The 4th of July is this weekend (Saturday), so I'm reposting a blog post from last year. While it was originally posted on July 3, it's full of recipes for the 4th. Enjoy!
To view the original blog, click here.
The 4th of July is one of America’s most iconic holidays. Fireworks, food, summer…what’s not to love? While many of us will be eating burgers and hot dogs – whether the meat version or veggie version of either – there’s plenty of other foods to add to the holiday spread. I’ve got only a few offerings here, but it’s a start. Enjoy!
GRILLED APPLE PIE
Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian guide, writes, “There's nothing more American than apple pie, and grilling out for the fourth of July. Combine the two with the most American thing I can possibly thing of - grilled apple pie! If you want to really wow your meatless friends at an all-American barbecue, try this recipe. Yes, you can cook a homemade apple pie right on your barbecue! Need this grilled pie recipe to be vegan? Use a non-animal based shortening and just use vegan margarine in place of the butter. Happy birthday, America!” Jolinda adds that the recipe is by Bush's® Beans. Serves 4 to 8.
Ingredients:
2 cups plus 2 tbsp flour, divided
pinch salt
1/2 cup shortening, chilled
5 tbsp ice water, or more if needed
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
8 cups slices apples (about 6 large apples)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cold
vanilla ice cream (optional)
cheddar cheese (optional)
Preparation:
Combine 1 1/2 cups flour and salt. Add shortening and cut into flour and salt with pastry blender until coarse and crumbly.
Stir in ice water, a little at a time until dough forms in a ball. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes.
Roll out dough into a circle and fit into a pie plate.
Preheat charcoal or gas grill for indirect cooking at 400 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
In a separate large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice (to prevent the apples from turning brown). Then add the sugar/flour/spice mixture to the apples and toss to coat the apple slices with the spice mixture.
In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup flour with the brown sugar. Add the pieces of butter, and cut in with a pastry blender, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the apples.
Place the pie on a cookie sheet, and bake over indirect heat until the apples are tender and bubbly, about 50–60 minutes. Remove the pie and let sit for at least 10 minutes to cool before serving.
Serve with generous scoops of ice cream and slices of extra sharp Cheddar cheese.
EGG POTATO SALAD
This is my version of potato salad. While there are undoubtedly fancier versions of potato salad, this is the one that my family loves and asks for. While I’d love to say that the leftovers refrigerate well overnight, I wouldn’t know; it never lasts long enough!
5 pounds potatoes (I use regular white potatoes)
6 – 8 eggs
1 – 2 onions, diced
3 – 4 cups mayo (if you usually use a vegetarian version, go for it)
1/2 cup mustard
Peel potatoes and cube into bite-sized pieces. Place in large pot, cover with cold water, then boil. Once water reaches a boil, turn heat to medium and cook for 20 – 30 minutes. Potatoes should be cooked through, but not mushy.
While potatoes are cooking, place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water and turn stove on high. Once water begins to boil, let boil for 10 minutes. Turn off stove, place pan in sink and run cold water over the eggs to cool off.
Drain potatoes and rinse in cold water. Place in large bowl. Peel and cut up eggs and add to potatoes, along with diced onions. Add mayo and mustard and mix well. Can be served either slightly warmed (now) or, if served later, cooled in refrigerator.
CHOCOLATE TOFU ICE CREAM
This recipe is from the August 2000 issue of Vegetarian Times. It starts off, “You’d never guess that this rich, dence fudgy ice cream contains considerably less fat that the classic version.” Makes 5 cups.
1 lb. soft tofu, drained
1 cup sugar
1 cup plain soy milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
In blender, puree all ingredients in 2 equal batches until very smooth.
Pour mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve right away or transfer to airtight container and freeze up to 3 days.
COCA-COLA SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM
This comes from one of my favorite emailing lists, the kitchn. I can't say enough about it or its sibling site, Apartment Therapy. To find this recipe online, click here. Makes approximately 1 quart
Coca-Cola Soft Serve with Peanut Brittle Crunch
For the ice cream:
3 cups Coca-Cola Classic (two 12-ounce cans)
1 (0.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon corn starch
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup evaporated milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
For the peanut brittle:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
Kosher salt, to taste
For the ice cream, pour the Coca-Cola into a large, flat-sided skillet and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Continue boiling until the soda is reduced to approximately 1 cup, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin powder over the water and set aside. In another small bowl, combine the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of milk and whisk until smooth.
Combine remaining milk, cream, evaporated milk, and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Whisk in the corn starch slurry and return to a boil, stirring constantly. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat. Add the Coca-Cola reduction and moistened gelatin, and whisk until the gelatin is completely combined.
Transfer the ice cream base to a gallon-sized plastic zipper bag. Press out the air and place in a large bowl filled with ice water until cold, about 30 minutes. (The mixture can also be transferred to an airtight container and held in the refrigerator for up to two days.) Pour the ice cream base into an ice cream maker and churn according to instructions. It can be served immediately or transferred to a freezer-safe container and chilled until firm.
When ready to make the peanut brittle, line a baking sheet with a silicon mat or parchment and set near the stove. Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling the pan occasionally to help dissolve the sugar. Do not stir. Continue cooking until the sugar begins to turn a golden amber shade, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the peanuts. Pour the nuts out to the baking sheet. Let the peanuts cool completely before breaking into pieces.
To serve ice cream so that it resembles swirled soft serve, transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Freeze the bag in 15 to 30 minute increments until the ice cream is firm, as needed. Squeeze and pipe the ice cream in a circular motion into a bowl or cone.
Top the ice cream with a piece of peanut brittle before serving. For extra Coca-Cola flavor, pour soda over the top for a "double Coke float."
RED, RED SALAD
From the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8 and is ready in 30 minutes or less, begins, “Reminiscent of the '50s favorite chopped salad, this dish indulges your whim for something red and colorful for spring and summer eating. You can dress this with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar mixture or any other preferred dressing. Because this is a focal point for lunch or supper, accompany the salad with grilled cheese squares and wrap the meal up with a tempting sweet, such as a wedge of berry pie. Toast the meal with icy lemonade. This makes about 8 1- to 1 1/2-cup servings.”
1 bunch radishes, greens removed, trimmed and quartered
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad dressing to taste
Put all vegetables and beans in a large salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Dress with salad dressing, toss and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 100; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
FRESH BERRY TART WITH TOASTED NUT CRUST
This recipe is from the July 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8, begins, “A crumbly homemade nut crust sets this tart apart from other berry pies. It can be made up to three days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.”
Crust
1/4 cup each almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
6 Tbs. chilled unsalted butter, diced
1 large egg yolk
Filling
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
2 Tbs. light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
1 Tbs. orange juice
To make Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 9-inch tart pan with cooking spray. Spread nuts on baking sheet, and toast in oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until browned.
Pulse nuts, flour, sugar, and salt in food processor until nuts are ground to powder. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg yolk, and pulse until moist clumps form. Press dough into bottom and sides of prepared pan, about 1/4-inch thick, and pierce with fork. Freeze 30 minutes.
Adjust oven temperature to 400°F. Bake Crust 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden. Cool.
To make Filling: whisk together sour cream, yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest in small bowl. Toss berries with orange juice in separate bowl.
5. Spread sour cream mixture in Crust with spatula. Spoon berries over top a little at a time, until sour cream mixture is evenly covered. Refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 288; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 58 mg; Sodium: 87 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 13 g
BERRY REFRESHING GREEN TEA GRANITA
This comes from the Ocean Spray website. Lots of great recipes! This one seems perfect for the 4th!
Ingredients
Granita:
32 ounces Ocean Spray® Light Cranberry & Raspberry flavored Juice Drink
Raspberry Cranberry Juice Drink, reserving 1 cup
4 bags green tea
Sauce:
16 ounces Ocean Spray® Light Cran-Raspberry® Raspberry Cranberry Juice Drink
1/4 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen
8 Mint sprigs, for garnish, optional
Directions
Granita:
Pour juice for granita, except reserved 1 cup, into a non-metal 8x8-inch baking pan.
Heat reserved 1 cup juice in a microwave safe container on HIGH for 3 minutes. Remove from microwave and add tea bags. Let steep for 5-minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze. Add tea and juice mixture to pan. Stir gently. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze overnight.
Remove from freezer and let sit for 10 minutes. Break up into pieces. Place 2 cups of granita mixture in a food processor. Process until mixture is smooth. Pour into a clean non-metal 8x8-inch pan. Repeat processor steps with remaining granita mixture.
Return granita to freezer. Freeze until firm, about 6 hours.
Remove from freezer just prior to serving. Scoop 1/2 cup into serving bowls. Makes 8 1/2 cup servings.
Sauce:
Pour juice into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook until sauce has been reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in raspberries. Drizzle one tablespoon of sauce over granita. Sauce may be used hot or cold. Makes 8 1-tablespoon servings.
Showing posts with label Red Red Salad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Red Salad. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, July 21, 2014
Meatless Monday
If it's Monday, it must be meatless, right? I used to wonder how one would cook for a vegetarian; if you cut out meat, what's left? Frozen veggies and/or pasta? Oooooh, nooo! Vegetarian meals are so much more than that. In fact, it's gotten to the point where if I'm cooking for the meat-eaters in my family, my brain goes blank if they want more than hamburgers. Go figure. Here are today's recipes. Enjoy!
FATTOUSH SALAD
This comes from the July/August 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times. To view this recipe online, click here.
Serves 6; 30 minutes or fewer
The recipe starts off, “Pomegranate molasses and sumac add a tart edge to this Lebanese salad. They can be found in Middle Eastern groceries and well-stocked supermarkets and used to flavor many other vegetable dishes. Choose larger cherry tomato varieties that can stand up to the other vegetables and the pita chips.”
Vinaigrette2 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. olive oil
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. pomegranate molasses
2 tsp. ground sumac
1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
Salad
1 medium head romaine lettuce, halved and sliced into ½-inch-thick ribbons (4 cups)
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
4 small Persian cucumbers, diced (2 cups)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice (1 cup)
1 small yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice (1 cup)
3 green onions, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
1/3 cup coarsely chopped parsley
3Tbs. thinly sliced mint leaves
1 1/2 cups plain pita chips, coarsely broken up
1/2 cup crumbled feta (2 oz.)
To make Vinaigrette: whisk together all ingredients in small bowl.
To make Salad: Toss together lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, green onions, parsley, and mint in large salad bowl. Add Vinaigrette, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Sprinkle pita chips over top of Salad, and toss again. Top with feta.
nutritional information Per 2-cup serving: Calories: 181; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Cholesterol: 11 mg; Sodium: 259 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 7 g
MOROCCAN SEVEN-VEGETABLE COUSCOUS
This recipe is from the March 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times The recipe states, “To many Americans, couscous refers to the tiny pearls of semolina we've come to know and love. But in Morocco, it is also the proper name for a time-honored stew, rich with vegetables and the flavors—saffron, cinnamon, turmeric—of North Africa. This is a terrific, relaxed party dish—easy to make, fun to eat and meant for a gathering.” Serves 6.
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 large onions, quartered and cut in 1/2-inch slices
2 pinches saffron threads
1 pinch crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
3 sprigs parsley and 3 sprigs cilantro, tied in a bundle with kitchen string
4 fresh or canned tomatoes, peeled, seeded and quartered
1 qt. vegetable stock
3 cups water
1 turnip, peeled and cut in 1-inch cubes
1/2 lb. carrots, peeled, halved length-wise and cut in 2-inch sticks
3/4 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut in 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 medium-sized zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut in 2-inch sticks
1 cup raisins
1 14-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 cups quick-cooking couscous, uncooked
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds, toasted
Heat butter and olive oil in stockpot over medium heat. Add onions, and cook 15 minutes. Stir in saffron, crushed red pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper. Sauté 5 minutes. Add herbs, tomatoes, stock and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes.
Add turnip, carrots and squash. Bring to a boil, and cook 10 minutes. Add zucchini, raisins, chickpeas and sugar. Cook 10 minutes more, or until vegetables are tender. Add salt and pepper.
Cook couscous according to package directions. Mound couscous on large serving platter, and make a well in center. Use slotted spoon to transfer vegetables to well. Ladle stock over entire dish. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serve immediately.
nutritional information per serving: Calories: 590; Protein: 17 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 103 g; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Sodium: 460 mg; Fiber: 12 g; Sugar: 30 g
LOVELY, TENDER ANGEL FOOD CAKE
From the June 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times page 75. The recipe serves 10, and states, “One secret to perfect angel food cake is sifting the flour with some of the sugar so it blends into the meringue with minimal folding. The other is hanging the tube pan upside down over a glass bottle so the cake won’t deflate.”
1 cup cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 1/4 cups egg whites (9–10 eggs)
1 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. almond extract
Position oven rack just below center, and preheat oven to 350°F. Sift cake flour and 1/2 cup sugar into medium bowl. Set aside.
Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla, salt, and almond extract in separate bowl with handheld electric mixer at medium-low speed until soft peaks form. Increase speed to medium. Gradually beat in remaining 1 cup sugar. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat 5 minutes, or until meringue is thick and shiny, and firm peaks hold when beaters are lifted.
Sprinkle one-quarter of flour mixture over meringue, and gently fold in with spatula or flat whisk just until blended (do not overmix). Repeat 3 more times. Scrape batter into ungreased 10- x 4-inch angel food cake pan with removable center.
Bake cake 30 to 32 minutes, or until puffed and lightly browned, and wooden skewer inserted near center comes out clean. Insert narrow-neck bottle into center tube, and invert pan to cool cake upside down.
Once cooled, remove pan from atop bottle, and cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Lift out pan’s center tube with cake. Cut under cake and around center tube to release cake. Cut into wedges, and serve.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 185; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 41 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 99 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: 31 g
BROCCOLI STIR-FRY WITH GINGER-AVOCADO SAUCE
This is from the June 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 55. The recipe makes 4 servings in 30 minutes or fewer. The recipe states, “This veggie-packed stir-fry is served over a bed of baby spinach and dressed with a creamy ginger-avocado sauce.”
Ginger-Avocado Sauce
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into coins
2 avocados
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. cold-pressed olive oil
2 tsp. raw honey
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
2 pinches sea salt
Stir-Fry
1 Tbs. coconut oil
1 medium red onion, halved and sliced (1 1/2 cups)
1/4 tsp. sea salt
4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.)
1 head broccoli, cut into florets (4 cups)
1 small head cabbage or 1 bunch kale, sliced into thin ribbons (1/2 lb.)
4 cups organic baby spinach
1/4 cup lightly toasted sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
To make Ginger-Avocado Sauce: Place ginger in food processor, and pulse to mince. Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth. Blend in up to 1/2 cup water to thin to desired consistency. Store in refrigerator.
To make Stir-Fry: Heat coconut oil in wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and salt; stir-fry 5 minutes, or until onion softens. Add garlic, and cook 2 minutes more. Add broccoli and 1/4 cup water; cover, and steam 3 minutes. Add cabbage; cover, and steam 2 minutes more.
Place 1 cup spinach on plate. Top with 1 cup broccoli mixture, and drizzle with 2 Tbs. Ginger-Avocado Sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds (if using).
nutritional information Per 2-cup serving: Calories: 255; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 18 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 224 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 7 g; Gluten-Free
RED, RED SALAD
From the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8 and is ready in 30 minutes or less, begins, “Reminiscent of the '50s favorite chopped salad, this dish indulges your whim for something red and colorful for spring and summer eating. You can dress this with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar mixture or any other preferred dressing. Because this is a focal point for lunch or supper, accompany the salad with grilled cheese squares and wrap the meal up with a tempting sweet, such as a wedge of berry pie. Toast the meal with icy lemonade. This makes about 8 1- to 1 1/2-cup servings.”
1 bunch radishes, greens removed, trimmed and quartered
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad dressing to taste
Put all vegetables and beans in a large salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Dress with salad dressing, toss and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 100; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
FRESH BERRY TART WITH TOASTED NUT CRUST
This recipe is from the July 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8, begins, “A crumbly homemade nut crust sets this tart apart from other berry pies. It can be made up to three days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.”
Crust
1/4 cup each almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
6 Tbs. chilled unsalted butter, diced
1 large egg yolk
Filling
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
2 Tbs. light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
1 Tbs. orange juice
To make Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 9-inch tart pan with cooking spray. Spread nuts on baking sheet, and toast in oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until browned.
Pulse nuts, flour, sugar, and salt in food processor until nuts are ground to powder. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg yolk, and pulse until moist clumps form. Press dough into bottom and sides of prepared pan, about 1/4-inch thick, and pierce with fork. Freeze 30 minutes.
Adjust oven temperature to 400°F. Bake Crust 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden. Cool.
To make Filling: whisk together sour cream, yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest in small bowl. Toss berries with orange juice in separate bowl. 5. Spread sour cream mixture in Crust with spatula. Spoon berries over top a little at a time, until sour cream mixture is evenly covered. Refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 288; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 58 mg; Sodium: 87 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 13 g
FATTOUSH SALAD
This comes from the July/August 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times. To view this recipe online, click here.
Serves 6; 30 minutes or fewer
The recipe starts off, “Pomegranate molasses and sumac add a tart edge to this Lebanese salad. They can be found in Middle Eastern groceries and well-stocked supermarkets and used to flavor many other vegetable dishes. Choose larger cherry tomato varieties that can stand up to the other vegetables and the pita chips.”
Vinaigrette2 Tbs. plus 2 tsp. olive oil
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. pomegranate molasses
2 tsp. ground sumac
1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)
Salad
1 medium head romaine lettuce, halved and sliced into ½-inch-thick ribbons (4 cups)
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
4 small Persian cucumbers, diced (2 cups)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice (1 cup)
1 small yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice (1 cup)
3 green onions, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
1/3 cup coarsely chopped parsley
3Tbs. thinly sliced mint leaves
1 1/2 cups plain pita chips, coarsely broken up
1/2 cup crumbled feta (2 oz.)
To make Vinaigrette: whisk together all ingredients in small bowl.
To make Salad: Toss together lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, green onions, parsley, and mint in large salad bowl. Add Vinaigrette, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Sprinkle pita chips over top of Salad, and toss again. Top with feta.
nutritional information Per 2-cup serving: Calories: 181; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Cholesterol: 11 mg; Sodium: 259 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 7 g
MOROCCAN SEVEN-VEGETABLE COUSCOUS
This recipe is from the March 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times The recipe states, “To many Americans, couscous refers to the tiny pearls of semolina we've come to know and love. But in Morocco, it is also the proper name for a time-honored stew, rich with vegetables and the flavors—saffron, cinnamon, turmeric—of North Africa. This is a terrific, relaxed party dish—easy to make, fun to eat and meant for a gathering.” Serves 6.
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 large onions, quartered and cut in 1/2-inch slices
2 pinches saffron threads
1 pinch crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
3 sprigs parsley and 3 sprigs cilantro, tied in a bundle with kitchen string
4 fresh or canned tomatoes, peeled, seeded and quartered
1 qt. vegetable stock
3 cups water
1 turnip, peeled and cut in 1-inch cubes
1/2 lb. carrots, peeled, halved length-wise and cut in 2-inch sticks
3/4 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut in 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 medium-sized zucchini, quartered lengthwise and cut in 2-inch sticks
1 cup raisins
1 14-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 cups quick-cooking couscous, uncooked
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds, toasted
Heat butter and olive oil in stockpot over medium heat. Add onions, and cook 15 minutes. Stir in saffron, crushed red pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper. Sauté 5 minutes. Add herbs, tomatoes, stock and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes.
Add turnip, carrots and squash. Bring to a boil, and cook 10 minutes. Add zucchini, raisins, chickpeas and sugar. Cook 10 minutes more, or until vegetables are tender. Add salt and pepper.
Cook couscous according to package directions. Mound couscous on large serving platter, and make a well in center. Use slotted spoon to transfer vegetables to well. Ladle stock over entire dish. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serve immediately.
nutritional information per serving: Calories: 590; Protein: 17 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 103 g; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Sodium: 460 mg; Fiber: 12 g; Sugar: 30 g
LOVELY, TENDER ANGEL FOOD CAKE
From the June 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times page 75. The recipe serves 10, and states, “One secret to perfect angel food cake is sifting the flour with some of the sugar so it blends into the meringue with minimal folding. The other is hanging the tube pan upside down over a glass bottle so the cake won’t deflate.”
1 cup cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 1/4 cups egg whites (9–10 eggs)
1 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. almond extract
Position oven rack just below center, and preheat oven to 350°F. Sift cake flour and 1/2 cup sugar into medium bowl. Set aside.
Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, vanilla, salt, and almond extract in separate bowl with handheld electric mixer at medium-low speed until soft peaks form. Increase speed to medium. Gradually beat in remaining 1 cup sugar. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat 5 minutes, or until meringue is thick and shiny, and firm peaks hold when beaters are lifted.
Sprinkle one-quarter of flour mixture over meringue, and gently fold in with spatula or flat whisk just until blended (do not overmix). Repeat 3 more times. Scrape batter into ungreased 10- x 4-inch angel food cake pan with removable center.
Bake cake 30 to 32 minutes, or until puffed and lightly browned, and wooden skewer inserted near center comes out clean. Insert narrow-neck bottle into center tube, and invert pan to cool cake upside down.
Once cooled, remove pan from atop bottle, and cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Lift out pan’s center tube with cake. Cut under cake and around center tube to release cake. Cut into wedges, and serve.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 185; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: less than 1 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 41 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 99 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: 31 g
BROCCOLI STIR-FRY WITH GINGER-AVOCADO SAUCE
This is from the June 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 55. The recipe makes 4 servings in 30 minutes or fewer. The recipe states, “This veggie-packed stir-fry is served over a bed of baby spinach and dressed with a creamy ginger-avocado sauce.”
Ginger-Avocado Sauce
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into coins
2 avocados
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. cold-pressed olive oil
2 tsp. raw honey
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
2 pinches sea salt
Stir-Fry
1 Tbs. coconut oil
1 medium red onion, halved and sliced (1 1/2 cups)
1/4 tsp. sea salt
4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.)
1 head broccoli, cut into florets (4 cups)
1 small head cabbage or 1 bunch kale, sliced into thin ribbons (1/2 lb.)
4 cups organic baby spinach
1/4 cup lightly toasted sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
To make Ginger-Avocado Sauce: Place ginger in food processor, and pulse to mince. Add remaining ingredients, and blend until smooth. Blend in up to 1/2 cup water to thin to desired consistency. Store in refrigerator.
To make Stir-Fry: Heat coconut oil in wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and salt; stir-fry 5 minutes, or until onion softens. Add garlic, and cook 2 minutes more. Add broccoli and 1/4 cup water; cover, and steam 3 minutes. Add cabbage; cover, and steam 2 minutes more.
Place 1 cup spinach on plate. Top with 1 cup broccoli mixture, and drizzle with 2 Tbs. Ginger-Avocado Sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds (if using).
nutritional information Per 2-cup serving: Calories: 255; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 18 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 224 mg; Fiber: 10 g; Sugar: 7 g; Gluten-Free
RED, RED SALAD
From the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8 and is ready in 30 minutes or less, begins, “Reminiscent of the '50s favorite chopped salad, this dish indulges your whim for something red and colorful for spring and summer eating. You can dress this with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar mixture or any other preferred dressing. Because this is a focal point for lunch or supper, accompany the salad with grilled cheese squares and wrap the meal up with a tempting sweet, such as a wedge of berry pie. Toast the meal with icy lemonade. This makes about 8 1- to 1 1/2-cup servings.”
1 bunch radishes, greens removed, trimmed and quartered
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad dressing to taste
Put all vegetables and beans in a large salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Dress with salad dressing, toss and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 100; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
FRESH BERRY TART WITH TOASTED NUT CRUST
This recipe is from the July 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8, begins, “A crumbly homemade nut crust sets this tart apart from other berry pies. It can be made up to three days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.”
Crust
1/4 cup each almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
6 Tbs. chilled unsalted butter, diced
1 large egg yolk
Filling
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
2 Tbs. light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
1 Tbs. orange juice
To make Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 9-inch tart pan with cooking spray. Spread nuts on baking sheet, and toast in oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until browned.
Pulse nuts, flour, sugar, and salt in food processor until nuts are ground to powder. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg yolk, and pulse until moist clumps form. Press dough into bottom and sides of prepared pan, about 1/4-inch thick, and pierce with fork. Freeze 30 minutes.
Adjust oven temperature to 400°F. Bake Crust 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden. Cool.
To make Filling: whisk together sour cream, yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest in small bowl. Toss berries with orange juice in separate bowl. 5. Spread sour cream mixture in Crust with spatula. Spoon berries over top a little at a time, until sour cream mixture is evenly covered. Refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 288; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 58 mg; Sodium: 87 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 13 g
Friday, July 11, 2014
Weekend Meals
Finally! You've waited all week for Friday and the weekend! Here it is, along with yummy meals for the weekend. Enjoy!
RED, RED SALAD
From the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8 and is ready in 30 minutes or less, begins, “Reminiscent of the '50s favorite chopped salad, this dish indulges your whim for something red and colorful for spring and summer eating. You can dress this with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar mixture or any other preferred dressing. Because this is a focal point for lunch or supper, accompany the salad with grilled cheese squares and wrap the meal up with a tempting sweet, such as a wedge of berry pie. Toast the meal with icy lemonade. This makes about 8 1- to 1 1/2-cup servings.”
1 bunch radishes, greens removed, trimmed and quartered
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad dressing to taste
Put all vegetables and beans in a large salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Dress with salad dressing, toss and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 100; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
COOL, COOL GAZPACHO
This recipe comes from FamilyTime. Check this recipe out online here.
The recipe starts off, “Vegetable juice adds a burst of great flavor to this zesty gazpacho, bursting with diced fresh vegetables. It's a refreshing dish for a hot summer's day...but it's so easy to make, you can enjoy it any time.” Prep. Time: 30 minutes; serves 6 (about 1 1/4 cups each)
Ingredients
6 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 6 cups)
1 1/2 cups V8® 100% Vegetable Juice
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small green pepper, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
hot pepper sauce, to taste
Directions
Stir the tomatoes, vegetable juice, cucumber, onion, green pepper, garlic, oil, vinegar, black pepper and hot pepper sauce in a large mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
ALMOND CAKE WITH RASPBERRIES & CHOCOLATE GANACHE
From Seattle's Macrina Bakery. The recipe states, “This combination of toasted almonds in a buttery cake, accompanied by fresh raspberries and bittersweet chocolate ganache is our best-selling wedding cake. It satisfies everyone's taste with nuts, fruit, and of course, chocolate. This recipe makes individually sized cakes that are baked in a jumbo muffin pan. Once they've cooled, you remove the paper liner, invert the cakes so the tapered side is up, fill with sweetened cream and raspberries, and top with chocolate ganache.” Makes 8 Jumbo cupcakes.
For the batter:
1/2 cup raw almonds (skins on), toasted
1-1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt, divided
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
For the whipped cream filling:
1 pint fresh raspberries (about 24 berries)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
For the chocolate ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400°F. Lightly grease the top of a jumbo muffin pan with canola oil to prevent any stray batter from sticking, and line 8 cups with jumbo cupcake liners.
To make the batter, first grind the toasted almonds in a food processor until they are very fine and powdery. (Alternatively, grind them by hand: chop the nuts as finely as you can with a chef's knife, then use the flat side of the knife to crush the chopped nuts into a powder.) Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl. Add the almonds and toss with your hands to evenly distribute. Set aside.
Whisk 2 tablespoons of the yogurt, eggs, and almond and vanilla extracts in a small bowl. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar; start on low speed and increase to medium, stopping to scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed to fully incorporate the ingredients. The mixture will be light, fluffy, and pale. Add the flour mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup yogurt, slowly mixing for 1 minute. Once the flour is incorporated, increase to medium speed and mix for 1 minute more, then scrape down the bowl again. Add the egg mixture in 3 additions, mixing for 20 seconds after each addition, then scraping down the bowl.
Using a large spoon or #30 ice cream scoop, fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter. Smooth the tops for even baking. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cupcakes are deep golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. (Note that these cupcakes will rise only to the top of the muffin pan as they bake.) Cool them in the pan for 45 minutes, then remove them and peel off the cupcake liners. Invert the cakes onto a plate, so the bottoms are up and using a teaspoon, scoop out a 1-1/2 inch ball from the center of each cake and discard (or eat!) the cake.
To make the filling, pick through the raspberries, reserving 8 beauties for garnish. Whisk the heavy cream and sugar in a small bowl, whipping until they form medium-firm peaks, then fold in the raspberries. You want the berries to break up a bit—but don't let them get soupy. Spoon the raspberry whipped cream into the hole in the cakes, piling in as much as you can and leveling the top.
To make the ganache, pour the heavy cream into a small saucepan. Over medium heat bring the cream to a froth just before it boils. Turn off the heat and add the semisweet and bittersweet chocolate chips. Using a rubber spatula, stir until the chocolate completely melts, then remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. The ganache will thicken as it cools.
To assemble, top each cake with 1 tablespoon of the ganache; spread it evenly, but leave a little of the golden cake showing around the edges. Garnish with a raspberry.
These cakes taste best the day they are made. You can prepare them up to the point of making the filling and store, covered, at room temperature for 2 days.
FIESTA SLAW
Makes 10 servings. Find online here.
Ingredients
5 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
3 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tsp. canned chipotle chilies, rinsed, drained and chopped
1 Tbsp. honey
1 large red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 large green bell pepper, cut into thin
1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
12 oz. jicama, peeled, cut into thin strips
1/3 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Puree first 5 ingredients in a blender or food processor until dressing is smooth.
Place peppers, jicama and cilantro in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss to mix and coat well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until the vegetables soften a little but remain crunchy. (About 4 hours.)
Serve at room temperature.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 42; Protein: 1 g; Sodium: 42 mg; Fat: under 1 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable
BLUEBERRY SORBET
Fiona Haynes is About.com's Low Fat Cooking guide. She writes, “Sorbet is a refreshing, low calorie, virtually fat free summertime treat. Blueberries make for a gorgeous, intensely purple sorbet. If, like me, you don't have an ice cream maker, the second stint in the blender or food processor improves the texture of the sorbet, to make it smoother. If you do have an ice cream maker, simply place the chilled syrup and pureed blueberries into the can and follow the manufacturer's instructions.” Serves 8.
Ingredients:
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
2 lbs/1 quart fresh blueberries
2 tbsp lemon juice
Preparation:
Stir sugar and water together in a small saucepan over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Bring sugar and water syrup to a boil, then remove from heat. Allow to cool in pan for a 1/2 hour (the syrup is extremely hot) before transferring to a 1 cup container and chilling it for an hour in the refrigerator.
While the syrup is cooling, place blueberries in a food processor or blender (you may need to do this in two batches). Blend blueberries to a puree, then pour through a sieve into a medium size bowl. Add lemon juice, and stir well.
Refrigerate puree until syrup has chilled – about 1 hour.
Combine chilled syrup and blueberry puree, then transfer to an 8-inch metal baking pan (stainless steel is best).
Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 3 hours. Remove sorbet from freezer and puree once more in a food processor or blender. Return blueberry puree mixture to metal pan, cover and freeze for 3-4 more hours. Remove from freezer about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Per Serving: Calories 112, Calories from Fat 2, Total Fat 0.3g, (Sat 0g), Cholesterol 0g, Sodium 4mg, Carbohydrate 27.1, Fiber 2g, Protein 0.5g
BROWN SUGAR & ALMOND COFFEECAKE
Another yummy recipe from Macrina Bakery. The emailed recipe started off, “NOTE: We've updated the recipe to include the bake time for the perfect Brown Sugar & Almond Coffeecake. This coffeecake is a stand-out favorite among our brunch customers. I like to use fresh berries whenever possible, but frozen fruit will also work well in this recipe.” All I know is that it's good. Makes 1 (9-inch square) cake.
4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
2-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
10 ounces (2-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1-3/4 cups light brown sugar
5 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tsp pure almond extract
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
1 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
Powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 325° F. Oil a 9" square pan
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Toss with your hands and set aside. Combine butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed for 5 to 8 minutes to cream the butter. The mixture should be smooth and pale in color.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, and almond and vanilla extracts. Mix with a whisk. Add a small amount of egg mixture to the bowl of creamed butter and mix on medium speed until fully incorporated. Continue adding small amounts until all of the egg mixture is mixed into the butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and mix for another 30 seconds.
Remove the bowl from your stand mixer. Alternately add small amounts of the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the bowl, mixing with a wooden spoon just until all the ingredients are incorporated. Fold in the raspberries taking care not to smash the fruit. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle chopped almonds over the top.
Bake on center rack of oven for about 1 hour, or until glolden brown. Test center of cake with a skewer. It will come out clean when the cake is finished. Let cool for 20 minutes on a wire rack, then dust with powdered sugar and cut into pieces. This coffeecake will be fragile until it has completely cooled, so remove the warm pieces carefully, using a pie server to lift the pieces out of the pan.
RED, RED SALAD
From the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8 and is ready in 30 minutes or less, begins, “Reminiscent of the '50s favorite chopped salad, this dish indulges your whim for something red and colorful for spring and summer eating. You can dress this with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar mixture or any other preferred dressing. Because this is a focal point for lunch or supper, accompany the salad with grilled cheese squares and wrap the meal up with a tempting sweet, such as a wedge of berry pie. Toast the meal with icy lemonade. This makes about 8 1- to 1 1/2-cup servings.”
1 bunch radishes, greens removed, trimmed and quartered
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad dressing to taste
Put all vegetables and beans in a large salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Dress with salad dressing, toss and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 100; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
COOL, COOL GAZPACHO
This recipe comes from FamilyTime. Check this recipe out online here.
The recipe starts off, “Vegetable juice adds a burst of great flavor to this zesty gazpacho, bursting with diced fresh vegetables. It's a refreshing dish for a hot summer's day...but it's so easy to make, you can enjoy it any time.” Prep. Time: 30 minutes; serves 6 (about 1 1/4 cups each)
Ingredients
6 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 6 cups)
1 1/2 cups V8® 100% Vegetable Juice
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 small green pepper, finely chopped (about 1/3 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
hot pepper sauce, to taste
Directions
Stir the tomatoes, vegetable juice, cucumber, onion, green pepper, garlic, oil, vinegar, black pepper and hot pepper sauce in a large mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to serve.
ALMOND CAKE WITH RASPBERRIES & CHOCOLATE GANACHE
From Seattle's Macrina Bakery. The recipe states, “This combination of toasted almonds in a buttery cake, accompanied by fresh raspberries and bittersweet chocolate ganache is our best-selling wedding cake. It satisfies everyone's taste with nuts, fruit, and of course, chocolate. This recipe makes individually sized cakes that are baked in a jumbo muffin pan. Once they've cooled, you remove the paper liner, invert the cakes so the tapered side is up, fill with sweetened cream and raspberries, and top with chocolate ganache.” Makes 8 Jumbo cupcakes.
For the batter:
1/2 cup raw almonds (skins on), toasted
1-1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt, divided
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
For the whipped cream filling:
1 pint fresh raspberries (about 24 berries)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar
For the chocolate ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400°F. Lightly grease the top of a jumbo muffin pan with canola oil to prevent any stray batter from sticking, and line 8 cups with jumbo cupcake liners.
To make the batter, first grind the toasted almonds in a food processor until they are very fine and powdery. (Alternatively, grind them by hand: chop the nuts as finely as you can with a chef's knife, then use the flat side of the knife to crush the chopped nuts into a powder.) Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl. Add the almonds and toss with your hands to evenly distribute. Set aside.
Whisk 2 tablespoons of the yogurt, eggs, and almond and vanilla extracts in a small bowl. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar; start on low speed and increase to medium, stopping to scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed to fully incorporate the ingredients. The mixture will be light, fluffy, and pale. Add the flour mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup yogurt, slowly mixing for 1 minute. Once the flour is incorporated, increase to medium speed and mix for 1 minute more, then scrape down the bowl again. Add the egg mixture in 3 additions, mixing for 20 seconds after each addition, then scraping down the bowl.
Using a large spoon or #30 ice cream scoop, fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter. Smooth the tops for even baking. Place the pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cupcakes are deep golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. (Note that these cupcakes will rise only to the top of the muffin pan as they bake.) Cool them in the pan for 45 minutes, then remove them and peel off the cupcake liners. Invert the cakes onto a plate, so the bottoms are up and using a teaspoon, scoop out a 1-1/2 inch ball from the center of each cake and discard (or eat!) the cake.
To make the filling, pick through the raspberries, reserving 8 beauties for garnish. Whisk the heavy cream and sugar in a small bowl, whipping until they form medium-firm peaks, then fold in the raspberries. You want the berries to break up a bit—but don't let them get soupy. Spoon the raspberry whipped cream into the hole in the cakes, piling in as much as you can and leveling the top.
To make the ganache, pour the heavy cream into a small saucepan. Over medium heat bring the cream to a froth just before it boils. Turn off the heat and add the semisweet and bittersweet chocolate chips. Using a rubber spatula, stir until the chocolate completely melts, then remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. The ganache will thicken as it cools.
To assemble, top each cake with 1 tablespoon of the ganache; spread it evenly, but leave a little of the golden cake showing around the edges. Garnish with a raspberry.
These cakes taste best the day they are made. You can prepare them up to the point of making the filling and store, covered, at room temperature for 2 days.
FIESTA SLAW
Makes 10 servings. Find online here.
Ingredients
5 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
3 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise
5 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 tsp. canned chipotle chilies, rinsed, drained and chopped
1 Tbsp. honey
1 large red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 large green bell pepper, cut into thin
1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
12 oz. jicama, peeled, cut into thin strips
1/3 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Puree first 5 ingredients in a blender or food processor until dressing is smooth.
Place peppers, jicama and cilantro in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss to mix and coat well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until the vegetables soften a little but remain crunchy. (About 4 hours.)
Serve at room temperature.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 42; Protein: 1 g; Sodium: 42 mg; Fat: under 1 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable
BLUEBERRY SORBET
Fiona Haynes is About.com's Low Fat Cooking guide. She writes, “Sorbet is a refreshing, low calorie, virtually fat free summertime treat. Blueberries make for a gorgeous, intensely purple sorbet. If, like me, you don't have an ice cream maker, the second stint in the blender or food processor improves the texture of the sorbet, to make it smoother. If you do have an ice cream maker, simply place the chilled syrup and pureed blueberries into the can and follow the manufacturer's instructions.” Serves 8.
Ingredients:
2/3 cup water
2/3 cup sugar
2 lbs/1 quart fresh blueberries
2 tbsp lemon juice
Preparation:
Stir sugar and water together in a small saucepan over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Bring sugar and water syrup to a boil, then remove from heat. Allow to cool in pan for a 1/2 hour (the syrup is extremely hot) before transferring to a 1 cup container and chilling it for an hour in the refrigerator.
While the syrup is cooling, place blueberries in a food processor or blender (you may need to do this in two batches). Blend blueberries to a puree, then pour through a sieve into a medium size bowl. Add lemon juice, and stir well.
Refrigerate puree until syrup has chilled – about 1 hour.
Combine chilled syrup and blueberry puree, then transfer to an 8-inch metal baking pan (stainless steel is best).
Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 3 hours. Remove sorbet from freezer and puree once more in a food processor or blender. Return blueberry puree mixture to metal pan, cover and freeze for 3-4 more hours. Remove from freezer about 10-15 minutes before serving.
Per Serving: Calories 112, Calories from Fat 2, Total Fat 0.3g, (Sat 0g), Cholesterol 0g, Sodium 4mg, Carbohydrate 27.1, Fiber 2g, Protein 0.5g
BROWN SUGAR & ALMOND COFFEECAKE
Another yummy recipe from Macrina Bakery. The emailed recipe started off, “NOTE: We've updated the recipe to include the bake time for the perfect Brown Sugar & Almond Coffeecake. This coffeecake is a stand-out favorite among our brunch customers. I like to use fresh berries whenever possible, but frozen fruit will also work well in this recipe.” All I know is that it's good. Makes 1 (9-inch square) cake.
4 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
2-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
10 ounces (2-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1-3/4 cups light brown sugar
5 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tsp pure almond extract
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries
1 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
Powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 325° F. Oil a 9" square pan
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Toss with your hands and set aside. Combine butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed for 5 to 8 minutes to cream the butter. The mixture should be smooth and pale in color.
In a medium bowl, combine eggs, milk, and almond and vanilla extracts. Mix with a whisk. Add a small amount of egg mixture to the bowl of creamed butter and mix on medium speed until fully incorporated. Continue adding small amounts until all of the egg mixture is mixed into the butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and mix for another 30 seconds.
Remove the bowl from your stand mixer. Alternately add small amounts of the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the bowl, mixing with a wooden spoon just until all the ingredients are incorporated. Fold in the raspberries taking care not to smash the fruit. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle chopped almonds over the top.
Bake on center rack of oven for about 1 hour, or until glolden brown. Test center of cake with a skewer. It will come out clean when the cake is finished. Let cool for 20 minutes on a wire rack, then dust with powdered sugar and cut into pieces. This coffeecake will be fragile until it has completely cooled, so remove the warm pieces carefully, using a pie server to lift the pieces out of the pan.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
4th of July
The 4th of July is one of America’s most iconic holidays. Fireworks, food, summer…what’s not to love? While many of us will be eating burgers and hot dogs – whether the meat version or veggie version of either – there’s plenty of other foods to add to the holiday spread. I’ve got only a few offerings here, but it’s a start. Enjoy!
GRILLED APPLE PIE
Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian guide, writes, “There's nothing more American than apple pie, and grilling out for the fourth of July. Combine the two with the most American thing I can possibly thing of - grilled apple pie! If you want to really wow your meatless friends at an all-American barbecue, try this recipe. Yes, you can cook a homemade apple pie right on your barbecue! Need this grilled pie recipe to be vegan? Use a non-animal based shortening and just use vegan margarine in place of the butter. Happy birthday, America!” Jolinda adds that the recipe is by Bush's® Beans. Serves 4 to 8.
Ingredients:
2 cups plus 2 tbsp flour, divided
pinch salt
1/2 cup shortening, chilled
5 tbsp ice water, or more if needed
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
8 cups slices apples (about 6 large apples)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cold
vanilla ice cream (optional)
cheddar cheese (optional)
Preparation:
Combine 1 1/2 cups flour and salt. Add shortening and cut into flour and salt with pastry blender until coarse and crumbly.
Stir in ice water, a little at a time until dough forms in a ball. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes.
Roll out dough into a circle and fit into a pie plate.
Preheat charcoal or gas grill for indirect cooking at 400 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
In a separate large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice (to prevent the apples from turning brown). Then add the sugar/flour/spice mixture to the apples and toss to coat the apple slices with the spice mixture.
In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup flour with the brown sugar. Add the pieces of butter, and cut in with a pastry blender, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the apples.
Place the pie on a cookie sheet, and bake over indirect heat until the apples are tender and bubbly, about 50–60 minutes. Remove the pie and let sit for at least 10 minutes to cool before serving.
Serve with generous scoops of ice cream and slices of extra sharp Cheddar cheese.
EGG POTATO SALAD
This is my version of potato salad. While there are undoubtedly fancier versions of potato salad, this is the one that my family loves and asks for. While I’d love to say that the leftovers refrigerate well overnight, I wouldn’t know; it never lasts long enough!
5 pounds potatoes (I use regular white potatoes)
6 – 8 eggs
1 – 2 onions, diced
3 – 4 cups mayo (if you usually use a vegetarian version, go for it)
1/2 cup mustard
Peel potatoes and cube into bite-sized pieces. Place in large pot, cover with cold water, then boil. Once water reaches a boil, turn heat to medium and cook for 20 – 30 minutes. Potatoes should be cooked through, but not mushy.
While potatoes are cooking, place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water and turn stove on high. Once water begins to boil, let boil for 10 minutes. Turn off stove, place pan in sink and run cold water over the eggs to cool off.
Drain potatoes and rinse in cold water. Place in large bowl. Peel and cut up eggs and add to potatoes, along with diced onions. Add mayo and mustard and mix well. Can be served either slightly warmed (now) or, if served later, cooled in refrigerator.
CHOCOLATE TOFU ICE CREAM
This recipe is from the August 2000 issue of Vegetarian Times. It starts off, “You’d never guess that this rich, dence fudgy ice cream contains considerably less fat that the classic version.” Makes 5 cups.
1 lb. soft tofu, drained
1 cup sugar
1 cup plain soy milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
In blender, puree all ingredients in 2 equal batches until very smooth.
Pour mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve right away or transfer to airtight container and freeze up to 3 days.
COCA-COLA SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM
This comes from one of my favorite emailing lists, the kitchn. I can't say enough about it or its sibling site, Apartment Therapy. To find this recipe online, click here. Makes approximately 1 quart
Coca-Cola Soft Serve with Peanut Brittle Crunch
For the ice cream:
3 cups Coca-Cola Classic (two 12-ounce cans)
1 (0.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon corn starch
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup evaporated milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
For the peanut brittle:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
Kosher salt, to taste
For the ice cream, pour the Coca-Cola into a large, flat-sided skillet and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Continue boiling until the soda is reduced to approximately 1 cup, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin powder over the water and set aside. In another small bowl, combine the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of milk and whisk until smooth.
Combine remaining milk, cream, evaporated milk, and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Whisk in the corn starch slurry and return to a boil, stirring constantly. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat. Add the Coca-Cola reduction and moistened gelatin, and whisk until the gelatin is completely combined.
Transfer the ice cream base to a gallon-sized plastic zipper bag. Press out the air and place in a large bowl filled with ice water until cold, about 30 minutes. (The mixture can also be transferred to an airtight container and held in the refrigerator for up to two days.) Pour the ice cream base into an ice cream maker and churn according to instructions. It can be served immediately or transferred to a freezer-safe container and chilled until firm.
When ready to make the peanut brittle, line a baking sheet with a silicon mat or parchment and set near the stove. Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling the pan occasionally to help dissolve the sugar. Do not stir. Continue cooking until the sugar begins to turn a golden amber shade, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the peanuts. Pour the nuts out to the baking sheet. Let the peanuts cool completely before breaking into pieces.
To serve ice cream so that it resembles swirled soft serve, transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Freeze the bag in 15 to 30 minute increments until the ice cream is firm, as needed. Squeeze and pipe the ice cream in a circular motion into a bowl or cone.
Top the ice cream with a piece of peanut brittle before serving. For extra Coca-Cola flavor, pour soda over the top for a "double Coke float."
RED, RED SALAD
From the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8 and is ready in 30 minutes or less, begins, “Reminiscent of the '50s favorite chopped salad, this dish indulges your whim for something red and colorful for spring and summer eating. You can dress this with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar mixture or any other preferred dressing. Because this is a focal point for lunch or supper, accompany the salad with grilled cheese squares and wrap the meal up with a tempting sweet, such as a wedge of berry pie. Toast the meal with icy lemonade. This makes about 8 1- to 1 1/2-cup servings.”
1 bunch radishes, greens removed, trimmed and quartered
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad dressing to taste
Put all vegetables and beans in a large salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Dress with salad dressing, toss and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 100; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
FRESH BERRY TART WITH TOASTED NUT CRUST
This recipe is from the July 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8, begins, “A crumbly homemade nut crust sets this tart apart from other berry pies. It can be made up to three days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.”
Crust
1/4 cup each almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
6 Tbs. chilled unsalted butter, diced
1 large egg yolk
Filling
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
2 Tbs. light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
1 Tbs. orange juice
To make Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 9-inch tart pan with cooking spray. Spread nuts on baking sheet, and toast in oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until browned.
Pulse nuts, flour, sugar, and salt in food processor until nuts are ground to powder. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg yolk, and pulse until moist clumps form. Press dough into bottom and sides of prepared pan, about 1/4-inch thick, and pierce with fork. Freeze 30 minutes.
Adjust oven temperature to 400°F. Bake Crust 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden. Cool.
To make Filling: whisk together sour cream, yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest in small bowl. Toss berries with orange juice in separate bowl. 5. Spread sour cream mixture in Crust with spatula. Spoon berries over top a little at a time, until sour cream mixture is evenly covered. Refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 288; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 58 mg; Sodium: 87 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 13 g
BERRY REFRESHING GREEN TEA GRANITA
This comes from the Ocean Spray website. Lots of great recipes! This one seems perfect for the 4th!
Ingredients
Granita:
32 ounces Ocean Spray® Light Cranberry & Raspberry flavored Juice Drink Raspberry Cranberry Juice Drink, reserving 1 cup
4 bags green tea
Sauce:
16 ounces Ocean Spray® Light Cran-Raspberry® Raspberry Cranberry Juice Drink
1/4 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen
8 Mint sprigs, for garnish, optional
Directions
Granita: Pour juice for granita, except reserved 1 cup, into a non-metal 8x8-inch baking pan.
Heat reserved 1 cup juice in a microwave safe container on HIGH for 3 minutes. Remove from microwave and add tea bags. Let steep for 5-minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze. Add tea and juice mixture to pan. Stir gently. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze overnight.
Remove from freezer and let sit for 10 minutes. Break up into pieces. Place 2 cups of granita mixture in a food processor. Process until mixture is smooth. Pour into a clean non-metal 8x8-inch pan. Repeat processor steps with remaining granita mixture.
Return granita to freezer. Freeze until firm, about 6 hours.
Remove from freezer just prior to serving. Scoop 1/2 cup into serving bowls. Makes 8 1/2 cup servings.
Sauce: Pour juice into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook until sauce has been reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in raspberries. Drizzle one tablespoon of sauce over granita. Sauce may be used hot or cold. Makes 8 1-tablespoon servings.
GRILLED APPLE PIE
Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian guide, writes, “There's nothing more American than apple pie, and grilling out for the fourth of July. Combine the two with the most American thing I can possibly thing of - grilled apple pie! If you want to really wow your meatless friends at an all-American barbecue, try this recipe. Yes, you can cook a homemade apple pie right on your barbecue! Need this grilled pie recipe to be vegan? Use a non-animal based shortening and just use vegan margarine in place of the butter. Happy birthday, America!” Jolinda adds that the recipe is by Bush's® Beans. Serves 4 to 8.
Ingredients:
2 cups plus 2 tbsp flour, divided
pinch salt
1/2 cup shortening, chilled
5 tbsp ice water, or more if needed
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
8 cups slices apples (about 6 large apples)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cold
vanilla ice cream (optional)
cheddar cheese (optional)
Preparation:
Combine 1 1/2 cups flour and salt. Add shortening and cut into flour and salt with pastry blender until coarse and crumbly.
Stir in ice water, a little at a time until dough forms in a ball. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes.
Roll out dough into a circle and fit into a pie plate.
Preheat charcoal or gas grill for indirect cooking at 400 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
In a separate large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice (to prevent the apples from turning brown). Then add the sugar/flour/spice mixture to the apples and toss to coat the apple slices with the spice mixture.
In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup flour with the brown sugar. Add the pieces of butter, and cut in with a pastry blender, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the apples.
Place the pie on a cookie sheet, and bake over indirect heat until the apples are tender and bubbly, about 50–60 minutes. Remove the pie and let sit for at least 10 minutes to cool before serving.
Serve with generous scoops of ice cream and slices of extra sharp Cheddar cheese.
EGG POTATO SALAD
This is my version of potato salad. While there are undoubtedly fancier versions of potato salad, this is the one that my family loves and asks for. While I’d love to say that the leftovers refrigerate well overnight, I wouldn’t know; it never lasts long enough!
5 pounds potatoes (I use regular white potatoes)
6 – 8 eggs
1 – 2 onions, diced
3 – 4 cups mayo (if you usually use a vegetarian version, go for it)
1/2 cup mustard
Peel potatoes and cube into bite-sized pieces. Place in large pot, cover with cold water, then boil. Once water reaches a boil, turn heat to medium and cook for 20 – 30 minutes. Potatoes should be cooked through, but not mushy.
While potatoes are cooking, place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water and turn stove on high. Once water begins to boil, let boil for 10 minutes. Turn off stove, place pan in sink and run cold water over the eggs to cool off.
Drain potatoes and rinse in cold water. Place in large bowl. Peel and cut up eggs and add to potatoes, along with diced onions. Add mayo and mustard and mix well. Can be served either slightly warmed (now) or, if served later, cooled in refrigerator.
CHOCOLATE TOFU ICE CREAM
This recipe is from the August 2000 issue of Vegetarian Times. It starts off, “You’d never guess that this rich, dence fudgy ice cream contains considerably less fat that the classic version.” Makes 5 cups.
1 lb. soft tofu, drained
1 cup sugar
1 cup plain soy milk
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
In blender, puree all ingredients in 2 equal batches until very smooth.
Pour mixture into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s directions. Serve right away or transfer to airtight container and freeze up to 3 days.
COCA-COLA SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM
This comes from one of my favorite emailing lists, the kitchn. I can't say enough about it or its sibling site, Apartment Therapy. To find this recipe online, click here. Makes approximately 1 quart
Coca-Cola Soft Serve with Peanut Brittle Crunch
For the ice cream:
3 cups Coca-Cola Classic (two 12-ounce cans)
1 (0.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
1 tablespoon corn starch
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup evaporated milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
For the peanut brittle:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
Kosher salt, to taste
For the ice cream, pour the Coca-Cola into a large, flat-sided skillet and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Continue boiling until the soda is reduced to approximately 1 cup, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin powder over the water and set aside. In another small bowl, combine the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of milk and whisk until smooth.
Combine remaining milk, cream, evaporated milk, and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Whisk in the corn starch slurry and return to a boil, stirring constantly. Allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute, then remove from the heat. Add the Coca-Cola reduction and moistened gelatin, and whisk until the gelatin is completely combined.
Transfer the ice cream base to a gallon-sized plastic zipper bag. Press out the air and place in a large bowl filled with ice water until cold, about 30 minutes. (The mixture can also be transferred to an airtight container and held in the refrigerator for up to two days.) Pour the ice cream base into an ice cream maker and churn according to instructions. It can be served immediately or transferred to a freezer-safe container and chilled until firm.
When ready to make the peanut brittle, line a baking sheet with a silicon mat or parchment and set near the stove. Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, swirling the pan occasionally to help dissolve the sugar. Do not stir. Continue cooking until the sugar begins to turn a golden amber shade, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the peanuts. Pour the nuts out to the baking sheet. Let the peanuts cool completely before breaking into pieces.
To serve ice cream so that it resembles swirled soft serve, transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Freeze the bag in 15 to 30 minute increments until the ice cream is firm, as needed. Squeeze and pipe the ice cream in a circular motion into a bowl or cone.
Top the ice cream with a piece of peanut brittle before serving. For extra Coca-Cola flavor, pour soda over the top for a "double Coke float."
RED, RED SALAD
From the June 2004 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8 and is ready in 30 minutes or less, begins, “Reminiscent of the '50s favorite chopped salad, this dish indulges your whim for something red and colorful for spring and summer eating. You can dress this with an oil-and-balsamic vinegar mixture or any other preferred dressing. Because this is a focal point for lunch or supper, accompany the salad with grilled cheese squares and wrap the meal up with a tempting sweet, such as a wedge of berry pie. Toast the meal with icy lemonade. This makes about 8 1- to 1 1/2-cup servings.”
1 bunch radishes, greens removed, trimmed and quartered
1/2 head red cabbage, cored and chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
2 1/2 cups red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 large red onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Salad dressing to taste
Put all vegetables and beans in a large salad bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Dress with salad dressing, toss and serve.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 100; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
FRESH BERRY TART WITH TOASTED NUT CRUST
This recipe is from the July 2009 issue of Vegetarian Times. The recipe, which serves 8, begins, “A crumbly homemade nut crust sets this tart apart from other berry pies. It can be made up to three days ahead and refrigerated until ready to use.”
Crust
1/4 cup each almonds, pecans, and hazelnuts
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
6 Tbs. chilled unsalted butter, diced
1 large egg yolk
Filling
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
2 Tbs. light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. grated orange zest
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
1 Tbs. orange juice
To make Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 9-inch tart pan with cooking spray. Spread nuts on baking sheet, and toast in oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until browned.
Pulse nuts, flour, sugar, and salt in food processor until nuts are ground to powder. Add butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add egg yolk, and pulse until moist clumps form. Press dough into bottom and sides of prepared pan, about 1/4-inch thick, and pierce with fork. Freeze 30 minutes.
Adjust oven temperature to 400°F. Bake Crust 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden. Cool.
To make Filling: whisk together sour cream, yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla, and orange zest in small bowl. Toss berries with orange juice in separate bowl. 5. Spread sour cream mixture in Crust with spatula. Spoon berries over top a little at a time, until sour cream mixture is evenly covered. Refrigerate 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
nutritional information Per Slice: Calories: 288; Protein: 6 g; Total Fat: 19 g; Saturated Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Cholesterol: 58 mg; Sodium: 87 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 13 g
BERRY REFRESHING GREEN TEA GRANITA
This comes from the Ocean Spray website. Lots of great recipes! This one seems perfect for the 4th!
Ingredients
Granita:
32 ounces Ocean Spray® Light Cranberry & Raspberry flavored Juice Drink Raspberry Cranberry Juice Drink, reserving 1 cup
4 bags green tea
Sauce:
16 ounces Ocean Spray® Light Cran-Raspberry® Raspberry Cranberry Juice Drink
1/4 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen
8 Mint sprigs, for garnish, optional
Directions
Granita: Pour juice for granita, except reserved 1 cup, into a non-metal 8x8-inch baking pan.
Heat reserved 1 cup juice in a microwave safe container on HIGH for 3 minutes. Remove from microwave and add tea bags. Let steep for 5-minutes. Remove tea bags and squeeze. Add tea and juice mixture to pan. Stir gently. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze overnight.
Remove from freezer and let sit for 10 minutes. Break up into pieces. Place 2 cups of granita mixture in a food processor. Process until mixture is smooth. Pour into a clean non-metal 8x8-inch pan. Repeat processor steps with remaining granita mixture.
Return granita to freezer. Freeze until firm, about 6 hours.
Remove from freezer just prior to serving. Scoop 1/2 cup into serving bowls. Makes 8 1/2 cup servings.
Sauce: Pour juice into a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cook until sauce has been reduced to 1/2 cup, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in raspberries. Drizzle one tablespoon of sauce over granita. Sauce may be used hot or cold. Makes 8 1-tablespoon servings.
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