Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's double post deals with stuffed peppers, and includes Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef and Rice and Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!
MEXICAN-STYLE STUFFED BELL PEPPERS
This also comes from the November 2014 issue of Heart Insight Magazine. This one begins, “In this Latin twist on stuffed bell peppers, black beans replace the traditional rice and salsa stands in for the standard tomato sauce.” Serves 4; 1 stuffed bell pepper per serving.
To view this online, go to http://heartinsight.heart.org/November-2014/Mexican-Style-Stuffed-Bell-Peppers/.
Ingredients
4 large red or green bell peppers, or a combination, stems, seeds, and ribs discarded, tops chopped and reserved
Cooking spray
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces 95% fat-free ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup salsa (lowest sodium available)
1 cup canned no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided use
1/4 cup low-fat shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a microwave oven, place the bell peppers with the cut side up on a paper towel. Microwave on 100% power (high) for 4–5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Transfer with the cut side up to a 9-inch square baking dish or shallow casserole dish.
Meanwhile, lightly spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Cook the chopped bell pepper tops, onion, and garlic for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the beef. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to turn and break up the beef. Discard any drippings.
Sprinkle the beef mixture with the chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the salsa. Remove from the heat.
Gently stir in the beans and cup cilantro. Spoon the beef mixture into the peppers. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the Mexican blend cheese over the beef mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Top the peppers with the sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro.
STUFFED PEPPERS
Servings: 8
Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/238.shtml
Ingredients
4 large bell peppers, any color or combination
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 medium crookneck squash, diced (about 2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup diced onion (1 medium)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced, or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic
2 cups cooked brown rice (1/2 to 2/3 cup uncooked)
1/2 cup grated fat-free or low-fat Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
1/4 cup sliced water chestnuts (2 ounces)
1 cup no-salt-added tomato juice
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut peppers in half lengthwise, removing stems, ribs, and seeds. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat bottom. Saute tomatoes, crookneck squash, zucchini, onion, and garlic until zucchini is tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Don't overcook.
In a medium bowl, combine rice, cheese, and water chestnuts. Gently stir into skillet. Stuff pepper halves with vegetable mixture. Place in 9-inch round or square casserole dish, then carefully pour tomato juice around peppers. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Calories: 119 ; Protein: 5 g ; Fat: 1 g ; Sodium: 68 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg ; Carbohydrates: 23 g Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Low-Fat Milk, 2 Vegetable
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
STUFFED PEPPERS WITH GROUND BEEF AND RICE
This comes from Diana Rattray from The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “These traditional stuffed peppers are filled with ground beef and rice. It's classic comfort food, and it is one of our favorite recipes. This is a tried-and-true old-fashioned favorite. Stuffed bell peppers make a delicious meal with a tossed salad, or served with mashed or baked potatoes.
“Bake these stuffed peppers for a satisfying everyday family meal.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 85 minutes; Total Time: 110 minutes; Yield: 6 Servings.
I had had a link to this from when Diana posted it on About.com, which has since become DotDash.com (which The Spruce Eats is part of), but I'm currently unable to find a link to this. I'll keep looking, though!
Ingredients
6 green peppers, or use a combination of green and red bell peppers or other colors
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (at least 85%)
1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain rice
Shredded mild Cheddar cheese, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, optional
Preparation
Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and rinse them under cold water; remove seeds and cut away the membranes, which might be bitter. Chop the edible part of tops and set aside. Place peppers in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil is hot and the butter is foamy. Sauté the chopped bell pepper (from the tops), chopped onion, and chopped celery for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add the (undrained) canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed garlic, oregano, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently stir to blend; add ground beef, cooked rice, and 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture. Mix well.
Heat the oven to 350° F.
Stuff the peppers loosely with the meat mixture and place in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Pour the remaining tomato mixture over the stuffed peppers.
Bake the peppers for about 45 minutes, or until the meat mixture is thoroughly cooked. To check the internal temperature, use an instant-read thermometer. The temperature should be at least 160° F for ground beef, pork or lamb, or 165° F for ground turkey or chicken.
Tips and Variations
Top stuffed peppers with a little shredded Cheddar cheese just before they are done and then return them to the oven and bake just until the cheese has melted.
Use green bell peppers or red bell peppers, or any combination of colors.
Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the ground beef in the recipe.
The peppers may also be halved horizontally so you have two halves to fill. You won't have the extra chopped pepper from the tops, but you can chop an extra bell pepper.
MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED PEPPERS
This came from Betty Crocker Kitchens, and begins, “For this light and flavorful take on stuffed peppers, we made a filling of seasoned ground turkey, chick peas, artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese and feta cheese that comes in at just 260 calories. Simply stuff your peppers, bake and finish the dish with a fresh tomato-basil topping.”
Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings: 8 To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 large red or yellow bell peppers (about 1/2 lb each) 1 lb lean (at least 93%) ground turkey
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup Muir GlenTM organic roasted garlic pasta sauce (from 25.5-oz jar)
3/4 cup ProgressoTM chick peas, drained, rinsed (from 15-oz can)
1 jar (6 oz) ProgressoTM artichoke hearts, marinated, drained, chopped (about 2/3 cup)
3/4 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese (3 oz)
1 package (4 oz) feta cheese crumbles (3/4 cup)
2 cups chopped plum (Roma) tomatoes (4 medium)
3 cups chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions
Heat oven to 425°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking parchment paper. Cut each bell pepper in half vertically, leaving stem intact; remove seeds and membranes. In 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 3 quarts water to boiling.Add bell peppers to boiling water, making sure water covers peppers. Cook 2 minutes; drain. Place peppers cut side up in pan.
In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook turkey, garlic, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up turkey, until turkey is no longer pink; drain.
Transfer turkey mixture to medium bowl; stir in pasta sauce, chick peas and artichoke hearts. Stir in mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the feta cheese.
Divide turkey mixture evenly among bell peppers in pan (peppers will be full). Spray one side of foil with cooking spray; cover with foil, sprayed side down. Bake 32 to 37 minutes or until bell peppers are tender and filling is hot.
In small bowl, mix tomatoes, basil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.Top cooked bell peppers with tomato mixture and remaining 1/4 cup feta cheese before serving.
CHILE RELLENO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Molly Watson, a Local Foods Expert for The Spruce. Molly wrote, “Stuffed peppers don't have to be bland and boring, these chile relleno-inspired peppers are full of tons of flavor. The zesty and satisfying filling of spicy chorizo, diced zucchini, poblano chile, and potatoes gets a creamy edge from queso fresco. The topping of melted and browned jack cheese ain't too shabby either.
“Note that the potatoes and cheese add a bit of filling power, while the peppers, zucchini, and aromatics mean you're getting a decent dose of veggies in the mix. Rice and beans on the side are tasty and round out these peppers nicely, but simply a few tortillas or some bread fills out the meal too. You might also like these Baked Chiles Rellenos.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 green bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 small red onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 links Mexican chorizo (the kind in casings like bratwurst or Italian sausages)
2 Russett potatoes
1 zucchini
1 poblano chile
2 cloves garlic
6 ounces queso fresco*
3 ounces Monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
Directions
Preheat an oven to 375F.
Rinse the peppers clean and pat them dry. Use a sharp knife to cut out and remove the stems. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise; cut out and discard any white-ish parts from inside, and discard any seeds clinging to the sides.
Lightly grease a large baking dish using about a teaspoon of the olive oil, lay the peppers inside in a single layer, and set aside.
Peel and finely chop the onion. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
Remove the chorizo from its casings and add it to the onion. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the chorizo into small bits as it cooks.
Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes. Add the to the pan, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking, until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
While the potato cooks, chop the zucchini and chile and add them to the mixture for the last 5 minutes of the potato cooking time.
While that all cooks, peel and mince the garlic. Add it to the mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Crumble in the queso fresco and toss to combine. Divide the mixture between the 8 peppers halves.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. While they bake, grate the jack cheese. Uncover the pan sprinkle it on top of the stuffed peppers, and bake until bubbling and browned.
Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, if you like.
Make Ahead Tip: Make the peppers up through step 9 the day or morning before, cover and chill until ready to bake.
*Queso fresco means "fresh cheese" and is a softly firm milky cheese common in Mexican cooking. Look for it in the dairy case with other cheese. It crumbles easily into creamy chunks. If you can't find it, ricotta is frequently mentioned as a suitable substitute, although won't look as nice, or make the bit of effort and drain cottage cheese (just put it in a sieve or fine colander for about ten minutes) to dry it out a bit—it works great!
Showing posts with label Samosa Stuffed Peppers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Samosa Stuffed Peppers. Show all posts
Monday, November 29, 2021
Monday, November 30, 2020
Stuffed Peppers - Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's double post deals with stuffed peppers, and includes Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef and Rice and Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!
MEXICAN-STYLE STUFFED BELL PEPPERS
This also comes from the November 2014 issue of Heart Insight Magazine. This one begins, “In this Latin twist on stuffed bell peppers, black beans replace the traditional rice and salsa stands in for the standard tomato sauce.” Serves 4; 1 stuffed bell pepper per serving.
To view this online, go to http://heartinsight.heart.org/November-2014/Mexican-Style-Stuffed-Bell-Peppers/.
Ingredients
4 large red or green bell peppers, or a combination, stems, seeds, and ribs discarded, tops chopped and reserved
Cooking spray
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces 95% fat-free ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup salsa (lowest sodium available)
1 cup canned no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided use
1/4 cup low-fat shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a microwave oven, place the bell peppers with the cut side up on a paper towel. Microwave on 100% power (high) for 4–5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Transfer with the cut side up to a 9-inch square baking dish or shallow casserole dish.
Meanwhile, lightly spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Cook the chopped bell pepper tops, onion, and garlic for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the beef. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to turn and break up the beef. Discard any drippings.
Sprinkle the beef mixture with the chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the salsa. Remove from the heat.
Gently stir in the beans and cup cilantro. Spoon the beef mixture into the peppers. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the Mexican blend cheese over the beef mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Top the peppers with the sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro.
STUFFED PEPPERS
Servings: 8
Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/238.shtml
Ingredients
4 large bell peppers, any color or combination
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 medium crookneck squash, diced (about 2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup diced onion (1 medium)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced, or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic
2 cups cooked brown rice (1/2 to 2/3 cup uncooked)
1/2 cup grated fat-free or low-fat Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
1/4 cup sliced water chestnuts (2 ounces)
1 cup no-salt-added tomato juice
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut peppers in half lengthwise, removing stems, ribs, and seeds. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat bottom. Saute tomatoes, crookneck squash, zucchini, onion, and garlic until zucchini is tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Don't overcook.
In a medium bowl, combine rice, cheese, and water chestnuts. Gently stir into skillet. Stuff pepper halves with vegetable mixture. Place in 9-inch round or square casserole dish, then carefully pour tomato juice around peppers. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Calories: 119 ; Protein: 5 g ; Fat: 1 g ; Sodium: 68 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg ; Carbohydrates: 23 g Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Low-Fat Milk, 2 Vegetable
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
STUFFED PEPPERS WITH GROUND BEEF AND RICE
This comes from Diana Rattray from The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “These traditional stuffed peppers are filled with ground beef and rice. It's classic comfort food, and it is one of our favorite recipes. This is a tried-and-true old-fashioned favorite. Stuffed bell peppers make a delicious meal with a tossed salad, or served with mashed or baked potatoes.
“Bake these stuffed peppers for a satisfying everyday family meal.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 85 minutes; Total Time: 110 minutes; Yield: 6 Servings.
I had had a link to this from when Diana posted it on About.com, which has since become DotDash.com (which The Spruce Eats is part of), but I'm currently unable to find a link to this. I'll keep looking, though!
Ingredients
6 green peppers, or use a combination of green and red bell peppers or other colors
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (at least 85%)
1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain rice
Shredded mild Cheddar cheese, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, optional
Preparation
Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and rinse them under cold water; remove seeds and cut away the membranes, which might be bitter. Chop the edible part of tops and set aside. Place peppers in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil is hot and the butter is foamy. Sauté the chopped bell pepper (from the tops), chopped onion, and chopped celery for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add the (undrained) canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed garlic, oregano, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently stir to blend; add ground beef, cooked rice, and 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture. Mix well.
Heat the oven to 350° F.
Stuff the peppers loosely with the meat mixture and place in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Pour the remaining tomato mixture over the stuffed peppers.
Bake the peppers for about 45 minutes, or until the meat mixture is thoroughly cooked. To check the internal temperature, use an instant-read thermometer. The temperature should be at least 160° F for ground beef, pork or lamb, or 165° F for ground turkey or chicken.
Tips and Variations
Top stuffed peppers with a little shredded Cheddar cheese just before they are done and then return them to the oven and bake just until the cheese has melted.
Use green bell peppers or red bell peppers, or any combination of colors.
Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the ground beef in the recipe.
The peppers may also be halved horizontally so you have two halves to fill. You won't have the extra chopped pepper from the tops, but you can chop an extra bell pepper.
MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED PEPPERS
This came from Betty Crocker Kitchens, and begins, “For this light and flavorful take on stuffed peppers, we made a filling of seasoned ground turkey, chick peas, artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese and feta cheese that comes in at just 260 calories. Simply stuff your peppers, bake and finish the dish with a fresh tomato-basil topping.”
Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings: 8 To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 large red or yellow bell peppers (about 1/2 lb each) 1 lb lean (at least 93%) ground turkey
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup Muir GlenTM organic roasted garlic pasta sauce (from 25.5-oz jar)
3/4 cup ProgressoTM chick peas, drained, rinsed (from 15-oz can)
1 jar (6 oz) ProgressoTM artichoke hearts, marinated, drained, chopped (about 2/3 cup)
3/4 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese (3 oz)
1 package (4 oz) feta cheese crumbles (3/4 cup)
2 cups chopped plum (Roma) tomatoes (4 medium)
3 cups chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions
Heat oven to 425°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking parchment paper. Cut each bell pepper in half vertically, leaving stem intact; remove seeds and membranes. In 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 3 quarts water to boiling.Add bell peppers to boiling water, making sure water covers peppers. Cook 2 minutes; drain. Place peppers cut side up in pan.
In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook turkey, garlic, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up turkey, until turkey is no longer pink; drain.
Transfer turkey mixture to medium bowl; stir in pasta sauce, chick peas and artichoke hearts. Stir in mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the feta cheese.
Divide turkey mixture evenly among bell peppers in pan (peppers will be full). Spray one side of foil with cooking spray; cover with foil, sprayed side down. Bake 32 to 37 minutes or until bell peppers are tender and filling is hot.
In small bowl, mix tomatoes, basil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.Top cooked bell peppers with tomato mixture and remaining 1/4 cup feta cheese before serving.
CHILE RELLENO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Molly Watson, a Local Foods Expert for The Spruce. Molly wrote, “Stuffed peppers don't have to be bland and boring, these chile relleno-inspired peppers are full of tons of flavor. The zesty and satisfying filling of spicy chorizo, diced zucchini, poblano chile, and potatoes gets a creamy edge from queso fresco. The topping of melted and browned jack cheese ain't too shabby either.
“Note that the potatoes and cheese add a bit of filling power, while the peppers, zucchini, and aromatics mean you're getting a decent dose of veggies in the mix. Rice and beans on the side are tasty and round out these peppers nicely, but simply a few tortillas or some bread fills out the meal too. You might also like these Baked Chiles Rellenos.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 green bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 small red onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 links Mexican chorizo (the kind in casings like bratwurst or Italian sausages)
2 Russett potatoes
1 zucchini
1 poblano chile
2 cloves garlic
6 ounces queso fresco*
3 ounces Monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
Directions
Preheat an oven to 375F.
Rinse the peppers clean and pat them dry. Use a sharp knife to cut out and remove the stems. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise; cut out and discard any white-ish parts from inside, and discard any seeds clinging to the sides.
Lightly grease a large baking dish using about a teaspoon of the olive oil, lay the peppers inside in a single layer, and set aside.
Peel and finely chop the onion. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
Remove the chorizo from its casings and add it to the onion. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the chorizo into small bits as it cooks.
Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes. Add the to the pan, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking, until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
While the potato cooks, chop the zucchini and chile and add them to the mixture for the last 5 minutes of the potato cooking time.
While that all cooks, peel and mince the garlic. Add it to the mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Crumble in the queso fresco and toss to combine. Divide the mixture between the 8 peppers halves.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. While they bake, grate the jack cheese. Uncover the pan sprinkle it on top of the stuffed peppers, and bake until bubbling and browned.
Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, if you like.
Make Ahead Tip: Make the peppers up through step 9 the day or morning before, cover and chill until ready to bake.
*Queso fresco means "fresh cheese" and is a softly firm milky cheese common in Mexican cooking. Look for it in the dairy case with other cheese. It crumbles easily into creamy chunks. If you can't find it, ricotta is frequently mentioned as a suitable substitute, although won't look as nice, or make the bit of effort and drain cottage cheese (just put it in a sieve or fine colander for about ten minutes) to dry it out a bit—it works great!
MEXICAN-STYLE STUFFED BELL PEPPERS
This also comes from the November 2014 issue of Heart Insight Magazine. This one begins, “In this Latin twist on stuffed bell peppers, black beans replace the traditional rice and salsa stands in for the standard tomato sauce.” Serves 4; 1 stuffed bell pepper per serving.
To view this online, go to http://heartinsight.heart.org/November-2014/Mexican-Style-Stuffed-Bell-Peppers/.
Ingredients
4 large red or green bell peppers, or a combination, stems, seeds, and ribs discarded, tops chopped and reserved
Cooking spray
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces 95% fat-free ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup salsa (lowest sodium available)
1 cup canned no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided use
1/4 cup low-fat shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend
1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
In a microwave oven, place the bell peppers with the cut side up on a paper towel. Microwave on 100% power (high) for 4–5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Transfer with the cut side up to a 9-inch square baking dish or shallow casserole dish.
Meanwhile, lightly spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Cook the chopped bell pepper tops, onion, and garlic for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the beef. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to turn and break up the beef. Discard any drippings.
Sprinkle the beef mixture with the chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the salsa. Remove from the heat.
Gently stir in the beans and cup cilantro. Spoon the beef mixture into the peppers. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle the Mexican blend cheese over the beef mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Top the peppers with the sour cream. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons cilantro.
STUFFED PEPPERS
Servings: 8
Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/238.shtml
Ingredients
4 large bell peppers, any color or combination
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 medium crookneck squash, diced (about 2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup diced onion (1 medium)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced, or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic
2 cups cooked brown rice (1/2 to 2/3 cup uncooked)
1/2 cup grated fat-free or low-fat Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
1/4 cup sliced water chestnuts (2 ounces)
1 cup no-salt-added tomato juice
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut peppers in half lengthwise, removing stems, ribs, and seeds. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat bottom. Saute tomatoes, crookneck squash, zucchini, onion, and garlic until zucchini is tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Don't overcook.
In a medium bowl, combine rice, cheese, and water chestnuts. Gently stir into skillet. Stuff pepper halves with vegetable mixture. Place in 9-inch round or square casserole dish, then carefully pour tomato juice around peppers. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Calories: 119 ; Protein: 5 g ; Fat: 1 g ; Sodium: 68 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg ; Carbohydrates: 23 g Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Low-Fat Milk, 2 Vegetable
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
STUFFED PEPPERS WITH GROUND BEEF AND RICE
This comes from Diana Rattray from The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “These traditional stuffed peppers are filled with ground beef and rice. It's classic comfort food, and it is one of our favorite recipes. This is a tried-and-true old-fashioned favorite. Stuffed bell peppers make a delicious meal with a tossed salad, or served with mashed or baked potatoes.
“Bake these stuffed peppers for a satisfying everyday family meal.”
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 85 minutes; Total Time: 110 minutes; Yield: 6 Servings.
I had had a link to this from when Diana posted it on About.com, which has since become DotDash.com (which The Spruce Eats is part of), but I'm currently unable to find a link to this. I'll keep looking, though!
Ingredients
6 green peppers, or use a combination of green and red bell peppers or other colors
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (at least 85%)
1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain rice
Shredded mild Cheddar cheese, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, optional
Preparation
Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and rinse them under cold water; remove seeds and cut away the membranes, which might be bitter. Chop the edible part of tops and set aside. Place peppers in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil is hot and the butter is foamy. Sauté the chopped bell pepper (from the tops), chopped onion, and chopped celery for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add the (undrained) canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed garlic, oregano, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently stir to blend; add ground beef, cooked rice, and 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture. Mix well.
Heat the oven to 350° F.
Stuff the peppers loosely with the meat mixture and place in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Pour the remaining tomato mixture over the stuffed peppers.
Bake the peppers for about 45 minutes, or until the meat mixture is thoroughly cooked. To check the internal temperature, use an instant-read thermometer. The temperature should be at least 160° F for ground beef, pork or lamb, or 165° F for ground turkey or chicken.
Tips and Variations
Top stuffed peppers with a little shredded Cheddar cheese just before they are done and then return them to the oven and bake just until the cheese has melted.
Use green bell peppers or red bell peppers, or any combination of colors.
Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the ground beef in the recipe.
The peppers may also be halved horizontally so you have two halves to fill. You won't have the extra chopped pepper from the tops, but you can chop an extra bell pepper.
MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED PEPPERS
This came from Betty Crocker Kitchens, and begins, “For this light and flavorful take on stuffed peppers, we made a filling of seasoned ground turkey, chick peas, artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese and feta cheese that comes in at just 260 calories. Simply stuff your peppers, bake and finish the dish with a fresh tomato-basil topping.”
Prep Time: 40 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings: 8 To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 large red or yellow bell peppers (about 1/2 lb each) 1 lb lean (at least 93%) ground turkey
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
3/4 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup Muir GlenTM organic roasted garlic pasta sauce (from 25.5-oz jar)
3/4 cup ProgressoTM chick peas, drained, rinsed (from 15-oz can)
1 jar (6 oz) ProgressoTM artichoke hearts, marinated, drained, chopped (about 2/3 cup)
3/4 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese (3 oz)
1 package (4 oz) feta cheese crumbles (3/4 cup)
2 cups chopped plum (Roma) tomatoes (4 medium)
3 cups chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions
Heat oven to 425°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking parchment paper. Cut each bell pepper in half vertically, leaving stem intact; remove seeds and membranes. In 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 3 quarts water to boiling.Add bell peppers to boiling water, making sure water covers peppers. Cook 2 minutes; drain. Place peppers cut side up in pan.
In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook turkey, garlic, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up turkey, until turkey is no longer pink; drain.
Transfer turkey mixture to medium bowl; stir in pasta sauce, chick peas and artichoke hearts. Stir in mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the feta cheese.
Divide turkey mixture evenly among bell peppers in pan (peppers will be full). Spray one side of foil with cooking spray; cover with foil, sprayed side down. Bake 32 to 37 minutes or until bell peppers are tender and filling is hot.
In small bowl, mix tomatoes, basil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.Top cooked bell peppers with tomato mixture and remaining 1/4 cup feta cheese before serving.
CHILE RELLENO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Molly Watson, a Local Foods Expert for The Spruce. Molly wrote, “Stuffed peppers don't have to be bland and boring, these chile relleno-inspired peppers are full of tons of flavor. The zesty and satisfying filling of spicy chorizo, diced zucchini, poblano chile, and potatoes gets a creamy edge from queso fresco. The topping of melted and browned jack cheese ain't too shabby either.
“Note that the potatoes and cheese add a bit of filling power, while the peppers, zucchini, and aromatics mean you're getting a decent dose of veggies in the mix. Rice and beans on the side are tasty and round out these peppers nicely, but simply a few tortillas or some bread fills out the meal too. You might also like these Baked Chiles Rellenos.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 green bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 small red onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 links Mexican chorizo (the kind in casings like bratwurst or Italian sausages)
2 Russett potatoes
1 zucchini
1 poblano chile
2 cloves garlic
6 ounces queso fresco*
3 ounces Monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
Directions
Preheat an oven to 375F.
Rinse the peppers clean and pat them dry. Use a sharp knife to cut out and remove the stems. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise; cut out and discard any white-ish parts from inside, and discard any seeds clinging to the sides.
Lightly grease a large baking dish using about a teaspoon of the olive oil, lay the peppers inside in a single layer, and set aside.
Peel and finely chop the onion. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
Remove the chorizo from its casings and add it to the onion. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the chorizo into small bits as it cooks.
Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes. Add the to the pan, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking, until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
While the potato cooks, chop the zucchini and chile and add them to the mixture for the last 5 minutes of the potato cooking time.
While that all cooks, peel and mince the garlic. Add it to the mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Crumble in the queso fresco and toss to combine. Divide the mixture between the 8 peppers halves.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. While they bake, grate the jack cheese. Uncover the pan sprinkle it on top of the stuffed peppers, and bake until bubbling and browned.
Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, if you like.
Make Ahead Tip: Make the peppers up through step 9 the day or morning before, cover and chill until ready to bake.
*Queso fresco means "fresh cheese" and is a softly firm milky cheese common in Mexican cooking. Look for it in the dairy case with other cheese. It crumbles easily into creamy chunks. If you can't find it, ricotta is frequently mentioned as a suitable substitute, although won't look as nice, or make the bit of effort and drain cottage cheese (just put it in a sieve or fine colander for about ten minutes) to dry it out a bit—it works great!
Monday, March 2, 2020
Stuffed Peppers - Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's yummy double post deals with stuffed peppers, something that can be considered a meal in itself. Today's offerings include Chile Relleno Stuffed Peppers and Taco Stuffed Peppers. Enjoy!
MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RN, LD on VeryWell.com. Kaleigh wrote, "When your blood pressure is high, it’s important to include plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and fiber in your diet. Stuffed bell peppers incorporate all of these into one convenient meal. This Mediterranean version includes whole grain quinoa, chickpeas, and plenty of vegetables, which all provide filling fiber. The bright red peppers and tomatoes also provide vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene for a nutritious punch.
"Stuffed peppers are easy to prepare and hold up well in the refrigerator for lunches during the week. You can customize what you add to them. Switch up the grains with brown rice or farro if you have it, or add different beans and vegetables that need to be used up. You can also add cooked chicken or steak if you want to add a little more protein if you plan to eat the peppers by themselves."
Total Time: 35 min; Prep 10 min, Cook 25 min; Yield 2 peppers (346 calories)
To view this online, click here. To check out Kaleigh's website, go to Lively Table.
Ingredients
2 large red bell peppers
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup low sodium cooked chickpeas
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Chopped parsley, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 350F.
Cut bell peppers vertically down the center in half and remove stems and seeds. Place peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
In a mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Scoop mixture into pepper halves.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until peppers are soft but still hold their shape. Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley before serving (optional).
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You may use cooked brown rice or other grain, such as farro, in place of the quinoa.
Include any vegetables that you have in your refrigerator that need to be used.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve these stuffed peppers hot as a vegetarian dinner or cold as lunch.
Serve one pepper half as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish for a higher protein meal.
TRADITIONAL STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from VeryWellFit, and begins, “Stuffed peppers are usually made with bell peppers, which makes sense—they are readily available, and they stand up in a baking dish. However, you can make them with poblano peppers just by splitting them lengthwise and making two filled peppers out of each one. These will be spicier than the usual stuffed peppers you may be used to, but it's a welcomed change from the norm if you're looking for a recipe twist. You can use any color of bell peppers to make this recipe—it's fun to have a mixture of two or three colors. You can also use whatever spice mixture strikes your fancy, from Middle Eastern to Asian. It can be fun to experiment a little once you get the basic recipe down.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 bell peppers, any color, medium or large*
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 8-ounce can of tomato sauce or 4 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder (or any spices you like)
1/3 cup fat-free mozzarella cheese
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Slice off the top of the peppers and remove the ribs and seeds. Either microwave them on a plate or baking dish (whatever fits in the microwave oven) covered with plastic wrap for 4 minutes or blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes.
Heat a large skillet, and cook the beef, onions, garlic, and spices. If you are using tomato paste, include that as well. If you are using the tomato sauce, pour about 2/3 of the can in, and save the rest for a topping. Cook until the beef is cooked through and the onions are soft. If it gets too dry you can add a little water.
Loosely fill the peppers with the beef mixture, and sit upright in a baking dish. If you are using tomato sauce, spoon some of the leftover sauce on top of each pepper. Add about a tablespoon of cheese on each one. Bake for half an hour in the oven, or 12 minutes in the microwave, turning half-way through the cooking.
*Nutrition information calculated using large peppers.
STUFFED PEPPERS
Recipe Yield: Servings: 8
Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook
Book Title: The New American Heart Association Cookbook
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/stuffed-peppers.
Ingredients
4 large bell peppers, any color or combination
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 medium crookneck squash, diced (about 2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup diced onion (1 medium)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced, or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic
2 cups cooked brown rice (1/2 to 2/3 cup uncooked)
1/2 cup grated fat-free or low-fat Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
1/4 cup sliced water chestnuts (2 ounces)
1 cup no-salt-added tomato juice
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut peppers in half lengthwise, removing stems, ribs, and seeds. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat bottom. Saute tomatoes, crookneck squash, zucchini, onion, and garlic until zucchini is tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Don't overcook.
In a medium bowl, combine rice, cheese, and water chestnuts. Gently stir into skillet. Stuff pepper halves with vegetable mixture. Place in 9-inch round or square casserole dish, then carefully pour tomato juice around peppers. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 119; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 68 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Low-Fat Milk, 2 Vegetable
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
TACO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Lauren Miyahira on Delish, and begins, “Taco 'bout a healthy dinner!”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 Onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
3 bell peppers, halved (seeds removed)
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
1 c. Shredded lettuce
Pico de gallo, for serving
Hot sauce, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° and spray a large baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Add onion and cook until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain fat.
Add chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika to beef mixture, then season with salt and pepper.
Drizzle bell peppers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the peppers, cut side up, in the baking dish and spoon meat mixture into each pepper. Top with cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and the peppers are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
Top each pepper with lettuce and serve with pico de gallo, hot sauce, and lime wedges.
CHILE RELLENO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Molly Watson, a Local Foods Expert for The Spruce. Molly wrote, “Stuffed peppers don't have to be bland and boring, these chile relleno-inspired peppers are full of tons of flavor. The zesty and satisfying filling of spicy chorizo, diced zucchini, poblano chile, and potatoes gets a creamy edge from queso fresco. The topping of melted and browned jack cheese ain't too shabby either.
“Note that the potatoes and cheese add a bit of filling power, while the peppers, zucchini, and aromatics mean you're getting a decent dose of veggies in the mix. Rice and beans on the side are tasty and round out these peppers nicely, but simply a few tortillas or some bread fills out the meal too. You might also like these Baked Chiles Rellenos.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 green bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 small red onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 links Mexican chorizo (the kind in casings like bratwurst or Italian sausages)
2 Russett potatoes
1 zucchini
1 poblano chile
2 cloves garlic
6 ounces queso fresco*
3 ounces Monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
Directions
Preheat an oven to 375F.
Rinse the peppers clean and pat them dry. Use a sharp knife to cut out and remove the stems. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise; cut out and discard any white-ish parts from inside, and discard any seeds clinging to the sides.
Lightly grease a large baking dish using about a teaspoon of the olive oil, lay the peppers inside in a single layer, and set aside.
Peel and finely chop the onion. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
Remove the chorizo from its casings and add it to the onion. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the chorizo into small bits as it cooks.
Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes. Add the to the pan, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking, until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
While the potato cooks, chop the zucchini and chile and add them to the mixture for the last 5 minutes of the potato cooking time.
While that all cooks, peel and mince the garlic. Add it to the mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Crumble in the queso fresco and toss to combine. Divide the mixture between the 8 peppers halves.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. While they bake, grate the jack cheese. Uncover the pan sprinkle it on top of the stuffed peppers, and bake until bubbling and browned.
Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, if you like.
Make Ahead Tip: Make the peppers up through step 9 the day or morning before, cover and chill until ready to bake.
*Queso fresco means "fresh cheese" and is a softly firm milky cheese common in Mexican cooking. Look for it in the dairy case with other cheese. It crumbles easily into creamy chunks. If you can't find it, ricotta is frequently mentioned as a suitable substitute, although won't look as nice, or make the bit of effort and drain cottage cheese (just put it in a sieve or fine colander for about ten minutes) to dry it out a bit—it works great!
MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS
This is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RN, LD on VeryWell.com. Kaleigh wrote, "When your blood pressure is high, it’s important to include plenty of vegetables, whole grains, and fiber in your diet. Stuffed bell peppers incorporate all of these into one convenient meal. This Mediterranean version includes whole grain quinoa, chickpeas, and plenty of vegetables, which all provide filling fiber. The bright red peppers and tomatoes also provide vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene for a nutritious punch.
"Stuffed peppers are easy to prepare and hold up well in the refrigerator for lunches during the week. You can customize what you add to them. Switch up the grains with brown rice or farro if you have it, or add different beans and vegetables that need to be used up. You can also add cooked chicken or steak if you want to add a little more protein if you plan to eat the peppers by themselves."
Total Time: 35 min; Prep 10 min, Cook 25 min; Yield 2 peppers (346 calories)
To view this online, click here. To check out Kaleigh's website, go to Lively Table.
Ingredients
2 large red bell peppers
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup low sodium cooked chickpeas
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Chopped parsley, for serving (optional)
Preparation
Heat oven to 350F.
Cut bell peppers vertically down the center in half and remove stems and seeds. Place peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
In a mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Scoop mixture into pepper halves.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until peppers are soft but still hold their shape. Remove from oven and sprinkle with parsley before serving (optional).
Ingredient Variations and Substitutions
You may use cooked brown rice or other grain, such as farro, in place of the quinoa.
Include any vegetables that you have in your refrigerator that need to be used.
Cooking and Serving Tips
Serve these stuffed peppers hot as a vegetarian dinner or cold as lunch.
Serve one pepper half as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish for a higher protein meal.
TRADITIONAL STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from VeryWellFit, and begins, “Stuffed peppers are usually made with bell peppers, which makes sense—they are readily available, and they stand up in a baking dish. However, you can make them with poblano peppers just by splitting them lengthwise and making two filled peppers out of each one. These will be spicier than the usual stuffed peppers you may be used to, but it's a welcomed change from the norm if you're looking for a recipe twist. You can use any color of bell peppers to make this recipe—it's fun to have a mixture of two or three colors. You can also use whatever spice mixture strikes your fancy, from Middle Eastern to Asian. It can be fun to experiment a little once you get the basic recipe down.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Servings: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
6 bell peppers, any color, medium or large*
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 8-ounce can of tomato sauce or 4 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder (or any spices you like)
1/3 cup fat-free mozzarella cheese
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Slice off the top of the peppers and remove the ribs and seeds. Either microwave them on a plate or baking dish (whatever fits in the microwave oven) covered with plastic wrap for 4 minutes or blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes.
Heat a large skillet, and cook the beef, onions, garlic, and spices. If you are using tomato paste, include that as well. If you are using the tomato sauce, pour about 2/3 of the can in, and save the rest for a topping. Cook until the beef is cooked through and the onions are soft. If it gets too dry you can add a little water.
Loosely fill the peppers with the beef mixture, and sit upright in a baking dish. If you are using tomato sauce, spoon some of the leftover sauce on top of each pepper. Add about a tablespoon of cheese on each one. Bake for half an hour in the oven, or 12 minutes in the microwave, turning half-way through the cooking.
*Nutrition information calculated using large peppers.
STUFFED PEPPERS
Recipe Yield: Servings: 8
Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook
Book Title: The New American Heart Association Cookbook
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/stuffed-peppers.
Ingredients
4 large bell peppers, any color or combination
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 medium crookneck squash, diced (about 2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup diced onion (1 medium)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced, or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic
2 cups cooked brown rice (1/2 to 2/3 cup uncooked)
1/2 cup grated fat-free or low-fat Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
1/4 cup sliced water chestnuts (2 ounces)
1 cup no-salt-added tomato juice
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut peppers in half lengthwise, removing stems, ribs, and seeds. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat bottom. Saute tomatoes, crookneck squash, zucchini, onion, and garlic until zucchini is tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Don't overcook.
In a medium bowl, combine rice, cheese, and water chestnuts. Gently stir into skillet. Stuff pepper halves with vegetable mixture. Place in 9-inch round or square casserole dish, then carefully pour tomato juice around peppers. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 119; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 68 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Low-Fat Milk, 2 Vegetable
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
TACO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Lauren Miyahira on Delish, and begins, “Taco 'bout a healthy dinner!”
Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 6
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 Onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Chopped cilantro
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
3 bell peppers, halved (seeds removed)
1 c. shredded Cheddar
1 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
1 c. Shredded lettuce
Pico de gallo, for serving
Hot sauce, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving
Directions
Preheat oven to 375° and spray a large baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Add onion and cook until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain fat.
Add chili powder, ground cumin, and paprika to beef mixture, then season with salt and pepper.
Drizzle bell peppers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the peppers, cut side up, in the baking dish and spoon meat mixture into each pepper. Top with cheese and bake until the cheese is melted and the peppers are crisp-tender, about 20 minutes.
Top each pepper with lettuce and serve with pico de gallo, hot sauce, and lime wedges.
CHILE RELLENO STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from Molly Watson, a Local Foods Expert for The Spruce. Molly wrote, “Stuffed peppers don't have to be bland and boring, these chile relleno-inspired peppers are full of tons of flavor. The zesty and satisfying filling of spicy chorizo, diced zucchini, poblano chile, and potatoes gets a creamy edge from queso fresco. The topping of melted and browned jack cheese ain't too shabby either.
“Note that the potatoes and cheese add a bit of filling power, while the peppers, zucchini, and aromatics mean you're getting a decent dose of veggies in the mix. Rice and beans on the side are tasty and round out these peppers nicely, but simply a few tortillas or some bread fills out the meal too. You might also like these Baked Chiles Rellenos.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Yield: 4 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 green bell peppers
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 small red onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 links Mexican chorizo (the kind in casings like bratwurst or Italian sausages)
2 Russett potatoes
1 zucchini
1 poblano chile
2 cloves garlic
6 ounces queso fresco*
3 ounces Monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
Directions
Preheat an oven to 375F.
Rinse the peppers clean and pat them dry. Use a sharp knife to cut out and remove the stems. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise; cut out and discard any white-ish parts from inside, and discard any seeds clinging to the sides.
Lightly grease a large baking dish using about a teaspoon of the olive oil, lay the peppers inside in a single layer, and set aside.
Peel and finely chop the onion. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
Remove the chorizo from its casings and add it to the onion. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the chorizo into small bits as it cooks.
Meanwhile, peel and chop the potatoes. Add the to the pan, cover and cook, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking, until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.
While the potato cooks, chop the zucchini and chile and add them to the mixture for the last 5 minutes of the potato cooking time.
While that all cooks, peel and mince the garlic. Add it to the mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Crumble in the queso fresco and toss to combine. Divide the mixture between the 8 peppers halves.
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. While they bake, grate the jack cheese. Uncover the pan sprinkle it on top of the stuffed peppers, and bake until bubbling and browned.
Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, if you like.
Make Ahead Tip: Make the peppers up through step 9 the day or morning before, cover and chill until ready to bake.
*Queso fresco means "fresh cheese" and is a softly firm milky cheese common in Mexican cooking. Look for it in the dairy case with other cheese. It crumbles easily into creamy chunks. If you can't find it, ricotta is frequently mentioned as a suitable substitute, although won't look as nice, or make the bit of effort and drain cottage cheese (just put it in a sieve or fine colander for about ten minutes) to dry it out a bit—it works great!
Monday, July 8, 2019
Meatless Monday
It's Meatless Monday, time to check out vegetarian recipes. Here are today's six recipes to help you through the day, including Samosa Stuffed Peppers and Carrot Cake. Enjoy!
PERSIAN JEWELED RICE
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking email. David wrote, “This dish is called jeweled rice because it is golden and glistening, laced with butter and spices and piled with nuts and gem-colored fruits. In Iran, it is typically served at weddings or other celebrations. Great platters of it appear at banquets. It also goes beautifully with a weeknight roast chicken.
“You will probably need to do a little shopping to make this traditional dish. But it is well worth it, and most good supermarkets can supply what you require.”
Yield: 6 servings; Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Buried Beneath Jewels, an Aromatic Treasure” and can be viewed online here..
Ingredients
2 cups best-quality Basmati rice
Kosher salt
Unsalted butter, 6 tablespoons in total
1 large onion, diced small
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled and soaked in 1/4 cup hot water
Large pinch ground cinnamon
Large pinch ground cardamom
Large pinch ground allspice
Large pinch ground black pepper
Large pinch ground cumin
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
1/3 cup golden raisins or currants
1/3 cup dried imported barberries or goji berries, soaked in warm water for 5 minutes and drained (or use 1/3 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries)
1/3 cup blanched slivered almonds
1/3 cup roughly chopped pistachios
Preparation
Rinse the rice several times in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large pot with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Add the rinsed rice and boil, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, then drain well in a colander.
Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season lightly with salt and cook until softened and lightly colored, 4 to 5 minutes. Moisten with 1 tablespoon saffron water and stir in the cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, black pepper and cumin. Cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the apricots, raisins (or currants) and barberries (or cherries or cranberries).
Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a heavy-bottomed enamel or nonstick Dutch oven over medium heat. Spread half the par-cooked rice over the bottom of the pot. Spoon over the onion-fruit mixture, then the remaining rice. Leave the pot on the flame, uncovered, for 5 to 8 minutes to gently brown the rice. (Do not stir or move the rice — you will need to rely on your nose to tell if the rice has browned.)
Drizzle the remaining saffron water over the rice and put on the lid. Adjust the heat to very low and leave undisturbed for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest at least 10 minutes.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat and gently toast the almonds and pistachios for a minute or so, taking care not to get them too brown. Set aside for garnish.
To serve, spoon the rice into a wide bowl or platter. With a spatula, carefully lift the bottom crust, placing the crisp side up. Sprinkle with the toasted nuts.
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
LEMON SPIKED GARLIC GREENS
Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 Servings
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/lemon-spiked-garlic-greens.
Ingredients
Garlic-flavored vegetable cooking spray
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 pounds greens, washed, stems removed, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup water
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute onion and garlic until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add greens and water to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until greens are wilted and tender, about 5 to 8 minutes, adding more water if necessary. Season to taste with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Notes:
Kale, collard, turnip, or beet greens are excellent choices for this quick-and-easy healthy vegetable.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 58; Fat: 1.7 g; Sodium: 43 mg; Cholesterol: 53.3 mg; Protein: 5.9 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable
BLACKBERRY ICE CREAM
This comes from the One Green Planet emailing list. They have quite a few really good vegetarian recipes. Give it a try!
This recipe starts off, “I served my ice cream as a soft serve, but I also froze it in an airtight container and it turned to the same consistency as the ice cream you knew/know and love/d as a non-vegan. I won't lie; this ice cream is not as creamy as the dairy kind, or the soya or nut-based ice cream you can buy from health food stores, but the banana makes this more than just a sorbet. Not to mention, it cuts the calories by half. At least. So enjoy your 'ice cream' guiltlessly! You have my permission.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups frozen blackberries
2 frozen bananas, in chuncks
a few splashes of almond milk
Preparation
In a blender or food processor, blend the frozen fruit with a little bit of almond milk, adding the milk little by littled. Don't add too much or you'll just end up with a frozen smoothie, you want to add just a few splashes when necessary. Depending on the speed of your blender or food processors, this will take about five minutes. You may need to stir the ice cream mixture with a spoon between pulsing to make sure everything gets blended (unless you want chunks).
Serve immediately as soft serve, or place in a container in the freezer for at least one hour before scooping it out.
CARROT CAKE
This comes from Alton Brown of the Food Network show Good Eats.
Total:2 hr 50 min; Prep: 40 min; Inactive: 1 hr; Cook: 1 hr 10 min; Yield: 1 (9-inch) cake; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.
In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.
With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups
In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.
Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.
Yield: approximately 2 cups
ROASTED SQUASH CHILI MAC
This is from Rachael Ray of The Food Network show Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day.
Total: 1 hr 40 min; Active: 20 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter, plus more for the casserole dish
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and diced (or look for diced raw butternut squash in the produce department)
EVOO, for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 pound rigatoni, penne or macaroni with ridges
2 tablespoons chili powder, such as Gebhardt's, or a blend of ancho or chipotle
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cloves garlic, made into a paste
1 fresh chile pepper, such as Fresno or jalapeno, finely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp yellow Cheddar
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
One 14-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup shredded pepper jack or other hot-pepper melting cheese
Ingredients
Watch how to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly butter a casserole dish.
Put the squash on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with EVOO and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Toss to combine. Roast until the edges are browned, 17 to 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water to just shy of al dente, 7 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chili powder, oregano, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, garlic and chile pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, then whisk in the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. Add the Cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano and stir until melted.
Combine the squash, chili-cheese sauce and beans, then transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Top with the pepper jack cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is browned, 15 to 20 minutes more.
PERSIAN JEWELED RICE
This is from David Tanis in The New York Times cooking email. David wrote, “This dish is called jeweled rice because it is golden and glistening, laced with butter and spices and piled with nuts and gem-colored fruits. In Iran, it is typically served at weddings or other celebrations. Great platters of it appear at banquets. It also goes beautifully with a weeknight roast chicken.
“You will probably need to do a little shopping to make this traditional dish. But it is well worth it, and most good supermarkets can supply what you require.”
Yield: 6 servings; Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes.
This was featured in “Buried Beneath Jewels, an Aromatic Treasure” and can be viewed online here..
Ingredients
2 cups best-quality Basmati rice
Kosher salt
Unsalted butter, 6 tablespoons in total
1 large onion, diced small
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, crumbled and soaked in 1/4 cup hot water
Large pinch ground cinnamon
Large pinch ground cardamom
Large pinch ground allspice
Large pinch ground black pepper
Large pinch ground cumin
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
1/3 cup golden raisins or currants
1/3 cup dried imported barberries or goji berries, soaked in warm water for 5 minutes and drained (or use 1/3 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries)
1/3 cup blanched slivered almonds
1/3 cup roughly chopped pistachios
Preparation
Rinse the rice several times in cold water until the water runs clear. Drain. Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a large pot with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Add the rinsed rice and boil, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, then drain well in a colander.
Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, season lightly with salt and cook until softened and lightly colored, 4 to 5 minutes. Moisten with 1 tablespoon saffron water and stir in the cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, black pepper and cumin. Cook for 1 minute more. Stir in the apricots, raisins (or currants) and barberries (or cherries or cranberries).
Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a heavy-bottomed enamel or nonstick Dutch oven over medium heat. Spread half the par-cooked rice over the bottom of the pot. Spoon over the onion-fruit mixture, then the remaining rice. Leave the pot on the flame, uncovered, for 5 to 8 minutes to gently brown the rice. (Do not stir or move the rice — you will need to rely on your nose to tell if the rice has browned.)
Drizzle the remaining saffron water over the rice and put on the lid. Adjust the heat to very low and leave undisturbed for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest at least 10 minutes.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium-low heat and gently toast the almonds and pistachios for a minute or so, taking care not to get them too brown. Set aside for garnish.
To serve, spoon the rice into a wide bowl or platter. With a spatula, carefully lift the bottom crust, placing the crisp side up. Sprinkle with the toasted nuts.
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
LEMON SPIKED GARLIC GREENS
Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 Servings
Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
Book Title: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes
View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/lemon-spiked-garlic-greens.
Ingredients
Garlic-flavored vegetable cooking spray
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-1/2 pounds greens, washed, stems removed, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup water
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute onion and garlic until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add greens and water to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until greens are wilted and tender, about 5 to 8 minutes, adding more water if necessary. Season to taste with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Notes:
Kale, collard, turnip, or beet greens are excellent choices for this quick-and-easy healthy vegetable.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 58; Fat: 1.7 g; Sodium: 43 mg; Cholesterol: 53.3 mg; Protein: 5.9 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable
BLACKBERRY ICE CREAM
This comes from the One Green Planet emailing list. They have quite a few really good vegetarian recipes. Give it a try!
This recipe starts off, “I served my ice cream as a soft serve, but I also froze it in an airtight container and it turned to the same consistency as the ice cream you knew/know and love/d as a non-vegan. I won't lie; this ice cream is not as creamy as the dairy kind, or the soya or nut-based ice cream you can buy from health food stores, but the banana makes this more than just a sorbet. Not to mention, it cuts the calories by half. At least. So enjoy your 'ice cream' guiltlessly! You have my permission.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups frozen blackberries
2 frozen bananas, in chuncks
a few splashes of almond milk
Preparation
In a blender or food processor, blend the frozen fruit with a little bit of almond milk, adding the milk little by littled. Don't add too much or you'll just end up with a frozen smoothie, you want to add just a few splashes when necessary. Depending on the speed of your blender or food processors, this will take about five minutes. You may need to stir the ice cream mixture with a spoon between pulsing to make sure everything gets blended (unless you want chunks).
Serve immediately as soft serve, or place in a container in the freezer for at least one hour before scooping it out.
CARROT CAKE
This comes from Alton Brown of the Food Network show Good Eats.
Total:2 hr 50 min; Prep: 40 min; Inactive: 1 hr; Cook: 1 hr 10 min; Yield: 1 (9-inch) cake; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Directions
Watch how to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.
In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.
With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups
In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.
Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.
Yield: approximately 2 cups
ROASTED SQUASH CHILI MAC
This is from Rachael Ray of The Food Network show Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day.
Total: 1 hr 40 min; Active: 20 min; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons butter, plus more for the casserole dish
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and diced (or look for diced raw butternut squash in the produce department)
EVOO, for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg
1 pound rigatoni, penne or macaroni with ridges
2 tablespoons chili powder, such as Gebhardt's, or a blend of ancho or chipotle
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cloves garlic, made into a paste
1 fresh chile pepper, such as Fresno or jalapeno, finely chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp yellow Cheddar
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
One 14-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup shredded pepper jack or other hot-pepper melting cheese
Ingredients
Watch how to make this recipe.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly butter a casserole dish.
Put the squash on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with EVOO and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Toss to combine. Roast until the edges are browned, 17 to 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 400 degrees F.
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water to just shy of al dente, 7 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chili powder, oregano, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, garlic and chile pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring, then whisk in the milk. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. Add the Cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano and stir until melted.
Combine the squash, chili-cheese sauce and beans, then transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Top with the pepper jack cheese. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is browned, 15 to 20 minutes more.
Monday, July 9, 2018
Meatless Monday
It's Meatless Monday, a time to try a day without meat. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Chipotle Asparagus Quesadillas and Heavenly Ice Cream Cake w/Raspberry Coulis. Enjoy!
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
WHOLE GRAIN BLUEBERRY MUFFINS WITH ORANGE STREUSEL
This is from Julia Moskin, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This master recipe for juicy, whole grain berry muffins is both extremely flexible and extremely rewarding. It is sweet but not sugary, packed with whole grains but not dense, and reasonably rich in fiber, protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. The fresh berries and nuts are interchangeable with dried fruit, coconut or sunflower seeds. And the muffins freeze beautifully; they can go from a 300-degree oven to the breakfast table (or the car) in about 20 minutes.” Yield: 18 to 24 muffins; Time: about 2 hours.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
2 cups all-purpose flour, more as needed
2/3 cup whole wheat flour or wheat germ, preferably toasted
2/3 cup fine-ground yellow cornmeal
2/3 cup rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg or allspice (or use additional cinnamon)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups buttermilk, more as needed
1 1/3 cup coconut oil, or neutral oil like safflower or canola
2/3 cup maple syrup
4 eggs
2 cups grated carrots or tart apple
1 1/2 cups blueberries
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Streusel (Optional):
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup coconut oil or cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated orange zest
Preparation
Make the muffins: In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flours, cornmeal, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, mix the wet ingredients: buttermilk, oil, maple syrup and eggs.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and gently mix just until blended. Don’t worry about a few lumps or streaks of flour. Stir in the carrots, blueberries and nuts if using. (If you'd like, reserve a handful of blueberries for sprinkling on top of the muffins just before baking.)
Set batter aside at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes to allow flours to absorb the liquid. Check batter after 15 minutes by giving it a light stir. It should be thick, not runny (this will help the muffins rise). Thin with a little more buttermilk or thicken by adding 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Set aside for 5 minutes more, check and adjust texture again, and repeat until batter is thick and fluffy.
Heat oven to 425 degrees and place rack in top third of oven. Butter or spray a muffin tin (regular or jumbo), or line the cups with paper liners. Make sure to also butter or spray the top surface of the tin to help the muffins release.
Make the streusel if using: In a small bowl, mix and pinch all the ingredients together until blended and crumbly. (If using butter, cut into small pieces first.)
Using an ice-cream scoop or small ladle, divide thick batter among muffin cups, filling almost to the top. Mound the batter slightly in the center of each cup; this will help make a domed muffin top. If you reserved blueberries for topping, press them lightly into the muffins. If you are topping with streusel, use your fingers to divide streusel over batter and press lightly onto the surface.
Place muffin tin in oven and reduce heat to 400 degrees. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a tester inserted into center of muffin comes out moist but clean. Rotate the pan halfway through baking. Cool muffins in pan on rack, then remove from tin.
Repeat with remaining batter. If there is not enough batter remaining to fill all the cups, fill every other cup with batter. Pour water into the empty cups to protect the pan in the oven.
Tip:
To freeze extra muffins, wrap them individually in aluminum foil. Reheat, still wrapped, in a 300-degree oven for about 20 minutes. Or unwrap and reheat in a microwave.
CHIPOTLE ASPARAGUS QUESADILLAS
This comes from the April/May 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 34. It begins, “Canned chipotles in adobo sauce lend mellow, smoky heat to quesadillas. Leftover chipotles (there are usually four or five in a can) can be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for future use.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
Quesadillas
1 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (2 cups)
1 red bell pepper, sliced (1 cup)
1 medium onion, sliced (1 cup)
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil or vegetable oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
4 8-inch sprouted-grain tortillas
Chipotle Spread
3 Tbs. vegan mayonnaise
2 tsp. minced, drained chipotles in adobo sauce
1 Tbs. lime or lemon juice
Preheat oven to 425°F.
To make Quesadillas: Toss together asparagus, bell pepper, onion, oil, and oregano in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread on large baking sheet, and roast 10 to 12 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, stirring once or twice.
Meanwhile, to make Chipotle Spread: blend all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth.
Spread 1 1/2 tsp. Chipotle Spread on one side of each tortilla, spreading all the way out to edges. Top with 2/3 cup filling on one half of each tortilla, then fold over tortillas, pressing edges together to enclose filling and form half-moons.
Coat large skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla in skillet 2 to 3 minutes, turning once.
nutritional information Per Quesadilla: Calories: 273; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 32 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 235 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH TORTILLA CRISPS
This is from Anna Watson Carl on Delish. Anna wrote, “Those homemade tortilla chips, though…”
Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 corn tortillas
1/4 c. Country Crock Original
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c. freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. shredded Cheddar
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Place tortillas on a baking sheet and brush all over with Country Crock Original. Bake until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through, about 6 minutes, then season with salt. Once cool, break each into pieces.
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons Country Crock Original in pot over medium-high heat, and cook onion and peppers until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne and cook 2 minutes more, stirring well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then add tomatoes and juices, crushing tomatoes gently with a wooden spoon.
Add beans to pot along with 2 1/2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes, then stir in cilantro.
Ladle chili into 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. Serve with crispy tortillas.
HEAVENLY ICE CREAM CAKE WITH RASPBERRY COULIS
This comes from the January 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Prepared angel food cakes from the supermarket bakery section are good items to have on hand for desserts. Before preparing this elaborate-looking recipe, freeze the cake completely. It slices easily with a serrated knife.” Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
1 16-oz. angel food cake, frozen
1 10-oz. jar raspberry preserves
1/4 cup raspberry liqueur or orange juice
2 pints low-fat vanilla ice cream, softened, divided
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed
Cut cake into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cover bottom of 9-inch springform pan with slices, cutting one or two slices as necessary to fill in gaps.
Combine raspberry preserves and liqueur in small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Brush half of raspberry mixture over cake in pan. Spread 1 pint ice cream over cake, and smooth top. Arrange more cake slices over ice cream to cover completely. Spread remaining raspberry mixture over cake. Smooth remaining pint of ice cream over cake. Cover with plastic wrap, and freeze overnight. (Can be prepared up to 3 days in advance up to this point.)
Purée thawed raspberries and syrup in food processor until smooth. Strain into bowl.
Run knife around sides of springform pan. Release sides from cake. Slice into wedges, and top with raspberry coulis.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 273; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 60 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 319 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 31 g
APPLE CIDER FLOATS
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. The recipe begins, “You'll want to float away with these apple cider floats!”
Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Servings: 2
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 c. caramel sauce
1/2 c. cinnamon-sugar
2 c. apple cider, warmed
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
cinnamon sticks
Whipped cream, for serving
Apple slices
Directions
Pour caramel in a small dish. Dip the top of each mug in the caramel to rim the cup. Then dip the caramel rim in cinnamon-sugar.
Ladle apple cider into each mug then add a scoop of ice cream to each. Top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick.
Drizzle more caramel over the whipped cream and serve immediately.
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
WHOLE GRAIN BLUEBERRY MUFFINS WITH ORANGE STREUSEL
This is from Julia Moskin, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, “This master recipe for juicy, whole grain berry muffins is both extremely flexible and extremely rewarding. It is sweet but not sugary, packed with whole grains but not dense, and reasonably rich in fiber, protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. The fresh berries and nuts are interchangeable with dried fruit, coconut or sunflower seeds. And the muffins freeze beautifully; they can go from a 300-degree oven to the breakfast table (or the car) in about 20 minutes.” Yield: 18 to 24 muffins; Time: about 2 hours.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Muffins:
2 cups all-purpose flour, more as needed
2/3 cup whole wheat flour or wheat germ, preferably toasted
2/3 cup fine-ground yellow cornmeal
2/3 cup rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons nutmeg or allspice (or use additional cinnamon)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups buttermilk, more as needed
1 1/3 cup coconut oil, or neutral oil like safflower or canola
2/3 cup maple syrup
4 eggs
2 cups grated carrots or tart apple
1 1/2 cups blueberries
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Streusel (Optional):
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup coconut oil or cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated orange zest
Preparation
Make the muffins: In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flours, cornmeal, oats, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, mix the wet ingredients: buttermilk, oil, maple syrup and eggs.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and gently mix just until blended. Don’t worry about a few lumps or streaks of flour. Stir in the carrots, blueberries and nuts if using. (If you'd like, reserve a handful of blueberries for sprinkling on top of the muffins just before baking.)
Set batter aside at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes to allow flours to absorb the liquid. Check batter after 15 minutes by giving it a light stir. It should be thick, not runny (this will help the muffins rise). Thin with a little more buttermilk or thicken by adding 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Set aside for 5 minutes more, check and adjust texture again, and repeat until batter is thick and fluffy.
Heat oven to 425 degrees and place rack in top third of oven. Butter or spray a muffin tin (regular or jumbo), or line the cups with paper liners. Make sure to also butter or spray the top surface of the tin to help the muffins release.
Make the streusel if using: In a small bowl, mix and pinch all the ingredients together until blended and crumbly. (If using butter, cut into small pieces first.)
Using an ice-cream scoop or small ladle, divide thick batter among muffin cups, filling almost to the top. Mound the batter slightly in the center of each cup; this will help make a domed muffin top. If you reserved blueberries for topping, press them lightly into the muffins. If you are topping with streusel, use your fingers to divide streusel over batter and press lightly onto the surface.
Place muffin tin in oven and reduce heat to 400 degrees. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a tester inserted into center of muffin comes out moist but clean. Rotate the pan halfway through baking. Cool muffins in pan on rack, then remove from tin.
Repeat with remaining batter. If there is not enough batter remaining to fill all the cups, fill every other cup with batter. Pour water into the empty cups to protect the pan in the oven.
Tip:
To freeze extra muffins, wrap them individually in aluminum foil. Reheat, still wrapped, in a 300-degree oven for about 20 minutes. Or unwrap and reheat in a microwave.
CHIPOTLE ASPARAGUS QUESADILLAS
This comes from the April/May 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 34. It begins, “Canned chipotles in adobo sauce lend mellow, smoky heat to quesadillas. Leftover chipotles (there are usually four or five in a can) can be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for future use.” Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
Quesadillas
1 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (2 cups)
1 red bell pepper, sliced (1 cup)
1 medium onion, sliced (1 cup)
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil or vegetable oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
4 8-inch sprouted-grain tortillas
Chipotle Spread
3 Tbs. vegan mayonnaise
2 tsp. minced, drained chipotles in adobo sauce
1 Tbs. lime or lemon juice
Preheat oven to 425°F.
To make Quesadillas: Toss together asparagus, bell pepper, onion, oil, and oregano in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread on large baking sheet, and roast 10 to 12 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and beginning to brown, stirring once or twice.
Meanwhile, to make Chipotle Spread: blend all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth.
Spread 1 1/2 tsp. Chipotle Spread on one side of each tortilla, spreading all the way out to edges. Top with 2/3 cup filling on one half of each tortilla, then fold over tortillas, pressing edges together to enclose filling and form half-moons.
Coat large skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla in skillet 2 to 3 minutes, turning once.
nutritional information Per Quesadilla: Calories: 273; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 32 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 235 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 3 g; Vegan
VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH TORTILLA CRISPS
This is from Anna Watson Carl on Delish. Anna wrote, “Those homemade tortilla chips, though…”
Total Time: 45 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 corn tortillas
1/4 c. Country Crock Original
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 28-oz. can whole tomatoes
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 c. freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for serving
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. shredded Cheddar
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Place tortillas on a baking sheet and brush all over with Country Crock Original. Bake until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through, about 6 minutes, then season with salt. Once cool, break each into pieces.
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons Country Crock Original in pot over medium-high heat, and cook onion and peppers until soft, 5 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne and cook 2 minutes more, stirring well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then add tomatoes and juices, crushing tomatoes gently with a wooden spoon.
Add beans to pot along with 2 1/2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 15 to 20 minutes, then stir in cilantro.
Ladle chili into 4 bowls and garnish with sour cream, cheese, and cilantro. Serve with crispy tortillas.
HEAVENLY ICE CREAM CAKE WITH RASPBERRY COULIS
This comes from the January 2007 issue of Vegetarian Times, and begins, “Prepared angel food cakes from the supermarket bakery section are good items to have on hand for desserts. Before preparing this elaborate-looking recipe, freeze the cake completely. It slices easily with a serrated knife.” Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
1 16-oz. angel food cake, frozen
1 10-oz. jar raspberry preserves
1/4 cup raspberry liqueur or orange juice
2 pints low-fat vanilla ice cream, softened, divided
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen raspberries in syrup, thawed
Cut cake into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cover bottom of 9-inch springform pan with slices, cutting one or two slices as necessary to fill in gaps.
Combine raspberry preserves and liqueur in small saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Brush half of raspberry mixture over cake in pan. Spread 1 pint ice cream over cake, and smooth top. Arrange more cake slices over ice cream to cover completely. Spread remaining raspberry mixture over cake. Smooth remaining pint of ice cream over cake. Cover with plastic wrap, and freeze overnight. (Can be prepared up to 3 days in advance up to this point.)
Purée thawed raspberries and syrup in food processor until smooth. Strain into bowl.
Run knife around sides of springform pan. Release sides from cake. Slice into wedges, and top with raspberry coulis.
nutritional information Per SERVING: Calories: 273; Protein: 4 g; Total Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 60 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 319 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 31 g
APPLE CIDER FLOATS
This is from Lauren Miyashiro on Delish. The recipe begins, “You'll want to float away with these apple cider floats!”
Total Time: 10 minutes; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Level: Easy; Servings: 2
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 c. caramel sauce
1/2 c. cinnamon-sugar
2 c. apple cider, warmed
Vanilla ice cream, for serving
cinnamon sticks
Whipped cream, for serving
Apple slices
Directions
Pour caramel in a small dish. Dip the top of each mug in the caramel to rim the cup. Then dip the caramel rim in cinnamon-sugar.
Ladle apple cider into each mug then add a scoop of ice cream to each. Top with whipped cream and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick.
Drizzle more caramel over the whipped cream and serve immediately.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Meatless Monday
If it's Monday (and it is), then it's time for Meatless Monday. Here are today's six recipes. Enjoy!
SWEET POTATO & BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS
This comes from the December 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 59. The recipes starts off, “Right from the start, the originality and flavor profile of this recipe made it a standout for VT taste testers. 'My wife and I eat this dish a lot in the fall and winter months. We make it when we're having guests (vegetarian and not) because we know everyone will enjoy it,' explains James McNulty. 'It can be made the night before and it travels well, so it's great for a potluck or a holiday party.'” Serves 8 (makes 16 enchiladas)
To view this online, click here.
Sauce
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
1 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp. ancho chile powder
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder
Filling
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (3 cups)
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 16-oz. jar prepared medium salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, drained and minced
1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 12-oz. round queso fresco, divided
Enchiladas
extra virgin olive oil, for brushing baking dish
16 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
2 limes, cut into wedges
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup sour cream, for garnish
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish, optional
To make Sauce: Bring all ingredients to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine, then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
To make Filling: Heat oil in separate saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft. Add sweet potatoes, tomatoes, salsa, garlic, chipotle chile, and 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are soft. Mash mixture with potato masher until combined. Add black beans, and cook 5 minutes. Stir in half of queso fresco, and remove from heat.
To assemble Enchiladas: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Brush 13- x 9-inch baking dish with oil. Spread 1/2 cup Sauce in bottom of dish. Fill tortillas with Filling. Roll, and pack close together seam-side down in baking dish. Top with remaining Sauce and queso fresco. Bake 15 minutes.
Adjust oven to broil. Broil Enchiladas 5 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with lime wedges, avocado slices, sour cream, and cilantro sprigs, if using.
nutritional information Per Serving (2 enchiladas): Calories: 435; Protein: 13 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 65 g; Cholesterol: 20 mg; Sodium: 963 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 11 g; Gluten-Free
VEGAN BROWN RICE JAMBALAYA WITH TOMATO SAUCE
This comes from Jolinda Hackett, the Vegetarian Food expert for About.com. She writes, “Jamabalaya is one of those dishes that is greater than the sum of its parts. The seasonings and the lengthy cooking time really combine to make something special; it's not just rice and tomato sauce! This vegetarian and vegan jambalaya recipe (with whole grain brown rice instead of regular white rice) makes a huge pot, about 14 servings, so plan on inviting some friends over for dinner or having lots of leftovers. Jambalaya is a great choice if you're cooking in bulk, because it's so easy. Once the rice is cooking, you just leave it alone for nearly an hour, so you'll have plenty of time to prepare a gorgeous homemade dessert.” She recommends a Banana Rum Cheesecake with Maple Rum Sauce, which follows the Jambalaya recipe.
The jambalaya recipe makes 14 servings, and can be viewe online by clicking here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp vegan margarine
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups brown rice, uncooked
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. thyme
2 tsp. cayenne
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
In a large soup or stock pot, melt the margarine over medium-low heat, then add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 15 minutes, until soft.
Add all of the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and allow to simmer for about 45-50 minutes.After 45-50 minutes, check the pot. You may need to add a little more liquid and cook for 5-10 more minutes, until rice is well cooked. Taste and adjust seasonings, to taste.
Makes about 14 servings, so plan on having leftovers if you're not feeding a crowd! Fortunately, the leftovers keep well.
Recipe variations: For a spicier jambalaya, slice up one fresh green jalapeno when cooking and add it along with the other vegetables. For extra flavor, if you happen to have some on hand, you can toss in a handful of fresh herbs - either cilantro or parsley - at the very last minute.
BANANA RUM VEGAN CHEESECAKE WITH MAPLE RUM SAUCE
This is also from Jolinda Hackett, who writes, “This gourmet banana rum vegan cheesecake with maple rum sauce has several steps, but the bananas, pecan crust and rum sauce can all be prepared in advance. Then, the only thing left is to blend the vegan cream cheese and the other ingredients and bake. Easy! If you're looking for a gourmet vegan cheesecake recipe, this is the one to try.”
Ingredients
4 very ripe bananas
16 ounces nondairy cream cheese
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dark rum
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
Prepared pecan pie crust (recipe follows)
Prepared maple rum sauce (recipe follows)
Toasted pecan halves for garnish
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.Place 4 large, very ripe, unpeeled bananas on a roasting pan and roast for 15-20 minutes, until bananas are soft and skin turns dark brown. Let bananas cool to room temperature in the pan in their skins.
Turn oven up to 400 degrees.
Peel the roasted bananas and remove any obvious strings. Puree bananas in a food processor until very smooth. Add nondairy cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum, cornstarch and salt then pulse until smooth, scraping sides of bowl periodically. Do not overprocess or cream cheese will separate and curdle.
Pour the filling into the prepared pecan pie crust and bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 and bake another 35-45 minutes, until the top is the color of light brown sugar and center is set. A toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.
Let cheesecake cool to room temperature on a rack for at least 1 hour, then cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
Drizzle with prepared maple rum sauce just before serving and garnish with extra toasted pecan halves.
PECAN PIE CRUST
Jolinda Hackett's pecan pie crust can be used for either cheesecake or as a regular pie crust, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 cup pecan nut flour (see instructions below)
1/2 cup spelt flour (white or whole wheat )
1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar
4 Tbsp vegan margarine, partially melted
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of sea salt
Preparation
Note: To make pecan nut flour, freeze the nuts overnight, then place in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Freezing the nuts prevents them from turning into nut butter when you process them.pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined and incorporated.
Press the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan and put in freezer for 5 minutes.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until crust is a little dry and edges are light golden. Let cool completely before using in a recipe.
VEGAN MAPLE RUM SAUCE RECIPE
Jolinda wrote, “Use this vegan maple rum sauce recipe to drizzle on top of a banana rum cheesecake or on top of ice cream or chocolate brownies.Yum!” To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup real maple syrup (grade B organic is best in this recipe)
4 tablespoons Earth Balance vegan butter
Sea salt
1 tablespoon dark rum
Preparation
In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, vegan butter, and sea salt to taste and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in rum, stirring carefully, as sauce will bubble up a bit. Let cool for a few minutes then taste and add more salt if necessary.
Cool to room temperature, then transfer to a squeeze bottle.If not using immediately, the sauce can be rewarmed by putting the bottle in a pan of hot water off the heat.
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
SWEET POTATO & BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS
This comes from the December 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 59. The recipes starts off, “Right from the start, the originality and flavor profile of this recipe made it a standout for VT taste testers. 'My wife and I eat this dish a lot in the fall and winter months. We make it when we're having guests (vegetarian and not) because we know everyone will enjoy it,' explains James McNulty. 'It can be made the night before and it travels well, so it's great for a potluck or a holiday party.'” Serves 8 (makes 16 enchiladas)
To view this online, click here.
Sauce
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
1 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp. ancho chile powder
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder
Filling
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (3 cups)
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 16-oz. jar prepared medium salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, drained and minced
1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 12-oz. round queso fresco, divided
Enchiladas
extra virgin olive oil, for brushing baking dish
16 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
2 limes, cut into wedges
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup sour cream, for garnish
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish, optional
To make Sauce: Bring all ingredients to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine, then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
To make Filling: Heat oil in separate saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft. Add sweet potatoes, tomatoes, salsa, garlic, chipotle chile, and 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are soft. Mash mixture with potato masher until combined. Add black beans, and cook 5 minutes. Stir in half of queso fresco, and remove from heat.
To assemble Enchiladas: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Brush 13- x 9-inch baking dish with oil. Spread 1/2 cup Sauce in bottom of dish. Fill tortillas with Filling. Roll, and pack close together seam-side down in baking dish. Top with remaining Sauce and queso fresco. Bake 15 minutes.
Adjust oven to broil. Broil Enchiladas 5 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with lime wedges, avocado slices, sour cream, and cilantro sprigs, if using.
nutritional information Per Serving (2 enchiladas): Calories: 435; Protein: 13 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 65 g; Cholesterol: 20 mg; Sodium: 963 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 11 g; Gluten-Free
VEGAN BROWN RICE JAMBALAYA WITH TOMATO SAUCE
This comes from Jolinda Hackett, the Vegetarian Food expert for About.com. She writes, “Jamabalaya is one of those dishes that is greater than the sum of its parts. The seasonings and the lengthy cooking time really combine to make something special; it's not just rice and tomato sauce! This vegetarian and vegan jambalaya recipe (with whole grain brown rice instead of regular white rice) makes a huge pot, about 14 servings, so plan on inviting some friends over for dinner or having lots of leftovers. Jambalaya is a great choice if you're cooking in bulk, because it's so easy. Once the rice is cooking, you just leave it alone for nearly an hour, so you'll have plenty of time to prepare a gorgeous homemade dessert.” She recommends a Banana Rum Cheesecake with Maple Rum Sauce, which follows the Jambalaya recipe.
The jambalaya recipe makes 14 servings, and can be viewe online by clicking here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp vegan margarine
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups brown rice, uncooked
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. thyme
2 tsp. cayenne
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
In a large soup or stock pot, melt the margarine over medium-low heat, then add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 15 minutes, until soft.
Add all of the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and allow to simmer for about 45-50 minutes.After 45-50 minutes, check the pot. You may need to add a little more liquid and cook for 5-10 more minutes, until rice is well cooked. Taste and adjust seasonings, to taste.
Makes about 14 servings, so plan on having leftovers if you're not feeding a crowd! Fortunately, the leftovers keep well.
Recipe variations: For a spicier jambalaya, slice up one fresh green jalapeno when cooking and add it along with the other vegetables. For extra flavor, if you happen to have some on hand, you can toss in a handful of fresh herbs - either cilantro or parsley - at the very last minute.
BANANA RUM VEGAN CHEESECAKE WITH MAPLE RUM SAUCE
This is also from Jolinda Hackett, who writes, “This gourmet banana rum vegan cheesecake with maple rum sauce has several steps, but the bananas, pecan crust and rum sauce can all be prepared in advance. Then, the only thing left is to blend the vegan cream cheese and the other ingredients and bake. Easy! If you're looking for a gourmet vegan cheesecake recipe, this is the one to try.”
Ingredients
4 very ripe bananas
16 ounces nondairy cream cheese
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dark rum
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
Prepared pecan pie crust (recipe follows)
Prepared maple rum sauce (recipe follows)
Toasted pecan halves for garnish
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.Place 4 large, very ripe, unpeeled bananas on a roasting pan and roast for 15-20 minutes, until bananas are soft and skin turns dark brown. Let bananas cool to room temperature in the pan in their skins.
Turn oven up to 400 degrees.
Peel the roasted bananas and remove any obvious strings. Puree bananas in a food processor until very smooth. Add nondairy cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum, cornstarch and salt then pulse until smooth, scraping sides of bowl periodically. Do not overprocess or cream cheese will separate and curdle.
Pour the filling into the prepared pecan pie crust and bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 and bake another 35-45 minutes, until the top is the color of light brown sugar and center is set. A toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.
Let cheesecake cool to room temperature on a rack for at least 1 hour, then cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
Drizzle with prepared maple rum sauce just before serving and garnish with extra toasted pecan halves.
PECAN PIE CRUST
Jolinda Hackett's pecan pie crust can be used for either cheesecake or as a regular pie crust, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 cup pecan nut flour (see instructions below)
1/2 cup spelt flour (white or whole wheat )
1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar
4 Tbsp vegan margarine, partially melted
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of sea salt
Preparation
Note: To make pecan nut flour, freeze the nuts overnight, then place in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Freezing the nuts prevents them from turning into nut butter when you process them.pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined and incorporated.
Press the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan and put in freezer for 5 minutes.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until crust is a little dry and edges are light golden. Let cool completely before using in a recipe.
VEGAN MAPLE RUM SAUCE RECIPE
Jolinda wrote, “Use this vegan maple rum sauce recipe to drizzle on top of a banana rum cheesecake or on top of ice cream or chocolate brownies.Yum!” To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup real maple syrup (grade B organic is best in this recipe)
4 tablespoons Earth Balance vegan butter
Sea salt
1 tablespoon dark rum
Preparation
In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, vegan butter, and sea salt to taste and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in rum, stirring carefully, as sauce will bubble up a bit. Let cool for a few minutes then taste and add more salt if necessary.
Cool to room temperature, then transfer to a squeeze bottle.If not using immediately, the sauce can be rewarmed by putting the bottle in a pan of hot water off the heat.
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
Monday, March 30, 2015
Meatless Monday
Hope everyone's had a good weekend. The weather here in Florida still feels cool (well, by Florida standards, anyway!), which made yard work a little easier. Now, back to the work week, as well as vegetarian recipes. (It is, after all, Meatless Monday!) Enjoy!
SWEET POTATO & BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS
This comes from the December 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 59. The recipes starts off, “Right from the start, the originality and flavor profile of this recipe made it a standout for VT taste testers. 'My wife and I eat this dish a lot in the fall and winter months. We make it when we're having guests (vegetarian and not) because we know everyone will enjoy it,' explains James McNulty. 'It can be made the night before and it travels well, so it's great for a potluck or a holiday party.'” Serves 8 (makes 16 enchiladas)
To view this online, click here.
Sauce
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
1 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp. ancho chile powder
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder
Filling
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (3 cups)
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 16-oz. jar prepared medium salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, drained and minced
1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 12-oz. round queso fresco, divided
Enchiladas
extra virgin olive oil, for brushing baking dish
16 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
2 limes, cut into wedges
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup sour cream, for garnish
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish, optional
To make Sauce: Bring all ingredients to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine, then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
To make Filling: Heat oil in separate saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft. Add sweet potatoes, tomatoes, salsa, garlic, chipotle chile, and 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are soft. Mash mixture with potato masher until combined. Add black beans, and cook 5 minutes. Stir in half of queso fresco, and remove from heat.
To assemble Enchiladas: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Brush 13- x 9-inch baking dish with oil. Spread 1/2 cup Sauce in bottom of dish. Fill tortillas with Filling. Roll, and pack close together seam-side down in baking dish. Top with remaining Sauce and queso fresco. Bake 15 minutes.
Adjust oven to broil. Broil Enchiladas 5 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with lime wedges, avocado slices, sour cream, and cilantro sprigs, if using.
nutritional information Per Serving (2 enchiladas): Calories: 435; Protein: 13 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 65 g; Cholesterol: 20 mg; Sodium: 963 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 11 g; Gluten-Free
VEGAN BROWN RICE JAMBALAYA WITH TOMATO SAUCE
This comes from Jolinda Hackett, the Vegetarian Food expert for About.com. She writes, “Jamabalaya is one of those dishes that is greater than the sum of its parts. The seasonings and the lengthy cooking time really combine to make something special; it's not just rice and tomato sauce! This vegetarian and vegan jambalaya recipe (with whole grain brown rice instead of regular white rice) makes a huge pot, about 14 servings, so plan on inviting some friends over for dinner or having lots of leftovers. Jambalaya is a great choice if you're cooking in bulk, because it's so easy. Once the rice is cooking, you just leave it alone for nearly an hour, so you'll have plenty of time to prepare a gorgeous homemade dessert.” She recommends a Banana Rum Cheesecake with Maple Rum Sauce, which follows the Jambalaya recipe.
The jambalaya recipe makes 14 servings, and can be viewe online by clicking here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp vegan margarine
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups brown rice, uncooked
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. thyme
2 tsp. cayenne
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
In a large soup or stock pot, melt the margarine over medium-low heat, then add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 15 minutes, until soft.
Add all of the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and allow to simmer for about 45-50 minutes.After 45-50 minutes, check the pot. You may need to add a little more liquid and cook for 5-10 more minutes, until rice is well cooked. Taste and adjust seasonings, to taste.
Makes about 14 servings, so plan on having leftovers if you're not feeding a crowd! Fortunately, the leftovers keep well.
Recipe variations: For a spicier jambalaya, slice up one fresh green jalapeno when cooking and add it along with the other vegetables. For extra flavor, if you happen to have some on hand, you can toss in a handful of fresh herbs - either cilantro or parsley - at the very last minute.
BANANA RUM VEGAN CHEESECAKE WITH MAPLE RUM SAUCE
This is also from Jolinda Hackett, who writes, “This gourmet banana rum vegan cheesecake with maple rum sauce has several steps, but the bananas, pecan crust and rum sauce can all be prepared in advance. Then, the only thing left is to blend the vegan cream cheese and the other ingredients and bake. Easy! If you're looking for a gourmet vegan cheesecake recipe, this is the one to try.”
Ingredients
4 very ripe bananas
16 ounces nondairy cream cheese
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dark rum
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
Prepared pecan pie crust (recipe follows)
Prepared maple rum sauce (recipe follows)
Toasted pecan halves for garnish
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.Place 4 large, very ripe, unpeeled bananas on a roasting pan and roast for 15-20 minutes, until bananas are soft and skin turns dark brown. Let bananas cool to room temperature in the pan in their skins.
Turn oven up to 400 degrees.
Peel the roasted bananas and remove any obvious strings. Puree bananas in a food processor until very smooth. Add nondairy cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum, cornstarch and salt then pulse until smooth, scraping sides of bowl periodically. Do not overprocess or cream cheese will separate and curdle.
Pour the filling into the prepared pecan pie crust and bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 and bake another 35-45 minutes, until the top is the color of light brown sugar and center is set. A toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.
Let cheesecake cool to room temperature on a rack for at least 1 hour, then cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
Drizzle with prepared maple rum sauce just before serving and garnish with extra toasted pecan halves.
PECAN PIE CRUST
Jolinda Hackett's pecan pie crust can be used for either cheesecake or as a regular pie crust, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 cup pecan nut flour (see instructions below)
1/2 cup spelt flour (white or whole wheat )
1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar
4 Tbsp vegan margarine, partially melted
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of sea salt
Preparation
Note: To make pecan nut flour, freeze the nuts overnight, then place in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Freezing the nuts prevents them from turning into nut butter when you process them.pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined and incorporated.
Press the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan and put in freezer for 5 minutes.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until crust is a little dry and edges are light golden. Let cool completely before using in a recipe.
VEGAN MAPLE RUM SAUCE RECIPE
Jolinda wrote, “Use this vegan maple rum sauce recipe to drizzle on top of a banana rum cheesecake or on top of ice cream or chocolate brownies.Yum!” To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup real maple syrup (grade B organic is best in this recipe)
4 tablespoons Earth Balance vegan butter
Sea salt
1 tablespoon dark rum
Preparation
In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, vegan butter, and sea salt to taste and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in rum, stirring carefully, as sauce will bubble up a bit. Let cool for a few minutes then taste and add more salt if necessary.
Cool to room temperature, then transfer to a squeeze bottle.If not using immediately, the sauce can be rewarmed by putting the bottle in a pan of hot water off the heat.
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
SWEET POTATO & BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS
This comes from the December 2011 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 59. The recipes starts off, “Right from the start, the originality and flavor profile of this recipe made it a standout for VT taste testers. 'My wife and I eat this dish a lot in the fall and winter months. We make it when we're having guests (vegetarian and not) because we know everyone will enjoy it,' explains James McNulty. 'It can be made the night before and it travels well, so it's great for a potluck or a holiday party.'” Serves 8 (makes 16 enchiladas)
To view this online, click here.
Sauce
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce
1 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp. ancho chile powder
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder
Filling
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, diced (1 cup)
1 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and diced (3 cups)
1 15-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 16-oz. jar prepared medium salsa
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, drained and minced
1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 12-oz. round queso fresco, divided
Enchiladas
extra virgin olive oil, for brushing baking dish
16 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
2 limes, cut into wedges
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup sour cream, for garnish
Cilantro sprigs, for garnish, optional
To make Sauce: Bring all ingredients to a simmer in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk to combine, then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
To make Filling: Heat oil in separate saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until soft. Add sweet potatoes, tomatoes, salsa, garlic, chipotle chile, and 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are soft. Mash mixture with potato masher until combined. Add black beans, and cook 5 minutes. Stir in half of queso fresco, and remove from heat.
To assemble Enchiladas: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Brush 13- x 9-inch baking dish with oil. Spread 1/2 cup Sauce in bottom of dish. Fill tortillas with Filling. Roll, and pack close together seam-side down in baking dish. Top with remaining Sauce and queso fresco. Bake 15 minutes.
Adjust oven to broil. Broil Enchiladas 5 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with lime wedges, avocado slices, sour cream, and cilantro sprigs, if using.
nutritional information Per Serving (2 enchiladas): Calories: 435; Protein: 13 g; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 65 g; Cholesterol: 20 mg; Sodium: 963 mg; Fiber: 11 g; Sugar: 11 g; Gluten-Free
VEGAN BROWN RICE JAMBALAYA WITH TOMATO SAUCE
This comes from Jolinda Hackett, the Vegetarian Food expert for About.com. She writes, “Jamabalaya is one of those dishes that is greater than the sum of its parts. The seasonings and the lengthy cooking time really combine to make something special; it's not just rice and tomato sauce! This vegetarian and vegan jambalaya recipe (with whole grain brown rice instead of regular white rice) makes a huge pot, about 14 servings, so plan on inviting some friends over for dinner or having lots of leftovers. Jambalaya is a great choice if you're cooking in bulk, because it's so easy. Once the rice is cooking, you just leave it alone for nearly an hour, so you'll have plenty of time to prepare a gorgeous homemade dessert.” She recommends a Banana Rum Cheesecake with Maple Rum Sauce, which follows the Jambalaya recipe.
The jambalaya recipe makes 14 servings, and can be viewe online by clicking here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp vegan margarine
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 cup tomato sauce
2 cups brown rice, uncooked
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. thyme
2 tsp. cayenne
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Preparation
In a large soup or stock pot, melt the margarine over medium-low heat, then add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook for about 15 minutes, until soft.
Add all of the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and allow to simmer for about 45-50 minutes.After 45-50 minutes, check the pot. You may need to add a little more liquid and cook for 5-10 more minutes, until rice is well cooked. Taste and adjust seasonings, to taste.
Makes about 14 servings, so plan on having leftovers if you're not feeding a crowd! Fortunately, the leftovers keep well.
Recipe variations: For a spicier jambalaya, slice up one fresh green jalapeno when cooking and add it along with the other vegetables. For extra flavor, if you happen to have some on hand, you can toss in a handful of fresh herbs - either cilantro or parsley - at the very last minute.
BANANA RUM VEGAN CHEESECAKE WITH MAPLE RUM SAUCE
This is also from Jolinda Hackett, who writes, “This gourmet banana rum vegan cheesecake with maple rum sauce has several steps, but the bananas, pecan crust and rum sauce can all be prepared in advance. Then, the only thing left is to blend the vegan cream cheese and the other ingredients and bake. Easy! If you're looking for a gourmet vegan cheesecake recipe, this is the one to try.”
Ingredients
4 very ripe bananas
16 ounces nondairy cream cheese
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dark rum
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
Prepared pecan pie crust (recipe follows)
Prepared maple rum sauce (recipe follows)
Toasted pecan halves for garnish
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.Place 4 large, very ripe, unpeeled bananas on a roasting pan and roast for 15-20 minutes, until bananas are soft and skin turns dark brown. Let bananas cool to room temperature in the pan in their skins.
Turn oven up to 400 degrees.
Peel the roasted bananas and remove any obvious strings. Puree bananas in a food processor until very smooth. Add nondairy cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, rum, cornstarch and salt then pulse until smooth, scraping sides of bowl periodically. Do not overprocess or cream cheese will separate and curdle.
Pour the filling into the prepared pecan pie crust and bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 and bake another 35-45 minutes, until the top is the color of light brown sugar and center is set. A toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.
Let cheesecake cool to room temperature on a rack for at least 1 hour, then cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
Drizzle with prepared maple rum sauce just before serving and garnish with extra toasted pecan halves.
PECAN PIE CRUST
Jolinda Hackett's pecan pie crust can be used for either cheesecake or as a regular pie crust, and can be viewed online here.
Ingredients
1 cup pecan nut flour (see instructions below)
1/2 cup spelt flour (white or whole wheat )
1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar
4 Tbsp vegan margarine, partially melted
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of sea salt
Preparation
Note: To make pecan nut flour, freeze the nuts overnight, then place in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Freezing the nuts prevents them from turning into nut butter when you process them.pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined and incorporated.
Press the mixture into a 9-inch springform pan and put in freezer for 5 minutes.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until crust is a little dry and edges are light golden. Let cool completely before using in a recipe.
VEGAN MAPLE RUM SAUCE RECIPE
Jolinda wrote, “Use this vegan maple rum sauce recipe to drizzle on top of a banana rum cheesecake or on top of ice cream or chocolate brownies.Yum!” To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup real maple syrup (grade B organic is best in this recipe)
4 tablespoons Earth Balance vegan butter
Sea salt
1 tablespoon dark rum
Preparation
In a small saucepan, combine maple syrup, vegan butter, and sea salt to taste and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in rum, stirring carefully, as sauce will bubble up a bit. Let cool for a few minutes then taste and add more salt if necessary.
Cool to room temperature, then transfer to a squeeze bottle.If not using immediately, the sauce can be rewarmed by putting the bottle in a pan of hot water off the heat.
SAMOSA STUFFED PEPPERS
This comes from the March 2014 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It starts off, “The filling for these stuffed peppers tastes a lot like samosas, small Indian turnovers. STORE/SERVE: If making ahead, skip final baking step. Cool stuffed peppers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to three days or freeze up to three months. Thaw, if necessary, then cover with foil, and finish baking as in step 3.” Serves 8.
To view this online, click here.
4 large red bell peppers, halved
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped (2 cups)
4 tsp. curry powder
1 Tbs. garam masala
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 cup basmati rice
1/4 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 large carrots, finely diced (1 cup)
1 cup green beans, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants, optional
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts or cashews, coarsely chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place halved bell peppers cut side down in two large baking dishes. Cover with foil, and bake 25 minutes, or until peppers begin to soften.
Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder, garam masala, and ginger, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice, lentils, salt, and 4 cups water. Add chickpeas, carrots, green beans, and raisins (if using). Cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring once or twice. Remove rice mixture from heat, stir in peanuts, and season with salt, if desired.
Flip bell pepper halves. Fill each with 3/4 cup rice mixture. Re-cover baking dishes, and bake 15 minutes. Uncover, and bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
nutritional information Per Stuffed pepper: Calories: 288; Protein: 10 g; Total Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 241 mg; Fiber: 8 g; Sugar: 8 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)