How many variations are there of Macaroni and Cheese? Probably as many variations as people who cook up Mac and Cheese.
It seems that one person can take another's recipe, and soon, the recipe is getting tweaked just enough to make it your own.
Here are six Mac and Cheese recipes to get you started on the American classic. Enjoy!
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Here is Julia Moskin's fantasy of what this dish should be: nothing more than tender elbows of pasta suspended in pure molten cheddar, with a chewy, golden-brown crust of cheese on top.” Time: 1 hour 40 minutes; makes 6 to 8 servings.
To view this oneline, click here.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup cottage cheese (not lowfat)
2 cups milk (not skim)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch cayenne
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 pound elbow pasta, uncooked
Preparation
Heat oven to 375 degrees and position an oven rack in upper third of oven. Use 1 tablespoon butter to butter a 9-inch round or square baking pan.
In a blender, purée cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg and salt and pepper together. Reserve 1/4 cup grated cheese for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining grated cheese, milk mixture and uncooked pasta. Pour into prepared pan, cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes.
Uncover pan, stir gently, sprinkle with reserved cheese and dot with remaining tablespoon butter. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes more, until browned. Let cool at least 15 minutes before serving.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Alton Brown of The Food Network’s Good Eats. Total Time: 1 hr 5 min; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 45 min; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/baked-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper
Topping:
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.
Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.
Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from Katie Workman, About.com’s Cooking for Families expert. Katie wrote, “My kids like Kraft macaroni and cheese. There, I said it. I haven’t made it in a long time although, like most of us, I have succumbed to the call of the blue box at times. But every now when they eat it at a friend’s house, I definitely get to hear about it later: ‘Kiefer gets to have the macaroni and cheese in the box every night! Why can’t we ever have that?’
“Still, they seem to be willing to shovel in this homemade version at a pretty fast clip, and we can pronounce all of the ingredients. Laced with a blend of cheeses and enriched with milk and cream, even grown-up guests tend to sigh with pleasure while looking at the browned panko crust sitting atop a bubbling casserole of cavatelli nestled in a sauce fragrant with a mixture of Gruyère and cheddar. (Although we call it macaroni and cheese, the actual pasta shape is up for grabs.) It’s hard to think of a single dish with more universal kid appeal.
“The Dijon mustard and red pepper flakes give the macaroni and cheese a little kick, a little edge, and save the dish from being too intensively rich and creamy (not that there’s anything wrong with that). And, no, this isn’t low fat. Thanks for asking.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: Serves 6-8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Panko Topping
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs, see Note)
1⁄2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For the Pasta and Cheese Sauce
4 tablespoons (1⁄2 stick) unsalted butter, plus butter for greasing the baking dish
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
4 1⁄2 cups 2-percent or whole milk (however indulgent you’re feeling)
1 cups heavy (whipping) cream
5 cups coarsely grated flavorful cheese, such as sharp cheddar or Gruyère, or a mix (see Note below)
1⁄2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1⁄2 teaspoons kosher or coarse salt, or more to taste
1⁄2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
1 1⁄2 packages (24 ounces) dried cavatelli, ziti, penne, or any short pasta
Preparations
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a shallow 4-quart baking dish.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously, and let the water return to a boil.
Meanwhile, make the panko topping: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat or place it in a medium-size microwave-safe dish and heat it in a microwave oven until melted, 15 seconds. Add the panko and the Parmesan and stir until well combined. Set the panko topping aside.
Make the pasta and sauce: Melt the butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook, stirring, until the flour is blond in color, about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high and let come to a simmer, whisking frequently. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer until it starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add the cream, grated cheese, Parmesan, mustard, salt, and black pepper, stirring until everything is smooth. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and/or black pepper as necessary.Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook it until barely al dente (follow the package directions but stop a minute or two before the pasta is completely tender). Set aside 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Whisk the reserved pasta cooking water into the cheese sauce, combining it thoroughly. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. There will appear to be a lot of sauce. Some of it will be absorbed into the pasta as it cooks, and in my book saucy is better than dry.
Sprinkle the panko topping evenly over the pasta and bake it until golden and bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Let the pasta sit for a few minutes before serving.
Note:
What cheese to use?
Katie wrote, “I keep changing up the cheese in this dish, depending on what I have on hand, and so my mac and cheese never tastes the same twice, which I find part of the thrill. My lovely dish-washing husband, however, has been known to look sadly at the last few globs on the plates and say wistfully, ‘Well, we’ll never eat that again,’ already mourning the delicious, undocumented combination of cheeses that has come and gone.
“Some good basic cheeses to start with are sharp or extra sharp cheddar, Gruyère, Swiss, Manchego, and fontina, or any combination of these. You can also use bits of softer cheeses, like Brie or fresh, mild goat cheese if you have some small pieces lingering about. Remove all rinds you wouldn’t want to see floating around in your mac and cheese and unless you really know your audience, stay away from very potent cheeses like blue cheese or smoked cheese or anything particularly stinky.”
SPINACH MACARONI AND CHEESE
There are probably as many variations of mac and cheese as there are American cooks. This one is from Lori Mama on Food.com. On her Food.com page, Lori wrote, “It's all my father's fault I like to cook and I thank him for it. Ever since he taught me how to fry an egg, it's been a happy adventure ever since.” Works for me!
Of this recipe, Lori added, “Made for my husband.” Makes 4 servings; Total Time: 30 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cooking Time: 15 minutes.
To view this yumminess online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups macaroni pasta, cooked
1 cup chopped cooked spinach
2 cups hot milk
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons horseradish
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425.
In medium sized pot, over medium heat, melt butter.
Add the flour and cook for 3 minutes.
Pour in the hot milk and cook until thickened.
Add the spinach, cheese, seasonings, horseradish and mustard.
Mix well.
Combine with the cooked pasta.
Place in a greased cassarole dish.
Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until bubbling.
MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Giada De Laurentiis, and begins, “Creamy three-cheese mac and cheese with Parmesan, mozzarella, fontina and baked ham.”
As Seen On: Everyday Italian. Pasta Potluck.
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Serving Size: Serves 6.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Butter, for greasing dish
12 ounces wide egg noodles
2 cups heavy cream
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups (packed) grated Fontina
3/4 cup (packed) finely grated Parmesan
3/4 cup (packed) grated mozzarella
4 ounces cooked ham, diced, optional
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Butter a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Drain well, but do not rinse.
Whisk the cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in large bowl to blend. Stir in 1 cup Fontina, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, ham, if using, and parsley. Add the noodles and toss to coat. Transfer the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Toss the remaining 1 cup Fontina, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup mozzarella in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the noodle mixture. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and begins to brown on top, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
SLOW COOKER MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from country music star Trisha Yearwood, who also stars in The Food Network show Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. Total Time: 3 hr 25 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 3 hr 15 min; Yield: 12 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/crockpot-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
Cooking spray
8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked
One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick ) of butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
Two 10-ounce bricks sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 5 cups)
Dash of paprika
Directions
In a large 4-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray, mix the macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, butter, salt, pepper, eggs and all but 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Turn off the slow cooker, stir the mixture and serve hot.
Showing posts with label Giada De Laurentiis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Giada De Laurentiis. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Monday, May 16, 2016
Meatless Monday
It's Monday, which means Meatless Monday. Here are today's six vegetarian recipes to get your week started. Enjoy!
RUSTIC PEACH-BLUEBERRY TART
This comes from the July 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “This tart recipe can be made with any fresh fruit—simply substitute 6 cups of your favorite fruit for the peaches and blueberries called for below. When peaches and berries aren't in season, you can also make this tart with frozen fruit.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
6 oz. Neufchâtel cheese, diced
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) butter, diced
5 medium-size peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced (about 5 cups)
1 1/2 cups blueberries
1/3 cup sugar
3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbs. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Ice cream or 2 cups sweetened whipped cream, optional
To make Cornmeal Crust: Pulse flour, cornmeal, sugar and salt in food processor 2 or 3 times to combine. Add cheese and butter, and blend until dough resembles coarse meal. Add 3 Tbs. cold water, and pulse several times, or until dough comes together. Pat into a flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill 1 hour, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
To make Peach-Blueberry Filling: Toss peaches, blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and cinnamon in large bowl. Let stand 15 minutes, or until sugar is dissolved.
Place sheet of parchment paper on work surface, and sprinkle with flour. Roll dough into 12-inch round. Fold in edge 1/2 inch to create sides. Slide parchment and dough onto ungreased baking sheet or pizza pan.
Spoon fruit in center of crust with slotted spoon. Discard juices. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350F, and bake 20 minutes more, or until crust is crisp and brown. Let cool 10 minutes. Slide tart from parchment onto serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature, and top with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 319; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 52 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 123 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 29 g
FRESH HERB POTATO ROSTI
This recipe comes from the November/December 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 42, and begins, “If you like hash browns, you’ll love this easy hors d’oeuvre from Austria that is nothing more than grated potatoes and fresh herbs fried in a little olive oil. Serve in wedges (as shown), or cut into small squares for bite-size nibbles. If you’re making rösti for a crowd, prepare the potato cakes ahead of time, then reheat them in the skillet before serving.” Ready in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and grated (1 1/2 lb.)
4 tsp. fresh chives, coarsely chopped
4 tsp. fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
4 tsp. fresh tarragon, coarsely chopped
2 Tbs. olive oil
Squeeze as much liquid as possible out of grated potatoes, then place in bowl, and toss with chives, parsley, and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Heat 1 Tbs. oil in 9-inch skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat. Press potato mixture into pan, and cook 10 minutes, or until bottom of rösti is golden brown. Loosen bottom and sides of rösti, then slide onto plate. Add remaining 1 Tbs. oil to pan, flip rösti back into pan (browned side up), and cook 10 to 15 minutes more, or until second side of rösti is golden brown. Loosen rösti, then slide onto serving plate. Cut into wedges or squares, and serve warm.
nutritional information Per Per slice: Calories: 184; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 8 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
MINI WHOOPIE PIES
This comes from the November/December 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, pagae 62. It begins, "Want to win over the cookie lovers in your family? Make a batch of miniature whoopie pies! Kids will love the sweet marshmallow cream filling, while kids at heart can appreciate the tender chocolate cookies with a richer flavor than store-bought versions. The secret to their perfectly round shape is using a makeshift pastry bag made by snipping a corner from a resealable plastic bag." Makes 20 cookies.
To view this online, click here.
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup low-fat milk, at room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips, melted and slightly cooled
1 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup marshmallow cream, such as Marshmallow Fluff
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cream together sugar and butter with whisk until smooth and sugar begins to dissolve. Whisk in egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Add melted chocolate and cocoa, and mix until smooth. Stir in flour with wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Do not overmix.
Transfer batter to 1-gal. resealable plastic bag or pastry bag fitted with small round tip. Trim 1/2-inch tip from corner of resealable plastic bag (if using) with scissors. Squeeze 40 1-inch dollops of batter onto baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes, or until tops look dry and smooth. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet; transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
To assemble: Spoon 1/2 tsp. marshmallow cream on bottoms of 20 cookies. Top with remaining cookies.
nutritional information Per Per cookie: Calories: 101; Protein: 1 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Cholesterol: 17 mg; Sodium: 9 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: 10 g
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
SIMPLE BARBECUE SAUCE
This comes from John Willoughby in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. John wrote, “Smoked paprika is the secret weapon in this simple barbecue sauce, which goes beautifully with pork and chicken. If you’re painting the sauce onto cooking meat, thin it out with water to about a one-to-one ratio, which will keep the sugars from burning too quickly over the fire. Serve the full-strength stuff alongside the finished meat.” Time: 10 minutes; makes about 1 1/2 cups.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons pimentón (smoked Spanish paprika)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.
QUICK AND SPICY TOMATO SOUP
This comes from Giada De Laurentiis of The Food Network’s Everyday Italian. Total Time: 22 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 12 min; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
Note: The original recipe includes 2 (14-ounce) cans of chicken broth; I've changed that to vegetable broth.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/quick-and-spi cy-tomato-soup-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce (recommended: San Marzano brand)
2 (14-ounce) cans vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup pastina pasta (or any small pasta)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Warm the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onion, and garlic and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the jar of marinara sauce, chicken broth, cannellini beans, red pepper flakes, pasta, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve.
RUSTIC PEACH-BLUEBERRY TART
This comes from the July 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times. It begins, “This tart recipe can be made with any fresh fruit—simply substitute 6 cups of your favorite fruit for the peaches and blueberries called for below. When peaches and berries aren't in season, you can also make this tart with frozen fruit.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
6 oz. Neufchâtel cheese, diced
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) butter, diced
5 medium-size peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced (about 5 cups)
1 1/2 cups blueberries
1/3 cup sugar
3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbs. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
Ice cream or 2 cups sweetened whipped cream, optional
To make Cornmeal Crust: Pulse flour, cornmeal, sugar and salt in food processor 2 or 3 times to combine. Add cheese and butter, and blend until dough resembles coarse meal. Add 3 Tbs. cold water, and pulse several times, or until dough comes together. Pat into a flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill 1 hour, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
To make Peach-Blueberry Filling: Toss peaches, blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and cinnamon in large bowl. Let stand 15 minutes, or until sugar is dissolved.
Place sheet of parchment paper on work surface, and sprinkle with flour. Roll dough into 12-inch round. Fold in edge 1/2 inch to create sides. Slide parchment and dough onto ungreased baking sheet or pizza pan.
Spoon fruit in center of crust with slotted spoon. Discard juices. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350F, and bake 20 minutes more, or until crust is crisp and brown. Let cool 10 minutes. Slide tart from parchment onto serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature, and top with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 319; Protein: 5 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 52 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 123 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 29 g
FRESH HERB POTATO ROSTI
This recipe comes from the November/December 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 42, and begins, “If you like hash browns, you’ll love this easy hors d’oeuvre from Austria that is nothing more than grated potatoes and fresh herbs fried in a little olive oil. Serve in wedges (as shown), or cut into small squares for bite-size nibbles. If you’re making rösti for a crowd, prepare the potato cakes ahead of time, then reheat them in the skillet before serving.” Ready in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and grated (1 1/2 lb.)
4 tsp. fresh chives, coarsely chopped
4 tsp. fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
4 tsp. fresh tarragon, coarsely chopped
2 Tbs. olive oil
Squeeze as much liquid as possible out of grated potatoes, then place in bowl, and toss with chives, parsley, and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Heat 1 Tbs. oil in 9-inch skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat. Press potato mixture into pan, and cook 10 minutes, or until bottom of rösti is golden brown. Loosen bottom and sides of rösti, then slide onto plate. Add remaining 1 Tbs. oil to pan, flip rösti back into pan (browned side up), and cook 10 to 15 minutes more, or until second side of rösti is golden brown. Loosen rösti, then slide onto serving plate. Cut into wedges or squares, and serve warm.
nutritional information Per Per slice: Calories: 184; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 8 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
MINI WHOOPIE PIES
This comes from the November/December 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, pagae 62. It begins, "Want to win over the cookie lovers in your family? Make a batch of miniature whoopie pies! Kids will love the sweet marshmallow cream filling, while kids at heart can appreciate the tender chocolate cookies with a richer flavor than store-bought versions. The secret to their perfectly round shape is using a makeshift pastry bag made by snipping a corner from a resealable plastic bag." Makes 20 cookies.
To view this online, click here.
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup low-fat milk, at room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips, melted and slightly cooled
1 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup marshmallow cream, such as Marshmallow Fluff
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Cream together sugar and butter with whisk until smooth and sugar begins to dissolve. Whisk in egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Add melted chocolate and cocoa, and mix until smooth. Stir in flour with wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Do not overmix.
Transfer batter to 1-gal. resealable plastic bag or pastry bag fitted with small round tip. Trim 1/2-inch tip from corner of resealable plastic bag (if using) with scissors. Squeeze 40 1-inch dollops of batter onto baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes, or until tops look dry and smooth. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet; transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
To assemble: Spoon 1/2 tsp. marshmallow cream on bottoms of 20 cookies. Top with remaining cookies.
nutritional information Per Per cookie: Calories: 101; Protein: 1 g; Total Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Cholesterol: 17 mg; Sodium: 9 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: 10 g
MEATLESS-BALL SUBS
1 package Meatless Balls (see note)
1 26 oz. Jar spaghetti sauce
4 hoagie rolls
cheese slices
Place spaghetti sauce and meatless balls into a good-sized saucepan. Stir, and cook over medium-low to medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Open hoagie rolls, add cheese, cover with meatless balls and sauce.
Makes 4 meatless ball subs.
Note: I use Veggie Patch Meatless Meatballs, though really, you can use any brand you like. I had used another brand for a number of years, but unfortunately, I can no longer find that particular brand anywhere now. Whatever brand you buy is fine, as well as the jarred spaghetti sauce.
SIMPLE BARBECUE SAUCE
This comes from John Willoughby in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. John wrote, “Smoked paprika is the secret weapon in this simple barbecue sauce, which goes beautifully with pork and chicken. If you’re painting the sauce onto cooking meat, thin it out with water to about a one-to-one ratio, which will keep the sugars from burning too quickly over the fire. Serve the full-strength stuff alongside the finished meat.” Time: 10 minutes; makes about 1 1/2 cups.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2/3 cup ketchup
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons pimentón (smoked Spanish paprika)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes.
QUICK AND SPICY TOMATO SOUP
This comes from Giada De Laurentiis of The Food Network’s Everyday Italian. Total Time: 22 min; Prep: 10 min; Cook: 12 min; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
Note: The original recipe includes 2 (14-ounce) cans of chicken broth; I've changed that to vegetable broth.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/quick-and-spi cy-tomato-soup-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce (recommended: San Marzano brand)
2 (14-ounce) cans vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup pastina pasta (or any small pasta)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Warm the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onion, and garlic and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the jar of marinara sauce, chicken broth, cannellini beans, red pepper flakes, pasta, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Friday Recipes
Finally, Friday! Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!
LEMON-ALMOND BUTTER CAKE
This yummy cake comes from Regina Schrambling in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Regina wrote, “This buttery almond cake with lemon curd baked inside is like the ultimate citrus tart, without the heartbreak of pie crust. It's fancy enough to be served as a dinner party dessert, yet substantial enough to be served with Sunday brunch. (Bonus: you'll have several tablespoons of lemon curd left over. It's delicious on toast or pancakes.)” Makes 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Curd:
Grated zest and juice of 2 lemons
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
4 extra-large eggs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
For the Cake:
9 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour
1 cup plus 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 extra-large eggs
1/2 cup ground toasted almonds
2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds
About 1/2 cup heavy cream for garnish
1 tablespoon almond liqueur (optional)
Preparation
For the curd, combine zest, juice, sugar and eggs in a heatproof bowl, and beat well. Add butter, and place over a saucepan full of simmering water. Cook, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until mixture thickens into curd, about 5 minutes. Strain into a bowl, and press plastic wrap onto surface to keep skin from forming. Refrigerate until cool, at least 1 1/2 hours.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9-inch spring-form pan with 1 tablespoon butter, and dust with 1 tablespoon flour, shaking out excess.
With an electric mixer, cream the remaining butter and 1 cup sugar together until light and fluffy. Sift together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt, and stir in. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until they start to foam. Do not overbeat or the cake will be tough. Add eggs and ground almonds to batter, and mix well.
Scrape batter into the prepared pan. Drop 8 individual tablespoons lemon curd around perimeter of batter, leaving a 1-inch border, and taking care to space drops evenly. Drop 3 to 4 tablespoons curd into center of batter. Refrigerate remaining curd for another use. Sprinkle cake with toasted almonds and 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, depending on taste.
Bake until cake is toasty brown on top and a toothpick inserted into cake (not curd) comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool on rack 10 minutes, then remove sides of pan, and cool completely.
Whip cream with almond liqueur. Present cake at table, and offer whipped cream on the side.
PASTA PRIMAVERA
This absolutely yummy recipe is from Giada De Laurentiis of The Food Network’s Everyday Italian. Total Time: 45 min; Prep: 25 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pasta-primavera-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
3 carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips
2 medium zucchini or 1 large zucchini, cut into thin strips
2 yellow squash, cut into thin strips
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs or herbes de Provence
1 pound farfalle (bowtie pasta)
15 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
On a large heavy baking sheet, toss all of the vegetables with the oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs to coat. Transfer half of the vegetable mixture to another heavy large baking sheet and arrange evenly over the baking sheets. Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, stirring after the first 10 minutes, about 20 minutes total.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
Toss the pasta with the vegetable mixtures in a large bowl to combine. Toss with the cherry tomatoes and enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve immediately.
LIGHT POTATO SALAD
This is from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Nigella wrote, “I know the potato salad I suggest is in culinary terms very un-American. I resolutely believe, however, that potatoes are so much better dressed in oil and vinegar (but it must be good wine vinegar) than blanketed in mayonnaise.” Time: 45 minutes; makes 8 to 10 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Salt
5 pounds new potatoes, creamers or other small (1-inch to 1 1/2-inch diameter) potatoes
6 scallions, thinly sliced into rings
2 tablespoons garlic-infused oil
10 slices (1/2 pound) bacon
2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds
1/4 cup good-quality white wine vinegar
Preparation
Bring a large wide pan of salted water to a boil, and add potatoes. Boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain potatoes, cut in two, and place in a large bowl. Add scallions, and toss gently to mix.
Return dry potato pan to medium heat, and add garlic oil and bacon. Cook bacon until very crisp, and transfer to paper towels.
Add mustard seeds to bacon fat in pan. After a few moments, they will begin to pop. Immediately turn off heat, and add vinegar and potato mixture. Toss together, then transfer back into bowl.
Cover salad with plastic wrap, and allow to rest at room temperature for about an hour. To serve, transfer to a serving bowl, and crumble crispy bacon on top.
SLOW COOKER BOLOGNESE SAUCE
This comes from Erin Chase in The Today Show’s Food Club e-newsletter. Erin also has her own blog, called $5 Dinners. I highly recommend checking it out. Seriously. I’ll wait…(Can you hear me tapping my foot?) Well, if you didn’t just check it out, please do so sometime soon, before you forget.
For this recipe, Erin wrote, “The slow cooker saves my sanity on a weekly, and sometimes daily basis. One of the favorite ways to use my slow cooker is for making double batches of sauces, like this Bolognese sauce. My large 7-quart All Clad slow cooker allows me to make big ole batches of our family’s favorite recipes. I can serve a portion of the batch for dinner that night, and let the rest cool so I can package it up for the freezer. This particular bolognese sauce is perfect for just this...eat some, freeze some for later. To make it super quick to load up in the morning, I recommend browning the ground beef and cooking the bacon the night before, ideally when you’re prepping dinner. If you really want to get ahead (so it will take you less than 5 minutes to load up in the slow cooker), you can chop the onion, celery and carrots too. If you can manage all of that prep the night before, dinner will be a cinch to get going in the slow cooker on a frantic weekday morning. Here’s my favorite doubled up version of bolognese sauce recipe for the slow cooker…” Yield: 8 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 8 hours.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 lb. ground beef, browned
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 - 28 oz. cans crushed tomatoes
2 Tbsp Italian seasoning blend
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp minced onion
4 carrot sticks, peeled and finely chopped or shredded
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 small white onion, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
12 to 16 oz. pasta, for every 4 servings
Fresh veggies or side salad, as side dish
Preparation
Brown the ground beef, ideally the night before.
Cook and crumble the bacon, ideally the night before.
To a 6-qt. or larger slow cooker, combine the browned ground beef, cooked bacon, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, minced onion, the chopped carrots, celery and onion. Mix together in the slow cooker insert.
Set on low and cook for 8 hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste, when the sauce is finished cooking.
Just before dinner, prepare the pasta and veggies.
Serve Slow Cooker Bolognese over pasta with side of veggies or salad.
To Freeze Remaining Sauce:Let cool completely before adding to plastic freezer baggie or container. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in skillet or small saucepan.
ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “Here's a simple, robust, cold-weather soup that you can make with almost any mixture of root vegetables you have to hand: carrots, parsnips, celery root, turnips, rutabaga, sweet or regular potato. Flavored with garlic, rosemary and bay leaves on top of a saute of onions and celery, it's an earthy, sweet, and warming meal for days where the air has some bite. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice, some grated cheese, flaky salt and a shower of black pepper.” Time: 1 hour; makes 6 to 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large onion or 2 leeks (white and light green part only), chopped
2 to 3 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 rosemary or thyme branches
2 bay leaves
3 1/2 pounds mixed root vegetables (carrot, parsnip, celery root, turnip, rutabaga, sweet or regular potato), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 teaspoons fine sea salt, more as needed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, more as needed
Juice of 1/2 lemon, more for serving
Extra-virgin olive oil
Flaky sea salt
Crushed Aleppo, Urfa or other chile flakes, optional
Grated Parmesan or pecorino, optional
Preparation
Melt butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Stir in onion and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, rosemary and bay leaves; cook 1 minute more. Add root vegetables, 8 cups water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
Remove and discard rosemary branches and bay leaves. Using an immersion blender, purée soup until smooth. (Alternatively, you can purée the soup in batches in a blender or food processor.) If the soup is too thick, add a little water. Season with lemon juice and more salt to taste.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls and top with a drizzle of olive oil, a few drops of lemon juice, flaky salt and crushed chile or grated cheese, if desired.
ACADIAN RIGATONI
This is from FamilyTime.com. The recipe starts out, “Three ingredients form the foundation of this Acadian dish - onion, celery, and green bell pepper. It's delectable!” Prep. time: 10 minutes, Cooking time: 28 minutes, Serves: 4. To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 pound hot Italian sausage, or andouille, casings removed, sausage cut into 1-inch pieces
1 onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree, one 16 ounce can
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
3/4 pound rigatoni
Directions
In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic. Cover the pan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes longer.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the rigatoni until just done, about 14 minutes. Drain and toss the pasta with the sauce.
VEGAN PUMPKIN RISOTTO
I think this came from About.com, but I'm not completely sure, since it's been kicking around my email account for more than five years with not note. The person who sent this wrote, “A vegetarian and vegan twist on classic Italian risotto - pumpkin! Why not? Pumpkin adds a sweet and unique flavor perfect for fall, as a vegetarian Thanksgiving entree, or anytime. This Italian risotto recipe is both vegetarian and vegan.”
Ingredients:
1 onion. diced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups arborio (risotto) rice
1 cup white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated or minced
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 tbsp margarine
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Sautee the onion in olive oil over medium heat for three to five minutes, or until soft. Add the rice. Allow to cook, stirring, for a minute or two. Slowly add the wine. Start to add the vegetable broth, 1/2 cup at a time. Allow the moisture to cook off before adding the next 1/2 cup. Stir frequently. Add remaining ingredients, stirring well, and cook for just a few minutes, until heated through.
LEMON-ALMOND BUTTER CAKE
This yummy cake comes from Regina Schrambling in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Regina wrote, “This buttery almond cake with lemon curd baked inside is like the ultimate citrus tart, without the heartbreak of pie crust. It's fancy enough to be served as a dinner party dessert, yet substantial enough to be served with Sunday brunch. (Bonus: you'll have several tablespoons of lemon curd left over. It's delicious on toast or pancakes.)” Makes 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Curd:
Grated zest and juice of 2 lemons
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
4 extra-large eggs
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
For the Cake:
9 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour
1 cup plus 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 extra-large eggs
1/2 cup ground toasted almonds
2 tablespoons toasted sliced almonds
About 1/2 cup heavy cream for garnish
1 tablespoon almond liqueur (optional)
Preparation
For the curd, combine zest, juice, sugar and eggs in a heatproof bowl, and beat well. Add butter, and place over a saucepan full of simmering water. Cook, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until mixture thickens into curd, about 5 minutes. Strain into a bowl, and press plastic wrap onto surface to keep skin from forming. Refrigerate until cool, at least 1 1/2 hours.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9-inch spring-form pan with 1 tablespoon butter, and dust with 1 tablespoon flour, shaking out excess.
With an electric mixer, cream the remaining butter and 1 cup sugar together until light and fluffy. Sift together the remaining flour, baking powder and salt, and stir in. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until they start to foam. Do not overbeat or the cake will be tough. Add eggs and ground almonds to batter, and mix well.
Scrape batter into the prepared pan. Drop 8 individual tablespoons lemon curd around perimeter of batter, leaving a 1-inch border, and taking care to space drops evenly. Drop 3 to 4 tablespoons curd into center of batter. Refrigerate remaining curd for another use. Sprinkle cake with toasted almonds and 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, depending on taste.
Bake until cake is toasty brown on top and a toothpick inserted into cake (not curd) comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool on rack 10 minutes, then remove sides of pan, and cool completely.
Whip cream with almond liqueur. Present cake at table, and offer whipped cream on the side.
PASTA PRIMAVERA
This absolutely yummy recipe is from Giada De Laurentiis of The Food Network’s Everyday Italian. Total Time: 45 min; Prep: 25 min; Cook: 20 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pasta-primavera-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
3 carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips
2 medium zucchini or 1 large zucchini, cut into thin strips
2 yellow squash, cut into thin strips
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs or herbes de Provence
1 pound farfalle (bowtie pasta)
15 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
On a large heavy baking sheet, toss all of the vegetables with the oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs to coat. Transfer half of the vegetable mixture to another heavy large baking sheet and arrange evenly over the baking sheets. Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, stirring after the first 10 minutes, about 20 minutes total.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
Toss the pasta with the vegetable mixtures in a large bowl to combine. Toss with the cherry tomatoes and enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve immediately.
LIGHT POTATO SALAD
This is from Nigella Lawson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Nigella wrote, “I know the potato salad I suggest is in culinary terms very un-American. I resolutely believe, however, that potatoes are so much better dressed in oil and vinegar (but it must be good wine vinegar) than blanketed in mayonnaise.” Time: 45 minutes; makes 8 to 10 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Salt
5 pounds new potatoes, creamers or other small (1-inch to 1 1/2-inch diameter) potatoes
6 scallions, thinly sliced into rings
2 tablespoons garlic-infused oil
10 slices (1/2 pound) bacon
2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds
1/4 cup good-quality white wine vinegar
Preparation
Bring a large wide pan of salted water to a boil, and add potatoes. Boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain potatoes, cut in two, and place in a large bowl. Add scallions, and toss gently to mix.
Return dry potato pan to medium heat, and add garlic oil and bacon. Cook bacon until very crisp, and transfer to paper towels.
Add mustard seeds to bacon fat in pan. After a few moments, they will begin to pop. Immediately turn off heat, and add vinegar and potato mixture. Toss together, then transfer back into bowl.
Cover salad with plastic wrap, and allow to rest at room temperature for about an hour. To serve, transfer to a serving bowl, and crumble crispy bacon on top.
SLOW COOKER BOLOGNESE SAUCE
This comes from Erin Chase in The Today Show’s Food Club e-newsletter. Erin also has her own blog, called $5 Dinners. I highly recommend checking it out. Seriously. I’ll wait…(Can you hear me tapping my foot?) Well, if you didn’t just check it out, please do so sometime soon, before you forget.
For this recipe, Erin wrote, “The slow cooker saves my sanity on a weekly, and sometimes daily basis. One of the favorite ways to use my slow cooker is for making double batches of sauces, like this Bolognese sauce. My large 7-quart All Clad slow cooker allows me to make big ole batches of our family’s favorite recipes. I can serve a portion of the batch for dinner that night, and let the rest cool so I can package it up for the freezer. This particular bolognese sauce is perfect for just this...eat some, freeze some for later. To make it super quick to load up in the morning, I recommend browning the ground beef and cooking the bacon the night before, ideally when you’re prepping dinner. If you really want to get ahead (so it will take you less than 5 minutes to load up in the slow cooker), you can chop the onion, celery and carrots too. If you can manage all of that prep the night before, dinner will be a cinch to get going in the slow cooker on a frantic weekday morning. Here’s my favorite doubled up version of bolognese sauce recipe for the slow cooker…” Yield: 8 servings; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 8 hours.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 lb. ground beef, browned
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 - 28 oz. cans crushed tomatoes
2 Tbsp Italian seasoning blend
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp minced onion
4 carrot sticks, peeled and finely chopped or shredded
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 small white onion, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
12 to 16 oz. pasta, for every 4 servings
Fresh veggies or side salad, as side dish
Preparation
Brown the ground beef, ideally the night before.
Cook and crumble the bacon, ideally the night before.
To a 6-qt. or larger slow cooker, combine the browned ground beef, cooked bacon, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, minced onion, the chopped carrots, celery and onion. Mix together in the slow cooker insert.
Set on low and cook for 8 hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste, when the sauce is finished cooking.
Just before dinner, prepare the pasta and veggies.
Serve Slow Cooker Bolognese over pasta with side of veggies or salad.
To Freeze Remaining Sauce:Let cool completely before adding to plastic freezer baggie or container. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in skillet or small saucepan.
ROOT VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “Here's a simple, robust, cold-weather soup that you can make with almost any mixture of root vegetables you have to hand: carrots, parsnips, celery root, turnips, rutabaga, sweet or regular potato. Flavored with garlic, rosemary and bay leaves on top of a saute of onions and celery, it's an earthy, sweet, and warming meal for days where the air has some bite. Top with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice, some grated cheese, flaky salt and a shower of black pepper.” Time: 1 hour; makes 6 to 8 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large onion or 2 leeks (white and light green part only), chopped
2 to 3 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 rosemary or thyme branches
2 bay leaves
3 1/2 pounds mixed root vegetables (carrot, parsnip, celery root, turnip, rutabaga, sweet or regular potato), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 teaspoons fine sea salt, more as needed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, more as needed
Juice of 1/2 lemon, more for serving
Extra-virgin olive oil
Flaky sea salt
Crushed Aleppo, Urfa or other chile flakes, optional
Grated Parmesan or pecorino, optional
Preparation
Melt butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Stir in onion and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, rosemary and bay leaves; cook 1 minute more. Add root vegetables, 8 cups water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
Remove and discard rosemary branches and bay leaves. Using an immersion blender, purée soup until smooth. (Alternatively, you can purée the soup in batches in a blender or food processor.) If the soup is too thick, add a little water. Season with lemon juice and more salt to taste.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls and top with a drizzle of olive oil, a few drops of lemon juice, flaky salt and crushed chile or grated cheese, if desired.
ACADIAN RIGATONI
This is from FamilyTime.com. The recipe starts out, “Three ingredients form the foundation of this Acadian dish - onion, celery, and green bell pepper. It's delectable!” Prep. time: 10 minutes, Cooking time: 28 minutes, Serves: 4. To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 pound hot Italian sausage, or andouille, casings removed, sausage cut into 1-inch pieces
1 onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree, one 16 ounce can
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
3/4 pound rigatoni
Directions
In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, and garlic. Cover the pan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes longer.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the rigatoni until just done, about 14 minutes. Drain and toss the pasta with the sauce.
VEGAN PUMPKIN RISOTTO
I think this came from About.com, but I'm not completely sure, since it's been kicking around my email account for more than five years with not note. The person who sent this wrote, “A vegetarian and vegan twist on classic Italian risotto - pumpkin! Why not? Pumpkin adds a sweet and unique flavor perfect for fall, as a vegetarian Thanksgiving entree, or anytime. This Italian risotto recipe is both vegetarian and vegan.”
Ingredients:
1 onion. diced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups arborio (risotto) rice
1 cup white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated or minced
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 tbsp margarine
salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Sautee the onion in olive oil over medium heat for three to five minutes, or until soft. Add the rice. Allow to cook, stirring, for a minute or two. Slowly add the wine. Start to add the vegetable broth, 1/2 cup at a time. Allow the moisture to cook off before adding the next 1/2 cup. Stir frequently. Add remaining ingredients, stirring well, and cook for just a few minutes, until heated through.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Yummy Desserts
There are some days when one wants nothing more than a yummy dessert to finish off a meal. To that end, feel free to try any of the following recipes. Enjoy!
RASPBERRY UPSIDE DOWN CAKE
Makes 9 servings
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups raspberries
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups Bisquick® Original baking mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk or water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
Sweetened whipped cream or ice cream, if desired
Heat oven to 350°. Heat margarine in round pan, 9x1 1/2 inches, or square pan, 8x8x2 inches, in oven until melted. Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar evenly over melted margarine. Arrange raspberries with open ends up over sugar mixture; sprinkle with almonds. Beat remaining ingredients except whipped cream in medium bowl on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 4 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over raspberries. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately turn pan upside down onto heatproof serving plate; leave pan over cake a few minutes. Remove pan. Let cake stand at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with whipped cream. High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Not recommended for use.
SOFT LEMONADE COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup thawed lemonade concentrate, divided
Additional sugar
In a large bowl, cream the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Combine the flour and the baking soda. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with 1/3 cup lemonade concentrate. Beat well after each addition. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400 F for 8 minutes. Remove to wire racks. Brush with the remaining lemonade concentrate. Sprinkle with the sugar. Allow to cool. Makes 6 dozen.
LEMON RICOTTA GRANITA
This recipe is from Giada De Laurentiis, from The Food Network.
Prep Time: 20 min; Inactive Prep Time: 5 hr 0 min; Cook Time: 5 min.; Level: Easy; Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
1 cup water
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
2/3 cup strained fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
Pinch salt
1 lemon, for zesting
Directions
Stir the water and 3/4 cup of sugar in a medium saucepan over high heat just until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the lemon juice. Pour the lemon mixture into an 8-inch square glass dish. Cover and freeze, stirring occasionally, until the liquid just becomes slushy, about 2 hours. Using a fork, scrape the granita every 30 minutes until it is completely made up of ice crystals. (The granita can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Cover and keep frozen, and scrape every so often so that the crystals stay loose.)
Whisk the ricotta, remaining sugar, and pinch of salt in a medium bowl to blend. Spoon the granita into dessert bowls. Top with a dollop of the ricotta. Zest the lemon peel over the desserts and serve.
CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CUPS
Another recipe from Giada De Laurentiis
Prep Time: 5 min; Cook Time: 15 min; Serves: 4 to 6 servings (6 cups)
Ingredients
5 cups whole milk
1/2 cup espresso
8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
Heat the milk in a medium pot over high heat until hot, but not boiling. Reduce the heat to very low and add the espresso, chocolate, sugar, and vanilla. Using a whisk, stir the mixture until the chocolate has melted. Continue to whisk the chocolate mixture until frothy every few minutes for about 8 minutes, until the chocolate has completely dissolved into the milk. Pour into mugs and serve immediately.
APPLE-CRANBERRY CRISP
2 pounds Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
3/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Butter an 8 inch square baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix together apples, cranberries, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place evenly into baking dish.
In the same bowl, combine oats, flour and brown sugar. With a fork, mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over apples.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until topping is golden brown, and apples are tender.
RASPBERRY UPSIDE DOWN CAKE
Makes 9 servings
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups raspberries
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups Bisquick® Original baking mix
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk or water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
Sweetened whipped cream or ice cream, if desired
Heat oven to 350°. Heat margarine in round pan, 9x1 1/2 inches, or square pan, 8x8x2 inches, in oven until melted. Sprinkle 1/4 cup sugar evenly over melted margarine. Arrange raspberries with open ends up over sugar mixture; sprinkle with almonds. Beat remaining ingredients except whipped cream in medium bowl on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 4 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over raspberries. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately turn pan upside down onto heatproof serving plate; leave pan over cake a few minutes. Remove pan. Let cake stand at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with whipped cream. High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Not recommended for use.
SOFT LEMONADE COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup thawed lemonade concentrate, divided
Additional sugar
In a large bowl, cream the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Combine the flour and the baking soda. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with 1/3 cup lemonade concentrate. Beat well after each addition. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400 F for 8 minutes. Remove to wire racks. Brush with the remaining lemonade concentrate. Sprinkle with the sugar. Allow to cool. Makes 6 dozen.
LEMON RICOTTA GRANITA
This recipe is from Giada De Laurentiis, from The Food Network.
Prep Time: 20 min; Inactive Prep Time: 5 hr 0 min; Cook Time: 5 min.; Level: Easy; Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
1 cup water
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
2/3 cup strained fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
Pinch salt
1 lemon, for zesting
Directions
Stir the water and 3/4 cup of sugar in a medium saucepan over high heat just until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the lemon juice. Pour the lemon mixture into an 8-inch square glass dish. Cover and freeze, stirring occasionally, until the liquid just becomes slushy, about 2 hours. Using a fork, scrape the granita every 30 minutes until it is completely made up of ice crystals. (The granita can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Cover and keep frozen, and scrape every so often so that the crystals stay loose.)
Whisk the ricotta, remaining sugar, and pinch of salt in a medium bowl to blend. Spoon the granita into dessert bowls. Top with a dollop of the ricotta. Zest the lemon peel over the desserts and serve.
CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CUPS
Another recipe from Giada De Laurentiis
Prep Time: 5 min; Cook Time: 15 min; Serves: 4 to 6 servings (6 cups)
Ingredients
5 cups whole milk
1/2 cup espresso
8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
Heat the milk in a medium pot over high heat until hot, but not boiling. Reduce the heat to very low and add the espresso, chocolate, sugar, and vanilla. Using a whisk, stir the mixture until the chocolate has melted. Continue to whisk the chocolate mixture until frothy every few minutes for about 8 minutes, until the chocolate has completely dissolved into the milk. Pour into mugs and serve immediately.
APPLE-CRANBERRY CRISP
2 pounds Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and thinly sliced
3/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup white sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Butter an 8 inch square baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix together apples, cranberries, white sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place evenly into baking dish.
In the same bowl, combine oats, flour and brown sugar. With a fork, mix in butter until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle over apples.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until topping is golden brown, and apples are tender.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Foods To (Mostly) Warm You Up
Going through several older emails, I ran across some more foods that'll warm you up, no matter how cold the outdoor thermometer reads. Several of the emails listed where the recipes came from; these have been attributed here.
BROCCOLI CHOWDER
Yield: 6 servings, 1 cup each
Source: "The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook"
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (1-1/2 cups)
1 large carrot, diced (1/2 cup)
2 stalks celery, diced (1/2 cup)
1 large potato, peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3-1/2 cups vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth (two 14-ounce cans)
8 ounces broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (3 cups)
1 cup grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Directions
Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more.
Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl and mash; return to the pan. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through. Season with salt.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup each): Calories: 180, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 6 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 354 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 High-Fat Meat
POTATO SOUP
This creamy potato soup needs a crispy salad and crusty bread and voila! You have a meal.
Prep Time 45 minutes; Cooking Time 25 minutes; Serves 6
Ingredients
6 cups vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces
2 large yellow onions
6 leeks, well washed, chopped
1 teaspoon oregano, dried
3 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream - or 2 tablespoons butter (you could use vegetarian "butter")
Directions
Bring the vegetable broth to a simmer in a large saucepan; add the salt. Add the potatoes, onions and leeks; cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes into the broth until it becomes a coarse-textured soup. Add the oregano, parsley, heavy cream and butter; simmer for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
VEGGIE-STUFFED BAKERS
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
3 large Idaho potatoes (8-10 ounces each)
Vegetable cooking spray
1 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup fresh, or frozen, whole-kernel corn
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup fat-free sour cream or plain fat-free yogurt
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded fat-free Cheddar cheese, divided
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup broccoli florets, cooked until crisp-tender
Directions
Grease potatoes lightly and bake at 400 degrees until tender, 45 to 60 minutes; let stand until cool enough to handle. Cut potatoes lengthwise into halves; scoop out potato, leaving shells intact.
Spray medium skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute onion, corn, bell pepper, and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes.
Mash potatoes, adding sour cream and half the Cheddar cheese. Mix in sauteed vegetables; season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into potato shells; arrange broccoli on top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Arrange potatoes in baking pan; bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees until hot through, 20 to 30 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe):
Calories: 160, Fat: 0.3 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 119 mg, Protein: 9 g, Carbohydrate: 32.4 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Fruit, 1/2 Meat
STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD
Yield: 10 servings
Source: "Mr. Food Every Day's a Holiday Diabetic Cookbook"
Ingredients
1 package (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach, washed, dried and trimmed
1 pint fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced lengthwise to 1/4-inch thickness
1/2 of a small onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
Directions
Place the spinach in a large salad bowl; add the strawberries.
In a small bowl, combine the onion, sugar, water, vinegar, mustard, and oil. Whisk until well combined. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup): Calories: 79, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 23 mg, Carbohydrate: 6 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 1 g Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat
HOLIDAY CRANBERRY APPLE COBBLER
Cranberries are usually only available from late October or early November through January or February. If your local grocery store still has a few bags of cranberries, pick them up and, if you're not planning to use them in the next day or so, place the bags in the freezer. Almost every winter, I tend to buy a bag or two every shopping trip and put them in the freezer for use year 'round. They're great in smoothies, pie, main meals...they're not only for cranberry sauce or juice.
6 apples, peeled, cored & cut in slices
2 c. cranberries, rinsed & drained
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. water
3 tbsp. butter
2 c. flour, sifted
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, well beaten
3/4 c. milk
Combine apples, cranberries, sugar, spices, water and butter in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture bubbles. Lower heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes until apples are tender but still firm. Pour mixture into shallow 2 quart casserole. Mix flour, baking powder and salt; add egg and milk and stir only until all dry ingredients are moistened. Drop dough by spoonsful on top of cranberry mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CUPS
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Serves: 4 to 6 servings (6 cups)
I'd watched Giada's show regularly when we first got cable. While I haven't watched her show lately, I still love some of her recipes.Ingredients5 cups whole milk
1/2 cup espresso
8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
Heat the milk in a medium pot over high heat until hot, but not boiling. Reduce the heat to very low and add the espresso, chocolate, sugar, and vanilla. Using a whisk, stir the mixture until the chocolate has melted. Continue to whisk the chocolate mixture until frothy every few minutes for about 8 minutes, until the chocolate has completely dissolved into the milk. Pour into mugs and serve immediately.
BROCCOLI CHOWDER
Yield: 6 servings, 1 cup each
Source: "The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook"
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (1-1/2 cups)
1 large carrot, diced (1/2 cup)
2 stalks celery, diced (1/2 cup)
1 large potato, peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3-1/2 cups vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth (two 14-ounce cans)
8 ounces broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (3 cups)
1 cup grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Directions
Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more.
Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl and mash; return to the pan. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through. Season with salt.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup each): Calories: 180, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 6 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 354 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 High-Fat Meat
POTATO SOUP
This creamy potato soup needs a crispy salad and crusty bread and voila! You have a meal.
Prep Time 45 minutes; Cooking Time 25 minutes; Serves 6
Ingredients
6 cups vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces
2 large yellow onions
6 leeks, well washed, chopped
1 teaspoon oregano, dried
3 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream - or 2 tablespoons butter (you could use vegetarian "butter")
Directions
Bring the vegetable broth to a simmer in a large saucepan; add the salt. Add the potatoes, onions and leeks; cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes into the broth until it becomes a coarse-textured soup. Add the oregano, parsley, heavy cream and butter; simmer for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
VEGGIE-STUFFED BAKERS
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
3 large Idaho potatoes (8-10 ounces each)
Vegetable cooking spray
1 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup fresh, or frozen, whole-kernel corn
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup fat-free sour cream or plain fat-free yogurt
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded fat-free Cheddar cheese, divided
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup broccoli florets, cooked until crisp-tender
Directions
Grease potatoes lightly and bake at 400 degrees until tender, 45 to 60 minutes; let stand until cool enough to handle. Cut potatoes lengthwise into halves; scoop out potato, leaving shells intact.
Spray medium skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute onion, corn, bell pepper, and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes.
Mash potatoes, adding sour cream and half the Cheddar cheese. Mix in sauteed vegetables; season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into potato shells; arrange broccoli on top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Arrange potatoes in baking pan; bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees until hot through, 20 to 30 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe):
Calories: 160, Fat: 0.3 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 119 mg, Protein: 9 g, Carbohydrate: 32.4 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Fruit, 1/2 Meat
STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD
Yield: 10 servings
Source: "Mr. Food Every Day's a Holiday Diabetic Cookbook"
Ingredients
1 package (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach, washed, dried and trimmed
1 pint fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced lengthwise to 1/4-inch thickness
1/2 of a small onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
Directions
Place the spinach in a large salad bowl; add the strawberries.
In a small bowl, combine the onion, sugar, water, vinegar, mustard, and oil. Whisk until well combined. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup): Calories: 79, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 23 mg, Carbohydrate: 6 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 1 g Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat
HOLIDAY CRANBERRY APPLE COBBLER
Cranberries are usually only available from late October or early November through January or February. If your local grocery store still has a few bags of cranberries, pick them up and, if you're not planning to use them in the next day or so, place the bags in the freezer. Almost every winter, I tend to buy a bag or two every shopping trip and put them in the freezer for use year 'round. They're great in smoothies, pie, main meals...they're not only for cranberry sauce or juice.
6 apples, peeled, cored & cut in slices
2 c. cranberries, rinsed & drained
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. water
3 tbsp. butter
2 c. flour, sifted
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg, well beaten
3/4 c. milk
Combine apples, cranberries, sugar, spices, water and butter in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture bubbles. Lower heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes until apples are tender but still firm. Pour mixture into shallow 2 quart casserole. Mix flour, baking powder and salt; add egg and milk and stir only until all dry ingredients are moistened. Drop dough by spoonsful on top of cranberry mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CUPS
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Serves: 4 to 6 servings (6 cups)
I'd watched Giada's show regularly when we first got cable. While I haven't watched her show lately, I still love some of her recipes.Ingredients5 cups whole milk
1/2 cup espresso
8 ounces dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Directions
Heat the milk in a medium pot over high heat until hot, but not boiling. Reduce the heat to very low and add the espresso, chocolate, sugar, and vanilla. Using a whisk, stir the mixture until the chocolate has melted. Continue to whisk the chocolate mixture until frothy every few minutes for about 8 minutes, until the chocolate has completely dissolved into the milk. Pour into mugs and serve immediately.
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