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Showing posts with label Blueberry Crunch Granola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blueberry Crunch Granola. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Wednesday Recipes

Here are today's six recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!

BUSH’S® APPLE PUMPKIN CAKE

This comes from Bush’s® Beans. It starts off, “Full of classic fall flavors, this delicious cake can be topped with whipped cream or your favorite cream cheese icing. Pureed BUSH'S® Country Style Baked Beans add a surprising sweetness.” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 12.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 can (16 oz) BUSH’S® Country Style Baked Beans

1 pkg (16.25 oz) spice cake mix

3 large eggs

1/2 cup classic applesauce

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)

Directions

Remove the bacon from the can of Country Style Baked Beans. Pour the can of beans and sauce into a blender and puree.

Combine the cake mix, use 3/4 cup of the pureed beans (discard small amount of remaining puree) and 3 eggs in a mixing bowl and mix well.

Add the applesauce and pumpkin and mix well till all ingredients are combined.

Spoon batter into a sprayed 9x13 cake pan at 350° F for 30-35 minutes or till a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan.

Top with whip cream or Cream cheese frosting for fun! Yields 12 servings OR Use cupcake pans with paper liners. Fill 2/3 full.

Bake at 350° for 12- 15 minutes or till a wooden pick comes out clean.

Makes 2-3 dozen muffins or frost for a nutritious cupcake.

PASTA WITH MARINATED TOMATOES AND SUMMER HERBS

This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “The easiest summer dinner known to man, pasta con salsa crudo, is a one-bowl, infinitely variable riot of seasonal flavors. It can be made with fancy Italian tuna and local heirloom tomatoes for foodies, or with supermarket mozzarella and tomatoes for children, or with excellent olives and extra pine nuts for vegetarians. It puts you in the kitchen for about a half-hour at the tail end of lunchtime. After that, all there is to do is cook the pasta, and serve with or without crusty bread, boiled corn, sliced tomatoes, or a nice, simple green salad.” Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

This was featured in “The House, the Food and Issues in Between” and can also be viewed online here.

Ingredients

About 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes, halved or quartered if small, diced if large

Salt

2 cans olive oil-packed tuna or 1 pound mozzarella cheese, diced (optional)

2/3 cup pitted oil-cured black olives, halved, or 1/2 cup pitted green olives, chopped, or 3 tablespoons capers (optional)

2/3 cup chopped fresh herbs (basil, parsley, mint, chives, cilantro, scallion tops, or a combination), more for garnish

Freshly grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)

About 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

2 pounds short pasta, like fusilli, farfalle or penne

Hot red pepper flakes (optional)

1/2 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

Preparation

Up to 4 hours before serving, put tomatoes in a large bowl and sprinkle all over with salt. Set aside for 30 minutes, then drain off liquid.

Add tuna and its oil, olives or capers, if using. Add herbs and zest. Add olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and stir gently, flaking tuna into pieces. Cover and set aside at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Cook pasta in plenty of boiling salted water. Drain very well. Combine tomatoes and pasta well, then taste and add more oil, salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if desired. Sprinkle with pine nuts, if using, and chopped herbs. Serve immediately.

KUNG PAO CHICKEN

This was posted by Daring Gourmet in tbsp. (tablespoon)’s website. She wrote, “One of the most popular dishes throughout China and the Western world alike, this sweet and spicy chicken dish is not for the faint of taste buds. It packs a punch, or should we say, ‘PAO, right in the kisser!’” Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; makes 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil

6-10 dried hot red chili peppers (or less according to heat preference), seeded and membranes removed (gloves recommended)

1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced

3/4 cup dry roasted peanuts

1 bunch green onions (about 6 green onions)

For the Marinade:

1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or sherry

3/4 teaspoon cornstarch

For the Sauce:

1/4 cup black Chinese vinegar or dark balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

3 tablespoons white sugar

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

Combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl and pour over the chicken pieces. Toss to coat and let the chicken sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl, stirring until the cornstarch and sugar is dissolved. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Fry the chilies for a few seconds until they turn darker in color.

Add the chicken and marinade and fry until no longer pink. Add the garlic, ginger, and white parts of the green onions and fry for two minutes. Add the sauce and stir until thickened. Reduce the heat to medium-high and stir in the peanuts. Simmer for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in the green onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

CHEESY CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATO ENCHILADAS

This comes from Kraft Recipes, and begins, “Get cheesy with Cheesy Chicken and Sweet Potato Enchiladas! For hotter sweet potato enchiladas, add a minced fresh jalapeño pepper to the chicken mixture.” Prep Time: 30 min; Total Time: 50 min; Servings: 6.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 sweet potato (1/2 lb.), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3/4 cup BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream

2 cans (10 oz. each) mild green enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts

1 cup rinsed canned black beans

1-1/2 cups KRAFT Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese, divided

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided

12 corn tortillas (6 inch), warmed

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F.

Cook potatoes in boiling water 5 min. or just until tender; drain. Place in large bowl. Mix sour cream and enchilada sauce until blended.

Add 1 cup of the sour cream mixture to potatoes along with the chicken, beans, 1/2 cup cheese and 2 Tbsp. cilantro; mix lightly.

Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture down center of each tortilla; roll up.

Place, seam sides down, in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining sour cream mixture and cheese. Cover.

Bake 15 to 20 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro.

BLUEBERRY CRUNCH GRANOLA

This is from the November 2014 issue of Runner's World, and begins, "Packed with grains, nuts, and fruit, granola is one of chef Marcus Samuelsson's go-to breakfasts. He keeps it on hand for fuel before or after his nearly daily six-mile loop through New York City's Central Park. 'The beauty of making granola at home is that it's cheaper, it's fresher, and I can customize it the way I want,' says the Top Chef Masters champ, who just published his latest cookbook, Marcus Off Duty. 'This is a very forgiving mix,' he adds. 'Swap in other nuts or fruits or sweeteners that you prefer.'"

This can be viewed online by clicking here.

Ingredients:

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened dried blueberries

3/4 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut

1/2 cup raw cashews

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300F. In a large bowl, combine oats, blueberries, almonds, coconut, cashews, sugar, and allspice. Mix well. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the maple syrup. Pour over the granola and toss to coat. Spread granola on a baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until it is golden brown. Sprinkle cinnamon over the granola and stir it in.

Makes 6 cups. (24 servings, 1/4-cup each)

Nutrition Information: 123 calories; 14 grams carbs (6 grams sugar); 2 grams fiber; 3 grams protein; 6 grams total fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 4 miligrams sodium

Beyond Yogurt

•Stir granola into cooked oatmeal or pancake and muffin batter.

•Add to root vegetables halfway through roasting; use as a topping for a holiday gratin.

•Swap in granola for croutons in green salads or use as a garnish on soup.

•When shopping for store-bought versions, choose brands with a max of 10 grams each of sugar and fat per serving.

SOUTHWESTERN THREE-BEAN AND BARLEY SOUP

This recipe begins, “Serve this zesty bean and barley soup garnished with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, if desired.”

Time: 135 minutes (30 minutes prep)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion , diced

1 large stalk celery, diced

1 large carrot , diced

9 cups water

4 cups (32-ounce carton) reduced-sodium chicken broth , “no-chicken” broth or vegetable broth

1/2 cup pearl barley

1/3 cup dried black beans

1/3 cup dried great northern beans

1/3 cup dried kidney beans

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

3/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, celery and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add water, broth, barley, black beans, great northern beans, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin and oregano. Bring to a lively simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender, 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 hours (adding more water, 1/2 cup at a time, if necessary or desired). Season with salt.

Slow-Cooker Variation: Use 2 cups water (instead of 9 cups) and combine all ingredients in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook until the beans are tender, about 4 hours on High or 7 to 8 hours on Low.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Serving Size: about 1 1/3 cups; Calories: 205; Carbohydrates: 35 g; Fat: 3 g; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Protein: 11 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 10 g; Potassium: 601 mg; Sodium: 705 mg; Yield: 6 servings; about 1 1/3 cups each; Exchanges: 2 starch; 1 vegetable; 1 lean meat; 1/2 fat

Friday, September 9, 2016

Friday Recipes

Finally, Friday! Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!

HONEY PISTACHIO ICE CREAM

This comes from Anita Schecter, About.com’s Middle Eastern Food expert. Anita wrote, “As much as I love all desserts, nothing quite makes me swoon as much as the combination of sweet and salty. It's why chocolate covered salty pretzels and I are old friends and caramel sauce only interests me if it's got a good hit of sea salt. Candied or chocolate covered nuts are good but way more awesome if the nuts are salted.

“And so, as fond as I am of pistachios, pistachio ice cream and, basically all things pistachio, store bought pistachio ice cream is usually too sweet and one note for me. I'm missing the balance of the salt.

“Fortunately, I can easily remedy this situation by making my own and by using roasted and salted pistachios. You can make this with sugar only and omit the honey, if you like, but honey vanilla is another favorite flavor of mine so I decided to combine the two.

“When it comes to homemade ice cream, you can use a cooked custard base, which contains eggs. Or you can go for a straight dairy only option which doesn't require cooking. Because I wanted little bits and pieces of pistachios in my finished ice cream, I went with a no-cook method. If I wanted to strain them out, I would have cooked them with the base mix.

“I should also note that the color of pistachios, while definitely green, is nowhere near the deep green shade you find in store bought pistachio or even mint ice cream. You can certainly add some green food color to your ice cream if you really want that bright green shade. But I prefer to keep it all natural so my ice cream is still mostly beige but with green flecks from the bits of pistachios.

“This recipe is easy and simple and results in the perfect hit of sweet, salty and creamy. A perfect treat for a hot summer day. Enjoy!”

Prep Time: 12 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Freeze: 240 minutes; Total Time: 292 minutes; Yield: 8 (1/2 Cup) Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 Cup whole milk

2 Cups heavy cream

1/2 Cup honey

1/4 Cup sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla (vanilla paste is best, if you have it)

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1 Cup shelled roasted and salted pistachios

Preparation

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, honey, sugar, vanilla and salt. Add the pistachios to a food processor and pulse a few times until the nuts are very broken down but not powder or paste. Add to the bowl.

Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions for use. Churn for 40 minutes and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH POTATOES, ARUGULA AND GARLIC YOGURT

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “Your typical sheet-pan chicken recipe roasts everything together on a pan at once. This version pairs potatoes with the poultry, and tops everything off with fresh herbs and arugula, making it a true one-pan meal, salad included. A savory yogurt sauce adds a creamy touch, but it’s optional if you’re not a yogurt sauce fan. Feel free to double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd, though make sure to use two sheet pans so that everything is spread out in one layer, which is critical for browning.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour, plus marinating

This was featured in “Springtime Sheet-Pan Chicken” and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs and drumsticks

1 1/4 pounds small Yukon Gold potatoes, halved and cut into 1/2-inch slices

2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, more as needed

2 tablespoons harissa (or use another thick hot sauce, such as sriracha)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

4 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more as needed

2 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1/2 lemon)

1/3 cup plain yogurt (do not use Greek yogurt)

1 small garlic clove

2 ounces baby arugula

Chopped fresh dill, as needed

Lemon juice, as needed

Preparation

Combine chicken and potatoes in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together harissa, cumin and 3 tablespoons oil. Pour over chicken and potatoes and toss to combine. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine leeks, lemon zest, a pinch of salt and the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil.

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange chicken and potatoes on a large rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Roast 15 minutes. Toss potatoes lightly. Scatter leeks over pan. Roast until chicken and potatoes are cooked through and everything is golden and slightly crisped, 25 to 30 minutes longer.

While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Grate garlic over yogurt and season to taste with salt and pepper.

To serve, spoon yogurt over chicken and vegetables in the pan. Scatter arugula and dill over mixture. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice and serve.

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

This comes from Kim Severson, also n The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, “This version of the childhood favorite came from Christopher Kimball, formerly the publisher and editor of Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country magazines. Mr. Kimball calls for extra crunchy peanut butter here, plus a full cup of roasted salted peanuts, which results in a super crunchy and delightfully salty-sweet treat.” Yield: 4 dozen cookies; Time: 35 minutes.

This was featured in “Who’s Sticking With Us?”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup roasted salted peanuts

1/2 pound (2 sticks) salted butter

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup extra-crunchy peanut butter

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation

Adjust oven rack to low center position. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Place peanuts in a food processor and pulse until the texture of bread crumbs. Set aside.

In bowl of electric mixer or by hand, beat butter until creamy. Add sugars and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping sides as necessary. Then beat in crunchy peanut butter until fully incorporated, followed by eggs and vanilla. Gently stir dry ingredients into peanut butter mixture. Fold in ground peanuts just until incorporated.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop dough onto sheet in spoonfuls a little bigger than a golf ball, about two inches apart. Dip a fork in cold water and then press the back into dough, repeating to make a crisscross.

Bake until cookies are puffed and slightly brown along edges, but not top, 11 to 12 minutes. They will not look completely baked. Cool cookies on cookie sheet until set, about 3 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Tip

Cookies will keep, refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 7 days.

TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE

This comes from Diana Rattray, Southern Food expert at About.com. Diana wrote, “Taco seasoning and nacho cheese soup help to flavor this easy, tasty casserole. Serve this casserole with cornbread or biscuits.This is a great casserole to make for a family meal or potluck dinner.” Serves 6 to 8.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti

1 cup chopped onion

1 pound lean ground beef

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning

1 can (about 10 1/2 ounces) nacho cheese soup

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cups shredded Mexican blend of cheeses, such as Cheddar Jack

Preparation

Cook macaroni or mini ziti in boiling water as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with hot water; set aside.

Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring and breaking up, with the onion until onion is softened. Add the bell pepper and continue cooking, stirring, until beef is no longer pink. Add the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute longer.

Add soup, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, and half of the cheese. Cook, stirring, until blended and bubbly. Add the drained macaroni and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese topping has melted.

Note: If you cover and refrigerate earlier in the day, allow more time for warming the casserole.

BLUEBERRY CRUNCH GRANOLA

This is from the November 2014 issue of Runner's World, and begins, "Packed with grains, nuts, and fruit, granola is one of chef Marcus Samuelsson's go-to breakfasts. He keeps it on hand for fuel before or after his nearly daily six-mile loop through New York City's Central Park. 'The beauty of making granola at home is that it's cheaper, it's fresher, and I can customize it the way I want,' says the Top Chef Masters champ, who just published his latest cookbook, Marcus Off Duty. 'This is a very forgiving mix,' he adds. 'Swap in other nuts or fruits or sweeteners that you prefer.'"

This can be viewed online by clicking here.

Ingredients:

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened dried blueberries

3/4 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut

1/2 cup raw cashews

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300F. In a large bowl, combine oats, blueberries, almonds, coconut, cashews, sugar, and allspice. Mix well. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the maple syrup. Pour over the granola and toss to coat. Spread granola on a baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until it is golden brown. Sprinkle cinnamon over the granola and stir it in.

Makes 6 cups. (24 servings, 1/4-cup each)

Nutrition Information: 123 calories; 14 grams carbs (6 grams sugar); 2 grams fiber; 3 grams protein; 6 grams total fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 4 miligrams sodium

Beyond Yogurt

•Stir granola into cooked oatmeal or pancake and muffin batter.

•Add to root vegetables halfway through roasting; use as a topping for a holiday gratin.

•Swap in granola for croutons in green salads or use as a garnish on soup.

•When shopping for store-bought versions, choose brands with a max of 10 grams each of sugar and fat per serving.

SLOPPY JOE SLIDERS

This comes from Family Time, and begins, “Sink your teeth into these mouthwatering sliders, that are easy to make and really fun to eat.” Serves: 8 servings (3 sliders each); Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons Vegetable Oil

2 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)

3 pounds ground beef

ketchup or 2 cups barbecue sauce

1 cup French's® Classic Yellow® mustard

1/2 cup French's® worcestershire sauce

2 packages (15 ounces each) Pepperidge Farm® Mini Sandwich Buns (White or Wheat)

Directions

Heat the oil in a 6-quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until tender, stirring occasionally.

Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the beef to the saucepot and cook until it's well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.

Stir the barbecue sauce, mustard and Worcestershire sauce in the saucepot. Reduce the heat to low. Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Divide the beef mixture among the buns.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Tuesday Recipes

Enjoy!

STRAWBERRY SORBET

This comes from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Amanda wrote, “This mouthwatering summer sorbet is an adaptation of one served at the River Café in London. Yes, it calls for an entire lemon (rind and all), but trust us: the sweet of the strawberries and sugar, the tart and bitter of the lemon – it all works together beautifully.” Yield: Makes 1 1/ 2 quarts; Time: 10 minutes.

This was originally featured in “The Arsenal”, and can be viewed online by clicking here.

Ingredients

1 whole lemon, seeded and roughly chopped

2 cups sugar

2 pounds strawberries, hulled

Juice of 1 to 2 lemons

Preparation

Place the chopped lemon and sugar in a food processor, and pulse until combined. Transfer to a bowl.

Purée the strawberries in a food processor, and add to the lemon mixture, along with the juice of 1 lemon. Taste and add more juice as desired. The lemon flavor should be intense but should not overpower the strawberries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn until frozen.

SOUR CREAM CHEESECAKE WITH VANILLA BEAN

This is also from Amanda Hesser in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “This elegant cheesecake is based on Amanda Hesser's mother's simple recipe. The crust is made of Nabisco chocolate wafers and butter. The bottom layer is a fluffy pool of cream cheese, eggs and sugar. The top is a thin layer of sour cream and sugar. Her recipe called for vanilla extract, but this one uses the seeds of one whole vanilla bean, which has a way of elevating all the other subtle flavors – cinnamon, chocolate and the tang of the sour cream and cream cheese – in a magical way.” Yield: 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 10 minutes.

This was featured in “An Exotic Import: Hardly Plain Vanilla”, and can be viewed online by clicking here.

Ingredients

18 Nabisco chocolate wafers, finely crushed

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 pound cream cheese, room temperature

2 eggs at room temperature, lightly beaten

2/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar

1 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise and seeds scraped

1 1/2 cups sour cream

Preparation

In a bowl stir together crushed wafers and cinnamon with a fork. Pour in butter, and stir until mixture is moist. Press mixture into a 9-inch springform pan, forming a crust just over 1 inch high around the sides. You might think you need more wafers, but you don't. Press patiently until a tight, thin layer forms. Chill until needed.

Heat oven to 350 degrees with baking sheet on center rack. In an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until creamy and fluffy. Add eggs, 2/3 cup sugar and seeds from vanilla bean, and beat until very smooth. Scrape bowl with a spatula to break up lumps. Pour into crust, and place on baking sheet. Bake 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, blend sour cream with 3 tablespoons sugar. After 25 minutes, remove cake from oven, and let sit 5 minutes. Increase oven heat to 450 degrees. Gently spoon sour cream mixture on top, and spread evenly. Return cake to oven, and bake 7 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

GRILLED CORN ON THE COB

This comes from Ina Garten from The Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 45 min; Prep: 25 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 1 serving; Level: Easy

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/grilled-corn-on-the-cob.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

1 ear fresh corn on the cob, with the husk

1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted

Kosher salt

Directions

Prepare a charcoal grill with a single layer of hot coals.

Peel back the husk from the corn and remove the silk. Brush the kernels with the melted butter and replace the husk to cover the ear of corn.

Grill the corn for a total of 20 minutes, turning it every 5 minutes. Remove the ear from the grill and carefully peel back the husk. Sprinkle the kernels with salt and serve.

ULTIMATE CHICKEN POT PIE

This comes from GE Appliances e-newsletter. It begins, “Using convenience products like canned soup, cooked chicken, frozen veggies and refrigerated pie crusts make this comfort food classic a cinch to prepare. It's chock full of flavor and ready in just 50 minutes.” Makes 4 servings; Time: 35 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

1 package (about 14 ounces) refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts), at room temperature

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

1/2 cup milk

2 cups diced cooked chicken

1 package (12 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed (about 2 2/3 cups)

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)

Directions:

Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate with 1 pie crust. Trim any excess.

Stir the soup, milk, chicken and vegetables in a medium bowl. Spoon the chicken mixture into the pie plate. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup cheese. Place the remaining pie crust over the filling. Trim any excess. Crimp the edges of the top and bottom crusts together. Using a sharp knife, cut several slits in the top crust.

Bake for 35 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Sprinkle the crust with the remaining cheese.

Chef’s Notes:

Make-Ahead: Bake 2 pot pies, eat one now and freeze one for later!

ROASTED VEGETABLE & CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

This also comes from GE Appliances e-newsletter. It begins, “Roasted veggies are combined with rotisserie chicken for these amazing enchiladas topped with a creamy chile verde sauce and melted Pepper Jack cheese.” Makes 8 servings; Time: 1 hour.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. olive oil

1 red bell pepper

1 small zucchini

1/2 of a medium red onion

1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup shredded chicken (from a rotisserie chicken)

8 corn tortillas

2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese

Chile Verde Sauce:

1/2 cup half & half

2 cans diced green chilies

1 1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Chop bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion into 1-inch pieces. Toss the veggies with 3 tablespoons olive oil and spread on a large, rimmed baking pan.

Roast in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven; reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.

While the veggies are roasting, prepare the sauce by combining half & half, diced green chiles, cumin, salt, and garlic cloves.

For the enchilada filling, combine the roasted vegetables, black beans and chicken.

Heat corn tortillas slightly to soften. Wrap the tortillas in a clean kitchen towel and microwave for 30 seconds. Keep them in the towel as you fill the tortillas to keep them soft and pliable.

Fill each tortilla with approximately ⅓ cup of the filling. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in 9x13 inch pan. Repeat until all the tortillas are filled. Pour sauce evenly over enchiladas. Top with shredded cheese and cover with aluminum foil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese is fully melted.

Remove from the oven and top with fresh cilantro.

Chef’s Notes:

Use any leftover filling for a quick and easy breakfast. Reheat the vegetable and black bean mixture and add a fried egg to the top.

BLUEBERRY CRUNCH GRANOLA

This is from the November 2014 issue of Runner's World, and begins, "Packed with grains, nuts, and fruit, granola is one of chef Marcus Samuelsson's go-to breakfasts. He keeps it on hand for fuel before or after his nearly daily six-mile loop through New York City's Central Park. 'The beauty of making granola at home is that it's cheaper, it's fresher, and I can customize it the way I want,' says the Top Chef Masters champ, who just published his latest cookbook, Marcus Off Duty. 'This is a very forgiving mix,' he adds. 'Swap in other nuts or fruits or sweeteners that you prefer.'"

This can be viewed online by clicking here.

Ingredients:

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened dried blueberries

3/4 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut

1/2 cup raw cashews

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300F. In a large bowl, combine oats, blueberries, almonds, coconut, cashews, sugar, and allspice. Mix well. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with the maple syrup. Pour over the granola and toss to coat. Spread granola on a baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until it is golden brown. Sprinkle cinnamon over the granola and stir it in.

Makes 6 cups. (24 servings, 1/4-cup each)

Nutrition Information: 123 calories; 14 grams carbs (6 grams sugar); 2 grams fiber; 3 grams protein; 6 grams total fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 4 miligrams sodium

Beyond Yogurt

•Stir granola into cooked oatmeal or pancake and muffin batter.

•Add to root vegetables halfway through roasting; use as a topping for a holiday gratin.

•Swap in granola for croutons in green salads or use as a garnish on soup.

•When shopping for store-bought versions, choose brands with a max of 10 grams each of sugar and fat per serving.