Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. (Yay!) Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Best Beef Stroganoff and Grilled Chicken Torta Sliders. Enjoy!

SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE

This comes from Kiera Wright-Ruiz in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kiera wrote, "There is macaroni and cheese, and then there is special occasion macaroni and cheese like this one. Unlike most recipes, which start with a roux, this one begins with a milk-and-egg base, which gives the dish an incredibly rich, silky taste. It’s adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx, who has been making this dish since she was a little girl. The recipe was passed down in her family for generations, but because of the generous amount of cheese used, the dish was only made for events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Extra-sharp Cheddar adds tartness and a layer of Colby Jack creates a gooey, molten center. If you can’t find a Colby Jack blend, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican-style blend will work in its place."

Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time 45 minutes, plus cooling

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020515-southern-macaroni-and-cheese.

Ingredients

Kosher salt and black pepper

1 pound elbow macaroni

2 cups whole milk

2 large eggs

4 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (about 16 ounces)

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted

2 cups shredded Colby Jack (about 8 ounces)

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.

Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)

Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.

FRENCH MACARONI AND CHEESE

This is from Rebecca Franklin, who wrote for The Spruce Eats. Rebecca wrote, "This French macaroni and cheese recipe tastes velvety smooth, rich, and just a touch sophisticated - nothing like those little blue boxes of dry, salty mix sold in markets and convenience stores. This dish takes only 40 minutes to prepare, much less than a quarter of which is spent actively cooking. Use this French-style "mac and cheese" as an unexpected side dish on a dinner menu or as the focal point of a winter-themed mountain lodge party."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 1 bowl macaroni (6 servings)

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/french-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-1375553.

Ingredients

16 ounces small macaroni

1 clove garlic (cut in half lengthwise)

2 tablespoons butter (melted)

1 1/4 cups crème fraiche

2 cups Gruyere cheese (shredded)

2 cups Cantal cheese (shredded)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs

Directions

Preheat an oven to 350 F.

Prepare the macaroni according to package instructions and drain it.

While the macaroni is boiling, rub the cut end of the garlic across the entire inner surface of a three-quart baking dish.

Brush the same surface with the melted butter.

Pour the drained macaroni into the prepared baking dish.

Stir the crème fraiche, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, salt, and pepper into the pasta.

Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and the remaining cheese over the surface of the macaroni and cheese.

Bake the casserole, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, until it is hot and bubbly throughout and turns light golden brown on top.

Serve immediately.

GRILLED CHICKEN TORTA SLIDERS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Get your torta on with these simple, fresh, party-sized chicken sandwiches."

Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/grilled-chicken-torta-sliders.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (3/4 lb)

8 slider buns, split

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1/2 cup Old El Paso™ refried beans (from 16-oz can)

1/2 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, thinly sliced

2 slices (1 oz each) Monterey Jack cheese, quartered

2 green onions, thinly sliced on the bias

Chopped fresh cilantro, if desired

Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa, if desired

Directions

Heat gas or charcoal grill. In small bowl, mix oil and taco seasoning mix. Rub chicken breasts with oil mixture.

Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F). Let stand 5 minutes. Cut each breast in quarters.

Meanwhile, brush cut sides of buns with melted butter and place, cut sides down, on grill. Cook 30 to 60 seconds or until cut sides are browned. Turn, and grill 30 to 60 seconds longer or until grill marks appear. Place beans in small microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 60 to 90 seconds or until softened and easy to stir. Spread bottom bun halves with beans. Top with avocado, then top with chicken.

Top chicken with cheese, remaining ingredients and tops of buns.

Expert Tips

Craving a little more heat? Opt for pepper Jack cheese.

Cutting green onions on the bias is easier (since they don’t roll around your cutting board) and are more beautiful, providing a slender slaw-like appearance.

ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP WITH TURKEY MEATBALLS

This is from Sarah Copeland in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sarah wrote, "Classic Italian wedding soup is beloved for its simplicity and satisfaction. This turkey version is lean, while meatballs stay moist by simmering in broth. Start with the most flavorful broth you can get your hands on (homemade is ideal, but store-bought works well too), then pack the meatballs with flavor (garlic and parsley) and staying power (egg, panko and cheese, to gently bind them together). Traditionalists may be tempted to add a small grated onion to the meat mixture, and sweat celery and carrots into the broth, but for a quick weeknight meal, you won’t miss them here. If speed is your game, roll the mixture into 12 large meatballs—or opt for 20 smaller ones if serving kids (mini meatballs will cook through even faster). Either way, finish with a healthy dose of olive oil, lemon, cheese and dill, or any fresh Italian herb you may have on hand."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019925-italian-wedding-soup-with-turkey-meatballs.

Ingredients

12 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for greasing and serving

1 pound lean ground turkey

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1/3 packed cup fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped

1 egg, lightly beaten

3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

3/4 cup orzo, ditalini, acini di pepe or another small soup pasta

3 packed cups baby spinach or kale, thinly sliced

1 lemon, zested and halved

1/4 cup fresh dill, oregano or basil, roughly chopped (optional)

Preparation

Combine the chicken broth and 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot and bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, add the turkey, panko, parsley, egg, garlic, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup Parmesan to a large bowl. Mix with a fork or clean hands until combined. Gently roll the mixture into 12 medium (2-inch) or 20 small (1 1/2-inch) meatballs and transfer to a baking sheet lined with lightly oiled aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat.

Heat the broiler to high and set an oven rack 6 to 8 inches from the heat. Broil the meatballs until brown on two sides, turning halfway through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Add the pasta to the boiling broth and cook over medium until al dente, then lower the heat to a low simmer.

Add the meatballs to the broth and simmer on low until completely warmed through, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, and add the spinach and lemon zest, stirring well, to wilt. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Divide the soup among four bowls. Drizzle each with olive oil, sprinkle with more Parmesan and squeeze a bit of lemon over the top. Scatter the dill over the top, or stir in.

SIMPLE MEATLOAF WITH OPTIONAL TOPPING

This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This delicious and simple meatloaf recipe is a great fit for Sunday dinner. Feel free to use plain ketchup to top this dish, or, if you're feeling a little adventurous, make the optional topping. For a tasty meal, serve the meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes and peas and carrots or your favorite vegetables.

“Note: Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 80 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Optional Glaze/Topping:

4 tablespoons ketchup

4 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)

2 tablespoons Dijon (or similar mustard)

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For the Meatloaf:

2 pounds ground beef

2 large eggs (lightly beaten)

1/2 cup milk

1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs (plain)

2 tablespoons dried minced onion (or 1/2 cup finely minced fresh onion)

1 1/2 teaspoons burger seasoning (or 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper)

1/2 cup ketchup (plus more for topping, if desired)

Directions

Gather the ingredients.

Heat over to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

If using the optional topping, in a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons ketchup, maple syrup, mustard and Worcestershire until well mixed. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, onion, burger seasoning, and 1/2 cup of ketchup.

Mix until well blended and pack into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake the meatloaf for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Carefully drain off any excess fat and then top the loaf with the optional topping mixture or about 4 tablespoons of ketchup. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Serve and enjoy!

Tips

Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan.

Experiment with meat mixtures in meatloaf. While beef gives excellent flavor and holds together well, adding a portion of lean ground pork will provide juiciness. Ground veal would add lightness to a loaf, and ground chicken or turkey would reduce some of the fat and calories.

Top the meatloaf with prepared barbecue sauce just before it's finished baking.

Use cracker crumbs or soft breadcrumbs in the meatloaf instead of fine dry breadcrumbs.

Line the loaf pan with parchment paper or foil, like a sling. Just grab the ends of the paper or foil and lift the meatloaf out of the pan when it's done.

Bake the meatloaf in individual muffin cups. Use about 1/4 cup of meatloaf mixture for each muffin cup.

Pack the meatloaf mixture into individual oiled ramekins, and then invert them onto a rimmed baking sheet for perfectly shaped individual meatloaves.

Instead of breadcrumbs, use crushed cheese crackers in the meat mixture.

Top a meatloaf with strips of bacon before baking, or add crumbled cooked bacon to the meat mixture.

BEST BEEF STROGANOFF

This is from Bri22 on Food. Time: 35 minutes; Serves: 6 - 8

To view this online, click here..

Ingredients

1/2 cup minced onion

1 cup sour cream

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup butter

1 lb ground beef

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

canned mushroom stems and pieces, 2-3 cans, drained

1 (10-3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup (I always use the top name brand)

1 (12 ounce) bag egg noodles, cooked

Directions

Sauté onion and garlic in butter over medium heat.

Stir in ground beef and brown stir in flour, salt, mushrooms, and pepper cook 5 minutes, then stir in soup. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes.

Stir in sour cream until heated. Serve over noodles.