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Showing posts with label Scallion Meatballs With Soy-Ginger Glaze. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scallion Meatballs With Soy-Ginger Glaze. Show all posts

Friday, May 10, 2024

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! I have a ton of stuff planned for the weekend, mostly cleaning house. Not exactly an exciting weekend, but it'll have to do. (I hate cleaning the house, but I do like the idea of having a clean house, so there ya go.)

Whatever your plans are for the weekend, we still need to eat. To that end, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup and Classic Shepherd's Pie. Enjoy!

Note: I will be taking next week off, but will be back here starting Monday, May 20. Of course, until then, you can always check previous posts.

CLASSIC LEMON MERINGUE PIE

This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “Here's a delicious lemon meringue pie, made with fresh lemon juice, eggs, and other ingredients. Use a homemade or purchased pie shell for this pie.”

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/classic-lemon-meringue-pie-3058029.

Ingredients:

1 baked pie pastry, 9-inch

1-1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

dash salt

1-1/2 cups hot water

3 egg yolks, slightly beaten

2 tablespoons butter

1 scant teaspoon grated lemon peel

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

3 egg whites

1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional

6 tablespoons granulated sugar

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, the cornstarch, flour, and salt; whisk to blend well. Gradually stir in hot water. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; continue cooking, stirring, for 8 minutes. Stir about 1/3 cup of the hot mixture into the slightly beaten egg yolks, then return to hot mixture in saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and cook for 4 minutes longer. Add butter and lemon peel. Slowly stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice. Pour into baked cooled pie shell.

Beat egg whites with 1 teaspoon lemon juice (if used) to soft peaks. Gradually add the 6 tablespoons sugar, beating until stiff peaks are formed and sugar has dissolved. Spread meringue over the hot filling, covering completely. Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Cool pie completely before serving.

BROCCOLI QUICHE BITES

This is from FamiliyTime, and starts off, “After the pastry thaws, it takes just 10 minutes to put together these easy-to-make appetizers that get lots of flavor from a surprising ingredient – vegetable soup mix.” Serves: 24 pieces; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 of a 17.3-ounce package of Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed

4 eggs, beaten

1 envelope dry vegetable soup and dip mix

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and well drained

1 cup whipped cottage cheese

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preparation

Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch shallow baking dish.

Stir the eggs, soup mix, broccoli and cottage cheese in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 9x13-inch rectangle. Place the pastry into the bottom of the baking dish. Prick the pastry with a fork.

Spread the broccoli mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the Cheddar cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until set. Let stand in the baking dish on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Cut into 24 pieces.

CLASSIC SHEPHERD'S PIE

This is from Alex Guarnashelli on the Today's site. She wrote, "This is a classic that makes me feel like I am in a pub enjoying myself. It's so comforting, especially with the cold weather. This is traditionally made with ground lamb but the American in me likes to make it with a somewhat lean beef and creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes instead. You can actually make this entirely in advance and bake when ready to serve. You can also shortcut by using premade mashed potatoes. This is a great freezer dish, which you can defrost and bake off any time.

"Technique tip: Cut your carrots, onions and celery all about the same size so they cook evenly and retain some of their texture.

"Swap option: Substitute ground chicken or turkey for the beef for a leaner option. Swap mashed sweet potatoes or Butternut squash puree for the mashed potatoes for a sweeter, lighter version."

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Mashed potatoes

4 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks

kosher salt

1/2 cup whole milk

9 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced, divided

1 cup sour cream, room temperature

1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Meat

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound ground beef

4 sprigs fresh thyme

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 large red onion, diced small

1 large carrot, diced small

2 ribs celery, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

1 cup frozen peas, defrosted

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 cup hearty beef broth

Directions

For the mashed potatoes:

In a large pot, add the potatoes and cover amply with cold water. Bring the water up to a boil and reduce the heat so that it simmers. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water and allow the potatoes to cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 20 to 25 minutes.

Drain the potatoes in a colander. Run the potatoes through a food mill or ricer.

Return the empty pot to the heat and add the milk. Bring the milk to a simmer and gingerly add the potatoes back into the pot. Season with salt and whisk in 8 tablespoons of the sliced butter and sour cream. Taste for seasoning. Remove from the heat.

For the meat:

In a medium-size skillet, heat the olive oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the ground beef in small pieces with the thyme and brown over high heat until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large bowl.

Add the onions, carrot and celery to the skillet and cook with the thyme sprigs. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are translucent and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off any excess grease. Discard the thyme.

Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the meat. Stir in the peas, vinegar and broth. Taste for seasoning.

To assemble:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Use the remaining tablespoon butter to grease the sides and bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with 2-inch sides.

Spoon a layer of the mashed potatoes on the bottom so it hugs the bottom of the dish and sprinkle with about 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese. Top the potatoes with all of the meat mixture. Top with all of the remaining mashed potatoes and all of the remaining cheese.

Place the dish in the center of the oven and bake until the center is hot when poked with the tip of a knife and the top browned, 30 to 40 minutes.

SCALLION MEATBALLS WITH SOY-GINGER GLAZE

This is from Melissa Jamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, "Set these juicy turkey meatballs out on a platter, drizzle with a ginger-spiked sauce of soy, mirin and dark brown sugar and serve with toothpicks alongside wine or cocktails. They'll go quickly."

Yield: About two dozen meatballs; Time: 1 hour

This was featured in "Along an Old Canal, Artful Neglect Finds a Home", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014039-scallion-meatballs-with-soy-ginger-glaze.

Ingredients

For the sauce

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce, preferably Japanese or reduced sodium

1/2 cup mirin sweet rice wine, or 1/2 cup sake with 1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup chopped peeled ginger

1 teaspoon ground coriander

4 whole black peppercorns

For the meatballs

1 pound ground turkey

4 large or 6 small scallions, finely chopped

1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped about 1 cup

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

Freshly ground black pepper

Vegetable oil

Directions

Make sauce: Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar melts completely. Reduce heat to medium-low and add soy sauce, mirin, ginger, coriander and peppercorns. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Strain through a sieve. (Can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.)

Make meatballs: mix turkey, scallions, cilantro, egg, sesame oil, soy sauce and several grindings of pepper in a bowl. Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, generously cover bottom of pan with vegetable oil. Working in batches to avoid crowding, place meatballs in pan and cook, turning, until browned all over and cooked inside, about 8 minutes per batch. Arrange on a heated platter, spoon a little sauce over each meatball, and serve with toothpicks. If desired, keep warm in a 200-degree oven until ready to serve. Garnish with sliced scallions, if desired.

QATAYEF ASAFIRI (STUFFED SEMOLINA PANCAKES)

This is from Reem Kassis in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Reem wrote, "Qatayef are synonymous with Ramadan. It is during this month that bakeries start making the pastry for these stuffed pancakes, and the lines spill into the street as people wait their turn to buy them. Golden underneath and speckled with bubbles on top, qatayef are cooked only on one side. They can be large or small. The large ones are normally stuffed with nuts or cheese and folded over, then fried or baked, and drenched in sugar syrup. The small ones, called qatayef asafiri (or little bird qatayef), are stuffed with a creamy filling, only half closed, then dipped in pistachio and drizzled with thick, faintly floral sugar syrup. The batter is very simple; the key is to make sure it is the right consistency, like that of heavy cream."

Yield: About 30 pieces; Time: 45 minutes

This was featured in "The Dessert That Tastes Best One Month Out of Every Year", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023041-qatayef-asafiri-stuffed-semolina-pancakes.

Ingredients

For the Syrup:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water, or a combination

For the Batter:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup fine semolina flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon instant or quick-rise yeast

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground mahlab (optional, see Tip)

1/4 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water (optional)

For the Filling:

1 cup/8 ounces mascarpone

1/2 cup heavy cream

3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water, or a combination

1/4 cup/about 1 ounce finely ground unroasted, unsalted pistachios, preferably Turkish, for finishing

Preparation

Prepare the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool completely, then stir in 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water and 1/2 teaspoon rose water.

Make the batter: Add 1-1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons water to a blender or food processor. Add all the batter ingredients and process until smooth. The batter should be quite loose, similar to heavy cream in consistency. Set aside to rest for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Place the mascarpone, heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water and 1/2 teaspoon rose water in a small bowl. Use a handheld electric mixer to whip into stiff peaks. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Cook the qatayef: Place a medium nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until hot. Mix the batter to ensure it is smooth, then pour separate 1-tablespoon portions of batter into the pan, fitting about 4 circles. Cook qatayef until the entire surface is covered in small bubbles and the center loses its sheen, about 30 to 45 seconds. (You might be able to cook off more at a time once you’ve determined the right temperature and consistency of the batter.) If the bubbles are large and sparse, then your batter is too thick; stir 1 tablespoon of water into the batter to thin. Qatayef cook only on one side; the base should be uniformly golden and the top covered in small bubbles. If the disks brown too quickly — or unevenly — underneath before the batter loses its sheen on top, lower the heat slightly.

Transfer each cooked qatayef to a large tray lined with a dish towel and cover with another dish towel while you cook the remaining batter.

Fill the qatayef: Fold each into a half-moon, bubble side on the inside, and pinch to seal the edges together halfway. Using a teaspoon or a piping bag, fill the opening with the cream, then dip the exposed cream filling into the ground pistachios.

Arrange the filled qatayef on a serving platter. These can be covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated for several hours until ready to serve. To serve, drizzle the cooled syrup over the qatayef and offer guests more syrup to add to their individual plates, if they choose.

Tip

Mahlab, the kernel found inside the pit of a cherry, adds a floral and nutty aroma to sweets and gives Arabic cheese its distinct flavor. It is available whole or ground from Middle Eastern grocery stores, but goes rancid quickly, so buy it whole and grind it as needed, storing the rest in the freezer until needed.

CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

This yummy soup is from Chungah, on her wonderful site, Damn Delicious. I've mentioned her site once or twice. But if you haven't visited it yet, I highly recommend it. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap...)

Okay, hopefully you checked it out. Now, this recipe begins, "So warm, so cozy, so soothing. A must for those busy cold weeknights, using up that leftover rotisserie chicken!"

Yield: 8 servings; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes

You can view this online at https://damndelicious.net/2022/04/29/creamy-chicken-noodle-soup/.

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 sweet onion, diced

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 celery ribs, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup dry white wine

6 cups chicken stock

1 bay leaf

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

3 cups leftover shredded rotisserie chicken

2 cups wide egg noodles

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup frozen green peas

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.

Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in chicken stock and bay leaf; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until flavors have blended, about 10 minutes.

Stir in chicken and pasta and cook until tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Stir in heavy cream, peas and parsley until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve immediately.

Monday, August 15, 2022

Turkey - Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's double post deals with turkey recipes, and includes Turkey Lentil Sloppy Joes with Quick Cabbage Slaw and a Fajita Turkey Burger. Enjoy!

SCALLION MEATBALLS WITH SOY-GINGER GLAZE

This is from Melissa Jamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, "Set these juicy turkey meatballs out on a platter, drizzle with a ginger-spiked sauce of soy, mirin and dark brown sugar and serve with toothpicks alongside wine or cocktails. They'll go quickly."

Yield: About two dozen meatballs; Time: 1 hour

This was featured in "Along an Old Canal, Artful Neglect Finds a Home", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014039-scallion-meatballs-with-soy-ginger-glaze.

Ingredients

For the sauce

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce, preferably Japanese or reduced sodium

1/2 cup mirin sweet rice wine, or 1/2 cup sake with 1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup chopped peeled ginger

1 teaspoon ground coriander

4 whole black peppercorns

For the meatballs

1 pound ground turkey

4 large or 6 small scallions, finely chopped

1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped about 1 cup

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

Freshly ground black pepper

Vegetable oil

Directions

Make sauce: Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar melts completely. Reduce heat to medium-low and add soy sauce, mirin, ginger, coriander and peppercorns. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Strain through a sieve. (Can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.)

Make meatballs: mix turkey, scallions, cilantro, egg, sesame oil, soy sauce and several grindings of pepper in a bowl. Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, generously cover bottom of pan with vegetable oil. Working in batches to avoid crowding, place meatballs in pan and cook, turning, until browned all over and cooked inside, about 8 minutes per batch. Arrange on a heated platter, spoon a little sauce over each meatball, and serve with toothpicks. If desired, keep warm in a 200-degree oven until ready to serve. Garnish with sliced scallions, if desired.

TURKEY CHILI

This is from American Heart Association, and begins, "Warm up on a cool evening with this classic chili dish. Our version is full of fiber, low in sodium, and extraordinarily delicious." Makes 6 servings; serving size: 1 1/3 cups

To view this online, go to https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/turkey-chili.

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons canola or corn oil

1 medium or large onion, chopped

20 ounces ground skinless turkey breast

2 large garlic cloves, minced

OR

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 15.5-ounce can no-salt-added pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 15.5-ounce can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained

1 14.5-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

1 3/4 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn

1 6-ounce can no-salt-added tomato paste

4 medium green onions (green part only), sliced

Directions

In a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the chopped onion for 3 minutes, or until soft, stirring occasionally.

Reduce the heat to medium. Stir in the turkey. Cook for 5 minutes, or until browned, stirring frequently to turn and break up the turkey.

Stir in the garlic, chili powder, pepper, and cumin. Stir in the remaining ingredients except the green onions. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, or until heated through, stirring frequently. Just before serving, sprinkle with the green onions.

TEXAS CHILI

This is from Jennifer Steinhauer in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Jennifer wrote, "Chili tastes are highly personal, often inflexible and loaded with preconceptions — the political party of culinary offerings. “I don’t disagree with anyone’s chili,” Robb Walsh, a Texas food historian, the author of “The Tex-Mex Cookbook” and a restaurateur, told The Times. “If you are making a one-pot meal and you want to put beans in it, that’s fine. If chili is part of your cuisine, like Tex-Mex, there are other things you will want to do." This recipe is an amalgam of styles, with coffee and chocolate for complexity, hot sauce for kick and beans just because."

Yield: 4 to 6 servings (about 8 cups); Time: about 2 hours 30 minutes

This was featured in "If It’s Chili, It’s Personal", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016036-texas-chili..

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound ground bison or ground dark turkey

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 12-ounce bottle of beer

1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup strong brewed coffee

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon chile sauce

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Half a serrano or other hot pepper, seeded and finely chopped, or to taste

1-1/2 tablespoons ground cumin

1-1/2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

2 15-ounce cans kidney beans

1 15-ounce can cannellini or other white beans.

Directions

Place a Dutch oven or other large pot over medium heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering. Add the meat and sauté until browned, then transfer to a plate.

Add the onion to the pot and stir for 1 minute. Take two large sips from the beer, and pour the rest into the pot. Stir in the tomatoes, coffee and tomato paste.

Add the brown sugar, chile sauce, cocoa powder, hot pepper, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt and kidney beans. Return the meat to the pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partly covered, for 1 hour.

Add the white beans to the pot and simmer over very low heat, partly covered and stirring occasionally, for 1 to 2 more hours. (Longer cooking improves the flavor.) Adjust salt and cayenne pepper as needed and serve.

TURKEY LENTIL SLOPPY JOES WITH QUICK CABBAGE SLAW

This is originally from Oven to Table, by Jan Scott, and reprinted on Taste for Life. Prep Time: 55 minutes; Makes 8 in regular-sized buns, or 16 in mini-slider buns.

You can view this online at https://tasteforlife.com/healthy-recipes/appetizers/turkey-lentil-sloppy-joes-with-quick-cabbage-slaw.

Ingredients

For the Sloppy Joes

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

Kosher salt

2 cloves garlic, grated or pressed

1 lb ground turkey

2 cups cooked green or brown lentils (or 1 19-oz can, rinsed and drained)

3 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp tomato paste

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

3 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp prepared yellow mustard

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp hot sauce

For the Slaw

4 cups chopped red cabbage (about 1 small cabbage)

1 large carrot, peeled

3 green onions, ends trimmed and thinly sliced

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

2 tsp liquid honey

1 tsp celery seed

Kosher salt

For Serving

8 whole-wheat dinner rolls or hamburger buns (split in half and toasted)*

Directions

In a large cast iron, stainless steel, or nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, season with a pinch of salt and sauté until onions are soft and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

Crumble ground turkey into skillet and stir to combine, cooking until browned. Add lentils, chili powder, oregano, cumin, pepper, and tomato paste and stir, cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes to infuse turkey and lentils with spices.

Stir in crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes. Check seasonings and add more salt if needed.

While meat mixture is cooking, make slaw. Place cabbage in a medium bowl and, using a vegetable peeler, shave carrot into ribbons. Add carrot and green onions to bowl and toss with clean hands to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, and celery seed. Pour over cabbage and toss to combine. Finish with a pinch of salt.

Spoon Sloppy Joes onto split and toasted rolls. Top with slaw and serve at once.

Notes

For more of a bite-size snack, turn these into sliders. Just replace the 8 hamburger buns with approximately 16 mini-slider buns.

You can easily double or triple this recipe for a large party. The slaw adds some crunch to this dish. Its simplicity lends itself well to customization, so feel free to play around with vegetables if you like, maybe adding some grated apple or green cabbage to the mix.

TURKEY CHILI

Here’s another Turkey Chili recipe from The New York Times cooking site. This one is from Eric Kim, who wrote, "Rather than browning the meat first, which doesn’t do much for lean ground turkey and can actually make it tough, this recipe prioritizes cooking down the vegetables first. Onions and canned tomatoes fried in olive oil provide an umami-rich flavor base for turkey’s blank canvas, and the adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers does a lot of this dish’s heavy lifting. Optional toppings like shredded cheese and sour cream help cool down the spice. One of the best ways to enjoy this simple but powerful chili is over French fries with melted cheese, or tossed with some cooked spaghetti. It’s so great on its own, as well."

Yield: 2 to 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes

This was featured in "Learn to Cook (and Heart It) in 10 Easy Dishes", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023225-turkey-chili.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large white onion, diced

1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes

Salt

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 pound ground turkey

1 (7-ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

Shredded extra-sharp Cheddar, sour cream and whole cilantro leaves, for serving (optional)

Preparation

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until translucent and starting to brown at the edges, 5 to 7 minutes.

Use a fork to fish the tomatoes out of the can and add them to the pot, leaving behind the juice for now. Season with salt and cook the tomatoes, breaking them up with the wooden spoon and stirring occasionally, until jammy and their liquid has reduced significantly, 5 to 7 minutes.

Stir in the chili powder and cook until fragrant, just a few seconds. Add the ground turkey, season with salt and stir to combine, breaking up the meat with the spoon. (Don’t worry about browning or cooking it through here, as it will do so when it simmers.) Stir in the reserved liquid from the tomato can.

Use the fork to fish out as many chipotle peppers from the can as you would like, starting with two or three, and add to the pot, breaking them up with the wooden spoon, along with all of the adobo sauce. The more peppers you use, the spicier your final chili will be; if you like spice, just add the entire can. (Store any peppers you don’t use in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week and in the freezer for up to 2 months.) Fill the empty chipotle can with cold tap water, swish it around and add to the pot. Stir to combine.

Bring the chili to a simmer over medium-high heat — you should see occasional small bubbles breaking the surface of the mixture — then cover the pot and reduce the heat to continue simmering over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and the tomatoes have broken down, about 20 minutes. The chili should look thick and shiny, but not too thick that you couldn’t ladle it into a bowl. (If it's too watery, then simmer with the lid off for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.) Taste and add more salt if desired. Serve with cheese, sour cream and cilantro, if using.

FAJITA TURKEY BURGER

Makes 5 servings

See the recipe with photo here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1326.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and freshly ground pepper, if desired

1 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1/4 cup salsa, drained

3/4 cup cilantro, divided

2 onions, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 red bell pepper, sliced

Wholly Guacamole classic or spicy dip, if desired

Wholly Guacamole salsa, if desired

5 reduced-calorie hamburger buns, split

1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

In small bowl, combine cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, paprika and salt and pepper, if desired.

Mix ground turkey, half of spice mixture, drained salsa, and 1/2 cup cilantro; form into 5 (1/2-inch thick) patties. Lightly spray patties with cooking spray. Place patties in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 17 to 19 minutes, turning occasionally.

Always cook to well done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Meanwhile, coat large skillet with cooking spray. Cook onions, bell peppers and remaining spice mixture over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup cilantro.

To assemble burgers, spread guacamole and salsa, if desired, on buns. Place burgers, cheese and vegetable mixture on buns.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 260; Protein: 29 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 410 mg; Cholesterol: 60 mg; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Meatballs

Who doesn't love meatballs? Spaghetti and meatballs, meatball subs...it's all good.

Check out the Italian Meatball Soup, the Enchilada Meatballs, or any of the other yummy recipes in today's post. Enjoy!

SCALLION MEATBALLS WITH SOY-GINGER GLAZE

This is from Melissa Jamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, "Set these juicy turkey meatballs out on a platter, drizzle with a ginger-spiked sauce of soy, mirin and dark brown sugar and serve with toothpicks alongside wine or cocktails. They'll go quickly."

Yield: About two dozen meatballs; Time: 1 hour

This was featured in "Along an Old Canal, Artful Neglect Finds a Home", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014039-scallion-meatballs-with-soy-ginger-glaze.

Ingredients

For the sauce

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce, preferably Japanese or reduced sodium

1/2 cup mirin sweet rice wine, or 1/2 cup sake with 1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup chopped peeled ginger

1 teaspoon ground coriander

4 whole black peppercorns

For the meatballs

1 pound ground turkey

4 large or 6 small scallions, finely chopped

1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped about 1 cup

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

Freshly ground black pepper

Vegetable oil

Directions

Make sauce: Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar melts completely. Reduce heat to medium-low and add soy sauce, mirin, ginger, coriander and peppercorns. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Strain through a sieve. (Can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.)

Make meatballs: mix turkey, scallions, cilantro, egg, sesame oil, soy sauce and several grindings of pepper in a bowl. Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, generously cover bottom of pan with vegetable oil. Working in batches to avoid crowding, place meatballs in pan and cook, turning, until browned all over and cooked inside, about 8 minutes per batch. Arrange on a heated platter, spoon a little sauce over each meatball, and serve with toothpicks. If desired, keep warm in a 200-degree oven until ready to serve. Garnish with sliced scallions, if desired.

MEATBALL SUBS

This comes from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. (If you haven't signed up for the Times' cooking e-newsletter, I highly recommend it. I'm sure you won't be disappointed!)

For this recipe, Ali wrote, "In this classic Italian American sandwich, tender meatballs drenched in tomato sauce are tucked into crisp rolls then buried under a blanket of gooey cheese. It’s a messy sandwich no matter how you build it or bite into it, but wise construction can help: First, hollow out the rolls a bit so the meatballs have a place to sit. Then, use the leftover crumbs to make the meatballs, which will keep them light. Finally, toast the rolls to prevent them from getting too soggy with sauce. Of course, some crispy-gone-soggy bites are welcome, just as the cheese pulls, sauce drips and messy fingers are, too. They’re all part of the experience."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022314-meatball-subs.

Ingredients

4 (6-inch-long) sub, hero or hoagie rolls, split lengthwise but still attached on one side

1 egg

Kosher salt and black pepper

2 garlic cloves, peeled

Extra-virgin olive oil, for greasing

1 pound ground beef (at least 15 percent fat)

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

2 tablespoons chopped basil leaves, plus more for serving

2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or from a 24-ounce jar)

4 slices mozzarella or provolone

Preparation

Heat the broiler to high with a rack no more than 6 inches from the heat source. (See Tip if you don’t have a broiler.) Using a fork, scrape out some of the interior of the rolls until you get about 1 cup bread crumbs. Add them to a large bowl along with 1/2 cup water, the egg, 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper. Finely grate 1 garlic clove into the mixture, then stir to combine. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Lightly grease a large (12-inch), oven-proof skillet with olive oil. To the bread crumbs, add the beef, Parmesan and chopped basil. Stir with your hands until combined, avoiding overmixing. Roll into 12 balls (about 2 heaping tablespoons/2 ounces each) and place them in the prepared skillet as you go. Broil the meatballs until browned and nearly cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes.

Move the skillet to the stovetop. Add the marinara sauce, stir to coat the meatballs, and warm over medium-low heat while you toast the rolls: Place the rolls on a baking sheet, cut-side up, and broil until lightly golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Rub the cut sides of the roll with the second garlic clove.

Divide the meatballs and sauce among the rolls, then top with mozzarella. Broil until the mozzarella is melted and browned in spots, 1 to 2 minutes. Top with more grated Parmesan, basil leaves and black pepper.

Tip

If you don’t have a broiler, you can make this recipe using a 450-degree oven. The meatballs will take about 15 minutes to cook through (or you can sear them on the stove), and the bread-toasting and cheese-melting will take 2 to 4 minutes each.

ITALIAN MEATBALL SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings (about 2 cups each)

Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/italian-meatball-soup.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds ground turkey

2 egg whites

1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

4 cloves garlic, minced, divided

3 tablespoons Italian seasoning, divided

Olive oil cooking spray

4 cans (15 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 cups water

2 cups green beans, diagonally cut into 1/2-inch pieces

4 medium carrots, sliced

2 medium onions, coarsely chopped

8 ounces thin spaghetti, uncooked, broken into 2-to 3-inch pieces

2 medium plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Mix ground turkey, egg whites, bread crumbs, 2 cloves of garlic, and 2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning until well blended; shape mixture into 32 meatballs. Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Cook meatballs until browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.

Add chicken broth, water, green beans, carrots, onions, remaining 2 cloves garlic, and remaining 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until vegetables are almost tender, about 8 minutes.

Heat soup to boiling; add pasta and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 8.7 g; Sodium: 174 mg; Cholesterol: 31.7 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread, 2 Meat, 1/2 Fat

CLASSIC MEATBALLS

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "This homemade meatball recipe is a Betty classic, and for great reason! For generations, home cooks have relied on this hearty meatball recipe to show some skills the kitchen. All it takes to achieve this meaty main dish is eight basic ingredients. Got them? Great! Now, if you have 15 minutes to spare and a foil-lined 13x9 pan, perfectly browned and tender meatballs could be the answer to tonight's dinner jam. Yes, delicious doesn't take long! In the meantime, prepare spaghetti or rice, veggies or salad, because this recipe goes with anything!"

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this on the Betty Crocker site, click here.

Ingredients

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

1/2 cup Progresso™ Italian-style bread crumbs

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)

1 egg

Directions

Heat oven to 400°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil; spray with cooking spray.

In large bowl, mix all ingredients. Shape mixture into 24 (1 1/2-inch) meatballs. Place 1 inch apart in pan.

Bake uncovered 18 to 22 minutes or until temperature reaches 160°F and no longer pink in center.

Expert Tips

For evenly-sized meatballs that will cook in the same amount of time, pat the meat mixture into a 6x4-inch square. Cut into 24 squares. Roll each square into a ball.

Mix things up by substituting 1 pound lean ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef. (If using ground chicken, decrease milk to 2 tablespoons.) Bake until no longer pink in center and thermometer inserted in center reads 165°F.

We’re always fans of a dinnertime shortcut and a jar of store-bought pasta sauce is one of our favorites. But, if you have some time to spare or you’re looking for homemade Sunday gravy or sauce, we think you might like our Easy Make-Ahead Pasta Sauce, which can be ready in as little as 40 minutes. Or try utilizing our hands-off Slow-Cooker Meaty Spaghetti Sauce, made with Italian sausage and mushrooms for an added boost of flavor.

JUMBO CHEESY ITALIAN MEATBALLS

This is from the Food Network. Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 50 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/jumbo-cheesy-italian-meatballs-2268948.

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing

3 1/2 cups torn stale Italian bread (about 1/4 loaf)

1 cup whole milk

2 large eggs

2 pounds ground beef chuck

1 small bunch parsley, chopped (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 clove garlic, grated

Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

4 mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini)

For the sauce:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

3 to 4 sprigs basil, plus chopped leaves for topping

Kosher salt

Ricotta cheese, for topping

Directions

Make the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Pulse the bread in a food processor to make coarse crumbs. Transfer to a small bowl, add the milk and set aside to soak. Lightly beat the eggs in a large bowl, then add the beef, parsley, parmesan, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and the red pepper flakes; mix with your hands to combine. Add the bread-milk mixture and mix until just combined (do not overmix).

Dampen your hands and shape the meat mixture into 4 large balls. Make an indentation in the center of each with your thumb and stuff with a mini mozzarella ball, then mold the meat around the cheese. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake until browned and firm, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, 1 cup water, the basil sprigs and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes.

Remove the meatballs from the oven and add to the sauce, spooning some of the sauce on top. Continue cooking, occasionally spooning the sauce over the meatballs, until tender and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Serve with ricotta and chopped basil.

You can form all of these meatballs a day ahead; cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.

ENCHILADA MEATBALLS

This is from Shelley at AllRecipes. She wrote, "These are a tasty change from the usual since they use cornbread crumbs instead of crackers or regular bread. They're always a hit at parties! A friend shared this recipe with me ages ago and I've tweaked it to come up with this." Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/82954/enchilada-meatballs/.

Ingredients

2 cups crumbled cornbread

1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce, divided

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck

1 (10 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a large bowl, combine the cornbread, half of the enchilada sauce, half of the cheese, and the salt. Crumble the beef into the mixture, and blend well using your hands. Shape meat into 1 inch balls, and place on a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan, or any cookie sheet with sides to catch the grease.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes in the preheated oven, until the meat is cooked through.

While the meatballs are cooking, warm the tomato sauce and remaining enchilada sauce in a saucepan. Remove the meatballs from the pan using a slotted spoon, and place in a serving dish. Pour the heated sauce over them, and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. Provide toothpicks for serving.

Note

For the cornbread, I use a box of the ready-mix cornbread and add two tablespoons of taco seasoning to the other ingredients. Bake according to package directions. Allow to cool and then crumble.

Friday, May 6, 2022

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! I have a ton of stuff planned for the weekend, mostly cleaning house. Not exactly a fun weekend, but since Saturday morning is supposed to be rainy here in my neck of the woods, having a yard sale is out. (Maybe next weekend for that...)

Whatever your plans are for the weekend, we still need to eat. To that end, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup and Classic Shepherd's Pie. Enjoy!

CLASSIC LEMON MERINGUE PIE

This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. She wrote, “Here's a delicious lemon meringue pie, made with fresh lemon juice, eggs, and other ingredients. Use a homemade or purchased pie shell for this pie.”

To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/classic-lemon-meringue-pie-3058029.

Ingredients:

1 baked pie pastry, 9-inch

1-1/2 cups granulated sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

dash salt

1-1/2 cups hot water

3 egg yolks, slightly beaten

2 tablespoons butter

1 scant teaspoon grated lemon peel

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

3 egg whites

1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional

6 tablespoons granulated sugar

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar, the cornstarch, flour, and salt; whisk to blend well. Gradually stir in hot water. Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low; continue cooking, stirring, for 8 minutes. Stir about 1/3 cup of the hot mixture into the slightly beaten egg yolks, then return to hot mixture in saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and cook for 4 minutes longer. Add butter and lemon peel. Slowly stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice. Pour into baked cooled pie shell.

Beat egg whites with 1 teaspoon lemon juice (if used) to soft peaks. Gradually add the 6 tablespoons sugar, beating until stiff peaks are formed and sugar has dissolved. Spread meringue over the hot filling, covering completely. Bake at 350° for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Cool pie completely before serving.

BROCCOLI QUICHE BITES

This is from FamiliyTime, and starts off, “After the pastry thaws, it takes just 10 minutes to put together these easy-to-make appetizers that get lots of flavor from a surprising ingredient – vegetable soup mix.” Serves: 24 pieces; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 of a 17.3-ounce package of Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets (1 sheet), thawed

4 eggs, beaten

1 envelope dry vegetable soup and dip mix

1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and well drained

1 cup whipped cottage cheese

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preparation

Heat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch shallow baking dish.

Stir the eggs, soup mix, broccoli and cottage cheese in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 9x13-inch rectangle. Place the pastry into the bottom of the baking dish. Prick the pastry with a fork.

Spread the broccoli mixture in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the Cheddar cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until set. Let stand in the baking dish on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Cut into 24 pieces.

CLASSIC SHEPHERD'S PIE

This is from Alex Guarnashelli on the Today's site. She wrote, "This is a classic that makes me feel like I am in a pub enjoying myself. It's so comforting, especially with the cold weather. This is traditionally made with ground lamb but the American in me likes to make it with a somewhat lean beef and creamy, cheesy mashed potatoes instead. You can actually make this entirely in advance and bake when ready to serve. You can also shortcut by using premade mashed potatoes. This is a great freezer dish, which you can defrost and bake off any time.

"Technique tip: Cut your carrots, onions and celery all about the same size so they cook evenly and retain some of their texture.

"Swap option: Substitute ground chicken or turkey for the beef for a leaner option. Swap mashed sweet potatoes or Butternut squash puree for the mashed potatoes for a sweeter, lighter version."

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Mashed potatoes

4 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks

kosher salt

1/2 cup whole milk

9 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced, divided

1 cup sour cream, room temperature

1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Meat

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 pound ground beef

4 sprigs fresh thyme

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 large red onion, diced small

1 large carrot, diced small

2 ribs celery, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

1 cup frozen peas, defrosted

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 cup hearty beef broth

Directions

For the mashed potatoes:

In a large pot, add the potatoes and cover amply with cold water. Bring the water up to a boil and reduce the heat so that it simmers. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water and allow the potatoes to cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 20 to 25 minutes.

Drain the potatoes in a colander. Run the potatoes through a food mill or ricer.

Return the empty pot to the heat and add the milk. Bring the milk to a simmer and gingerly add the potatoes back into the pot. Season with salt and whisk in 8 tablespoons of the sliced butter and sour cream. Taste for seasoning. Remove from the heat.

For the meat:

In a medium-size skillet, heat the olive oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the ground beef in small pieces with the thyme and brown over high heat until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large bowl.

Add the onions, carrot and celery to the skillet and cook with the thyme sprigs. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are translucent and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour off any excess grease. Discard the thyme.

Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the meat. Stir in the peas, vinegar and broth. Taste for seasoning.

To assemble:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Use the remaining tablespoon butter to grease the sides and bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with 2-inch sides.

Spoon a layer of the mashed potatoes on the bottom so it hugs the bottom of the dish and sprinkle with about 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese. Top the potatoes with all of the meat mixture. Top with all of the remaining mashed potatoes and all of the remaining cheese.

Place the dish in the center of the oven and bake until the center is hot when poked with the tip of a knife and the top browned, 30 to 40 minutes.

SCALLION MEATBALLS WITH SOY-GINGER GLAZE

This is from Melissa Jamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, "Set these juicy turkey meatballs out on a platter, drizzle with a ginger-spiked sauce of soy, mirin and dark brown sugar and serve with toothpicks alongside wine or cocktails. They'll go quickly."

Yield: About two dozen meatballs; Time: 1 hour

This was featured in "Along an Old Canal, Artful Neglect Finds a Home", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014039-scallion-meatballs-with-soy-ginger-glaze.

Ingredients

For the sauce

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce, preferably Japanese or reduced sodium

1/2 cup mirin sweet rice wine, or 1/2 cup sake with 1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup chopped peeled ginger

1 teaspoon ground coriander

4 whole black peppercorns

For the meatballs

1 pound ground turkey

4 large or 6 small scallions, finely chopped

1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped about 1 cup

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

Freshly ground black pepper

Vegetable oil

Directions

Make sauce: Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar melts completely. Reduce heat to medium-low and add soy sauce, mirin, ginger, coriander and peppercorns. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Strain through a sieve. (Can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.)

Make meatballs: mix turkey, scallions, cilantro, egg, sesame oil, soy sauce and several grindings of pepper in a bowl. Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, generously cover bottom of pan with vegetable oil. Working in batches to avoid crowding, place meatballs in pan and cook, turning, until browned all over and cooked inside, about 8 minutes per batch. Arrange on a heated platter, spoon a little sauce over each meatball, and serve with toothpicks. If desired, keep warm in a 200-degree oven until ready to serve. Garnish with sliced scallions, if desired.

QATAYEF ASAFIRI (STUFFED SEMOLINA PANCAKES)

This is from Reem Kassis in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Reem wrote, "Qatayef are synonymous with Ramadan. It is during this month that bakeries start making the pastry for these stuffed pancakes, and the lines spill into the street as people wait their turn to buy them. Golden underneath and speckled with bubbles on top, qatayef are cooked only on one side. They can be large or small. The large ones are normally stuffed with nuts or cheese and folded over, then fried or baked, and drenched in sugar syrup. The small ones, called qatayef asafiri (or little bird qatayef), are stuffed with a creamy filling, only half closed, then dipped in pistachio and drizzled with thick, faintly floral sugar syrup. The batter is very simple; the key is to make sure it is the right consistency, like that of heavy cream."

Yield: About 30 pieces; Time: 45 minutes

This was featured in "The Dessert That Tastes Best One Month Out of Every Year", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023041-qatayef-asafiri-stuffed-semolina-pancakes.

Ingredients

For the Syrup:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water, or a combination

For the Batter:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup fine semolina flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon instant or quick-rise yeast

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon ground mahlab (optional, see Tip)

1/4 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water (optional)

For the Filling:

1 cup/8 ounces mascarpone

1/2 cup heavy cream

3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water, or a combination

1/4 cup/about 1 ounce finely ground unroasted, unsalted pistachios, preferably Turkish, for finishing

Preparation

Prepare the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool completely, then stir in 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water and 1/2 teaspoon rose water.

Make the batter: Add 1-1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons water to a blender or food processor. Add all the batter ingredients and process until smooth. The batter should be quite loose, similar to heavy cream in consistency. Set aside to rest for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Place the mascarpone, heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 teaspoon orange blossom water and 1/2 teaspoon rose water in a small bowl. Use a handheld electric mixer to whip into stiff peaks. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Cook the qatayef: Place a medium nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat until hot. Mix the batter to ensure it is smooth, then pour separate 1-tablespoon portions of batter into the pan, fitting about 4 circles. Cook qatayef until the entire surface is covered in small bubbles and the center loses its sheen, about 30 to 45 seconds. (You might be able to cook off more at a time once you’ve determined the right temperature and consistency of the batter.) If the bubbles are large and sparse, then your batter is too thick; stir 1 tablespoon of water into the batter to thin. Qatayef cook only on one side; the base should be uniformly golden and the top covered in small bubbles. If the disks brown too quickly — or unevenly — underneath before the batter loses its sheen on top, lower the heat slightly.

Transfer each cooked qatayef to a large tray lined with a dish towel and cover with another dish towel while you cook the remaining batter.

Fill the qatayef: Fold each into a half-moon, bubble side on the inside, and pinch to seal the edges together halfway. Using a teaspoon or a piping bag, fill the opening with the cream, then dip the exposed cream filling into the ground pistachios.

Arrange the filled qatayef on a serving platter. These can be covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated for several hours until ready to serve. To serve, drizzle the cooled syrup over the qatayef and offer guests more syrup to add to their individual plates, if they choose.

Tip

Mahlab, the kernel found inside the pit of a cherry, adds a floral and nutty aroma to sweets and gives Arabic cheese its distinct flavor. It is available whole or ground from Middle Eastern grocery stores, but goes rancid quickly, so buy it whole and grind it as needed, storing the rest in the freezer until needed.

CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

This yummy soup is from Chungah, on her wonderful site, Damn Delicious. I've mentioned her site once or twice. But if you haven't visited it yet, I highly recommend it. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap...)

Okay, hopefully you checked it out. Now, this recipe begins, "So warm, so cozy, so soothing. A must for those busy cold weeknights, using up that leftover rotisserie chicken!"

Yield: 8 servings; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes

You can view this online at https://damndelicious.net/2022/04/29/creamy-chicken-noodle-soup/.

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1 sweet onion, diced

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 celery ribs, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leaves

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup dry white wine

6 cups chicken stock

1 bay leaf

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

3 cups leftover shredded rotisserie chicken

2 cups wide egg noodles

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup frozen green peas

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Melt butter in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute.

Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in chicken stock and bay leaf; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until flavors have blended, about 10 minutes.

Stir in chicken and pasta and cook until tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Stir in heavy cream, peas and parsley until heated through, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve immediately.

Friday, April 22, 2022

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy recipes to get you through the weekend, including Hot Mustard and Honey Glazed Chicken and Pepperoni Pizza Pasta. Enjoy!

KIWI AND ORANGE COMPOTE WITH ALMONDS

This is from the May 2005 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42). It is in an article titled Calci-yum!, and begins, "This is a very simple dessert: nothing more than fresh kiwi, oranges and a spiced syrup, but it tastes heavenly. " Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/kiwi-and-orange-compote-with-almonds/.

Ingredients

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 whole cardamom pods, crushed

2 whole allspice

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 large oranges, peeled and white pith removed, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices

4 kiwis, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices

2 Tbs. sliced almonds, toasted

Preparation

Combine 3/4 cup water, sugar, cardamom, allspice and cinnamon in saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook until liquid is syrupy and slightly reduced, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.

Put orange and kiwi slices in shallow bowl. Pour hot syrup over fruit. Let cool to room temperature, cover and chill at least 1 hour, up to 4 hours. Sprinkle with almonds, and serve.

PEPPERONI PIZZA PASTA

Long since forgotten email list. Serves 4

Ingredients

8oz (2 c) uncooked ziti

1 (14oz) jar pizza sauce

2 oz sliced pepperoni, halved (about 3/4 c)

1/4 c finely chopped bell pepper

1/4 c grated parmesan

1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves

1 clove garlic, minced

4oz (1c) shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 375. Spray 8" sq. baking pan with nonstick spray. Cook ziti according to pkg directions. In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, pizza sauce, pepperoni, bell pepper, Parmesan, oregano and garlic; mix well. Spoon into baking pan; sprinkle with mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 30-35 min. or throughly heated and cheese is melted.

CHEF JOHN'S SALISBURY STEAK

This is from Chef John at All Recipes. He wrote, "When I was a kid, we didn't have smartphones or the internet, all we had was a TV. But we didn't care because as we watched, we got to enjoy a little something called a "TV dinner." The king of those dinners, in my opinion, was the Salisbury steak, which is what I'll show you how to make here, along with one of the greatest gravies ever invented. Serve with buttered mashed potatoes and a vegetable side of your choice.

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Additional Time: 2 hours; Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes; Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/280901/chef-johns-salisbury-steak/.

Ingredients

For the Steaks:

1 pound 85% lean ground beef

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dry mustard

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 large egg, beaten

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

1/2 cup plain bread crumbs

For the Gravy:

2 tablespoons salted butter

12 large white button mushrooms, sliced

1 cup diced onion

1 pinch salt

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

3 cups high-quality, low-sodium beef broth

salt to taste

2 tablespoons salted butter

Directions

Combine beef, black pepper, dry mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire, soy sauce, egg, cayenne, and bread crumbs in a mixing bowl. Use a fork or your hands to stir the ingredients until very evenly distributed.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, or up to overnight.

While the meat is resting, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick pan over high heat; add mushrooms, onions, and a pinch of salt. Saute, stirring occasionally, until very nicely browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add flour. Cook and stir for 3 minutes.

Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth; increase heat to high. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens slightly and reduces, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Transfer to a glass measuring cup, scraping the pan clean with a spatula, and reserve.

Remove meat from the refrigerator and divide into 4 equal portions. Moisten hands and form into oval patties, about 1/2 inch thick. Season both sides of the patties lightly with salt.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the previously used nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Pour in gravy and bring to a simmer; reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until gravy is piping hot, and the meat is just cooked through and springs back lightly when touched, about 5 minutes.

Chef's Notes:

You can use the meat mixture immediately rather than wrapping and refrigerating.

You can make the meatballs round or in any shape you like.

SCALLION MEATBALLS WITH SOY-GINGER GLAZE

This is from Melissa Jamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer and adapted by Julia Moskin in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Julia wrote, "Set these juicy turkey meatballs out on a platter, drizzle with a ginger-spiked sauce of soy, mirin and dark brown sugar and serve with toothpicks alongside wine or cocktails. They'll go quickly."

Yield: About two dozen meatballs; Time: 1 hour

This was featured in "Along an Old Canal, Artful Neglect Finds a Home", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014039-scallion-meatballs-with-soy-ginger-glaze.
Ingredients

For the sauce

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce, preferably Japanese or reduced sodium

1/2 cup mirin sweet rice wine, or 1/2 cup sake with 1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup chopped peeled ginger

1 teaspoon ground coriander

4 whole black peppercorns

For the meatballs

1 pound ground turkey

4 large or 6 small scallions, finely chopped

1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped about 1 cup

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

Freshly ground black pepper

Vegetable oil
Directions

Make sauce: Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar melts completely. Reduce heat to medium-low and add soy sauce, mirin, ginger, coriander and peppercorns. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Strain through a sieve. (Can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.)

Make meatballs: mix turkey, scallions, cilantro, egg, sesame oil, soy sauce and several grindings of pepper in a bowl. Roll tablespoons of mixture into balls.

In a skillet over medium-high heat, generously cover bottom of pan with vegetable oil. Working in batches to avoid crowding, place meatballs in pan and cook, turning, until browned all over and cooked inside, about 8 minutes per batch. Arrange on a heated platter, spoon a little sauce over each meatball, and serve with toothpicks. If desired, keep warm in a 200-degree oven until ready to serve. Garnish with sliced scallions, if desired.

HOT MUSTARD AND HONEY GLAZED CHICKEN

This is from Kay Chun in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Kay wrote, "Asian hot mustard powder is a versatile pantry staple that can quickly transform into a spicy sauce, glaze or dressing. Here, the hot mustard is tamed with sweet honey and balanced by fragrant garlic for a savory glaze that caramelizes on chicken when roasted. Once cooked, the chicken receives a final basting for a fresh burst of spicy flavor. Make a double batch of the glaze, as it also tastes great on pork chops and grilled shrimp. Leftover chicken can quickly become a salad the next day; just chop and toss with spinach or romaine and a simple vinaigrette."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 45 minutes

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023080-hot-mustard-and-honey-glazed-chicken.

This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023080-hot-mustard-and-honey-glazed-chicken. Also, check out Melissa Clark's guide, "How to Make a Sheet-Pan Dinner".

Ingredients

1/4 cup hot Asian mustard powder (or English dry mustard, such as Colman’s)

6 tablespoons mild honey, such as clove or acacia

3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon grated garlic

Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal) and black pepper

1 pound carrots, peeled and quartered lengthwise

1 pound fingerling potatoes, sliced 1/2-inch thick

1/4 cup neutral oil, such as safflower or canola

6 chicken legs (about 3 1/2 pounds), drumsticks and thighs separated

Chopped scallions or chives, for garnish

Lemon wedges, for serving

Preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large heatproof bowl, whisk mustard powder with 1/4 cup very hot water until well combined; let stand 5 minutes. (The heat of the water will activate and release the mustard’s spicy flavor.) Add honey, soy sauce, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt, and whisk to combine. Reserve half of the sauce in a small bowl for basting.

On a rimmed sheet tray, combine carrots, potatoes and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season with salt and pepper, toss to evenly coat, and spread in an even layer.

Rub chicken with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Add to the large bowl with the sauce and toss to evenly coat, then arrange on top of the vegetables.

Roast until vegetables are tender and chicken is golden and cooked through, about 30 minutes. Divide chicken and vegetables among plates and baste chicken all over with the remaining sauce. Pour sheet pan juices into a small bowl and skim off any excess fat.

Spoon over pan juices, garnish with scallions and serve with lemon wedges.

CHINESE CHICKEN STIR-FRY

This is from American Heart Association, and begins, "It takes just a few minutes to prepare your own delicious, healthful stir-fry. Our version combines juicy chicken with plenty of veggies." Serves 6; serving size 1 cup chicken mixture and 1/2 cup rice

To view this online, go to https://recipes.heart.org/en/recipes/chinese-chicken-stir-fry.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups uncooked, instant brown rice

3 tablespoon cornstarch

1 1/3 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

3 tablespoon dry sherry

OR

3 tablespoon fresh orange juice

2 tablespoon soy sauce (lowest sodium available)

1 tablespoon plain rice vinegar

2 teaspoon chili oil

1 tablespoon peeled, grated gingerroot

3 medium garlic cloves (minced)

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (all visible fat discarded, cut into 1-inch cubes)

2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

8 ounces mushrooms (sliced)

1 cup diced red bell pepper

8 ounces canned water chestnuts (drained)

3/4 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup pecan halves (dry-roasted)

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

Prepare the rice using the package directions, omitting the salt and margarine. Set aside. Cover to keep warm.

Put the cornstarch in a medium bowl. Add the broth, sherry, soy sauce, and vinegar, whisking to dissolve. Set aside.

In a large skillet or wok, heat the chili oil over high heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the gingerroot and garlic for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium high. Stir in the chicken. Cook for 4 minutes, or until the chicken is lightly browned, stirring constantly. (The chicken won't be done at this point.) Transfer to a plate. Wipe the skillet with paper towels.

In the same skillet, still over medium-high heat, heat the sesame oil, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the mushrooms, bell pepper, and water chestnuts for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently.

Whisk the broth mixture. Stir it into the mushroom mixture. Stir in the chicken. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center.

Stir the green onions, pecans, and red pepper flakes into the chicken mixture. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Serve over the rice.