Confessions Of A Foodie: Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Showing posts with label Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Where's the Beef?

Is there really an answer to the decades' old question, "Where's the Beef?" (Besides a certain fast-food chain, of course.)

Well, today's post is a good place to start. Here are six beefy recipes to help you through the day, including Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff and Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast. Enjoy!

BEEF AND BROCCOLI STIR FRY

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "You'll be able to put take-out on hold once you're armed with this fresh-tasting Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry. Don't forget to pick up a box of fortune cookies to make your Chinese dinner complete!"

Cook Time: 5 minute; Serves: 6

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Beef/Beef-and-Broccoli-Stir-Fry-105430.

Ingredients

3/4 cup beef broth

1 tablespoon light soy sauce

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 pound beef top or bottom round steak, cut into 1/4-inch julienne strips

2 medium-sized onions, cut into 1/2-inch wedges

1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the beef broth, soy sauce, garlic powder, ginger, pepper, brown sugar, and cornstarch; mix well and set aside.

Coat a large skillet or wok with cooking spray. Add beef, and brown over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onions and broccoli, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until onion is tender.

Add beef broth mixture to skillet and stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken. Serve immediately.

Notes

Add zing by sprinkling this with orange zest for extra color and freshness.

HAMBURGER STROGANOFF SKILLET

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Give ground beef the stroganoff treatment by combining it with sauteed mushrooms and rich cream. Cook pasta right in the sauce for an easy one-pan dinner."

Active Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/hamburger-stroganoff-skillet-5478672.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

One 10-ounce package white mushrooms, halved or quartered if large

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon paprika

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 small onion, chopped

1 tablespoon tomato paste

One 15-ounce can low-sodium beef broth

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 cups dried penne pasta

2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, season with salt and pepper and cook, breaking the beef into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until well browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl, leaving behind any drippings, and reduce the heat to medium.

To the same skillet, add the mushrooms, season with salt and cook until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the cooked mushrooms to the bowl with the beef. Add the oil, paprika, garlic, carrot and onion to the skillet and cook until the carrots are soft and the onion is lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Stir in the tomato paste and cook until the tomato paste has toasted and is evenly coating the vegetables, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth, Worcestershire and 1-1/2 cups of water to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and stir in the pasta. Cover and cook according to package directions until just al dente. Uncover, stir in the reserved beef and mushrooms and cook until heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, chives and parsley until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

BEEF EMPANADAS

This is from Angela Dimayuga in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Angela wrote, "Filipinos take snacking seriously, so much so that we devote an entire meal to it: merienda, which may take place midmorning or midafternoon, if not both. Empanadas are a great treat for this in-between time, but also keep well at room temperature — the grace of food built for a warm climate — so you can graze all day. (My family used to buy these by the tray for parties, but it’s nice to make your own and store them in the freezer for later.) In these, a ground-beef filling is tucked inside sturdy but flaky dough, with raisins added early in the cooking to plump with the beef juices. There are variations on empanadas all over Latin America; ours rely on the potency of onion and garlic, and exploit it to the hilt."

Yield: 40 empanadas; Time: 2 hours

This was featured in "Angela Dimayuga’s 10 Essential Filipino Recipes", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020490-beef-empanadas.

Ingredients

For the empanada dough:

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more as needed

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), diced

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2/3 cup ice water

For the filling:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

1/2 large green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

1/2 large red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

3 garlic cloves, finely minced

1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1/2 medium russet potato, peeled and cut into 1-centimeter cubes (about 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup raisins

3/4 pound ground beef

1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon oyster sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 (48-ounce) bottle neutral oil, such as canola, for frying

Preparation

Prepare the empanada dough: In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt. In a large bowl, combine the flour and 1 tablespoon salt, and mix well. Add the butter and incorporate it into the flour using your hands or a food processor. Combine until mixture is sandy. Combine the egg mixture, vinegar and 2/3 cup ice water, whisking to break up the egg. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, and beat with a fork to bring dough together.

Sprinkle a light layer of flour over a work surface. Place the dough on top. Bring dough together by pressing and folding dough onto itself a few times with the palms of your hands. Being careful not to overwork, split dough in half and form into two equal logs about the thickness of a small sausage, 1 1/2- to 2-inches thick. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

While the dough rests, prepare the filling: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high and bring to a shimmer. Add the tomato paste and toast, stirring frequently, until darkened and caramelized, about 3 minutes. Add the onion, bell peppers, garlic, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the potato and raisins, and cook, stirring, until mixture starts to caramelize, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the beef, increase the temperature to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Stir in oyster sauce and soy sauce until coated, then stir in chicken stock. (Mixture should be glossy but not overtly wet; cook for another 5 minutes or so to reduce liquid, if need be.) Transfer to a sheet pan, dispersing in a thin layer, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 20 minutes.

Fill a small bowl with some cool water for sealing your empanadas, and another small bowl with flour for dusting. Working with one log at a time, remove dough from fridge. Cut each log in half crosswise, then cut each half crosswise into 10 equal pieces, which will be the shape of thick coins. Using a bit of flour, dust your work surface. Round each coin slightly using your thumb and forefinger and on your surface with your hands press each coin lightly to coax it into a flat round shape. Switch to a rolling pin and roll each piece of empanada dough into a 4-1/2-inch circle. You can lightly dust and stack your circles off to the side or transfer them to a parchment lined baking sheet and chill until you are ready to assemble (they are easier to work with when kept cool). Repeat with remaining log. When you have all your pieces rolled out, you are ready to assemble your empanadas. Place about 1-1/2 tablespoons of the meat filling in the center of each circle, leaving at least a 1/2-inch border. Using a brush or your finger, wet the edges of the dough with water and fold the crust over the filling, forming half-moon empanada shapes, sealing out as much air as possible. Crimp the edges of the empanada with the tines of a fork to seal.

In a large heavy Dutch oven or pot, heat about 2 inches of oil over medium-high. Heat oil to 365 degrees. Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan, maintaining an even heat, fry the empanadas, turning frequently, until they start to bob, 4 to 5 minutes. (They should be crisp and golden brown, the pastry should be cooked through and the meat should be warmed through.) Transfer to a paper-towel lined baking sheet and fry remaining empanadas. Serve warm.

CREAMED CHIPPED BEEF ON TOAST

This is from Lisa at allrecipes. The recipe begins, "This chipped beef recipe is straight from my mom. We called it SOS (Same Ole Stuff), and it's great comfort food! It's easy to make and tastes great with a cold beer."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/20225/creamed-chipped-beef-on-toast/.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups warm milk

1 (8 ounce) jar dried beef, chopped

1 pinch cayenne pepper

bread, toasted

Ingredients

Gather all ingredients.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add flour and whisk until smooth.

Add milk a little at a time, whisking well after each addition. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, stirring, until thickened.

Stir in beef and cayenne; cook until warmed through.

Serve over toast.

Recipe Tip

This recipe can also be made with 3/4 pound browned, drained hamburger meat.

STUFFED PEPPER CASSEROLE

This is from TheDailyGourmet at AllRecipes, and begins, "Stuffed peppers are deconstructed in this casserole and given a subtle taco flair."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/stuffed-pepper-casserole-recipe-7372944.

Ingredients

nonstick cooking spray

1 pound ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as RO-TEL®)

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

3 tablespoons taco seasoning

1-1/2 cups uncooked long grain rice

1 cup beef broth

4 ounces Colby cheese, shredded

4 ounces pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, and cook and stir ground beef, onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and garlic until meat is browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain excess fat; season with salt and pepper. Stir in RO-TEL tomatoes, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning.

Spread rice in the bottom of the baking dish; pour in beef broth. Fold pepper mixture into rice with a spatula, and spread evenly into the dish. Sprinkle with Colby cheese and pepper Jack cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven, covered with foil, until rice is tender, about 50 minutes. Remove foil and cook until cheese is golden, about 5 minutes more.

SLOW-COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "You may think you don’t know anything about the 19th century Russian aristocrat Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov, but you’ve most likely have enjoyed his namesake dish. While there are conflicting stories about the dish’s origin story, many food historians favor the version in which Stroganov’s cook, André Dupont, named his special beef fricassee for his employer. Thousands of chafing dishes later, the dish is still popular all over the world. And it’s no wonder—who could resist the succulent meal made with tender strips of beef and onions cooked in butter, simmered in a rich and creamy sauce made with sour cream, cream cheese, and mushrooms.

"It may sound complicated, but in our modern take on the classic, our easy slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe needs just 15 minutes of prep and a long, slow turn in the slow cooker, and supper practically makes itself. You can walk in the door to the tantalizing aroma of this satisfying dish on any chilly weeknight; just make some hot cooked egg noodles or rice to serve it over, to hold every single drop of the amazing sauce. It’s also a terrific recipe to have up your sleeve for when friends or family come for dinner, and you want an easy recipe that will impress."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

2 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 3x1/2x1/4-inch strips

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (10.5 oz) condensed golden mushroom or cream of mushroom soup

1 carton (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 oz cream cheese, cubed (from 8-oz package)

1 container (8 oz) sour cream

6 cups hot cooked egg noodles or rice

Instructions

In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add beef strips, onion and garlic; cook 7 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally. or until beef is browned.

In 3-1/2 to 4-1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef mixture, soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper.

Cover; cook on low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until beef is tender.

Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Serve over noodles.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Stuffed Pepper Casserole and Chicken & Avocado Burritos. Enjoy!

BAKED SPAGHETTI

This is from Lidey Heuck in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this yummy recipe, Lidey wrote, "This comforting baked pasta feeds a crowd and is an easy way to upgrade everyday spaghetti with meat sauce. Once baked, the spaghetti casserole slices into neat squares, and the layer of ricotta and Parmesan filling give it the rich flavor of a lasagna. Feel free to play around with the recipe, swapping in Italian sausage or ground turkey for the ground beef and sautéing leftover vegetables and adding them to the sauce. If you’re planning in advance, you can assemble the casserole (through the end of Step 5) and store in the refrigerator, covered, until ready to bake."

Time: 1-1/2 hours, plus cooling; Yield: 8 servings

To view this yumminess online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024351-baked-spaghetti. While you're at it, please sign up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, if you haven't already.

Ingredients

Unsalted butter, for greasing the pan

Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper

1 pound spaghetti

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped

2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 5 cloves)

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or rosemary, or 1 teaspoon dried

1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, plus more for serving

1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, plus more to taste

1 pound ground beef (at least 85-percent lean)

1 (32- to 35-ounce) jar marinara sauce

1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley leaves, chopped, plus more for serving

1 cup/8 ounces ricotta cheese

3/4 cup grated Parmesan

1 large egg

2 cups/8 ounces shredded low-moisture mozzarella

Preparation

Step 1

Heat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package directions until 1 minute shy of al dente.

Step 2

While the water comes to a boil, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, oregano, red-pepper flakes, 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 3

Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the marinara sauce and basil. Drain the spaghetti, add it to the sauce and toss well.

Step 4

In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan, the egg and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix with a fork until smooth.

Step 5

Transfer half the pasta and sauce to the prepared baking dish and smooth it into an even layer. Dollop the ricotta mixture onto the pasta in large spoonfuls, then sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella on top. Add the rest of the pasta and sauce to the pan, again smoothing it into an even layer.

Step 6

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan on top, then bake, uncovered, until the mozzarella has melted, 5 to 10 minutes more.

Step 7

Cool for 5 minutes, then serve with more chopped basil, a pinch of dried oregano and more red-pepper flakes, if desired. Slice the baked spaghetti into large squares and serve hot or warm.

STUFFED PEPPER CASSEROLE

This is from TheDailyGourmet at AllRecipes, and begins, "Stuffed peppers are deconstructed in this casserole and given a subtle taco flair."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/stuffed-pepper-casserole-recipe-7372944.

Ingredients

nonstick cooking spray

1 pound ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as RO-TEL®)

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

3 tablespoons taco seasoning

1-1/2 cups uncooked long grain rice

1 cup beef broth

4 ounces Colby cheese, shredded

4 ounces pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, and cook and stir ground beef, onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and garlic until meat is browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain excess fat; season with salt and pepper. Stir in RO-TEL tomatoes, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning.

Spread rice in the bottom of the baking dish; pour in beef broth. Fold pepper mixture into rice with a spatula, and spread evenly into the dish. Sprinkle with Colby cheese and pepper Jack cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven, covered with foil, until rice is tender, about 50 minutes. Remove foil and cook until cheese is golden, about 5 minutes more.

CHICKEN & AVOCADO BURRITOS

This is from Campbell's, and begins, "Chicken & Avocado Burritos stuffed with chicken, avocado, cheese and sour cream, cooked until browned and crisp on the outside? Yes, please! The best part is that with this recipe, you don't have to prep and cook the chicken- canned chicken is the perfect time saver! Learn how to make these chicken burritos. It really couldn't be easier, and it's easy to customize, too! Want to use whole wheat tortillas? Go for it. Is shredded Cheddar cheese your favorite? Use that instead! This Chicken & Avocado Burritos recipe is foolproof, and ready to eat in less than 20 minutes!"

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 18 minutes; Serves: 4

To view this online, go to https://www.campbells.com/swanson/recipes/chicken-avocado-burritos/.

Ingredients

1 can (12.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

1/3 cup Pace® Salsa Verde

2 tablespoons light sour cream or plain nonfat Greek yogurt

4 flour tortilla (10-inch), warmed

1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)

1 avocado, pitted, peeled and diced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 lime, cut into quarters

Instructions

Stir the chicken, salsa verde and sour cream in a bowl.

Place the tortillas onto a work surface. Spoon the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with avocado, cheese and cilantro. Fold in two sides of each tortilla and roll up to enclose the filling.

Heat the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the burritos for 4 minutes. Turn the burritos over and cook for 4 minutes or until hot. Serve with the lime wedges and additional salsa verde, if desired.

SLOW-COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

This yumminess is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "You may think you don’t know anything about the 19th century Russian aristocrat Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganov, but you’ve most likely have enjoyed his namesake dish. While there are conflicting stories about the dish’s origin story, many food historians favor the version in which Stroganov’s cook, André Dupont, named his special beef fricassee for his employer. Thousands of chafing dishes later, the dish is still popular all over the world. And it’s no wonder—who could resist the succulent meal made with tender strips of beef and onions cooked in butter, simmered in a rich and creamy sauce made with sour cream, cream cheese, and mushrooms.

"It may sound complicated, but in our modern take on the classic, our easy slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe needs just 15 minutes of prep and a long, slow turn in the slow cooker, and supper practically makes itself. You can walk in the door to the tantalizing aroma of this satisfying dish on any chilly weeknight; just make some hot cooked egg noodles or rice to serve it over, to hold every single drop of the amazing sauce. It’s also a terrific recipe to have up your sleeve for when friends or family come for dinner, and you want an easy recipe that will impress."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Tme: 5 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here. Just before the recipe itself, there's a bit of info about the recipe's origin, as well as hints about the recipe, and a link to another stroganoff recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

2 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 3x1/2x1/4-inch strips

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (10.5 oz) condensed golden mushroom or cream of mushroom soup

1 carton (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 oz cream cheese, cubed (from 8-oz package)

1 container (8 oz) sour cream

6 cups hot cooked egg noodles or rice

Instructions

In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add beef strips, onion and garlic; cook 7 to 9 minutes, stirring occasionally. or until beef is browned.

In 3-1/2- to 4-1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef mixture, soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper.

Cover; cook on low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until beef is tender.

Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Serve over noodles.

CHILI MAC

This is from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Ali wrote, "“Nothing induces a feeling of security and comfort better than the come-hither aroma of an honest pot of chili mac keeping warm on the stove.” Many would agree with what Jane and Michael Stern wrote in “The Lexicon of Real American Food” (Lyons Press, 2011), whether they’ve had the thrifty, hearty combination of macaroni and chili at a family dinner table, around a campfire, bellied up to a bar somewhere near Lake Michigan or even in an M.R.E. in a military dining room. This supersavory version is a cinch, requiring just one pot and minimal chopping. (For another common chili pasta, see this Cincinnati chili con carne.)"

Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 35 mnutes; Yield: 4 to 6 servings

This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024668-chili-mac. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, I highly recommend it. Great food, guides, and more.

Speaking of guides, check out Sam Sifton's guide, "Our Ultimate Guide to Making the Best Chili."

Ingredients

1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as vegetable or grapeseed), plus more as needed

1 pound ground beef

1 yellow onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon store-bought or homemade chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper

1 (28-ounce) can crushed fire-roasted tomatoes

1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth

1 (15-ounce) can beans (such as kidney, black or any bean you like in chili), with their liquid

8 ounces elbow macaroni or another small pasta

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce

4 ounces grated sharp Cheddar, plus more for serving (both optional)

Hot sauce, thinly sliced scallions and chopped cilantro (all optional), for serving

Preparation

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the beef and press into an even layer to fill the pot. Sprinkle with the onion. Cook, undisturbed, until the beef is deeply browned underneath, 6 to 8 minutes (the meat won’t be fully cooked). If you don’t see fat sizzling around the edges of the pot, add a teaspoon or two of more oil.

Add the chili powder, cumin and garlic powder and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon into small pieces, until the onion is softened and the spices are fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, beans and their liquid, pasta and Worcestershire sauce and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Simmer, stirring often, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add water, 1/4 cup at a time.

Turn off the heat and stir in the Cheddar, if using, until melted. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce (if using). Serve topped with scallions, cilantro, hot sauce and more Cheddar as desired.

BARBECUE-CHEDDAR CHICKEN PASTA

This is from a Publix email. Servings: 6; Active Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours, 16 minutes

To view this online, go to https://ww4.publix.com/recipes-planning/aprons-simple-meals/barbecue-cheddar-chicken-pasta-with-simple-watermelon-ice-cream. It comes with another recipe (Simple Watermelon Ice Cream).

Ingredients

1 small red onion, coarsely chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, coarsely chopped

1 block sharp cheddar cheese (6–8 oz), shredded

1 Deli smoked (or oven-roasted) chicken, shredded

4 slices thick-cut bacon

1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with garlic, undrained

2 cups no-salt-added chicken stock (or broth)

1/2 cup bold and spicy barbecue sauce

9 oz fresh linguine (or fettucine) pasta

3 oz presliced green onions

Directions

Chop red onion and pepper. Shred cheese (about 2 cups).

Shred chicken (2 cups).

Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces, then place in large sauté pan on medium (wash hands); cook bacon 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; drain, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings in pan.

Return pan to heat, then add red onions and peppers; cook 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until lightly browned. Add tomatoes, stock, and barbecue sauce; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Stir in chicken, pasta, and 1 cup cheese; cook and stir 2–3 minutes or until pasta is tender, cheese has melted, and sauce has thickened. Divide mixture among serving plates; top evenly with reserved bacon pieces, remaining 1 cup cheese, and green onions. Serve.

Aprons Advice

Complete your meal with fresh salad blend, steamed vegetables, crusty bread, and lemonade.

Friday, October 27, 2023

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday, after a crazy week. (Don't ask!) Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff, Southern Macaroni and Cheese, and Creamy Vegan Hot Chocolate. Enjoy!

SIMPLE MEATLOAF WITH OPTIONAL TOPPING

This comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “This delicious and simple meatloaf recipe is a great fit for Sunday dinner. Feel free to use plain ketchup to top this dish, or, if you're feeling a little adventurous, make the optional topping. For a tasty meal, serve the meatloaf with homemade mashed potatoes and peas and carrots or your favorite vegetables.

“Note: Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 80 minutes; Total Time: 95 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Optional Glaze/Topping:

4 tablespoons ketchup

4 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey)

2 tablespoons Dijon (or similar mustard)

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For the Meatloaf:

2 pounds ground beef

2 large eggs (lightly beaten)

1/2 cup milk

1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs (plain)

2 tablespoons dried minced onion (or 1/2 cup finely minced fresh onion)

1 1/2 teaspoons burger seasoning (or 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper)

1/2 cup ketchup (plus more for topping, if desired)

Directions

Gather the ingredients.

Heat over to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

If using the optional topping, in a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons ketchup, maple syrup, mustard and Worcestershire until well mixed. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, onion, burger seasoning, and 1/2 cup of ketchup.

Mix until well blended and pack into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake the meatloaf for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Carefully drain off any excess fat and then top the loaf with the optional topping mixture or about 4 tablespoons of ketchup. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer.

Serve and enjoy!

Tips

Ground beef with a ratio of 80/20 or 85/20 will produce the moistest and most flavorful meatloaf. Baking the meatloaf in a specialty meatloaf pan or on a rack will help drain away some of the excess fat. If you don't have either, you can make a free-form loaf on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet or 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan.

Experiment with meat mixtures in meatloaf. While beef gives excellent flavor and holds together well, adding a portion of lean ground pork will provide juiciness. Ground veal would add lightness to a loaf, and ground chicken or turkey would reduce some of the fat and calories.

Top the meatloaf with prepared barbecue sauce just before it's finished baking.

Use cracker crumbs or soft breadcrumbs in the meatloaf instead of fine dry breadcrumbs.

Line the loaf pan with parchment paper or foil, like a sling. Just grab the ends of the paper or foil and lift the meatloaf out of the pan when it's done.

Bake the meatloaf in individual muffin cups. Use about 1/4 cup of meatloaf mixture for each muffin cup.

Pack the meatloaf mixture into individual oiled ramekins, and then invert them onto a rimmed baking sheet for perfectly shaped individual meatloaves.

Instead of breadcrumbs, use crushed cheese crackers in the meat mixture.

Top a meatloaf with strips of bacon before baking, or add crumbled cooked bacon to the meat mixture.

SOUTHERN MACARONI AND CHEESE

This comes from Kiera Wright-Ruiz in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kiera wrote, "There is macaroni and cheese, and then there is special occasion macaroni and cheese like this one. Unlike most recipes, which start with a roux, this one begins with a milk-and-egg base, which gives the dish an incredibly rich, silky taste. It’s adapted from Millie Peartree, the owner of Millie Peartree Fish Fry & Soul Food restaurant in the Bronx, who has been making this dish since she was a little girl. The recipe was passed down in her family for generations, but because of the generous amount of cheese used, the dish was only made for events like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Extra-sharp Cheddar adds tartness and a layer of Colby Jack creates a gooey, molten center. If you can’t find a Colby Jack blend, shredded mozzarella or a Mexican-style blend will work in its place."

Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Time 45 minutes, plus cooling

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020515-southern-macaroni-and-cheese.

Ingredients

Kosher salt and black pepper

1 pound elbow macaroni

2 cups whole milk

2 large eggs

4 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (about 16 ounces)

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

2 cups shredded Colby Jack (about 8 ounces)

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until a little under al dente, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk milk and eggs. Add cooked macaroni, 2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and stir until well combined.

Add half the macaroni mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish in an even layer. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups Colby Jack evenly on top. Spread the remaining macaroni mixture on top in an even layer. Cover with aluminum foil, transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven. Carefully remove and discard the aluminum foil. Top the macaroni mixture with the remaining 2 cups Cheddar and 1/2 cup Colby Jack. Broil on top rack until cheese is browned in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. (The broiled cheese can go from golden to burnt fairly quickly, so keep a close eye on it.)

Remove from oven and let cool until the macaroni and cheese is fully set, 10 to 15 minutes. (The mixture may first appear jiggly, but it will firm up as it cools.) Serve warm.

STEAK, ROASTED TOMATO AND BEAN CHILI

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.

Source: TBC

Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/steak-roasted-tomato-and-bean-chili.

Ingredients

3 pounds Shoulder Steaks, cut 3/4-inch thick

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2-1/2 cups no-salt added roasted tomato salsa

1/4 cup chili powder

2 tsp ground cumin

2 cans (15 ounces each) no-salt added black beans, rinsed, drained

Optional Toppings/Additions

Guacamole, chopped fresh cilantro, chopped purple onion, chopped tomato, shredded cheese

Directions

Cut beef steaks into 3/4-inch pieces.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Brown beef in three batches. Set aside.

Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, bell pepper and onion to same stockpot. Cook and stir 6 to 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Return beef and accumulated juices to stockpot.

Add salsa, chili powder and cumin; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 hours or until beef is fork-tender.

Stir in beans; cook, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes or until beans are heated through, stirring occasionally.

Serve chili in bowls. Garnish with Toppings, as desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 289; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 6 g; Sodium: 264 mg; Cholesterol: 78 mg; Protein: 32 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g

MEXICAN BREAKFAST CASSEROLE WITH HASH BROWN TOP

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Bored of the same ol’ breakfast every morning? This irresistible hash brown casserole will pull you out of your rut – golden crunchy potato crust and tender layers of eggs, cheese, tortilla, peppers and chiles."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; Makes 12 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/mexican-breakfast-casserole-with-hash-brown-top.

Ingredients

16 large eggs

3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

4 large Old El Paso™ Flour Tortillas

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

4.5 ounce can Old El Paso™ Chopped Green Chiles

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed

1 packet Old El Paso™ Low Sodium Taco Seasoning

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 cup crema (optional)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Spray a large 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

Cut the tortillas in to 1/2 inch by 1 inch strips. Whisk the eggs thoroughly in a large bowl. Then mix in the shredded cheese, chopped bell pepper, chiles, 1 cup chopped green onions, salt and tortillas. Pour the mixture into the baking dish.

In a separate bowl, mix the shredded potato with the Old El Paso™ Taco Seasoning. Then drizzle the butter over the top of the potatoes and toss to coat.

Sprinkle the shredded potatoes over the egg mixture in an even layer. Then place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes until the center is puffed up and the hash brown top is crispy. Serve warm, drizzled with crema and sprinkled with green onions if desired.

SLOW-COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "When you transform a classic special-occasion meal into an easy-breezy weeknight dinner, it’s no wonder that you’re a top-rated recipe by hundreds of home cooks. Find out what all the buzz is about and try this beef stroganoff slow cooker recipe the next time you’re in need of mealtime inspiration."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

2 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 3x1/2x1/4-inch strips

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (10.5 oz) condensed golden mushroom or cream of mushroom soup

1 carton (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 oz cream cheese, cubed (from 8-oz package)

1 container (8 oz) sour cream

6 cups hot cooked noodles or rice

Directions

In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add beef strips, onion and garlic; cook 7 to 9 minutes or until beef is browned.

In 3 1/2- to 4 1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef mixture, soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper.

Cover; cook on low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until beef is tender.

Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Serve over noodles.

Expert Tips

Sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish.

Beef sirloin steak is more tender than other cuts of beef that are used for stews. Cooking the beef in butter until browned, results in the best flavor. Then the very low heat of the slow cooker keeps the meat tender.

With the slow braising of the stroganoff, the cream cheese creates an instantly smooth sauce, that combined with the sour cream stays thick and rich.

It’s easier to cut the beef into clean slices when it’s partially frozen for about 1 hour.

To save precious minutes in the morning, use minced garlic in a jar. You could also cut up the beef the night before and refrigerate.

CREAMY VEGAN HOT CHOCOLATE

This came from Genevieve Ko at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Genevieve wrote, "For a vegan hot chocolate that rivals even the creamiest dairy-laden variety, add a few tablespoons of nut butter like almond, sunflower or peanut to the nondairy milk, chocolate chips and cocoa powder. Whisking is also essential here; nondairy products tend to contain stabilizers that keep them emulsified, so they can separate when boiled. If you keep whisking the mix as it heats and remove it from the stove when it’s nice and steaming, but before it boils, you’ll end up with perfectly smooth hot chocolate. Don’t worry if it breaks: You can simply blend it with a whisk or immersion blender over low heat to bring it back together."

Yield: 2 cups; Time: 5 minutes

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019960-creamy-vegan-hot-chocolate.

Ingredients

1/3 cup vegan semisweet chocolate chips (about 2 ounces)

3 tablespoons vegan unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tablespoons creamy nut or seed butter, such as almond, sunflower or peanut

Pinch of kosher salt

1-1/2 to 2 cups unsweetened nut or grain milk, such as macadamia, walnut, almond, cashew, hazelnut, oat or rice milk

1 to 3 teaspoons granulated sugar (optional)

Preparation

Combine chocolate chips, cocoa powder, nut butter, salt and 1/2 cup nut or grain milk in a small saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth, about 1-1/2 minutes.

Whisk in 1 cup nut or grain milk in a slow, steady stream, and continue whisking until cocoa is steaming, about 1-1/2 minutes. Don’t let it come to a boil or the cocoa will separate.

Taste a spoonful. (Be careful: It’s hot.) If you prefer a thinner hot cocoa, add up to 1/2 cup additional milk. If you prefer it sweeter, add a teaspoon of sugar at a time, tasting after each addition. Divide among cups and serve hot.

Friday, October 21, 2022

Friday Recipes

Friday, October 15, 2021

Friday Recipes

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Double-Post Tuesday

Besides being Taco Tuesday, it's also Double-Post Tuesday. Today's offerings include Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff and Oven-Roasted Chicken Shawarma. Enjoy!

JIM HARRISON’S CARIBBEAN STEW

This is from Sam Sifton at The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Jim Harrison, the poet and epicure, hunter and fisherman, novelist, essayist and enthusiastic cook, published a version of this recipe in the literary magazine Smoke Signals in 1981. I adapted it more than three decades later, after Harrison's death in 2016. The key ingredients: a lot of tomato paste and a good, floral hot sauce, ideally made with Scotch bonnet peppers, which combine in marvelous ways. Parboiling the ribs allows the recipe to come together relatively quickly, and the cooking otherwise is totally serial: one step after another until you slide the pot into the oven and allow the heat to do its work. Substitute different meats, or fewer, if you like, depending on availability.”

Time: 2 hours; Yield: 4 to 6 servings

This was featured in “A Larger-Than-Life Caribbean Stew”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018697-jim-harrisons-caribbean-stew.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds pork spareribs, cut into single ribs

2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed

4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 Italian sausages, hot or sweet

1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced

4 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons hot-pepper sauce, ideally one made with Scotch bonnet peppers, or to taste

1 cup chicken stock, homemade or low-sodium

1/2 teaspoon white sugar

4 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons chile powder

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

Preparation

Place spareribs in a pot, and cover with water. Place pot over high heat, and bring to a boil. Lower heat slightly, and cook, covered, for 15 or 20 minutes, then remove ribs to a large bowl and discard the water.

While the ribs cook, pour the oil into a Dutch oven set over high heat, and swirl it around. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, and when the oil begins to shimmer and is about to smoke, add them to the pan, skin-side down. Brown the chicken aggressively, about 5 to 7 minutes per side, then add the chicken to the bowl with the ribs. Repeat with the sausages, browning them on all sides for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, then add to the bowl with the chicken and the ribs. Cook the onions and garlic in the fat remaining in the Dutch oven, stirring occasionally until they soften and begin to brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Heat oven to 300. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, lemon juice, hot-pepper sauce, chicken stock, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, chile powder and paprika to the onions and garlic in the Dutch oven, then stir to combine, and allow to cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the meats to the Dutch oven, stirring and tossing them so that they are well covered with the sauce, then cover the pot, and place in the oven to cook, undisturbed, for approximately 90 minutes, or until the meats are tender and, in the case of the chicken and the ribs, pulling from the bone.

ADAM RICHMAN'S CHICKEN CHILE VERDE

This comes from Adam Richman on Today's website. Adam wrote, "I think most people are used to the traditional brick red spicy, smoky chili that we all know and love. But in New Mexico, I was introduced to this delicious variation on the theme. The color is bright, it's still rich but oddly refreshing due to all the greens used in it.

"Technique tip: You can freeze homemade salsa for weeks and use for other dishes throughout the month.

"Swap option: Green tomatoes can be used in the place of tomatillos. A 2-pound pork picnic roast can be used instead of chicken."

Prep Time: 60; Cook time: 60 minutes; Servings: 8-10

To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/adam-richman-s-chicken-chile-verde-recipe-t172164.

Ingredients

Salsa Verde

1 pound tomatillos, peeled

1 large white onion, peeled and quartered

4 cloves garlic, peeled

3 to 4 jalapeños

Olive oil

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chicken Chili

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Garlic powder

Four 15-ounce cans white beans, rinsed and drained

8 cups chicken broth

2 cups salsa verde (recipe above)

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 yellow onion, diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

To serve

1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1 avocado, sliced

Lime wedges

Preparation

For the salsa verde:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Toss the tomatillos, onion, garlic cloves and jalapeños with a drizzle of olive oil and spread out evenly on rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes turning at the halfway mark.

Carefully remove veggies from baking sheet and blend in blender or food processor, making sure you still leave some texture to the mixture.

Heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil over high heat in saucepan. When oil begins to ripple, add blended vegetables and stir.

Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for about 15-20 minutes then pour mixture back in blender, add cilantro and blend again.

Salsa can be used immediately, or kept in fridge for roughly three days.

For the chicken chili:

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and garlic powder.

Place chicken in a slow-cooker on low for 6-8 hours.

Take the chicken out, shred and cut into bite size pieces. Place back into the slow cooker with the juices.

Add the beans, chicken broth, salsa verde and spices. Place lid on the slow cooker and turn heat up to high.

In a skillet, place the diced onion with the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and cook until softened and translucent. Add the onions to the slow cooker and let simmer for 1 hour.

Add the chopped cilantro right before serving. Ladle into bowls and garnish with sour cream, Jack cheese, avocado and lime.

OVEN-ROASTED CHICKEN SHAWARMA

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, "Here is a recipe for an oven-roasted version of the classic street-side flavor bomb usually cooked on a rotisserie. It is perfect for an evening with family and friends. Serve with pita and tahini, chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, some olives, chopped parsley, some feta, fried eggplant, hummus swirled with harissa, rice or rice pilaf. You can make the white sauce that traditionally accompanies it by cutting plain yogurt with mayonnaise and lemon juice, and flecking it with garlic. For a red to offset it, simmer ketchup with red pepper flakes and a hit of red-wine vinegar until it goes syrupy and thick, or just use your favorite hot sauce instead.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 45 minutes, plus marinating

This was featured in "Chicken Shawarma Deluxe, No Rotisserie Required", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017161-oven-roasted-chicken-shawarma.

Ingredients

2 lemons, juiced

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil

6 cloves garlic, peeled, smashed and minced

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

A pinch ground cinnamon

Red pepper flakes, to taste

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 large red onion, peeled and quartered

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Prepare a marinade for the chicken. Combine the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon and red pepper flakes in a large bowl, then whisk to combine. Add the chicken and toss well to coat. Cover and store in refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.

When ready to cook, heat oven to 425 degrees. Use the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to grease a rimmed sheet pan. Add the quartered onion to the chicken and marinade, and toss once to combine. Remove the chicken and onion from the marinade, and place on the pan, spreading everything evenly across it.

Put the chicken in the oven and roast until it is browned, crisp at the edges and cooked through, about 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven, allow to rest 2 minutes, then slice into bits. (To make the chicken even more crisp, set a large pan over high heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, then the sliced chicken, and sauté until everything curls tight in the heat.) Scatter the parsley over the top and serve with tomatoes, cucumbers, pita, white sauce, hot sauce, olives, fried eggplant, feta, rice — really anything you desire.

SLOW-COOKER BEEF STROGANOFF

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "When you transform a classic special-occasion meal into an easy-breezy weeknight dinner, it’s no wonder that you’re a top-rated recipe by hundreds of home cooks. Find out what all the buzz is about and try this beef stroganoff slow cooker recipe the next time you’re in need of mealtime inspiration."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

2 lb boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 3x1/2x1/4-inch strips

1 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (10.5 oz) condensed golden mushroom or cream of mushroom soup

1 carton (8 oz) sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 oz cream cheese, cubed (from 8-oz package)

1 container (8 oz) sour cream

6 cups hot cooked noodles or rice

Directions

In 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add beef strips, onion and garlic; cook 7 to 9 minutes or until beef is browned.

In 3 1/2- to 4 1/2-quart slow cooker, mix beef mixture, soup, mushrooms, salt and pepper.

Cover; cook on low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until beef is tender.

Stir cream cheese into beef mixture until melted. Stir in sour cream until well blended. Serve over noodles.

Expert Tips

Sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley for a bright finish.

Beef sirloin steak is more tender than other cuts of beef that are used for stews. Cooking the beef in butter until browned, results in the best flavor. Then the very low heat of the slow cooker keeps the meat tender.

With the slow braising of the stroganoff, the cream cheese creates an instantly smooth sauce, that combined with the sour cream stays thick and rich.

It’s easier to cut the beef into clean slices when it’s partially frozen for about 1 hour.

To save precious minutes in the morning, use minced garlic in a jar. You could also cut up the beef the night before and refrigerate.

ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

This is from VeryWellFit, and begins, "Vegetable casseroles are a great way to enjoy fresh produce from the farmers market or make use of a bumper crop. But they can also be loaded with cream and cheese making for a very heavy and high-caloric dish.

"To make this zucchini casserole recipe healthier, instead of adding cream to the sauce it is enriched with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and herbs. The zucchini is then topped with just a bit of cheese. You may notice the absence of breadcrumbs, which also helps cut down on the calories. To compensate for the breadcrumbs' job of soaking up some of the liquid the vegetables exude during cooking, this recipe calls for starting the casserole on a higher heat to dry it out a bit, and then adding the last of the cheese on the top (otherwise it gets too brown or could even burn).

"This zucchini casserole recipe works well with any kind of zucchini or green summer squash, including a combination of squashes."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 40 minutes; Servings: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/3 cup onion (chopped, about 1/2 of a medium onion)

3 cloves garlic (chopped)

3/4 pound tomatoes (fresh or canned—about a 1-pound can of whole tomatoes, drained)

1 teaspoon Italian herbs (or oregano)

Salt and pepper

1 pound zucchini (approximately 2 medium)

1 cup Italian cheese mixture (grated, packaged, or your own mix including mozzarella, Parmesan, and provolone)

Preparation

Heat oven to 400 F.

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Sauté the onion in the oil for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another 30 to 60 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant.

Cut each tomato into 3 to 5 pieces and add to the oil, along with the herbs, salt, and pepper.

Cook over medium heat until the liquid is mostly gone (but not dry), stirring occasionally—you should end up without about 1 cup of the mixture. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the zucchini into slices approximately 1/4 inch thick. These can be either round slices, or lengthwise. Take the largest slices and line the bottom of a 9x9-inch or 8x8-inch pan, or a similarly-sized round pan.

Spread about 1/4 of the tomatoes on top of the zucchini (don't even try to spread evenly; it won't work), followed by 1/4 cup of the cheese.

Continue layering the sauce, zucchini, and cheese. It should come out to 4 layers, but if it only makes 3, just try to divide things relatively evenly. Don't put the final layer of cheese on yet.

Bake for 20 minutes. Top with the rest of the cheese, and lower the temperature to 375F. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown.

Ingredient Substitutions and Cooking Tips

If you'd like to cut down on the fat even more, substitute low-fat or fat-free cheese. Just keep in mind that when you remove the fat, you also lessen the cheeses' melt-ability.

BAKED POTATO CASSEROLE

Here's a yummy recipe from that infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list.

Ingredients:

8 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

1 cup Carnation Evaporated Lowfat 2% Milk

1/2 cup light sour cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups (8 oz. Pkg) shredded 2% cheddar cheese, divided

6 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, divided

Sliced green onions (optional)

Directions:

Place potatoes in large saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Drain.

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 2 ½ – to 3-quart casserole dish.

Return potatoes to saucepan, add evaporated milk, sour cream, salt and pepper. Beat with hand-held mixer until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon. Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green onions. Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Confessions Of A Foodie