It's finally Friday. Yay! Do you have any plans for the weekend? I'll probably hit up the local library today (always a good call). I've found many favorite authors and books that way, without spending a dime, then turned around and bought books that I loved by the same authors at one of several independent bookstores. Then, puttering around the house, trying to get caught up on, well, everything. (Sound familiar?)
In the meantime, we still have to eat. To that end, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow Cooker Sausages, Peppers and Onions and Old-Fashioned Meatloaf. Enjoy!
PIZZA POT PIES
This is from Giada De Laurentiis, of The Food Network's Everyday Italian. Total Time: 1 hr 10 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 40 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Intermediate
Read more here.
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh minced rosemary leaves
2 ounces diced pancetta
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pizza Pot Pies:
3 cups Tomato Sauce
2 cups diced roasted chicken
2 cups broccoli cut into small, bite-sized pieces
1-1/2 cups diced mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 pounds pizza dough
1/3 cup olive oil
6 tablespoons grated Parmesan
Directions
Special equipment: 6 (10-ounce) ramekins
For the Tomato Sauce: Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, rosemary, and pancetta. Saute until the pancetta is crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, stir to combine, and simmer over very low heat for 15 minutes. Add the salt and pepper. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl combine the Tomato Sauce, chicken, broccoli, mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Divide the chicken mixture evenly between the ramekins. Roll out the pizza dough and cut circles with a pairing knife that are 1-inch wider in diameter than the ramekins. Place the circles of dough over the filled ramekins and press down to seal, making sure to pull the dough over the edge of the ramekin. Brush the top of the pizza dough with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cut a small slit in the top of the pizza dough with a pairing knife. Bake until the pizza crust is golden, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
ONE-POT CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH GREENS
This is from Yasmin Fahr in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Yasmin wrote, "An upside down take on typical skillet meatballs, these juicy garlic-and-herb filled ones are smothered in greens rather than being cooked on top or alongside them, an ingenious trick to streamline efforts for weeknight cooks. The meatballs first brown in the pot for both color and flavor, then are covered with a mound of greens, which achieves two feats: It gently finishes cooking the meatballs while the chard and lemon slices steam and collapse on top, draping themselves over these hidden delights. Scoop them up with a soup ladle, spooning the lemony pan sauce over everything."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025342-one-pot-chicken-meatballs-with-greens. Also, if you haven't signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it.
Ingredients
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup full-fat thick yogurt (preferably Greek or Icelandic)
2 garlic cloves, minced or grated
2 scallions, white and light green parts thinly sliced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Salt
1 pound ground chicken
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more as needed
1 pound rainbow or Swiss chard (1 large or 2 small bunches), tender stalks sliced and leaves cut into 1-inch ribbons
1 lemon, halved, 1/2 thinly sliced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Preparation
In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, yogurt, garlic, scallions, oregano, crushed red pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the chicken and gently mix until fully combined.
Coat your palms in olive oil, then shape the meat into 14 medium meatballs (about 2 inches each), making sure each is lightly coated with oil by refreshing the coating on your hands. Set the meatballs directly on a sheet pan or on parchment paper.
Heat a 12-inch Dutch oven (or other heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid) over medium heat for 2 minutes until hot. Pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, tilting the pot to coat the surface, then add the meatballs. Let cook until they are golden halfway up the sides, occasionally turning them when they easily release, adding extra oil if needed, about 7 minutes.
Meanwhile, to another large bowl, add the greens, lemon slices, cumin and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season with salt; toss to coat the leaves, scrunching them up as needed.
Smother the meatballs with the greens and lemon slices. Cover, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the meatballs are cooked through and the greens tender, 12 to 13 minutes.
Use a soup ladle to scoop up the meatballs, resting them on the greens, browned-side up and ladling any juices on top of the meatballs and greens. Cut the remaining lemon into wedges for serving, if desired.
SLOW COOKER SAUSAGES, PEPPERS AND ONIONS
This is from Ali Slagle on The New York Times cooking site. For this yummy recipe, Ali wrote, "The sure-fire combination of sausages, peppers and onions is ready-when-you-are when you make them in the slow cooker. (Once the sausages are cooked through and the peppers and onions are tender, they can hold on “warm” for up to 2 hours.) Searing the sausages in a skillet is the only cooking you’ll have to do, but it’s an important step that fortifies the sauce with the sausage’s brawny, spiced juices. The sweet peppers and onions will tangle in the light, tangy tomato sauce. (Save extra sauce for tomorrow’s pasta, or if you want a thicker sauce, strain and reduce in a saucepan on the stovetop.) Pile everything into a sub — perhaps with some mozzarella broiled on top — or over pasta, roasted potatoes or gnocchi."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours; Total Time: About 6 hours; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025352-slow-cooker-sausages-peppers-and-onions.
Ingredients
3 bell peppers (any colors), sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
1 Parmesan rind (optional)
Salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1-1/2 to 2 pounds sweet or hot Italian sausage
One (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Torn basil leaves, for serving (optional)
Preparation
In a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker, add the peppers, onion, garlic powder, oregano and red pepper and Parmesan rind (if using). Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the sausage and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
With the heat off under the skillet, pour in the crushed tomatoes and scrape up any browned bits from the skillet. Scrape the tomatoes into the slow cooker. Toss gently to combine. Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked through, 4 to 6 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the basil, if desired.
CAMPBELL'S® EASY TURKEY POT PIE
I’m not sure where this recipe came from (other than from Campbell’s). I suspect I found it on the long-since-forgotten emailing list. Prep. time: 10 min. Cooking time: 30 min.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Cream of Chicken Soup OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1 pkg. (about 9 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup cubed cooked turkey OR chicken
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose baking mix
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Mix soup, vegetables and turkey in 9" pie plate.
Mix milk, egg and baking mix. Pour over turkey mixture. Bake 30 min. or until golden.
Tips
*Or use Campbell's® Cream of Chicken with Herbs Soup.
Serve with a tossed green salad. For dessert serve pineapple tidbits.
COOL, COOL GAZPACHO
This recipe comes from FamilyTime. Check this recipe out online here.
The recipe starts off, “Vegetable juice adds a burst of great flavor to this zesty gazpacho, bursting with diced fresh vegetables. It's a refreshing dish for a hot summer's day...but it's so easy to make, you can enjoy it any time.” Prep. Time: 30 minutes; serves 6 (about 1 1/4 cups each)
Ingredients
6 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 6 cups)
1 1/2 cups V8® 100% Vegetable Juice
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small green pepper, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
hot pepper sauce, to taste
Directions
Stir the tomatoes, vegetable juice, cucumber, onion, green pepper, garlic, oil, vinegar, black pepper and hot pepper sauce in a large mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
OLD-FASHIONED MEATLOAF
This comes from Verywellfit, and begins, “This lighter meatloaf recipe is similar to the one most of us enjoyed during our childhoods, but without all of the extra fat. Choose a lean ground beef or, better yet, ground turkey to cut down on the fat. And since you can't make meatloaf without breadcrumbs, why not replace the white, unrefined with whole wheat for added fiber? Also, using two egg whites in place of one whole egg will reduce the calories and fat while still helping to bind the mixture together.”
Total Time: 70; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground meat (85% to 90% lean, or ground turkey)
1 cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat)
1/4 cup onion (finely chopped or 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes)
2 cloves garlic (minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup water (or low-fat milk)
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients. Mix well, using your hands, but don't overmix because you will toughen the meat.
Turn mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips, and bake for about 1 hour.
To be sure the meatloaf is done, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the center of the loaf. The temperature should register 155F when it is done.
About 10 to 15 minutes before you think the meatloaf will be done, you can cover it with barbecue sauce if you like.
International Meatloaf
If you are looking for a different kind of meatloaf, try kofta kebabs, a Middle Eastern grilled ground meat recipe. The spices in this meat mixture (traditionally lamb) are a delicious change of pace from the usual. If you don't have the time or inclination to place them on skewers, you can make them into oblong-oval shapes that look like sausages without the casings.
Showing posts with label Cool Cool Gazpacho. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cool Cool Gazpacho. Show all posts
Friday, July 11, 2025
Friday, June 28, 2024
Friday Recipes
It's finally Friday. Yay! Do you have any plans for the weekend? I'll probably hit up the local library today (always a good call). I've found many favorite authors and books that way, without spending a dime, then turned around and bought books that I loved by the same authors at one of several independent bookstores. Then, puttering around the house, trying to get caught up on, well, everything. (Sound familiar?)
In the meantime, we still have to eat. To that end, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow Cooker Sausages, Peppers and Onions and Old-Fashioned Meatloaf. Enjoy!
PIZZA POT PIES
This is from Giada De Laurentiis, of The Food Network's Everyday Italian. Total Time: 1 hr 10 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 40 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Intermediate
Read more here.
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh minced rosemary leaves
2 ounces diced pancetta
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pizza Pot Pies:
3 cups Tomato Sauce
2 cups diced roasted chicken
2 cups broccoli cut into small, bite-sized pieces
1-1/2 cups diced mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 pounds pizza dough
1/3 cup olive oil
6 tablespoons grated Parmesan
Directions
Special equipment: 6 (10-ounce) ramekins
For the Tomato Sauce: Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, rosemary, and pancetta. Saute until the pancetta is crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, stir to combine, and simmer over very low heat for 15 minutes. Add the salt and pepper. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl combine the Tomato Sauce, chicken, broccoli, mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Divide the chicken mixture evenly between the ramekins. Roll out the pizza dough and cut circles with a pairing knife that are 1-inch wider in diameter than the ramekins. Place the circles of dough over the filled ramekins and press down to seal, making sure to pull the dough over the edge of the ramekin. Brush the top of the pizza dough with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cut a small slit in the top of the pizza dough with a pairing knife. Bake until the pizza crust is golden, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
ONE-POT CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH GREENS
This is from Yasmin Fahr in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Yasmin wrote, "An upside down take on typical skillet meatballs, these juicy garlic-and-herb filled ones are smothered in greens rather than being cooked on top or alongside them, an ingenious trick to streamline efforts for weeknight cooks. The meatballs first brown in the pot for both color and flavor, then are covered with a mound of greens, which achieves two feats: It gently finishes cooking the meatballs while the chard and lemon slices steam and collapse on top, draping themselves over these hidden delights. Scoop them up with a soup ladle, spooning the lemony pan sauce over everything."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025342-one-pot-chicken-meatballs-with-greens. Also, if you haven't signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it.
Ingredients
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup full-fat thick yogurt (preferably Greek or Icelandic)
2 garlic cloves, minced or grated
2 scallions, white and light green parts thinly sliced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Salt
1 pound ground chicken
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more as needed
1 pound rainbow or Swiss chard (1 large or 2 small bunches), tender stalks sliced and leaves cut into 1-inch ribbons
1 lemon, halved, 1/2 thinly sliced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Preparation
In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, yogurt, garlic, scallions, oregano, crushed red pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the chicken and gently mix until fully combined.
Coat your palms in olive oil, then shape the meat into 14 medium meatballs (about 2 inches each), making sure each is lightly coated with oil by refreshing the coating on your hands. Set the meatballs directly on a sheet pan or on parchment paper.
Heat a 12-inch Dutch oven (or other heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid) over medium heat for 2 minutes until hot. Pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, tilting the pot to coat the surface, then add the meatballs. Let cook until they are golden halfway up the sides, occasionally turning them when they easily release, adding extra oil if needed, about 7 minutes.
Meanwhile, to another large bowl, add the greens, lemon slices, cumin and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season with salt; toss to coat the leaves, scrunching them up as needed.
Smother the meatballs with the greens and lemon slices. Cover, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the meatballs are cooked through and the greens tender, 12 to 13 minutes.
Use a soup ladle to scoop up the meatballs, resting them on the greens, browned-side up and ladling any juices on top of the meatballs and greens. Cut the remaining lemon into wedges for serving, if desired.
SLOW COOKER SAUSAGES, PEPPERS AND ONIONS
This is from Ali Slagle on The New York Times cooking site. For this yummy recipe, Ali wrote, "The sure-fire combination of sausages, peppers and onions is ready-when-you-are when you make them in the slow cooker. (Once the sausages are cooked through and the peppers and onions are tender, they can hold on “warm” for up to 2 hours.) Searing the sausages in a skillet is the only cooking you’ll have to do, but it’s an important step that fortifies the sauce with the sausage’s brawny, spiced juices. The sweet peppers and onions will tangle in the light, tangy tomato sauce. (Save extra sauce for tomorrow’s pasta, or if you want a thicker sauce, strain and reduce in a saucepan on the stovetop.) Pile everything into a sub — perhaps with some mozzarella broiled on top — or over pasta, roasted potatoes or gnocchi."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours; Total Time: About 6 hours; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025352-slow-cooker-sausages-peppers-and-onions.
Ingredients
3 bell peppers (any colors), sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
1 Parmesan rind (optional)
Salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1-1/2 to 2 pounds sweet or hot Italian sausage
One (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Torn basil leaves, for serving (optional)
Preparation
In a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker, add the peppers, onion, garlic powder, oregano and red pepper and Parmesan rind (if using). Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the sausage and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
With the heat off under the skillet, pour in the crushed tomatoes and scrape up any browned bits from the skillet. Scrape the tomatoes into the slow cooker. Toss gently to combine. Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked through, 4 to 6 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the basil, if desired.
CAMPBELL'S® EASY TURKEY POT PIE
I’m not sure where this recipe came from (other than from Campbell’s). I suspect I found it on the long-since-forgotten emailing list. Prep. time: 10 min. Cooking time: 30 min.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Cream of Chicken Soup OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1 pkg. (about 9 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup cubed cooked turkey OR chicken
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose baking mix
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Mix soup, vegetables and turkey in 9" pie plate.
Mix milk, egg and baking mix. Pour over turkey mixture. Bake 30 min. or until golden.
Tips
*Or use Campbell's® Cream of Chicken with Herbs Soup.
Serve with a tossed green salad. For dessert serve pineapple tidbits.
COOL, COOL GAZPACHO
This recipe comes from FamilyTime. Check this recipe out online here.
The recipe starts off, “Vegetable juice adds a burst of great flavor to this zesty gazpacho, bursting with diced fresh vegetables. It's a refreshing dish for a hot summer's day...but it's so easy to make, you can enjoy it any time.” Prep. Time: 30 minutes; serves 6 (about 1 1/4 cups each)
Ingredients
6 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 6 cups)
1 1/2 cups V8® 100% Vegetable Juice
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small green pepper, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
hot pepper sauce, to taste
Directions
Stir the tomatoes, vegetable juice, cucumber, onion, green pepper, garlic, oil, vinegar, black pepper and hot pepper sauce in a large mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
OLD-FASHIONED MEATLOAF
This comes from Verywellfit, and begins, “This lighter meatloaf recipe is similar to the one most of us enjoyed during our childhoods, but without all of the extra fat. Choose a lean ground beef or, better yet, ground turkey to cut down on the fat. And since you can't make meatloaf without breadcrumbs, why not replace the white, unrefined with whole wheat for added fiber? Also, using two egg whites in place of one whole egg will reduce the calories and fat while still helping to bind the mixture together.”
Total Time: 70; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground meat (85% to 90% lean, or ground turkey)
1 cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat)
1/4 cup onion (finely chopped or 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes)
2 cloves garlic (minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup water (or low-fat milk)
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients. Mix well, using your hands, but don't overmix because you will toughen the meat.
Turn mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips, and bake for about 1 hour.
To be sure the meatloaf is done, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the center of the loaf. The temperature should register 155F when it is done.
About 10 to 15 minutes before you think the meatloaf will be done, you can cover it with barbecue sauce if you like.
International Meatloaf
If you are looking for a different kind of meatloaf, try kofta kebabs, a Middle Eastern grilled ground meat recipe. The spices in this meat mixture (traditionally lamb) are a delicious change of pace from the usual. If you don't have the time or inclination to place them on skewers, you can make them into oblong-oval shapes that look like sausages without the casings.
In the meantime, we still have to eat. To that end, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow Cooker Sausages, Peppers and Onions and Old-Fashioned Meatloaf. Enjoy!
PIZZA POT PIES
This is from Giada De Laurentiis, of The Food Network's Everyday Italian. Total Time: 1 hr 10 min; Prep: 30 min; Cook: 40 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Intermediate
Read more here.
Ingredients
Tomato Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh minced rosemary leaves
2 ounces diced pancetta
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pizza Pot Pies:
3 cups Tomato Sauce
2 cups diced roasted chicken
2 cups broccoli cut into small, bite-sized pieces
1-1/2 cups diced mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 pounds pizza dough
1/3 cup olive oil
6 tablespoons grated Parmesan
Directions
Special equipment: 6 (10-ounce) ramekins
For the Tomato Sauce: Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, rosemary, and pancetta. Saute until the pancetta is crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, stir to combine, and simmer over very low heat for 15 minutes. Add the salt and pepper. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl combine the Tomato Sauce, chicken, broccoli, mozzarella, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Divide the chicken mixture evenly between the ramekins. Roll out the pizza dough and cut circles with a pairing knife that are 1-inch wider in diameter than the ramekins. Place the circles of dough over the filled ramekins and press down to seal, making sure to pull the dough over the edge of the ramekin. Brush the top of the pizza dough with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cut a small slit in the top of the pizza dough with a pairing knife. Bake until the pizza crust is golden, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
ONE-POT CHICKEN MEATBALLS WITH GREENS
This is from Yasmin Fahr in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Yasmin wrote, "An upside down take on typical skillet meatballs, these juicy garlic-and-herb filled ones are smothered in greens rather than being cooked on top or alongside them, an ingenious trick to streamline efforts for weeknight cooks. The meatballs first brown in the pot for both color and flavor, then are covered with a mound of greens, which achieves two feats: It gently finishes cooking the meatballs while the chard and lemon slices steam and collapse on top, draping themselves over these hidden delights. Scoop them up with a soup ladle, spooning the lemony pan sauce over everything."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025342-one-pot-chicken-meatballs-with-greens. Also, if you haven't signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it.
Ingredients
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup full-fat thick yogurt (preferably Greek or Icelandic)
2 garlic cloves, minced or grated
2 scallions, white and light green parts thinly sliced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Salt
1 pound ground chicken
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more as needed
1 pound rainbow or Swiss chard (1 large or 2 small bunches), tender stalks sliced and leaves cut into 1-inch ribbons
1 lemon, halved, 1/2 thinly sliced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Preparation
In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, yogurt, garlic, scallions, oregano, crushed red pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the chicken and gently mix until fully combined.
Coat your palms in olive oil, then shape the meat into 14 medium meatballs (about 2 inches each), making sure each is lightly coated with oil by refreshing the coating on your hands. Set the meatballs directly on a sheet pan or on parchment paper.
Heat a 12-inch Dutch oven (or other heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid) over medium heat for 2 minutes until hot. Pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, tilting the pot to coat the surface, then add the meatballs. Let cook until they are golden halfway up the sides, occasionally turning them when they easily release, adding extra oil if needed, about 7 minutes.
Meanwhile, to another large bowl, add the greens, lemon slices, cumin and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season with salt; toss to coat the leaves, scrunching them up as needed.
Smother the meatballs with the greens and lemon slices. Cover, reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the meatballs are cooked through and the greens tender, 12 to 13 minutes.
Use a soup ladle to scoop up the meatballs, resting them on the greens, browned-side up and ladling any juices on top of the meatballs and greens. Cut the remaining lemon into wedges for serving, if desired.
SLOW COOKER SAUSAGES, PEPPERS AND ONIONS
This is from Ali Slagle on The New York Times cooking site. For this yummy recipe, Ali wrote, "The sure-fire combination of sausages, peppers and onions is ready-when-you-are when you make them in the slow cooker. (Once the sausages are cooked through and the peppers and onions are tender, they can hold on “warm” for up to 2 hours.) Searing the sausages in a skillet is the only cooking you’ll have to do, but it’s an important step that fortifies the sauce with the sausage’s brawny, spiced juices. The sweet peppers and onions will tangle in the light, tangy tomato sauce. (Save extra sauce for tomorrow’s pasta, or if you want a thicker sauce, strain and reduce in a saucepan on the stovetop.) Pile everything into a sub — perhaps with some mozzarella broiled on top — or over pasta, roasted potatoes or gnocchi."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours; Total Time: About 6 hours; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1025352-slow-cooker-sausages-peppers-and-onions.
Ingredients
3 bell peppers (any colors), sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 large yellow onion, halved and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
1 Parmesan rind (optional)
Salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1-1/2 to 2 pounds sweet or hot Italian sausage
One (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Torn basil leaves, for serving (optional)
Preparation
In a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker, add the peppers, onion, garlic powder, oregano and red pepper and Parmesan rind (if using). Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the sausage and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
With the heat off under the skillet, pour in the crushed tomatoes and scrape up any browned bits from the skillet. Scrape the tomatoes into the slow cooker. Toss gently to combine. Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender and the sausage is cooked through, 4 to 6 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the basil, if desired.
CAMPBELL'S® EASY TURKEY POT PIE
I’m not sure where this recipe came from (other than from Campbell’s). I suspect I found it on the long-since-forgotten emailing list. Prep. time: 10 min. Cooking time: 30 min.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Cream of Chicken Soup OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
1 pkg. (about 9 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup cubed cooked turkey OR chicken
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose baking mix
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Mix soup, vegetables and turkey in 9" pie plate.
Mix milk, egg and baking mix. Pour over turkey mixture. Bake 30 min. or until golden.
Tips
*Or use Campbell's® Cream of Chicken with Herbs Soup.
Serve with a tossed green salad. For dessert serve pineapple tidbits.
COOL, COOL GAZPACHO
This recipe comes from FamilyTime. Check this recipe out online here.
The recipe starts off, “Vegetable juice adds a burst of great flavor to this zesty gazpacho, bursting with diced fresh vegetables. It's a refreshing dish for a hot summer's day...but it's so easy to make, you can enjoy it any time.” Prep. Time: 30 minutes; serves 6 (about 1 1/4 cups each)
Ingredients
6 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 6 cups)
1 1/2 cups V8® 100% Vegetable Juice
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small green pepper, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
hot pepper sauce, to taste
Directions
Stir the tomatoes, vegetable juice, cucumber, onion, green pepper, garlic, oil, vinegar, black pepper and hot pepper sauce in a large mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
OLD-FASHIONED MEATLOAF
This comes from Verywellfit, and begins, “This lighter meatloaf recipe is similar to the one most of us enjoyed during our childhoods, but without all of the extra fat. Choose a lean ground beef or, better yet, ground turkey to cut down on the fat. And since you can't make meatloaf without breadcrumbs, why not replace the white, unrefined with whole wheat for added fiber? Also, using two egg whites in place of one whole egg will reduce the calories and fat while still helping to bind the mixture together.”
Total Time: 70; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground meat (85% to 90% lean, or ground turkey)
1 cup breadcrumbs (whole wheat)
1/4 cup onion (finely chopped or 1 tablespoon dehydrated onion flakes)
2 cloves garlic (minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup water (or low-fat milk)
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients. Mix well, using your hands, but don't overmix because you will toughen the meat.
Turn mixture into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips, and bake for about 1 hour.
To be sure the meatloaf is done, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the center of the loaf. The temperature should register 155F when it is done.
About 10 to 15 minutes before you think the meatloaf will be done, you can cover it with barbecue sauce if you like.
International Meatloaf
If you are looking for a different kind of meatloaf, try kofta kebabs, a Middle Eastern grilled ground meat recipe. The spices in this meat mixture (traditionally lamb) are a delicious change of pace from the usual. If you don't have the time or inclination to place them on skewers, you can make them into oblong-oval shapes that look like sausages without the casings.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Weekend Meals
Finally! You've waited all week for Friday and the weekend! Here it is, along with yummy meals for the weekend. Enjoy!
RED, RED SALAD
From the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8 and is ready in 30 minutes or less, begins, “Reminiscent of the '50s favorite chopped salad, this dish indulges your whim for something red and colorful for spring and summer eating. You can dress this with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar mixture or any other preferred dressing. Because this is a focal point for lunch or supper, accompany the salad with grilled cheese squares and wrap the meal up with a tempting sweet, such as a wedge of berry pie. Toast the meal with icy lemonade. This makes about 8 1- to 1 1/2-cup servings.”
1 bunch radishes, greens removed, trimmed and quartered
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad dressing to taste
Put all vegetables and beans in a large salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Dress with salad dressing, toss and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 100; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
COOL, COOL GAZPACHO
This recipe comes from FamilyTime. Check this recipe out online here.
The recipe starts off, “Vegetable juice adds a burst of great flavor to this zesty gazpacho, bursting with diced fresh vegetables. It's a refreshing dish for a hot summer's day...but it's so easy to make, you can enjoy it any time.” Prep. Time: 30 minutes; serves 6 (about 1 1/4 cups each)
Ingredients
6 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 6 cups)
1 1/2 cups V8® 100% Vegetable Juice
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small green pepper, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
hot pepper sauce, to taste
Directions
Stir the tomatoes, vegetable juice, cucumber, onion, green pepper, garlic, oil, vinegar, black pepper and hot pepper sauce in a large mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
ALMOND CAKE WITH RASPBERRIES & CHOCOLATE GANACHE
From Seattle's Macrina Bakery. The recipe states, “This combination of toasted almonds in a buttery cake, accompanied by fresh raspberries and bittersweet chocolate ganache is our best-selling wedding cake. It satisfies everyone's taste with nuts, fruit, and of course, chocolate. This recipe makes individually sized cakes that are baked in a jumbo muffin pan. Once they've cooled, you remove the paper liner, invert the cakes so the tapered side is up, fill with sweetened cream and raspberries, and top with chocolate ganache.” Makes 8 Jumbo cupcakes.
For the batter:
1/2 cup raw almonds (skins on), toasted
1-1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt, divided
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
For the whipped cream filling:
1 pint fresh raspberries (about 24 berries)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
For the chocolate ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400°F. Lightly grease the top of a jumbo muffin pan with canola oil to prevent any stray batter from sticking, and line 8 cups with jumbo cupcake liners.
To make the batter, first grind the toasted almonds in a food processor until they are very fine and powdery. (Alternatively, grind them by hand: chop the nuts as finely as you can with a chef's knife, then use the flat side of the knife to crush the chopped nuts into a powder.) Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl. Add the almonds and toss with your hands to evenly distribute. Set aside.
Whisk 2 tablespoons of the yogurt, eggs, and almond and vanilla extracts in a small bowl. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar; start on low speed and increase to medium, stopping to scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed to fully incorporate the ingredients. The mixture will be light, fluffy, and pale. Add the flour mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup yogurt, slowly mixing for 1 minute. Once the flour is incorporated, increase to medium speed and mix for 1 minute more, then scrape down the bowl again. Add the egg mixture in 3 additions, mixing for 20 seconds after each addition, then scraping down the bowl.
Using a large spoon or #30 ice cream scoop, fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter. Smooth the tops for even baking. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cupcakes are deep golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. (Note that these cupcakes will rise only to the top of the muffin pan as they bake.) Cool them in the pan for 45 minutes, then remove them and peel off the cupcake liners. Invert the cakes onto a plate, so the bottoms are up and using a teaspoon, scoop out a 1-1/2 inch ball from the center of each cake and discard (or eat!) the cake.
To make the filling, pick through the raspberries, reserving 8 beauties for garnish. Whisk the heavy cream and sugar in a small bowl, whipping until they form medium-firm peaks, then fold in the raspberries. You want the berries to break up a bit—but don't let them get soupy. Spoon the raspberry whipped cream into the hole in the cakes, piling in as much as you can and leveling the top.
To make the ganache, pour the heavy cream into a small saucepan. Over medium heat bring the cream to a froth just before it boils. Turn off the heat and add the semisweet and bittersweet chocolate chips. Using a rubber spatula, stir until the chocolate completely melts, then remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. The ganache will thicken as it cools.
To assemble, top each cake with 1 tablespoon of the ganache; spread it evenly, but leave a little of the golden cake showing around the edges. Garnish with a raspberry.
These cakes taste best the day they are made. You can prepare them up to the point of making the filling and store, covered, at room temperature for 2 days.
FIESTA SLAW
Makes 10 servings. Find online here.
Ingredients
5 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
3 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tsp. canned chipotle chilies, rinsed, drained and chopped
1 Tbsp. honey
1 large red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 large green bell pepper, cut into thin
1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
12 oz. jicama, peeled, cut into thin strips
1/3 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Puree first 5 ingredients in a blender or food processor until dressing is smooth.
Place peppers, jicama and cilantro in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss to mix and coat well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until the vegetables soften a little but remain crunchy. (About 4 hours.)
Serve at room temperature.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 42; Protein: 1 g; Sodium: 42 mg; Fat: under 1 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable
BLUEBERRY SORBET
Fiona Haynes is About.com's Low Fat Cooking guide. She writes, “Sorbet is a refreshing, low calorie, virtually fat free summertime treat. Blueberries make for a gorgeous, intensely purple sorbet. If, like me, you don't have an ice cream maker, the second stint in the blender or food processor improves the texture of the sorbet, to make it smoother. If you do have an ice cream maker, simply place the chilled syrup and pureed blueberries into the can and follow the manufacturer's instructions.” Serves 8.
Ingredients:
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
2 lbs/1 quart fresh blueberries
2 tbsp lemon juice
Preparation:
Stir sugar and water together in a small saucepan over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Bring sugar and water syrup to a boil, then remove from heat. Allow to cool in pan for a 1/2 hour (the syrup is extremely hot) before transferring to a 1 cup container and chilling it for an hour in the refrigerator.
While the syrup is cooling, place blueberries in a food processor or blender (you may need to do this in two batches). Blend blueberries to a puree, then pour through a sieve into a medium size bowl. Add lemon juice, and stir well.
Refrigerate puree until syrup has chilled – about 1 hour.
Combine chilled syrup and blueberry puree, then transfer to an 8-inch metal baking pan (stainless steel is best).
Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 3 hours. Remove sorbet from freezer and puree once more in a food processor or blender. Return blueberry puree mixture to metal pan, cover and freeze for 3-4 more hours. Remove from freezer about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Per Serving: Calories 112, Calories from Fat 2, Total Fat 0.3g, (Sat 0g), Cholesterol 0g, Sodium 4mg, Carbohydrate 27.1, Fiber 2g, Protein 0.5g
BROWN SUGAR & ALMOND COFFEECAKE
Another yummy recipe from Macrina Bakery. The emailed recipe started off, “NOTE: We've updated the recipe to include the bake time for the perfect Brown Sugar & Almond Coffeecake. This coffeecake is a stand-out favorite among our brunch customers. I like to use fresh berries whenever possible, but frozen fruit will also work well in this recipe.” All I know is that it's good. Makes 1 (9-inch square) cake.
4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
2-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
10 ounces (2-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1-3/4 cups light brown sugar
5 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tsp pure almond extract
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
1 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
Powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 325° F. Oil a 9" square pan
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Toss with your hands and set aside. Combine butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed for 5 to 8 minutes to cream the butter. The mixture should be smooth and pale in color.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, and almond and vanilla extracts. Mix with a whisk. Add a small amount of egg mixture to the bowl of creamed butter and mix on medium speed until fully incorporated. Continue adding small amounts until all of the egg mixture is mixed into the butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and mix for another 30 seconds.
Remove the bowl from your stand mixer. Alternately add small amounts of the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the bowl, mixing with a wooden spoon just until all the ingredients are incorporated. Fold in the raspberries taking care not to smash the fruit. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle chopped almonds over the top.
Bake on center rack of oven for about 1 hour, or until glolden brown. Test center of cake with a skewer. It will come out clean when the cake is finished. Let cool for 20 minutes on a wire rack, then dust with powdered sugar and cut into pieces. This coffeecake will be fragile until it has completely cooled, so remove the warm pieces carefully, using a pie server to lift the pieces out of the pan.
RED, RED SALAD
From the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8 and is ready in 30 minutes or less, begins, “Reminiscent of the '50s favorite chopped salad, this dish indulges your whim for something red and colorful for spring and summer eating. You can dress this with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar mixture or any other preferred dressing. Because this is a focal point for lunch or supper, accompany the salad with grilled cheese squares and wrap the meal up with a tempting sweet, such as a wedge of berry pie. Toast the meal with icy lemonade. This makes about 8 1- to 1 1/2-cup servings.”
1 bunch radishes, greens removed, trimmed and quartered
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad dressing to taste
Put all vegetables and beans in a large salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Dress with salad dressing, toss and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 100; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
COOL, COOL GAZPACHO
This recipe comes from FamilyTime. Check this recipe out online here.
The recipe starts off, “Vegetable juice adds a burst of great flavor to this zesty gazpacho, bursting with diced fresh vegetables. It's a refreshing dish for a hot summer's day...but it's so easy to make, you can enjoy it any time.” Prep. Time: 30 minutes; serves 6 (about 1 1/4 cups each)
Ingredients
6 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 6 cups)
1 1/2 cups V8® 100% Vegetable Juice
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small green pepper, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
hot pepper sauce, to taste
Directions
Stir the tomatoes, vegetable juice, cucumber, onion, green pepper, garlic, oil, vinegar, black pepper and hot pepper sauce in a large mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
ALMOND CAKE WITH RASPBERRIES & CHOCOLATE GANACHE
From Seattle's Macrina Bakery. The recipe states, “This combination of toasted almonds in a buttery cake, accompanied by fresh raspberries and bittersweet chocolate ganache is our best-selling wedding cake. It satisfies everyone's taste with nuts, fruit, and of course, chocolate. This recipe makes individually sized cakes that are baked in a jumbo muffin pan. Once they've cooled, you remove the paper liner, invert the cakes so the tapered side is up, fill with sweetened cream and raspberries, and top with chocolate ganache.” Makes 8 Jumbo cupcakes.
For the batter:
1/2 cup raw almonds (skins on), toasted
1-1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt, divided
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
For the whipped cream filling:
1 pint fresh raspberries (about 24 berries)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
For the chocolate ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400°F. Lightly grease the top of a jumbo muffin pan with canola oil to prevent any stray batter from sticking, and line 8 cups with jumbo cupcake liners.
To make the batter, first grind the toasted almonds in a food processor until they are very fine and powdery. (Alternatively, grind them by hand: chop the nuts as finely as you can with a chef's knife, then use the flat side of the knife to crush the chopped nuts into a powder.) Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl. Add the almonds and toss with your hands to evenly distribute. Set aside.
Whisk 2 tablespoons of the yogurt, eggs, and almond and vanilla extracts in a small bowl. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar; start on low speed and increase to medium, stopping to scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed to fully incorporate the ingredients. The mixture will be light, fluffy, and pale. Add the flour mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup yogurt, slowly mixing for 1 minute. Once the flour is incorporated, increase to medium speed and mix for 1 minute more, then scrape down the bowl again. Add the egg mixture in 3 additions, mixing for 20 seconds after each addition, then scraping down the bowl.
Using a large spoon or #30 ice cream scoop, fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter. Smooth the tops for even baking. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cupcakes are deep golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. (Note that these cupcakes will rise only to the top of the muffin pan as they bake.) Cool them in the pan for 45 minutes, then remove them and peel off the cupcake liners. Invert the cakes onto a plate, so the bottoms are up and using a teaspoon, scoop out a 1-1/2 inch ball from the center of each cake and discard (or eat!) the cake.
To make the filling, pick through the raspberries, reserving 8 beauties for garnish. Whisk the heavy cream and sugar in a small bowl, whipping until they form medium-firm peaks, then fold in the raspberries. You want the berries to break up a bit—but don't let them get soupy. Spoon the raspberry whipped cream into the hole in the cakes, piling in as much as you can and leveling the top.
To make the ganache, pour the heavy cream into a small saucepan. Over medium heat bring the cream to a froth just before it boils. Turn off the heat and add the semisweet and bittersweet chocolate chips. Using a rubber spatula, stir until the chocolate completely melts, then remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. The ganache will thicken as it cools.
To assemble, top each cake with 1 tablespoon of the ganache; spread it evenly, but leave a little of the golden cake showing around the edges. Garnish with a raspberry.
These cakes taste best the day they are made. You can prepare them up to the point of making the filling and store, covered, at room temperature for 2 days.
FIESTA SLAW
Makes 10 servings. Find online here.
Ingredients
5 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
3 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tsp. canned chipotle chilies, rinsed, drained and chopped
1 Tbsp. honey
1 large red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 large green bell pepper, cut into thin
1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
12 oz. jicama, peeled, cut into thin strips
1/3 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Puree first 5 ingredients in a blender or food processor until dressing is smooth.
Place peppers, jicama and cilantro in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss to mix and coat well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until the vegetables soften a little but remain crunchy. (About 4 hours.)
Serve at room temperature.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 42; Protein: 1 g; Sodium: 42 mg; Fat: under 1 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable
BLUEBERRY SORBET
Fiona Haynes is About.com's Low Fat Cooking guide. She writes, “Sorbet is a refreshing, low calorie, virtually fat free summertime treat. Blueberries make for a gorgeous, intensely purple sorbet. If, like me, you don't have an ice cream maker, the second stint in the blender or food processor improves the texture of the sorbet, to make it smoother. If you do have an ice cream maker, simply place the chilled syrup and pureed blueberries into the can and follow the manufacturer's instructions.” Serves 8.
Ingredients:
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
2 lbs/1 quart fresh blueberries
2 tbsp lemon juice
Preparation:
Stir sugar and water together in a small saucepan over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Bring sugar and water syrup to a boil, then remove from heat. Allow to cool in pan for a 1/2 hour (the syrup is extremely hot) before transferring to a 1 cup container and chilling it for an hour in the refrigerator.
While the syrup is cooling, place blueberries in a food processor or blender (you may need to do this in two batches). Blend blueberries to a puree, then pour through a sieve into a medium size bowl. Add lemon juice, and stir well.
Refrigerate puree until syrup has chilled – about 1 hour.
Combine chilled syrup and blueberry puree, then transfer to an 8-inch metal baking pan (stainless steel is best).
Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 3 hours. Remove sorbet from freezer and puree once more in a food processor or blender. Return blueberry puree mixture to metal pan, cover and freeze for 3-4 more hours. Remove from freezer about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Per Serving: Calories 112, Calories from Fat 2, Total Fat 0.3g, (Sat 0g), Cholesterol 0g, Sodium 4mg, Carbohydrate 27.1, Fiber 2g, Protein 0.5g
BROWN SUGAR & ALMOND COFFEECAKE
Another yummy recipe from Macrina Bakery. The emailed recipe started off, “NOTE: We've updated the recipe to include the bake time for the perfect Brown Sugar & Almond Coffeecake. This coffeecake is a stand-out favorite among our brunch customers. I like to use fresh berries whenever possible, but frozen fruit will also work well in this recipe.” All I know is that it's good. Makes 1 (9-inch square) cake.
4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
2-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
10 ounces (2-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1-3/4 cups light brown sugar
5 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tsp pure almond extract
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
1 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
Powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 325° F. Oil a 9" square pan
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Toss with your hands and set aside. Combine butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed for 5 to 8 minutes to cream the butter. The mixture should be smooth and pale in color.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, and almond and vanilla extracts. Mix with a whisk. Add a small amount of egg mixture to the bowl of creamed butter and mix on medium speed until fully incorporated. Continue adding small amounts until all of the egg mixture is mixed into the butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and mix for another 30 seconds.
Remove the bowl from your stand mixer. Alternately add small amounts of the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the bowl, mixing with a wooden spoon just until all the ingredients are incorporated. Fold in the raspberries taking care not to smash the fruit. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle chopped almonds over the top.
Bake on center rack of oven for about 1 hour, or until glolden brown. Test center of cake with a skewer. It will come out clean when the cake is finished. Let cool for 20 minutes on a wire rack, then dust with powdered sugar and cut into pieces. This coffeecake will be fragile until it has completely cooled, so remove the warm pieces carefully, using a pie server to lift the pieces out of the pan.
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