If you love Mexican Food, today's post is sure to please. Check out the Easy Chicken Enchiladas, the Beef Empanadas, and the rest of today's yumminess. Enjoy!
EASY BEEF ENCHILADAS
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Looking for easy ground beef enchiladas for dinner tonight? You’ll be amazed at the delicious flavor you can get with only 6 ingredients! They are ready for the oven in just 20 short minutes, leaving you time to sip on a margarita!"
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (at least 80% lean)
1 cup chopped onions
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
2 cans (10 oz) Old El Paso™ Mild Red Enchilada Sauce
1 can (4 oz) Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles
1 package (11 oz) Old El Paso™ Flour Tortillas for Burritos (8 Count)
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar Jack cheese (6 oz)
Instructions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish or pan with cooking spray.
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef, onions and bell pepper over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in 1 cup of the enchilada sauce and the chiles; heat to simmering, then remove from heat.
Spread 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce evenly in baking dish. Spread about 1/2 cup beef mixture down center of each tortilla; sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons cheese. Wrap tortillas tightly around filling, placing each seam side down in baking dish. Top with remaining enchilada sauce. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake 23 to 27 minutes or until hot and bubbly (at least 165°F in center). Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
BEEF EMPANADAS
This is from Angela Dimayuga in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Angela wrote, "Filipinos take snacking seriously, so much so that we devote an entire meal to it: merienda, which may take place midmorning or midafternoon, if not both. Empanadas are a great treat for this in-between time, but also keep well at room temperature — the grace of food built for a warm climate — so you can graze all day. (My family used to buy these by the tray for parties, but it’s nice to make your own and store them in the freezer for later.) In these, a ground-beef filling is tucked inside sturdy but flaky dough, with raisins added early in the cooking to plump with the beef juices. There are variations on empanadas all over Latin America; ours rely on the potency of onion and garlic, and exploit it to the hilt."
Yield: 40 empanadas; Time: 2 hours
This was featured in "Angela Dimayuga’s 10 Essential Filipino Recipes", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020490-beef-empanadas.
Ingredients
For the empanada dough:
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), diced
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2/3 cup ice water
For the filling:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
1/2 large green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1/2 large red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 medium russet potato, peeled and cut into 1-centimeter cubes (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup raisins
3/4 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 (48-ounce) bottle neutral oil, such as canola, for frying
Preparation
Prepare the empanada dough: In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, combine the flour and 1 tablespoon salt, and mix well. Add the butter and incorporate it into the flour using your hands or a food processor. Combine until mixture is sandy. Combine the egg mixture, vinegar and 2/3 cup ice water, whisking to break up the egg. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, and beat with a fork to bring dough together.
Sprinkle a light layer of flour over a work surface. Place the dough on top. Bring dough together by pressing and folding dough onto itself a few times with the palms of your hands. Being careful not to overwork, split dough in half and form into two equal logs about the thickness of a small sausage, 1 1/2- to 2-inches thick. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
While the dough rests, prepare the filling: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high and bring to a shimmer. Add the tomato paste and toast, stirring frequently, until darkened and caramelized, about 3 minutes. Add the onion, bell peppers, garlic, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the potato and raisins, and cook, stirring, until mixture starts to caramelize, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the beef, increase the temperature to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Stir in oyster sauce and soy sauce until coated, then stir in chicken stock. (Mixture should be glossy but not overtly wet; cook for another 5 minutes or so to reduce liquid, if need be.) Transfer to a sheet pan, dispersing in a thin layer, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 20 minutes.
Fill a small bowl with some cool water for sealing your empanadas, and another small bowl with flour for dusting. Working with one log at a time, remove dough from fridge. Cut each log in half crosswise, then cut each half crosswise into 10 equal pieces, which will be the shape of thick coins. Using a bit of flour, dust your work surface. Round each coin slightly using your thumb and forefinger and on your surface with your hands press each coin lightly to coax it into a flat round shape. Switch to a rolling pin and roll each piece of empanada dough into a 4-1/2-inch circle. You can lightly dust and stack your circles off to the side or transfer them to a parchment lined baking sheet and chill until you are ready to assemble (they are easier to work with when kept cool). Repeat with remaining log. When you have all your pieces rolled out, you are ready to assemble your empanadas. Place about 1-1/2 tablespoons of the meat filling in the center of each circle, leaving at least a 1/2-inch border. Using a brush or your finger, wet the edges of the dough with water and fold the crust over the filling, forming half-moon empanada shapes, sealing out as much air as possible. Crimp the edges of the empanada with the tines of a fork to seal.
In a large heavy Dutch oven or pot, heat about 2 inches of oil over medium-high. Heat oil to 365 degrees. Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan, maintaining an even heat, fry the empanadas, turning frequently, until they start to bob, 4 to 5 minutes. (They should be crisp and golden brown, the pastry should be cooked through and the meat should be warmed through.) Transfer to a paper-towel lined baking sheet and fry remaining empanadas. Serve warm.
ENCHANTED SOUR CREAM CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
This is from allrecipes and submitted by "Kate", who wrote, "A delicious New Mexican enchilada that we had every year for our Christmas Eve dinner. Serve 2 to 3 enchiladas on a plate and surround with lettuce and tomatoes. Top with your choice of guacamole or sour cream or both."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Servings: 6; Yield: 1 9X13-inch baking dish
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/212451/enchanted-sour-cream-chicken-enchiladas/.
Ingredients
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup sour cream
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying
12 (5 inch) corn tortillas
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Directions
Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Combine the chicken, sour cream, salt, and pepper in a bowl; set aside.
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Dip the corn tortillas into the hot oil one at a time until softened, about 10 seconds each.
Spoon a heaping tablespoon of chicken mixture onto each tortilla, spread down the center and roll into a cylinder. Place seam side down into the prepared baking dish.
When all tortillas are filled and rolled, sprinkle the green chiles over all and top with the shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese has melted and the enchiladas are hot, 12 to 15 minutes.
ENCHILADAS CON CARNE
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. (Sign up, if you haven’t already. You won’t regret it!)
Sam wrote, “There are a few cool tricks to this recipe, one of which I picked up from an old issue of Bon Appétit, one I learned from Robb Walsh, the great Tex-Mex scholar and restaurateur who runs El Real Tex-Mex in Houston, and a final one I learned by happenstance. First, for the thickening agent in the chile sauce, toast raw all-purpose flour in a pan until it is nutty and golden brown, then reserve it to stir in with the browned beef later in the recipe. Second, if you like truly melty cheese in the classic Tex-Mex tradition, use a mixture of American cheese, like Velveeta, with the Cheddar you use inside and on top of the finished enchiladas. Finally, if you’re fearful that a casserole of cheese, chili and fried tortillas may be a little rich for dinner, serve it with a bowl of tomatillo pineapple salsa on the side. The acidity provides a nice balance. (Note also that as with all recipes, but particularly this one, some planning and practice can get the preparation down to 60 minutes.)”
Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 1-1/2 hours.
This was featured in “Enchiladas Are the Saucy, Cheesy Addition to Your Dinner Table”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018152-enchiladas-con-carne.
Ingredients
For the Chili Con Carne:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola
1 pound ground chuck beef, ideally 20 percent fat
Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1 medium white onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 jalapeño pepper or more to taste, seeds removed if you want it less spicy, stemmed and chopped
1 cup chopped or canned crushed tomatoes
3 tablespoons chile powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, ideally Mexican
2 cups chicken stock, ideally homemade or low-sodium if store-bought
For the Enchiladas:
1/2 cup neutral oil, like canola
12 yellow corn tortillas
3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, or a mixture of 1-1/2 cups Cheddar cheese and 1-1/2 cups American cheese, like Velveeta
1 medium-size white onion, peeled and chopped (optional)
Preparation
Prepare the chili con carne: Put flour in a large sauté pan set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to turn golden brown and smell nutty, then pour it onto a plate to cool.
Wipe out sauté pan and return it to high heat with 2 tablespoons oil. When oil is hot and shimmery, add ground beef to pan, and cook, breaking it up with a fork and stirring, until it is well browned, about 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then use a slotted spoon to remove meat to a bowl, leaving drippings behind.
Add onion, garlic and jalapeño to pan and cook, stirring to scrape up any browned bits of meat, for 10 to 12 minutes, or until vegetables are soft. Stir in tomatoes and cook until their liquid has evaporated, then add chile powder, cumin and oregano and stir to combine. After a minute or so, when mixture begins to turn fragrant, return browned meat to pan, along with toasted flour, and stir well to combine.
Lower heat to medium-high and slowly stir in chicken stock, 1/2 cup at a time, until mixture has thickened and started to simmer. Lower heat again and allow chili to cook slowly for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until meat is tender. Add more stock or water if needed. Use immediately, or let cool, cover and refrigerate for up to a few days.
When you are ready to cook the enchiladas, heat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium sauté pan set over medium-high heat, heat 1/2 cup neutral oil until it begins to shimmer. Using tongs or a wide spatula, place a tortilla in the hot fat; it should start to bubble immediately. Heat tortilla for about 10 seconds a side, until soft and lightly browned. Remove tortilla and set on a rack set over a baking pan, or just on a baking pan if you don’t have a rack. Repeat with remaining tortillas, working quickly.
Assemble the enchiladas: Using a ladle, put about 1/2 cup chili in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and spread it out a little. Roll a few tablespoons of cheese into each tortilla, along with a tablespoon or so of chili, then place it seam-side down in the pan, nestling each one against the last. Ladle remaining chili over top of rolled tortillas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Transfer to oven and bake until sauce bubbles and cheese is melted, about 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle chopped onions over the top, if using, and serve immediately.
EASY CHICKEN ENCHILADAS
This is from Eating Well. It begins, "These easy Mexican enchiladas are filled with flavorful, shredded slow-cooked shredded chicken. Placed on a bed of fresh lettuce, this delicious recipe is sure to be the hit of any dinner occasion."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Additional Time: 4 hours; Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes; Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/262838/easy-chicken-enchiladas/.
Ingredients
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (10.5 ounce) can reduced-fat, reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup mild salsa (lower sodium such as Newman's Own)
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups packaged baby lettuce mix
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas, warmed (see Tip)
1/2 cup shredded Mexican-style four-cheese blend
Directions
Place chicken breasts in a 1-1/2 quart slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine soup, salsa, chiles, chili powder and cumin; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.
Remove chicken and place in a medium, shallow bowl. Using two forks, shred meat. Add half of the sauce from the slow cooker to the shredded chicken, tossing to coat.
Line a serving platter with the lettuce. Place about 1/3 cup of chicken mixture and about a teaspoon of the shredded cheese down the center of each tortilla and roll up. Arrange enchiladas on the prepared serving platter. Spoon remaining sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Tips
Tip: To warm tortillas, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wrap tortillas tightly in foil. Bake about 10 minutes or until heated through.
MEXICAN-INSPIRED CASSEROLE
This is from Lisa Blake at allrecipes. For this yummy recipe, Lisa wrote, "My busy weeknight dinner go-to consists of chicken cutlets and a can each of green chiles, black beans, cream of mushroom soup, and enchilada sauce. I cook the chicken, stir in all of the other ingredients, simmer it, top it with Colby or pepper jack cheese, and call it a day.
"When we’re tired of tacos or quesadillas, this is an excellent throw-together alternative. It’s creamy, easy, full of flavor, and everyone loves it. The bubbling cast-iron skillet meal can be served with warmed tortillas for a DIY enchilada-style dinner or served with chips, salsa, and guacamole as a scoopable nacho-inspired meal."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/simple-family-dinner-11825144.
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
2 cups cooked and diced chicken cutlets or shredded rotisserie chicken
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
1 (4.5-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1 (10-ounce) can red or green enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese or Colby Jack cheese
Optional toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream, diced white onion, salsa, sliced avocado, chopped green onions
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a cast iron skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and add chicken and spices. Cook until chicken is cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
Add chiles, beans and cream of mushroom to the skillet. Stir until well combined. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Top with enchilada sauce and cheese.
Transfer cast iron skillet to preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and starting to brown.
Serve hot with toppings of choice.
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Chili Mac and Sautéed Jamaican Callaloo. Enjoy!
FREEZER BAG CHICKEN PRIMAVERA
This yumminess is from the Food Network, and begins, "Primavera isn't just for pasta. With a little planned prep, you can have an instant chicken and vegetable combo that has all the flavors of the iconic dish."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes (plus freezing and defrosting time); Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/freezer-bag-chicken-primavera-3885959.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
One 6-ounce container cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1-1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Minced fresh flat-leaf parsley and grated Parmesan, for serving
1 baguette, warmed and cut into 4 pieces
Directions
Whisk together the butter, mustard, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds black pepper in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add the green beans, tomatoes and peppers and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until the green beans are crisp-tender and still bright green, about 2 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap and let cool completely.
Transfer the vegetables with the marinade to a large resealable plastic bag and add the chicken. Squeeze out most of the air and seal, then toss gently to coat the chicken with the marinade. Freeze until ready to use. Let thaw in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before cooking.
Pour the chicken, vegetables and marinade into a large skillet and heat over high heat. Cook, stirring often, until the chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide the chicken and vegetables among 4 plates. Sprinkle with the parsley and Parmesan and serve with a piece of baguette.
Cook’s Note
To warm the baguette, put in a 350 degrees F oven until warm, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness.
CHILI MAC
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Ali wrote, "“Nothing induces a feeling of security and comfort better than the come-hither aroma of an honest pot of chili mac keeping warm on the stove.” Many would agree with what Jane and Michael Stern wrote in “The Lexicon of Real American Food” (Lyons Press, 2011), whether they’ve had the thrifty, hearty combination of macaroni and chili at a family dinner table, around a campfire, bellied up to a bar somewhere near Lake Michigan or even in an M.R.E. in a military dining room. This supersavory version is a cinch, requiring just one pot and minimal chopping. (For another common chili pasta, see this Cincinnati chili con carne.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 35 mnutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024668-chili-mac. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great food, guides, and more.
Speaking of guides, check out Sam Sifton's guide, "Our Ultimate Guide to Making the Best Chili."
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or grapeseed), plus more as needed
1 pound ground beef
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon store-bought or homemade chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can beans (such as kidney, black or any bean you like in chili), with their liquid
8 ounces elbow macaroni or another small pasta
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
4 ounces grated sharp Cheddar, plus more for serving (both optional)
Hot sauce, thinly sliced scallions and chopped cilantro (all optional), for serving
Preparation
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the beef and press into an even layer to fill the pot. Sprinkle with the onion. Cook, undisturbed, until the beef is deeply browned underneath, 6 to 8 minutes (the meat won’t be fully cooked). If you don’t see fat sizzling around the edges of the pot, add a teaspoon or two of more oil.
Add the chili powder, cumin and garlic powder and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon into small pieces, until the onion is softened and the spices are fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, beans and their liquid, pasta and Worcestershire sauce and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add water, 1/4 cup at a time.
Turn off the heat and stir in the Cheddar, if using, until melted. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce (if using). Serve topped with scallions, cilantro, hot sauce and more Cheddar as desired.
SAUTEED JAMAICAN CALLALOO
This yumminess is from Gabi Odebode on the Food Network.
This recipe starts off, "Callaloo is so popular in Jamaica that this leafy green is often referred to as Jamaican spinach. Although it looks something like spinach, it has a sturdier texture that’s akin to collard greens. Believed to have traveled to the Caribbean from West Africa, callaloo is cooked in many ways throughout the islands, including in ways similar to Southern braised collards. In Jamaica, it’s often sautéed, particularly with bell peppers and other vegetables for a bit of sweetness. Herbs and spice are added for robust flavor that’s bound to please even those who aren’t greens fans. Fresh callaloo can be difficult to find so we use frozen leaves in this recipe. Serve the dish with rice, plantains or boiled dumplings for a full Jamaican experience."
Active Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 Servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sauteed-jamaican-callaloo-18572553.
Ingredients
5 ounces frozen callaloo
2 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
2 scallions, sliced
1 habanero pepper or scotch bonnet pepper, chopped, optional
2 teaspoons chicken or vegetable bouillon powder, optional
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Sea salt, to taste
Directions
Place the frozen callaloo in a medium bowl and allow it to thaw about 10 minutes. Remove and discard the thick stems from the callaloo but keep the thin stems attached to the leaves. Roughly chop the callaloo, place it in a strainer and rinse it thoroughly with room-temperature water to remove any dirt. Set aside in the strainer.
Fill a bowl large enough to comfortably hold the strainer with boiling water. Place the strainer with the callaloo into the water for about 3 minutes. Rinse the callaloo in cold water until cool, about 2 minutes. This step helps soften the callaloo and brighten its color. Press down on the callaloo in the strainer to remove excess water or wrap it in cheesecloth and wring out the water. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a medium skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the red and yellow bell peppers and cook until slightly tender, about 2 minutes. Add the scallions and habanero pepper, if using, and cook for another minute. Add the callaloo and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium low. Stir in the bouillon powder, if using, and the thyme and cook for another 3 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue cooking until the callaloo is completely wilted and dark green, about 5 minutes. Taste again and add more salt if needed.
SLOW-COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF
This yumminess is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "You may think you don’t know anything about the 19th century Russian aristocrat Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov, but you’ve most likely have enjoyed his namesake dish. While there are conflicting stories about the dish’s origin story, many food historians favor the version in which Stroganov’s cook, André Dupont, named his special beef fricassee for his employer. Thousands of chafing dishes later, the dish is still popular all over the world. And it’s no wonder—who could resist the succulent meal made with tender strips of beef and onions cooked in butter, simmered in a rich and creamy sauce made with sour cream, cream cheese, and mushrooms.
"It may sound complicated, but in our modern take on the classic, our easy slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe needs just 15 minutes of prep and a long, slow turn in the slow cooker, and supper practically makes itself. You can walk in the door to the tantalizing aroma of this satisfying dish on any chilly weeknight; just make some hot cooked egg noodles or rice to serve it over, to hold every single drop of the amazing sauce. It’s also a terrific recipe to have up your sleeve for when friends or family come for dinner, and you want an easy recipe that will impress."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Tme: 5 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here. Just before the recipe itself, there's a bit of info about the recipe's origin, as well as hints about the recipe, and a link to another stroganoff recipe. Enjoy!
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
2 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 3x1/2x1/4-inch strips
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed golden mushroom or cream of mushroom soup
1 carton (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 oz cream cheese, cubed (from 8-oz package)
1 container (8 oz) sour cream
6 cups hot cooked egg noodles or rice
Instructions
In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add beef strips, onion and garlic; cook 7 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally. or until beef is browned.
In 3-1/2- to 4-1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef mixture, soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper.
Cover; cook on low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until beef is tender.
Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Serve over noodles.
CHICKEN SPAGHETTI
This comes from Southern Living, and begins, "Give your traditional chicken casserole a break and serve this bright and lively chicken spaghetti. You only need a Dutch oven and a 9-x-13 baking dish to create this delicious meal, meaning there is less clean-up afterwards. Cook and shred your chicken in advance to save time."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; Serves: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/easy-chicken-spaghetti.
Ingredients
6 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 (14-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken breast, skin removed
3 (7-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, skin removed
12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 (5-oz.) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lower-sodium Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 3 medium tomatoes)
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring stock to a boil in a Dutch oven over high. Add chicken to stock. Cover; reduce heat to medium. Cook until a thermometer inserted in thickest piece of chicken registers 160°F, about 25 minutes. Remove chicken; let stand until ready to use. (Inner temperature of chicken will rise as it stands.)
Return stock to a boil over high. Add pasta to Dutch oven, and cook until just tender, about 9 minutes. Transfer pasta to a medium bowl (reserving stock). Return stock to a boil over high; boil until liquid is reduced to about 2-1/2 cups, about 1 minute. Whisk together evaporated milk and flour in a small bowl. Stir into stock; boil until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt. Pour stock mixture over pasta.
Return Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add butter, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; add pasta mixture back to Dutch oven. Shred chicken, discarding bones. (You should have about 4-1/2 cups meat.) Add chicken and tomatoes to Dutch oven; toss to coat. Pour mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with cheese. Lightly coat aluminum foil with cooking spray. Cover with foil; bake until cheese is melted, 25 to 30 minutes.
Chef's Notes
You don't have to be a food stylist to create a casserole that looks as good as it tastes. Instead of pouring the pasta mixture from the pot into the baking dish, use tongs and a large spoon to twirl the noodles into nests, as shown below.
QUICK AND EASY CHILI
I first had this at my former in-laws' house. It is about as quick and simple as you can get. It took me a while to warm up to this chili, after eating Dad's Texas Chili. No matter; my younger two love it, and I've grown to like it.
Note:The beans were pretty much required for this recipe. I usually don't push certain brands, and I suppose that other cans of chili beans could be used. But when I fix their dad's/paternal grandparents' chili, I use the beans listed. I've also added the oil to this, but this was not an original part of the recipe.
Ingredients
2 T olive oil
1 pound ground beef
4 cans Ranch Style beans
1 can tomato soup
Chili powder, to taste
Directions
Brown ground beef in oil. Add beans, soup, and chili powder. Stir, heat, eat.
FREEZER BAG CHICKEN PRIMAVERA
This yumminess is from the Food Network, and begins, "Primavera isn't just for pasta. With a little planned prep, you can have an instant chicken and vegetable combo that has all the flavors of the iconic dish."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes (plus freezing and defrosting time); Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/freezer-bag-chicken-primavera-3885959.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
One 6-ounce container cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1-1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Minced fresh flat-leaf parsley and grated Parmesan, for serving
1 baguette, warmed and cut into 4 pieces
Directions
Whisk together the butter, mustard, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds black pepper in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add the green beans, tomatoes and peppers and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave until the green beans are crisp-tender and still bright green, about 2 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap and let cool completely.
Transfer the vegetables with the marinade to a large resealable plastic bag and add the chicken. Squeeze out most of the air and seal, then toss gently to coat the chicken with the marinade. Freeze until ready to use. Let thaw in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before cooking.
Pour the chicken, vegetables and marinade into a large skillet and heat over high heat. Cook, stirring often, until the chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide the chicken and vegetables among 4 plates. Sprinkle with the parsley and Parmesan and serve with a piece of baguette.
Cook’s Note
To warm the baguette, put in a 350 degrees F oven until warm, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on thickness.
CHILI MAC
This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Ali wrote, "“Nothing induces a feeling of security and comfort better than the come-hither aroma of an honest pot of chili mac keeping warm on the stove.” Many would agree with what Jane and Michael Stern wrote in “The Lexicon of Real American Food” (Lyons Press, 2011), whether they’ve had the thrifty, hearty combination of macaroni and chili at a family dinner table, around a campfire, bellied up to a bar somewhere near Lake Michigan or even in an M.R.E. in a military dining room. This supersavory version is a cinch, requiring just one pot and minimal chopping. (For another common chili pasta, see this Cincinnati chili con carne.)"
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 35 mnutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings
This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024668-chili-mac. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great food, guides, and more.
Speaking of guides, check out Sam Sifton's guide, "Our Ultimate Guide to Making the Best Chili."
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or grapeseed), plus more as needed
1 pound ground beef
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon store-bought or homemade chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper
1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can beans (such as kidney, black or any bean you like in chili), with their liquid
8 ounces elbow macaroni or another small pasta
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
4 ounces grated sharp Cheddar, plus more for serving (both optional)
Hot sauce, thinly sliced scallions and chopped cilantro (all optional), for serving
Preparation
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the beef and press into an even layer to fill the pot. Sprinkle with the onion. Cook, undisturbed, until the beef is deeply browned underneath, 6 to 8 minutes (the meat won’t be fully cooked). If you don’t see fat sizzling around the edges of the pot, add a teaspoon or two of more oil.
Add the chili powder, cumin and garlic powder and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon into small pieces, until the onion is softened and the spices are fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.
Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, beans and their liquid, pasta and Worcestershire sauce and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add water, 1/4 cup at a time.
Turn off the heat and stir in the Cheddar, if using, until melted. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce (if using). Serve topped with scallions, cilantro, hot sauce and more Cheddar as desired.
SAUTEED JAMAICAN CALLALOO
This yumminess is from Gabi Odebode on the Food Network.
This recipe starts off, "Callaloo is so popular in Jamaica that this leafy green is often referred to as Jamaican spinach. Although it looks something like spinach, it has a sturdier texture that’s akin to collard greens. Believed to have traveled to the Caribbean from West Africa, callaloo is cooked in many ways throughout the islands, including in ways similar to Southern braised collards. In Jamaica, it’s often sautéed, particularly with bell peppers and other vegetables for a bit of sweetness. Herbs and spice are added for robust flavor that’s bound to please even those who aren’t greens fans. Fresh callaloo can be difficult to find so we use frozen leaves in this recipe. Serve the dish with rice, plantains or boiled dumplings for a full Jamaican experience."
Active Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 Servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/sauteed-jamaican-callaloo-18572553.
Ingredients
5 ounces frozen callaloo
2 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
2 scallions, sliced
1 habanero pepper or scotch bonnet pepper, chopped, optional
2 teaspoons chicken or vegetable bouillon powder, optional
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
Sea salt, to taste
Directions
Place the frozen callaloo in a medium bowl and allow it to thaw about 10 minutes. Remove and discard the thick stems from the callaloo but keep the thin stems attached to the leaves. Roughly chop the callaloo, place it in a strainer and rinse it thoroughly with room-temperature water to remove any dirt. Set aside in the strainer.
Fill a bowl large enough to comfortably hold the strainer with boiling water. Place the strainer with the callaloo into the water for about 3 minutes. Rinse the callaloo in cold water until cool, about 2 minutes. This step helps soften the callaloo and brighten its color. Press down on the callaloo in the strainer to remove excess water or wrap it in cheesecloth and wring out the water. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a medium skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the red and yellow bell peppers and cook until slightly tender, about 2 minutes. Add the scallions and habanero pepper, if using, and cook for another minute. Add the callaloo and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium low. Stir in the bouillon powder, if using, and the thyme and cook for another 3 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue cooking until the callaloo is completely wilted and dark green, about 5 minutes. Taste again and add more salt if needed.
SLOW-COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF
This yumminess is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "You may think you don’t know anything about the 19th century Russian aristocrat Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov, but you’ve most likely have enjoyed his namesake dish. While there are conflicting stories about the dish’s origin story, many food historians favor the version in which Stroganov’s cook, André Dupont, named his special beef fricassee for his employer. Thousands of chafing dishes later, the dish is still popular all over the world. And it’s no wonder—who could resist the succulent meal made with tender strips of beef and onions cooked in butter, simmered in a rich and creamy sauce made with sour cream, cream cheese, and mushrooms.
"It may sound complicated, but in our modern take on the classic, our easy slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe needs just 15 minutes of prep and a long, slow turn in the slow cooker, and supper practically makes itself. You can walk in the door to the tantalizing aroma of this satisfying dish on any chilly weeknight; just make some hot cooked egg noodles or rice to serve it over, to hold every single drop of the amazing sauce. It’s also a terrific recipe to have up your sleeve for when friends or family come for dinner, and you want an easy recipe that will impress."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Tme: 5 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here. Just before the recipe itself, there's a bit of info about the recipe's origin, as well as hints about the recipe, and a link to another stroganoff recipe. Enjoy!
Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
2 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 3x1/2x1/4-inch strips
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can (10.5 oz) condensed golden mushroom or cream of mushroom soup
1 carton (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 oz cream cheese, cubed (from 8-oz package)
1 container (8 oz) sour cream
6 cups hot cooked egg noodles or rice
Instructions
In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add beef strips, onion and garlic; cook 7 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally. or until beef is browned.
In 3-1/2- to 4-1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef mixture, soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper.
Cover; cook on low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until beef is tender.
Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Serve over noodles.
CHICKEN SPAGHETTI
This comes from Southern Living, and begins, "Give your traditional chicken casserole a break and serve this bright and lively chicken spaghetti. You only need a Dutch oven and a 9-x-13 baking dish to create this delicious meal, meaning there is less clean-up afterwards. Cook and shred your chicken in advance to save time."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; Serves: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/easy-chicken-spaghetti.
Ingredients
6 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 (14-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken breast, skin removed
3 (7-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, skin removed
12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 (5-oz.) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lower-sodium Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 3 medium tomatoes)
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring stock to a boil in a Dutch oven over high. Add chicken to stock. Cover; reduce heat to medium. Cook until a thermometer inserted in thickest piece of chicken registers 160°F, about 25 minutes. Remove chicken; let stand until ready to use. (Inner temperature of chicken will rise as it stands.)
Return stock to a boil over high. Add pasta to Dutch oven, and cook until just tender, about 9 minutes. Transfer pasta to a medium bowl (reserving stock). Return stock to a boil over high; boil until liquid is reduced to about 2-1/2 cups, about 1 minute. Whisk together evaporated milk and flour in a small bowl. Stir into stock; boil until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt. Pour stock mixture over pasta.
Return Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add butter, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; add pasta mixture back to Dutch oven. Shred chicken, discarding bones. (You should have about 4-1/2 cups meat.) Add chicken and tomatoes to Dutch oven; toss to coat. Pour mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with cheese. Lightly coat aluminum foil with cooking spray. Cover with foil; bake until cheese is melted, 25 to 30 minutes.
Chef's Notes
You don't have to be a food stylist to create a casserole that looks as good as it tastes. Instead of pouring the pasta mixture from the pot into the baking dish, use tongs and a large spoon to twirl the noodles into nests, as shown below.
QUICK AND EASY CHILI
I first had this at my former in-laws' house. It is about as quick and simple as you can get. It took me a while to warm up to this chili, after eating Dad's Texas Chili. No matter; my younger two love it, and I've grown to like it.
Note:The beans were pretty much required for this recipe. I usually don't push certain brands, and I suppose that other cans of chili beans could be used. But when I fix their dad's/paternal grandparents' chili, I use the beans listed. I've also added the oil to this, but this was not an original part of the recipe.
Ingredients
2 T olive oil
1 pound ground beef
4 cans Ranch Style beans
1 can tomato soup
Chili powder, to taste
Directions
Brown ground beef in oil. Add beans, soup, and chili powder. Stir, heat, eat.
Taco Tuesday
I love tacos, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that I love posting Taco Tuesday recipes. Here are today's six taco recipes to help you through the day, including Chicken Tacos with Strawberry Salsa and Chicken Tacos with Chipotle. Enjoy!
JERK CHICKEN TACOS
This is from Judy Kim on Delish. According to the site, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.” I’ve checked out The Judy Lab and have one word to say for it: Wow! I recommend checking it out.
This recipe begins, “Give your taco fillings a Caribbean twist.”
Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. white vinegar
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tbsp. jerk seasoning
1 tbsp. brown sugar
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 lb. chicken breast, cut into 2" pieces
8 corn tortillas
1/4 c. heavy cream
1 1/2 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend
2 c. Shredded cabbage
1 c. salsa verde
1/2 c. fresh chopped cilantro
2 limes, cut into wedges
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl combine soy sauce, vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, jerk seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and pepper; add chicken and marinate for 5 minutes. In a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add chicken without marinade; sear chicken on one side until deep golden brown, then flip chicken and add marinade to pan. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165° and sauce begins to reduce. Turn off heat and set aside. Shred chicken using 2 forks, mixing with pan sauce.
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet in batches. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and wrap to keep warm.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk heavy cream and cheese until creamy.
Assemble tacos: Top tortillas with shredded cabbage, chicken, salsa, cheese sauce, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
CHICKEN TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “For good tacos, you need fresh, hot tortillas and a zesty filling. Canned chipotle chiles will do the trick with their smoky heat; it's an easy way to get flavor fast. Look for small cans with “chipotle chiles in adobo” on the label. And Mexican groceries generally have better-quality tortillas than the ones you find in supermarkets; it's worth seeking those out and heating them gently over steam, or by toasting them in a dry cast-iron pan. You can also use this recipe with precooked chicken, which makes this already quite simple recipe as easy as falling out of bed.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “Chichen Tacos Let You Think Fast” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
4 large bone-in chicken thighs, about 1 1/2 pounds
3 scallions, left whole
1 bay leaf
1 thyme branch
3 black peppercorns
1 allspice berry
2 cloves
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 or 3 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped
3 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can
1/2 cup broth (use broth from simmered chicken)
8 fresh corn tortillas
For Garnish:
1 small white onion, finely chopped, soaked in ice water for 10 minutes and drained
Thinly sliced serrano chile
Thinly sliced radishes
Sliced avocado
Crumbled queso fresco or mild feta cheese
Crème fraîche or Mexican crema
Cilantro sprigs
Dried oregano
Lime wedges
Preparation
Put chicken thighs in a saucepan and cover with 3 cups water. Add scallions, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, allspice, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove chicken and cool. Shred chicken with your fingers, discarding chicken skin and bone. Strain broth and reserve. You should have about 2 cups shredded chicken.
Put olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion, season with salt and cook until softened and a bit browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute more. Add chopped chipotle chile and adobo sauce and stir to combine. Add shredded chicken, salt lightly and stir to coat. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes, until sauce has thickened somewhat. Keep warm.
Heat the tortillas over steam or by your favorite method, keeping them soft and pliable.
Build the tacos quickly: Put a spoonful of the saucy chicken in the center of each tortilla. Top with a teaspoon of chopped white onion, a few slivers of serrano chile, some radish and avocado slices, a teaspoon of queso fresco and a teaspoon of crème fraîche. Add a few cilantro springs and a small pinch of oregano. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
TACO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Lauren Miyahira on Delish, and begins, “Taco 'bout a healthy dinner!”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 Onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
3 bell peppers, halved (seeds removed)
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
1 c. Shredded lettuce
Pico de gallo, for serving
Hot sauce, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° and spray a large baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Add onion and cook until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain fat.
Add chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika to beef mixture, then season with salt and pepper.
Drizzle bell peppers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the peppers, cut side up, in the baking dish and spoon meat mixture into each pepper. Top with cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and the peppers are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
Top each pepper with lettuce and serve with pico de gallo, hot sauce, and lime wedges.
CHICKEN TACOS WITH AVOCADO SALSA
This recipe, by Kathy Adams at Taste of Home, is originally from Christine Schenher of Exeter, California. The recipe begins, "This chicken taco recipe features a light, refreshing salsa made from avocados and corn. The chicken takes on the perfect combination of seasonings as you cook this dish; you may even want to make extra because it's just that good.
"Our chicken tacos recipe makes a meal that’s light, refreshing and bound to please just about everyone. This recipe includes an incredibly simple avocado salsa, which is the perfect topping for deliciously seasoned chicken tacos."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chicken-tacos-with-avocado-salsa/.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and cubed
1 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 teaspoons lime juice
8 taco shells, warmed
Directions
Place a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Brown chicken. Add water, sugar and seasonings. Cook 4-5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, gently mix avocado, corn, tomatoes and lime juice. Spoon chicken mixture into taco shells; top with avocado salsa.
BREAKFAST BURRITOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 94), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "This is the inn’s most popular breakfast item, and it’s a very versatile recipe—sturdy enough for dinner too. Use whatever vegetables are seasonal and abundant. Serve with salsa and sour cream. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead of serving." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/breakfast-burritos/.
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 medium-sized onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, cut lengthwise into 2-inch-thick slices
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach
2 Tbs. fresh dill
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1-3/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 8-inch flour tortillas
4 large eggs, beaten
2 cups skim milk
1 Tbs. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. mustard powder
Preparation
Grease 9×13-inch baking dish.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and pepper 5 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic, and cook 2 minutes more. Stir in spinach, dill, salt and pepper; cover and cook 5 minutes, or until spinach has completely thawed. Season with pepper sauce, if desired, and stir in 3/4 cup shredded cheese.
Spoon 1/3 cup of spinach/veggie mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll tortilla tightly, and place seam side down in baking dish. Whisk together eggs, milk, flour and mustard powder, and pour over tortillas. Cover dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Bake burritos 45 minutes, or until eggs are set. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese, and bake 5 minutes more, or until cheese has melted and begins to brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving with salsa and sour cream.
CHICKEN TACOS WITH STRAWBERRY SALSA
This recipe from Old El Paso begins, "Tacos take a fruit-filled spin with fresh strawberry salsa and orange juice. Simple skillet chicken breasts and bagged baby greens make these tortilla bowls fresh, fast and delicious. For a perfect pairing, add a Strawberry Corona® Limonada – double the berry flavor!"
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/chicken-tacos-with-strawberry-salsa.
Ingredients
1/2 cup thinly sliced strawberries
1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon butter
1 package (16 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup orange juice
3 cups mixed baby greens
1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Flour Tortilla Bowls, heated as directed on package
3 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
Preparation
In small bowl, mix strawberries, onion and lime juice. Let stand, uncovered, while cooking the chicken.
Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt and pepper; cook 4 to 6 minutes without moving. Turn chicken, and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer, until chicken is browned and no longer pink in center.
Add orange juice to skillet, and heat to boiling; reduce heat, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
Divide greens among warm tortilla bowls; top with chicken and any remaining cooking liquid from pan. Top evenly with strawberry salsa and cheese.
Expert Tips
For the prettiest presentation, pull off any long stems on the baby greens before adding to the tortilla bowls.
To reduce the sting of raw onions, place in fine-mesh strainer, and rinse under cold water for 30 seconds. Pat dry before using.
Baby spinach leaves can be used in place of the mixed baby greens.
JERK CHICKEN TACOS
This is from Judy Kim on Delish. According to the site, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.” I’ve checked out The Judy Lab and have one word to say for it: Wow! I recommend checking it out.
This recipe begins, “Give your taco fillings a Caribbean twist.”
Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 25 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. white vinegar
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tbsp. jerk seasoning
1 tbsp. brown sugar
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 lb. chicken breast, cut into 2" pieces
8 corn tortillas
1/4 c. heavy cream
1 1/2 c. shredded Mexican cheese blend
2 c. Shredded cabbage
1 c. salsa verde
1/2 c. fresh chopped cilantro
2 limes, cut into wedges
Directions
In a medium mixing bowl combine soy sauce, vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, jerk seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and pepper; add chicken and marinate for 5 minutes. In a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add chicken without marinade; sear chicken on one side until deep golden brown, then flip chicken and add marinade to pan. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165° and sauce begins to reduce. Turn off heat and set aside. Shred chicken using 2 forks, mixing with pan sauce.
Warm tortillas in a dry skillet in batches. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and wrap to keep warm.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk heavy cream and cheese until creamy.
Assemble tacos: Top tortillas with shredded cabbage, chicken, salsa, cheese sauce, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
CHICKEN TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE
This comes from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. He wrote, “For good tacos, you need fresh, hot tortillas and a zesty filling. Canned chipotle chiles will do the trick with their smoky heat; it's an easy way to get flavor fast. Look for small cans with “chipotle chiles in adobo” on the label. And Mexican groceries generally have better-quality tortillas than the ones you find in supermarkets; it's worth seeking those out and heating them gently over steam, or by toasting them in a dry cast-iron pan. You can also use this recipe with precooked chicken, which makes this already quite simple recipe as easy as falling out of bed.”
Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour.
This was featured in “Chichen Tacos Let You Think Fast” and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
For the Tacos:
4 large bone-in chicken thighs, about 1 1/2 pounds
3 scallions, left whole
1 bay leaf
1 thyme branch
3 black peppercorns
1 allspice berry
2 cloves
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 or 3 chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped
3 tablespoons adobo sauce, from the can
1/2 cup broth (use broth from simmered chicken)
8 fresh corn tortillas
For Garnish:
1 small white onion, finely chopped, soaked in ice water for 10 minutes and drained
Thinly sliced serrano chile
Thinly sliced radishes
Sliced avocado
Crumbled queso fresco or mild feta cheese
Crème fraîche or Mexican crema
Cilantro sprigs
Dried oregano
Lime wedges
Preparation
Put chicken thighs in a saucepan and cover with 3 cups water. Add scallions, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, allspice, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove chicken and cool. Shred chicken with your fingers, discarding chicken skin and bone. Strain broth and reserve. You should have about 2 cups shredded chicken.
Put olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced yellow onion, season with salt and cook until softened and a bit browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute more. Add chopped chipotle chile and adobo sauce and stir to combine. Add shredded chicken, salt lightly and stir to coat. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes, until sauce has thickened somewhat. Keep warm.
Heat the tortillas over steam or by your favorite method, keeping them soft and pliable.
Build the tacos quickly: Put a spoonful of the saucy chicken in the center of each tortilla. Top with a teaspoon of chopped white onion, a few slivers of serrano chile, some radish and avocado slices, a teaspoon of queso fresco and a teaspoon of crème fraîche. Add a few cilantro springs and a small pinch of oregano. Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.
TACO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Lauren Miyahira on Delish, and begins, “Taco 'bout a healthy dinner!”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 Onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
3 bell peppers, halved (seeds removed)
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
1 c. Shredded lettuce
Pico de gallo, for serving
Hot sauce, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° and spray a large baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Add onion and cook until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain fat.
Add chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika to beef mixture, then season with salt and pepper.
Drizzle bell peppers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the peppers, cut side up, in the baking dish and spoon meat mixture into each pepper. Top with cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and the peppers are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
Top each pepper with lettuce and serve with pico de gallo, hot sauce, and lime wedges.
CHICKEN TACOS WITH AVOCADO SALSA
This recipe, by Kathy Adams at Taste of Home, is originally from Christine Schenher of Exeter, California. The recipe begins, "This chicken taco recipe features a light, refreshing salsa made from avocados and corn. The chicken takes on the perfect combination of seasonings as you cook this dish; you may even want to make extra because it's just that good.
"Our chicken tacos recipe makes a meal that’s light, refreshing and bound to please just about everyone. This recipe includes an incredibly simple avocado salsa, which is the perfect topping for deliciously seasoned chicken tacos."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chicken-tacos-with-avocado-salsa/.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and cubed
1 cup fresh or frozen corn, thawed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 teaspoons lime juice
8 taco shells, warmed
Directions
Place a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Brown chicken. Add water, sugar and seasonings. Cook 4-5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, gently mix avocado, corn, tomatoes and lime juice. Spoon chicken mixture into taco shells; top with avocado salsa.
BREAKFAST BURRITOS
This comes from Vegetarian Times (May 2005 issue, page 94), in an article featuring Inn Serendipity in Browntown, WI. The recipes begins, "This is the inn’s most popular breakfast item, and it’s a very versatile recipe—sturdy enough for dinner too. Use whatever vegetables are seasonal and abundant. Serve with salsa and sour cream. Note: You must start this dish one day ahead of serving." Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/breakfast-burritos/.
Ingredients
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 medium-sized onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, cut lengthwise into 2-inch-thick slices
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach
2 Tbs. fresh dill
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1-3/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 8-inch flour tortillas
4 large eggs, beaten
2 cups skim milk
1 Tbs. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. mustard powder
Preparation
Grease 9×13-inch baking dish.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and pepper 5 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic, and cook 2 minutes more. Stir in spinach, dill, salt and pepper; cover and cook 5 minutes, or until spinach has completely thawed. Season with pepper sauce, if desired, and stir in 3/4 cup shredded cheese.
Spoon 1/3 cup of spinach/veggie mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll tortilla tightly, and place seam side down in baking dish. Whisk together eggs, milk, flour and mustard powder, and pour over tortillas. Cover dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Bake burritos 45 minutes, or until eggs are set. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese, and bake 5 minutes more, or until cheese has melted and begins to brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving with salsa and sour cream.
CHICKEN TACOS WITH STRAWBERRY SALSA
This recipe from Old El Paso begins, "Tacos take a fruit-filled spin with fresh strawberry salsa and orange juice. Simple skillet chicken breasts and bagged baby greens make these tortilla bowls fresh, fast and delicious. For a perfect pairing, add a Strawberry Corona® Limonada – double the berry flavor!"
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/chicken-tacos-with-strawberry-salsa.
Ingredients
1/2 cup thinly sliced strawberries
1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon butter
1 package (16 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup orange juice
3 cups mixed baby greens
1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Flour Tortilla Bowls, heated as directed on package
3 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
Preparation
In small bowl, mix strawberries, onion and lime juice. Let stand, uncovered, while cooking the chicken.
Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken, salt and pepper; cook 4 to 6 minutes without moving. Turn chicken, and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer, until chicken is browned and no longer pink in center.
Add orange juice to skillet, and heat to boiling; reduce heat, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
Divide greens among warm tortilla bowls; top with chicken and any remaining cooking liquid from pan. Top evenly with strawberry salsa and cheese.
Expert Tips
For the prettiest presentation, pull off any long stems on the baby greens before adding to the tortilla bowls.
To reduce the sting of raw onions, place in fine-mesh strainer, and rinse under cold water for 30 seconds. Pat dry before using.
Baby spinach leaves can be used in place of the mixed baby greens.
Monday, December 1, 2025
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Fried Chicken Biscuits With Hot Honey Butter and, for dessert, Cast-Iron Apple and Blackberry Crumble. Enjoy!
CHICKEN SPAGHETTI
This comes from Southern Living, and begins, "Give your traditional chicken casserole a break and serve this bright and lively chicken spaghetti. You only need a Dutch oven and a 9-x-13 baking dish to create this delicious meal, meaning there is less clean-up afterwards. Cook and shred your chicken in advance to save time."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; Serves: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/easy-chicken-spaghetti.
Ingredients
6 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 (14-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken breast, skin removed
3 (7-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, skin removed
12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 (5-oz.) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lower-sodium Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1-1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 3 medium tomatoes)
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring stock to a boil in a Dutch oven over high. Add chicken to stock. Cover; reduce heat to medium. Cook until a thermometer inserted in thickest piece of chicken registers 160°F, about 25 minutes. Remove chicken; let stand until ready to use. (Inner temperature of chicken will rise as it stands.)
Return stock to a boil over high. Add pasta to Dutch oven, and cook until just tender, about 9 minutes. Transfer pasta to a medium bowl (reserving stock). Return stock to a boil over high; boil until liquid is reduced to about 2-1/2 cups, about 1 minute. Whisk together evaporated milk and flour in a small bowl. Stir into stock; boil until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt. Pour stock mixture over pasta.
Return Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add butter, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; add pasta mixture back to Dutch oven. Shred chicken, discarding bones. (You should have about 4- 1/2 cups meat.) Add chicken and tomatoes to Dutch oven; toss to coat. Pour mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with cheese. Lightly coat aluminum foil with cooking spray. Cover with foil; bake until cheese is melted, 25 to 30 minutes.
Chef's Notes
You don't have to be a food stylist to create a casserole that looks as good as it tastes. Instead of pouring the pasta mixture from the pot into the baking dish, use tongs and a large spoon to twirl the noodles into nests, as shown below.
TURKEY MEATLOAF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking email. Sam wrote, “This is a recipe that helps explain the Twitter-era term ‘humblebrag.’ I made it for the celebrated writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron after a different recipe resulted in a disaster and I had to discard the result with only a few hours before my dinner with -- did I mention? -- Nora Ephron. It derives from a meatball dish once cooked by the chef Mark Ladner at the restaurant Lupa in Manhattan, and published as a recipe in Details magazine in the early years of the century. I scaled it up over the years, increasing some spices here and there, lessening others, until I had what I thought to be a pretty terrific meatloaf. But don't take my word for it. ‘This is remarkable,’ Ms. Ephron told me. I'm bragging about it still.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.
Note: This recipe calls for 1 cup red wine. If, like me, you don’t keep wine or any alcohol around the house, I imagine you could replace this with 1 cup water. Yes, this will affect the taste a little, but it’s do-able.
Ingredients
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup fresh bread crumbs of any provenance
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup whole milk
1 pound ground turkey
1 pound sweet Italian pork sausage, casing removed, crumbled
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces bacon, chopped
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, preferably San Marzano, seeds removed
1 cup red wine
1/4 bunch mint
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Combine 2/3 of the garlic, the rosemary, pepper flakes, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Add the milk and mix. Add the turkey and sausage and mix once more to combine; don’t overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide.
Place in a baking pan with high sides (a 9 x12 pan with 2-inch sides works well), drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and bake for 25 minutes, turning halfway through to brown evenly. Remove from the oven and reduce the heat to 325 degrees.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, fry the bacon in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil until it starts to curl and its fat is rendered. Add the onions and remaining garlic, cooking until the onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and wine and bring to a boil.
Pour the sauce over the meatloaf, cover tightly with foil and bake until a meat thermometer inserted at the center reads 150 degrees, 20 to 30 minutes.
Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, for 10 minutes. Cut into thick slices, spoon tomato sauce over the top and scatter with torn mint leaves.
FRIED CHICKEN BISCUITS WITH HOT HONEY BUTTER
This is from Tejal Rao in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Tejal wrote, "This recipe for chicken biscuits could be a weeknight dinner with a side of greens, but it's made to travel, and perfectly suited for a picnic. The biscuit dough, adapted from Sam Sifton's all-purpose biscuit recipe, is lightly kneaded here, so it's not too tender to work in a sandwich. The chicken tenders, inspired by Masaharu Morimoto's katsu in the cookbook "Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking," are pounded and coated in panko for plenty of crunch. Prepare both components the day you want to eat them, giving yourself at least one extra hour for everything to cool before you assemble, so the sandwich stays crisp. You can also cook well in advance, and assemble the sandwiches the next day. Either way, cooling the chicken completely, on a wire rack, is crucial. If you prefer breast meat over thigh, feel free to swap it in."
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Grab Your Picnic Baskets: The Party’s Moving Outside", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018818-fried-chicken-biscuits-with-hot-honey-butter.
Note: The article is well worth reading; I thoroughly enjoyed it! (Thanks for a great read, and great recipes, Tejal!) Also, check out Sam Sifton's guide, "How to Make Fried Chicken". It's a helpful guide, whether you're a long-time cook, or just starting out.
Ingredients
For the biscuits:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups whole milk
For the chicken:
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cayenne
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
3 eggs
3 cups panko bread crumbs
Canola or other neutral oil, for frying
For the butter:
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons honey
Hot sauce, a vinegary variety such as Crystal, to taste
Sliced dill pickles, for serving
Preparation
Prepare the biscuits: In a bowl, use a fork to mix the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add butter and use the fork to mash it into the flour until the mixture resembles large, lumpy crumbs. Stir in milk until a dough comes together.
Flour your hands, then gently gather and knead the dough in the bowl for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it springs back slightly to the touch. (If the dough is sticky, sprinkle additional flour as needed.) Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and rest dough in fridge for half hour.
Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough to 1 to 1-1/2 inch thickness. Use a floured knife or round cutter to cut 6 biscuits, about 3 1/2 inches wide. Reroll the scraps and cut again as needed.
Place biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they have puffed up and the tops are slightly golden. Let cool completely on a wired rack at room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container if not using until the next day.
Prepare the chicken: Trim excess fat and any membranes from the meat, then lightly hammer the thickest parts of the thighs with a mallet or rolling pin. Season each side with salt.
Mix flour, cayenne and salt in one wide bowl. Beat eggs in a second wide bowl, and place panko in a third. Dip each chicken thigh in flour, coating it all over and patting off the excess, then in egg, allowing extra egg to drip off, then in panko, making sure each thigh is entirely coated in bread crumbs, and using your hands to press loose crumbs into any places where they look scarce.
In a large, heavy bottomed skillet, pour in oil to a 2-inch depth and heat to 350 degrees. Fry 2 thighs at a time, flipping them over every two minutes or so, until golden brown and crisp all over, about 8 minutes total. Transfer to a wire rack set over a paper towel-lined sheet pan and season lightly with salt. Let cool entirely at room temperature, at least 1 hour. At this point, you can assemble the sandwiches or transfer the rack to the fridge and leave the chicken uncovered overnight.
Assemble the sandwiches: When both the chicken and biscuits have cooled (or the next day), mix together soft butter, honey and hot sauce until smooth. Cut open cooled biscuits, smear each cut side with honey butter, and sandwich with a piece of chicken. If traveling, loosely wrap each sandwich in a piece of parchment paper and pack side by side in a hard container, in a single layer, so the sandwiches aren’t crushed. Serve with additional hot sauce and pickles on the side.
TEX-MEX BEEF AND RICE SKILLET
This is from tbsp., and begins, “Wherein we turn a humble pound of ground beef into a supremely satisfying and totally doable meal in a matter of minutes. Now you never have to wonder what’s for dinner. You’re welcome.”
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix
3 cups cooked white rice
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef 6 to 8 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until brown. Drain, and wipe out skillet.
Add oil to skillet, and heat over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and corn. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender.
Stir in beef, enchilada sauce and taco seasoning mix. Heat to simmering; stir in rice. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until rice is heated through.
Top with cheese and cilantro.
PERFECT ROAST CHICKEN
This is from Ina Garten on the Food Network. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Inactive Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Makes 8 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 (5 to 6 pound) roasting chicken
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch fresh thyme, plus 20 sprigs
1 lemon, halved
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
4 carrots cut into 2-inch chunks
1 bulb of fennel, tops removed, and cut into wedges
Olive oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pin feathers and pat the outside dry. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, both halves of lemon, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place the onions, carrots, and fennel in a roasting pan. Toss with salt, pepper, 20 sprigs of thyme, and olive oil. Spread around the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken on top.
Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken and vegetables to a platter and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes. Slice the chicken onto a platter and serve it with the vegetables.
CAST-IRON APPLE AND BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE
This is from Matt Abdoo and was posted on the TODAY Show’s site. Matt wrote, “My dad used to make this for me growing up! Apples from upstate New York are some of the best in the country. They always added the perfect amount of tartness and sweetness to this crispy crumble.
“Technique tip: Use your favorite apples for a signature taste and to make it your own.
“Swap option: Pears work great and so do peaches! You can also use a 10- by 15-inch baking dish if not using the grill.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 12
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/cast-iron-apple-blackberry-crumble-recipe-t154818.
Ingredients
Crumble Topping
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 packs (1 cup) apple-cinnamon instant oatmeal
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 ounces (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, grated
Apple Filling
2 pounds honey crisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 pound granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 pint blackberries
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation
Pre-heat oven or grill to 350°F.
For the crumble topping:
In a medium sized mixing bowl combine flour, apple-cinnamon instant oatmeal, chopped pecans, light brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cold grated butter until it forms a coarse crumble.
For the apple filling:
In another large mixing bowl combine the apples with melted butter, flour, corn starch, lemon juice, light brown sugar, salt and spices and toss to fully coat the apples. Next fold in the blackberries and pour the apple mixture into a 12-inch cast iron pan.
To assemble:
Fully coat the top of the apple mixture with the crumble topping and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Allow the crumble to cool slightly, and then serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Or chill overnight and serve cold.
CHICKEN SPAGHETTI
This comes from Southern Living, and begins, "Give your traditional chicken casserole a break and serve this bright and lively chicken spaghetti. You only need a Dutch oven and a 9-x-13 baking dish to create this delicious meal, meaning there is less clean-up afterwards. Cook and shred your chicken in advance to save time."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; Serves: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/easy-chicken-spaghetti.
Ingredients
6 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 (14-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken breast, skin removed
3 (7-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, skin removed
12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 (5-oz.) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lower-sodium Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1-1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 3 medium tomatoes)
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring stock to a boil in a Dutch oven over high. Add chicken to stock. Cover; reduce heat to medium. Cook until a thermometer inserted in thickest piece of chicken registers 160°F, about 25 minutes. Remove chicken; let stand until ready to use. (Inner temperature of chicken will rise as it stands.)
Return stock to a boil over high. Add pasta to Dutch oven, and cook until just tender, about 9 minutes. Transfer pasta to a medium bowl (reserving stock). Return stock to a boil over high; boil until liquid is reduced to about 2-1/2 cups, about 1 minute. Whisk together evaporated milk and flour in a small bowl. Stir into stock; boil until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt. Pour stock mixture over pasta.
Return Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add butter, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; add pasta mixture back to Dutch oven. Shred chicken, discarding bones. (You should have about 4- 1/2 cups meat.) Add chicken and tomatoes to Dutch oven; toss to coat. Pour mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with cheese. Lightly coat aluminum foil with cooking spray. Cover with foil; bake until cheese is melted, 25 to 30 minutes.
Chef's Notes
You don't have to be a food stylist to create a casserole that looks as good as it tastes. Instead of pouring the pasta mixture from the pot into the baking dish, use tongs and a large spoon to twirl the noodles into nests, as shown below.
TURKEY MEATLOAF
This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking email. Sam wrote, “This is a recipe that helps explain the Twitter-era term ‘humblebrag.’ I made it for the celebrated writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron after a different recipe resulted in a disaster and I had to discard the result with only a few hours before my dinner with -- did I mention? -- Nora Ephron. It derives from a meatball dish once cooked by the chef Mark Ladner at the restaurant Lupa in Manhattan, and published as a recipe in Details magazine in the early years of the century. I scaled it up over the years, increasing some spices here and there, lessening others, until I had what I thought to be a pretty terrific meatloaf. But don't take my word for it. ‘This is remarkable,’ Ms. Ephron told me. I'm bragging about it still.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
This was featured in “Potlucky” and can be viewed online here.
Note: This recipe calls for 1 cup red wine. If, like me, you don’t keep wine or any alcohol around the house, I imagine you could replace this with 1 cup water. Yes, this will affect the taste a little, but it’s do-able.
Ingredients
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup fresh bread crumbs of any provenance
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup whole milk
1 pound ground turkey
1 pound sweet Italian pork sausage, casing removed, crumbled
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 ounces bacon, chopped
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, preferably San Marzano, seeds removed
1 cup red wine
1/4 bunch mint
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Combine 2/3 of the garlic, the rosemary, pepper flakes, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Add the milk and mix. Add the turkey and sausage and mix once more to combine; don’t overmix. Transfer onto a board and shape into a fine meatloaf, about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide.
Place in a baking pan with high sides (a 9 x12 pan with 2-inch sides works well), drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and bake for 25 minutes, turning halfway through to brown evenly. Remove from the oven and reduce the heat to 325 degrees.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, fry the bacon in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil until it starts to curl and its fat is rendered. Add the onions and remaining garlic, cooking until the onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and wine and bring to a boil.
Pour the sauce over the meatloaf, cover tightly with foil and bake until a meat thermometer inserted at the center reads 150 degrees, 20 to 30 minutes.
Transfer the meatloaf to a platter and let stand, tented with foil, for 10 minutes. Cut into thick slices, spoon tomato sauce over the top and scatter with torn mint leaves.
FRIED CHICKEN BISCUITS WITH HOT HONEY BUTTER
This is from Tejal Rao in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Tejal wrote, "This recipe for chicken biscuits could be a weeknight dinner with a side of greens, but it's made to travel, and perfectly suited for a picnic. The biscuit dough, adapted from Sam Sifton's all-purpose biscuit recipe, is lightly kneaded here, so it's not too tender to work in a sandwich. The chicken tenders, inspired by Masaharu Morimoto's katsu in the cookbook "Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking," are pounded and coated in panko for plenty of crunch. Prepare both components the day you want to eat them, giving yourself at least one extra hour for everything to cool before you assemble, so the sandwich stays crisp. You can also cook well in advance, and assemble the sandwiches the next day. Either way, cooling the chicken completely, on a wire rack, is crucial. If you prefer breast meat over thigh, feel free to swap it in."
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 1 1/2 hours, plus cooling
This was featured in "Grab Your Picnic Baskets: The Party’s Moving Outside", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018818-fried-chicken-biscuits-with-hot-honey-butter.
Note: The article is well worth reading; I thoroughly enjoyed it! (Thanks for a great read, and great recipes, Tejal!) Also, check out Sam Sifton's guide, "How to Make Fried Chicken". It's a helpful guide, whether you're a long-time cook, or just starting out.
Ingredients
For the biscuits:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups whole milk
For the chicken:
6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cayenne
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
3 eggs
3 cups panko bread crumbs
Canola or other neutral oil, for frying
For the butter:
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons honey
Hot sauce, a vinegary variety such as Crystal, to taste
Sliced dill pickles, for serving
Preparation
Prepare the biscuits: In a bowl, use a fork to mix the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add butter and use the fork to mash it into the flour until the mixture resembles large, lumpy crumbs. Stir in milk until a dough comes together.
Flour your hands, then gently gather and knead the dough in the bowl for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it springs back slightly to the touch. (If the dough is sticky, sprinkle additional flour as needed.) Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and rest dough in fridge for half hour.
Heat oven to 425 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough to 1 to 1-1/2 inch thickness. Use a floured knife or round cutter to cut 6 biscuits, about 3 1/2 inches wide. Reroll the scraps and cut again as needed.
Place biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they have puffed up and the tops are slightly golden. Let cool completely on a wired rack at room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container if not using until the next day.
Prepare the chicken: Trim excess fat and any membranes from the meat, then lightly hammer the thickest parts of the thighs with a mallet or rolling pin. Season each side with salt.
Mix flour, cayenne and salt in one wide bowl. Beat eggs in a second wide bowl, and place panko in a third. Dip each chicken thigh in flour, coating it all over and patting off the excess, then in egg, allowing extra egg to drip off, then in panko, making sure each thigh is entirely coated in bread crumbs, and using your hands to press loose crumbs into any places where they look scarce.
In a large, heavy bottomed skillet, pour in oil to a 2-inch depth and heat to 350 degrees. Fry 2 thighs at a time, flipping them over every two minutes or so, until golden brown and crisp all over, about 8 minutes total. Transfer to a wire rack set over a paper towel-lined sheet pan and season lightly with salt. Let cool entirely at room temperature, at least 1 hour. At this point, you can assemble the sandwiches or transfer the rack to the fridge and leave the chicken uncovered overnight.
Assemble the sandwiches: When both the chicken and biscuits have cooled (or the next day), mix together soft butter, honey and hot sauce until smooth. Cut open cooled biscuits, smear each cut side with honey butter, and sandwich with a piece of chicken. If traveling, loosely wrap each sandwich in a piece of parchment paper and pack side by side in a hard container, in a single layer, so the sandwiches aren’t crushed. Serve with additional hot sauce and pickles on the side.
TEX-MEX BEEF AND RICE SKILLET
This is from tbsp., and begins, “Wherein we turn a humble pound of ground beef into a supremely satisfying and totally doable meal in a matter of minutes. Now you never have to wonder what’s for dinner. You’re welcome.”
Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup diced yellow onion
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ original taco seasoning mix
3 cups cooked white rice
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Directions
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef 6 to 8 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until brown. Drain, and wipe out skillet.
Add oil to skillet, and heat over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and corn. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender.
Stir in beef, enchilada sauce and taco seasoning mix. Heat to simmering; stir in rice. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until rice is heated through.
Top with cheese and cilantro.
PERFECT ROAST CHICKEN
This is from Ina Garten on the Food Network. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Inactive Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Makes 8 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 (5 to 6 pound) roasting chicken
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 large bunch fresh thyme, plus 20 sprigs
1 lemon, halved
1 head garlic, cut in half crosswise
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter, melted
1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced
4 carrots cut into 2-inch chunks
1 bulb of fennel, tops removed, and cut into wedges
Olive oil
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Remove the chicken giblets. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pin feathers and pat the outside dry. Liberally salt and pepper the inside of the chicken. Stuff the cavity with the bunch of thyme, both halves of lemon, and all the garlic. Brush the outside of the chicken with the butter and sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the chicken. Place the onions, carrots, and fennel in a roasting pan. Toss with salt, pepper, 20 sprigs of thyme, and olive oil. Spread around the bottom of the roasting pan and place the chicken on top.
Roast the chicken for 1 1/2 hours, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh. Remove the chicken and vegetables to a platter and cover with aluminum foil for about 20 minutes. Slice the chicken onto a platter and serve it with the vegetables.
CAST-IRON APPLE AND BLACKBERRY CRUMBLE
This is from Matt Abdoo and was posted on the TODAY Show’s site. Matt wrote, “My dad used to make this for me growing up! Apples from upstate New York are some of the best in the country. They always added the perfect amount of tartness and sweetness to this crispy crumble.
“Technique tip: Use your favorite apples for a signature taste and to make it your own.
“Swap option: Pears work great and so do peaches! You can also use a 10- by 15-inch baking dish if not using the grill.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 12
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/cast-iron-apple-blackberry-crumble-recipe-t154818.
Ingredients
Crumble Topping
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 packs (1 cup) apple-cinnamon instant oatmeal
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 ounces (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, grated
Apple Filling
2 pounds honey crisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 pound granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 pint blackberries
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Preparation
Pre-heat oven or grill to 350°F.
For the crumble topping:
In a medium sized mixing bowl combine flour, apple-cinnamon instant oatmeal, chopped pecans, light brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cold grated butter until it forms a coarse crumble.
For the apple filling:
In another large mixing bowl combine the apples with melted butter, flour, corn starch, lemon juice, light brown sugar, salt and spices and toss to fully coat the apples. Next fold in the blackberries and pour the apple mixture into a 12-inch cast iron pan.
To assemble:
Fully coat the top of the apple mixture with the crumble topping and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the crumble topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
Allow the crumble to cool slightly, and then serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Or chill overnight and serve cold.
Meatless Monday
Here we are, starting another week. If you're like me, your weekend wasn't quite long enough. Fortunately, there's always next weekend.
That said, we still need to eat. Since it's time for another Meatless Monday, here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to get your week started off just right, including Curried Apples and “Chicken” and Sweet Potato-Coconut Curry with Chickpeas and Spinach. Enjoy!
JAMBALAYA WITH SAUSAGE
This yummy vegan recipe is from One Green Planet. If you've never checked the site out, please do!
Anyway, the recipe begins, "This Vegan Jambalaya is a meatless twist to a Cajun favorite! The spicy flavors meld together with rice and beans for a great one-pot meal. Beans, rice, and vegan sausage take center stage in this hearty vegan jambalaya. Traditional Cajun comfort food can dish out as much or as little heat as you’d like. For an added kick, use vegan Cajun sausage and even fire-roasted tomatoes."
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/jambalaya-with-sausage-vegan/.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon vegan butter
1 14 oz package vegan sausage, sliced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 celery stalks, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 tablespoons cajun seasoning, divided
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 14oz can black or red beans
2 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
3 cups vegetable broth
fresh chopped parsley and green onion for topping
Preparation
In a large pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add the sliced vegan sausages and 1 tablespoon of the cajun seasoning and sauté until browned. Transfer to a clean plate and set aside.
In the same pan, add the tablespoon of vegan butter and let it melt. Then add in the veggie mix. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add in 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper. Stir and cook for 1 more minute.
Next, add the crushed tomatoes, beans, Worcestershire sauce, rice, and veggie broth to the pan. Stir well, bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer (covered) and cook for 25-30 minutes, until the rice is cooked. Stir frequently to make sure the rice doesn’t burn and stick to the bottom of the pot. Add vegetable broth as needed if the mixture starts to dry out.
Add the cooked vegan sausage back into the pan and mix. Remove from heat.
Top with chopped parsley and green onions, and enjoy!
EASY BLACK BEAN CHILI
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "We love chili for its rib-sticking deliciousness, and this meatless version is no exception. Just because it’s made with beans, and no meat, doesn’t mean it’s not filling. Cumin, chili powder and chiles add heat, while fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans and sweet corn give it extra flavor."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/easy-black-bean-chili/f273db4a-5710-4ced-b099-205c9f3c1d70.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 fresh jalapeño or serrano chiles, seeded, finely chopped
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
2 cans (14.5 oz each) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted or plain diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon coarse (kosher or sea) salt
1 cup Cascadian Farm® frozen organic sweet corn
Sour cream or plain yogurt, if desired
Shredded Cheddar cheese, if desired
Chopped fresh cilantro, if desired
Directions
In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and chiles; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender.
Stir in black beans, tomatoes, water, chili powder, cumin and salt. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in corn. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 5 minutes longer.
Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Expert Tips
You can vary the heat level of this chili by decreasing or increasing the amount of chiles that you use.
Serve this veggie chili with warm cornbread or corn tortillas.
PEAS PLEASE
This is from the September 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 24. It begins, "Healthful and nourishing, this easy-to-prepare salad may be seasoned with your choice of dressing. Pigeon peas are available dry or canned in most supermarkets and can be found fresh or frozen in Hispanic markets. Add a side of crusty bread and cups of green tea, and conclude the meal with lemon bars or fruit cookies."
Makes 8 servings in 30 minutes or less
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/peas-please/.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 3/4 cups chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 3/4 cups pigeon peas, drained and rinsed
1 avocado, peeled and diced
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
8 cups mixed salad greens such as mesclun
Preparation
Pat the peas dry with paper towels. Combine the peas in a large serving bowl, and add the avocado, tomatoes and scallions. Season to taste, dress with your favorite dressing and toss.
To serve, arrange equal portions of greens on individual plates, and spoon equal portions of the pea mixture onto beds of lettuce.
PEPPERS GALORE
This is from the September 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 23. It begins, "This colorful sauté is so versatile that it works well as a light main course or as a side dish, depending on your menu. And depending on your tolerance for heat, you can fire up this dish with the addition of sliced jalapeño chiles, cherry peppers and Hungarian wax peppers - or even a few incendiary habanero chiles. Be sure to vary the color of the sweet peppers, substituting purple or white for one of the other sweet peppers, if you wish. Serve this dish with a tortilla and beer, and end the meal with cut-up fresh fruit."
Makes 4 servings in 30 minutes or less
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/peppers-galore/.
Ingredients
1 1-lb. pkg. baked tofu, preferably Italian-flavored
2 red bell peppers, stemmed, halved and seeded
1 green bell pepper, stemmed, halved and seeded
1 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, halved and seeded
1 orange bell pepper, stemmed, halved and seeded
3 Tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
4 oz. crumbled gorgonzola
Preparation
Slice the baked tofu lengthwise into 24 thin strips, and set aside. Slice the peppers lengthwise from stem to rounded end into thin strips about 1/2-inch wide, and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add tofu and oregano. Carefully stirring, cook until tofu begins to brown, for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
Add about half the peppers to the skillet, and, using tongs to prevent breaking strips, sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the peppers begin to soften and the edges brown slightly. Remove from the skillet.
Add the remaining oil, and add remaining pepper strips and the hot peppers, if using. Cook for about 5 minutes, remove from the skillet and place on top of the tofu strips. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with gorgonzola and serve.
SWEET POTATO-COCONUT CURRY WITH CHICKPEAS AND SPINACH
This is from Taste For Life. Prep Time: 50 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://tasteforlife.com/healthy-recipes/main-course/sweet-potato-coconut-curry-with-chickpeas-and-spinach.
Ingredients
2 medium-size sweet potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 Tbsp melted coconut oil, divided
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 Tbsp peeled and chopped ginger
2 tsp curry powder
1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with their juices
1 cup low-sodium vegetable stock
1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk
3 cup chopped baby spinach
1 Tbsp lime juice
Directions
Preheat oven to 425°.
Toss sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting pan and roast until tender, approximately 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat remaining tablespoon of oil in a large pan set over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and curry powder and sauté for one minute. Add drained chickpeas, tomatoes and their juices, and stock. Simmer mixture over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
Add roasted sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and spinach. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve curry on its own or over brown rice.
CURRIED APPLES AND "CHICKEN"
This is from the October 2003 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 56. It begins, "A hint of India peeks through in this hearty apple and “chicken” dish, spiked with lashes of hot—or mild—curry powder. Serve over Indian basmati rice, and pass with yogurt and flat Indian bread."
Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/curried-apples-and-chicken/.
Ingredients
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
2 tsp. hot or mild curry powder, or to taste
1 onion, chopped
1 Tbs. grated fresh ginger
3/4 cup apple juice or apple cider
2 Tbs. cornstarch
1 6-oz. pkg. "chicken" strips
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
1 apple, cored and diced, skin on
1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts for garnish
Preparation
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat, and stir in turmeric and curry powder. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onions and ginger, and cook 5 minutes more.
Pour 1/4 cup apple juice into small bowl, and whisk in cornstarch. Pour mixture and apple juice into skillet, and add “chicken” strips, mushrooms and apple. Cook until mixture thickens slightly, 7 to 10 minutes.
To serve, remove from heat, and spoon over rice. Sprinkle with peanuts as garnish.
That said, we still need to eat. Since it's time for another Meatless Monday, here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to get your week started off just right, including Curried Apples and “Chicken” and Sweet Potato-Coconut Curry with Chickpeas and Spinach. Enjoy!
JAMBALAYA WITH SAUSAGE
This yummy vegan recipe is from One Green Planet. If you've never checked the site out, please do!
Anyway, the recipe begins, "This Vegan Jambalaya is a meatless twist to a Cajun favorite! The spicy flavors meld together with rice and beans for a great one-pot meal. Beans, rice, and vegan sausage take center stage in this hearty vegan jambalaya. Traditional Cajun comfort food can dish out as much or as little heat as you’d like. For an added kick, use vegan Cajun sausage and even fire-roasted tomatoes."
To view this online, go to https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/jambalaya-with-sausage-vegan/.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon vegan butter
1 14 oz package vegan sausage, sliced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 celery stalks, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 tablespoons cajun seasoning, divided
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 14oz can black or red beans
2 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
3 cups vegetable broth
fresh chopped parsley and green onion for topping
Preparation
In a large pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add the sliced vegan sausages and 1 tablespoon of the cajun seasoning and sauté until browned. Transfer to a clean plate and set aside.
In the same pan, add the tablespoon of vegan butter and let it melt. Then add in the veggie mix. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add in 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper. Stir and cook for 1 more minute.
Next, add the crushed tomatoes, beans, Worcestershire sauce, rice, and veggie broth to the pan. Stir well, bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer (covered) and cook for 25-30 minutes, until the rice is cooked. Stir frequently to make sure the rice doesn’t burn and stick to the bottom of the pot. Add vegetable broth as needed if the mixture starts to dry out.
Add the cooked vegan sausage back into the pan and mix. Remove from heat.
Top with chopped parsley and green onions, and enjoy!
EASY BLACK BEAN CHILI
This comes from Betty Crocker, and begins, "We love chili for its rib-sticking deliciousness, and this meatless version is no exception. Just because it’s made with beans, and no meat, doesn’t mean it’s not filling. Cumin, chili powder and chiles add heat, while fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans and sweet corn give it extra flavor."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/easy-black-bean-chili/f273db4a-5710-4ced-b099-205c9f3c1d70.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 fresh jalapeño or serrano chiles, seeded, finely chopped
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
2 cans (14.5 oz each) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted or plain diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon coarse (kosher or sea) salt
1 cup Cascadian Farm® frozen organic sweet corn
Sour cream or plain yogurt, if desired
Shredded Cheddar cheese, if desired
Chopped fresh cilantro, if desired
Directions
In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and chiles; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender.
Stir in black beans, tomatoes, water, chili powder, cumin and salt. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in corn. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 5 minutes longer.
Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Expert Tips
You can vary the heat level of this chili by decreasing or increasing the amount of chiles that you use.
Serve this veggie chili with warm cornbread or corn tortillas.
PEAS PLEASE
This is from the September 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 24. It begins, "Healthful and nourishing, this easy-to-prepare salad may be seasoned with your choice of dressing. Pigeon peas are available dry or canned in most supermarkets and can be found fresh or frozen in Hispanic markets. Add a side of crusty bread and cups of green tea, and conclude the meal with lemon bars or fruit cookies."
Makes 8 servings in 30 minutes or less
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/peas-please/.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 3/4 cups chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 3/4 cups pigeon peas, drained and rinsed
1 avocado, peeled and diced
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
8 cups mixed salad greens such as mesclun
Preparation
Pat the peas dry with paper towels. Combine the peas in a large serving bowl, and add the avocado, tomatoes and scallions. Season to taste, dress with your favorite dressing and toss.
To serve, arrange equal portions of greens on individual plates, and spoon equal portions of the pea mixture onto beds of lettuce.
PEPPERS GALORE
This is from the September 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 23. It begins, "This colorful sauté is so versatile that it works well as a light main course or as a side dish, depending on your menu. And depending on your tolerance for heat, you can fire up this dish with the addition of sliced jalapeño chiles, cherry peppers and Hungarian wax peppers - or even a few incendiary habanero chiles. Be sure to vary the color of the sweet peppers, substituting purple or white for one of the other sweet peppers, if you wish. Serve this dish with a tortilla and beer, and end the meal with cut-up fresh fruit."
Makes 4 servings in 30 minutes or less
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/peppers-galore/.
Ingredients
1 1-lb. pkg. baked tofu, preferably Italian-flavored
2 red bell peppers, stemmed, halved and seeded
1 green bell pepper, stemmed, halved and seeded
1 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, halved and seeded
1 orange bell pepper, stemmed, halved and seeded
3 Tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
4 oz. crumbled gorgonzola
Preparation
Slice the baked tofu lengthwise into 24 thin strips, and set aside. Slice the peppers lengthwise from stem to rounded end into thin strips about 1/2-inch wide, and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add tofu and oregano. Carefully stirring, cook until tofu begins to brown, for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
Add about half the peppers to the skillet, and, using tongs to prevent breaking strips, sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the peppers begin to soften and the edges brown slightly. Remove from the skillet.
Add the remaining oil, and add remaining pepper strips and the hot peppers, if using. Cook for about 5 minutes, remove from the skillet and place on top of the tofu strips. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with gorgonzola and serve.
SWEET POTATO-COCONUT CURRY WITH CHICKPEAS AND SPINACH
This is from Taste For Life. Prep Time: 50 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://tasteforlife.com/healthy-recipes/main-course/sweet-potato-coconut-curry-with-chickpeas-and-spinach.
Ingredients
2 medium-size sweet potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 Tbsp melted coconut oil, divided
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 Tbsp peeled and chopped ginger
2 tsp curry powder
1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with their juices
1 cup low-sodium vegetable stock
1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk
3 cup chopped baby spinach
1 Tbsp lime juice
Directions
Preheat oven to 425°.
Toss sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting pan and roast until tender, approximately 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat remaining tablespoon of oil in a large pan set over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and curry powder and sauté for one minute. Add drained chickpeas, tomatoes and their juices, and stock. Simmer mixture over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
Add roasted sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and spinach. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve curry on its own or over brown rice.
CURRIED APPLES AND "CHICKEN"
This is from the October 2003 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 56. It begins, "A hint of India peeks through in this hearty apple and “chicken” dish, spiked with lashes of hot—or mild—curry powder. Serve over Indian basmati rice, and pass with yogurt and flat Indian bread."
Makes 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/curried-apples-and-chicken/.
Ingredients
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
2 tsp. hot or mild curry powder, or to taste
1 onion, chopped
1 Tbs. grated fresh ginger
3/4 cup apple juice or apple cider
2 Tbs. cornstarch
1 6-oz. pkg. "chicken" strips
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
1 apple, cored and diced, skin on
1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts for garnish
Preparation
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat, and stir in turmeric and curry powder. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onions and ginger, and cook 5 minutes more.
Pour 1/4 cup apple juice into small bowl, and whisk in cornstarch. Pour mixture and apple juice into skillet, and add “chicken” strips, mushrooms and apple. Cook until mixture thickens slightly, 7 to 10 minutes.
To serve, remove from heat, and spoon over rice. Sprinkle with peanuts as garnish.
Friday, November 28, 2025
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Million Dollar Spaghetti and Impossibly Easy Chicken and Broccoli Pie. Enjoy!
BULGOGI SLOPPY JOES WITH SCALLION SALSA
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, “The dish is the Korean barbecue standard known as bulgogi — ‘fire meat,’ is the literal translation — transformed into a sandwich filling, a sloppy Joe for a more perfect union. (File under ‘Blessings of Liberty.’) Fed to children with a tall glass of milk, the sandwiches may inspire smiles and licked plates, rapt attention and the request that the meal be served at least monthly — they are not at all too spicy for younger palates. Given to adults accompanied by cold lager, cucumber kimchi and a pot of the fermented Korean hot-pepper paste known as gochujang, they can rise to higher planes.
“Bulgogi sandwiches are a taste of the sort of home cooking that can lead to more home cooking. They serve as fragrant hamburger crushers, elegant vanquishers of pizza. They are an enemy of takeout.
“To cook them, you can follow the instructions slavishly, as if working for Hooni Kim, the chef and owner of Danji, on the edge of the theater district in Manhattan. Bulgogi ‘sliders’ are a hallmark of his menu and by far the restaurant’s most popular dish. This recipe is his.”
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus overnight refrigeration.
This recipe was featured in “The Bulgogi Slider Is a Delicious Curveball”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014203-bulgogi-sloppy-joes-with-scallion-salsa.
Ingredients
For the Bulgogi
1 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon peeled and grated garlic
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons sake
2 tablespoons mirin
1 Asian pear, peeled, cored and puréed in a food processor
1 small carrot peeled and sliced into julienne
1 medium white onion peeled and sliced into julienne
1 cup apple juice
2 pounds beef brisket, chilled slightly and sliced thin
For the Spicy Mayonnaise
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 tablespoons hot chili sauce, ideally Sriracha
For the Scallion Salsa
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red-pepper flakes)
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons mirin
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 bunches scallions, cleaned, dried and sliced on the bias
Unsalted butter
6 soft hamburger buns
Preparation
For the Bulgogi
In a large, nonreactive bowl, combine the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, sake, mirin, pear, carrot, onion and apple juice. Add the sliced brisket, stir to combine, cover tightly and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least six hours.
Meanwhile, in a small, nonreactive bowl, combine the mayonnaise, soy sauce and hot chili sauce and stir to combine. Taste and adjust flavors, then cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
When you are ready to make the sandwiches, set one very large sauté pan (or two large ones) over high heat. Using tongs, lift meat from marinade in batches, allow to drain well, then cook, turning occasionally until the excess liquid has evaporated and the edges of the beef have started to crisp.
Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the salsa except for the scallions, then stir to combine.
Toast and butter the hamburger buns. Spread spicy mayonnaise on the buns, and using tongs, cover one side of each set of buns with bulgogi. Add a large pinch of scallions on top of each burger and drizzle with the dressing. Serve with cucumber kimchi (see recipe).
EASY BAKED BEANS
This comes from the October 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Baked beans were meant to be doctored up to suit a cook’s taste, so feel free to make these with more or less sugar, a spicier salsa or mustard, and add-ins such as soy sausage or soy hot dogs.” Serves 8.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups dried red kidney beans
2 medium onions, thinly sliced (3 cups)
1 8-oz. jar medium salsa
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
3 Tbs. yellow mustard
Directionss
Soak beans in 6 cups water overnight. Drain; reserve soaking liquid.
Coat Dutch oven with cooking spray, and heat over low heat. Add onions, cover, and cook 15 minutes, or until browned. Stir in 1 cup soaking liquid. Simmer 5 minutes, scraping up onion bits stuck to pot.
Stir in remaining ingredients and 5 cups water. Cover, and cook 1 1/2 hours. Uncover; simmer 1 hour more, or until sauce has thickened.
nutritional information per serving: Calories: 166; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 0.5 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Sodium: 566 mg; Fiber: 9 g; Sugar: 12 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
THREE-CHEESE BEEF PASTA SHELLS
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "These Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells can be ready to impress in no time at all. Perfect for company and cozy nights at home, this hearty dish only looks like you spent all day in the kitchen. In fact, you can pull stuffed pasta shells with ground beef together with just 25 minutes of prep time, then get the rest of the meal ready while it bakes. These stuffed shells with cream cheese, ground beef, melty cheese and pasta sauce bring a whole new meaning to the term "comfort food." No matter the occasion, nothing satisfies quite like a warm dish of Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1 lb ground beef (at least 80% lean)
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic chunky tomato & herb pasta sauce
1/4 cup water
1 container (8 oz) chive and onion cream cheese spread
1-1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (6 oz)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, if desired
Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain pasta shells as directed on package.
In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
In large bowl, mix pasta sauce and water. Pour 1 cup of the pasta sauce mixture in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. In medium bowl, mix cheese spread, 1 cup of the Italian cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg and cooked beef. Spoon heaping tablespoon mixture into each shell. Arrange stuffed shells over sauce in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over top, covering shells completely. Cover with foil.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese filling is set. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Italian cheese. Bake uncovered about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.
IMPOSSIBLY EASY CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PIE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Frozen broccoli provides a simple addition to this impossibly easy chicken pie – a cheesy flavorful dinner!"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Servings: 7
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups Frozen Broccoli Cuts, thawed, drained
1-1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz)
1 cup cut-up cooked chicken or 2 cans (5 oz each) chunk chicken, well drained
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick™ mix
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
Instructions
Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. Sprinkle broccoli, 1 cup of the cheese, the chicken and onion in pie plate.
In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients with wire whisk or fork until blended. Pour into pie plate.
Bake 35 to 38 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI
This is from Melissa Knific at The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Melissa wrote, "Unapologetically indulgent, this hearty potluck- and family-friendly baked pasta, popular throughout the South and Midwest, likely earned its name from the rich, dairy-packed ingredient list. In this version, four cheeses — ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan — are combined and layered in between a quick meat sauce and a pound of pasta. The casserole is more streamlined than its cousin lasagna, thanks to spaghetti, which simply gets divided in half, instead of laboriously layering individual noodles. For extra ease, use jarred marinara (although homemade sauce is welcome, too). The dish can be prepped a day in advance; just be sure to bring it to room temperature an hour before baking to take off the chill."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025768-million-dollar-spaghetti. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so.
Ingredients
Salt and black pepper
1 (24-ounce) jar marinara, or 2-1/2 cups homemade marinara
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef (90-percent lean)
1/2 pound Italian sausage, sweet or hot, casings removed if necessary
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/4 cup water
1 pound spaghetti
3 tablespoons butter
1 (15-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta (about 1-3/4 cups)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 ounces low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
3 ounces shredded Parmesan (3/4 cup)
Fresh basil or parsley, for serving (optional)
Crushed red pepper, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Set aside 1 cup of the marinara.
Heat oil in a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add beef and sausage, breaking up the meat into small pieces, then cook, undisturbed, until browned on the one side, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in onion and garlic. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onion has started to soften, 3 to 4 minutes more. Stir in Italian seasoning, the remaining marinara and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil, adjust heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Turn off heat.
Meanwhile, add spaghetti to the pot when the water comes to a boil. Cook a few minutes shy of al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain pasta and return to the empty pot. Stir in the reserved 1 cup of the marinara and the butter, until melted.
In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread half of the spaghetti in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Layer with the ricotta mixture, followed by the remaining spaghetti, all of the meat sauce and finally the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until bubbling and golden brown, 15 minutes more. (To make ahead, refrigerate the covered casserole up to overnight; bring to room temperature then bake for 1 hour.)
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and crushed red pepper, if using. Cut into portions with a sharp or serrated knife and serve.
BEEF AND NOODLES IN LEMON SAUCE
Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/beef-and-noodles-in-lemon-sauce.
Ingredients
1 cup fine egg noodles
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup onions, diced
1-1/2 pound leanest ground beef
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup water
2 egg yolks
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons sherry
Directions
Put the noodles into a heat-resistant mixing bowl and cover them with boiling water. Set aside for 20 minutes, then drain.
In a frying pan, melt the butter, add the onions, and saute five minutes or so. Add the beef, mushrooms, and noodles. Increase the heat to high and cook for another five minutes, stirring constantly. Add the water and cook another ten minutes over low heat.
In a small bowl, mix together the egg yolks, lemon juice, and sherry. Scoop a few spoonfuls of the meat mixture into the bowl of egg mixture. Turn the contents of the bowl into the skillet. Heat gently while stirring. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 264; Fat: 11.7 grams; Sodium: 185 milligrams; Protein: 14.5 grams; Carbohydrates: 10 grams
Diabetic Exchanges: 3/4 Bread/Starch, 2-1/2 Medium-Fat Meat
BULGOGI SLOPPY JOES WITH SCALLION SALSA
This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, “The dish is the Korean barbecue standard known as bulgogi — ‘fire meat,’ is the literal translation — transformed into a sandwich filling, a sloppy Joe for a more perfect union. (File under ‘Blessings of Liberty.’) Fed to children with a tall glass of milk, the sandwiches may inspire smiles and licked plates, rapt attention and the request that the meal be served at least monthly — they are not at all too spicy for younger palates. Given to adults accompanied by cold lager, cucumber kimchi and a pot of the fermented Korean hot-pepper paste known as gochujang, they can rise to higher planes.
“Bulgogi sandwiches are a taste of the sort of home cooking that can lead to more home cooking. They serve as fragrant hamburger crushers, elegant vanquishers of pizza. They are an enemy of takeout.
“To cook them, you can follow the instructions slavishly, as if working for Hooni Kim, the chef and owner of Danji, on the edge of the theater district in Manhattan. Bulgogi ‘sliders’ are a hallmark of his menu and by far the restaurant’s most popular dish. This recipe is his.”
Yield: 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus overnight refrigeration.
This recipe was featured in “The Bulgogi Slider Is a Delicious Curveball”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014203-bulgogi-sloppy-joes-with-scallion-salsa.
Ingredients
For the Bulgogi
1 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon peeled and grated garlic
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons sake
2 tablespoons mirin
1 Asian pear, peeled, cored and puréed in a food processor
1 small carrot peeled and sliced into julienne
1 medium white onion peeled and sliced into julienne
1 cup apple juice
2 pounds beef brisket, chilled slightly and sliced thin
For the Spicy Mayonnaise
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3 tablespoons hot chili sauce, ideally Sriracha
For the Scallion Salsa
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red-pepper flakes)
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons mirin
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 bunches scallions, cleaned, dried and sliced on the bias
Unsalted butter
6 soft hamburger buns
Preparation
For the Bulgogi
In a large, nonreactive bowl, combine the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, sake, mirin, pear, carrot, onion and apple juice. Add the sliced brisket, stir to combine, cover tightly and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least six hours.
Meanwhile, in a small, nonreactive bowl, combine the mayonnaise, soy sauce and hot chili sauce and stir to combine. Taste and adjust flavors, then cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
When you are ready to make the sandwiches, set one very large sauté pan (or two large ones) over high heat. Using tongs, lift meat from marinade in batches, allow to drain well, then cook, turning occasionally until the excess liquid has evaporated and the edges of the beef have started to crisp.
Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the salsa except for the scallions, then stir to combine.
Toast and butter the hamburger buns. Spread spicy mayonnaise on the buns, and using tongs, cover one side of each set of buns with bulgogi. Add a large pinch of scallions on top of each burger and drizzle with the dressing. Serve with cucumber kimchi (see recipe).
EASY BAKED BEANS
This comes from the October 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “Baked beans were meant to be doctored up to suit a cook’s taste, so feel free to make these with more or less sugar, a spicier salsa or mustard, and add-ins such as soy sausage or soy hot dogs.” Serves 8.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups dried red kidney beans
2 medium onions, thinly sliced (3 cups)
1 8-oz. jar medium salsa
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
3 Tbs. yellow mustard
Directionss
Soak beans in 6 cups water overnight. Drain; reserve soaking liquid.
Coat Dutch oven with cooking spray, and heat over low heat. Add onions, cover, and cook 15 minutes, or until browned. Stir in 1 cup soaking liquid. Simmer 5 minutes, scraping up onion bits stuck to pot.
Stir in remaining ingredients and 5 cups water. Cover, and cook 1 1/2 hours. Uncover; simmer 1 hour more, or until sauce has thickened.
nutritional information per serving: Calories: 166; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 0.5 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Sodium: 566 mg; Fiber: 9 g; Sugar: 12 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
THREE-CHEESE BEEF PASTA SHELLS
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "These Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells can be ready to impress in no time at all. Perfect for company and cozy nights at home, this hearty dish only looks like you spent all day in the kitchen. In fact, you can pull stuffed pasta shells with ground beef together with just 25 minutes of prep time, then get the rest of the meal ready while it bakes. These stuffed shells with cream cheese, ground beef, melty cheese and pasta sauce bring a whole new meaning to the term "comfort food." No matter the occasion, nothing satisfies quite like a warm dish of Three-Cheese Beef Pasta Shells."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1 lb ground beef (at least 80% lean)
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic chunky tomato & herb pasta sauce
1/4 cup water
1 container (8 oz) chive and onion cream cheese spread
1-1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (6 oz)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, if desired
Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F. Cook and drain pasta shells as directed on package.
In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
In large bowl, mix pasta sauce and water. Pour 1 cup of the pasta sauce mixture in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. In medium bowl, mix cheese spread, 1 cup of the Italian cheese, the Parmesan cheese, egg and cooked beef. Spoon heaping tablespoon mixture into each shell. Arrange stuffed shells over sauce in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over top, covering shells completely. Cover with foil.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese filling is set. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Italian cheese. Bake uncovered about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.
IMPOSSIBLY EASY CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI PIE
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "Frozen broccoli provides a simple addition to this impossibly easy chicken pie – a cheesy flavorful dinner!"
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Servings: 7
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups Frozen Broccoli Cuts, thawed, drained
1-1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz)
1 cup cut-up cooked chicken or 2 cans (5 oz each) chunk chicken, well drained
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick™ mix
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
Instructions
Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. Sprinkle broccoli, 1 cup of the cheese, the chicken and onion in pie plate.
In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients with wire whisk or fork until blended. Pour into pie plate.
Bake 35 to 38 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
MILLION DOLLAR SPAGHETTI
This is from Melissa Knific at The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yumminess, Melissa wrote, "Unapologetically indulgent, this hearty potluck- and family-friendly baked pasta, popular throughout the South and Midwest, likely earned its name from the rich, dairy-packed ingredient list. In this version, four cheeses — ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan — are combined and layered in between a quick meat sauce and a pound of pasta. The casserole is more streamlined than its cousin lasagna, thanks to spaghetti, which simply gets divided in half, instead of laboriously layering individual noodles. For extra ease, use jarred marinara (although homemade sauce is welcome, too). The dish can be prepped a day in advance; just be sure to bring it to room temperature an hour before baking to take off the chill."
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Yield: 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025768-million-dollar-spaghetti. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend doing so.
Ingredients
Salt and black pepper
1 (24-ounce) jar marinara, or 2-1/2 cups homemade marinara
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef (90-percent lean)
1/2 pound Italian sausage, sweet or hot, casings removed if necessary
1 small yellow onion, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/4 cup water
1 pound spaghetti
3 tablespoons butter
1 (15-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta (about 1-3/4 cups)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 ounces low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
3 ounces shredded Parmesan (3/4 cup)
Fresh basil or parsley, for serving (optional)
Crushed red pepper, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Set aside 1 cup of the marinara.
Heat oil in a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add beef and sausage, breaking up the meat into small pieces, then cook, undisturbed, until browned on the one side, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in onion and garlic. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onion has started to soften, 3 to 4 minutes more. Stir in Italian seasoning, the remaining marinara and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil, adjust heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Turn off heat.
Meanwhile, add spaghetti to the pot when the water comes to a boil. Cook a few minutes shy of al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain pasta and return to the empty pot. Stir in the reserved 1 cup of the marinara and the butter, until melted.
In a medium bowl, mix ricotta, cream cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread half of the spaghetti in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Layer with the ricotta mixture, followed by the remaining spaghetti, all of the meat sauce and finally the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until bubbling and golden brown, 15 minutes more. (To make ahead, refrigerate the covered casserole up to overnight; bring to room temperature then bake for 1 hour.)
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and crushed red pepper, if using. Cut into portions with a sharp or serrated knife and serve.
BEEF AND NOODLES IN LEMON SAUCE
Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/beef-and-noodles-in-lemon-sauce.
Ingredients
1 cup fine egg noodles
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup onions, diced
1-1/2 pound leanest ground beef
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
3/4 cup water
2 egg yolks
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons sherry
Directions
Put the noodles into a heat-resistant mixing bowl and cover them with boiling water. Set aside for 20 minutes, then drain.
In a frying pan, melt the butter, add the onions, and saute five minutes or so. Add the beef, mushrooms, and noodles. Increase the heat to high and cook for another five minutes, stirring constantly. Add the water and cook another ten minutes over low heat.
In a small bowl, mix together the egg yolks, lemon juice, and sherry. Scoop a few spoonfuls of the meat mixture into the bowl of egg mixture. Turn the contents of the bowl into the skillet. Heat gently while stirring. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 264; Fat: 11.7 grams; Sodium: 185 milligrams; Protein: 14.5 grams; Carbohydrates: 10 grams
Diabetic Exchanges: 3/4 Bread/Starch, 2-1/2 Medium-Fat Meat
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Last Thanksgiving Post (for this year)
Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I figured I'd get in one Last Thanksgiving Post. Check out the Duchess Potatoes, the Pecan Pie, and the rest of today's yumminess. Happy Thanksgiving! See you again on Friday! Enjoy!
BEST THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS SANDWICH
This is from Sohla El-Waylly in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sohla wrote, "The sandwich you make with all the prized leftovers the day after Thanksgiving might be even better than the main event. Assembling this leftover Thanksgiving sandwich is easy, but the details matter. The white and dark turkey meat each get special love and attention: The breast is warmed in butter, while the dark meat is shredded, then warmed in gravy. This club ditches the usual third slice of bread for a slab of crisp, fried stuffing instead. When heating the stuffing, make sure your pan is good and hot so the stuffing fries up fast without falling apart in the skillet. A generous swipe of cranberry mayo brings the whole thing together."
Yield: 4 sandwiches; Time: 20 minutes, plus overnight chilling
This was featured in "3 Brilliant Ways to Transform Leftover Stuffing", and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021605-best-thanksgiving-leftovers-sandwich.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
4 cups leftover stuffing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup homemade, canned or jarred cranberry sauce
1 cup shredded dark-meat turkey
1/2 cup leftover gravy
4 teaspoons neutral oil
1 cup sliced turkey breast
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices sandwich bread (preferably 4- to 5-inch square slices), toasted if desired
2 cups assorted Thanksgiving leftovers (any combination of cooked green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes or other sides), warmed
Preparation
Grease a 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with butter, then line it with parchment paper, covering the bottom and 2 sides with one sheet, creasing it into the corners to ensure a snug fit. If the stuffing is cold, warm it in the microwave for 1 minute or covered in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes.
Put the stuffing into the prepared pan and press into an even layer using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Top with a sheet of parchment and press firmly with your hands, tightly compacting the stuffing. If you have a second pan of the same size, use that to pack down the stuffing. Cover and chill overnight.
The next day, prepare your sandwich fillings: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and cranberry sauce. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine the shredded dark-meat turkey and the gravy. Gently heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
In a large nonstick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium-high, warm the oil until hot and shimmering. (The stuffing needs to be cooked hot and fast, or it will stick to the skillet and fall apart.) Meanwhile, remove the stuffing from the pan by lifting the parchment overhang, and cut the stuffing into four squares.
Cook stuffing until browned and crisp on one side, gently pressing it down using the base of the baking pan you chilled it in, about 1 minute. Using a flat spatula, quickly flip each piece of stuffing. Cook the other side until browned and crisp, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate.
In the same skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat until foamy. Add the sliced turkey breast, flipping occasionally until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Assemble the sandwiches: Evenly spread 2 tablespoons of cranberry mayonnaise on 1 side of each slice of bread. Divide the buttery sliced turkey over the 4 slices of bread. Divide half the assorted leftovers on top of the white meat, then top each with a slab of crisp stuffing.
On top of the crisp stuffing, evenly divide the gravy-dressed dark meat and the remaining assorted leftovers. Top with remaining mayo-slathered bread. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut each sandwich on the diagonal and serve right away.
HONEY-GLAZED SWEET POTATOES
This is from the Mayo Clinic, and begins, "Instead of canned sweet potatoes and marshmallows, this recipe uses fresh sweet potatoes, brown sugar and honey." Serves 8
To view this online, go to https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/honey-glazed-sweet-potatoes/rcp-20049674.
Ingredients
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 4 large), peeled and cut into wedges
Cracked black pepper or chopped herb of choice (rosemary, sage or thyme), to taste
Directions
Heat the oven to 375 F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
To make the sauce, in a small bowl add the water, brown sugar, honey and olive oil. Whisk until smooth.
Place a single layer of sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Pour the sauce over the sweet potatoes. Turn to coat them.
Cover and bake until tender, about 45 minutes. Turn the sweet potatoes once or twice to continue coating them. When tender, remove the cover and continue to bake until the glaze is set, about 15 minutes.
Transfer to a serving dish and top with pepper or chopped herb of choice. Serve immediately.
PANETTONE BREAD PUDDING
This is from Tejal Rao in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Tejal wrote, “If you’ve bought a loaf of truly fantastic panettone, made in the Italian tradition from a natural starter, the kind that’s airy and melting, we hope you don’t have any leftovers. But if you find yourself with an excess of mass-produced panettone, or simply very old panettone that’s past its prime, here’s how to transform it into something special. Cut it into thick slices, as the pastry chef Elisabeth Prueitt does with brioche, when she makes her bread pudding at Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. Toast them. Now layer the bread in a wide dish, and pour over a whisked custard of milk and eggs. It will look like too much liquid, but as it bakes, the panettone will soak it all up, becoming moist and tender and impossibly rich. It’s close enough to a casserole of French toast to make it ideal for a special holiday breakfast, but sweet enough to step in as dessert on a cold night. Vanilla would be a classic way to flavor the custard, but panettone tends to be quite sweet and perfumed already, so taste the bread first before adding extras.”
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 10 minutes plus 1 hour baking
This was featured in “Panettone Has Become an Obsession for American Bakers,” and can be viewed here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
6 to 8 slices panettone
6 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups whole milk
Confectioners' sugar, to garnish
Preparation
Heat the oven to 350 degrees and butter a deep baking dish that will fit all the bread slices in a single layer, overlapping slightly, about 9 by 5 inches. Place the sliced panettone on a sheet pan and lightly toast it in the oven so that it’s still flexible, but dry to the touch, about 10 minutes. Arrange toast in the baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar and salt, then add the milk and whisk until smooth. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer over the panettone, allowing the excess mixture to fill up the pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the bread has soaked up all the custard and puffed up, and the custard is no longer runny. Allow to cool at least 30 minutes before serving, then use a fine-mesh sieve to dust all over with confectioners' sugar and serve.
PECAN PIE
This is from Vegetarian Times (November 2014, page 71), and begins, "Slow-cooked caramel makes a decadent egg-free pecan pie filling." Serves 12.
Ingredients
Crust
1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
6 Tbs. vegan margarine, such as Earth Balance, melted
1-1/2 Tbs. unrefined sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. sea salt
Filling
1 cup plain unsweetened soymilk
1 cup coconut milk
1-1/2 cups brown rice syrup
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 pinch sea salt
1 Tbs. arrowroot powder
3 cups whole pecans
Directions
To Make Crust: Coat 9-inch pie pan with oil. Stir together all ingredients and 6 Tbs. water in large bowl until down forms. Shape dough into ball, then roll out to 12-inch circle on floured work surface. Press dough into prepared pie pan, and trim edges, leaving 1-inch overhang. Tuck overhanging dough underneath itself to form a thick edge that is even with rim, and flute as desired. Chill 1 hour.
To Make Filling: Combine soymilk, coconut milk, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, and salt in saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 1 hour 20 minutes, or until dark caramel in color. Stir in arrowroot powder.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Stir pecans into Filling. Pour into prepared crust, and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until crust and filling are lightly browned. Cool 2 hours before serving.
CINNAMON ICE CREAM
This is from Vegetarian Times (November 2014, page 71), and begins, "This barely sweet treat plays off the intense caramel flavors of the Pecan Pie." Serves 12
Ingredients
1 whole vanilla bean
1 cup plain unsweetened soymilk
1 cup soy creamer
1/2 cup safflower oil
1 cup coconut milk
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Directions
Split vanilla bean lengthwise with knife. Scrape vanilla seeds into blender, and add remaining ingredients. (Save vanilla pod for another use.) Blend 2 minutes, then strain mixture through fine sieve. Freeze in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions. Keep frozen until ready to use.
DUCHESS POTATOES
This was in the November/December 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 67. It begins, "Mashed potatoes usually have to be made just before serving, but this ingenious dish lets you mash them a day ahead, then shape into swirls. If you don’t have a pastry bag, shape with an ice cream scoop."
Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/duchess-potatoes/.
Ingredients
3 lb. russet potatoes (about 3 large), peeled and cubed
4 Tbs. unsalted butter
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup chopped chives
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400F. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Bring potatoes and enough water to cover to a boil in pot. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 10 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and mash until smooth. Stir in butter and sour cream, then egg yolks and chives. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer potatoes to pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 8 swirled ovals onto prepared baking sheet. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until edges begin to brown, or refrigerate until ready to use.
BEST THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS SANDWICH
This is from Sohla El-Waylly in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sohla wrote, "The sandwich you make with all the prized leftovers the day after Thanksgiving might be even better than the main event. Assembling this leftover Thanksgiving sandwich is easy, but the details matter. The white and dark turkey meat each get special love and attention: The breast is warmed in butter, while the dark meat is shredded, then warmed in gravy. This club ditches the usual third slice of bread for a slab of crisp, fried stuffing instead. When heating the stuffing, make sure your pan is good and hot so the stuffing fries up fast without falling apart in the skillet. A generous swipe of cranberry mayo brings the whole thing together."
Yield: 4 sandwiches; Time: 20 minutes, plus overnight chilling
This was featured in "3 Brilliant Ways to Transform Leftover Stuffing", and can be found online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021605-best-thanksgiving-leftovers-sandwich.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
4 cups leftover stuffing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup homemade, canned or jarred cranberry sauce
1 cup shredded dark-meat turkey
1/2 cup leftover gravy
4 teaspoons neutral oil
1 cup sliced turkey breast
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices sandwich bread (preferably 4- to 5-inch square slices), toasted if desired
2 cups assorted Thanksgiving leftovers (any combination of cooked green beans, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes or other sides), warmed
Preparation
Grease a 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with butter, then line it with parchment paper, covering the bottom and 2 sides with one sheet, creasing it into the corners to ensure a snug fit. If the stuffing is cold, warm it in the microwave for 1 minute or covered in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes.
Put the stuffing into the prepared pan and press into an even layer using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Top with a sheet of parchment and press firmly with your hands, tightly compacting the stuffing. If you have a second pan of the same size, use that to pack down the stuffing. Cover and chill overnight.
The next day, prepare your sandwich fillings: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and cranberry sauce. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine the shredded dark-meat turkey and the gravy. Gently heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
In a large nonstick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium-high, warm the oil until hot and shimmering. (The stuffing needs to be cooked hot and fast, or it will stick to the skillet and fall apart.) Meanwhile, remove the stuffing from the pan by lifting the parchment overhang, and cut the stuffing into four squares.
Cook stuffing until browned and crisp on one side, gently pressing it down using the base of the baking pan you chilled it in, about 1 minute. Using a flat spatula, quickly flip each piece of stuffing. Cook the other side until browned and crisp, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate.
In the same skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat until foamy. Add the sliced turkey breast, flipping occasionally until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Assemble the sandwiches: Evenly spread 2 tablespoons of cranberry mayonnaise on 1 side of each slice of bread. Divide the buttery sliced turkey over the 4 slices of bread. Divide half the assorted leftovers on top of the white meat, then top each with a slab of crisp stuffing.
On top of the crisp stuffing, evenly divide the gravy-dressed dark meat and the remaining assorted leftovers. Top with remaining mayo-slathered bread. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut each sandwich on the diagonal and serve right away.
HONEY-GLAZED SWEET POTATOES
This is from the Mayo Clinic, and begins, "Instead of canned sweet potatoes and marshmallows, this recipe uses fresh sweet potatoes, brown sugar and honey." Serves 8
To view this online, go to https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/recipes/honey-glazed-sweet-potatoes/rcp-20049674.
Ingredients
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 4 large), peeled and cut into wedges
Cracked black pepper or chopped herb of choice (rosemary, sage or thyme), to taste
Directions
Heat the oven to 375 F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
To make the sauce, in a small bowl add the water, brown sugar, honey and olive oil. Whisk until smooth.
Place a single layer of sweet potatoes in the baking dish. Pour the sauce over the sweet potatoes. Turn to coat them.
Cover and bake until tender, about 45 minutes. Turn the sweet potatoes once or twice to continue coating them. When tender, remove the cover and continue to bake until the glaze is set, about 15 minutes.
Transfer to a serving dish and top with pepper or chopped herb of choice. Serve immediately.
PANETTONE BREAD PUDDING
This is from Tejal Rao in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Tejal wrote, “If you’ve bought a loaf of truly fantastic panettone, made in the Italian tradition from a natural starter, the kind that’s airy and melting, we hope you don’t have any leftovers. But if you find yourself with an excess of mass-produced panettone, or simply very old panettone that’s past its prime, here’s how to transform it into something special. Cut it into thick slices, as the pastry chef Elisabeth Prueitt does with brioche, when she makes her bread pudding at Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. Toast them. Now layer the bread in a wide dish, and pour over a whisked custard of milk and eggs. It will look like too much liquid, but as it bakes, the panettone will soak it all up, becoming moist and tender and impossibly rich. It’s close enough to a casserole of French toast to make it ideal for a special holiday breakfast, but sweet enough to step in as dessert on a cold night. Vanilla would be a classic way to flavor the custard, but panettone tends to be quite sweet and perfumed already, so taste the bread first before adding extras.”
Yield: 8 servings; Time: 10 minutes plus 1 hour baking
This was featured in “Panettone Has Become an Obsession for American Bakers,” and can be viewed here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
6 to 8 slices panettone
6 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups whole milk
Confectioners' sugar, to garnish
Preparation
Heat the oven to 350 degrees and butter a deep baking dish that will fit all the bread slices in a single layer, overlapping slightly, about 9 by 5 inches. Place the sliced panettone on a sheet pan and lightly toast it in the oven so that it’s still flexible, but dry to the touch, about 10 minutes. Arrange toast in the baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar and salt, then add the milk and whisk until smooth. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer over the panettone, allowing the excess mixture to fill up the pan. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the bread has soaked up all the custard and puffed up, and the custard is no longer runny. Allow to cool at least 30 minutes before serving, then use a fine-mesh sieve to dust all over with confectioners' sugar and serve.
PECAN PIE
This is from Vegetarian Times (November 2014, page 71), and begins, "Slow-cooked caramel makes a decadent egg-free pecan pie filling." Serves 12.
Ingredients
Crust
1-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
6 Tbs. vegan margarine, such as Earth Balance, melted
1-1/2 Tbs. unrefined sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. sea salt
Filling
1 cup plain unsweetened soymilk
1 cup coconut milk
1-1/2 cups brown rice syrup
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 pinch sea salt
1 Tbs. arrowroot powder
3 cups whole pecans
Directions
To Make Crust: Coat 9-inch pie pan with oil. Stir together all ingredients and 6 Tbs. water in large bowl until down forms. Shape dough into ball, then roll out to 12-inch circle on floured work surface. Press dough into prepared pie pan, and trim edges, leaving 1-inch overhang. Tuck overhanging dough underneath itself to form a thick edge that is even with rim, and flute as desired. Chill 1 hour.
To Make Filling: Combine soymilk, coconut milk, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, and salt in saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 1 hour 20 minutes, or until dark caramel in color. Stir in arrowroot powder.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Stir pecans into Filling. Pour into prepared crust, and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until crust and filling are lightly browned. Cool 2 hours before serving.
CINNAMON ICE CREAM
This is from Vegetarian Times (November 2014, page 71), and begins, "This barely sweet treat plays off the intense caramel flavors of the Pecan Pie." Serves 12
Ingredients
1 whole vanilla bean
1 cup plain unsweetened soymilk
1 cup soy creamer
1/2 cup safflower oil
1 cup coconut milk
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Directions
Split vanilla bean lengthwise with knife. Scrape vanilla seeds into blender, and add remaining ingredients. (Save vanilla pod for another use.) Blend 2 minutes, then strain mixture through fine sieve. Freeze in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's directions. Keep frozen until ready to use.
DUCHESS POTATOES
This was in the November/December 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 67. It begins, "Mashed potatoes usually have to be made just before serving, but this ingenious dish lets you mash them a day ahead, then shape into swirls. If you don’t have a pastry bag, shape with an ice cream scoop."
Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/duchess-potatoes/.
Ingredients
3 lb. russet potatoes (about 3 large), peeled and cubed
4 Tbs. unsalted butter
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup chopped chives
Preparation
Preheat oven to 400F. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Bring potatoes and enough water to cover to a boil in pot. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 10 minutes, or until soft. Drain, and mash until smooth. Stir in butter and sour cream, then egg yolks and chives. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer potatoes to pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 8 swirled ovals onto prepared baking sheet. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until edges begin to brown, or refrigerate until ready to use.
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