. Add broccoli, and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Spread mixture in pie pan.

Combine milk, cheese, mustard, egg whites, eggs, salt, pepper and nutmeg in large bowl. Pour over broccoli mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake 40 minutes, or until top is golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

SALTED MARGARITA BARS

This is from Vaughn Vreeland in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Vaughn wrote, "This edible cocktail is an ideal party dessert, mingling all the fun of a margarita — and its salted rim — with the efficiency of a slab pie. Key lime pie's boozier, saltier cousin, it comes together quickly and maintains its consistency when frozen, making it a great make-ahead treat for a barbecue or a trip to the beach. Any tequila will work, but blanco is preferred for its milder taste. Don’t make the curd more than 10 minutes in advance, as the lime juice will start to thicken it, which could affect the bake."

Yield: 16 bars; Time: 45 minutes, plus 2 hours' freezing

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022342-salted-margarita-bars.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted, plus more for greasing the pan

About 40 saltine crackers (from one 4-ounce sleeve)

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Filling:

2 teaspoons lime zest plus 1/2 cup juice (from about 4 limes)

1/4 cup tequila (preferably blanco)

2 tablespoons orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier

Pinch of kosher salt

5 large egg yolks

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Flaky salt, for finishing

Preparation

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan with butter (or use the wrapper from your stick of butter). Line the buttered pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on two sides. (This will help you pull the bars out of the pan easily.)

Prepare the crust: In a food processor, pulse the saltines until ground like coarse sand. (Alternatively, place them in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them.) It’s OK if there are a few larger pieces. Add the melted butter, sugar and salt, and pulse a few more times until all the crumbs are evenly saturated (or mix to combine in a medium bowl). Pour the mixture into the lined pan, press into an even layer and freeze for about 15 minutes.

After the crust has chilled, bake it until fragrant and golden brown, about 15 to 18 minutes.

While the crust cools, make the filling: In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine the lime zest, lime juice, tequila, orange liqueur and salt.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the yolks and sweetened condensed milk. Add the tequila-lime mixture to the yolk mixture, whisk to combine, then pour into the prepared crust. (It’s OK if the crust is not yet completely cool.) You may be tempted to prepare the curd earlier, but don’t do so more than 10 minutes before baking, as the lime juice will start to thicken it, which could affect the bake.

Bake 15 to 17 minutes until the curd is set around the edges and slightly jiggly in the center.

Transfer to a rack to cool slightly, then freeze for at least 2 hours.

After freezing, remove the bars from the pan using the parchment paper overhang and transfer to a cutting board. Sprinkle with flaky salt, cut into 16 bars and serve right away. Store leftovers in the freezer. Cheers!

SIMPLE, PERFECT CHILI

This is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network. Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/simple-perfect-chili-recipe-2107099

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

2 cloves garlic, chopped

One 8-ounce can tomato sauce

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground oregano

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 cup masa harina

One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Shredded Cheddar, for serving

Chopped onions, for serving

Tortilla chips, for serving

Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

Place the ground beef in a large pot and throw in the garlic. Cook over medium heat until browned. Drain off the excess fat, and then pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the mixture becomes overly dry, add 1/2 cup water at a time as needed.

After an hour, place the masa harina in a small bowl. Add 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork. Dump the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, and then taste and adjust the seasonings. Add more masa paste and/or water to get the chili to your preferred consistency, or to add more corn flavor. Add the beans and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with shredded Cheddar, chopped onions, tortilla chips and lime wedges.

SLOW COOKER CHIPOTLE CHILI

This is from duboo, who posts recipes on AllRecipes. For this recipe, he wrote, "My friend Keni's love of smokey chipotle peppers inspired this recipe. It comes together perfectly and is a unique chili that will stand out against others. It is a spicy chili that at the same time is mellow. It gives you the kick without the lingering burn like many chilis do."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours 10 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours 35 minutes; Yield: 12 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/237576/slow-cooker-chipotle-chili/.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 pound bulk Italian sausage

1 large onion, diced

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 (16 ounce) cans chili beans, undrained

2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

2 (14.5 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

2 ribs celery, chopped

1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 (7 ounce) can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped

1/2 (3 ounce) package bacon bits

1 tablespoon chili sauce

1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot®)

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and sausage in the hot skillet until some of the fat renders, 2 to 3 minutes; add onion and garlic and continue to cook and stir until the meats are browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes more. Transfer beef mixture to a slow cooker.

Stir kidney beans, chili beans, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, chipotle chiles, bacon bits, chili sauce, hot pepper sauce, chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, and salt with the beef mixture.

Cook on Low until vegetables are completely tender but the celery retains a slight bit of firmness, 6 to 8 hours (or 3 to 4 hours on High).

BEEF AND PINTO BEAN CHILI

This is from WW, and begins, "Chili doesn’t get any easier than this quick beef-and-bean version you make in a skillet. You can serve it with lime wedges, a sprinkle of coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, and dollops of plain fat-free Greek yogurt."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Serves: 4; Serving size: about 1 1/4 cups; Difficulty: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tsp canola oil

14 oz Frozen pepper strips with onions

1 large clove Garlic, minced

1 pound uncooked lean ground beef

15 1/2 oz Canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained

14 1/2 oz Canned tomatoes with green chilis

1 cup Canned crushed tomatoes fire roasted

2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp Dried oregano, crumbled

1/4 tsp Table salt

1/4 tsp Black pepper

Directions

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add frozen vegetables and garlic and cook, stirring, until vegetables are thawed and any liquid is evaporated, about 3 minutes.

Add beef to skillet and cook, breaking it up with wooden spoon, about 2 minutes. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat and cook, stirring, until beef is no longer pink and chili is slightly thickened, about 3 minutes longer. Divide among 4 bowls.

Meatless Monday

It's time for another Meatless Monday. Here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Creamy Broccoli Soup and Chocolate Lover's Chocolate Mousse Pie. Enjoy!

TACO ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

This comes from Linday Funston on Delish, and begins, “So flavorful, you won't even notice the noodles are gone.”

Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4 - 6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. ground beef

3/4 c. ricotta

1/2 c. sour cream, plus more for drizzling

1 large egg

1/3 c. salsa

3 large zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise

2 c. shredded Cheddar

2 c. Shredded Monterey Jack

Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook until tender, 5 minutes. Season with cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, 8 minutes more. Drain fat.

In a small bowl, stir together ricotta, sour cream, and egg. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large baking or casserole dish, spread a thin layer of salsa. Top with a layer of zucchini noodles, sour cream mixture, ground beef, cheddar, and Monterey Jack. Repeat until all ingredients are used up, ending with zucchini noodles.

Bake until noodles are tender and cheese is bubbly, 25 minutes.

Drizzle with sour cream, garnish with cilantro, and serve.

APRICOT COBBLER SUPREME

This comes from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients

1 egg

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 tbs melted shortening

2 cups cooked apricots, sweetened

Directions

Beat egg and sugar until creamy. Sift flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk and vanilla to creamed mixture; add shortening. Put fruit in greased baking dish; pour in batter. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or until batter is done. Serve warm with cream or ice cream.

Any type fruit, fresh or canned, may be substituted for apricots. If using fresh fruit, sprinkle with 1cup sugar and heat before pouring in batter. Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE LOVER'S CHOCOLATE MOUSSE PIE

This recipe is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Chocolate crust with a milk chocolate coating, fluffy chocolate filling, whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle: this pie is not for the faint of heart!”

Serves: 12; Prep. time: 25 minutes; Cooking time: 11 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Baking Cocoa

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

2 3/4 cups (16 ounces) NESTLÉ ® TOLL HOUSE ® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided

2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided

2 teaspoons Powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine graham cracker crumbs, cocoa and granulated sugar in 9-inch pie plate. Stir in butter until all ingredients are moistened; press onto bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle 1/2 cup morsels over bottom of hot crust; let stand for 10 minutes or until all morsels are shiny. Spread chocolate over bottom and up sides of crust. Cool to room temperature.

Microwave 2 cups morsels and 3/4 cup cream in large, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

Beat remaining cream, sugar and vanilla extract in chilled small mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Fold 2 cups whipped cream into chocolate mixture. Spoon into crust; swirl top. Garnish with remaining whipped cream. Refrigerate until firm.

Microwave remaining 1/4 cup morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag on HIGH (100%) power for about 30 seconds; knead until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle chocolate over pie; let stand a few minutes before serving.

CREAMY BROCCOLI SOUP

This is from The Mayo Clinic Diet.

Serves 6; Serving size: 1 1/3 cup.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons thyme leaves or 2 tablespoons fresh chopped thyme

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning

32 ounces low-sodium vegetable broth

6 cups frozen broccoli, chopped

6 tablespoons plain, fat-free Greek yogurt

Instructions

Heat oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium to high heat.

Add onion and cook for about 4 minutes, until soft and translucent.

Add garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes and lemon pepper, cooking for an additional minute.

Add vegetable broth and broccoli. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 8 to 9 minutes, until broccoli is tender.

Remove soup from the heat. Puree in batches in a blender until smooth.

Top each serving with a tablespoon of yogurt.

Nutritional Information: Amount per serving: Calories: 90; Total fat: 3 g; Saturated fat: 0 g; Sodium: 135 mg; Total carbohydrate: 12 g; Dietary fiber: 6 g; Protein: 6 g

AFRICAN-STYLE SWEET POTATO AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH STEW

This recipe comes from Publix.

Servings: 8; Total Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes; Active Time: 10 minutes

To view this recipe online, click here.

Ingredients

2 medium sweet potatoes

1 can chickpeas (garbanzos), (15–16 oz), drained

1 (14.5-oz) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained

8 oz prediced bell pepper mix (1 1/2 cups)

1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

1 teaspoon chunky garlic paste

2 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or stock)

1 package fresh (or frozen) prediced butternut squash (15–16 oz)

3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions

Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Drain chickpeas. Place in slow cooker: sweet potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes, bell peppers, seasoning, garlic paste, and broth; cover and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2–3 hours (or LOW for 4–6 hours) or until potatoes are tender.

Stir in squash during last 30 minutes of cook time. Chop cilantro and peanuts.

Remove 1 cup of liquid from stew and whisk with peanut butter until blended. Stir peanut butter mixture into stew. Serve topped with cilantro and peanuts.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARS

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, and begins, “A little-known fact: Creamy chocolate-covered peppermint patties are not hard to make at home. Here, the minty filling and chocolate coating are layered onto a cocoa-imbued shortbread base, which adds a cookie crunch to each bite. These keep well, so you can make them a week ahead; store airtight at room temperature. They also freeze well. The coconut oil makes the chocolate coating slightly shinier and a little more brittle in a good way, so use it if you have it. But if you don't have it on hand, you can omit it.”

Yield: 36 squares; Time: 1 hour 10 minutes, plus chilling.

This was featured in“Peppermint Patties Worthy Of Dessert” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Shortbread:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cupgranulated sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick)

For the Peppermint Filling and Chocolate Top:

3 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 1/4 teaspoons/10 milliliters peppermint extract, or to taste

9 ounces bittersweet chocolate (at least 60 percent cocoa solids), chopped

1/2 teaspoon coconut oil (optional)

Preparation

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9-inch-square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing 2 inches of paper to hang over the sides.

Make the shortbread: In a food processor, pulse together flour, sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Add butter and process until a smooth dough forms. Press dough evenly into the bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake until firm to the touch, and sides of the crust are beginning to pull away from the pan, about 25 minutes. Cool completely.

Make the filling: In a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine confectioners' sugar, butter, cream and peppermint extract. Beat until mixture forms a thick, smooth paste. Press filling evenly over shortbread. Chill to set the filling for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

Use parchment paper overhang to lift the shortbread and peppermint out of the baking pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares (there should be 36 squares). Place squares on a rack placed over a parchment-lined sheet tray, and let them come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

In the top of a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt 7 ounces chocolate, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat, add remaining 2 ounces chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes.

Add coconut oil, if using, and stir the chocolate until smooth. Spoon 1 teaspoon chocolate on top of a cut peppermint square, using the back of the spoon to spread chocolate to the edges. Be sure to fully cover the top of the square with chocolate. (Leave the sides exposed, though it's O.K. if some of the chocolate drips down.) Repeat with remaining squares.

Let squares sit at room temperature until chocolate is set, at least 1 hour.

Friday, November 25, 2022

Holiday Leftovers

One of the best things about holiday food is all those leftovers. Today's post, a rerun from November 28, 2014, is full of really good recipes to use up some of your Thanksgiving leftovers, including Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole and Turkey a la King. Enjoy!

So, you've survived Thanksgiving (if you're in the U.S.) and you have all those leftovers. What to do with them? True, there's the old pile-a-little-of-everything-on-a-plate-and-nuke-it,-then-veg-out (possibly one of those guilty pleasures we all seem to have). But there are a few other ways to use the leftovers. I've included a few of my favorites, as well as a couple of other dishes. Enjoy!

TURKEY-RICE CASSEROLE

Also called Chicken-Rice Casserole.

This has been a favorite of my family for years. I know, I know...if you've followed this blog for a while, you're probably aware that I'm a vegetarian - for most of the year. The only time I really have trouble with that is at the holidays. Siiiiigh... This recipe comes from my very battered 40+-year-old Betty Crocker Cookbook. (Note: The photo in the link is from the 1969 edition of the B.C. Cookbook; mine was a 1972 edition.) Most foodies I know have several cookbooks (several shelves of 'em, in some cases) that we love for different reasons: the one put out by that funky inn we grew up near; the one from Grandma's church; that vegetarian one with the kicking muffin and apple butter recipes. Then there are the one or two (or three) cookbooks that get so used that we don't even have to look up in the index for a particular recipe; we simply look for one of the many pages that have food stains all over them. That's the way my old Betty Crocker Cookbook looks. (One of my sons likes to joke that he can tell which pages have recipes that no one tried out; they're the clean pages!) The cookbook calls it the Chicken-Rice Casserole, but we make it with leftover turkey. Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup chicken fat or butter

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/8 teaspoon ground pepper

1 cup chicken broth (you can use 1 chicken bouillon cube in 1 cup boiling water, or use canned chicken broth; I've also used vegetable broth or, in a pinch, water)

1 1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups cooked white or wild rice (I use brown rice, as that's the rice I always buy) - see note at end of recipe

2 cups cut-up cooked chicken or turkey

1 can (3 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained (I never use them, but the recipe does call for them)

1/3 cup chopped green pepper (I usually use any leftover celery instead of pepper, but use whichever you want)

2 tablespoons chopped pimiento

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Directions

Heat over to 350 degrees. Melt chicken fat in large saucepan over low heat. Blend in flour, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in broth and milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Pour into an ungreased baking dish (10 X 6 X 1 1/2 inch OR 1 1/2-quart dish; if doubling recipe, use a 13 X 9 inch pan). Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes.

Note: To get 1 1/2 cups of rice, start with 1 cup water and 1/2 cup rice, with a pinch of salt. Bring water (with salt, if using) to a boil in a small pot, add rice, turn heat down so that rice simmers, and put a lid on it. Check periodically. When water is absorbed (about 30 minutes for non-instant rice), rice is ready. Drain and use. Other liquids can be used, too, in place of water, usually veggie or chicken broth.

CHICKEN DINNER PIE

This was on the same page of my old Betty Crocker Cookbook. If you find the appropriate copy, these two recipes would be on page 307.

This recipe makes 6 servings

Ingredients

Pastry for 9-inch Two-crust pie

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons four

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon thyme

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup light cream

2 cups cubed cooked chicken or turkey

1 can (1 pound) peas and carrots, drained, or 1 package (10 ounces frozen peas and carries, cooked and drained

1 can (8 ounces) small whole onions, drained

Directions

Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare pastry as directed except - roll 2/3 of pastry for bottom crust; fit into 9-inch pie pan. Roll remained into rectangle, about 10 X 6 inches. Cut rectangle into 12 strips.

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Blend in flour, salt, pepper and thyme. Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in checken broth and cream. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in chicken and vegetables.

Pour into crust-lined pie pan. Place 7 strips of pastry across filling; arrange remaining strips crisscross to make lattice top.

Trim; turn edge of bottom crust over strips. Cover edge with 2- to 3-inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning; remove foil last 15 minutes of baking. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

TURKEY SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

This comes from FamilyTime.com. It starts off, "All your Thanksgiving Day favorites are combined in this savory casserole that's so easy to make, you can enjoy it any time of year. And it goes from start to finish in less than one hour!" Serves 6 (about 1 cup each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups mashed cooked peeled sweet potato

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/3 cup evaporated milk

Swanson® Chicken Stock or 1/4 cup Swanson® Chicken Broth

1 small onion, minced (about 1/4 cup)

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

3 cups cubed cooked turkey

3 tablespoons water

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Stir the potatoes, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and milk in a medium bowl. Spoon the potato mixture around the inside edge of a 10-inch round casserole to form a ring.

Heat the broth and onion in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cook until the onion is tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the soup, turkey and water. Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Spoon the turkey mixture into the center of the potato ring.

Bake at 350°F. for 30 minutes or until the turkey mixture is hot and bubbling. Sprinkle with the walnuts and parsley, if desired.

Easy Substitution: You can substitute chicken for the turkey.

SWEET POTATO PANCAKES

This one comes from SeriousEats.com. Serves 2.

To view online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups leftover mashed sweet potatoes

1/2 cup sour cream

3/4 cup milk

1 large egg

1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more for serving

4 tablespoon butter, divided

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Pinch nutmeg

Pinch cinnamon

Directions

Combine sweet potatoes, sour cream, milk, egg, and maple syrup in a medium bowl. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the microwave or in a small saucepan and add to mixture. Whisk until homogenous.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add wet ingredients to dry and whisk until just combined (do not overmix).

Melt 1 tablespoon remaining butter in a large skillet over medium heat and swirl to coat pan. Add four 1/4-cup batches of batter, using the back of a ladel to smooth them out into 4-inch disks. Cook, swirling gently on occasion, until the first side is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until browned un second side and pancakes are puffed, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate set in a warm oven and repeat until all pancakes are cooked. Serve immediately with extra maple syrup.

CHICKEN RICE CASSEROLE

I know...Another chicken (turkey) rice casserole. This was from an 5-year-old email; I think it came from one of About.com's emailings, though I'm not 100% certain. It starts off, "This super easy five ingredient recipe is pure comfort food." Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 cup milk

10 oz. can cream of mushroom soup with roasted garlic

1 cup water

3 cups cooked cubed chicken

6 oz. pkg. long grain and wild rice mix

2 cups frozen peppers and onions, thawed and drained

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix milk, soup and water in large bowl and stir with wire whisk to combine. Add remaining ingredients and stir to blend. Pour into 3 quart glass casserole dish and cover tightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, then remove from oven and stir well. Bake uncovered 30-40 minutes longer until rice is cooked and edges are bubbling, stirring once more halfway through baking time. 6 servings.

TURKEY A LA KING

And one more leftover turkey recipe. This is also from a long-ago email. It starts off, "An easy recipe with leftover turkey and veggies. Serve this turkey over rice or toast."

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

4 ounces sliced mushrooms

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 jar (2 ounces) pimiento strips or chopped

2 1/2 cups cooked cubed turkey

dash onion powder

dash pepper

Preparation:

Melt butter; add green pepper and mushrooms. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Remove vegetables with slotted spoon. Add flour to butter, cooking and stirring until smooth. Add half-and-half and cream of mushroom soup, stirring until smooth and thickened. Add turkey, pimiento, mushrooms, green pepper, and seasonings. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve over hot cooked rice, biscuits, or noodles.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Turkey Recipes

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I wanted to include these six yummy turkey recipes, including White Turkey Chili and Turkey Bolognese. Enjoy!

Note: I won't be posting here tomorrow, but will be back on Friday with some left-over recipes.

Also, if you'd like to check some Thanksgiving desserts, go to Just Desserts; you'll be able to find Thanksgiving desserts here and here, for starters. Enjoy!

QUICK TURKEY STIR-FRY

This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Here's a tasty use for leftover turkey...this quick and easy stir-fry is seasoned with ginger and soy sauce, and on the table in a snap!”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; total time: 25 minutes; Serves: 4 (about 1 3/4 cups each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

3 medium carrot, sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Turkey Gravy

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 green onion, sliced (about 1/4 cup)

1 1/2 cups cubed cooked turkey

2 cups instant white rice, prepared according to package directions

Directions

Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots and ginger and stir-fry until the carrots are tender-crisp.

Stir the gravy, soy sauce, onions and turkey in the skillet and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Serve the turkey mixture over the rice.

TURKEY BURGER AND PEAR SLIDERS

This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Indulge in your burger craving without feeling guilty! Grilled fresh sweet pear and creamy Chèvre goat cheese help satisfy the foodie in all of us. These mini gourmet turkey and pear burgers will soon become a grilling favorite.”

Source: USA Pears and Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

Serves: 6; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For Turkey Burgers

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs

1 large egg, beaten

1 tablespoon minced dried onion

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1-2 Bartlett or Anjou pears sliced (or planked)

3/4 cup Chèvre goat cheese (or creamy goat cheese of your choice)

arugula lettuce

Directions

To make turkey burgers:

Combine all ingredients in large bowl.

Shape into 12 patties (to fit the buns you selected). Pan-fry, broil, or grill until turkey burgers lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

To make pear slices:

Cut pears into 1/4-inch slices (or use a pear-planker)and spray lightly with nonstick spray.

Grill or broil pear slices until brown in spots, about 2 minutes per side.

To assemble: Separate 12 small slider rolls. Spread bottom half with 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite creamy goat cheese (we used Chèvre). Put cooked turkey burger and a pear slice on top of goat cheese. Top with fresh arugula leaves and serve.

MOM’S TURKEY MEATLOAF

This comes from Ellie Krieger of the Food Network’s Home Cooking.

Total: 1 hr 30 min; Prep: 15 min; Inactive: 15 min; Cook: 1 hr; Yield: 8 (1-inch thick) slices; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/moms-turkey-meatloaf-recipe-1946007.

Ingredients

3/4 cup quick-cooking oats

1/2 cup skim milk

1 medium onion, peeled

2 pounds ground turkey breast

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

2 eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup ketchup

1/2 teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, stir together the oats and milk. Thinly slice 1/4 of the onion and set aside. Finely chop the remaining onion. In a large bowl combine the turkey, oat mixture, chopped onion, bell pepper, eggs, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt and a few grinds of pepper. Mix just until well combined.

Transfer the mixture to a 9 by 13-inch baking dish and shape into a loaf about 5 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches high. Pour the tomato sauce over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the sliced onions. Bake for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160 degrees.F.

Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 to15 minutes before slicing.

TURKEY BOLOGNESE

This comes from Giada De Laurentiis of the Food Network show Everyday Italian.

Total: 50 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 30 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

1 pound shredded cooked turkey (preferably dark meat)

3 cups marinara sauce

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 pound spaghetti

Freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrot and celery and saute until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the turkey and saute 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce. Decrease the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend, stirring often. Stir in the basil. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper. (The sauce can be made 1 week ahead. Cool the sauce completely, then transfer it to a container and freeze for future use. Bring the sauce to a simmer before using.)

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten as needed. Serve with the Parmesan.

WHITE TURKEY CHILI

This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “This chili is a wonderful way to use some of your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers.”

Serves: 4; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups onions, coarsely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 jalapeño pepper, minced

1 (four-ounce) can mild green chile, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup canned low sodium chicken broth

1 can cannellini (white kidney beans) or small white beans, (about 19-ounces), drained and rinsed

2 cups cooked turkey, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/4 cup cilantro, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup reduced fat Monterey jack cheese, grated

Directions

In 3-quart sauce pan, over medium-high heat, sauté onions and garlic in oil 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add jalapeño pepper, chilies, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper and salt Cook 1 minute. Stir in broth, beans and turkey. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in cilantro. To serve ladle into bowls and top with 2 tablespoons cheese.

EASY SLOW COOKER TURKEY BREAST

This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “Serve this easy slow cooker turkey breast with potatoes and dressing for a tasty family dinner. Use a fully thawed turkey breast for the recipe, unstuffed, and cook it on your slow cooker's high setting. A tip is to use poultry shears and cut the backbone out of the turkey, so it'll lay flatter in the slow cooker and cook more evenly. Also, after the turkey was cooked, separate the juices in a gravy separator and make a gravy with the liquids. Use the remaining fat left in the gravy separator to baste the turkey under the broiler.

“See the tips and variations for some alternative seasoning mixtures, including a lemon and herb rub.”

Total: 5 hrs 10 mins; Prep: 10 mins; Cook: 5 hrs; Yield: 6 servings (6 portions)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 ribs celery (cut into 3-inch lengths)

2 carrots (cut into 3-inch lengths)

1 (4 to 5 pound) turkey breast (fully thawed or split turkey breast)

1/2 cup/4 ounces butter (melted)

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons water

1/2 to 1 cup turkey stock (or chicken stock, as needed)

Directions

Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.

Place the chunks of celery and carrots in the slow cooker. The vegetables will act as a rack.

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the turkey breast and arrange in a large slow cooker. Pour melted butter over the turkey.

Cover and cook on HIGH for about 5 to 6 hours, or until turkey is done and juices run clear when pierced with a knife. A boneless turkey breast might take less time, so check for doneness earlier.

To be sure the turkey is fully cooked, check the temperature with a reliable food thermometer. The minimum safe temperature for turkey and other poultry is 165 F.

Pour the juices from the slow cooker into a saucepan. Bring to boil slowly.

Combine the cornstarch and water together and then add to the saucepan.

Add some turkey or chicken stock, about 1/2 to 1 cup, depending on the amount of liquid left in the crockpot. Whisk over medium-low heat until smooth and thickened.

Serve the sliced turkey breast on a plate topped with the turkey gravy.

Kitchen Notes

Strain the liquids and pour into a gravy separator. Pour the juices into a saucepan and leave the excess fat behind.

To brown the turkey skin after cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and place it in a foil-lined baking pan. Place it under the broiler and cook, turning the pan frequently, until the skin is lightly browned. Baste with the fat left from the gravy separator if desired.

Variations

Replace the salt and pepper with this a lemon-herb mixture. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon of dried crumbled rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon of dried leaf thyme, 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.

Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over the turkey breast. If the Cajun seasoning contains salt, omit additional salt.