Confessions of a Foodie

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Showing posts with label Mexicorn chicken. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mexicorn chicken. Show all posts

Monday, January 20, 2020

Chicken - Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's double post deals with chicken.

There was a time when chicken was reserved for the Sunday dinner table. (Think early- to mid-twentieth century.)

Now, it's an anytime meal. Here are six yummy chicken recipes to help you through the day, including 20-Minute Chicken Creole and Chicken Spaghetti. Enjoy!

MEXICORN CHICKEN

One of my inventions from decades ago. It can be found in Off the Wall Cooking, which I'm currently updating.

Ingredients

2-3 lb. chicken, cut up

3 T oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T wheat germ

12 oz. can Mexicorn

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 C water

1 T soy sauce

1 T honey

Directions

Brown chicken to oil. Put in baking dish. Brown onion, garlic & wheat germ, stirring. Pour over chicken. Add mexicorn, soup, water, soy sauce & hone. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

ROAST CHICKENS WITH PLUMS

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This recipe, which roasts two chickens at the same time, has been engineered to feed a crowd. It's no harder than roasting one chicken. The birds get rubbed down with a garlicky sumac spice rub brightened with lemon zest. Then, as they cook, their fragrant drippings season sliced plums roasting in the pan underneath them, which caramelize into a fruity, chutney-like sauce. Feel free to halve the recipe if you’d rather, but be sure to reduce the oven temperature to 425 degrees. For two chickens you need the higher heat so they both crisp properly, but for only one chicken, slightly lower heat keeps the plums from burning.”

Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Times: 1 1/2 hours, plus marinating

This was featured in “Roast Chicken With Plums Gets a Touch of Spice for Rosh Hashana”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017684-roast-chickens-with-plums.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

2 large lemons

2 tablespoons ground sumac

4 teaspoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon allspice

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 garlic cloves, grated or minced

2 chickens, 4 to 4 1/2 pounds each

1 bunch thyme, more for garnish

For the Plums:

2 1/4 pounds plums, halved or quartered if large

4 shallots, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1 bay leaf, torn in half

Preparation:

Grate the zest from the lemons and place in a small bowl. Set aside the zested lemons.

Stir sumac, salt, pepper, cinnamon and allspice into the lemon zest. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and the garlic. The mixture should feel like wet sand. Rub it all over the chickens, including inside the cavity.

Divide thyme bunch in half and place in the chicken cavities. Place chickens on a roasting rack set over a rimmed baking sheet, and let marinate, uncovered, in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

When ready to roast, let chickens come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 450 degrees.

In a large roasting pan, toss together plums, shallots, honey, oil, salt, cinnamon, allspice, bay leaf and 2 tablespoons water. Spread out plum mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Place chickens on the rack over the plums in the pan. Roast for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, squeeze 1 tablespoon juice from reserved lemon and mix it with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drizzle this over the chicken, then continue to roast until the birds are golden-skinned and cooked through, about 30 to 45 minutes longer.

Let chickens rest, covered lightly with foil, for 10 minutes. Carve and serve with the plums and more thyme for garnish.

20-MINUTE CHICKEN CREOLE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings (1-1/2 cups per serving)

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/20-minute-chicken-creole.

Ingredients

12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips

1 cup canned whole peeled tomatoes, chopped

1 cup chili sauce (look for lowest sodium version)

1-1/2 cup green bell pepper, rinsed and chopped

1-1/2 cup celery, rinsed and chopped

1/4 cup onion, chopped

1 Tbsp garlic, minced (about 2–3 cloves)

1 Tbsp fresh basil, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or 1 tsp dried)

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1/4 tsp salt

Directions

Spray saute pan with cooking spray.

Preheat over high heat.

Cook chicken in hot saute pan, stirring for 3–5 minutes. Reduce heat.

Add tomatoes with juice, chili sauce, green pepper, celery, onion, garlic, basil, parsley, crushed red pepper, and salt. Bring to boil over high heat, and then reduce heat to simmer.

Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 274; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 383 mg; Cholesterol: 73 mg; Protein: 30 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g

BBQ CHICKEN BURRITOS

My son and I were both on several long-forgotten emailing recipe lists. This is one of the recipes my son passed along from one of those lists.Makes 24 muffins.

Yield: 6 servings.

Ingredients

4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

6 burrito size fat free wheat flour tortillas

3 cups shredded lettuce

1 cup shredded reduced fat sharp Cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded reduced fat Monterey Jack cheese

1 small tomato, diced

1 small avocado, diced

1/2 cup diced purple onion

1/4 cup barbecue sauce

2 tbsp. lowfat sour cream

1 tbsp. light ranch dressing

Directions

Heat grill over medium-hot coals. Grill chicken breasts for 7 minutes; turn over and grill 5 minutes longer. Brush chicken with barbecue sauce. Grill about 3 minutes and turn chicken over. Brush with more barbecue sauce and continue grilling and turning until chicken is done and generously coated with barbecue sauce.

Let chicken cool enough to handle. Slice into thin, short strips.

Warm flour tortillas according to package directions. Evenly divide chicken among flour tortillas. Top with lettuce, cheeses, tomatoes, avocados and onions. Combine barbecue sauce, sour cream and ranch dressing; dollop on burritos. Roll up.

CHICKEN SPAGHETTI

Is it a chicken dish? Spaghetti? Both! This yummy recipes is from Ree Drummond of The Food Network’s The Pioneer Woman, and begins, “With spaghetti and mushroom sauce, and light and dark meat chicken with bell peppers, Ree Drummond's casserole is like two meals in one. Cooking the spaghetti in the same liquid as the chicken infuses it with flavor, and the Cheddar thickens the sauce so it coats each piece of meat.”

Total: 1 hr 40 min; Active: 20 min; Yield: 8 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/chicken-spaghetti-recipe.

Ingredients

1 whole raw chicken, cut into 8 pieces

1 pound thin spaghetti, broken into 2-inch pieces

2 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar

1/4 cup finely diced green bell pepper

1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Two 10 3/4-ounce cans cream of mushroom soup

1 medium onion, finely diced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the chicken pieces to the boiling water and boil for a few minutes, then return the heat to medium-low and simmer, 30 to 45 minutes.

Remove the chicken and 2 cups of the chicken cooking broth from the pot. When the chicken is cool, remove the skin and pick out the meat (a mix of dark and white) to make 2 generous cups.

Cook the spaghetti in the same chicken cooking broth until al dente. Do not overcook. When the spaghetti is cooked, combine with the chicken, mushroom soup, 1 1/2 cups cheese, the green peppers, red peppers, onions, seasoned salt, cayenne, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir in 1 cup of the reserved chicken cooking broth, adding an additional cup if needed.

Place the mixture in a casserole pan and top with the remaining 1 cup cheese. Cover and freeze up to 6 months, cover and refrigerate up to 2 days or bake immediately until bubbly, about 45 minutes. (If the cheese on top starts to get too cooked, cover with foil).

FAJITA STYLE ONE-DISH CHICKEN DINNER

This comes from Food. Time: 35 minutes; Serves 2-3.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 (1 1/4 ounce) package fajita seasoning mix

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 red pepper

1 yellow pepper

grated cheddar cheese

2 cups cooked rice

vegetable oil (for frying)

Directions

Chop chicken breast into chunks.

Fry chicken quickly until almost cooked through.

Remove chicken from pan.

Cook peppers for 2-3 minutes.

Put chicken back in pan with peppers.

Add fajita seasoning and 1/4 cup water.

Cook until chicken is done.

Put mixture over rice and top with grated cheese.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Wednesday Recipes

It's the next-to-last Wednesday in November, almost time for Thanksgiving. I'll be starting recipes for Thanksgiving in another day or so. In the meantime, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Mushroom and Robiola Cheese Lasagna and Mexicorn Chicken. Enjoy!

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE-ZUCCHINI BREAD

This comes from Deb Wise on MyRecipes. She wrote, “Got a boatload of zucchini? A loaf of so-simple quick bread is a delightful, kid-friendly way to put it to use. This decadent twist spices up classic zucchini bread with cocoa powder, cinnamon, a rich chocolate glaze, and roasted pepitas. Easy-to-make, incredibly moist, and intensely chocolatey, this Mexican Chocolate Zucchini Bread is sure to be a new favorite.”

Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes; Yield: Serves: 10 (serving size: 1 slice)

To view this online, go to https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/mexican-chocolate-zucchini-bread.

Ingredients

3 large eggs

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups grated unpeeled zucchini

1 2/3 cups (about 7 1/8 oz.) all-purpose flour

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon table salt

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup, plus 2 Tbsp. roasted and salted pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds), divided

3 tablespoons heavy cream

1 ounce bittersweet chocolate baking bar, finely chopped

1/2 cup (about 2 oz.) powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan with baking spray.

Place eggs in a large bowl; lightly whisk. Add granulated sugar, oil, and vanilla; whisk until smooth. Stir in grated zucchini.

Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl just until combined. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, stirring just until combined. Stir chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of the pepitas into batter. Scrape batter into prepared pan; smooth top with spatula. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 55 minutes to 1 hour.

Cool bread in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of pan to loosen bread. Remove bread from pan, and cool completely on rack, about 1 hour.

Combine cream and bittersweet chocolate in a medium-size microwaveable bowl. Microwave on MEDIUM until chocolate melts, about 45 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds. Add powdered sugar, and stir until smooth. Drizzle glaze over top of cooled bread. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons pepitas.

TEXAS POTATO SALAD

This is from Derrick Riches, a former writer for The Spruce Eats. Derrick wrote, “If you haven't tried a Texas-style potato salad, you're missing out. Think German potato salad meets traditional potato salad with a touch of Southwestern flair. A must try at your next cookout!”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 18 minutes; Total Time: 38 minutes; Yield: serves 4-6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Pickled Jalapeños:

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 large jalapeño (seeded and finely chopped)

For the Potatoes:

8 medium poatoes (Yukon gold, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch chunks)

For the Salad Dressing:

1/2 cup Dijon mustard

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon sea salt (more if needed)

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon black pepper (coarse ground)

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or chipotle chili powder)

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons pickling juice

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Assembly:

2 stalks celery (washed and diced)

2 green onions (green part only, washed and chopped)

1/4 cup cilantro (leaves, washed and chopped)

2 eggs (hard-boiled, cut into medium chunks)

Directions

Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this potato salad dish is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and cooking.

Make the Pickled Jalapeños:

Gather the ingredients.

In a small glass or plastic bowl, add rice wine vinegar, mustard seed, salt, and diced jalapeño. You can use serrano peppers if you prefer.

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 2 to 4 hours.

Make the Potatoes:

Gather the ingredients.

Bring 8 cups of water to boil in a large pot. Add 1 teaspoon salt to water as it begins to bubble.

Peel and cut Yukon potatoes into 3/4-inch chunks. Add to pot and boil for 15-18 minutes. Potatoes are done when easily pierced by a fork. Make sure they are still firm and not mushy.

Once potatoes are cooked through, drain and add to an ice bath (a large bowl with cold water and 1 cup of ice), for several minutes. This halts the cooking process and cools the potatoes.

Make the Dressing

Gather the ingredients.

Add mustard, mayonnaise, salt, sugar, black pepper, cayenne pepper, vinegar, pickling juice, chili powder, and garlic powder to bowl.

Combine and taste for salt content. Remember that potatoes tend to need a little more salt, so add 1/2 teaspoon more if necessary.

Assemble the Potatoes

Gather the ingredients.

Drain potatoes from ice bath.

Add to bowl along with celery pickled jalapeños, cilantro, egg, and green onions.

Using large spoon, gently combine with salad dressing.

Scoop potato salad into serving dish, top with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

MUSHROOM AND ROBIOLA CHEESE LASAGNA

This is from Anthony Scotto on the Today website. It begins, “Velvety béchamel sauce makes this cheesy lasagna even more comforting, creamy and delicious. Sautéed mushrooms, fresh herbs and robiola cheese all add an earthy flavor, making this the perfect dish for a cool fall night.”

Makes 6-8 servings

This can be viewed online at https://www.today.com/recipes/mushroom-robiola-cheese-lasagna-recipe-t163303.

Ingredients

Béchamel Sauce

1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups heavy cream, heated just until steaming

2 cups whole milk, heated just until steaming

1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg

1 tablespoon coarse salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Lasagna

1 pound fresh mushrooms

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 sprig fresh thyme, finely chopped

1 sprig fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 pounds fresh robiola cheese, diced

2 cups grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, divided

2 eggs

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 pound lasagna noodles

Preparation

For the béchamel sauce:

In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add flour, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, 2-3 minutes.

Continue whisking constantly, slowly add half of the hot cream and half of the hot milk to saucepan.

Pour the remaining hot milk into the saucepan, in small increments, whisking mixture constantly, until a smooth paste forms.

Whisk remaining cream into the mixture, then add nutmeg and salt. Cook mixture, stirring with a wooden spoon, making sure to scrape bottom and sides, until sauce is thick and creamy, about 15 minutes. If any lumps form, stir sauce rapidly with a whisk. Season with pepper, taste; remove from heat.

For the lasagna:

Sauté the mushrooms in olive oil with the thyme and rosemary over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Mix half of the robiola cheese with 1 cup of the Parmigiano Reggiano, 2 cups of béchamel sauce and mushrooms in a large bowl. Add the eggs and parsley. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat and cook the pasta until al dente, about 1 minute. Drain and shock pasta sheets in cold water.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Spread a small ladle of plain béchamel sauce in the bottom of a lasagna pan to cover. Place a layer of noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the cheese and mushroom mix over the pasta. Add more béchamel sauce and sprinkle with more robiola cheese and Parmesan. Repeat the layers of sauce, mushroom, pasta and cheese, two more times.

Spread the remaining cup of béchamel sauce over the top layer of the pasta and sprinkle the remaining Parmigiano Reggiano cheese over the final layer of sauce.

Bake the lasagna for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden. Let rest for 30 minutes before cutting the lasagna.

CHEESY TACO MEATLOAF

This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “It takes just 10 minutes and a few ingredients to put together this scrumptious meatloaf...and when it comes out of the oven you've got two family favorites, tacos and meatloaf, combined into one tasty dish!”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes; Serves: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef

1 jar (16 ounces) Pace® Chunky Salsa or Pace® Picante Sauce - Medium

1 1/2 ounces tortilla chips, crushed (about 1/2 cup)

1 egg

1 teaspoon chili powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Set the oven to 350°F. Thoroughly mix the beef, 1 cup salsa, tortilla chips, egg, chili powder, salt and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a 3-quart shallow baking pan and shape into an 9x4-inch loaf.

Bake for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through.

Spread the remaining salsa over the meatloaf and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

CAULDRON OF CHILI WITH SPIDER BREAD

My son and I were both on several long-forgotten emailing recipe lists. This is one of the recipes my son passed along from one of those lists.

Source: Target Recipes

Serves: 8; Hands-On Time: 40 Minutes; Total Time: 55 Minutes

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef

3/4 cup chopped onions

2 (14.5 ounce) cans Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, undrained

1 (15 ounce) can spicy chili beans, undrained

1 (11 ounce) can Mexicorn whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, undrained

1 (11 ounce) can refrigerated breadsticks

4 small pimento-stuffed olives, sliced

1/2 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

In 12-inch skillet, cook beef and onions over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes stirring frequently until beef is thoroughly cooked. Drain.

Stir in tomatoes, chili, beans and corn; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Make an X shape using two pieces of dough. Pinch and twist the center where they meet to create a ball-shaped spider head.

Place on baking sheet, spreading legs of X shape out from the spider body. Use scissors to cut the dough creating four more legs. Attach dough to body and splay all eight legs. Place 2 olive slices on each for eyes.

Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Top individual serving of chili with cheese and serve with warm spider breads.

MEXICORN CHICKEN

One of my inventions from decades ago. It can be found in Off the Wall Cooking, which I'm currently updating.

Ingredients

2-3 lb. chicken, cut up

3 T oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T wheat germ

12 oz. can Mexicorn

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 C water

1 T soy sauce

1 T honey

Directions

Brown chicken to oil. Put in baking dish. Brown onion, garlic & wheat germ, stirring. Pour over chicken. Add mexicorn, soup, water, soy sauce & hone. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Friday Recipes

It's Friday, time to get ready for the weekend. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Easy Ground Beef Chili, Torrisi Turkey, and Strawberry Cheesecake Bars. Yum! Enjoy!

MEXICORN CHICKEN

One of my inventions from decades ago. It can be found in Off the Wall Cooking, which I'm currently updating.

Ingredients

2-3 lb. chicken, cut up

3 T oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T wheat germ

12 oz. can Mexicorn

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 C water

1 T soy sauce

1 T honey

Directions

Brown chicken to oil. Put in baking dish. Brown onion, garlic & wheat germ, stirring. Pour over chicken. Add mexicorn, soup, water, soy sauce & hone. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

CRISP GNOCCHI WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS AN BROWN BUTTER

This is from Ali Slagel in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Ali wrote, “For a fantastic meal that can be ready in 20 minutes, toss together seared gnocchi and sautéed brussels sprouts with lemon zest, red-pepper flakes and brown butter. The key to this recipe is how you cook the store-bought gnocchi: No need to boil. Just sear them until they are crisp and golden on the outside, and their insides will stay chewy. The resulting texture is reminiscent of fried dough. Shelf-stable and refrigerated gnocchi will both work here, but the shelf-stable ones do crisp up a bit better.”

Time: 20 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020453-crisp-gnocchi-with-brussels-sprouts-and-brown-butter.

Ingredients

1 pound brussels sprouts

1 lemon

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper

1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

1 (18-ounce) package shelf-stable or refrigerated potato gnocchi

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced into 6 pieces

1/2 teaspoon honey

Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Preparation

Trim and halve the brussels sprouts. Using a vegetable peeler, peel thick strips of lemon zest, then coarsely chop. (You should have about 2 teaspoons chopped zest.)

In a large (preferably 12-inch) skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add the brussels sprouts, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper, then arrange the brussels sprouts in an even layer, cut-side down. Scatter the lemon zest over the top and cook, undisturbed, until the brussels sprouts are well browned underneath, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the red-pepper flakes, stir and cook until the brussels sprouts are crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl.

In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high. Break up any gnocchi that are stuck together, add them to the pan and cook, covered and undisturbed, until golden brown on one side, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the butter and honey, season with salt and a generous amount of black pepper, and cook, stirring, until the butter is golden, nutty smelling and foaming, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the brussels sprouts until warmed through. Serve with grated Parmesan.

TORRISI TURKEY

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “The roast turkey breast that Rich Torrisi and Mario Carbone serve for lunch at their restaurant Parm in New York City is about the moistest, most luxuriously flavorful turkey available on the planet: rich and buttery, deep with rich turkey taste. They wrap a brined breast in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and place it in an intensely humid low-temperature oven that leaves the meat dense with moisture, heavy with flavor. Then they paint a glaze of honey and roasted garlic on the meat and place it in a hot, dry oven to create a crust. The result is turkey that tastes emphatically of turkey. And you can do it at home.”

Time: 4 hours, plus marinating; Yield: 12 servings

This was featured in “Chefs’ Tips for the Thanksgiving Meal”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014108-torrisi-turkey.

Ingredients

For Brining the Turkey:

1 cup kosher salt

1 cup sugar

2 boneless turkey breasts, 3 to 4 1/2 pounds each

For the Glaze:

8 heads garlic, lightly smashed but intact

4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup honey

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon pepper

1 tablespoon thyme leaves

Preparation

To brine the turkey: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 quarts water to a boil with the salt and sugar. Pour into a large pot, and add 2 quarts cold water. Once the brine is cool, submerge the turkey breasts and refrigerate overnight, or up to 24 hours.

To make the glaze: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Toss the garlic heads with the olive oil in a small casserole dish, cover and roast until the garlic is soft, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Leave covered until cool enough to handle, then squeeze the garlic cloves from their skins into a food processor and purée. Add the honey, salt and pepper. Cover until ready to use.

To cook the turkey: Heat oven to 250 degrees. Remove the breasts from the brine and wrap each one four times in plastic wrap and once in aluminum foil. Insert an oven-safe thermometer into the center of one breast and place both on a wire rack in a roasting pan. Add water to reach to just below the rack. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 135 degrees, 2 to 3 hours. Near the end of cooking time, fill a large bowl halfway with ice water.

Remove the turkey from oven and raise temperature to 425 degrees. Without removing thermometer or wrapping, submerge the turkey in the ice bath for 5 minutes. Remove foil, plastic wrap and turkey skin. Pat dry and brush glaze liberally on all sides of the breasts. Roast until glaze is golden, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve thinly sliced, hot or cold.

EASY GROUND BEEF CHILI

This is from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This hearty beef and bean chili is a comforting dish that will warm you up on cold fall and winter days.

“We can thank Texas for introducing the rest of us to this fabulous dish. The typical Texas chili does not include beans, but there are many variations with kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans. It's the complex blend of ingredients that makes the best chili. You'll find this all-American dish in cans, on restaurant menus ("chili joints"), served on hot dogs or hamburgers, and used as a pasta sauce.

“Browned ground beef provides most of the protein, while vegetables, beans, tomatoes, and seasonings unite for a spicy and delicious long-simmered dish.

“The dish is versatile as well. The amount of jalapeno pepper can be adjusted up or down, depending on your heat tolerance. Unless it's labeled hot or spicy, most chili powders are fairly mild. For a spicier chili, taste and add some extra cayenne pepper. Some shredded carrots will add some natural sweetness to the chili, and they can easily be "hidden" in the chili for those picky kids.

“Condiments are another way to personalize your chili. Serve the chili with little dishes of shredded or grated cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, lime wedges, diced onions, pickled jalapeno rings, avocado wedges or guacamole, or chopped cilantro. A fresh tossed green salad or homemade coleslaw can round out a chili meal nicely.

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/easy-ground-beef-chili-3053290.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 pound ground beef

1 large onion (chopped)

1 green bell pepper (chopped)

2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1 clove garlic (large, minced)

1 jalapeño pepper (seeded and minced)

1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes (diced, with juices)

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 (15-ounce) can beans (e.g., chili beans, small red beans, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans)

Directions

Gather the ingredients.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble the ground beef into the skillet and add the onion and bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender and the beef is no longer pink. Drain off excess fat.

Add chili powder, minced garlic, jalapeno pepper, tomatoes and tomato sauce, cumin, marjoram, and thyme. Stir to blend and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low; simmer for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Pour the canned beans into a colander; rinse and drain well. Add the beans to the chili and heat through.

For serving, consider freshly baked cornbread or cornbread muffins.

Tip

Serve with saltines or fresh cornbread. Tex-Mex cornbread or no-knead jalapeño and cheese bread would be fantastic with this chili, or bake a pan of buttermilk biscuits to serve on the side.

LOW CALORIE CROCK-POT RICE PUDDING

I found this recipe on My Daily Moment. It begins, “You won't take this delicious dessert with a grain of rice. It's creamy, dreamy and prepared in a crockpot. One bite and you're sure to love every mouthwatering spoonful.” It serves 6.

To view this online, click here..

Ingredients

3 cups skim milk

3/4 cup rice

3/4 cup sugars, granulated

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 Pam cooking spray

4 tablespoons butter, light, stick, melted

1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground

Directions

Spray crock-pot with Pam. Pour all ingredients into pot and stir, then add melted butter and stir again. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or until rice absorbs all liquid. Cook until soft and stir often. Garnish with raisins and whipped cream, if desired.

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE BARS

This is from Erin Jeanne McDowell in The New York Times cooking newsletter. Erin wrote, “Great for picnics or potlucks, these portable cheesecake bars incorporate cooked berries directly into the custard, which means they take on a rosy hue. You can even add a few drops of red food coloring if you want to make up for out-of-season berries, which are less vibrantly colored, or if you just want a livelier result. Feel free to use frozen berries in place of fresh, though you’ll need to thaw them fully before beginning the process.”

Yield: One 9-by-13-inch pan (about 15 bars); Time: 1 hour 45 minutes, plus chilling

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020178-strawberry-cheesecake-bars.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

Nonstick cooking spray

10 1/2 ounces shortbread cookies

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), melted

For the Filling:

1 1/2 pounds strawberries, hulled and halved (about 4 cups)

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature

5 large eggs, at room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Red food coloring, as needed

For the Topping:

1 1/4 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

3/4 pound strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced (about 2 cups)

Preparation

Heat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Make the crust: In a food processor, pulse the cookies until they form fine crumbs (you should have about 2 1/2 cups). Add the salt and pulse briefly to combine, then add the melted butter and pulse until uniformly incorporated. Press the crust into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan and wipe out the bowl of the food processor. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the crust has browned slightly and appears set, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool completely. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.

Make the filling: In a medium pot, toss the strawberries with 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries begin to soften and the mixture becomes juicy, 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the firmness of the berries. Cool for 15 minutes.

Transfer the strawberries and their juices to the food processor and purée until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer the berry purée to a large bowl and set aside. Add the remaining 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar and the cream cheese to the food processor bowl and blend until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time and pulse until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the food processor bowl as needed.

Add the vanilla and pulse to combine. Scrape the custard into the berry purée and stir to combine. The batter should be a pale pink. If it’s not, add 3 to 5 drops red food coloring and mix to combine. Pour the cheesecake custard into the cooled crust.

Bake the cheesecake until the edges appear set and the center still appears slightly jiggly, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, then refrigerate until firm (at least 4 hours, and up to overnight).

Make the topping: In an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cream and confectioners’ sugar to medium peaks, 3 to 4 minutes. Spread the whipped cream on the chilled cheesecake in an even layer. Arrange the sliced strawberries on top. (Arranging them in stripes makes it a bit easier to cut rows out of the bars later.) Use a sharp knife to release the edges of the cheesecake from the pan. Slice into 15 even pieces, wiping the knife clean between cuts for the clean, sharp edges.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Friday Recipes

It's the last Friday in October. After Halloween (next Thursday), it'll be time to start getting ready for Thanksgiving (in the U.S.), as well as all the December holidays. This year has definitely flown by!

That said, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Mushroom Meatloaf and Mexicorn Chicken. Enjoy!

CREAMY NO CHURN RASPBERRY CRUMBLE ICE CREAM

This comes from the wonderful people at Feedfeed, and begins, “Sunshine in Vancouver got me like... let’s make homemade ice cream!!”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Brown Sugar Crisp

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 tbsp butter, cold

No Churn Ice Cream

1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp salt

4 oz cream cheese, softened

2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

Raspberry Jam, about 2/3 cup

Directions

For the Brown Sugar Crisp: Preheat oven to 350˚F degrees and line a small baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Add cold butter and work the butter into the dry ingredients with a pasty cutter until the butter is incorporated and you are left with a crumbly mixture. Spread onto prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to bake for about 10-15 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and and allow to cool completely. Set aside until ready to use assemble ice cream.

For the No Churn Ice Cream: In a small bowl, whisk together condensed milk, vanilla and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment on high until smooth and creamy and there are no lumps. Turn the mixer to low and slowly add the whipping cream in a steady stream. Once all the cream in incorporated, turn the mixer to high and whip until stiff peaks form; about 3-4 minutes.

Add half of the whipped cream cheese mixture to the condensed milk mixture and whisk to combine. Add the condensed milk mixture to your bowl of whipped cream and use a spatula to fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk until smooth and no streaks of whipped cream remain.

Pour 1/2 of the mixture into a 9 or 10 inch cake pan (alternatively you could use a loaf pan). Set the pan and the remaining ice cream mixture in your freezer for 15 minutes to set slightly. Once set remove and begin assembling your ice cream.

Dollop about 1/3 of a cup of your raspberry jam over the ice cream in the pan. Use a spoon to spread it evenly over the top. Sprinkle with 1/2 of your crumble mixture. Dollop the rest of your ice cream mixture on top and use a spoon to smooth. Dollop the remaining jam across the top of the ice cream and use a knife or the back of your spoon to create the pretty swirls. Sprinkle with remaining crisp mixture.

Cover with plastic wrap and set in the freezer for 5-6 hours before serving.

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATOES, BASIL AND ROASTED GARLIC

This was on page 37 of the August 1998 issue of Vegetarian Times, and posted online on May 1, 2017. It begins, “Our pasta dish can be as simple as the one presented here, or modified by adding diced avocado, chopped red onion, sliced black olives and chopped roasted peppers. Since pasta is not the best source of protein, this dish should be joined by a first-course that includes legumes, such as the Chickpea-Stuffed Mushrooms (p. 35, August 1998).” Makes 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

10 cloves garlic

3/4 lb. ripe plum tomatoes

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

1 Tbs. capers

1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

1/2 lb. rice pasta or whole-wheat pasta

Preparation

Place unpeeled garlic cloves in small baking dish and roast until soft and lightly colored, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove each clove as it is done. When cool enough to handle, peel and smash gently with flat side of knife.

Dice tomatoes and place in large bowl, retaining juices. You should have about 2 cups of tomatoes. Add roasted garlic, basil, capers, oil and vinegar. Let stand at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. When water boils, add pasta and stir to prevent sticking. Cook until al dente, stirring occasionally. Drain well and add to tomato mixture. Toss to mix and coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MUSHROOM MEATLOAF

Yield: 8 servings

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/739.shtml

Source: Secrets of Good-Carb Low-Carb Living

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95-percent-lean ground beef or ground turkey

2 cups very finely chopped fresh mushrooms

3/4 cup very finely chopped onion

3/4 cup quick-cooking (1-minute) oats

8-ounce can tomato sauce with roasted garlic or Italian herbs

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fat-free egg substitute

1/4 cup very finely chopped fresh parsley, or 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Place all of the ingredients except for 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce in a large bowl, and mix well.

Coat a 9-by-5-inch meatloaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and press the mixture into the pan to form a loaf.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Spread the remaining tomato sauce over the meatloaf and bake for 30 additional minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink inside and a meat thermometer reads at least 160 degrees.

Remove the loaf from the oven, and let sit for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 4.4 g; Sodium: 399 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Saturated Fat: 1.6 g; Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 3 Low-Fat Meat, 1 Vegetable

MEXICORN CHICKEN

One of my inventions from decades ago. It can be found in Off the Wall Cooking, which I'm currently updating.

Ingredients

2-3 lb. chicken, cut up

3 T oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T wheat germ

12 oz. can Mexicorn

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 C water

1 T soy sauce

1 T honey

Directions

Brown chicken to oil. Put in baking dish. Brown onion, garlic & wheat germ, stirring. Pour over chicken. Add mexicorn, soup, water, soy sauce & hone. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

ROAST CHICKENS WITH PLUMS

This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “This recipe, which roasts two chickens at the same time, has been engineered to feed a crowd. It's no harder than roasting one chicken. The birds get rubbed down with a garlicky sumac spice rub brightened with lemon zest. Then, as they cook, their fragrant drippings season sliced plums roasting in the pan underneath them, which caramelize into a fruity, chutney-like sauce. Feel free to halve the recipe if you’d rather, but be sure to reduce the oven temperature to 425 degrees. For two chickens you need the higher heat so they both crisp properly, but for only one chicken, slightly lower heat keeps the plums from burning.”

Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Times: 1 1/2 hours, plus marinating

This was featured in “Roast Chicken With Plums Gets a Touch of Spice for Rosh Hashana”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017684-roast-chickens-with-plums.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

2 large lemons

2 tablespoons ground sumac

4 teaspoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon allspice

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

4 garlic cloves, grated or minced

2 chickens, 4 to 4 1/2 pounds each

1 bunch thyme, more for garnish

For the Plums:

2 1/4 pounds plums, halved or quartered if large

4 shallots, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1 bay leaf, torn in half

Preparation:

Grate the zest from the lemons and place in a small bowl. Set aside the zested lemons.

Stir sumac, salt, pepper, cinnamon and allspice into the lemon zest. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and the garlic. The mixture should feel like wet sand. Rub it all over the chickens, including inside the cavity.

Divide thyme bunch in half and place in the chicken cavities. Place chickens on a roasting rack set over a rimmed baking sheet, and let marinate, uncovered, in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

When ready to roast, let chickens come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Heat oven to 450 degrees.

In a large roasting pan, toss together plums, shallots, honey, oil, salt, cinnamon, allspice, bay leaf and 2 tablespoons water. Spread out plum mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Place chickens on the rack over the plums in the pan. Roast for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, squeeze 1 tablespoon juice from reserved lemon and mix it with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drizzle this over the chicken, then continue to roast until the birds are golden-skinned and cooked through, about 30 to 45 minutes longer.

Let chickens rest, covered lightly with foil, for 10 minutes. Carve and serve with the plums and more thyme for garnish.

SPICY COLESLAW

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “This easy, crisp slaw can be made a few hours ahead of time. It goes well with ribs and a cold beer, fried chicken or whatever summer feast sparks your fancy.”

Yield: Serves 6; Time: 10 minutes, plus hours’ refrigeration

This was featured in “Lone Star”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012539-spicy-coleslaw.

Ingredients

1 medium head green cabbage

2 carrots, peeled and grated

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons pickle relish

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

2 teaspoons pepper sauce, like Frank’s, or to taste

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Cut the cabbage in half and remove the core. Cut each half in half and slice each resulting quarter into thin ribbons. Mix with carrots in a large, nonreactive bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.

Pour the dressing over the cabbage and toss. Season to taste.

The coleslaw may be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for a few hours. Toss again before serving.

Friday, July 14, 2017

Chicken

A generation or two (or three) ago, Sunday dinner wasn't Sunday Dinner without chicken. At one time, chicken was more expensive than it is now (comparatively speaking), so it was reserved for the big meal of the week.

And so, without further adieu, I present six chicken recipes, including Monterey Chicken Fajitas and Mexicorn Chicken. Enjoy!

CHICKEN IN WINE

This is one of my numerous inventions before I moved out on my own, and can be found in my e-cookbook, titled Off the Wall Cooking.

2 onions, chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

2 T butter

2-3 lb. chicken, cut up

1 tsp mustard

1/4 C red wine (see note)

1 tsp Worchester sauce

1/4 C milk or water

3 T honey

1/2-1 C cornmeal

3 1/2 C tomatoes

6 oz. can tomato paste

salt, pepper, spices to taste (note)

Brown onions & garlic in butter. Add 2 T honey to milk or water. Dip chicken in milk & honey, then in cornmeal. Add to onions & garlic. Mix other ingredients & pour over chicken. Cover & simmer until done (about 45 minutes). Serve over brown rice.

NOTE: Alcohol-free wine, water or tomato juice can be used in place of the wine. For the spices, I used a mixture of oregano, marjoram, thyme, savory, & ground lemon peel, for a total of about 2 T (not including salt & pepper), though any spices can be used.

FAST CHICKEN CURRY

1 C sour cream

2-5 oz cans boned chicken

4 T butter

2 T flour

1 1/2 tsp. curry

1 small can pineapple, crushed

1 lb. cooked string beans

salt & pepper to taste

Melt butter slowly & add chicken. Stir constantly & heat thoroughly. Add flour, curry, salt & pepper. Add enough water to make thick cream sauce. Add pineapple, string beans & sour cream. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Serve over boiled rice with hot rolls & tossed salad. Serves 4. Time about 1/2 hour.

CHICKEN SPECIAL

Another one of my inventions, also found in Off the Wall Cooking.

2 – 3 lb. chicken, cut up

3 T oil

1 onion, chopped

2 T butter, melted

2 1/2 T peanut butter

salt & pepper to taste

8 oz can tomato sauce

1 C water

16 oz package peas & carrots

Brown chicken in oil. Put in casserole or baking dish. Sauté onions in butter. Put on top of chicken. Add salt & pepper, tomato sauce, water & peas & carrots. Top with peanutbutter. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

MEXICORN CHICKEN

Another one of my inventions.

2-3 lb. chicken, cut up

3 T oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T wheat germ

12 oz. can Mexicorn

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 C water

1 T soy sauce

1 T honey

Brown chicken to oil. Put in baking dish. Brown onion, garlic & wheat germ, stirring. Pour over chicken. Add mexicorn, soup, water, soy sauce & hone. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

NO PEEK CHICKEN

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten email lists.

4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1/2 package dry onion soup mix

1 cup milk or water

3/4 cup rice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken in a baking dish. In a bowl, mix remaining ingredients together. Pour mixture over chicken breasts. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours, remembering not to peek!

MONTEREY CHICKEN FAJITAS

This is from FamilyTime, and begins, “Stir-fried chicken strips, peppers and onions are simmered in a zesty sauce and wrapped in warm tortillas.”

Serves: 8 servings; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast half (about 1 pound), cut into strips

1 medium green pepper, cut into 2-inch strips (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 medium onion, sliced (about 1/2 cup)

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

1/2 cup Pace® Chunky Salsa

8 flour tortillas (8-inch), warmed

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 4 ounces)

Directions

Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until well browned, stirring often.

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the pepper and onion to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring occasionally. Stir in the soup and salsa and cook until the chicken is cooked through.

Spoon about 1/2 cup chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with the cheese and additional salsa. Fold the tortillas around the filling.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Double-Post Monday

It's Double-Post Monday. Here are six recipes to help you through the day, including Super Chili and Hot and Sour Soup. Enjoy!

ROASTED APPLE AND RAISIN PIE WITH ORANGE YOGURT CUSTARD

This is from the fall issue of UnitedHealthCare's magazine, Renew. This recipe begins, “Many pie recipes rely on sugar and starch to thicken up a pie filling. Roasting the fruit before filling the pie reduces excess moisture and concentrates the natural sugars in the fruit so adding sugar isn’t necessary. A light, creamy yogurt custard balances the fruit and spice. The oatmeal crust holds up well with the addition of ground flax seed, which acts as a binder and adds fiber and crunch.”

Filling:

6 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cubed

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

zest and juice of one orange, zest used for custard topping

2 tablespoons raisins

Oatmeal Pie Crust:

1 cup quick oats

4 tablespoons ground golden flax seed

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

Custard:

3/4 cup plain Greek non-fat yogurt

2 eggs, beaten

reserved orange zest

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon sugar substitute

1 teaspoon cornstarch

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss cubed apples with cinnamon, salt and orange juice in a 9-by-9-inch baking pan and roast until tender, about 35– 40 minutes. While apples are roasting, prepare crust by blending the oats, flax seed, walnuts and salt together in a food processor (or blender) until crumbly. Stir in applesauce and mix until oats are evenly moistened.

Butter a 9-inch glass or ceramic pie plate. Press all but 2 tablespoons of the crust mixture into the dish, evenly along the bottom and up the sides. Reserve remaining 2 tablespoons of crust for the streusel topping.

Bake crust at 375 for 10–12 minutes, until lightly browned. When the roasting apples have softened, remove from the oven and stir in the raisins. Allow it to cool for 15 minutes before spooning into the pre-baked pie crust.

Whisk yogurt, eggs, orange zest, vanilla, sugar substitute and cornstarch together in a small bowl and pour over the apple filling. Bake until custard is set, about 20–25 minutes. Allow pie to cool for at least an hour before cutting.

Serves 8.

Calories: 229, Total Fat: 8.2g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 175mg, Carbs: 36g, Dietary Fiber: 6.5g, Sugar: 19g, Protein: 7.5g

EGGPLANT LASAGNA

This recipe begins, “An extra set of hands from a little helper can shave minutes off the assembly of this Eggplant Lasagna, while getting a youngster excited about digging into a veggie-centric dinner.”

Yield: 8 servings

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1320

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1320.shtml

Ingredients

Pam Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

3/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning

1 large eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 1/4-inch thick lengthwise slices

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 package (20 ounces) ground turkey

3/4 cup chopped yellow onion

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

1 can (14.5 ounces) Hunt's Original Diced Tomatoes, No Salt Added, drained

1/4 cup Hunt's Tomato Paste (or Hunt’s Organic)

1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 350F.

Spray 8-by-8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.

In small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning; set aside.

Heat grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush eggplant slices with oil; sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

In batches, place eggplant on grill pan. Cook each side 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned and tender. Remove and place on baking sheet lined with paper towels; pat to remove excess moisture.

Spray large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add turkey and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onion and garlic; cook 2-3 minutes more or until onion is tender and turkey is crumbled and no longer pink. Drain.

Add drained tomatoes, tomato paste and basil to skillet; stir to combine. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes more.

Assemble lasagna by spreading 3/4 cup meat mixture over bottom of dish. Place 3 eggplant slices over meat mixture, top with 3/4 cup meat mixture, half of ricotta cheese mixture and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.

Repeat layers, ending with a layer of eggplant slices topped with meat mixture and remaining mozzarella cheese.

Spray underside of aluminum foil with cooking spray; cover dish tightly with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 318; Protein: 22 g; Fat: 19 g; Sodium: 363 mg; Cholesterol: 72 mg; Saturated Fat: 7 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g ; Carbohydrates: 13 g

MEXICORN CHICKEN

This is one of my inventions, and can be found in my e-book, Off the Wall Cooking.

2 – 3 lb. chicken, cut up

12 oz. can Mexicorn

3 T oil

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 onion, chopped

1 C water

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 T soy sauce

2 T wheat germ

1 T honey

Brown chicken in oil. Put in baking dish. Brown onion, garlic & wheat germ, stirring. Pour over chicken. Add mexicorn, soup, water, soy sauce & hone. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

SUPER CHILI

Another one of my inventions, this can also be found in my e-book, Off the Wall Cooking.

2 C pinto beans

2 T oil or butter

4 C water

1 lb. ground beef

4 – 8 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 lb. bacon, chopped

2 – 4 onions, chopped

28 oz. can tomatoes (undrained)

2 T chili powder

6 oz. can tomato paste

1 tsp. oregano

1 T chili powder

Soak beans in water for several hours. Drain & place in 4 C water. Add 2-4 cloves garlic, 1 onion & 1 T chili powder. Bring to boil, stir, reduce heat, cover & simmer several hours, or until soft & creamy. Add tomato paste & 1 T chili powder & water as needed. Stir, cover & let simmer 30 more minutes. While beans are simmering, brown 1-3 onions, 2-4 cloves garlic & ground beef in butter. Add to beans. Cook bacon & add to beans. Add tomatoes, oregano & 1 T chili powder. Cook for 1-1 1/2 hours. Great for anyone who likes good, hot chili. Better the next day.

AU GRATIN POTATOES

This was in a Weight Watchers' email years ago. The recipe begins, “Our cheesy potato dish is the perfect crowd pleaser: rich enough for your spouse and kids, yet light enough to keep your waistline slim.”

The POINTS® Value at that time listed this as 3 points.

Servings: 8; Preparation Time: 20 min; Cooking Time: 90 min; Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Ingredients

1 sprays cooking spray

1 Tbsp butter

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

2 cup fat-free skim milk

2 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, thinly sliced

1 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp table salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a 2-quart covered baking dish with cooking spray.

Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour; add milk slowly, stirring. Add potatoes and stir to mix. Bring to a boil. Stir in 3/4 cup of cheese, salt and pepper. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and level out surface. Bake for 1 hour, uncovered. Cover and bake until potatoes are fork-tender, about 20 minutes more.

Change oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle remaining cheese over potatoes. Broil 6 inches from the heating element until the cheese is golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.

HOT AND SOUR SOUP

This comes from Publix Supermarket's Aprons. Makes 6 servings.

1/4 cup green onions (2 – 3 onions)

1 (28-ounce) can chop suey vegetables (drained)

4 1/4 cups water

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1 tablespoon miso paste

1/2 cup shredded carrots

2 teaspoons chili bean sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable base

1/4 cup Oriental salad dressing

2 tablespoons cornstarch

Wash onions and remove any wilted portions. Chop enough green onions into 1/4-inch pieces to measure 1/4 cup, including up to half of green tops. Discard tops or reserve for another use. Set aside.

Open can of vegetables and drain liquid by squeezing lid against vegetables. Set aside.

Place in large saucepan: 4 cups water, onions, vegetables, mushrooms, hoisin sauce, miso paste, carrots, bean sauce, vegetable base and salad dressing. Bring to boil on medium-high heat. Place 1/4 cup water and cornstarch in 2-cup measuring cup. Stir together until creamy. When boiling, stir in cornstarch mixture. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Serve.

Calories 332 kcal; Fat 11 g; Cholesterol 0 mg; Carbohydrate 45 g; Fiber 6 g; Protein 14 g; Sodium 1954 mg

Daily Values: Vitamin A 39%; Vitamin C 15%; Calcium 10%; Iron 16%

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Chicken and a Side

Yes! It's a Saturday morning post. Here are six recipes to help you through the rest of the weekend, including Fast Chicken Curry and Mexicorn Chicken. Enjoy!

MEXICORN CHICKEN

This is one of my inventions, and can be found in my e-book, Off the Wall Cooking.

2 – 3 lb. chicken, cut up

12 oz. can Mexicorn

3 T oil

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 onion, chopped

1 C water

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 T soy sauce

2 T wheat germ

1 T honey

Brown chicken in oil. Put in baking dish. Brown onion, garlic & wheat germ, stirring. Pour over chicken. Add mexicorn, soup, water, soy sauce & hone. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

FAST CHICKEN CURRY

This is also in my e-book, Off the Wall Cooking. It's one of my dad's recipes.

I've posted several of Dad's recipes in this blog, as well as my Vegetarian Delights blog.

1 C sour cream

1 1/2 tsp. curry

2-5 oz cans boned chicken

1 small can pineapple, crushed

4 T butter

1 lb. cooked string beans

2 T flour

salt & pepper to taste

Melt butter slowly & add chicken. Stir constantly & heat thoroughly. Add flour, curry, salt & pepper. Add enough water to make thick cream sauce. Add pineapple, string beans & sour cream. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Serve over boiled rice with hot rolls & tossed salad. Serves 4. Time about 1/2 hour.

CHICKEN PICCATA

This comes from Ina Garten of The Food Network’s Barefoot Contesssa. Total Time: 30 minutes; Active Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 2 servings; Level: Intermediate.

To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chicken-piccata-recipe.

Ingredients

2 split (1 whole) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 extra-large egg

1/2 tablespoon water

3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

Good olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, divided

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons), lemon halves reserved

1/2 cup dry white wine

Sliced lemon, for serving

Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap and pound out to 1/4-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.

Mix the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a shallow plate. In a second plate, beat the egg and 1/2 tablespoon of water together. Place the bread crumbs on a third plate. Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip in the egg and bread crumb mixtures.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium to medium-low heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place them on the sheet pan and allow them to bake for 5 to 10 minutes while you make the sauce.

For the sauce, wipe out the saute pan with a dry paper towel. Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter and then add the lemon juice, wine, the reserved lemon halves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Boil over high heat until reduced in half, about 2 minutes. Off the heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and swirl to combine. Discard the lemon halves and serve 1 chicken breast on each plate. Spoon on the sauce and serve with a slice of lemon and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

CROCKPOT MAPLE BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICHES

This was on a Weight Watchers' emailing list years ago.

1 C. ketchup

1/2 C. maple flavored syrup

2 T. prepared mustard

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

2 t. lemon juice

1/2 t. chili powder

1/4 t. garlic powder

4 boneless, skinned chicken breasts

Place all ingredients in crockpot and cook on LOW for about 7 to 8 hours or until chicken is done.

You can either eat the breasts whole or shred them on buns or rice for more points.

4 servings = 225 calories, 4g fat, 1g fiber. 5 points per serving

ALIGOT (MASHED POTATOES WITH CHEESE)

This is from Tejal Rao in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Tejal wrote, “Somewhere between buttery mashed potatoes and pure melted cheese lies aligot, the comforting, cheese-enhanced mashed-potato dish from central France. The key to getting a smooth, airy texture is to rice the potatoes while they're still hot, then incorporate cold butter, hot milk and grated cheese over low heat. To build up the stringiness of that melting cheese, Ham el-Waylly, a chef at the Brooklyn restaurant Hail Mary, suggests whipping it with confidence, speed and vigor. This is what will create aligot's characteristic cheese strings: long and sheer, with some elasticity. ‘They should fight with you,’ Waylly says. While fresh tomme or Cantal is traditional, Gruyère or Comté work well, too.”

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

This was featured in “Cheesy Mashed Potatoes for the Soul”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and quartered

1/4 pound cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1/2 cup cream, heated

1/2 pound Comté or Gruyère cheese, grated

Salt to taste

Preparation

Simmer the potatoes in water until very tender to the point of a knife, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain potatoes, and tip out any remaining water from the pot. Push the hot potatoes through a ricer back into the pot. Over low heat, use a heatproof spatula to move the potatoes around the pot for a minute so that any excess water can evaporate.

Add butter to the potatoes, half at a time, stirring until completely incorporated. Add hot cream, half at a time, stirring until incorporated. Add cheese a little bit at a time, stirring vigorously, until all the cheese is evenly melted and the spoon makes cheesy strings as you pull it away from the potatoes. If necessary, turn the heat up a little. Taste, and season with salt. Serve.

SIMPLEST ROAST CHICKEN

This is from Mark Bittman, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Mark wrote, “With an ingredient list just four items long (chicken, olive oil, salt, pepper), the genius of this bare-bones roast chicken is in its technique. To make it, thoroughly preheat a cast-iron skillet before sliding into it a seasoned bird, breast side up. In under an hour you’ll get a stunner of a chicken, with moist, tender white meat, crisp, salty chicken skin, and juicy dark meat all done to a turn. If you don’t already have a cast-iron skillet large enough to hold a whole chicken, this recipe is a good enough reason to invest in one.”

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 50 to 60 minutes.

This was featured in “The Minimalist: Simplest Roast Chicken”, and can be viewed online here.

Note: Check out Melissa Clark’s guide, “How to Roast Chicken”.

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, 3 to 4 pounds, trimmed of excess fat

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Put a cast-iron skillet on a low rack in the oven and heat the oven to 500 degrees. Rub the chicken all over with the oil and sprinkle it generously with salt and pepper.

When the oven and skillet are hot, carefully put the chicken in the skillet, breast side up. Roast for 15 minutes, then turn the oven temperature down to 350 degrees. Continue to roast until the bird is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meaty part of the thigh reads 155 to 165 degrees.

Tip the pan to let the juices flow from the chicken’s cavity into the pan. Transfer the chicken to a platter and let it rest for at least 5 minutes. Carve and serve.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Double-Post Thursday

It's Double-Post Thursday! Here are six recipes to help you through the day,including Gumbo Casserole and Slow Cooker Georgia Pulled Pork Barbecue. Enjoy!

SLOW COOKER GEORGIA PULLED PORK BARBEQUE

This comes from country start Trisha Yearwood, star of Food Network’s Trisha’s Southern Kitchen. Total: 12 hr 25 min; Active: 25 min; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/slow-cooker-georgia-pulled-pork-barbeque-recipe.

Ingredients

BBQ Sauce:

1 cup finely chopped onion

2 cups cider vinegar

6 ounces tomato juice

1/2 tablespoon pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Pinch cayenne

Dash hot sauce, such as Tabasco

1 teaspoon sugar

Roast:

2 medium sweet onions, such as Vidalia, quartered

2 teaspoons light brown sugar

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

2 teaspoons salt

Pinch black pepper

One 4- to 6-pound Boston butt pork roast, bone-in

Buns, for serving

Directions

For the sauce: Puree the onion in a blender with 1/4 cup water. Place the pureed onion in a 2-quart saucepan with additional water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cook, stirring constantly until the water has almost evaporated. Add the vinegar, tomato juice, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne and hot sauce and mix well. Bring to a boil, and then stir in the sugar. Immediately remove from the heat. Set 1 cup aside for the roast. Let the remaining sauce cool completely, then refrigerate for later use.

For the roast: Put the quartered onions in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Mix the brown sugar, paprika, salt and pepper and rub it over the pork roast. Then place in the slow cooker on top of the onions. Drizzle the reserved 1 cup of sauce over the roast. Cook the roast in the slow cooker on low for 10 to 12 hours, checking after 10 hours for tenderness.

Remove the meat and onions from the slow cooker. Discard the onions and finely shred the pork. Reserve the juices from the slow cooker to add to the meat for desired juiciness.

Serve on a bun with the juice.

GUMBO CASSEROLE

This comes from FamilyTime and begins, “Two comfort foods, gumbo and casserole, come together to make a tasty family favorite. Plus, it takes just 15 minutes to put together before you pop it in the oven...you don't even have to cook the rice beforehand.” Makes 4 servings (about 1 1/4 cups each); Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Campbell's® Condensed Light Chicken Gumbo Soup

1 soup can water

1 teaspoon dried minced onion

1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup frozen okra, thawed

3/4 cup uncooked instant white rice

1/2 pound cooked ham, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/2 pound peeled and deveined cooked shrimp

Directions

2 cans (10 3/4 ounces each) Campbell's® Condensed Light Chicken Gumbo Soup

1 soup can water

1 teaspoon dried minced onion

1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup frozen okra, thawed

3/4 cup uncooked instant white rice

1/2 pound cooked ham, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)

1/2 pound peeled and deveined cooked shrimp

Heat the oven to 375°F. Stir the soup, water, onion, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, okra, rice, ham and shrimp in a 2-quart casserole.

Bake for 35 minutes or until the rice is tender. Stir the soup mixture before serving.

Flavor Variation: Try stirring in a little diced andouille sausage for even more Cajun-style flavor!

WILD BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE SMOOTHIE

This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, at VeryWell. Kaleigh wrote, “Smoothies are a great way to pack a lot of nutrition into a single meal, especially if you're on the go. They can also be loaded with sugary syrups and fat if you aren't careful when grabbing a smoothie away from home. For a nutritious smoothie you can feel good about, skip the shop and make this tasty version at home.

“Frozen wild blueberries are extra sweet and pack a lot of flavor and antioxidants into this wild blueberry cheesecake smoothie. They also make this smoothie extra cold and frosty without having to use ice. Research suggests that daily blueberry consumption could lower blood pressure due to the production of nitric oxide.

“The Greek yogurt and avocado duo lends a luxurious creamy texture and also contributes healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of protein to keep you fueled and full. Make this smoothie for a sweet breakfast treat, or split it in half for a healthy snack or dessert.”

Total Time: 5 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 0; Yield: 1 serving.

This can be viewed online here. It can also be found at Kaliegh’s website, Lively Table.

Ingredients

1 cup wild blueberries, frozen

1/2 small avocado

3/4 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1/2 cup skim milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 lemon, juiced

Preparation

Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add more milk to your desired consistency.

Pour into a glass and enjoy.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

You can typically find wild blueberries in the freezer section of your grocery store. If you can’t find them, you can substitute regular frozen blueberries, but they will not be as sweet.

This is a great smoothie recipe to disguise veggies, so add a handful of spinach if you want to get a little more vegetable power.

To make this smoothie dairy-free, use dairy-free yogurt, such as Silk, and unsweetened dairy-free milk of your choice.

Cooking and Serving Tips

This recipe makes a meal-sized smoothie. For a post-workout snack or a healthy dessert, divide into two servings.

CROCKPOT BEEF STROGANOFF

This comes from Diana Rattray, the Southern cooking expert for The Spruce. If you remember from previous posts about Diana being on About.com, you’re right. However, About.com recently launched The Spruce as “a standalone site for home decor and food,” according to Techcrunch (“About.com launches The Spruce, a standalone site for Home Decor and Food”).

Anyway, Diana wrote, “For an easy cold-weather meal you can throw together in 20 minutes, look to the crockpot to cook hearty beef to perfection for this hearty Strognaoff. Making this dish in a slow cooker allows the flavors to blend together and fully marinate the meat until it's juicy, tender, and totally satisfying. Serve with sour cream for an extra rich dinner on top of your favorite hot cooked noodles.” Time: 8 to 10 hours.

Ingredients

1 1/2 to 2 pounds stew beef or round steak or lean chuck, cut in 1/2-inch cubes

3 tbsp. flour

2 tbsp. butter or margarine

1 cup beef broth

2 tbsp. ketchup

1 sm. garlic clove, crushed

1 tsp. salt

8 oz. sliced mushrooms

1 med. onion, chopped

1 c. sour cream, blended with 2 tablespoons flour

hot cooked noodles, 3 to 4 cups

Directions

Dredge beef in flour and salt.

Melt butter or margarine in large skillet and add beef and onion.

Cook over medium heat until browned.

Combine beef broth, ketchup, garlic and mushrooms in crockpot. Add cooked beef and onions; stir gently to combine.

Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours. Add sour cream, cover and cook on HIGH for 20 to 30 minutes, or until heated through.

Serve over hot cooked noodles.

ROASTED-VEGETABLE LASAGNA

This recipe begins, “Who needs meat? This gourmet veggie lasagna from one of our favorite chefs will be the centerpiece of your dinner table.”

This is from Diabetic Connect.

To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4198-roasted-vegetable-lasagna.

Ingredients

Vegetables:

4 red bell peppers

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

6 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)

1 large onion, cut into 16 wedges

4 garlic cloves, minced

Cheese mixture:

2 cups 2% low-fat cottage cheese

1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated sharp provolone cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

White sauce:

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking spray

9 cooked lasagna noodles

2 cups spinach leaves, divided

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Fresh basil sprigs (optional)

Directions

Preheat broiler.

To prepare vegetables, cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel; set aside.

Preheat oven to 450°.

Combine oil, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, squash, and onion on a baking sheet; toss well. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; combine squash mixture and garlic in a bowl.

Decrease oven temperature to 375°.

To prepare cheese mixture, combine cottage cheese and next 3 ingredients (cottage cheese through oregano) in a bowl.

To prepare white sauce, place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk; stir with a whisk. Place over medium heat. Cook until thick; stir constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Spread 1/4 cup white sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture, 1 cup spinach, 4 bell pepper halves, 2 cups vegetable mixture, and 1/4 cup white sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining white sauce over noodles. Cover and bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 20 minutes. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.

Note: Use a sharp, potent cheese in this dish for the most flavor. Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, or sharp cheddar will all work as well in the filling. Stick to mozzarella for the top, however, as it melts and browns the best. For extra browning, place the lasagna under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 9; Amount per serving Calories: 275; Calories from fat 30%; Fat 9.1 g; Saturated fat: 5.2 g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.6 g; Polyunsaturated fat 0.6 g; Protein: 19.3 g; Carbohydrate: 29.3 g; Fiber: 2.9 g;Cholesterol: 24 mg; Iron: 2.3 mg; Sodium: 564 mg; Calcium: 308 mg

MEXICORN CHICKEN

This is one of my inventions, and can be found in my e-book, Off the Wall Cooking.

2 – 3 lb. chicken, cut up

12 oz. can Mexicorn

3 T oil

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 onion, chopped

1 C water

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 T soy sauce

2 T wheat germ

1 T honey

Brown chicken in oil. Put in baking dish. Brown onion, garlic & wheat germ, stirring. Pour over chicken. Add mexicorn, soup, water, soy sauce & hone. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Sunday Chicken

A generation or two (or three) ago, Sunday dinner wasn't Sunday Dinner without chicken. At one time, chicken was more expensive than it is now (comparatively speaking), so it was reserved for the big meal of the week.

And so, without further adieu, I present chicken...

Chicken in Wine

One of my numerous inventions before I moved out on my own.

2 onions, chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

2 T butter

2-3 lb. chicken, cut up

1 tsp mustard

1/4 C red wine (note)

1 tsp Worchester sauce

1/4 C milk or water

3 T honey

1/2-1 C cornmeal

3 1/2 C tomatoes

6 oz. can tomato paste

salt, pepper, spices to taste (note)

Brown onions & garlic in butter. Add 2 T honey to milk or water. Dip chicken in milk & honey, then in cornmeal. Add to onions & garlic. Mix other ingredients & pour over chicken. Cover & simmer until done (about 45 minutes). Serve over brown rice.

NOTE: Alcohol-free wine, water or tomato juice can be used in place of the wine. For the spices, I used a mixture of oregano, marjoram, thyme, savory, & ground lemon peel, for a total of about 2 T (not including salt & pepper), though any spices can be used.

Fast Chicken Curry

1 C sour cream

2-5 oz cans boned chicken

4 T butter

2 T flour

1 1/2 tsp. curry

1 small can pineapple, crushed

1 lb. cooked string beans

salt & pepper to taste

Melt butter slowly & add chicken. Stir constantly & heat thoroughly. Add flour, curry, salt & pepper. Add enough water to make thick cream sauce. Add pineapple, string beans & sour cream. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Serve over boiled rice with hot rolls & tossed salad. Serves 4. Time about 1/2 hour.

Chicken Special

One of my inventions.

2-3 lb. chicken, cut up

3 T oil

1 onion, chopped

2 T butter, melted

2 1/2 T peanut butter

salt & pepper to taste

8 oz can tomato sauce

1 C water

16 oz package peas & carrots

Brown chicken in oil. Put in casserole or baking dish. Sauté onions in butter. Put on top of chicken. Add salt & pepper, tomato sauce, water & peas & carrots. Top with peanutbutter. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Mexicorn Chicken

Another one of my inventions.

2-3 lb. chicken, cut up

3 T oil

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T wheat germ

12 oz. can Mexicorn

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 C water

1 T soy sauce

1 T honey

Brown chicken to oil. Put in baking dish. Brown onion, garlic & wheat germ, stirring. Pour over chicken. Add mexicorn, soup, water, soy sauce & hone. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.