Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Beef Noodle Skillet and, for dessert, a Lacy Valentine Cake. Enjoy!
CHICKEN POT PIE CRESCENT BAKE
This is from Pillsbury Kitchens, and begins, "Cozy up busy weeknights with a quick and easy homestyle chicken pot pie bake. This hearty bake is comfort food at its finest, and prep is a breeze. Make your chicken pot pie casserole with a super-simple made-from-scratch sauce, frozen veggies, chopped chicken and a flaky crust made from Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls. You can have this easy chicken pot pie bake ready to serve in under an hour. Just scoop right from the baking dish, and enjoy."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 3/4 cups Progresso™ Chicken Broth (from 32-oz carton)
2/3 cup milk
1 bag (10 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 12x8-inch or 11x7-inch (2-quart) rectangular glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 2 1/2- to 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Gradually stir in broth and milk.
Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir about 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is heated through; pour mixture into baking dish.
Unroll crescent dough; separate into triangles. Place on top of hot chicken mixture, overlapping slightly, to look like braided appearance.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown and dough is baked through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
If desired, brush crescent dough with 1 tablespoon melted butter, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme. Or, try garnishing with fresh thyme or chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley before serving.
tip 2
Instead of using mixed vegetables in your chicken pot pie bake, switch it up with your favorite frozen vegetable, like corn, peas or carrots.
tip 3
Serve this easy chicken pot pie bake with a fresh garden salad for a complete dinner.
Tip 4
Bring more comforting meals to the dinner table with tasty meals like our Classic Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Cups.
BEEF NOODLE SKILLET
This is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/beef-noodle-skillet-8053162.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground chuck
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
12 ounces egg noodles
2-1/2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
A few dashes Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ground chuck and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook the meat, crumbling as you go, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for about 30 seconds.
Add the noodles, broth, 1 cup hot water, the mustard, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. Give a big stir and bring to a simmer. Cover and allow everything to simmer, stirring occasionally and adding up to 1/2 cup more water if necessary, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened, about 12 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream and cook for 1 additional minute or until the pasta is tender.
Remove from the heat. Sprinkle over the chives and serve directly from the pan.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "It's hard to believe just how deliciously hearty our pasta fagioli becomes with just a few ingredients, and a loving touch. It's a meal that goes straight to the heart, after doing a delicious dance across your satisfied tastebuds. Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this pasta fagioli recipe. Pureeing a portion of the beans gives the soup creamy texture without added fat or calories. So there's nothing not to love when it comes to this weekday winner, pasta e fagioli!"
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
Add thyme, rosemary and 3-1/2 cups of the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add macaroni; boil 5 to 7 minutes or until macaroni is almost tender but retains a bit of bite.
In blender, blend remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 can of the beans and the tomatoes. Blend until smooth. Add mixture to stockpot along with remaining can of beans and the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Freezer Directions: Make as directed through step 3, but do not simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Ladle soup mixture into quart-size resealable plastic freezer bags; let out any excess air, and seal. Place bags flat in freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in 5-quart stockpot, and reheat over medium heat until heated through.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Kidney beans can be substituted for the cannellini beans, if desired.
SAVORY BEAN SPINACH SOUP
This is from Eating Well, and begins, "Let a slow cooker complete this vegetarian soup. Serve it in cups as a sandwich side or ladle it into bowls for a light meal."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Additional Time: 5 hours; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259615/savory-bean-spinach-soup/.
Ingredients
3 (14 ounce) cans vegetable broth
1 (15 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (15 ounce) can white or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup converted white rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach or kale leaves
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine broth, tomato puree, beans, rice, onion, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper.
Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours.
Stir spinach into soup. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
CHORIZO TAQUITOS
This is from Bryan Washington in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Bryan wrote, "Chorizo taquitos are quick, filling and endlessly customizable. While a taquito’s more traditional iterations involve frying the filled and rolled tortilla until crisp, this recipe is styled after a fast-casual version from the Whataburger restaurant chain. It’s made with flour tortillas (rather than corn tortillas) and skips the frying process. The chorizo filling is cooked with aromatics and seasonings, then mixed with scrambled eggs, ladled across tortillas with cheese, rolled and garnished with salsa. The dish retains its Mexican origins while adapting to the flavor profiles and preferences of its many locales. The taquito is as straightforward or complex as you’d like it to be — which is another joy of this delicious dish."
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 taquitos
This yumminess was featured in "These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024249-chorizo-taquitos.
Note:First off, while you're checking this out at the The New York Times cooking site, sign up for their newsletter, if you haven't done so already. If you enjoy it as much as I do, it's well worth signing up for.
Secondly, read the article that this recipe is featured in ("These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions"). Really nice article, good reading (to go with the good eating). Very nice, Bryan!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, diced
1/2 pound raw chorizo (casings removed, if necessary)
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
4 to 6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 to 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
Salsa roja or salsa verde (optional), for serving
Preparation
Heat a medium skillet over medium. Add oil, then stir in onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in jalapeño and cook until softened, about 2 minutes more.
Crumble chorizo into the pan; sprinkle with chili powder, cumin and black pepper and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up chorizo into small chunks, until chorizo is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add eggs, pouring them gradually into the pan in a circular motion. Stir into chorizo mixture and cook until eggs are just set. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting to keep chorizo mixture warm while you heat the tortillas.
Heat a separate pan (or a comal, if you have one) over medium. Add tortillas to the pan one by one, heating them through. (Flip each tortilla when it begins to puff up on each side, then remove when warmed.)
Fill a tortilla with chorizo filling, then add cheese to taste and roll the taquito until it’s shut. Repeat until you’ve used the remaining filling and tortillas. Serve with salsa, if you like.
LACY VALENTINE CAKE
This was from Fr. Dominic Garramone (aka The Bread Monk). I first ran across his show, Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, years ago on PBS. The show has since left television (at least, as far as I can tell), but you can still check out his recipes and books on his website (above).
Yield: 2 coffee cakes.
Ingredients
1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)
2 packages FLEISCHMANN'S Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm milk (100 to 110 degrees)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained
1/2 cup chopped slivered almonds, toasted
Almond Icing (recipe follows)
Directions
Place warm water in large, warm bowl. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved. Add warm milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, salt and 1-1/2 cups flour; blend well. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Pat maraschino cherries between paper towels to remove excess moisture. In medium bowl, combine cherries, almonds and 1/4 cup sugar; reserve.
Punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one piece to 24x7-inch oblong. Melt remaining butter; brush half on dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle half of cherry mixture on surface. Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal; carefully roll back and forth to stretch to 26-inch rope. Place, seam side down, on greased baking sheet. Form into ring; pinch ends together to seal. Shape into heart. With sharp knife, cut slits starting at outside edge of heart, 2/3 of the way through dough, at 3/4-inch intervals. Turn each section on its side to show filling. Repeat with remaining dough, butter and filling. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until done; switch positions of sheets in oven halfway through baking time for even browning. Remove from sheets; cool on wire racks. Frost with Almond Icing.
Almond Icing:
Combine 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 2 to 3 tablespoons milk. Stir until smooth.
Showing posts with label Pasta e Fagioli. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pasta e Fagioli. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday (because not everyone loves tacos). Today's offerings include Beef Noodle Skillet and, for dessert, a Lacy Valentine Cake. Enjoy!
CHICKEN POT PIE CRESCENT BAKE
This is from Pillsbury Kitchens, and begins, "Cozy up busy weeknights with a quick and easy homestyle chicken pot pie bake. This hearty bake is comfort food at its finest, and prep is a breeze. Make your chicken pot pie casserole with a super-simple made-from-scratch sauce, frozen veggies, chopped chicken and a flaky crust made from Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls. You can have this easy chicken pot pie bake ready to serve in under an hour. Just scoop right from the baking dish, and enjoy."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 3/4 cups Progresso™ Chicken Broth (from 32-oz carton)
2/3 cup milk
1 bag (10 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 12x8-inch or 11x7-inch (2-quart) rectangular glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 2 1/2- to 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Gradually stir in broth and milk.
Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir about 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is heated through; pour mixture into baking dish.
Unroll crescent dough; separate into triangles. Place on top of hot chicken mixture, overlapping slightly, to look like braided appearance.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown and dough is baked through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
If desired, brush crescent dough with 1 tablespoon melted butter, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme. Or, try garnishing with fresh thyme or chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley before serving.
tip 2
Instead of using mixed vegetables in your chicken pot pie bake, switch it up with your favorite frozen vegetable, like corn, peas or carrots.
tip 3
Serve this easy chicken pot pie bake with a fresh garden salad for a complete dinner.
Tip 4
Bring more comforting meals to the dinner table with tasty meals like our Classic Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Cups.
BEEF NOODLE SKILLET
This is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/beef-noodle-skillet-8053162.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground chuck
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
12 ounces egg noodles
2-1/2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
A few dashes Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ground chuck and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook the meat, crumbling as you go, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for about 30 seconds.
Add the noodles, broth, 1 cup hot water, the mustard, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. Give a big stir and bring to a simmer. Cover and allow everything to simmer, stirring occasionally and adding up to 1/2 cup more water if necessary, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened, about 12 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream and cook for 1 additional minute or until the pasta is tender.
Remove from the heat. Sprinkle over the chives and serve directly from the pan.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "It's hard to believe just how deliciously hearty our pasta fagioli becomes with just a few ingredients, and a loving touch. It's a meal that goes straight to the heart, after doing a delicious dance across your satisfied tastebuds. Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this pasta fagioli recipe. Pureeing a portion of the beans gives the soup creamy texture without added fat or calories. So there's nothing not to love when it comes to this weekday winner, pasta e fagioli!"
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
Add thyme, rosemary and 3-1/2 cups of the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add macaroni; boil 5 to 7 minutes or until macaroni is almost tender but retains a bit of bite.
In blender, blend remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 can of the beans and the tomatoes. Blend until smooth. Add mixture to stockpot along with remaining can of beans and the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Freezer Directions: Make as directed through step 3, but do not simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Ladle soup mixture into quart-size resealable plastic freezer bags; let out any excess air, and seal. Place bags flat in freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in 5-quart stockpot, and reheat over medium heat until heated through.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Kidney beans can be substituted for the cannellini beans, if desired.
SAVORY BEAN SPINACH SOUP
This is from Eating Well, and begins, "Let a slow cooker complete this vegetarian soup. Serve it in cups as a sandwich side or ladle it into bowls for a light meal."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Additional Time: 5 hours; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259615/savory-bean-spinach-soup/.
Ingredients
3 (14 ounce) cans vegetable broth
1 (15 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (15 ounce) can white or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup converted white rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach or kale leaves
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine broth, tomato puree, beans, rice, onion, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper.
Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours.
Stir spinach into soup. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
CHORIZO TAQUITOS
This is from Bryan Washington in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Bryan wrote, "Chorizo taquitos are quick, filling and endlessly customizable. While a taquito’s more traditional iterations involve frying the filled and rolled tortilla until crisp, this recipe is styled after a fast-casual version from the Whataburger restaurant chain. It’s made with flour tortillas (rather than corn tortillas) and skips the frying process. The chorizo filling is cooked with aromatics and seasonings, then mixed with scrambled eggs, ladled across tortillas with cheese, rolled and garnished with salsa. The dish retains its Mexican origins while adapting to the flavor profiles and preferences of its many locales. The taquito is as straightforward or complex as you’d like it to be — which is another joy of this delicious dish."
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 taquitos
This yumminess was featured in "These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024249-chorizo-taquitos.
Note:First off, while you're checking this out at the The New York Times cooking site, sign up for their newsletter, if you haven't done so already. If you enjoy it as much as I do, it's well worth signing up for.
Secondly, read the article that this recipe is featured in ("These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions"). Really nice article, good reading (to go with the good eating). Very nice, Bryan!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, diced
1/2 pound raw chorizo (casings removed, if necessary)
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
4 to 6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 to 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
Salsa roja or salsa verde (optional), for serving
Preparation
Heat a medium skillet over medium. Add oil, then stir in onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in jalapeño and cook until softened, about 2 minutes more.
Crumble chorizo into the pan; sprinkle with chili powder, cumin and black pepper and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up chorizo into small chunks, until chorizo is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add eggs, pouring them gradually into the pan in a circular motion. Stir into chorizo mixture and cook until eggs are just set. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting to keep chorizo mixture warm while you heat the tortillas.
Heat a separate pan (or a comal, if you have one) over medium. Add tortillas to the pan one by one, heating them through. (Flip each tortilla when it begins to puff up on each side, then remove when warmed.)
Fill a tortilla with chorizo filling, then add cheese to taste and roll the taquito until it’s shut. Repeat until you’ve used the remaining filling and tortillas. Serve with salsa, if you like.
LACY VALENTINE CAKE
This was from Fr. Dominic Garramone (aka The Bread Monk). I first ran across his show, Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, years ago on PBS. The show has since left television (at least, as far as I can tell), but you can still check out his recipes and books on his website (above).
Yield: 2 coffee cakes.
Ingredients
1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)
2 packages FLEISCHMANN'S Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm milk (100 to 110 degrees)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained
1/2 cup chopped slivered almonds, toasted
Almond Icing (recipe follows)
Directions
Place warm water in large, warm bowl. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved. Add warm milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, salt and 1-1/2 cups flour; blend well. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Pat maraschino cherries between paper towels to remove excess moisture. In medium bowl, combine cherries, almonds and 1/4 cup sugar; reserve.
Punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one piece to 24x7-inch oblong. Melt remaining butter; brush half on dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle half of cherry mixture on surface. Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal; carefully roll back and forth to stretch to 26-inch rope. Place, seam side down, on greased baking sheet. Form into ring; pinch ends together to seal. Shape into heart. With sharp knife, cut slits starting at outside edge of heart, 2/3 of the way through dough, at 3/4-inch intervals. Turn each section on its side to show filling. Repeat with remaining dough, butter and filling. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until done; switch positions of sheets in oven halfway through baking time for even browning. Remove from sheets; cool on wire racks. Frost with Almond Icing.
Almond Icing:
Combine 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 2 to 3 tablespoons milk. Stir until smooth.
CHICKEN POT PIE CRESCENT BAKE
This is from Pillsbury Kitchens, and begins, "Cozy up busy weeknights with a quick and easy homestyle chicken pot pie bake. This hearty bake is comfort food at its finest, and prep is a breeze. Make your chicken pot pie casserole with a super-simple made-from-scratch sauce, frozen veggies, chopped chicken and a flaky crust made from Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls. You can have this easy chicken pot pie bake ready to serve in under an hour. Just scoop right from the baking dish, and enjoy."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 3/4 cups Progresso™ Chicken Broth (from 32-oz carton)
2/3 cup milk
1 bag (10 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 12x8-inch or 11x7-inch (2-quart) rectangular glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 2 1/2- to 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Gradually stir in broth and milk.
Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir about 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is heated through; pour mixture into baking dish.
Unroll crescent dough; separate into triangles. Place on top of hot chicken mixture, overlapping slightly, to look like braided appearance.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown and dough is baked through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
If desired, brush crescent dough with 1 tablespoon melted butter, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme. Or, try garnishing with fresh thyme or chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley before serving.
tip 2
Instead of using mixed vegetables in your chicken pot pie bake, switch it up with your favorite frozen vegetable, like corn, peas or carrots.
tip 3
Serve this easy chicken pot pie bake with a fresh garden salad for a complete dinner.
Tip 4
Bring more comforting meals to the dinner table with tasty meals like our Classic Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Cups.
BEEF NOODLE SKILLET
This is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/beef-noodle-skillet-8053162.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground chuck
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
12 ounces egg noodles
2-1/2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
A few dashes Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ground chuck and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook the meat, crumbling as you go, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for about 30 seconds.
Add the noodles, broth, 1 cup hot water, the mustard, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. Give a big stir and bring to a simmer. Cover and allow everything to simmer, stirring occasionally and adding up to 1/2 cup more water if necessary, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened, about 12 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream and cook for 1 additional minute or until the pasta is tender.
Remove from the heat. Sprinkle over the chives and serve directly from the pan.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "It's hard to believe just how deliciously hearty our pasta fagioli becomes with just a few ingredients, and a loving touch. It's a meal that goes straight to the heart, after doing a delicious dance across your satisfied tastebuds. Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this pasta fagioli recipe. Pureeing a portion of the beans gives the soup creamy texture without added fat or calories. So there's nothing not to love when it comes to this weekday winner, pasta e fagioli!"
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
Add thyme, rosemary and 3-1/2 cups of the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add macaroni; boil 5 to 7 minutes or until macaroni is almost tender but retains a bit of bite.
In blender, blend remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 can of the beans and the tomatoes. Blend until smooth. Add mixture to stockpot along with remaining can of beans and the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Freezer Directions: Make as directed through step 3, but do not simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Ladle soup mixture into quart-size resealable plastic freezer bags; let out any excess air, and seal. Place bags flat in freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in 5-quart stockpot, and reheat over medium heat until heated through.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Kidney beans can be substituted for the cannellini beans, if desired.
SAVORY BEAN SPINACH SOUP
This is from Eating Well, and begins, "Let a slow cooker complete this vegetarian soup. Serve it in cups as a sandwich side or ladle it into bowls for a light meal."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Additional Time: 5 hours; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259615/savory-bean-spinach-soup/.
Ingredients
3 (14 ounce) cans vegetable broth
1 (15 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (15 ounce) can white or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup converted white rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach or kale leaves
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine broth, tomato puree, beans, rice, onion, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper.
Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours.
Stir spinach into soup. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
CHORIZO TAQUITOS
This is from Bryan Washington in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Bryan wrote, "Chorizo taquitos are quick, filling and endlessly customizable. While a taquito’s more traditional iterations involve frying the filled and rolled tortilla until crisp, this recipe is styled after a fast-casual version from the Whataburger restaurant chain. It’s made with flour tortillas (rather than corn tortillas) and skips the frying process. The chorizo filling is cooked with aromatics and seasonings, then mixed with scrambled eggs, ladled across tortillas with cheese, rolled and garnished with salsa. The dish retains its Mexican origins while adapting to the flavor profiles and preferences of its many locales. The taquito is as straightforward or complex as you’d like it to be — which is another joy of this delicious dish."
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 taquitos
This yumminess was featured in "These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024249-chorizo-taquitos.
Note:First off, while you're checking this out at the The New York Times cooking site, sign up for their newsletter, if you haven't done so already. If you enjoy it as much as I do, it's well worth signing up for.
Secondly, read the article that this recipe is featured in ("These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions"). Really nice article, good reading (to go with the good eating). Very nice, Bryan!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, diced
1/2 pound raw chorizo (casings removed, if necessary)
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
4 to 6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 to 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
Salsa roja or salsa verde (optional), for serving
Preparation
Heat a medium skillet over medium. Add oil, then stir in onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in jalapeño and cook until softened, about 2 minutes more.
Crumble chorizo into the pan; sprinkle with chili powder, cumin and black pepper and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up chorizo into small chunks, until chorizo is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add eggs, pouring them gradually into the pan in a circular motion. Stir into chorizo mixture and cook until eggs are just set. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting to keep chorizo mixture warm while you heat the tortillas.
Heat a separate pan (or a comal, if you have one) over medium. Add tortillas to the pan one by one, heating them through. (Flip each tortilla when it begins to puff up on each side, then remove when warmed.)
Fill a tortilla with chorizo filling, then add cheese to taste and roll the taquito until it’s shut. Repeat until you’ve used the remaining filling and tortillas. Serve with salsa, if you like.
LACY VALENTINE CAKE
This was from Fr. Dominic Garramone (aka The Bread Monk). I first ran across his show, Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, years ago on PBS. The show has since left television (at least, as far as I can tell), but you can still check out his recipes and books on his website (above).
Yield: 2 coffee cakes.
Ingredients
1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)
2 packages FLEISCHMANN'S Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm milk (100 to 110 degrees)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained
1/2 cup chopped slivered almonds, toasted
Almond Icing (recipe follows)
Directions
Place warm water in large, warm bowl. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved. Add warm milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, salt and 1-1/2 cups flour; blend well. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Pat maraschino cherries between paper towels to remove excess moisture. In medium bowl, combine cherries, almonds and 1/4 cup sugar; reserve.
Punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one piece to 24x7-inch oblong. Melt remaining butter; brush half on dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle half of cherry mixture on surface. Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal; carefully roll back and forth to stretch to 26-inch rope. Place, seam side down, on greased baking sheet. Form into ring; pinch ends together to seal. Shape into heart. With sharp knife, cut slits starting at outside edge of heart, 2/3 of the way through dough, at 3/4-inch intervals. Turn each section on its side to show filling. Repeat with remaining dough, butter and filling. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until done; switch positions of sheets in oven halfway through baking time for even browning. Remove from sheets; cool on wire racks. Frost with Almond Icing.
Almond Icing:
Combine 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 2 to 3 tablespoons milk. Stir until smooth.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Double-Post Tuesday
Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Beef Noodle Skillet and, for dessert, a Lacy Valentine Cake. Enjoy!
CHICKEN POT PIE CRESCENT BAKE
This is from Pillsbury Kitchens, and begins, "Cozy up busy weeknights with a quick and easy homestyle chicken pot pie bake. This hearty bake is comfort food at its finest, and prep is a breeze. Make your chicken pot pie casserole with a super-simple made-from-scratch sauce, frozen veggies, chopped chicken and a flaky crust made from Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls. You can have this easy chicken pot pie bake ready to serve in under an hour. Just scoop right from the baking dish, and enjoy."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 3/4 cups Progresso™ Chicken Broth (from 32-oz carton)
2/3 cup milk
1 bag (10 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 12x8-inch or 11x7-inch (2-quart) rectangular glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 2 1/2- to 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Gradually stir in broth and milk.
Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir about 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is heated through; pour mixture into baking dish.
Unroll crescent dough; separate into triangles. Place on top of hot chicken mixture, overlapping slightly, to look like braided appearance.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown and dough is baked through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
If desired, brush crescent dough with 1 tablespoon melted butter, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme. Or, try garnishing with fresh thyme or chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley before serving.
tip 2
Instead of using mixed vegetables in your chicken pot pie bake, switch it up with your favorite frozen vegetable, like corn, peas or carrots.
tip 3
Serve this easy chicken pot pie bake with a fresh garden salad for a complete dinner.
Tip 4
Bring more comforting meals to the dinner table with tasty meals like our Classic Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Cups.
BEEF NOODLE SKILLET
This is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/beef-noodle-skillet-8053162.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground chuck
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
12 ounces egg noodles
2-1/2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
A few dashes Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ground chuck and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook the meat, crumbling as you go, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for about 30 seconds.
Add the noodles, broth, 1 cup hot water, the mustard, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. Give a big stir and bring to a simmer. Cover and allow everything to simmer, stirring occasionally and adding up to 1/2 cup more water if necessary, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened, about 12 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream and cook for 1 additional minute or until the pasta is tender.
Remove from the heat. Sprinkle over the chives and serve directly from the pan.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "It's hard to believe just how deliciously hearty our pasta fagioli becomes with just a few ingredients, and a loving touch. It's a meal that goes straight to the heart, after doing a delicious dance across your satisfied tastebuds. Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this pasta fagioli recipe. Pureeing a portion of the beans gives the soup creamy texture without added fat or calories. So there's nothing not to love when it comes to this weekday winner, pasta e fagioli!"
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
Add thyme, rosemary and 3-1/2 cups of the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add macaroni; boil 5 to 7 minutes or until macaroni is almost tender but retains a bit of bite.
In blender, blend remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 can of the beans and the tomatoes. Blend until smooth. Add mixture to stockpot along with remaining can of beans and the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Freezer Directions: Make as directed through step 3, but do not simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Ladle soup mixture into quart-size resealable plastic freezer bags; let out any excess air, and seal. Place bags flat in freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in 5-quart stockpot, and reheat over medium heat until heated through.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Kidney beans can be substituted for the cannellini beans, if desired.
SAVORY BEAN SPINACH SOUP
This is from Eating Well, and begins, "Let a slow cooker complete this vegetarian soup. Serve it in cups as a sandwich side or ladle it into bowls for a light meal."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Additional Time: 5 hours; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259615/savory-bean-spinach-soup/.
Ingredients
3 (14 ounce) cans vegetable broth
1 (15 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (15 ounce) can white or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup converted white rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach or kale leaves
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine broth, tomato puree, beans, rice, onion, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper.
Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours.
Stir spinach into soup. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
CHORIZO TAQUITOS
This is from Bryan Washington in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Bryan wrote, "Chorizo taquitos are quick, filling and endlessly customizable. While a taquito’s more traditional iterations involve frying the filled and rolled tortilla until crisp, this recipe is styled after a fast-casual version from the Whataburger restaurant chain. It’s made with flour tortillas (rather than corn tortillas) and skips the frying process. The chorizo filling is cooked with aromatics and seasonings, then mixed with scrambled eggs, ladled across tortillas with cheese, rolled and garnished with salsa. The dish retains its Mexican origins while adapting to the flavor profiles and preferences of its many locales. The taquito is as straightforward or complex as you’d like it to be — which is another joy of this delicious dish."
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 taquitos
This yumminess was featured in "These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024249-chorizo-taquitos.
Note:First off, while you're checking this out at the The New York Times cooking site, sign up for their newsletter, if you haven't done so already. If you enjoy it as much as I do, it's well worth signing up for.
Secondly, read the article that this recipe is featured in ("These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions"). Really nice article, good reading (to go with the good eating). Very nice, Bryan!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, diced
1/2 pound raw chorizo (casings removed, if necessary)
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
4 to 6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 to 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
Salsa roja or salsa verde (optional), for serving
Preparation
Heat a medium skillet over medium. Add oil, then stir in onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in jalapeño and cook until softened, about 2 minutes more.
Crumble chorizo into the pan; sprinkle with chili powder, cumin and black pepper and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up chorizo into small chunks, until chorizo is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add eggs, pouring them gradually into the pan in a circular motion. Stir into chorizo mixture and cook until eggs are just set. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting to keep chorizo mixture warm while you heat the tortillas.
Heat a separate pan (or a comal, if you have one) over medium. Add tortillas to the pan one by one, heating them through. (Flip each tortilla when it begins to puff up on each side, then remove when warmed.)
Fill a tortilla with chorizo filling, then add cheese to taste and roll the taquito until it’s shut. Repeat until you’ve used the remaining filling and tortillas. Serve with salsa, if you like.
LACY VALENTINE CAKE
This was from Fr. Dominic Garramone (aka The Bread Monk). I first ran across his show, Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, years ago on PBS. The show has since left television (at least, as far as I can tell), but you can still check out his recipes and books on his website (above).
Yield: 2 coffee cakes.
Ingredients
1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)
2 packages FLEISCHMANN'S Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm milk (100 to 110 degrees)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained
1/2 cup chopped slivered almonds, toasted
Almond Icing (recipe follows)
Directions
Place warm water in large, warm bowl. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved. Add warm milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, salt and 1-1/2 cups flour; blend well. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Pat maraschino cherries between paper towels to remove excess moisture. In medium bowl, combine cherries, almonds and 1/4 cup sugar; reserve.
Punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one piece to 24x7-inch oblong. Melt remaining butter; brush half on dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle half of cherry mixture on surface. Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal; carefully roll back and forth to stretch to 26-inch rope. Place, seam side down, on greased baking sheet. Form into ring; pinch ends together to seal. Shape into heart. With sharp knife, cut slits starting at outside edge of heart, 2/3 of the way through dough, at 3/4-inch intervals. Turn each section on its side to show filling. Repeat with remaining dough, butter and filling. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until done; switch positions of sheets in oven halfway through baking time for even browning. Remove from sheets; cool on wire racks. Frost with Almond Icing.
Almond Icing:
Combine 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 2 to 3 tablespoons milk. Stir until smooth.
CHICKEN POT PIE CRESCENT BAKE
This is from Pillsbury Kitchens, and begins, "Cozy up busy weeknights with a quick and easy homestyle chicken pot pie bake. This hearty bake is comfort food at its finest, and prep is a breeze. Make your chicken pot pie casserole with a super-simple made-from-scratch sauce, frozen veggies, chopped chicken and a flaky crust made from Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls. You can have this easy chicken pot pie bake ready to serve in under an hour. Just scoop right from the baking dish, and enjoy."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 55 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 3/4 cups Progresso™ Chicken Broth (from 32-oz carton)
2/3 cup milk
1 bag (10 oz) frozen mixed vegetables
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
Directions
Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 12x8-inch or 11x7-inch (2-quart) rectangular glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 2 1/2- to 3-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. Gradually stir in broth and milk.
Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir about 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in vegetables and chicken. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is heated through; pour mixture into baking dish.
Unroll crescent dough; separate into triangles. Place on top of hot chicken mixture, overlapping slightly, to look like braided appearance.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until deep golden brown and dough is baked through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
If desired, brush crescent dough with 1 tablespoon melted butter, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme. Or, try garnishing with fresh thyme or chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley before serving.
tip 2
Instead of using mixed vegetables in your chicken pot pie bake, switch it up with your favorite frozen vegetable, like corn, peas or carrots.
tip 3
Serve this easy chicken pot pie bake with a fresh garden salad for a complete dinner.
Tip 4
Bring more comforting meals to the dinner table with tasty meals like our Classic Chicken Pot Pie and Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Cups.
BEEF NOODLE SKILLET
This is from Ree Drummond on the Food Network.
Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/beef-noodle-skillet-8053162.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons salted butter
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground chuck
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
12 ounces egg noodles
2-1/2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
A few dashes Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ground chuck and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook the meat, crumbling as you go, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for about 30 seconds.
Add the noodles, broth, 1 cup hot water, the mustard, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. Give a big stir and bring to a simmer. Cover and allow everything to simmer, stirring occasionally and adding up to 1/2 cup more water if necessary, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened, about 12 minutes. Stir in the sour cream and heavy cream and cook for 1 additional minute or until the pasta is tender.
Remove from the heat. Sprinkle over the chives and serve directly from the pan.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "It's hard to believe just how deliciously hearty our pasta fagioli becomes with just a few ingredients, and a loving touch. It's a meal that goes straight to the heart, after doing a delicious dance across your satisfied tastebuds. Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this pasta fagioli recipe. Pureeing a portion of the beans gives the soup creamy texture without added fat or calories. So there's nothing not to love when it comes to this weekday winner, pasta e fagioli!"
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
Add thyme, rosemary and 3-1/2 cups of the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add macaroni; boil 5 to 7 minutes or until macaroni is almost tender but retains a bit of bite.
In blender, blend remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 can of the beans and the tomatoes. Blend until smooth. Add mixture to stockpot along with remaining can of beans and the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Freezer Directions: Make as directed through step 3, but do not simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Ladle soup mixture into quart-size resealable plastic freezer bags; let out any excess air, and seal. Place bags flat in freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in 5-quart stockpot, and reheat over medium heat until heated through.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Kidney beans can be substituted for the cannellini beans, if desired.
SAVORY BEAN SPINACH SOUP
This is from Eating Well, and begins, "Let a slow cooker complete this vegetarian soup. Serve it in cups as a sandwich side or ladle it into bowls for a light meal."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Additional Time: 5 hours; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Yield: 6 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/259615/savory-bean-spinach-soup/.
Ingredients
3 (14 ounce) cans vegetable broth
1 (15 ounce) can tomato puree
1 (15 ounce) can white or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup converted white rice
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach or kale leaves
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine broth, tomato puree, beans, rice, onion, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper.
Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours.
Stir spinach into soup. Serve with Parmesan cheese.
CHORIZO TAQUITOS
This is from Bryan Washington in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Bryan wrote, "Chorizo taquitos are quick, filling and endlessly customizable. While a taquito’s more traditional iterations involve frying the filled and rolled tortilla until crisp, this recipe is styled after a fast-casual version from the Whataburger restaurant chain. It’s made with flour tortillas (rather than corn tortillas) and skips the frying process. The chorizo filling is cooked with aromatics and seasonings, then mixed with scrambled eggs, ladled across tortillas with cheese, rolled and garnished with salsa. The dish retains its Mexican origins while adapting to the flavor profiles and preferences of its many locales. The taquito is as straightforward or complex as you’d like it to be — which is another joy of this delicious dish."
Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 6 taquitos
This yumminess was featured in "These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions," and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024249-chorizo-taquitos.
Note:First off, while you're checking this out at the The New York Times cooking site, sign up for their newsletter, if you haven't done so already. If you enjoy it as much as I do, it's well worth signing up for.
Secondly, read the article that this recipe is featured in ("These Taquitos Are an All-Night Breakfast of Champions"). Really nice article, good reading (to go with the good eating). Very nice, Bryan!
Ingredients
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola
1 small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, diced
1/2 pound raw chorizo (casings removed, if necessary)
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
4 to 6 (6-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 to 1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
Salsa roja or salsa verde (optional), for serving
Preparation
Heat a medium skillet over medium. Add oil, then stir in onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in jalapeño and cook until softened, about 2 minutes more.
Crumble chorizo into the pan; sprinkle with chili powder, cumin and black pepper and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up chorizo into small chunks, until chorizo is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes.
Add eggs, pouring them gradually into the pan in a circular motion. Stir into chorizo mixture and cook until eggs are just set. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting to keep chorizo mixture warm while you heat the tortillas.
Heat a separate pan (or a comal, if you have one) over medium. Add tortillas to the pan one by one, heating them through. (Flip each tortilla when it begins to puff up on each side, then remove when warmed.)
Fill a tortilla with chorizo filling, then add cheese to taste and roll the taquito until it’s shut. Repeat until you’ve used the remaining filling and tortillas. Serve with salsa, if you like.
LACY VALENTINE CAKE
This was from Fr. Dominic Garramone (aka The Bread Monk). I first ran across his show, Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, years ago on PBS. The show has since left television (at least, as far as I can tell), but you can still check out his recipes and books on his website (above).
Yield: 2 coffee cakes.
Ingredients
1/2 cup warm water (100 to 110 degrees)
2 packages FLEISCHMANN'S Active Dry Yeast
1/2 cup warm milk (100 to 110 degrees)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, drained
1/2 cup chopped slivered almonds, toasted
Almond Icing (recipe follows)
Directions
Place warm water in large, warm bowl. Sprinkle in yeast; stir until dissolved. Add warm milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, salt and 1-1/2 cups flour; blend well. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Pat maraschino cherries between paper towels to remove excess moisture. In medium bowl, combine cherries, almonds and 1/4 cup sugar; reserve.
Punch dough down. Remove dough to lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll one piece to 24x7-inch oblong. Melt remaining butter; brush half on dough to within 1/2 inch of edges. Sprinkle half of cherry mixture on surface. Beginning at long end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll. Pinch seam to seal; carefully roll back and forth to stretch to 26-inch rope. Place, seam side down, on greased baking sheet. Form into ring; pinch ends together to seal. Shape into heart. With sharp knife, cut slits starting at outside edge of heart, 2/3 of the way through dough, at 3/4-inch intervals. Turn each section on its side to show filling. Repeat with remaining dough, butter and filling. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until done; switch positions of sheets in oven halfway through baking time for even browning. Remove from sheets; cool on wire racks. Frost with Almond Icing.
Almond Icing:
Combine 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract and 2 to 3 tablespoons milk. Stir until smooth.
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Pasta
I've loved pasta ever since I can remember. If you love pasta, too, today's post is sure to please. Check out the Chicken Spaghetti, the Eggplant and Sausage Slow Cooker Baked Ziti, and the rest of today's pasta recipes. Enjoy!
ANGEL HAIR PASTA
I had something similar to this at a local Italian restaurant several times, and decided to try making it. A hint for making this: wait until all the veggies have been cut up, then start the water boiling for the angel hair pasta. The veggies should be cooked for 2-4 minutes, and the pasta cooked for 2 minutes before the pasta is drained and then allowed to finish cooking for another 2 minutes with the veggies. Timing is important—unless you like disgustingly soggy pasta.
Ingredients
1/2 C water
2 T balsamic vinegar
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2green pepper, diced
1 T oregano
1 lb. angel hair pasta
Directions
Cut up veggies while heating the pasta water. DO NOT PUT PASTA INTO WATER UNTIL THE VEGGIES BEGIN COOKING. (There. I said it.) In veggie pot, heat 1/2 C water & balsamic vinegar until it begins to bubble; add onion, garlic, pepper & oregano and stir once or twice. NOW ADD PASTA TO POT OF BOILING PASTA WATER. (Boy, what a bossy broad.) Simmer veggies on low-medium heat for 2-4 minutes, covered. Cook pasta for only 2 minutes, then drain in colander. As soon as pasta is drained, remove cover from veggies, dump pasta into veggie pot, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring several times. Remove from heat. DIG IN!!! (Now, isn’t that good?)
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "It's hard to believe just how deliciously hearty our pasta fagioli becomes with just a few ingredients, and a loving touch. It's a meal that goes straight to the heart, after doing a delicious dance across your satisfied tastebuds. Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this pasta fagioli recipe. Pureeing a portion of the beans gives the soup creamy texture without added fat or calories. So there's nothing not to love when it comes to this weekday winner, pasta e fagioli!"
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
Add thyme, rosemary and 3-1/2 cups of the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add macaroni; boil 5 to 7 minutes or until macaroni is almost tender but retains a bit of bite.
In blender, blend remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 can of the beans and the tomatoes. Blend until smooth. Add mixture to stockpot along with remaining can of beans and the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Freezer Directions: Make as directed through step 3, but do not simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Ladle soup mixture into quart-size resealable plastic freezer bags; let out any excess air, and seal. Place bags flat in freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in 5-quart stockpot, and reheat over medium heat until heated through.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Kidney beans can be substituted for the cannellini beans, if desired.
PASTA PUTTANESCA WITH BEEF
This is from Eating Well. It begins, "This easy slow cooker ground beef and pasta recipe makes a great meal any night of the week."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Additional Time: 2 hours 15 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/262892/pasta-puttanesca-with-beef/.
Ingredients
1 pound 90% or higher lean ground beef
3/4 cup onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14.5 ounce) cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (6 ounce) can no-salt-added tomato paste
3 anchovy fillets, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
8 ounces dried multigrain penne pasta (about 2-1/2 cups)
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, chopped
1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley
1 Snipped fresh parsley
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat browns and onion is tender. Drain off fat and discard.
In a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine beef mixture, tomatoes, tomato paste, anchovies, oregano and crushed red pepper. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 to 3 hours. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
Before serving, stir olives and 1/4 cup parsley into slow cooker. Serve beef mixture over hot cooked pasta. If desired, garnish with additional snipped fresh parsley.
Tips
Tip: For easy cleanup, line your slow cooker with a disposable slow cooker liner. Add ingredients as directed in recipe. Once your dish is finished cooking, spoon the food out of your slow cooker and simply dispose of the liner. Do not lift or transport the disposable liner with food inside.
EGGPLANT AND SAUSAGE SLOW COOKER BAKED ZITI
This is from Eating Well, and begins, "Using a slow cooker makes this Italian style dish an easy meal for any night of the week."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Additional Time: 3 hours 35 minutes; Total Time: 4 hours; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/263593/eggplant-and-sausage-slow-cooker-baked-ziti/.
Ingredients
4 ounces bulk sweet Italian sausage
4 cups peeled and chopped eggplant
2 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed, cored, and thinly sliced
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
6 to 8 ounces dried cut ziti or penne pasta
1/2 cup snipped fresh basil
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
Snipped fresh basil
Directions
In a large skillet cook sausage over medium-high heat until brown, using a wooden spoon to break up meat as it cooks. Drain off fat.
In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker combine sausage, eggplant, fennel, tomatoes, water, wine, tomato paste, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
If using low-heat setting, turn to high-heat setting. Stir in pasta and basil. Cover and cook for 30 minutes (see Tip). Stir pasta mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook for 10 minutes more. Let stand, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with additional basil.
Tips
Tips: Skip the last 30 minutes of cooking by tossing eggplant mixture and basil with 6 to 8 ounces of cooked pasta. Sprinkle with cheese; continue as directed.
ONE-POT CHICKEN ALFREDO PENNE
This is from Pillsbury, and begins, "We love it when a recipe requires just a handful of ingredients and only 20 minutes to come together. But wait, there’s more—you only need one pot to make this simple pasta dish! All of that good news—plus the rich, creamy cheese sauce combined with pasta, peas and rotisserie chicken—make this a meal everyone in the family will applaud for when you bring it to the table."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 lb uncooked penne pasta
1 box (9 oz) frozen sweet peas
2 cups shredded or pulled deli rotisserie chicken
1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In nonstick 5-quart Dutch oven, heat evaporated milk, 4 cups hot water and the pasta to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook 7 minutes, stirring frequently; do not drain. Meanwhile, microwave peas as directed on box; drain peas.
Reduce heat to medium. Stir in chicken and Alfredo sauce. Cook 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat; stir in peas and cheese.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
Tired of chicken? Substitute chopped ham or cooked shrimp for a delicious twist.
tip 2
A 5-oz bag of baby spinach makes a nice substitution for the peas. Just stir it in with the cheese. Keep stirring until the heat from the pasta wilts the greens.
tip 3
Evaporated milk is a shelf-stable canned cow’s milk-based product where more than 50% of the water has been removed. This makes it thicker and creamier than fresh milk, which is why it’s great for making the alfredo sauce in this pasta dish. You can often find evaporated milk in the baking aisle at the grocery store.
CHICKEN SPAGHETTI
This comes from Southern Living, and begins, "Give your traditional chicken casserole a break and serve this bright and lively chicken spaghetti. You only need a Dutch oven and a 9-x-13 baking dish to create this delicious meal, meaning there is less clean-up afterwards. Cook and shred your chicken in advance to save time."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; Serves: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/easy-chicken-spaghetti.
Ingredients
6 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 (14-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken breast, skin removed
3 (7-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, skin removed
12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 (5-oz.) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lower-sodium Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 3 medium tomatoes)
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring stock to a boil in a Dutch oven over high. Add chicken to stock. Cover; reduce heat to medium. Cook until a thermometer inserted in thickest piece of chicken registers 160°F, about 25 minutes. Remove chicken; let stand until ready to use. (Inner temperature of chicken will rise as it stands.)
Return stock to a boil over high. Add pasta to Dutch oven, and cook until just tender, about 9 minutes. Transfer pasta to a medium bowl (reserving stock). Return stock to a boil over high; boil until liquid is reduced to about 2-1/2 cups, about 1 minute. Whisk together evaporated milk and flour in a small bowl. Stir into stock; boil until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt. Pour stock mixture over pasta.
Return Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add butter, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; add pasta mixture back to Dutch oven. Shred chicken, discarding bones. (You should have about 4- 1/2 cups meat.) Add chicken and tomatoes to Dutch oven; toss to coat. Pour mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with cheese. Lightly coat aluminum foil with cooking spray. Cover with foil; bake until cheese is melted, 25 to 30 minutes.
Chef's Notes
You don't have to be a food stylist to create a casserole that looks as good as it tastes. Instead of pouring the pasta mixture from the pot into the baking dish, use tongs and a large spoon to twirl the noodles into nests, as shown below.
ANGEL HAIR PASTA
I had something similar to this at a local Italian restaurant several times, and decided to try making it. A hint for making this: wait until all the veggies have been cut up, then start the water boiling for the angel hair pasta. The veggies should be cooked for 2-4 minutes, and the pasta cooked for 2 minutes before the pasta is drained and then allowed to finish cooking for another 2 minutes with the veggies. Timing is important—unless you like disgustingly soggy pasta.
Ingredients
1/2 C water
2 T balsamic vinegar
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2green pepper, diced
1 T oregano
1 lb. angel hair pasta
Directions
Cut up veggies while heating the pasta water. DO NOT PUT PASTA INTO WATER UNTIL THE VEGGIES BEGIN COOKING. (There. I said it.) In veggie pot, heat 1/2 C water & balsamic vinegar until it begins to bubble; add onion, garlic, pepper & oregano and stir once or twice. NOW ADD PASTA TO POT OF BOILING PASTA WATER. (Boy, what a bossy broad.) Simmer veggies on low-medium heat for 2-4 minutes, covered. Cook pasta for only 2 minutes, then drain in colander. As soon as pasta is drained, remove cover from veggies, dump pasta into veggie pot, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring several times. Remove from heat. DIG IN!!! (Now, isn’t that good?)
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "It's hard to believe just how deliciously hearty our pasta fagioli becomes with just a few ingredients, and a loving touch. It's a meal that goes straight to the heart, after doing a delicious dance across your satisfied tastebuds. Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this pasta fagioli recipe. Pureeing a portion of the beans gives the soup creamy texture without added fat or calories. So there's nothing not to love when it comes to this weekday winner, pasta e fagioli!"
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
Add thyme, rosemary and 3-1/2 cups of the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add macaroni; boil 5 to 7 minutes or until macaroni is almost tender but retains a bit of bite.
In blender, blend remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 can of the beans and the tomatoes. Blend until smooth. Add mixture to stockpot along with remaining can of beans and the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Freezer Directions: Make as directed through step 3, but do not simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Ladle soup mixture into quart-size resealable plastic freezer bags; let out any excess air, and seal. Place bags flat in freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in 5-quart stockpot, and reheat over medium heat until heated through.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Kidney beans can be substituted for the cannellini beans, if desired.
PASTA PUTTANESCA WITH BEEF
This is from Eating Well. It begins, "This easy slow cooker ground beef and pasta recipe makes a great meal any night of the week."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Additional Time: 2 hours 15 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/262892/pasta-puttanesca-with-beef/.
Ingredients
1 pound 90% or higher lean ground beef
3/4 cup onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14.5 ounce) cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (6 ounce) can no-salt-added tomato paste
3 anchovy fillets, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
8 ounces dried multigrain penne pasta (about 2-1/2 cups)
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, chopped
1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley
1 Snipped fresh parsley
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat browns and onion is tender. Drain off fat and discard.
In a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker combine beef mixture, tomatoes, tomato paste, anchovies, oregano and crushed red pepper. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 4 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2 to 3 hours. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
Before serving, stir olives and 1/4 cup parsley into slow cooker. Serve beef mixture over hot cooked pasta. If desired, garnish with additional snipped fresh parsley.
Tips
Tip: For easy cleanup, line your slow cooker with a disposable slow cooker liner. Add ingredients as directed in recipe. Once your dish is finished cooking, spoon the food out of your slow cooker and simply dispose of the liner. Do not lift or transport the disposable liner with food inside.
EGGPLANT AND SAUSAGE SLOW COOKER BAKED ZITI
This is from Eating Well, and begins, "Using a slow cooker makes this Italian style dish an easy meal for any night of the week."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Additional Time: 3 hours 35 minutes; Total Time: 4 hours; Servings: 6
To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/263593/eggplant-and-sausage-slow-cooker-baked-ziti/.
Ingredients
4 ounces bulk sweet Italian sausage
4 cups peeled and chopped eggplant
2 medium fennel bulbs, trimmed, cored, and thinly sliced
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
6 to 8 ounces dried cut ziti or penne pasta
1/2 cup snipped fresh basil
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
Snipped fresh basil
Directions
In a large skillet cook sausage over medium-high heat until brown, using a wooden spoon to break up meat as it cooks. Drain off fat.
In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker combine sausage, eggplant, fennel, tomatoes, water, wine, tomato paste, garlic and Italian seasoning. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
If using low-heat setting, turn to high-heat setting. Stir in pasta and basil. Cover and cook for 30 minutes (see Tip). Stir pasta mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook for 10 minutes more. Let stand, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with additional basil.
Tips
Tips: Skip the last 30 minutes of cooking by tossing eggplant mixture and basil with 6 to 8 ounces of cooked pasta. Sprinkle with cheese; continue as directed.
ONE-POT CHICKEN ALFREDO PENNE
This is from Pillsbury, and begins, "We love it when a recipe requires just a handful of ingredients and only 20 minutes to come together. But wait, there’s more—you only need one pot to make this simple pasta dish! All of that good news—plus the rich, creamy cheese sauce combined with pasta, peas and rotisserie chicken—make this a meal everyone in the family will applaud for when you bring it to the table."
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 8 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 lb uncooked penne pasta
1 box (9 oz) frozen sweet peas
2 cups shredded or pulled deli rotisserie chicken
1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In nonstick 5-quart Dutch oven, heat evaporated milk, 4 cups hot water and the pasta to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-high; cook 7 minutes, stirring frequently; do not drain. Meanwhile, microwave peas as directed on box; drain peas.
Reduce heat to medium. Stir in chicken and Alfredo sauce. Cook 3 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat; stir in peas and cheese.
Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens
tip 1
Tired of chicken? Substitute chopped ham or cooked shrimp for a delicious twist.
tip 2
A 5-oz bag of baby spinach makes a nice substitution for the peas. Just stir it in with the cheese. Keep stirring until the heat from the pasta wilts the greens.
tip 3
Evaporated milk is a shelf-stable canned cow’s milk-based product where more than 50% of the water has been removed. This makes it thicker and creamier than fresh milk, which is why it’s great for making the alfredo sauce in this pasta dish. You can often find evaporated milk in the baking aisle at the grocery store.
CHICKEN SPAGHETTI
This comes from Southern Living, and begins, "Give your traditional chicken casserole a break and serve this bright and lively chicken spaghetti. You only need a Dutch oven and a 9-x-13 baking dish to create this delicious meal, meaning there is less clean-up afterwards. Cook and shred your chicken in advance to save time."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; Serves: 10
To view this online, go to https://www.southernliving.com/recipes/easy-chicken-spaghetti.
Ingredients
6 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 (14-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken breast, skin removed
3 (7-oz.) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, skin removed
12 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 (5-oz.) can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon lower-sodium Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper (about 1 large pepper)
2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 3 medium tomatoes)
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Bring stock to a boil in a Dutch oven over high. Add chicken to stock. Cover; reduce heat to medium. Cook until a thermometer inserted in thickest piece of chicken registers 160°F, about 25 minutes. Remove chicken; let stand until ready to use. (Inner temperature of chicken will rise as it stands.)
Return stock to a boil over high. Add pasta to Dutch oven, and cook until just tender, about 9 minutes. Transfer pasta to a medium bowl (reserving stock). Return stock to a boil over high; boil until liquid is reduced to about 2-1/2 cups, about 1 minute. Whisk together evaporated milk and flour in a small bowl. Stir into stock; boil until slightly thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and salt. Pour stock mixture over pasta.
Return Dutch oven to medium-high heat. Add butter, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; add pasta mixture back to Dutch oven. Shred chicken, discarding bones. (You should have about 4- 1/2 cups meat.) Add chicken and tomatoes to Dutch oven; toss to coat. Pour mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with cheese. Lightly coat aluminum foil with cooking spray. Cover with foil; bake until cheese is melted, 25 to 30 minutes.
Chef's Notes
You don't have to be a food stylist to create a casserole that looks as good as it tastes. Instead of pouring the pasta mixture from the pot into the baking dish, use tongs and a large spoon to twirl the noodles into nests, as shown below.
Friday, May 12, 2023
Friday Recipes
It's the end of the week. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Sweet Potato and Mustard Turkey Burgers and Pasta e Fagioli. Enjoy!
BARBECUE COWBOY PINTO BEANS (SLOW COOKER)
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
16 oz package dried pinto beans, rinsed and picked over
4 cups hot water
2 medium onions, chopped
1 Tbs chili powder
3/4 cup hickory-flavored barbecue sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1-1/2 tbs prepared yellow mustard
Dash of Tabasco sauce
In crock pot, mix together the beans, hot water, onions, & chili powder. Cover & cook on low heat setting about 7 hours, or until the beans are tender but not falling apart.
Drain off all cooking liquid. Stir in barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, & Tabasco sauce. Cook, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes longer, until heated through.
SWEET POTATO AND MUSTARD TURKEY BURGERS
This is from Taste for Life, and begins, “These burgers are moist and juicy and have a savory flavor that comes from a secret ingredient: A hefty amount of mustard. Half a cup may seem like a lot of mustard, but it’s what makes these burgers outstanding. Using grated sweet potato instead of traditional flour or breadcrumbs adds extra fiber and nutrients.”
Prep Time: 40 min prep time; Number of Servings: Makes 4 to 6 burgers
Recipe Source: The Living Kitchen by Tamara Green, BA, CNP and Sarah Grossman, BA, CNP ($28, Appetite, 2018)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup grated yellow onion
1 cup grated peeled sweet potato
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup spinach, finely chopped
1/2 cup gluten-free whole-grain mustard
1/2 tsp sea salt
Pinch of black pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Use the grating attachment on your food processor and grate onion and sweet potato. You can also do this by hand with a box grater.
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until everything is well combined.
Measure 1/4 to 1/2 cup of burger meat and shape into a patty. Place on baking sheet and repeat.
Bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until top begins to get slightly golden. You can flip burgers halfway through cooking time if you want even caramelization on both sides.
These burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days. You can also make a big batch and keep them in the freezer for 3 to 4 months for a quick meal option.
JOLLOF RICE
This is from Yewande Komolafe in the The New York Times cooking email. Yewande wrote, “A successful batch of jollof rice requires a few key ingredients (tomatoes, peppers, onions, a few herbs, spices and some stock) and a perfect sauce-to-rice ratio, so the cooked grains remain separate. I have found that the best, no-fuss way to do this is in the oven. Jollof is typically made with long-grain rice, though in Nigeria, parboiled rice is the norm. Most jollof is prepared over an open flame or on a stovetop. Missing from this oven version is the slightly smoky flavor you get from the little bits of rice that have browned on the bottom of your pan, but that’s nothing a pinch of smoked paprika can’t fix. Serve with braised goat or other stewed meats, and a side of fried plantains.”
Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 1 1/2 hours
This was featured in “Yewande Komolafe’s 10 Essential Nigerian Recipes” and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020288-jollof-rice.
Ingredients
For the Obe Ata:
1 (14-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with their juices
1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and roughly chopped
1/2 medium red onion, peeled and roughly chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 red habanero chile, stemmed
2 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil
For the Jollof Rice:
1/2 cup canola or other neutral oil
2 medium red onions, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
3 cups parboiled long-grain rice (such as Carolina Gold or Uncle Ben’s Original), basmati or jasmine rice (about 1 1/4 pounds)
5 fresh thyme sprigs
1 fresh bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups beef, chicken or vegetable stock
Preparation
Prepare the obe ata: Working in batches if needed, combine all the obe ata ingredients except the canola oil in a blender and purée on high until smooth. The liquid from the can of tomatoes should suffice, but you can add up to 1/4 cup of water if necessary to get the purée going. (You should have about 3 cups of purée.)
Heat the 2 tablespoons canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high. Add the purée and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer until the sauce is slightly reduced by about a third of its original volume, 18 to 20 minutes. (It should make about 2 cups. Obe ata can be cooled and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, or frozen for up to 1 month.)
Prepare the rice: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat the 1/2 cup canola oil in a large Dutch oven over medium until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove half the onions to a plate and set aside. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, turmeric and smoked paprika, if using, and toast, stirring occasionally, until turmeric is fragrant and tomato paste has deepened to a dark red color, about 2 minutes.
Stir in the obe ata sauce and bring to a simmer over medium heat. The habanero oils love to disperse in the air, so you may want to turn on your stovetop fan or open a window while simmering the obe ata. Stir in the rice, thyme and bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the stock and cover with a lid. Transfer the pot to the oven and cook until rice is just tender, 35 minutes.
Remove the pot from the oven and let sit, covered (no peeking) for 15 minutes. Uncover, fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the reserved sautéed onions. Adjust seasoning, if necessary, and discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Serve warm.
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).
MEAT LOAF
This yummy recipe is from Ina Garten on the Food Network. Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/meat-loaf-recipe-1921718.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon good olive oil
3 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup canned chicken stock or broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2-1/2 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)
1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs (recommended: Progresso)
2 extra-large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup ketchup (recommended: Heinz)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1-1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "It's hard to believe just how deliciously hearty our pasta fagioli becomes with just a few ingredients, and a loving touch. It's a meal that goes straight to the heart, after doing a delicious dance across your satisfied tastebuds. Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this pasta fagioli recipe. Pureeing a portion of the beans gives the soup creamy texture without added fat or calories. So there's nothing not to love when it comes to this weekday winner, pasta e fagioli!"
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
Add thyme, rosemary and 3-1/2 cups of the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add macaroni; boil 5 to 7 minutes or until macaroni is almost tender but retains a bit of bite.
In blender, blend remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 can of the beans and the tomatoes. Blend until smooth. Add mixture to stockpot along with remaining can of beans and the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Freezer Directions: Make as directed through step 3, but do not simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Ladle soup mixture into quart-size resealable plastic freezer bags; let out any excess air, and seal. Place bags flat in freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in 5-quart stockpot, and reheat over medium heat until heated through.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Kidney beans can be substituted for the cannellini beans, if desired.
BARBECUE COWBOY PINTO BEANS (SLOW COOKER)
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.
Ingredients
16 oz package dried pinto beans, rinsed and picked over
4 cups hot water
2 medium onions, chopped
1 Tbs chili powder
3/4 cup hickory-flavored barbecue sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1-1/2 tbs prepared yellow mustard
Dash of Tabasco sauce
In crock pot, mix together the beans, hot water, onions, & chili powder. Cover & cook on low heat setting about 7 hours, or until the beans are tender but not falling apart.
Drain off all cooking liquid. Stir in barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, & Tabasco sauce. Cook, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes longer, until heated through.
SWEET POTATO AND MUSTARD TURKEY BURGERS
This is from Taste for Life, and begins, “These burgers are moist and juicy and have a savory flavor that comes from a secret ingredient: A hefty amount of mustard. Half a cup may seem like a lot of mustard, but it’s what makes these burgers outstanding. Using grated sweet potato instead of traditional flour or breadcrumbs adds extra fiber and nutrients.”
Prep Time: 40 min prep time; Number of Servings: Makes 4 to 6 burgers
Recipe Source: The Living Kitchen by Tamara Green, BA, CNP and Sarah Grossman, BA, CNP ($28, Appetite, 2018)
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup grated yellow onion
1 cup grated peeled sweet potato
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup spinach, finely chopped
1/2 cup gluten-free whole-grain mustard
1/2 tsp sea salt
Pinch of black pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Use the grating attachment on your food processor and grate onion and sweet potato. You can also do this by hand with a box grater.
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until everything is well combined.
Measure 1/4 to 1/2 cup of burger meat and shape into a patty. Place on baking sheet and repeat.
Bake in oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until top begins to get slightly golden. You can flip burgers halfway through cooking time if you want even caramelization on both sides.
These burgers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days. You can also make a big batch and keep them in the freezer for 3 to 4 months for a quick meal option.
JOLLOF RICE
This is from Yewande Komolafe in the The New York Times cooking email. Yewande wrote, “A successful batch of jollof rice requires a few key ingredients (tomatoes, peppers, onions, a few herbs, spices and some stock) and a perfect sauce-to-rice ratio, so the cooked grains remain separate. I have found that the best, no-fuss way to do this is in the oven. Jollof is typically made with long-grain rice, though in Nigeria, parboiled rice is the norm. Most jollof is prepared over an open flame or on a stovetop. Missing from this oven version is the slightly smoky flavor you get from the little bits of rice that have browned on the bottom of your pan, but that’s nothing a pinch of smoked paprika can’t fix. Serve with braised goat or other stewed meats, and a side of fried plantains.”
Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time: 1 1/2 hours
This was featured in “Yewande Komolafe’s 10 Essential Nigerian Recipes” and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020288-jollof-rice.
Ingredients
For the Obe Ata:
1 (14-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with their juices
1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and roughly chopped
1/2 medium red onion, peeled and roughly chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 red habanero chile, stemmed
2 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil
For the Jollof Rice:
1/2 cup canola or other neutral oil
2 medium red onions, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
3 cups parboiled long-grain rice (such as Carolina Gold or Uncle Ben’s Original), basmati or jasmine rice (about 1 1/4 pounds)
5 fresh thyme sprigs
1 fresh bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups beef, chicken or vegetable stock
Preparation
Prepare the obe ata: Working in batches if needed, combine all the obe ata ingredients except the canola oil in a blender and purée on high until smooth. The liquid from the can of tomatoes should suffice, but you can add up to 1/4 cup of water if necessary to get the purée going. (You should have about 3 cups of purée.)
Heat the 2 tablespoons canola oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high. Add the purée and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer until the sauce is slightly reduced by about a third of its original volume, 18 to 20 minutes. (It should make about 2 cups. Obe ata can be cooled and refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, or frozen for up to 1 month.)
Prepare the rice: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat the 1/2 cup canola oil in a large Dutch oven over medium until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove half the onions to a plate and set aside. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, turmeric and smoked paprika, if using, and toast, stirring occasionally, until turmeric is fragrant and tomato paste has deepened to a dark red color, about 2 minutes.
Stir in the obe ata sauce and bring to a simmer over medium heat. The habanero oils love to disperse in the air, so you may want to turn on your stovetop fan or open a window while simmering the obe ata. Stir in the rice, thyme and bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the stock and cover with a lid. Transfer the pot to the oven and cook until rice is just tender, 35 minutes.
Remove the pot from the oven and let sit, covered (no peeking) for 15 minutes. Uncover, fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the reserved sautéed onions. Adjust seasoning, if necessary, and discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Serve warm.
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).
MEAT LOAF
This yummy recipe is from Ina Garten on the Food Network. Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/meat-loaf-recipe-1921718.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon good olive oil
3 cups chopped yellow onions (3 onions)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup canned chicken stock or broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2-1/2 pounds ground chuck (81 percent lean)
1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs (recommended: Progresso)
2 extra-large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup ketchup (recommended: Heinz)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onions, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not brown. Off the heat, add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Allow to cool slightly.
In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, onion mixture, bread crumbs, and eggs, and mix lightly with a fork. Don't mash or the meat loaf will be dense. Shape the mixture into a rectangular loaf on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Spread the ketchup evenly on top. Bake for 1 to 1-1/4 hours, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees F and the meat loaf is cooked through. (A pan of hot water in the oven, under the meat loaf, will keep the top from cracking.) Serve hot.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This yummy recipe is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "It's hard to believe just how deliciously hearty our pasta fagioli becomes with just a few ingredients, and a loving touch. It's a meal that goes straight to the heart, after doing a delicious dance across your satisfied tastebuds. Bring a taste of Italy into your home with this pasta fagioli recipe. Pureeing a portion of the beans gives the soup creamy texture without added fat or calories. So there's nothing not to love when it comes to this weekday winner, pasta e fagioli!"
Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Makes 6 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cans (15 oz each) Progresso™ cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes, undrained
1/2 lb ground Italian sausage, browned and drained
Grated Parmesan cheese, fresh thyme and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired
Directions
In 5-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and translucent. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
Add thyme, rosemary and 3-1/2 cups of the chicken broth. Heat to boiling. Add macaroni; boil 5 to 7 minutes or until macaroni is almost tender but retains a bit of bite.
In blender, blend remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 can of the beans and the tomatoes. Blend until smooth. Add mixture to stockpot along with remaining can of beans and the sausage. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors and heat through.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with remaining ingredients.
Freezer Directions: Make as directed through step 3, but do not simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Ladle soup mixture into quart-size resealable plastic freezer bags; let out any excess air, and seal. Place bags flat in freezer. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in refrigerator. Place in 5-quart stockpot, and reheat over medium heat until heated through.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
tip 1
Kidney beans can be substituted for the cannellini beans, if desired.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Tuesday Recipes
Is it just me, or does anyone else have trouble getting motivated right after a holiday - especially when it falls on a weekend? Or maybe it's the summer doldrums...Somehow, most of us want to veg-out during some time of the year. But since we still have to eat, it might as well be something yummy, right? Here are today's offerings. Enjoy!
APRICOT "GELLO" WITH PISTACHIOS
This comes from the June 2015 issue of Runner's World, page 52-53 (“Fridge Wisdom,” by Liz Applegate, PH.D.). It begins,“The classic gets a taste and health upgrade by forgoing added sugar and food coloring.” Serves 4.
To view this online, as well as Berry-Cherry Bake and several other yummy dessert recipes, click here.
Ingredients
4 cups apricot nectar (no added sugar), divided
2 packets powdered gelatin
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Whipped cream
1/4 cup chopped pistachios
Instructions
In a saucepan, heat 3 cups apricot nectar over medium heat until warm (don't boil). Pour remaining 1 cup nectar into a bowl; sprinkle gelatin evenly over top. Allow to sit until all the gelatin is moist. If dry spots remain, gently stir to moisten. Add the warm nectar and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Stir in the zest. Pour into 4 glasses. Chill 2 hours. Top with whipped cream and pistachios.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 210; Carbs: 32 g; Fiber: 1 g; Protein: 6 g; Total fat: 6 g; Saturated fat: 2 g; Sodium: 80 mg
BERRY-CHERRY BAKE
This is also from the June 2015 issue of Runner's World, page 52 (“Fridge Wisdom,” by Liz Applegate, PH.D.), and begins, “Berries and cherries contain fiber and anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation.” Serves 6.
Ingredients
2 cups blackberries
2 cups pitted cherries
Juice from 1/2 lemon, plus 1 teaspoon zest
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 unbaked piecrust
Vanilla Greek yogurt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, stir together the blackberries, cherries, lemon juice, zest, honey, and cornstarch.
Pour into a 9" x 9" baking dish. Top with the crust, tucking the edges over the fruit. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 1 hour, or until the crust is golden and the fruit is bubbly. Serve with a dollop of yogurt.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 171; Carbs: 27 g; Fiber: 2 g; Protein: 3 g; Total fat: 7 g; Saturated fat: 3 g; Sodium: 130 mg
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Katie Workman, About.com's Cooking for Kids expert. If you don't have kids living at home, not a problem; homemade mac and cheese seems to be one of those comfort foods that most of us love to indulge in occasionally. Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: Serves 6 – 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Panko Topping
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs, see Note)
1⁄2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For the Pasta and Cheese Sauce
4 tablespoons (1⁄2 stick) unsalted butter, plus butter for greasing the baking dish
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
4 1⁄2 cups 2-percent or whole milk (however indulgent you’re feeling)
1 cups heavy (whipping) cream
5 cups coarsely grated flavorful cheese, such as sharp cheddar or Gruyère, or a mix (see Note below)
1⁄2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1⁄2 teaspoons kosher or coarse salt, or more to taste
1⁄2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
1 1⁄2 packages (24 ounces) dried cavatelli, ziti, penne, or any short pasta
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a shallow 4-quart baking dish.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously, and let the water return to a boil.
Meanwhile, make the panko topping: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat or place it in a medium-size microwave-safe dish and heat it in a microwave oven until melted, 15 seconds. Add the panko and the Parmesan and stir until well combined. Set the panko topping aside.
Make the pasta and sauce: Melt the butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook, stirring, until the flour is blond in color, about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high and let come to a simmer, whisking frequently. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer until it starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add the cream, grated cheese, Parmesan, mustard, salt, and black pepper, stirring until everything is smooth. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and/or black pepper as necessary.
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook it until barely al dente (follow the package directions but stop a minute or two before the pasta is completely tender). Set aside 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Whisk the reserved pasta cooking water into the cheese sauce, combining it thoroughly. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. There will appear to be a lot of sauce. Some of it will be absorbed into the pasta as it cooks, and in my book saucy is better than dry.
Sprinkle the panko topping evenly over the pasta and bake it until golden and bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Let the pasta sit for a few minutes before serving.
Note: Katie writes, “What cheese to use?
”I keep changing up the cheese in this dish, depending on what I have on hand, and so my mac and cheese never tastes the same twice, which I find part of the thrill. My lovely dish-washing husband, however, has been known to look sadly at the last few globs on the plates and say wistfully, 'Well, we’ll never eat that again,' already mourning the delicious, undocumented combination of cheeses that has come and gone.
“Some good basic cheese to start with are sharp or extrasharp cheddar, Gruyère, Swiss, Manchego, and fontina, or any combination of these. You can also use bits of softer cheeses, like Brie or fresh, mild goat cheese if you have some small pieces lingering about. Remove all rinds you wouldn’t want to see floating around in your mac and cheese and unless you really know your audience, stay away from very potent cheeses like blue cheese or smoked cheese or anything particularly stinky.”
CHILE CON QUESO
Yield: 6 servings
Source: Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/623.shtml
Ingredients
1 (28 ounce) can low-sodium whole tomatoes in juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon ground ancho chile powder
3/4 teaspoon chile powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (15 ounce) can black beans with juice
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons minced cilantro
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, over medium-high heat, cook the tomatoes, garlic, onion, ancho chile powder, chile powder, and cumin, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts to thicken, 8 -10 minutes.
Turn the heat to low and add the beans, chiles, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, and the vinegar; cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cheese.
Place in a serving dish or in individual bowls; top with the cilantro and remaining parsley.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 144; Protein: 8 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 441 mg; Cholesterol: 8 mg; Dietary Fiber: 7 g; Sugars: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat
EASY OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN FAJITAS
This is from the Tablespoon.com newsletter. Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 9
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 large onion
1 medium red bell pepper
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ fajita seasoning mix
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Old El Paso™ tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (6 inch; from 8.2-oz package)
Sour Cream
Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa
Chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cut onion and bell pepper into even slices; place in baking dish.
Cut chicken breasts into thin strips; add to vegetables in dish. Sprinkle with seasoning mix; drizzle with oil. Stir until combined and pieces are coated.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
Spoon small amount of chicken and veggies onto each tortilla. Top each with sour cream, salsa and cilantro, or your favorite fajita toppings.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This comes from The Food Network. Total Time: 1 hour; Prep: 15 min; Cook: 45 min; level: easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pasta-e-fagioli-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Dash of red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups chopped whole tomatoes, with juices
3 cups low sodium chicken stock, or vegetable stock
1 can northern white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup tiny pasta shells (ditalini)
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan and black pepper for garnish
Directions
In a large heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Stir in onion and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic, celery, and carrots and cook for 3 minutes. Add dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes and toss to coat. Stir in tomatoes and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. If necessary add an additional cup of stock or water and stir in beans and tiny pasta. Simmer for 6-8 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in parsley and serve hot with grated parmesan and ground black pepper.
APRICOT "GELLO" WITH PISTACHIOS
This comes from the June 2015 issue of Runner's World, page 52-53 (“Fridge Wisdom,” by Liz Applegate, PH.D.). It begins,“The classic gets a taste and health upgrade by forgoing added sugar and food coloring.” Serves 4.
To view this online, as well as Berry-Cherry Bake and several other yummy dessert recipes, click here.
Ingredients
4 cups apricot nectar (no added sugar), divided
2 packets powdered gelatin
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Whipped cream
1/4 cup chopped pistachios
Instructions
In a saucepan, heat 3 cups apricot nectar over medium heat until warm (don't boil). Pour remaining 1 cup nectar into a bowl; sprinkle gelatin evenly over top. Allow to sit until all the gelatin is moist. If dry spots remain, gently stir to moisten. Add the warm nectar and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Stir in the zest. Pour into 4 glasses. Chill 2 hours. Top with whipped cream and pistachios.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 210; Carbs: 32 g; Fiber: 1 g; Protein: 6 g; Total fat: 6 g; Saturated fat: 2 g; Sodium: 80 mg
BERRY-CHERRY BAKE
This is also from the June 2015 issue of Runner's World, page 52 (“Fridge Wisdom,” by Liz Applegate, PH.D.), and begins, “Berries and cherries contain fiber and anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation.” Serves 6.
Ingredients
2 cups blackberries
2 cups pitted cherries
Juice from 1/2 lemon, plus 1 teaspoon zest
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 unbaked piecrust
Vanilla Greek yogurt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, stir together the blackberries, cherries, lemon juice, zest, honey, and cornstarch.
Pour into a 9" x 9" baking dish. Top with the crust, tucking the edges over the fruit. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 1 hour, or until the crust is golden and the fruit is bubbly. Serve with a dollop of yogurt.
Nutrition Information: Calories per serving: 171; Carbs: 27 g; Fiber: 2 g; Protein: 3 g; Total fat: 7 g; Saturated fat: 3 g; Sodium: 130 mg
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Katie Workman, About.com's Cooking for Kids expert. If you don't have kids living at home, not a problem; homemade mac and cheese seems to be one of those comfort foods that most of us love to indulge in occasionally. Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes; Yield: Serves 6 – 8
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Panko Topping
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs, see Note)
1⁄2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For the Pasta and Cheese Sauce
4 tablespoons (1⁄2 stick) unsalted butter, plus butter for greasing the baking dish
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
4 1⁄2 cups 2-percent or whole milk (however indulgent you’re feeling)
1 cups heavy (whipping) cream
5 cups coarsely grated flavorful cheese, such as sharp cheddar or Gruyère, or a mix (see Note below)
1⁄2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 1⁄2 teaspoons kosher or coarse salt, or more to taste
1⁄2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
1 1⁄2 packages (24 ounces) dried cavatelli, ziti, penne, or any short pasta
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a shallow 4-quart baking dish.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it generously, and let the water return to a boil.
Meanwhile, make the panko topping: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat or place it in a medium-size microwave-safe dish and heat it in a microwave oven until melted, 15 seconds. Add the panko and the Parmesan and stir until well combined. Set the panko topping aside.
Make the pasta and sauce: Melt the butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook, stirring, until the flour is blond in color, about 4 minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high and let come to a simmer, whisking frequently. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer until it starts to thicken, about 5 minutes. Add the cream, grated cheese, Parmesan, mustard, salt, and black pepper, stirring until everything is smooth. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and/or black pepper as necessary.
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook it until barely al dente (follow the package directions but stop a minute or two before the pasta is completely tender). Set aside 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Whisk the reserved pasta cooking water into the cheese sauce, combining it thoroughly. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. There will appear to be a lot of sauce. Some of it will be absorbed into the pasta as it cooks, and in my book saucy is better than dry.
Sprinkle the panko topping evenly over the pasta and bake it until golden and bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Let the pasta sit for a few minutes before serving.
Note: Katie writes, “What cheese to use?
”I keep changing up the cheese in this dish, depending on what I have on hand, and so my mac and cheese never tastes the same twice, which I find part of the thrill. My lovely dish-washing husband, however, has been known to look sadly at the last few globs on the plates and say wistfully, 'Well, we’ll never eat that again,' already mourning the delicious, undocumented combination of cheeses that has come and gone.
“Some good basic cheese to start with are sharp or extrasharp cheddar, Gruyère, Swiss, Manchego, and fontina, or any combination of these. You can also use bits of softer cheeses, like Brie or fresh, mild goat cheese if you have some small pieces lingering about. Remove all rinds you wouldn’t want to see floating around in your mac and cheese and unless you really know your audience, stay away from very potent cheeses like blue cheese or smoked cheese or anything particularly stinky.”
CHILE CON QUESO
Yield: 6 servings
Source: Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking
View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/623.shtml
Ingredients
1 (28 ounce) can low-sodium whole tomatoes in juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon ground ancho chile powder
3/4 teaspoon chile powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (15 ounce) can black beans with juice
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons minced cilantro
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet, over medium-high heat, cook the tomatoes, garlic, onion, ancho chile powder, chile powder, and cumin, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts to thicken, 8 -10 minutes.
Turn the heat to low and add the beans, chiles, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, and the vinegar; cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cheese.
Place in a serving dish or in individual bowls; top with the cilantro and remaining parsley.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 144; Protein: 8 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 441 mg; Cholesterol: 8 mg; Dietary Fiber: 7 g; Sugars: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat
EASY OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN FAJITAS
This is from the Tablespoon.com newsletter. Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 9
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 large onion
1 medium red bell pepper
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ fajita seasoning mix
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Old El Paso™ tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (6 inch; from 8.2-oz package)
Sour Cream
Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa
Chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cut onion and bell pepper into even slices; place in baking dish.
Cut chicken breasts into thin strips; add to vegetables in dish. Sprinkle with seasoning mix; drizzle with oil. Stir until combined and pieces are coated.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
Spoon small amount of chicken and veggies onto each tortilla. Top each with sour cream, salsa and cilantro, or your favorite fajita toppings.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This comes from The Food Network. Total Time: 1 hour; Prep: 15 min; Cook: 45 min; level: easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pasta-e-fagioli-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Dash of red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups chopped whole tomatoes, with juices
3 cups low sodium chicken stock, or vegetable stock
1 can northern white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup tiny pasta shells (ditalini)
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan and black pepper for garnish
Directions
In a large heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Stir in onion and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic, celery, and carrots and cook for 3 minutes. Add dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes and toss to coat. Stir in tomatoes and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. If necessary add an additional cup of stock or water and stir in beans and tiny pasta. Simmer for 6-8 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in parsley and serve hot with grated parmesan and ground black pepper.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Friday Food
It's finally Friday. I tend to look forward to Fridays, figuring all the things to get done over the weekend; I know that Sunday evening, I'll look back and realize I haven't gotten half the stuff done. (Sound familiar?) But we still have to eat, so here are today's recipes. Enjoy!
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. She writes, "A creamy macaroni and cheese recipe, made with Cheddar cheese sauce, cooked macaroni, and seasonings. Top this with buttered bread crumbs, if you wish." Serves 6.
Ingredients:
5 cups cooked macaroni (8 ounces raw)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 pepper, or to taste
2 cups milk
3/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
paprika, optional
Preparation:
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir flour into the butter until smooth and bubbly. Stir in salt. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. continue to cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add cheese and continue to cook and stir until melted. In an 8x10-inch baking dish, alternate layers of macaroni and cheese sauce. Sprinkle with paprika, if desired. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly
STRAWBERRY ORANGE SOUP
Rebecca Franklin, About.com's French Food expert, writes, "Both children and adults love this fresh berry soup. It’s lovely when used to round out an entrée salad for a light, healthy meal." Makes 8 servings. Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 pints strawberries, hulled
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup water
1/3 – 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Preparation:
Using a blender, process all ingredients until smooth. Chill for 1 hour before serving.
CHOCOLATE COFFEE TIRAMISU
Makes: 16 Servings
Source: "The Best Diabetes Cookbook"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/25.shtml
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups 5% ricotta cheese
1/2 cup light cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 egg whites
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 strong, prepared coffee
3 tablespoon chocolate or coffee-flavored liqueur
16 lady finger cookies
Directions
Spray a 9-inch square baking dish with vegetable spray.
In a food processor, combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, cocoa, egg yolk and vanilla until smooth; transfer to a bowl.
In bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whites into the ricotta mixture.
Combine coffee and liqueur in a small bowl.
Put half of lady fingers in bottom of dish. Sprinkle with half of coffee-liqueur mixture. Spread half of ricotta mixture on top. Repeat layers. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/16 of prepared Tiramisu): Calories: 150, Carbohydrate: 21 g, Fiber: 0 g, Protein: 6 g, Fat: 5 g, Sodium: 102 mg, Cholesterol: 66 mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Lean Meat, 1/2 Fat
EASY OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN FAJITAS
This is from the Tablespoon.com newsletter. Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 9
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 large onion
1 medium red bell pepper
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ fajita seasoning mix
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Old El Paso™ tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (6 inch; from 8.2-oz package)
Sour Cream
Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa
Chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cut onion and bell pepper into even slices; place in baking dish.
Cut chicken breasts into thin strips; add to vegetables in dish. Sprinkle with seasoning mix; drizzle with oil. Stir until combined and pieces are coated.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
Spoon small amount of chicken and veggies onto each tortilla. Top each with sour cream, salsa and cilantro, or your favorite fajita toppings.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This comes from The Food Network. Total Time: 1 hour; Prep: 15 min; Cook: 45 min; level: easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pasta-e-fagioli-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Dash of red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups chopped whole tomatoes, with juices
3 cups low sodium chicken stock, or vegetable stock
1 can northern white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup tiny pasta shells (ditalini)
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan and black pepper for garnish
Directions
In a large heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Stir in onion and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic, celery, and carrots and cook for 3 minutes. Add dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes and toss to coat. Stir in tomatoes and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. If necessary add an additional cup of stock or water and stir in beans and tiny pasta. Simmer for 6-8 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in parsley and serve hot with grated parmesan and ground black pepper.
LITHUANIAN APPLE CAKE
This comes from Brett Moore, About.com's Gourmet Food's guide. He writes, “The apple cake recipe is simple to throw together at a moments notice but wonderfully delicious. A spongy light cake stuffed with tons of spiced apples! Decorate with dried apples and serve with vanilla ice cream for a fancy end to your dinner or leave plain and enjoy for breakfast with a cup of coffee.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Apples
5 medium apples, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons of sugar
Batter
4 large eggs
1 cup of vegetable oil/melted margarine
1/4 cup of orange juice
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
3 cups of sifted flour
2 cups of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
3 tablespoons of baking powder
Powdered sugar
Dried apple slices (optional)
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: Makes 1 9-inch cake
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Mix apples with cinnamon and sugar and let stand in bowl.
In another large bowl, mix together all batter ingredients except the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
Butter and flour the cake pan (use a springform pan, deep 8-inch pan or a regular 9- by 13-inch pan). Pour half of the batter in the pan and arrange half of the apple slices on top of the batter. Pour the rest of the batter and arrange the remaining apple slices on top.
Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
If you like, decorate the top of the cake with dried apple slices. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm. Vanilla ice cream is a wonderful partner.
CREAMY MACARONI AND CHEESE
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. She writes, "A creamy macaroni and cheese recipe, made with Cheddar cheese sauce, cooked macaroni, and seasonings. Top this with buttered bread crumbs, if you wish." Serves 6.
Ingredients:
5 cups cooked macaroni (8 ounces raw)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 pepper, or to taste
2 cups milk
3/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
paprika, optional
Preparation:
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir flour into the butter until smooth and bubbly. Stir in salt. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. continue to cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add cheese and continue to cook and stir until melted. In an 8x10-inch baking dish, alternate layers of macaroni and cheese sauce. Sprinkle with paprika, if desired. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly
STRAWBERRY ORANGE SOUP
Rebecca Franklin, About.com's French Food expert, writes, "Both children and adults love this fresh berry soup. It’s lovely when used to round out an entrée salad for a light, healthy meal." Makes 8 servings. Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
2 pints strawberries, hulled
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup water
1/3 – 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Preparation:
Using a blender, process all ingredients until smooth. Chill for 1 hour before serving.
CHOCOLATE COFFEE TIRAMISU
Makes: 16 Servings
Source: "The Best Diabetes Cookbook"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/25.shtml
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups 5% ricotta cheese
1/2 cup light cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 egg whites
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 strong, prepared coffee
3 tablespoon chocolate or coffee-flavored liqueur
16 lady finger cookies
Directions
Spray a 9-inch square baking dish with vegetable spray.
In a food processor, combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, cocoa, egg yolk and vanilla until smooth; transfer to a bowl.
In bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whites into the ricotta mixture.
Combine coffee and liqueur in a small bowl.
Put half of lady fingers in bottom of dish. Sprinkle with half of coffee-liqueur mixture. Spread half of ricotta mixture on top. Repeat layers. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/16 of prepared Tiramisu): Calories: 150, Carbohydrate: 21 g, Fiber: 0 g, Protein: 6 g, Fat: 5 g, Sodium: 102 mg, Cholesterol: 66 mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Lean Meat, 1/2 Fat
EASY OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN FAJITAS
This is from the Tablespoon.com newsletter. Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 9
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 large onion
1 medium red bell pepper
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ fajita seasoning mix
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Old El Paso™ tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (6 inch; from 8.2-oz package)
Sour Cream
Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa
Chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cut onion and bell pepper into even slices; place in baking dish.
Cut chicken breasts into thin strips; add to vegetables in dish. Sprinkle with seasoning mix; drizzle with oil. Stir until combined and pieces are coated.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
Spoon small amount of chicken and veggies onto each tortilla. Top each with sour cream, salsa and cilantro, or your favorite fajita toppings.
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This comes from The Food Network. Total Time: 1 hour; Prep: 15 min; Cook: 45 min; level: easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/pasta-e-fagioli-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Dash of red pepper flakes
1 1/2 cups chopped whole tomatoes, with juices
3 cups low sodium chicken stock, or vegetable stock
1 can northern white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup tiny pasta shells (ditalini)
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan and black pepper for garnish
Directions
In a large heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Stir in onion and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic, celery, and carrots and cook for 3 minutes. Add dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes and toss to coat. Stir in tomatoes and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. If necessary add an additional cup of stock or water and stir in beans and tiny pasta. Simmer for 6-8 minutes or until pasta is tender. Stir in parsley and serve hot with grated parmesan and ground black pepper.
LITHUANIAN APPLE CAKE
This comes from Brett Moore, About.com's Gourmet Food's guide. He writes, “The apple cake recipe is simple to throw together at a moments notice but wonderfully delicious. A spongy light cake stuffed with tons of spiced apples! Decorate with dried apples and serve with vanilla ice cream for a fancy end to your dinner or leave plain and enjoy for breakfast with a cup of coffee.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Apples
5 medium apples, peeled and sliced
2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons of sugar
Batter
4 large eggs
1 cup of vegetable oil/melted margarine
1/4 cup of orange juice
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
3 cups of sifted flour
2 cups of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
3 tablespoons of baking powder
Powdered sugar
Dried apple slices (optional)
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 70 minutes; Yield: Makes 1 9-inch cake
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Mix apples with cinnamon and sugar and let stand in bowl.
In another large bowl, mix together all batter ingredients except the powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
Butter and flour the cake pan (use a springform pan, deep 8-inch pan or a regular 9- by 13-inch pan). Pour half of the batter in the pan and arrange half of the apple slices on top of the batter. Pour the rest of the batter and arrange the remaining apple slices on top.
Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
If you like, decorate the top of the cake with dried apple slices. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm. Vanilla ice cream is a wonderful partner.
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