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Showing posts with label Orange Chess Pie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Orange Chess Pie. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's recipes include Chapli Burgers and Athenian Meatloaf with Yogurt-Cucumber Sauce. Enjoy!

ORANGE CHESS PIE

This is from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats. For this recipe, Diana wrote, “This refreshing orange chess pie is an amazing dessert, and it can be enjoyed any time of the year! With fresh orange juice and grated zest and fresh lemon juice, it is bright and bursting with citrus flavor.

“I've included a simple pie crust recipe, but you can use a frozen crust or refrigerated pie dough. Follow the instructions for partially baking a pie crust.” Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 8 Servings

The old link for this no longer works, but I did want to post it with credit to Diana for coming up with this.

Ingredients

Pie Crust (or use a purchased 9-inch pie shell)

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4 ounces chilled butter, cut in small pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 scant teaspoon granulated sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons of ice water

Filling

1-1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons milk

finely grated zest of 1 orange

1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half of a lemon)

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

Pie Crust

Put the 1-1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a food processor and pulse to blend. Add half of the chilled butter pieces and pulse 5 or 6 times. Add the remaining chilled butter pieces and pulse another 5 or 6 times. You should have visible pieces of butter in the mixture with some the size of peas.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the ice water over the flour and pulse a few times.

Add more water, about 2 to 3 teaspoons at a time, pulsing a couple of times after each addition. When the mixture begins to clump together, turn it out onto a floured surface.

With your hands, knead just enough to shape the dough into a disk. Overworking the dough can cause shrinkage when the pie is pre-baked, so handle it as little as possible.

Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375° F.

Roll the disk out into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep checking and adding flour to the work surface if you notice any sticking.

Fit the pastry into the pie plate and crimp the edge as desired.

Line the pastry with parchment paper or foil and fill about 2/3 full with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the parchment or foil with the pie weights. Prick the dough all over, and then bake for about 5 minutes longer, or just until you begin to see a little color. Remove the crust to a rack and reduce the oven temperature to 350° F.

Orange Filling

In a mixing bowl combine the 1-1/2 cups of sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the milk, orange zest and juice, the lemon juice, and the lightly beaten eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended.

Pour the orange filling mixture into the partially baked pie crust. Bake at 350° F for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until set. Check the pie for browning after about 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, put a pie shield or homemade foil ring over the edges of the crust to prevent over-browning.

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Chill before serving.

Serve this pie with freshly whipped cream or thawed whipped topping.

STRAWBERRY 'ICE CREAM' CAKE

Of course, it does help to have the occasional dessert, right? This one, from page 80 of the March 2016 issue of Vegetarian Times, starts off, “Sssshhh … don’t tell kids this delicious dessert is actually just good-for-them yogurt and fruit with a few graham crackers and waffle cones thrown in for crunch.” I'm not telling, if you're not! Serves 12.

To view this yummy recipe online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/strawberry-ice-cream-cake/.

Ingredients

15 full graham crackers

5 waffle cones

1 20-oz. bag whole frozen strawberries

1 32-oz. container honey-flavored Greek yogurt

2 Tbs. honey

Directions

Line 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper, and set aside.

Pulse graham crackers in food processor with 1 to 2 tsp. water until crumbly and moist. Transfer to bowl.

Pulse waffle cones in food processor until crumbly. Transfer to separate bowl.

Bring strawberries to a simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes, or until soft and liquid starts to fill bottom of pan. Cool completely.

Stir together yogurt and honey. Set aside.

Press graham cracker crumbs on bottom of prepared springform pan. Spread half of yogurt, then half of strawberries, then half of crumbled waffle cones in pan. Repeat layering, ending with a sprinkling of waffle cones. Freeze at least 3 hours, or until frozen. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

nutritional information Per Per slice: Calories: 250; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 39 g; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Sodium: 107 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 25 g

CHAPLI BURGERS

This comes from Samin Nosrat on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samin wrote, “This recipe is inspired by the thin, heavily spiced Pakistani patties known as chapli kebabs, which are typically drizzled with green chutney and served wrapped in warm naan. This version replaces naan with buns and welcomes the classic crunch of iceberg lettuce. But what really sets these burgers apart are the other flavorful toppings and condiments: thinly sliced onions, tomatoes and cucumbers, a creamy herbed yogurt, and tomato ketchup spiked with tamarind paste. Take a few extra minutes to put together the sauces — the mouthwatering tang, sweetness, creaminess and spice they'll add will make all the difference.”

Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

You can view this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019435-chapli-burgers.

Ingredients

For Burgers:

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

Sea salt

2 tablespoons fresh or dried pomegranate seeds

1 pound ground beef

1/2 small yellow onion, minced

1/2 medium tomato, finely chopped and drained of juice

1 clove garlic, finely grated or pounded

1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger

1/2 jalapeño, seeded and minced

1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

1 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems

1 egg

Neutral oil for cooking

To Serve:

Burger buns

Iceberg lettuce

Tamarind ketchup (see recipe)

Herbed yogurt (see recipe)

Sliced Persian cucumbers, red onions and tomatoes

Preparation

Place coriander seeds in a small saucepan, and set over medium heat. Swirling pan, lightly toast seeds for 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat, and finely pound in a mortar and pestle with a pinch of salt (alternatively, use a spice grinder or small food processor). Add pomegranate seeds, and coarsely pound (it’s fine if the inner seed does not break down). Scrape paste into a large mixing bowl.

Add beef, onion, tomato, garlic, ginger, 1/2 jalapeño, pepper flakes, garam masala, cumin, 1/4 cup cilantro, egg and 2 teaspoons salt. Use hands to knead mixture until combined.

Fry a quarter-size piece of the mixture, and taste. Adjust seasoning with salt and spices.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide meat mixture onto parchment into 6 balls, and flatten into thin, 4-inch-round patties.

Set a large cast-iron pan over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When it shimmers, lay three patties into the pan, and cook for 2 minutes on each side until browned, then set aside on a plate. Drain grease from pan, and wipe with a paper towel, then cook remaining patties. (Alternatively, grill burgers over high heat for 2 minutes per side until browned.)

Serve immediately on toasted buns with tamarind ketchup, herbed yogurt and other garnishes.

Tip

Patties can be formed, covered and refrigerated up to one day in advance. Bring to room temperature before cooking. The burgers won’t be complete without the tamarind ketchup and herbed yogurt, which take only a few minutes to make and add welcome creaminess, sweetness and tang.

HERBED YOGURT

This comes from Samin Nosrat on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samin wrote, “This simple sauce comes together quickly to provide a welcome creaminess and tang to Chapli burgers, kebabs, stewed chickpeas and fried potatoes alike.”

Yield: About 1/2 cup; Time: 15 minutes.

This was featured in “A Burger, But Better”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon finely chopped mint

1 teaspoon minced jalapeño

Sea salt

Preparation

In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, cilantro, mint, jalapeño and a pinch of salt. Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.

TAMARIND KETCHUP

The final of today's recipes from Samin Nosrat on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samin wrote, “A touch of tamarind paste lends tomato ketchup an edgy pucker. Spread this sauce all over Chapli burgers, kebabs, fried potatoes or anywhere else you'd think to use the plain stuff.”

Yield: About 1/3 cup; Time: 5 minutes

This was featured in “A Burger, But Better”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019439-tamarind-ketchup.

Ingredients

1/3 cup ketchup

4 teaspoons tamarind paste

Preparation

In a small bowl, stir together ketchup and tamarind paste.

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

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's offerings include Smoky Mexican Stir Fry and Farmers' Market Omelets. Enjoy!

BANANA MUFFINS WITH TART LEMON ICING

This came from a Weight Watchers email list maybe a decade or more ago. The points value is from then.

The recipe begins, “If the mouth-puckering lemon icing isn’t enough flavor for you, try adding 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to the flour mixture.”

Servings: 18, 1 muffin per serving, Points: 3

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened, divided

1 large egg(s)

2 tsp vanilla extract, divided

2 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup fat-free skim milk

4 large banana(s), ripe, mashed

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest, strips, or more to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 18 muffin holes with paper liners.

Place sugar & 5 tablespoons of butter in a large bowl; cream with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla; beat until thoroughly mixed.

In another large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder & baking soda. Add half of flour mixture to butter mixture; beat well with mixer. Add milk and remaining flour mixture; beat until batter is combined & then fold in mashed bananas.

Spoon batter into muffin liners about 3/4 full. Bake until muffins start to brown and tester inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Allow muffins to cool in pan about 2 minutes; remove to wire rack and cool completely before icing.

Meanwhile, to make icing, combine powdered sugar, remaining tablespoon butter, lemon juice, zest, and remaining teaspoon of vanilla in medium bowl; beat with electric mixer until creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Ice cooled muffins; cover and refrigerate any uneaten muffins.

ORANGE CHESS PIE

This comes from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats For this recipe, Diana wrote, “This refreshing orange chess pie is an amazing dessert, and it can be enjoyed any time of the year! With fresh orange juice and grated zest and fresh lemon juice, it is bright and bursting with citrus flavor.

“I've included a simple pie crust recipe, but you can use a frozen crust or refrigerated pie dough. Follow the instructions for partially baking a pie crust.” Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 8 Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Pie Crust (or use a purchased 9-inch pie shell)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4 ounces chilled butter, cut in small pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 scant teaspoon granulated sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons of ice water

Filling

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons milk

finely grated zest of 1 orange

1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half of a lemon)

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

Pie Crust

Put the 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a food processor and pulse to blend. Add half of the chilled butter pieces and pulse 5 or 6 times. Add the remaining chilled butter pieces and pulse another 5 or 6 times. You should have visible pieces of butter in the mixture with some the size of peas.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the ice water over the flour and pulse a few times.

Add more water, about 2 to 3 teaspoons at a time, pulsing a couple of times after each addition. When the mixture begins to clump together, turn it out onto a floured surface.

With your hands, knead just enough to shape the dough into a disk. Overworking the dough can cause shrinkage when the pie is pre-baked, so handle it as little as possible.

Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375° F.

Roll the disk out into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep checking and adding flour to the work surface if you notice any sticking.

Fit the pastry into the pie plate and crimp the edge as desired.

Line the pastry with parchment paper or foil and fill about 2/3 full with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the parchment or foil with the pie weights. Prick the dough all over, and then bake for about 5 minutes longer, or just until you begin to see a little color. Remove the crust to a rack and reduce the oven temperature to 350° F.

Orange Filling

In a mixing bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the milk, orange zest and juice, the lemon juice, and the lightly beaten eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended.

Pour the orange filling mixture into the partially baked pie crust. Bake at 350° F for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until set. Check the pie for browning after about 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, put a pie shield or homemade foil ring over the edges of the crust to prevent over-browning.

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Chill before serving.

Serve this pie with freshly whipped cream or thawed whipped topping.

FARMERS' MARKET OMELETS

This comes from the November 2014 issue of Heart Insight Magazine. It begins, “Brighten up your breakfast with these flavorful omelets, full of fresh vegetables, fragrant basil, and pungent feta cheese. Add some whole-grain toast and fresh fruit for a light, nutritious meal any time of day.” Serves 4; omelet per serving.

To view this online, go to http://heartinsight.heart.org/November-2014/Farmers-Market-Omelets/.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon canola or corn oil, divided use

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup baby spinach

6 large egg whites

2 large eggs

1/4 cup fat-free milk

4 medium green onions, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

2 ounces fat-free feta cheese, crumbled

Directions

In a medium nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the tomatoes and spinach for 2–3 minutes, or until the tomatoes are slightly softened, stirring constantly. Transfer the mixture to a plate. Cover to keep warm. Set aside. Wipe the skillet with paper towels.

In a small bowl, using a fork, lightly beat together the egg whites, eggs, and milk. Stir in the green onions.

In the same skillet, still over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon oil, swirling to coat the bottom. Pour half the egg white mixture into the skillet, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook for 30 seconds, or until beginning to set. Using a spatula, carefully lift the cooked edge of the omelet and tilt the skillet so the uncooked portion flows under the edge. Cook until no runniness remains, repeating the lift-and-tilt procedure once or twice at other places along the edge if needed.

With the skillet still on the burner, spread half the tomato mixture over half the omelet. Sprinkle, in order, with half the basil and half the feta. Remove from the heat. Using a spatula, carefully fold the half with no filling over the other half. Cut the omelet in half crosswise. Gently slide onto plates. Cover to keep warm.

Using the remaining ingredients, including the final 1 teaspoon oil, make and fill a second omelet.

Cook’s Tip

Although these omelets are top-notch with basil, feel free to use a different fresh herb or combine several for even more subtle layers of fresh flavor.

ORANGE BEEF

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, also featured in Asian Pantry Essentials. For this recipe, Sam wrote, “This recipe for takeout-style orange beef is a variation on one the Brooklyn chef Dale Talde included in his new cookbook, "Asian-American: Proudly Inauthentic Recipes From the Philippines to Brooklyn," with a slightly more intensely flavored orange-flavored sauce. Mr. Talde's key insight is protected, however: Use very good steak, and cook it fast, so that below the lovely crust of its egg-white-and-cornstarch batter, the meat remains rare and luscious. Serve with steamed broccoli and white rice. And make it a few times. What appears difficult the first time through — the coating of the beef, the making of the sauce, the stir-frying of the aromatics, the stir-frying of the beef — is in fact fast and easy work, and much, much better than takeout.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

1 tablespoon neutral oil

1 1 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

2 tablespoons orange zest, plus the juice of one orange

3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup rice vinegar (do not use seasoned rice vinegar)

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon fish sauce

For the Beef:

1 large egg white

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 pinch kosher salt

1 boneless rib-eye steak, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 pounds, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/4 cup neutral oil

6 scallions, white and green parts cut into inchlong pieces and separated

2 to 4 dried red chiles, or to taste

Preparation

Make the sauce: Heat oil in a small sauce pan set over medium-high heat. When it begins to shimmer, add ginger, jalapeño and orange zest and stir to combine. Sauté mixture until ingredients soften, approximately 2 to 3 minutes, then add garlic and continue cooking until it softens, approximately 1 to 2 minutes longer.

Add orange juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce and fish sauce to pan and stir to combine. Allow mixture to come to a boil, then lower the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and reduces by half, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the meat: Combine egg white, cornstarch and salt in a bowl. Add steak, tossing to coat the meat with the batter.

In a large skillet or wok set over high heat, heat oil until it shimmers and is about to smoke. Add beef to the pan or wok in a single layer and cook without stirring until the bottoms of the pieces are crisp and golden, approximately 60 to 90 seconds. Add white pieces of scallion and chiles to the pan, then turn the beef pieces over and cook the other sides, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes more for medium-rare. Transfer to a platter.

Pour orange sauce into the hot pan or wok, let it boil and stir it as it thickens. Add meat and white scallions and stir to coat with the sauce. Return meat and sauce to the platter and scatter green scallions over the top. Serve with steamed broccoli and white rice.

SMOKY MEXICAN STIR FRY

This recipe begins, “The dual smoky flavors of bacon and chipotle chile (smoked jalapeno) liven up this quick and healthful stir-fry with pork tenderloin. The contrasts in temperature and texture – a hot savory stir-fry over cool crunchy lettuce – is a treat for the palate.”

Recipe Yield: Yield: Serves 4.

Source: NPB

Recipe and image appear courtesy of the National Pork Board.

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/smoky-mexican-stir-fry.

Ingredients

1 small pork tenderloin, (about 12 oz.)

4 slices bacon, diced

1 chipotle chile, (drained, if canned in adobo sauce; rehydrated in warm water if dried), chopped*

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 red bell pepper, OR green, cut into thin strips

1 small onion, cut in half and thinly sliced

3 cups romaine lettuce, OR iceberg lettuce, coarsely chopped

Directions

Slice pork tenderloin in half lengthwise, and then cut crosswise thinly.

Toss pork, bacon and chipotle pieces together in small bowl, set aside.

Combine oil, cumin, oregano and garlic and heat in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and onion, stir-fry 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove and reserve.

In same skillet, stir-fry the pork, bacon and chile for 2-3 minutes, until pork is just done and bacon crisp.

Return the vegetables to the skillet and heat through. Serve over lettuce.

* Wear rubber gloves when handling hot chiles

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 210; Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 150 mg; Cholesterol: 60 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 6 g

BULGOGI SLOPPY JOES WITH SCALLION SALSA

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, “The dish is the Korean barbecue standard known as bulgogi — ‘fire meat,’ is the literal translation — transformed into a sandwich filling, a sloppy Joe for a more perfect union. (File under ‘Blessings of Liberty.’) Fed to children with a tall glass of milk, the sandwiches may inspire smiles and licked plates, rapt attention and the request that the meal be served at least monthly — they are not at all too spicy for younger palates. Given to adults accompanied by cold lager, cucumber kimchi and a pot of the fermented Korean hot-pepper paste known as gochujang, they can rise to higher planes.

“Bulgogi sandwiches are a taste of the sort of home cooking that can lead to more home cooking. They serve as fragrant hamburger crushers, elegant vanquishers of pizza. They are an enemy of takeout.

“To cook them, you can follow the instructions slavishly, as if working for Hooni Kim, the chef and owner of Danji, on the edge of the theater district in Manhattan. Bulgogi ‘sliders’ are a hallmark of his menu and by far the restaurant’s most popular dish. This recipe is his.”

Yield: 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus overnight refrigeration.

This recipe was featured in “The Bulgogi Slider Is a Delicious Curveball”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014203-bulgogi-sloppy-joes-with-scallion-salsa.

Ingredients

For the Bulgogi

1 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon peeled and grated garlic

1 tablespoon sesame oil

3 tablespoons sake

2 tablespoons mirin

1 Asian pear, peeled, cored and puréed in a food processor

1 small carrot peeled and sliced into julienne

1 medium white onion peeled and sliced into julienne

1 cup apple juice

2 pounds beef brisket, chilled slightly and sliced thin

For the Spicy Mayonnaise

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon soy sauce

3 tablespoons hot chili sauce, ideally Sriracha

For the Scallion Salsa

1/2 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons water

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red-pepper flakes)

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil

2 tablespoons sesame oil

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons mirin

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

2 bunches scallions, cleaned, dried and sliced on the bias

Unsalted butter

6 soft hamburger buns

Preparation

For the Bulgogi

In a large, nonreactive bowl, combine the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, sake, mirin, pear, carrot, onion and apple juice. Add the sliced brisket, stir to combine, cover tightly and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least six hours.

Meanwhile, in a small, nonreactive bowl, combine the mayonnaise, soy sauce and hot chili sauce and stir to combine. Taste and adjust flavors, then cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

When you are ready to make the sandwiches, set one very large sauté pan (or two large ones) over high heat. Using tongs, lift meat from marinade in batches, allow to drain well, then cook, turning occasionally until the excess liquid has evaporated and the edges of the beef have started to crisp.

Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the salsa except for the scallions, then stir to combine.

Toast and butter the hamburger buns. Spread spicy mayonnaise on the buns, and using tongs, cover one side of each set of buns with bulgogi. Add a large pinch of scallions on top of each burger and drizzle with the dressing. Serve with cucumber kimchi (see recipe).

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Desserts - Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings deal with dessert.

I love dessert. In fact, it's frequently my favorite part of the meal. If you feel the same way about dessert, you're sure to enjoy today's offerings, which include Orange Chess Pie and Mini Churro Doughnut Holes. Enjoy!

HEAVENLY ICE CREAM CAKE WITH RASPBERRY COULIS

This comes from the January 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Prepared angel food cakes from the supermarket bakery section are good items to have on hand for desserts. Before preparing this elaborate-looking recipe, freeze the cake completely. It slices easily with a serrated knife.” Serves 12.

To view this online, click here.

1 16-oz. angel food cake, frozen

1 10-oz. jar raspberry preserves

1/4 cup raspberry liqueur or orange juice

2 pints low-fat vanilla ice cream, softened, divided

1 10-oz. pkg. frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed

Cut cake into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cover bottom of 9-inch springform pan with slices, cutting one or two slices as necessary to fill in gaps.

Combine raspberry preserves and liqueur in small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Brush half of raspberry mixture over cake in pan. Spread 1 pint ice cream over cake, and smooth top. Arrange more cake slices over ice cream to cover completely. Spread remaining raspberry mixture over cake. Smooth remaining pint of ice cream over cake. Cover with plastic wrap, and freeze overnight. (Can be prepared up to 3 days in advance up to this point.)

Purée thawed raspberries and syrup in food processor until smooth. Strain into bowl.

Run knife around sides of springform pan. Release sides from cake. Slice into wedges, and top with raspberry coulis.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 273; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 60 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 319 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 31 g

STRAWBERRY MAPLE OAT COOKIES

This is from Crofter’s Organic, and was featured in the December 2018 issue of Taste For Life, which I’d picked up at one of my favorite places, Rollin’ Oats in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you’re ever in St. Pete (especially if you live nearby), check it out!

Anyway, the recipe begins, “This recipe is far from your grandma’s oatmeal cookie. These cookies are the epitome of summer - chewy oatmeal goodness bursting with juicy strawberry flavor all thanks to our strawberry premium fruit spread. Count us in. This flavor combination is one for the books and will take your cookie game to the next level. Not to mention, they’re healthier than your average cookie but shhh no one needs to know. That’s because they taste great. Give them a try and see for yourself! Yum!”

Serves 6 - 8; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes.

Check them out online at https://croftersorganic.com/recipe/strawberry-maple-oat-cookies/.

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt

1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

1/2 cup coarsely ground walnuts

1 egg

2 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 cup Crofter’s Organic Strawberry Premium Fruit Spread

Directions

In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients - flour, oats, baking powder, and salt. Add spices and walnuts. Mix all together until combined.

In a separate bowl whisk the egg, coconut oil, vanilla, and maple syrup. Mix well with a whisk until well combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix. Finally, stir in the diced strawberries. Mix gently with a spoon. Let the mixture sit for few minutes.

Preheat oven to 356F (180C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

With a scoop or spoon, scoop the dough, and place it on the baking sheet. Arrange the cookies 2-inches apart. Slightly flatten the dough with the spoon.

Bake 12-15 minutes until the edges of the cookies begin to brown.

Remove cookies from the oven, and let them cool for few minutes on a baking sheet. Then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

FUDGY ZUCCHINI BROWNIES

This comes from Audra, otherwise known as The Baker Chick. If you haven’t check out her site, you really, really should. (Hint, hint.)

Anyway, Audra write, “I put green vegetables in your brownies - please don’t hate me.” She then goes on to talk about putting zucchini in her brownies. What can I saw, but I love her comments, as well as these brownies.

To view this online (and to check out Audra’s comments), go to http://www.thebakerchick.com/2014/08/fudgy-zucchini-brownies/.

Recipe adapted from: All Recipes

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut oil (another vegetable oil will work as well)

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used dark)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups finely shredded zucchini*

For the Frosting:

5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup melted butter

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly spray or grease a 9x13 baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar and vanilla until smooth and well-combined. Sprinkle the flour, cocoa powder, soda and salt over the wet ingredients and stir until just incorporated. (The batter will be dry at this point- worry.)

Fold in the zucchini and mix for just a few seconds or until batter is well combined.

Spread into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the middle of the pan comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Allow brownies to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:

In a medium-large bowl, stir together the butter and cocoa powder until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, alternating with the milk. Stir in the vanilla.

Spread frosting over cooled brownies and enjoy!

Notes

*Finely shredding the zucchini helps it release more liquid leading to the right texture of brownies. If your batter seems extremely dry after combining all the ingredients, your zucchini may be on the dry side. You can add a tablespoon of water at a time until the batter comes together. The zucchini will release a lot of water during baking and help bind the brownies and give them their rich and fudgy texture!

ORANGE CHESS PIE

This comes from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats. For this recipe, Diana wrote, “This refreshing orange chess pie is an amazing dessert, and it can be enjoyed any time of the year! With fresh orange juice and grated zest and fresh lemon juice, it is bright and bursting with citrus flavor.

“I've included a simple pie crust recipe, but you can use a frozen crust or refrigerated pie dough. Follow the instructions for partially baking a pie crust.” Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 8 Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Pie Crust (or use a purchased 9-inch pie shell)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4 ounces chilled butter, cut in small pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 scant teaspoon granulated sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons of ice water

Filling

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons milk

finely grated zest of 1 orange

1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half of a lemon)

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

Pie Crust

Put the 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a food processor and pulse to blend. Add half of the chilled butter pieces and pulse 5 or 6 times. Add the remaining chilled butter pieces and pulse another 5 or 6 times. You should have visible pieces of butter in the mixture with some the size of peas.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the ice water over the flour and pulse a few times.

Add more water, about 2 to 3 teaspoons at a time, pulsing a couple of times after each addition. When the mixture begins to clump together, turn it out onto a floured surface.

With your hands, knead just enough to shape the dough into a disk. Overworking the dough can cause shrinkage when the pie is pre-baked, so handle it as little as possible.

Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375° F.

Roll the disk out into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep checking and adding flour to the work surface if you notice any sticking.

Fit the pastry into the pie plate and crimp the edge as desired.

Line the pastry with parchment paper or foil and fill about 2/3 full with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the parchment or foil with the pie weights. Prick the dough all over, and then bake for about 5 minutes longer, or just until you begin to see a little color. Remove the crust to a rack and reduce the oven temperature to 350° F.

Orange Filling

In a mixing bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the milk, orange zest and juice, the lemon juice, and the lightly beaten eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended.

Pour the orange filling mixture into the partially baked pie crust. Bake at 350° F for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until set. Check the pie for browning after about 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, put a pie shield or homemade foil ring over the edges of the crust to prevent over-browning.

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Chill before serving.

Serve this pie with freshly whipped cream or thawed whipped topping.

KEY LIME PIE POPS

This was on the TODAY website, and starts off, “Turn your favorite summer pie into an easy creamy lime and graham cracker frozen treat.

"Technique tip: You don't need fancy ice pop molds to make these pops. Try using basic tools you already have in your kitchen, such as small paper cups, a loaf pan, large ice cube trays or even empty yogurt containers.

Swap option: To give these pops a chocolaty twist, swap 16 chocolate wafer cookies for the graham crackers.”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 graham crackers

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

4 ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1 cup heavy cream, very cold

Twelve 3-ounce paper cups

12 wooden craft sticks

Preparation

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the graham crackers to form fine crumbs. Add the butter and pulse to combine.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese on low speed until smooth. With the mixer running, gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, then the lime zest and juice.

Add the cream, then increase the speed until mixture is thick and soft peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide among the cups (about 5 tablespoons per cup). Top with the graham mixture and lightly press down to flatten.

Transfer the cups to a small, rimmed baking sheet and push a craft stick halfway down into each cup. Freeze until firm, at least 6 hours.

When ready to serve, peel the cups away from the pops.

MINI CHURRO DOUGHNUT HOLES

This yummy recipe is from Old El Paso, and begins, “This DIY version of fair food goes bite-size and gets an added flavor boost from caramel.”

By Pillsbury Kitchens

Total Time: 15 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Canola oil for deep-frying

1/2 cup cinnamon-sugar

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers refrigerated Original biscuits

Caramel sauce, if desired

Instructions

Fill 3-quart saucepan one-third full with oil. Heat over medium heat to about 350°F. Line plate with paper towels; set aside.

In small bowl, stir together cinnamon-sugar and powdered sugar; set aside.

Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Split each biscuit into 2 rounds; place on cutting board. Using very small doughnut-hole cutter or mouth of an empty bottle, cut out mini-sized doughnut holes.

When oil is hot, carefully drop a few of the doughnut holes into oil at a time. (See Tip.) Using slotted metal spoon or kitchen spider, continuously turn holes over and over until golden brown. Remove from oil; place on paper towel-lined plate to drain. Immediately place holes in sugar mixture; coat completely. Serve doughnut holes immediately drizzled with caramel sauce.

Expert Tips

The safest way to fry is to bring your hand close to the oil and gently drop in the dough versus quickly dropping and splashing the oil.

To prep ahead by a few hours, you can cut the dough and store it in a zipper-topped plastic bag in the fridge.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also time for Double-Post Tuesday. Today's double post includes Strawberry “Ice Cream” Cake and Athenian Meatloaf with Yogurt-Cucumber Sauce. Enjoy!

ORANGE CHESS PIE

This comes from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats. For this recipe, Diana wrote, “This refreshing orange chess pie is an amazing dessert, and it can be enjoyed any time of the year! With fresh orange juice and grated zest and fresh lemon juice, it is bright and bursting with citrus flavor.

“I've included a simple pie crust recipe, but you can use a frozen crust or refrigerated pie dough. Follow the instructions for partially baking a pie crust.” Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 8 Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Pie Crust (or use a purchased 9-inch pie shell)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4 ounces chilled butter, cut in small pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 scant teaspoon granulated sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons of ice water

Filling

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons milk

finely grated zest of 1 orange

1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half of a lemon)

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

Pie Crust

Put the 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a food processor and pulse to blend. Add half of the chilled butter pieces and pulse 5 or 6 times. Add the remaining chilled butter pieces and pulse another 5 or 6 times. You should have visible pieces of butter in the mixture with some the size of peas.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the ice water over the flour and pulse a few times.

Add more water, about 2 to 3 teaspoons at a time, pulsing a couple of times after each addition. When the mixture begins to clump together, turn it out onto a floured surface.

With your hands, knead just enough to shape the dough into a disk. Overworking the dough can cause shrinkage when the pie is pre-baked, so handle it as little as possible.

Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375° F.

Roll the disk out into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep checking and adding flour to the work surface if you notice any sticking.

Fit the pastry into the pie plate and crimp the edge as desired.

Line the pastry with parchment paper or foil and fill about 2/3 full with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the parchment or foil with the pie weights. Prick the dough all over, and then bake for about 5 minutes longer, or just until you begin to see a little color. Remove the crust to a rack and reduce the oven temperature to 350° F.

Orange Filling

In a mixing bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the milk, orange zest and juice, the lemon juice, and the lightly beaten eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended.

Pour the orange filling mixture into the partially baked pie crust. Bake at 350° F for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until set. Check the pie for browning after about 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, put a pie shield or homemade foil ring over the edges of the crust to prevent over-browning.

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Chill before serving.

Serve this pie with freshly whipped cream or thawed whipped topping.

STRAWBERRY 'ICE CREAM' CAKE

Of course, it does help to have the occasional dessert, right? This one, from page 80 of the March 2016 issue of Vegetarian Times, starts off, “Sssshhh … don’t tell kids this delicious dessert is actually just good-for-them yogurt and fruit with a few graham crackers and waffle cones thrown in for crunch.” I'm not telling, if you're not! Serves 12.

To view this yummy recipe online, go to http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/strawberry-ice-cream-cake/.

15 full graham crackers

5 waffle cones

1 20-oz. bag whole frozen strawberries

1 32-oz. container honey-flavored Greek yogurt

2 Tbs. honey

Line 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper, and set aside.

Pulse graham crackers in food processor with 1 to 2 tsp. water until crumbly and moist. Transfer to bowl.

Pulse waffle cones in food processor until crumbly. Transfer to separate bowl.

Bring strawberries to a simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes, or until soft and liquid starts to fill bottom of pan. Cool completely.

Stir together yogurt and honey. Set aside.

Press graham cracker crumbs on bottom of prepared springform pan. Spread half of yogurt, then half of strawberries, then half of crumbled waffle cones in pan. Repeat layering, ending with a sprinkling of waffle cones. Freeze at least 3 hours, or until frozen. Let sit at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

nutritional information Per Per slice: Calories: 250; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 39 g; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Sodium: 107 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 25 g

CHAPLI BURGERS

This comes from Samin Nosrat on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samin wrote, “This recipe is inspired by the thin, heavily spiced Pakistani patties known as chapli kebabs, which are typically drizzled with green chutney and served wrapped in warm naan. This version replaces naan with buns and welcomes the classic crunch of iceberg lettuce. But what really sets these burgers apart are the other flavorful toppings and condiments: thinly sliced onions, tomatoes and cucumbers, a creamy herbed yogurt, and tomato ketchup spiked with tamarind paste. Take a few extra minutes to put together the sauces — the mouthwatering tang, sweetness, creaminess and spice they'll add will make all the difference.”

Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

You can view this online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019435-chapli-burgers.

Ingredients

For Burgers:

1 tablespoon coriander seeds

Sea salt

2 tablespoons fresh or dried pomegranate seeds

1 pound ground beef

1/2 small yellow onion, minced

1/2 medium tomato, finely chopped and drained of juice

1 clove garlic, finely grated or pounded

1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger

1/2 jalapeño, seeded and minced

1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes

1 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems

1 egg

Neutral oil for cooking

To Serve:

Burger buns

Iceberg lettuce

Tamarind ketchup (see recipe)

Herbed yogurt (see recipe)

Sliced Persian cucumbers, red onions and tomatoes

Preparation

Place coriander seeds in a small saucepan, and set over medium heat. Swirling pan, lightly toast seeds for 2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat, and finely pound in a mortar and pestle with a pinch of salt (alternatively, use a spice grinder or small food processor). Add pomegranate seeds, and coarsely pound (it’s fine if the inner seed does not break down). Scrape paste into a large mixing bowl.

Add beef, onion, tomato, garlic, ginger, 1/2 jalapeño, pepper flakes, garam masala, cumin, 1/4 cup cilantro, egg and 2 teaspoons salt. Use hands to knead mixture until combined.

Fry a quarter-size piece of the mixture, and taste. Adjust seasoning with salt and spices.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide meat mixture onto parchment into 6 balls, and flatten into thin, 4-inch-round patties.

Set a large cast-iron pan over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When it shimmers, lay three patties into the pan, and cook for 2 minutes on each side until browned, then set aside on a plate. Drain grease from pan, and wipe with a paper towel, then cook remaining patties. (Alternatively, grill burgers over high heat for 2 minutes per side until browned.)

Serve immediately on toasted buns with tamarind ketchup, herbed yogurt and other garnishes.

Tip

Patties can be formed, covered and refrigerated up to one day in advance. Bring to room temperature before cooking. The burgers won’t be complete without the tamarind ketchup and herbed yogurt, which take only a few minutes to make and add welcome creaminess, sweetness and tang.

HERBED YOGURT

This comes from Samin Nosrat on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samin wrote, “This simple sauce comes together quickly to provide a welcome creaminess and tang to Chapli burgers, kebabs, stewed chickpeas and fried potatoes alike.”

Yield: About 1/2 cup; Time: 15 minutes.

This was featured in “A Burger, But Better”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

1/2 cup Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon finely chopped mint

1 teaspoon minced jalapeño

Sea salt

Preparation

In a small bowl, stir together yogurt, cilantro, mint, jalapeño and a pinch of salt. Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.

TAMARIND KETCHUP

The final of today's recipes from Samin Nosrat on The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Samin wrote, “A touch of tamarind paste lends tomato ketchup an edgy pucker. Spread this sauce all over Chapli burgers, kebabs, fried potatoes or anywhere else you'd think to use the plain stuff.”

Yield: About 1/3 cup; Time: 5 minutes

This was featured in “A Burger, But Better”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019439-tamarind-ketchup.

Ingredients

1/3 cup ketchup

4 teaspoons tamarind paste

Preparation

In a small bowl, stir together ketchup and tamarind paste.

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, September 11, 2019

Double-Post Thursday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Thursday. Today's offerings include Smoky Mexican Stir Fry and Farmers' Market Omelets. Enjoy!

BANANA MUFFINS WITH TART LEMON ICING

This came from a Weight Watchers email list maybe a decade or more ago. The points value is from then.

The recipe begins, “If the mouth-puckering lemon icing isn’t enough flavor for you, try adding 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to the flour mixture.”

Servings: 18, 1 muffin per serving, Points: 3

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened, divided

1 large egg(s)

2 tsp vanilla extract, divided

2 cup all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup fat-free skim milk

4 large banana(s), ripe, mashed

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest, strips, or more to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 18 muffin holes with paper liners.

Place sugar & 5 tablespoons of butter in a large bowl; cream with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla; beat until thoroughly mixed.

In another large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder & baking soda. Add half of flour mixture to butter mixture; beat well with mixer. Add milk and remaining flour mixture; beat until batter is combined & then fold in mashed bananas.

Spoon batter into muffin liners about 3/4 full. Bake until muffins start to brown and tester inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Allow muffins to cool in pan about 2 minutes; remove to wire rack and cool completely before icing.

Meanwhile, to make icing, combine powdered sugar, remaining tablespoon butter, lemon juice, zest, and remaining teaspoon of vanilla in medium bowl; beat with electric mixer until creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Ice cooled muffins; cover and refrigerate any uneaten muffins.

ORANGE CHESS PIE

This comes from About.com's Southern Food expert, Diana Rattray. For this recipe, Diana wrote, “This refreshing orange chess pie is an amazing dessert, and it can be enjoyed any time of the year! With fresh orange juice and grated zest and fresh lemon juice, it is bright and bursting with citrus flavor.

“I've included a simple pie crust recipe, but you can use a frozen crust or refrigerated pie dough. Follow the instructions for partially baking a pie crust.” Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 8 Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Pie Crust (or use a purchased 9-inch pie shell)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4 ounces chilled butter, cut in small pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 scant teaspoon granulated sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons of ice water

Filling

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons milk

finely grated zest of 1 orange

1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half of a lemon)

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

Pie Crust

Put the 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a food processor and pulse to blend. Add half of the chilled butter pieces and pulse 5 or 6 times. Add the remaining chilled butter pieces and pulse another 5 or 6 times. You should have visible pieces of butter in the mixture with some the size of peas.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the ice water over the flour and pulse a few times.

Add more water, about 2 to 3 teaspoons at a time, pulsing a couple of times after each addition. When the mixture begins to clump together, turn it out onto a floured surface.

With your hands, knead just enough to shape the dough into a disk. Overworking the dough can cause shrinkage when the pie is pre-baked, so handle it as little as possible.

Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375° F.

Roll the disk out into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep checking and adding flour to the work surface if you notice any sticking.

Fit the pastry into the pie plate and crimp the edge as desired.

Line the pastry with parchment paper or foil and fill about 2/3 full with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the parchment or foil with the pie weights. Prick the dough all over, and then bake for about 5 minutes longer, or just until you begin to see a little color. Remove the crust to a rack and reduce the oven temperature to 350° F.

Orange Filling

In a mixing bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the milk, orange zest and juice, the lemon juice, and the lightly beaten eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended.

Pour the orange filling mixture into the partially baked pie crust. Bake at 350° F for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until set. Check the pie for browning after about 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, put a pie shield or homemade foil ring over the edges of the crust to prevent over-browning.

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Chill before serving.

Serve this pie with freshly whipped cream or thawed whipped topping.

FARMERS' MARKET OMELETS

This comes from the November 2014 issue of Heart Insight Magazine. It begins, “Brighten up your breakfast with these flavorful omelets, full of fresh vegetables, fragrant basil, and pungent feta cheese. Add some whole-grain toast and fresh fruit for a light, nutritious meal any time of day.” Serves 4; omelet per serving.

To view this online, go to http://heartinsight.heart.org/November-2014/Farmers-Market-Omelets/.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon canola or corn oil, divided use

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

1 cup baby spinach

6 large egg whites

2 large eggs

1/4 cup fat-free milk

4 medium green onions, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

2 ounces fat-free feta cheese, crumbled

Directions

In a medium nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the tomatoes and spinach for 2–3 minutes, or until the tomatoes are slightly softened, stirring constantly. Transfer the mixture to a plate. Cover to keep warm. Set aside. Wipe the skillet with paper towels.

In a small bowl, using a fork, lightly beat together the egg whites, eggs, and milk. Stir in the green onions.

In the same skillet, still over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon oil, swirling to coat the bottom. Pour half the egg white mixture into the skillet, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook for 30 seconds, or until beginning to set. Using a spatula, carefully lift the cooked edge of the omelet and tilt the skillet so the uncooked portion flows under the edge. Cook until no runniness remains, repeating the lift-and-tilt procedure once or twice at other places along the edge if needed.

With the skillet still on the burner, spread half the tomato mixture over half the omelet. Sprinkle, in order, with half the basil and half the feta. Remove from the heat. Using a spatula, carefully fold the half with no filling over the other half. Cut the omelet in half crosswise. Gently slide onto plates. Cover to keep warm.

Using the remaining ingredients, including the final 1 teaspoon oil, make and fill a second omelet.

Cook’s Tip

Although these omelets are top-notch with basil, feel free to use a different fresh herb or combine several for even more subtle layers of fresh flavor.

ORANGE BEEF

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter, also featured in Asian Pantry Essentials. For this recipe, Sam wrote, “This recipe for takeout-style orange beef is a variation on one the Brooklyn chef Dale Talde included in his new cookbook, "Asian-American: Proudly Inauthentic Recipes From the Philippines to Brooklyn," with a slightly more intensely flavored orange-flavored sauce. Mr. Talde's key insight is protected, however: Use very good steak, and cook it fast, so that below the lovely crust of its egg-white-and-cornstarch batter, the meat remains rare and luscious. Serve with steamed broccoli and white rice. And make it a few times. What appears difficult the first time through — the coating of the beef, the making of the sauce, the stir-frying of the aromatics, the stir-frying of the beef — is in fact fast and easy work, and much, much better than takeout.” Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Sauce:

1 tablespoon neutral oil

1 1 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

2 tablespoons orange zest, plus the juice of one orange

3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup rice vinegar (do not use seasoned rice vinegar)

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tablespoon fish sauce

For the Beef:

1 large egg white

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 pinch kosher salt

1 boneless rib-eye steak, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 pounds, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/4 cup neutral oil

6 scallions, white and green parts cut into inchlong pieces and separated

2 to 4 dried red chiles, or to taste

Preparation

Make the sauce: Heat oil in a small sauce pan set over medium-high heat. When it begins to shimmer, add ginger, jalapeño and orange zest and stir to combine. Sauté mixture until ingredients soften, approximately 2 to 3 minutes, then add garlic and continue cooking until it softens, approximately 1 to 2 minutes longer.

Add orange juice, brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce and fish sauce to pan and stir to combine. Allow mixture to come to a boil, then lower the heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and reduces by half, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the meat: Combine egg white, cornstarch and salt in a bowl. Add steak, tossing to coat the meat with the batter.

In a large skillet or wok set over high heat, heat oil until it shimmers and is about to smoke. Add beef to the pan or wok in a single layer and cook without stirring until the bottoms of the pieces are crisp and golden, approximately 60 to 90 seconds. Add white pieces of scallion and chiles to the pan, then turn the beef pieces over and cook the other sides, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes more for medium-rare. Transfer to a platter.

Pour orange sauce into the hot pan or wok, let it boil and stir it as it thickens. Add meat and white scallions and stir to coat with the sauce. Return meat and sauce to the platter and scatter green scallions over the top. Serve with steamed broccoli and white rice.

SMOKY MEXICAN STIR FRY

This recipe begins, “The dual smoky flavors of bacon and chipotle chile (smoked jalapeno) liven up this quick and healthful stir-fry with pork tenderloin. The contrasts in temperature and texture – a hot savory stir-fry over cool crunchy lettuce – is a treat for the palate.”

Recipe Yield: Yield: Serves 4.

Source: NPB

Recipe and image appear courtesy of the National Pork Board.

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/smoky-mexican-stir-fry.

Ingredients

1 small pork tenderloin, (about 12 oz.)

4 slices bacon, diced

1 chipotle chile, (drained, if canned in adobo sauce; rehydrated in warm water if dried), chopped*

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 red bell pepper, OR green, cut into thin strips

1 small onion, cut in half and thinly sliced

3 cups romaine lettuce, OR iceberg lettuce, coarsely chopped

Directions

Slice pork tenderloin in half lengthwise, and then cut crosswise thinly.

Toss pork, bacon and chipotle pieces together in small bowl, set aside.

Combine oil, cumin, oregano and garlic and heat in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and onion, stir-fry 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove and reserve.

In same skillet, stir-fry the pork, bacon and chile for 2-3 minutes, until pork is just done and bacon crisp.

Return the vegetables to the skillet and heat through. Serve over lettuce.

* Wear rubber gloves when handling hot chiles

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 210; Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 150 mg; Cholesterol: 60 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 6 g

BULGOGI SLOPPY JOES WITH SCALLION SALSA

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, “The dish is the Korean barbecue standard known as bulgogi — ‘fire meat,’ is the literal translation — transformed into a sandwich filling, a sloppy Joe for a more perfect union. (File under ‘Blessings of Liberty.’) Fed to children with a tall glass of milk, the sandwiches may inspire smiles and licked plates, rapt attention and the request that the meal be served at least monthly — they are not at all too spicy for younger palates. Given to adults accompanied by cold lager, cucumber kimchi and a pot of the fermented Korean hot-pepper paste known as gochujang, they can rise to higher planes.

“Bulgogi sandwiches are a taste of the sort of home cooking that can lead to more home cooking. They serve as fragrant hamburger crushers, elegant vanquishers of pizza. They are an enemy of takeout.

“To cook them, you can follow the instructions slavishly, as if working for Hooni Kim, the chef and owner of Danji, on the edge of the theater district in Manhattan. Bulgogi ‘sliders’ are a hallmark of his menu and by far the restaurant’s most popular dish. This recipe is his.”

Yield: 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes, plus overnight refrigeration.

This recipe was featured in “The Bulgogi Slider Is a Delicious Curveball”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014203-bulgogi-sloppy-joes-with-scallion-salsa.

Ingredients

For the Bulgogi

1 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon peeled and grated garlic

1 tablespoon sesame oil

3 tablespoons sake

2 tablespoons mirin

1 Asian pear, peeled, cored and puréed in a food processor

1 small carrot peeled and sliced into julienne

1 medium white onion peeled and sliced into julienne

1 cup apple juice

2 pounds beef brisket, chilled slightly and sliced thin

For the Spicy Mayonnaise

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon soy sauce

3 tablespoons hot chili sauce, ideally Sriracha

For the Scallion Salsa

1/2 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons water

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons gochugaru (Korean red-pepper flakes)

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil

2 tablespoons sesame oil

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons mirin

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

2 bunches scallions, cleaned, dried and sliced on the bias

Unsalted butter

6 soft hamburger buns

Preparation

For the Bulgogi

In a large, nonreactive bowl, combine the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, sesame oil, sake, mirin, pear, carrot, onion and apple juice. Add the sliced brisket, stir to combine, cover tightly and place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least six hours.

Meanwhile, in a small, nonreactive bowl, combine the mayonnaise, soy sauce and hot chili sauce and stir to combine. Taste and adjust flavors, then cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

When you are ready to make the sandwiches, set one very large sauté pan (or two large ones) over high heat. Using tongs, lift meat from marinade in batches, allow to drain well, then cook, turning occasionally until the excess liquid has evaporated and the edges of the beef have started to crisp.

Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the salsa except for the scallions, then stir to combine.

Toast and butter the hamburger buns. Spread spicy mayonnaise on the buns, and using tongs, cover one side of each set of buns with bulgogi. Add a large pinch of scallions on top of each burger and drizzle with the dressing. Serve with cucumber kimchi (see recipe).

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Desserts - Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings deal with dessert.

I love dessert. In fact, it's frequently my favorite part of the meal. If you feel the same way about dessert, you're sure to enjoy today's offerings, which include Orange Chess Pie and Mini Churro Doughnut Holes. Enjoy!

HEAVENLY ICE CREAM CAKE WITH RASPBERRY COULIS

This comes from the January 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Prepared angel food cakes from the supermarket bakery section are good items to have on hand for desserts. Before preparing this elaborate-looking recipe, freeze the cake completely. It slices easily with a serrated knife.” Serves 12.

To view this online, click here.

1 16-oz. angel food cake, frozen

1 10-oz. jar raspberry preserves

1/4 cup raspberry liqueur or orange juice

2 pints low-fat vanilla ice cream, softened, divided

1 10-oz. pkg. frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed

Cut cake into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cover bottom of 9-inch springform pan with slices, cutting one or two slices as necessary to fill in gaps.

Combine raspberry preserves and liqueur in small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Brush half of raspberry mixture over cake in pan. Spread 1 pint ice cream over cake, and smooth top. Arrange more cake slices over ice cream to cover completely. Spread remaining raspberry mixture over cake. Smooth remaining pint of ice cream over cake. Cover with plastic wrap, and freeze overnight. (Can be prepared up to 3 days in advance up to this point.)

Purée thawed raspberries and syrup in food processor until smooth. Strain into bowl.

Run knife around sides of springform pan. Release sides from cake. Slice into wedges, and top with raspberry coulis.

nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 273; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 60 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 319 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 31 g

STRAWBERRY MAPLE OAT COOKIES

This is from Crofter’s Organic, and was featured in the December 2018 issue of Taste For Life, which I’d picked up at one of my favorite places, Rollin’ Oats in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you’re ever in St. Pete (especially if you live nearby), check it out!

Anyway, the recipe begins, “This recipe is far from your grandma’s oatmeal cookie. These cookies are the epitome of summer - chewy oatmeal goodness bursting with juicy strawberry flavor all thanks to our strawberry premium fruit spread. Count us in. This flavor combination is one for the books and will take your cookie game to the next level. Not to mention, they’re healthier than your average cookie but shhh no one needs to know. That’s because they taste great. Give them a try and see for yourself! Yum!”

Serves 6 - 8; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes.

Check them out online at https://croftersorganic.com/recipe/strawberry-maple-oat-cookies/.

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt

1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

1/2 cup coarsely ground walnuts

1 egg

2 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 cup Crofter’s Organic Strawberry Premium Fruit Spread

Directions

In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients - flour, oats, baking powder, and salt. Add spices and walnuts. Mix all together until combined.

In a separate bowl whisk the egg, coconut oil, vanilla, and maple syrup. Mix well with a whisk until well combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix. Finally, stir in the diced strawberries. Mix gently with a spoon. Let the mixture sit for few minutes.

Preheat oven to 356F (180C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

With a scoop or spoon, scoop the dough, and place it on the baking sheet. Arrange the cookies 2-inches apart. Slightly flatten the dough with the spoon.

Bake 12-15 minutes until the edges of the cookies begin to brown.

Remove cookies from the oven, and let them cool for few minutes on a baking sheet. Then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

FUDGY ZUCCHINI BROWNIES

This comes from Audra, otherwise known as The Baker Chick. If you haven’t check out her site, you really, really should. (Hint, hint.)

Anyway, Audra write, “I put green vegetables in your brownies - please don’t hate me.” She then goes on to talk about putting zucchini in her brownies. What can I saw, but I love her comments, as well as these brownies.

To view this online (and to check out Audra’s comments), go to http://www.thebakerchick.com/2014/08/fudgy-zucchini-brownies/.

Recipe adapted from: All Recipes

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut oil (another vegetable oil will work as well)

1 1/2 cups white sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used dark)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups finely shredded zucchini*

For the Frosting:

5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup melted butter

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly spray or grease a 9x13 baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar and vanilla until smooth and well-combined. Sprinkle the flour, cocoa powder, soda and salt over the wet ingredients and stir until just incorporated. (The batter will be dry at this point- worry.)

Fold in the zucchini and mix for just a few seconds or until batter is well combined.

Spread into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the middle of the pan comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Allow brownies to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:

In a medium-large bowl, stir together the butter and cocoa powder until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, alternating with the milk. Stir in the vanilla.

Spread frosting over cooled brownies and enjoy!

Notes

*Finely shredding the zucchini helps it release more liquid leading to the right texture of brownies. If your batter seems extremely dry after combining all the ingredients, your zucchini may be on the dry side. You can add a tablespoon of water at a time until the batter comes together. The zucchini will release a lot of water during baking and help bind the brownies and give them their rich and fudgy texture!

ORANGE CHESS PIE

This comes from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats. For this recipe, Diana wrote, “This refreshing orange chess pie is an amazing dessert, and it can be enjoyed any time of the year! With fresh orange juice and grated zest and fresh lemon juice, it is bright and bursting with citrus flavor.

“I've included a simple pie crust recipe, but you can use a frozen crust or refrigerated pie dough. Follow the instructions for partially baking a pie crust.” Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 8 Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Pie Crust (or use a purchased 9-inch pie shell)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4 ounces chilled butter, cut in small pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 scant teaspoon granulated sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons of ice water

Filling

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons milk

finely grated zest of 1 orange

1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half of a lemon)

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

Pie Crust

Put the 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a food processor and pulse to blend. Add half of the chilled butter pieces and pulse 5 or 6 times. Add the remaining chilled butter pieces and pulse another 5 or 6 times. You should have visible pieces of butter in the mixture with some the size of peas.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the ice water over the flour and pulse a few times.

Add more water, about 2 to 3 teaspoons at a time, pulsing a couple of times after each addition. When the mixture begins to clump together, turn it out onto a floured surface.

With your hands, knead just enough to shape the dough into a disk. Overworking the dough can cause shrinkage when the pie is pre-baked, so handle it as little as possible.

Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375° F.

Roll the disk out into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep checking and adding flour to the work surface if you notice any sticking.

Fit the pastry into the pie plate and crimp the edge as desired.

Line the pastry with parchment paper or foil and fill about 2/3 full with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the parchment or foil with the pie weights. Prick the dough all over, and then bake for about 5 minutes longer, or just until you begin to see a little color. Remove the crust to a rack and reduce the oven temperature to 350° F.

Orange Filling

In a mixing bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the milk, orange zest and juice, the lemon juice, and the lightly beaten eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended.

Pour the orange filling mixture into the partially baked pie crust. Bake at 350° F for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until set. Check the pie for browning after about 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, put a pie shield or homemade foil ring over the edges of the crust to prevent over-browning.

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Chill before serving.

Serve this pie with freshly whipped cream or thawed whipped topping.

KEY LIME PIE POPS

This was on the TODAY website, and starts off, “Turn your favorite summer pie into an easy creamy lime and graham cracker frozen treat.

"Technique tip: You don't need fancy ice pop molds to make these pops. Try using basic tools you already have in your kitchen, such as small paper cups, a loaf pan, large ice cube trays or even empty yogurt containers.

Swap option: To give these pops a chocolaty twist, swap 16 chocolate wafer cookies for the graham crackers.”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 graham crackers

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

4 ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1 cup heavy cream, very cold

Twelve 3-ounce paper cups

12 wooden craft sticks

Preparation

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the graham crackers to form fine crumbs. Add the butter and pulse to combine.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese on low speed until smooth. With the mixer running, gradually add the sweetened condensed milk, then the lime zest and juice.

Add the cream, then increase the speed until mixture is thick and soft peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide among the cups (about 5 tablespoons per cup). Top with the graham mixture and lightly press down to flatten.

Transfer the cups to a small, rimmed baking sheet and push a craft stick halfway down into each cup. Freeze until firm, at least 6 hours.

When ready to serve, peel the cups away from the pops.

MINI CHURRO DOUGHNUT HOLES

This yummy recipe is from Old El Paso, and begins, “This DIY version of fair food goes bite-size and gets an added flavor boost from caramel.”

By Pillsbury Kitchens

Total Time: 15 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Canola oil for deep-frying

1/2 cup cinnamon-sugar

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers refrigerated Original biscuits

Caramel sauce, if desired

Instructions

Fill 3-quart saucepan one-third full with oil. Heat over medium heat to about 350°F. Line plate with paper towels; set aside.

In small bowl, stir together cinnamon-sugar and powdered sugar; set aside.

Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Split each biscuit into 2 rounds; place on cutting board. Using very small doughnut-hole cutter or mouth of an empty bottle, cut out mini-sized doughnut holes.

When oil is hot, carefully drop a few of the doughnut holes into oil at a time. (See Tip.) Using slotted metal spoon or kitchen spider, continuously turn holes over and over until golden brown. Remove from oil; place on paper towel-lined plate to drain. Immediately place holes in sugar mixture; coat completely. Serve doughnut holes immediately drizzled with caramel sauce.

Expert Tips

The safest way to fry is to bring your hand close to the oil and gently drop in the dough versus quickly dropping and splashing the oil.

To prep ahead by a few hours, you can cut the dough and store it in a zipper-topped plastic bag in the fridge.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Pie!

While I seldom post on weekends, I wanted to post this today. Hope nobody minds my posting yummy pie recipes!

I've always loved pies. Fortunately, they're relatively easy to make. So, here are five pie recipes, including Strawberry Pie and Peanut Butter Pie, as well as my great-grandnother's pie crust. Enjoy!

GREAT-GRANDMA'S PIE CRUST

This is my great-grandma's pie crust recipe. When Mom was in college, some group had a baking contest and Mom won with a pie baked in this crust. Years later, Mom called me several times for the recipe (she'd begun to use store-bought crusts), as well as the recipes for my grandmother's (her mom's) oatmeal cookie and peanut butter cookie recipes, thus letting me know that I was/am the unofficial family-recipe-keeper.

Ingredients

2 cups flour (do NOT use self-rising flour; you can use almost any other kind of flour, although I use unbleached flour for this)

2/3 cup shortening (I use Crisco)

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 – 4 tablespoons cold milk

Directions

Grease one or two 9-inch pie pans.

Put flour in large bowl and add shortening. Cut shortening into flour. Note: Cutting shortening is basically cutting it (yup, makes sense, right?) with two knives so that the shortening is incorporated into the flour. Take the knives, one in each hand, with the sharp part of the blades facing each other. Work them together as if you were cutting a piece of food – large veggies, etc – so that the shortening is cut up. You're finished when the shortening and flour look crumbly (for lack of a better explanation) and the shortening is fairly mixed into the flour.

Add salt to mixture and stir once or twice.

Add milk, stirring into the flour-shortening mixture. For into a ball, then cut in half. You now have enough crust for two single-crust pies or one double-crusted pie.

Take a dish towel and cover it with flour. Place half of the crust-ball onto the floured towel. Roll crust out into a circular shape. (Note: Rub flour over the work-surface of the rolling pin to make this job a lot easier.)

When you're ready to place the crust into the pie pan, place the rolling pin near the edge of the crust. Using the edge of the towel, wrap part of the crust around the rolling pin, then drop the towel. Use this method (pin-crust-towel) to move the crust to the pan.

Do the same to the second half of the crust-ball. If making two single-crust pies, put the second crust into the second pan. If it's a double-crust pie, fill the pie crust in the pan, then top with the second crust.

Bake the pie according to the pie's instructions. However, if the pie is one that doesn't need baking, bake the crust alone for 10 – 15 minutes at 325 decrees or until lightly brown.

Note: Many fruit pies call for a top crust. This can be accomplished either by putting a solid crust on top, to which a few vent holes are added, or by making a lattice pie crust. With the solid crust, the vent holes are added so that any steam from inside the pie can be released (yes, this does happen). The holes don't have to be big; in fact, I usually take a sharp knife and simply poke a few vents in several spots across the top crust.

However, if you'd like to make a lattice pie crust for the top crust, Molly Watson of The Spruce Eats has a tutorial titled "How to Make a Lattice Pie Crust." Check it out.

CRANBERRY PIE



My dad loved to cook, and usually came up with decent recipes. He sent this one in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.” (It can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking.)



Note: This can be made with either one or two crusts. The original recipe only has a bottom crust, but I do occasionally add a top crust. If you add that top crust, cut a few slits in the top and cover the pie with foil for the first 10 - 15 minutes, then remove it to let the crust brown for the last 10 - 15 minutes.

Ingredients

2 T cornstarch

1 C sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/4 C hot water

1 C raisins

1 T butter

2 C cranberries

Pie crust

Directions

Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)

VARIATION

Ingredients

2 Tbls cornstarch

3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/4 C hot water

1 C raisins

1 T margarine

1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)

Pie crust

Directions

Make as above.

ORANGE CHESS PIE

This comes from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats. For this recipe, Diana wrote, “This refreshing orange chess pie is an amazing dessert, and it can be enjoyed any time of the year! With fresh orange juice and grated zest and fresh lemon juice, it is bright and bursting with citrus flavor.

“I've included a simple pie crust recipe, but you can use a frozen crust or refrigerated pie dough. Follow the instructions for partially baking a pie crust.” Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 65 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 8 Servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Pie Crust (or use a purchased 9-inch pie shell)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

4 ounces chilled butter, cut in small pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 scant teaspoon granulated sugar

3 to 4 tablespoons of ice water

Filling

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons milk

finely grated zest of 1 orange

1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (about half of a lemon)

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preparation

Pie Crust

Put the 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a food processor and pulse to blend. Add half of the chilled butter pieces and pulse 5 or 6 times. Add the remaining chilled butter pieces and pulse another 5 or 6 times. You should have visible pieces of butter in the mixture with some the size of peas.

Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the ice water over the flour and pulse a few times.

Add more water, about 2 to 3 teaspoons at a time, pulsing a couple of times after each addition. When the mixture begins to clump together, turn it out onto a floured surface.

With your hands, knead just enough to shape the dough into a disk. Overworking the dough can cause shrinkage when the pie is pre-baked, so handle it as little as possible.

Wrap the disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 45 minutes.

Heat the oven to 375° F.

Roll the disk out into a 12-inch circle about 1/8-inch thick. Keep checking and adding flour to the work surface if you notice any sticking.

Fit the pastry into the pie plate and crimp the edge as desired.

Line the pastry with parchment paper or foil and fill about 2/3 full with pie weights or dried beans.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the parchment or foil with the pie weights. Prick the dough all over, and then bake for about 5 minutes longer, or just until you begin to see a little color. Remove the crust to a rack and reduce the oven temperature to 350° F.

Orange Filling

In a mixing bowl combine the 1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, cornmeal, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 6 tablespoons of melted butter, the milk, orange zest and juice, the lemon juice, and the lightly beaten eggs. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended.

Pour the orange filling mixture into the partially baked pie crust. Bake at 350° F for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until set. Check the pie for browning after about 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, put a pie shield or homemade foil ring over the edges of the crust to prevent over-browning.

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Chill before serving.

Serve this pie with freshly whipped cream or thawed whipped topping.

STRAWBERRY PIE



Several weeks ago, my daughter and I checked out a local fruit stand and came away with a quart of strawberries. They were on sale for $3 for a quart, so how could we pass them up?

Of course, then we had to decide what to do with all these yummy strawberries. And what better use for them than in a pie? So, here goes what I made.



Ingredients

1 quart strawberries

1 C sugar

3 Tablespoons corn start

3/4 cup hot water

1 pie crust

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place pie crust in an ungreased pie pan. Using a fork, pierce crust a couple of times (though don't go overboard), and bake for 10 - 15 minutes, or until lightly brown.

Note: If you're using a store-bought pie crust, bake until brown according to the package directions.

Wash strawberries. Cut up half of the berries (about 1 pint) and arrange in pie crust. You don't need to cut the strawberries too small; maybe in half or, for larger strawberries, in fourths.

Mash the remaining berries and place in a medium saucepan. Pour sugar over the strawberries in the pan and combine. Cook over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.

In a small bowl, whisk hot water and cornstarch together, then stir into boiling strawberry mixture. Reduce heat, then simmer until mixture has thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour thickened mixture over berries in pie crust. Chill for several hours before serving. Oh, and be sure to share!

CHERRY DREAM PIE

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

1 graham cracker pie crust

3 egg yolks

1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

1/3 C. lemon juice

1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling chilled

whipped topping (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. In medium bowl, beat egg yolks; stir in sweetened condensed milk & lemon juice. Pour into prepared crust; bake 8 minutes. Cool. Chill 3 hours or overnight. Prior to serving, top with pie filling. Garnish with whipped topping. Refrigerate leftovers.

PEANUT BUTTER PIE

I’d driven cab for several years. One Friday afternoon, I got a call to pick up a single dad from the store. When I dropped him off, his son and daughter came out of the trailer to help bring in the groceries.

“Did you remember to get the stuff for the peanut butter pie?” his daughter asked. They were taking it to an early Thanksgiving gathering that weekend.

“Sure did,” he answered.

“Peanut butter pie?” I asked, as we finished unloading the groceries. “How do you make that?

“With peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, and a few other things,” came the answer.

The following week, I managed to pick the dad up again. This time, I managed to get the ingredients: pie crust, peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, cream cheese and Cool Whip. It wasn’t until the third (and final) time I picked him up in as many weeks that I got the exact amounts. He used 1/3 cup each of peanut butter and sugar, both of which I upped to 1/2 cup each.

This is in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.



Ingredients

8-ounce tub of Cool Whip (see note)

8-ounce block of cream cheese (see note)

1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth is preferable)

1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

Pie crust (see note)

Directions

Put Cool Whip, cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. With beaters, beat on high. Pour into pie crust, smooth out, and freeze for 1 hour.

Note: Cool whip (or store equivalent) can be fat-free. Cream cheese can be regular cream cheese or the 1/3 less fat kind, but do not use fat free, as the pie won't set up right. I usually use a store-bought graham cracker crust for the pie, which is what the man used to make this. However, you can also use an Oreo cookie crust.