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Showing posts with label Herbed Beef Kabobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Herbed Beef Kabobs. Show all posts

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Double-Post Thursday

Besides being Diabetic Thursday, it's Double-Post Thursday. Today's double post gears up a day early for the Labor Day weekend.

Here are six recipes to help you through today, as well as the weekend, including Barbecue Sauce and Homemade Rocky Road Ice Cream. Enjoy!

HERBED BEEF KABOBS

This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Grilling marinated beef cubes over medium heat results in these tender evenly cooked morsels we all love.” Marinate: 1 hour; Grill: 20 minutes; Serves: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 envelope (1 ounce) dry onion recipe soup & dip mix

1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced

1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 medium green peppers or red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Instructions

Stir the soup mix, broth, oil, thyme, black pepper and garlic powder in a shallow nonmetallic dish or gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread the beef and peppers alternately onto 4 skewers.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.

BLUEBERRY PIE

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Perfection is a fool’s mission when it comes to blueberry pie. Sometimes the filling is a little runny. Other times, slightly thick, depending on the blueberries themselves. But this recipe helps even the odds, with the use of arrowroot starch in place of the more typical flour or cornstarch, and an awesome pre-thickening technique picked up from the pastry chef Kierin Baldwin. You could use a different pie crust, but I like the all-butter version below, at least with a pre-baked bottom and an artfully cut top that allows steam to escape.” Yield: Serves 8; Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

This was featured in “The Perfect Imperfections of Blueberry Pie” and can also be viewed online here. Not sure how to make a pie crust? Check out “How to Make a Pie Crust” by Melissa Clark.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

2 1/ 2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

8-10 tablespoons or 120 to 150 grams of ice water

1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water

For the Filling:

8 cups blueberries, picked over and washed

1/2 cup raw sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2-3 tablespoons arrowroot flour or cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

To make the crust, combine the flour and salt in a large bowl or food processor. Add the butter, and either use your fingers to rub the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal or pulse the processor a few times to achieve a similar result. Gradually and lightly mix in ice water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the dough just comes together.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and gather into a ball. Divide the ball into two equal portions, and flatten each into a disc with the heel of your hand. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

Prebake the pie shell. Heat oven to 375. Roll out one of the discs of dough on a lightly floured surface, and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the dough so that there is a slight overhang at the top of the pie plate, then place the shell in the freezer for 20 minutes or so to chill. Remove the pie shell from the freezer, cover the dough with parchment paper and fill the shell with pie weights or dried beans. Place the shell into the oven, and bake until the bottom has just started to brown, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Take the pie shell out of the oven, remove the parchment and pie weights and allow to cool.

Make the filling.Separate 1 cup of the blueberries, and combine them in the bowl of a food processor or blender with the sugar, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the arrowroot flour or cornstarch and the salt, then pulse to purée. Put the blueberry mixture into a small pot set over medium-high heat, and cook, whisking constantly, until the liquid has just thickened, approximately 1 minute. Pour the thickened mixture over the remaining blueberries, and stir to combine.

Bake the pie. Heat oven to 400. Mound the filling high in the center of the cooled pie shell, and apply the egg wash to the top edge of the cooked bottom crust. Roll out the second disc of dough, and place it over the top, gently crimping it onto the egg-washed edge of the bottom crust. Place the pie into the freezer to set, approximately 20 minutes, then cut vents into the top with a sharp knife, place the pie on a baking sheet and set it into the oven to bake for approximately 30 minutes. Then turn the pie, reduce heat to 350 and bake until the pie is golden and the filling has begun to bubble up through the vents, another 25 to 45 minutes. Allow pie to cool to room temperature before you cut into it.

HOMEMADE ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM

This comes from the almost-infamous long-since-forgotten-email-list. While I don’t remember who sent this to the list, but whoever sent it in wrote, “I love this ice cream, very creamy and I'd say it tastes better than store bought. Hope you like it as much as we do!!” Time: 45 min; 5 min prep; serves 10 - 12

2 cups 2% low-fat milk

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (or if you REALLY like them you can use half a bag like I do!)

2/3 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

Mix all ingredients together in cylinder of ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturers directions.

Allow to set in freezer for 2-4 hours.

Enjoy!

SOUR-CREAM COFFEE CAKE

This comes from Robert Farrar Capon in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Robert wrote, “Here is a classic coffee cake with a tender crumb and a crunchy streusel topping that comes together in about an hour. It's quite rich, so your serving sizes don't need to be large.” Yield: about 12 servings; Time: 1 hour.

This was featured in “Good Health; Have A Nice Breakfast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Topping:

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, sift flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with sour cream and vanilla until just combined. Do not overmix. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

Make the topping: Combine sugar, cinnamon, flour and nuts in a small bowl and mix well.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cake and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool, cut into pieces and serve.

BARBECUE SAUCE

This comes from a long-since-forgotten-email-list.

1/2 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup prepared mustard

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

In 1 1/2-quart saucepan combine Karo corn syrup, onion, ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Stirring frequently, bring to boil. Reduce heat; boil gently 15 minutes or until thickened. Brush on chicken, ribs or beef, turning frequently, during last 15 to 20 minutes of grilling. Heat remaining sauce to serve with meat.

ITALIAN BEEF STUFFED SHELLS MARINARA

Makes 4 servings

View online with photo and print: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1304.shtml

Ingredients

12 ounces cooked beef pot roast or brisket

20 uncooked jumbo pasta shells (about 8 ounces)

Filling:

1 cup lowfat cottage cheese

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves

2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce:

1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce

Salt and pepper (optional)

Chopped fresh basil (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375F.

Prepare pasta shells according to package directions; drain. Set aside. Shred beef pot roast with two forks.

Meanwhile, combine pot roast, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and garlic in large bowl.

Fill shells evenly with beef mixture. Spread 1 cup pasta sauce on bottom of 11 X 7-inch glass baking dish. Arrange shells in dish; top with remaining sauce.

Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake in 375F oven 20 minutes or until heated through.

Remove foil; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Bake, uncovered, 5 to 8 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned and sauce is bubbly.

Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Garnish with basil, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 364; Protein: 40 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 119 mg; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Sunday Recipes

I know, I know...I usually don't post on weekends. But I figured that since the 4th of July is this week (on Wednesday), I'd post a few more recipes to take to any gathering you might be going to. (Of course, you can fix these recipes any time!)

Today's offerings include a Barbecue Sauce recipe (because you can never have too many recipes for barbecue sauce!), Blueberry Pie, and Watermelon Punch. Enjoy!

HERBED BEEF KABOBS

This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Grilling marinated beef cubes over medium heat results in these tender evenly cooked morsels we all love.” Marinate: 1 hour; Grill: 20 minutes; Serves: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 envelope (1 ounce) dry onion recipe soup & dip mix

1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced

1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 medium green peppers or red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Instructions

Stir the soup mix, broth, oil, thyme, black pepper and garlic powder in a shallow nonmetallic dish or gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread the beef and peppers alternately onto 4 skewers.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.

BLUEBERRY PIE

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Perfection is a fool’s mission when it comes to blueberry pie. Sometimes the filling is a little runny. Other times, slightly thick, depending on the blueberries themselves. But this recipe helps even the odds, with the use of arrowroot starch in place of the more typical flour or cornstarch, and an awesome pre-thickening technique picked up from the pastry chef Kierin Baldwin. You could use a different pie crust, but I like the all-butter version below, at least with a pre-baked bottom and an artfully cut top that allows steam to escape.” Yield: Serves 8; Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

This was featured in “The Perfect Imperfections of Blueberry Pie” and can also be viewed online here. Not sure how to make a pie crust? Check out “How to Make a Pie Crust” by Melissa Clark.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

2 1/ 2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

8-10 tablespoons or 120 to 150 grams of ice water

1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water

For the Filling:

8 cups blueberries, picked over and washed

1/2 cup raw sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2-3 tablespoons arrowroot flour or cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

To make the crust, combine the flour and salt in a large bowl or food processor. Add the butter, and either use your fingers to rub the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal or pulse the processor a few times to achieve a similar result. Gradually and lightly mix in ice water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the dough just comes together.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and gather into a ball. Divide the ball into two equal portions, and flatten each into a disc with the heel of your hand. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

Prebake the pie shell. Heat oven to 375. Roll out one of the discs of dough on a lightly floured surface, and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the dough so that there is a slight overhang at the top of the pie plate, then place the shell in the freezer for 20 minutes or so to chill. Remove the pie shell from the freezer, cover the dough with parchment paper and fill the shell with pie weights or dried beans. Place the shell into the oven, and bake until the bottom has just started to brown, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Take the pie shell out of the oven, remove the parchment and pie weights and allow to cool.

Make the filling.Separate 1 cup of the blueberries, and combine them in the bowl of a food processor or blender with the sugar, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the arrowroot flour or cornstarch and the salt, then pulse to purée. Put the blueberry mixture into a small pot set over medium-high heat, and cook, whisking constantly, until the liquid has just thickened, approximately 1 minute. Pour the thickened mixture over the remaining blueberries, and stir to combine.

Bake the pie. Heat oven to 400. Mound the filling high in the center of the cooled pie shell, and apply the egg wash to the top edge of the cooked bottom crust. Roll out the second disc of dough, and place it over the top, gently crimping it onto the egg-washed edge of the bottom crust. Place the pie into the freezer to set, approximately 20 minutes, then cut vents into the top with a sharp knife, place the pie on a baking sheet and set it into the oven to bake for approximately 30 minutes. Then turn the pie, reduce heat to 350 and bake until the pie is golden and the filling has begun to bubble up through the vents, another 25 to 45 minutes. Allow pie to cool to room temperature before you cut into it.

WATERMELON PUNCH

This comes from my e-cookbook, titled Off the Wall Cooking, found on Amazon.com.

Years ago, I was a bride’s maid at a friend’s wedding. A friend of the couple held the reception dinner; this punch was served with the hors d’oeuvres. I’ve added ginger ale to the recipe; it’s good either way.

Ingredients

1 watermelon

6 oz. can orange juice, undiluted

1 T honey

1 liter bottle ginger ale

Put watermelon (excluding rind and seeds) in a blender—and blend. Pour juice through a strainer into a large bowl. Add orange juice and honey, stir, and add ice. Add ginger ale just before serving.

SOUR-CREAM COFFEE CAKE

This comes from Robert Farrar Capon in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Robert wrote, “Here is a classic coffee cake with a tender crumb and a crunchy streusel topping that comes together in about an hour. It's quite rich, so your serving sizes don't need to be large.” Yield: about 12 servings; Time: 1 hour.

This was featured in “Good Health; Have A Nice Breakfast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Topping:

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, sift flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with sour cream and vanilla until just combined. Do not overmix. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

Make the topping: Combine sugar, cinnamon, flour and nuts in a small bowl and mix well.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cake and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool, cut into pieces and serve.

BARBECUE SAUCE

This comes from a long-since-forgotten-email-list.

1/2 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup prepared mustard

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

In 1 1/2-quart saucepan combine Karo corn syrup, onion, ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Stirring frequently, bring to boil. Reduce heat; boil gently 15 minutes or until thickened. Brush on chicken, ribs or beef, turning frequently, during last 15 to 20 minutes of grilling. Heat remaining sauce to serve with meat.

ITALIAN BEEF STUFFED SHELLS MARINARA

Makes 4 servings

View online with photo and print: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1304.shtml

Ingredients

12 ounces cooked beef pot roast or brisket

20 uncooked jumbo pasta shells (about 8 ounces)

Filling:

1 cup lowfat cottage cheese

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves

2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce:

1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce

Salt and pepper (optional)

Chopped fresh basil (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375F.

Prepare pasta shells according to package directions; drain. Set aside. Shred beef pot roast with two forks.

Meanwhile, combine pot roast, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and garlic in large bowl.

Fill shells evenly with beef mixture. Spread 1 cup pasta sauce on bottom of 11 X 7-inch glass baking dish. Arrange shells in dish; top with remaining sauce.

Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake in 375F oven 20 minutes or until heated through.

Remove foil; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Bake, uncovered, 5 to 8 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned and sauce is bubbly.

Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Garnish with basil, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 364; Protein: 40 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 119 mg; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

Friday, September 1, 2017

Friday - Pre-Labor Day Recipes

It's finally Friday of a three-day weekend. Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, as well as to get you ready for Labor Day, including Barbecue Sauce and Homemade Rocky Road Ice Cream. Enjoy!

HERBED BEEF KABOBS

This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Grilling marinated beef cubes over medium heat results in these tender evenly cooked morsels we all love.” Marinate: 1 hour; Grill: 20 minutes; Serves: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 envelope (1 ounce) dry onion recipe soup & dip mix

1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced

1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 medium green peppers or red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Instructions

Stir the soup mix, broth, oil, thyme, black pepper and garlic powder in a shallow nonmetallic dish or gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread the beef and peppers alternately onto 4 skewers.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.

BLUEBERRY PIE

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Perfection is a fool’s mission when it comes to blueberry pie. Sometimes the filling is a little runny. Other times, slightly thick, depending on the blueberries themselves. But this recipe helps even the odds, with the use of arrowroot starch in place of the more typical flour or cornstarch, and an awesome pre-thickening technique picked up from the pastry chef Kierin Baldwin. You could use a different pie crust, but I like the all-butter version below, at least with a pre-baked bottom and an artfully cut top that allows steam to escape.” Yield: Serves 8; Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

This was featured in “The Perfect Imperfections of Blueberry Pie” and can also be viewed online here. Not sure how to make a pie crust? Check out “How to Make a Pie Crust” by Melissa Clark.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

2 1/ 2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

8-10 tablespoons or 120 to 150 grams of ice water

1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water

For the Filling:

8 cups blueberries, picked over and washed

1/2 cup raw sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2-3 tablespoons arrowroot flour or cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

To make the crust, combine the flour and salt in a large bowl or food processor. Add the butter, and either use your fingers to rub the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal or pulse the processor a few times to achieve a similar result. Gradually and lightly mix in ice water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the dough just comes together.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and gather into a ball. Divide the ball into two equal portions, and flatten each into a disc with the heel of your hand. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

Prebake the pie shell. Heat oven to 375. Roll out one of the discs of dough on a lightly floured surface, and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the dough so that there is a slight overhang at the top of the pie plate, then place the shell in the freezer for 20 minutes or so to chill. Remove the pie shell from the freezer, cover the dough with parchment paper and fill the shell with pie weights or dried beans. Place the shell into the oven, and bake until the bottom has just started to brown, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Take the pie shell out of the oven, remove the parchment and pie weights and allow to cool.

Make the filling.Separate 1 cup of the blueberries, and combine them in the bowl of a food processor or blender with the sugar, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the arrowroot flour or cornstarch and the salt, then pulse to purée. Put the blueberry mixture into a small pot set over medium-high heat, and cook, whisking constantly, until the liquid has just thickened, approximately 1 minute. Pour the thickened mixture over the remaining blueberries, and stir to combine.

Bake the pie. Heat oven to 400. Mound the filling high in the center of the cooled pie shell, and apply the egg wash to the top edge of the cooked bottom crust. Roll out the second disc of dough, and place it over the top, gently crimping it onto the egg-washed edge of the bottom crust. Place the pie into the freezer to set, approximately 20 minutes, then cut vents into the top with a sharp knife, place the pie on a baking sheet and set it into the oven to bake for approximately 30 minutes. Then turn the pie, reduce heat to 350 and bake until the pie is golden and the filling has begun to bubble up through the vents, another 25 to 45 minutes. Allow pie to cool to room temperature before you cut into it.

HOMEMADE ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM

This comes from the almost-infamous long-since-forgotten-email-list. While I don’t remember who sent this to the list, but whoever sent it in wrote, “I love this ice cream, very creamy and I'd say it tastes better than store bought. Hope you like it as much as we do!!” Time: 45 min; 5 min prep; serves 10 - 12

2 cups 2% low-fat milk

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (or if you REALLY like them you can use half a bag like I do!)

2/3 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

Mix all ingredients together in cylinder of ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturers directions.

Allow to set in freezer for 2-4 hours.

Enjoy!

SOUR-CREAM COFFEE CAKE

This comes from Robert Farrar Capon in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Robert wrote, “Here is a classic coffee cake with a tender crumb and a crunchy streusel topping that comes together in about an hour. It's quite rich, so your serving sizes don't need to be large.” Yield: about 12 servings; Time: 1 hour.

This was featured in “Good Health; Have A Nice Breakfast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Topping:

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, sift flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with sour cream and vanilla until just combined. Do not overmix. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

Make the topping: Combine sugar, cinnamon, flour and nuts in a small bowl and mix well.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cake and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool, cut into pieces and serve.

BARBECUE SAUCE

This comes from a long-since-forgotten-email-list.

1/2 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup prepared mustard

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

In 1 1/2-quart saucepan combine Karo corn syrup, onion, ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Stirring frequently, bring to boil. Reduce heat; boil gently 15 minutes or until thickened. Brush on chicken, ribs or beef, turning frequently, during last 15 to 20 minutes of grilling. Heat remaining sauce to serve with meat.

ITALIAN BEEF STUFFED SHELLS MARINARA

Makes 4 servings

View online with photo and print: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1304.shtml

Ingredients

12 ounces cooked beef pot roast or brisket

20 uncooked jumbo pasta shells (about 8 ounces)

Filling:

1 cup lowfat cottage cheese

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves

2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce:

1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce

Salt and pepper (optional)

Chopped fresh basil (optional)



Directions


Preheat oven to 375F.

Prepare pasta shells according to package directions; drain. Set aside. Shred beef pot roast with two forks.

Meanwhile, combine pot roast, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and garlic in large bowl.

Fill shells evenly with beef mixture. Spread 1 cup pasta sauce on bottom of 11 X 7-inch glass baking dish. Arrange shells in dish; top with remaining sauce.

Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake in 375F oven 20 minutes or until heated through.

Remove foil; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Bake, uncovered, 5 to 8 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned and sauce is bubbly.

Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Garnish with basil, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 364; Protein: 40 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 119 mg; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

Friday, September 2, 2016

Friday Recipes

Enjoy!

HERBED BEEF KABOBS

This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Grilling marinated beef cubes over medium heat results in these tender evenly cooked morsels we all love.” Marinate: 1 hour; Grill: 20 minutes; Serves: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 envelope (1 ounce) dry onion recipe soup & dip mix

1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced

1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 medium green peppers or red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Instructions

Stir the soup mix, broth, oil, thyme, black pepper and garlic powder in a shallow nonmetallic dish or gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread the beef and peppers alternately onto 4 skewers.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.

BLUEBERRY PIE

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Perfection is a fool’s mission when it comes to blueberry pie. Sometimes the filling is a little runny. Other times, slightly thick, depending on the blueberries themselves. But this recipe helps even the odds, with the use of arrowroot starch in place of the more typical flour or cornstarch, and an awesome pre-thickening technique picked up from the pastry chef Kierin Baldwin. You could use a different pie crust, but I like the all-butter version below, at least with a pre-baked bottom and an artfully cut top that allows steam to escape.” Yield: Serves 8; Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

This was featured in “The Perfect Imperfections of Blueberry Pie” and can also be viewed online here. Not sure how to make a pie crust? Check out “How to Make a Pie Crust” by Melissa Clark.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

2 1/ 2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

8-10 tablespoons or 120 to 150 grams of ice water

1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water

For the Filling:

8 cups blueberries, picked over and washed

1/2 cup raw sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2-3 tablespoons arrowroot flour or cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

To make the crust, combine the flour and salt in a large bowl or food processor. Add the butter, and either use your fingers to rub the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal or pulse the processor a few times to achieve a similar result. Gradually and lightly mix in ice water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the dough just comes together.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and gather into a ball. Divide the ball into two equal portions, and flatten each into a disc with the heel of your hand. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

Prebake the pie shell. Heat oven to 375. Roll out one of the discs of dough on a lightly floured surface, and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the dough so that there is a slight overhang at the top of the pie plate, then place the shell in the freezer for 20 minutes or so to chill. Remove the pie shell from the freezer, cover the dough with parchment paper and fill the shell with pie weights or dried beans. Place the shell into the oven, and bake until the bottom has just started to brown, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Take the pie shell out of the oven, remove the parchment and pie weights and allow to cool.

Make the filling.Separate 1 cup of the blueberries, and combine them in the bowl of a food processor or blender with the sugar, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the arrowroot flour or cornstarch and the salt, then pulse to purée. Put the blueberry mixture into a small pot set over medium-high heat, and cook, whisking constantly, until the liquid has just thickened, approximately 1 minute. Pour the thickened mixture over the remaining blueberries, and stir to combine.

Bake the pie. Heat oven to 400. Mound the filling high in the center of the cooled pie shell, and apply the egg wash to the top edge of the cooked bottom crust. Roll out the second disc of dough, and place it over the top, gently crimping it onto the egg-washed edge of the bottom crust. Place the pie into the freezer to set, approximately 20 minutes, then cut vents into the top with a sharp knife, place the pie on a baking sheet and set it into the oven to bake for approximately 30 minutes. Then turn the pie, reduce heat to 350 and bake until the pie is golden and the filling has begun to bubble up through the vents, another 25 to 45 minutes. Allow pie to cool to room temperature before you cut into it.

HOMEMADE ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM

This comes from the almost-infamous long-since-forgotten-email-list. While I don’t remember who sent this to the list, but whoever sent it in wrote, “I love this ice cream, very creamy and I'd say it tastes better than store bought. Hope you like it as much as we do!!” Time: 45 min; 5 min prep; serves 10 - 12

2 cups 2% low-fat milk

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows (or if you REALLY like them you can use half a bag like I do!)

2/3 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

Mix all ingredients together in cylinder of ice cream maker; freeze according to manufacturers directions.

Allow to set in freezer for 2-4 hours.

Enjoy!

SOUR-CREAM COFFEE CAKE

This comes from Robert Farrar Capon in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Robert wrote, “Here is a classic coffee cake with a tender crumb and a crunchy streusel topping that comes together in about an hour. It's quite rich, so your serving sizes don't need to be large.” Yield: about 12 servings; Time: 1 hour.

This was featured in “Good Health; Have A Nice Breakfast”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Topping:

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and generously butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a separate bowl, sift flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with sour cream and vanilla until just combined. Do not overmix. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

Make the topping: Combine sugar, cinnamon, flour and nuts in a small bowl and mix well.

Sprinkle the topping evenly over the cake and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool, cut into pieces and serve.

BARBECUE SAUCE

This comes from a long-since-forgotten-email-list.

1/2 cup Karo light or dark corn syrup

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup prepared mustard

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

In 1 1/2-quart saucepan combine Karo corn syrup, onion, ketchup, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Stirring frequently, bring to boil. Reduce heat; boil gently 15 minutes or until thickened. Brush on chicken, ribs or beef, turning frequently, during last 15 to 20 minutes of grilling. Heat remaining sauce to serve with meat.

ITALIAN BEEF STUFFED SHELLS MARINARA

Makes 4 servings

View online with photo and print: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1304.shtml

Ingredients

12 ounces cooked beef pot roast or brisket

20 uncooked jumbo pasta shells (about 8 ounces)

Filling:

1 cup lowfat cottage cheese

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley leaves

2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce:

1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce

Salt and pepper (optional)

Chopped fresh basil (optional)



Directions


Preheat oven to 375F.

Prepare pasta shells according to package directions; drain. Set aside. Shred beef pot roast with two forks.

Meanwhile, combine pot roast, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and garlic in large bowl.

Fill shells evenly with beef mixture. Spread 1 cup pasta sauce on bottom of 11 X 7-inch glass baking dish. Arrange shells in dish; top with remaining sauce.

Cover with aluminum foil.

Bake in 375F oven 20 minutes or until heated through.

Remove foil; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Bake, uncovered, 5 to 8 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned and sauce is bubbly.

Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Garnish with basil, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 364; Protein: 40 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 119 mg; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

Friday, July 29, 2016

Friday Recipes

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

CRUSTY MACARONI AND CHEESE

This comes from Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “Macaroni and cheese may seem an easy proposition. Noodles, cheese. But the secret to this creamy dish with a crunchy and crisp top is American cheese. This is no place for fancy cheeses or fancy noodles. Leave the whole-wheat penne and artisanal orecchiette in the cupboard and bring on the elbow pasta.” Yield: 8 to 12 servings; Time: 1 hour 15 minutes.

This was featured in “Macaroni and Lots of Cheese” and can also be found by clicking here.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

12 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

12 ounces American cheese or cheddar cheese, coarsely grated

1 pound elbow pasta, boiled in salted water until just tender, drained, and rinsed under cold water

1/8 teaspoon cayenne (optional)

Salt

2/3 cup whole milk

Preparation

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Use one tablespoon butter to thickly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Combine grated cheeses and set aside two heaping cups for topping.

In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, cheeses, cayenne (if using) and salt to taste. Place in prepared pan and evenly pour milk over surface. Sprinkle reserved cheese on top, dot with remaining butter and bake, uncovered, 45 minutes. Raise heat to 400 degrees and bake 15 to 20 minutes more, until crusty on top and bottom.

LOWCOUNTRY PICKLED COLESLAW

This comes from Kim Severs, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, “Ben Moïse, a retired game warden in South Carolina, has been serving a version of this coleslaw at his Frogmore stew parties for years. The hot, boiled dressing softens the cabbage and pickles it slightly. The result is a salad that stays delicious even when it sits outside on a picnic table for a few hours. The amount of vegetables can vary, and a finely chopped jalapeño can be added for a little extra heat.” Yield: 8 servings.

This was featured in “Summer Seafood Boils Take On Local Flavor”, and can be found by clicking here.

Ingredients

For the Slaw:

5 cups chopped green cabbage (1/2-inch pieces)

2 cups chopped purple cabbage (1/2-inch pieces)

1/2 heaping cup chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion

1/2 cup finely diced carrot

1/2 cup finely diced red bell or other sweet pepper

For the Dressing:

1 large clove garlic

1/2 tablespoon salt, more to taste

1 tablespoon minced ginger

1/3 cup rice wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

For Serving:

Juice of 1 freshly squeezed lime

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Preparation

Make the slaw: Put the chopped and diced vegetables in a bowl or other container that will fit in the refrigerator.

Make the dressing: Crush the garlic, and with the side of a knife work the salt into the clove until it makes a rough paste. Add the garlic paste, ginger, vinegar, oil and 1/3 cup water to a saucepan and bring to a low boil. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring now and then. Remove from heat. Allow to cool for 1 or 2 minutes, then pour over the vegetables, tossing well to combine. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Just before serving, toss with the lime juice and a few grinds of black pepper. Taste and add salt if needed.

HERBED BEEF KABOBS

This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Grilling marinated beef cubes over medium heat results in these tender evenly cooked morsels we all love.” Marinate: 1 hour; Grill: 20 minutes; Serves: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 envelope (1 ounce) dry onion recipe soup & dip mix

1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced

1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 medium green peppers or red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Instructions

Stir the soup mix, broth, oil, thyme, black pepper and garlic powder in a shallow nonmetallic dish or gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread the beef and peppers alternately onto 4 skewers.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.

TEX-MEX MACARONI AND GROUND BEEF CASSEROLE

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

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 ounces elbow macaroni or mini ziti

1 cup chopped onion

1 pound lean ground beef

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 package (1 ounce) taco seasoning

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

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

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

Preparation

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

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

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

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

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

ULTIMATE NACHOS

Another recipe that has been kicking around my computer. After checking, I found the recipe on the Ro-Tel website; the recipe can be found here. It makes about six (6) servings, using 1 cup chips with topping each, and is 316 calories per serving. Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. Extra lean ground beef

8 oz. Velveeta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

6 oz. Tortilla chips (about 7 cups)

1 cup shredded lettuce

1/4 cup sliced ripe olives

1 can (10 oz) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained well

Directions:

Brown meat in medium skillet; drain.

Microwave Velveeta in medium microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 minute or until completely melted, stirring after 30 seconds.

Place chips on large platter; top with Velveeta, meat and remaining ingredients.

GRILLED CORN ON THE COB

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

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

Ingredients

1 ear fresh corn on the cob, with the husk

1 teaspoon unsalted butter, melted

Kosher salt

Directions

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

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

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

Friday, July 8, 2016

Friday Recipes

Enjoy!

COKE-BRINED FRIED CHICKEN

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "John Currence, of City Grocery in Oxford, Miss., spent a long time in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit, and was justly celebrated for his hard work there helping to rebuild a cathedral of Southern fried chicken, Willie Mae’s Scotch House. In his 2013 cookbook, “Pickles, Pigs and Whiskey,” Currence paid tribute to the wet batter used on Willie Mae’s legendary dish. But for the purpose of weekend chicken warriors we have omitted it in our adaptation of his homage, concentrating instead on Currence’s use of a Coke-based poultry brine that not only adds some sweetness to the chicken thighs he uses but mildly tenderizes them along the way. Let the meat sit in the brine for a few hours before using, but not so long as overnight, where it really begins to break down. Then dry the thighs, dredge them in seasoned flour, and fry in peanut oil, ideally enhanced by lard. The result is mahogany-brown chicken with a crisp crust and a luscious interior." Yield: 4 to 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Brine:

5 cups Coca-Cola

1 tablespoon kosher salt

10 sprigs fresh thyme

4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced

4 teaspoons mild hot sauce like Crystal, Texas Pete or Cholula

8 to 12 chicken thighs, preferably free-range, organic

For the Seasoned Flour:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons ground black pepper

2 teaspoons smoked Spanish paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Frying:

3 cups peanut oil

1 cup lard, optional, or replace with peanut oil

For Serving:

Hot sauce

Preparation

Make the brine: Combine cola, salt, thyme, garlic and hot sauce in a large metal bowl and stir until the salt has dissolved. Add the chicken thighs, cover and refrigerate 3 to 5 hours.

Make the seasoned flour: In a wide, shallow bowl or pan, combine the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Put the peanut oil in a large heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until it reaches 375 degrees on a candy thermometer. While the oil heats, remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. Dredge the thighs in the flour and shake to remove excess.

Working in batches of 2 or 3 at a time, carefully lower thighs into the hot oil. The oil temperature will plummet when the cold chicken goes into the pan; turn up the heat and carefully monitor the temperature. Cook for a little more than 3 minutes on one side, a little more than 3 minutes on the other, and then a final 3 minutes on the first side. Remove to a wire rack or paper towel to drain.

The juices should run clear when the chicken is poked with a knife. If necessary, transfer the browned chicken to a baking sheet and bake until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees on a instant-read thermometer. Serve hot or at room temperature with hot sauce.

CORN MUFFINS

This comes from Ina Garten of The Food Network show Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 55 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Inactive Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 12 muffins; Level: Easy.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/corn-muffins-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback

Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 cup medium cornmeal

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 extra-large eggs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, melted butter, and eggs. With the mixer on the lowest speed, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones and stir until they are just blended. Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling each one to the top. Bake for 30 minutes, until the tops are crisp and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly and remove from the pan.

SWEET AND SPICY GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “Brown sugar gives these grilled chicken breasts a glistening glaze and caramel-like sweetness, while mustard powder and cayenne add an earthy kick. If you don’t want to bother making a mustard sauce for dipping, just serve these with dollops of good, strong Dijon mustard on the side. A crisp salad and some grilled corn completes the meal. And if you prefer dark meat, this recipe will also work with boneless, skinless thighs, though you might have to add a minute or so to the cooking time. Or use a combination of breasts and thighs for maximum crowd appeal.” Yield: 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 1/2teaspoons dry mustard powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

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

4 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons minced fresh chives

Preparation

Place chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment or plastic wrap. Using a mallet or rolling pin, pound each to an even thickness of 1/2 inch. Do not make them any thinner or they could dry out.

In a small bowl, combine sugar, coriander, salt, mustard powder and cayenne. Place chicken breasts in a bowl and rub well with spice mixture. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours. Remove chicken from fridge while you heat the grill.

Light the grill, building a hot fire, or heat your gas grill to high. Once grill is fully heated, brush breasts lightly with olive oil and place chicken on the grill. Cook until undersides are browned and chicken is about halfway cooked, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip breasts and grill until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes more.

Transfer chicken to a platter. In a small bowl, whisk together mustard and chives. Whisk in 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. Serve chicken with mustard for dipping.

EASY CHERRY COBBLER

This comes from the GE Appliances e-newsletter. Makes 6 servings in 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

1 (20 to 22 ounce) can cherry pie filling

1 (9 ounce - 1 layer size) box yellow cake mix

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped coarsely

1-teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread cherry pie filling in an 8-inch square-baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix cake mix, melted butter, nuts and cinnamon.

Sprinkle evenly over top of cherries or arrange in rows so that the cherries are visible.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until mixture is bubbly.

Serve with vanilla ice cream.

HERBED BEEF KABOBS

This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Grilling marinated beef cubes over medium heat results in these tender evenly cooked morsels we all love.” Marinate: 1 hour; Grill: 20 minutes; Serves: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 envelope (1 ounce) dry onion recipe soup & dip mix

1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced

1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 medium green peppers or red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Instructions

Stir the soup mix, broth, oil, thyme, black pepper and garlic powder in a shallow nonmetallic dish or gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread the beef and peppers alternately onto 4 skewers.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.

ATHENIAN MEATLOAF WITH YOGURT-CUCUMBER SAUCE

Makes 8 servings

Source: TBC

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1258.shtml

Ingredients

2 pounds 96% lean Ground Beef

1 cup soft bread crumbs*

3/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup 2% milk

1 large egg

1 tablespoon plus 1-1/2 teaspoons dried Greek seasoning, divided

1 cup low-fat or regular Greek-style yogurt

1/2 cup diced cucumber

* To make soft breadcrumbs: Tear several slices of fresh bread (French or whole wheat work well) into 1-inch pieces and pulse in a blender or food processor to make coarse crumbs. One slice of bread yields about 1/2 cup soft breadcrumbs.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F. Combine Ground Beef, bread crumbs, onion, milk, egg, 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.

Shape beef mixture into 10 x 4-inch loaf on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 350F oven 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours, until instant-read thermometer inserted into center registers 160F.

Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cucumber and remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons Greek seasoning in medium bowl. Set aside.

Let stand 10 minutes; cut into slices. Serve with cucumber-yogurt sauce.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 187; Protein: 26 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 240 mg; Cholesterol: 95 mg; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Dietary Fiber: .4 g; Carbohydrates: 6 g

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Wednesday Recipes

Enjoy!

SWEET AND SPICY GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “Brown sugar gives these grilled chicken breasts a glistening glaze and caramel-like sweetness, while mustard powder and cayenne add an earthy kick. If you don’t want to bother making a mustard sauce for dipping, just serve these with dollops of good, strong Dijon mustard on the side. A crisp salad and some grilled corn completes the meal. And if you prefer dark meat, this recipe will also work with boneless, skinless thighs, though you might have to add a minute or so to the cooking time. Or use a combination of breasts and thighs for maximum crowd appeal.” Yield: 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 1/2teaspoons dry mustard powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

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

4 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons minced fresh chives

Preparation

Place chicken breasts between two sheets of parchment or plastic wrap. Using a mallet or rolling pin, pound each to an even thickness of 1/2 inch. Do not make them any thinner or they could dry out.

In a small bowl, combine sugar, coriander, salt, mustard powder and cayenne. Place chicken breasts in a bowl and rub well with spice mixture. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours. Remove chicken from fridge while you heat the grill.

Light the grill, building a hot fire, or heat your gas grill to high. Once grill is fully heated, brush breasts lightly with olive oil and place chicken on the grill. Cook until undersides are browned and chicken is about halfway cooked, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip breasts and grill until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes more.

Transfer chicken to a platter. In a small bowl, whisk together mustard and chives. Whisk in 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. Serve chicken with mustard for dipping.

BUTTERY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

This is also from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “The word “buttery” in the title refers to croissants, which make an especially rich foundation for this golden-topped baked breakfast classic. Toasting the croissants before building the casserole adds caramelized notes that can stand up to the bits of browned sausage, sage and melted Gruyère strewn throughout. Make this the night before a special breakfast or brunch, then pop it in the oven an hour before you plan to serve it.” Yield: 8 to 10 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pound croissants (about 5 to 7), split in half lengthwise

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, more for baking dish

1 bunch scallions (6 to 7), white and light green parts thinly sliced, greens reserved

3/4 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage

8 large eggs

3 cups whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

8 ounces Gruyère, grated (2 cups)

1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

Heat oven to 500 degrees. Spread croissants on a large baking sheet and toast, cut side up, until golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes (watch carefully to see that they do not burn). Let cool, then tear into large bite-size pieces.

In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add sliced scallions and sausage meat; cook, breaking up meat with a fork, until mixture is well browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in sage, and remove from heat.

In a large bowl, toss together croissants and sausage mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, 1 1/2 cups cheese, salt and pepper.

Lightly oil a 9- x 13-inch baking dish. Turn croissant mixture into pan, spreading it out evenly over the bottom. Pour custard into pan, pressing croissants down gently to help absorb the liquid. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

When you’re ready to bake the casserole, heat oven to 350 degrees. Scatter the remaining grated cheese over the top of the casserole. Transfer to oven and bake until casserole is golden brown and firm to the touch, 45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Garnish with sliced scallion tops before serving.

HERBED BEEF KABOBS

This comes from Campbell’s Kitchen, and begins, “Grilling marinated beef cubes over medium heat results in these tender evenly cooked morsels we all love.” Marinate: 1 hour; Grill: 20 minutes; Serves: 4.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 envelope (1 ounce) dry onion recipe soup & dip mix

1 cup Swanson® Beef Broth or Swanson® 50% Less Sodium Beef Broth

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or small clove garlic, minced

1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or boneless beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 medium green peppers or red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

Instructions

Stir the soup mix, broth, oil, thyme, black pepper and garlic powder in a shallow nonmetallic dish or gallon size resealable plastic bag. Add the beef and stir to coat. Cover the dish or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove the beef from the marinade. Thread the beef and peppers alternately onto 4 skewers.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the kabobs for 20 minutes for medium or to desired doneness, turning and brushing often with the marinade. Discard the remaining marinade.

BAKED PENNE WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

This comes from Giada De Laurentiis of The Food Network’s Everyday Italian. Total Time: 1 hr 5 min; Prep: 25 min; Cook: 40 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Intermediate

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/baked-penne-with-roasted-vegetables-recipe.html?oc=linkback.

Ingredients

2 red peppers, cored and cut into 1-inch wide strips

2 zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes

2 summer squash, quartered lengthwise and cut into 1-inch cubes

4 cremini mushrooms, halved

1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced into 1-inch strips

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

1 tablespoon dried Italian herb mix or herbs de Provence

1 pound penne pasta

3 cups marinara sauce (store bought or homemade)

1 cup grated fontina cheese

1/2 cup grated smoked mozzarella

1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed

1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus 1/3 cup for topping

2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

On a baking sheet, toss the peppers, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, and onions with olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and dried herbs. Roast until tender, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 6 minutes. Since you will be cooking the pasta a second time in the oven, you want to make sure the inside is still hard. Drain in a colander.

In a large bowl, toss the drained pasta with the roasted vegetables, marinara sauce, cheeses, peas, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Using a wooden spoon, gently mix, until all the pasta is coated with the sauce and the ingredients are combined.

Pour the pasta into a greased 9 by 13-inch pan. Top with the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and butter pieces. Bake until top is golden and cheese melts, about 25 minutes.

KEY LIME-COCONUT ANGEL CAKE

This is one of many recipes from a long-ago-forgotten emailing list. I have to admit, though: some of the yummier recipes came from some of those lists.

1 package Betty Crocker 1-step white angel food cake

1 1/4 cups cold water

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup Key lime or regular lime juice

1 teaspoon grated lime peel

1 (8-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 cup flaked coconut

Move oven rack to lowest position (remove other racks). Heat oven to 350°.

Beat cake mix and cold water in extra-large glass or metal bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds; beat on medium speed 1 minute. Pour into un-greased angel food cake (tube) pan, 10 x 4 inches. (Do not use bundt cake pan or 9 x 3 1/2-inch angel food pan or batter will overflow.)

Bake 37 to 47 minutes or until top is dark golden brown and cracks feel very dry and not sticky. Do not under-bake. Immediately turn pan upside down onto glass bottle until cake is completely cool, about 2 hours.

Beat condensed milk, lime juice, and lime peel in large bowl with wire whisk until smooth and thickened. Fold in whipped topping.

Run knife around edges of cake; remove from pan. Split cake horizontally to make 3 layers. Fill each layer with about 2 cups lime mixture. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining lime mixture. Sprinkle with coconut. Store covered in refrigerator.

LOW FAT SHEPHERD'S PIE

This comes from Fiona Haynes, About.com's Lowfat Cooking expert. She wrote, “This a low fat take on a classic English dish. Shepherd's Pie was traditonally made with leftover meat--usually lamb or beef. This is a recipe that can be made ahead and frozen for later use. I often prepare it one day and use it the next. If you want to reduce the fat content further, use only 3/4 pound of beef and add an extra cup of vegetables--more peas or some sweet corn.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; serves 6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp canola oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 large carrots, chopped

1 pound extra-lean ground beef

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp no-salt-added tomato paste

2 tsp dried mixed herbs

1 cup fat-free, reduced sodium beef broth

1 cup frozen peas

For the Topping:

2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-1 1/2-inch pieces

1/2 cup fat-free milk

1 tbsp light butter

Preparation:

In a large pot, heat canola oil on medium-low heat. Saute onions and carrots until softened. Turn up heat to medium-high and add beef; cook until no longer pink. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, herbs and broth. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Add peas, then simmer 5 minutes more. Tip: If sauce seems too watery for your liking, combine 1 tsp of cornstarch into 1/8 cup of water and stir into beef mixture.

While sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to boil. Add potatoes, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain water. Add milk and light butter. Mash with a potato masher until smooth. Season if you like.

Pour sauce into an 11-inch by 7-inch baking dish and allow to cool slightly. Top with potato. Optional: sprinkle with 1/3 cup reduced-fat cheese.

Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

Per Serving (without cheese): Calories 322, Calories from Fat 67, Total Fat 7.6g (Sat 2.8g), Cholesterol 49mg, Sodium 260mg, Carbohydrate 41.2g, Fiber 5.7g, Protein 22.5g