Confessions of a Foodie

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Showing posts with label Smoky White Bean and Beef Sloppy Joes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smoky White Bean and Beef Sloppy Joes. Show all posts

Friday, August 1, 2025

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow-Cooker Enchilada Sloppy Joes and S'mores Slab Pie. Enjoy!

SMOKY WHITE BEAN AND BEEF SLOPPY JOES

This is from Sarah DiGregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. She wrote, "This update on the kid-friendly classic uses half the meat as a traditional sloppy Joe recipe, but retains the qualities that everyone loves: a tart-sweet savoriness and a quick cooking time. You can substitute ground pork, turkey, lamb or plant-based ground meat for the beef; the key is to use a protein that’s not too lean. A little fat helps carry the flavor of the meat through the entire dish. (If you use plant-based meat or you only have lean meat on hand, add another tablespoon of olive oil or your preferred fat.) The addition of adobo sauce from a can of chipotles imparts smoke, with just a hint of heat. (If you’d like a spicier version, by all means, chop up one or two of the chipotles and add them.) The leftover chipotles keep for at least two weeks in the fridge or indefinitely in the freezer, and they are a welcome addition to many dishes, like chicken tacos or chili."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 20 minutes

to view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022280-smoky-white-bean-and-beef-sloppy-joes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt

1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 pound ground beef, preferably 85 percent lean

1 packed tablespoon light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3/4 cup canned or jarred tomato purée

1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotles in adobo)

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or pinto beans, drained

4 hamburger buns, preferably potato buns

Tomato slices and pickle chips, for topping

Preparation

Warm the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over high heat. Add the onion, season with 1 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the bell pepper, then spread out the vegetable mixture and let it cook undisturbed for about 1 minute. Stir well and repeat, letting the vegetables cook undisturbed for another minute or so at a time. You want the onions and peppers to get softened, seared and browned in spots, about 5 minutes total.

Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan, making an empty spot in the middle of the pan, and add the ground beef. Season the beef with a pinch of salt, and smash it flat with a spatula, letting it cook undisturbed for 1 minute until brown underneath. Break up the beef with the spatula and cook 1 to 2 more minutes, until completely browned with no visible pink spots.

Combine the vegetables and beef, then add the sugar and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute to toast the tomato paste. Add the garlic powder and cumin, then the tomato purée, adobo sauce and vinegar. Stir in the beans. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer to thicken slightly, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, toast the buns.

With a fork, roughly smash some of the beans to thicken the mixture. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Serve on toasted buns, topped with tomatoes and pickles.

S'MORES SLAB PIE

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "S’mores get a sheet-pan makeover in this summery treat loaded with marshmallow creme and chocolate pudding atop a buttery graham cracker crust."

Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes; Servings: 16

To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/smores-slab-pie/72fdcfd5-c59a-45bd-b288-f7fd8bc1bd68.

Ingredients

Crust

3 cups finely crushed graham crackers (46 squares)

3/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Filling

3-1/2 cups milk

2 boxes (3.4 oz each) Jell-O™ Cook & Serve chocolate pudding & pie filling mix (not instant)

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Topping

4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened

2 jars (7 oz each) Kraft Jet Puffed marshmallow creme

2 cups (from 8-oz container) Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed

Decoration

1/4 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting (from 16-oz container)

1/4 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers (2 squares)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray.

In medium bowl, mix Crust ingredients with fork until well blended. Press evenly in bottom and up sides of pan. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, cook milk and pudding mixes over medium heat 10 to 14 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add chocolate chips; stir until melted and smooth. Pour into baked crust; spread evenly. Cool at room temperature 15 minutes, then cover filling with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until set.

When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap from filling. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in whipped topping. Drop by spoonfuls over chilled pudding layer; spread evenly over top.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave frosting uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Using a fork, drizzle warmed frosting and sprinkle 1/4 cup graham cracker pieces over top.

Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pieces.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1

To ensure success of this recipe, be sure to use pudding that is cooked on the stovetop and not instant.

tip 2

No dark chocolate chips? Replace with semisweet chocolate chips.

BAKED BEANS

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread."

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 6-1/2 hours, plus at least 6 hours' soaking time

This was featured in "A Fresh Take on Easter", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016258-baked-beans.

Ingredients

2 cups navy beans

Salt

1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup molasses

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.

Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.

MEXICAN CORN BUBBLES

Years ago, when my better half and I first got cable, I was channel-surfing, something most of us have done occasionally. I ran across a baking show on PBS called Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, featuring Fr. Dominic Garramone. I fell in love with the show, and watched it almost every time it was on. (Unfortunately, it only ran from 1999 to 2001.)

Anywho, this recipe was featured on his show; you might even find it in one of his many cookbooks (and yes, I’m planning to pick up a copy of at least one or two of said cookbooks).

Makes 24 rolls.

Ingredients

4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S RapidRise Yeast

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon chili powder

1-1/2teaspoons chopped dried jalapeno peppers

1/2 cup water

1-3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 (4-ounce) jar sliced pimientos, well-drained

4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 24 cubes

Directions

In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, cornmeal, sugar, undissolved yeast, salt, chili powder, and jalapeno peppers. Heat water, milk and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees); stir into flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece to smooth balls; flatten to 3-inch circles with palms of hands. Place 3 to 4 strips of pimientos and 1 cube of cheese in center of each circle. Pull up edges and pinch to enclose filling. Place balls in 2 greased 9-inch round cake pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

SLOW-COOKER ENCHILADA SLOPPY JOES

This comes from Tablespoon.com, and begins, “Seasoned with chiles, enchilada sauce and taco seasoning, this set-it-and-forget-it beef recipe is packed with south-of-the-border flavors.” Prep Time: 10 min; Total Time: 4 hr 10 min; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 lb ground beef

1 tablespoon Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)

4 soft burger buns

Directions

Heat 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add oil and onion; cook about five minutes or until soft. Add beef; cook until brown, stirring occasionally.

Spray 7-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour mixture into slow cooker. Stir in taco seasoning mix, enchilada sauce and green chiles. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours.

Just before serving, stir in cilantro and 1/2 cup of the cheese. If too saucy, cook uncovered about 30 minutes longer, allowing extra moisture to evaporate.

Serve on buns. Top with remaining cheese. Enjoy!

TURKEY CHILI

This is from Eric Kim from The New York Times cooking site. Eric 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.

Friday, October 18, 2024

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow-Cooker Enchilada Sloppy Joes and S'mores Slab Pie. Enjoy!

SMOKY WHITE BEAN AND BEEF SLOPPY JOES

This is from Sarah DiGregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. She wrote, "This update on the kid-friendly classic uses half the meat as a traditional sloppy Joe recipe, but retains the qualities that everyone loves: a tart-sweet savoriness and a quick cooking time. You can substitute ground pork, turkey, lamb or plant-based ground meat for the beef; the key is to use a protein that’s not too lean. A little fat helps carry the flavor of the meat through the entire dish. (If you use plant-based meat or you only have lean meat on hand, add another tablespoon of olive oil or your preferred fat.) The addition of adobo sauce from a can of chipotles imparts smoke, with just a hint of heat. (If you’d like a spicier version, by all means, chop up one or two of the chipotles and add them.) The leftover chipotles keep for at least two weeks in the fridge or indefinitely in the freezer, and they are a welcome addition to many dishes, like chicken tacos or chili."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 20 minutes

to view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022280-smoky-white-bean-and-beef-sloppy-joes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt

1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 pound ground beef, preferably 85 percent lean

1 packed tablespoon light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3/4 cup canned or jarred tomato purée

1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotles in adobo)

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or pinto beans, drained

4 hamburger buns, preferably potato buns

Tomato slices and pickle chips, for topping

Preparation

Warm the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over high heat. Add the onion, season with 1 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the bell pepper, then spread out the vegetable mixture and let it cook undisturbed for about 1 minute. Stir well and repeat, letting the vegetables cook undisturbed for another minute or so at a time. You want the onions and peppers to get softened, seared and browned in spots, about 5 minutes total.

Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan, making an empty spot in the middle of the pan, and add the ground beef. Season the beef with a pinch of salt, and smash it flat with a spatula, letting it cook undisturbed for 1 minute until brown underneath. Break up the beef with the spatula and cook 1 to 2 more minutes, until completely browned with no visible pink spots.

Combine the vegetables and beef, then add the sugar and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute to toast the tomato paste. Add the garlic powder and cumin, then the tomato purée, adobo sauce and vinegar. Stir in the beans. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer to thicken slightly, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, toast the buns.

With a fork, roughly smash some of the beans to thicken the mixture. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Serve on toasted buns, topped with tomatoes and pickles.

S'MORES SLAB PIE

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "S’mores get a sheet-pan makeover in this summery treat loaded with marshmallow creme and chocolate pudding atop a buttery graham cracker crust."

Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes; Servings: 16

To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/smores-slab-pie/72fdcfd5-c59a-45bd-b288-f7fd8bc1bd68.

Ingredients

Crust

3 cups finely crushed graham crackers (46 squares)

3/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Filling

3-1/2 cups milk

2 boxes (3.4 oz each) Jell-O™ Cook & Serve chocolate pudding & pie filling mix (not instant)

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Topping

4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened

2 jars (7 oz each) Kraft Jet Puffed marshmallow creme

2 cups (from 8-oz container) Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed

Decoration

1/4 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting (from 16-oz container)

1/4 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers (2 squares)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray.

In medium bowl, mix Crust ingredients with fork until well blended. Press evenly in bottom and up sides of pan. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, cook milk and pudding mixes over medium heat 10 to 14 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add chocolate chips; stir until melted and smooth. Pour into baked crust; spread evenly. Cool at room temperature 15 minutes, then cover filling with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until set.

When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap from filling. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in whipped topping. Drop by spoonfuls over chilled pudding layer; spread evenly over top.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave frosting uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Using a fork, drizzle warmed frosting and sprinkle 1/4 cup graham cracker pieces over top.

Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pieces.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1

To ensure success of this recipe, be sure to use pudding that is cooked on the stovetop and not instant.

tip 2

No dark chocolate chips? Replace with semisweet chocolate chips.

BAKED BEANS

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread."

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 6-1/2 hours, plus at least 6 hours' soaking time

This was featured in "A Fresh Take on Easter", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016258-baked-beans.

Ingredients

2 cups navy beans

Salt

1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup molasses

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.

Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.

MEXICAN CORN BUBBLES

Years ago, when my better half and I first got cable, I was channel-surfing, something most of us have done occasionally. I ran across a baking show on PBS called Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, featuring Fr. Dominic Garramone. I fell in love with the show, and watched it almost every time it was on. (Unfortunately, it only ran from 1999 to 2001.)

Anywho, this recipe was featured on his show; you might even find it in one of his many cookbooks (and yes, I’m planning to pick up a copy of at least one or two of said cookbooks).

Makes 24 rolls.

Ingredients

4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S RapidRise Yeast

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon chili powder

1-1/2teaspoons chopped dried jalapeno peppers

1/2 cup water

1-3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 (4-ounce) jar sliced pimientos, well-drained

4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 24 cubes

Directions

In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, cornmeal, sugar, undissolved yeast, salt, chili powder, and jalapeno peppers. Heat water, milk and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees); stir into flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece to smooth balls; flatten to 3-inch circles with palms of hands. Place 3 to 4 strips of pimientos and 1 cube of cheese in center of each circle. Pull up edges and pinch to enclose filling. Place balls in 2 greased 9-inch round cake pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

SLOW-COOKER ENCHILADA SLOPPY JOES

This comes from Tablespoon.com, and begins, “Seasoned with chiles, enchilada sauce and taco seasoning, this set-it-and-forget-it beef recipe is packed with south-of-the-border flavors.” Prep Time: 10 min; Total Time: 4 hr 10 min; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 lb ground beef

1 tablespoon Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)

4 soft burger buns

Directions

Heat 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add oil and onion; cook about five minutes or until soft. Add beef; cook until brown, stirring occasionally.

Spray 7-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour mixture into slow cooker. Stir in taco seasoning mix, enchilada sauce and green chiles. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours.

Just before serving, stir in cilantro and 1/2 cup of the cheese. If too saucy, cook uncovered about 30 minutes longer, allowing extra moisture to evaporate.

Serve on buns. Top with remaining cheese. Enjoy!

TURKEY CHILI

This is from Eric Kim from The New York Times cooking site. Eric 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.

Friday, September 20, 2024

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow-Cooker Enchilada Sloppy Joes and S'mores Slab Pie. Enjoy!

SMOKY WHITE BEAN AND BEEF SLOPPY JOES

This is from Sarah DiGregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. She wrote, "This update on the kid-friendly classic uses half the meat as a traditional sloppy Joe recipe, but retains the qualities that everyone loves: a tart-sweet savoriness and a quick cooking time. You can substitute ground pork, turkey, lamb or plant-based ground meat for the beef; the key is to use a protein that’s not too lean. A little fat helps carry the flavor of the meat through the entire dish. (If you use plant-based meat or you only have lean meat on hand, add another tablespoon of olive oil or your preferred fat.) The addition of adobo sauce from a can of chipotles imparts smoke, with just a hint of heat. (If you’d like a spicier version, by all means, chop up one or two of the chipotles and add them.) The leftover chipotles keep for at least two weeks in the fridge or indefinitely in the freezer, and they are a welcome addition to many dishes, like chicken tacos or chili."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 20 minutes

to view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022280-smoky-white-bean-and-beef-sloppy-joes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt

1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 pound ground beef, preferably 85 percent lean

1 packed tablespoon light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3/4 cup canned or jarred tomato purée

1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotles in adobo)

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or pinto beans, drained

4 hamburger buns, preferably potato buns

Tomato slices and pickle chips, for topping

Preparation

Warm the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over high heat. Add the onion, season with 1 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the bell pepper, then spread out the vegetable mixture and let it cook undisturbed for about 1 minute. Stir well and repeat, letting the vegetables cook undisturbed for another minute or so at a time. You want the onions and peppers to get softened, seared and browned in spots, about 5 minutes total.

Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan, making an empty spot in the middle of the pan, and add the ground beef. Season the beef with a pinch of salt, and smash it flat with a spatula, letting it cook undisturbed for 1 minute until brown underneath. Break up the beef with the spatula and cook 1 to 2 more minutes, until completely browned with no visible pink spots.

Combine the vegetables and beef, then add the sugar and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute to toast the tomato paste. Add the garlic powder and cumin, then the tomato purée, adobo sauce and vinegar. Stir in the beans. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer to thicken slightly, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, toast the buns.

With a fork, roughly smash some of the beans to thicken the mixture. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Serve on toasted buns, topped with tomatoes and pickles.

S'MORES SLAB PIE

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "S’mores get a sheet-pan makeover in this summery treat loaded with marshmallow creme and chocolate pudding atop a buttery graham cracker crust."

Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes; Servings: 16

To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/smores-slab-pie/72fdcfd5-c59a-45bd-b288-f7fd8bc1bd68.

Ingredients

Crust

3 cups finely crushed graham crackers (46 squares)

3/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Filling

3-1/2 cups milk

2 boxes (3.4 oz each) Jell-O™ Cook & Serve chocolate pudding & pie filling mix (not instant)

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Topping

4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened

2 jars (7 oz each) Kraft Jet Puffed marshmallow creme

2 cups (from 8-oz container) Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed

Decoration

1/4 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting (from 16-oz container)

1/4 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers (2 squares)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray.

In medium bowl, mix Crust ingredients with fork until well blended. Press evenly in bottom and up sides of pan. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, cook milk and pudding mixes over medium heat 10 to 14 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add chocolate chips; stir until melted and smooth. Pour into baked crust; spread evenly. Cool at room temperature 15 minutes, then cover filling with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until set.

When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap from filling. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in whipped topping. Drop by spoonfuls over chilled pudding layer; spread evenly over top.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave frosting uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Using a fork, drizzle warmed frosting and sprinkle 1/4 cup graham cracker pieces over top.

Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pieces.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1

To ensure success of this recipe, be sure to use pudding that is cooked on the stovetop and not instant.

tip 2

No dark chocolate chips? Replace with semisweet chocolate chips.

BAKED BEANS

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread."

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 6-1/2 hours, plus at least 6 hours' soaking time

This was featured in "A Fresh Take on Easter", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016258-baked-beans.

Ingredients

2 cups navy beans

Salt

1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup molasses

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.

Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.

MEXICAN CORN BUBBLES

Years ago, when my better half and I first got cable, I was channel-surfing, something most of us have done occasionally. I ran across a baking show on PBS called Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, featuring Fr. Dominic Garramone. I fell in love with the show, and watched it almost every time it was on. (Unfortunately, it only ran from 1999 to 2001.)

Anywho, this recipe was featured on his show; you might even find it in one of his many cookbooks (and yes, I’m planning to pick up a copy of at least one or two of said cookbooks).

Makes 24 rolls.

Ingredients

4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S RapidRise Yeast

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon chili powder

1-1/2teaspoons chopped dried jalapeno peppers

1/2 cup water

1-3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 (4-ounce) jar sliced pimientos, well-drained

4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 24 cubes

Directions

In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, cornmeal, sugar, undissolved yeast, salt, chili powder, and jalapeno peppers. Heat water, milk and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees); stir into flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece to smooth balls; flatten to 3-inch circles with palms of hands. Place 3 to 4 strips of pimientos and 1 cube of cheese in center of each circle. Pull up edges and pinch to enclose filling. Place balls in 2 greased 9-inch round cake pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

SLOW-COOKER ENCHILADA SLOPPY JOES

This comes from Tablespoon.com, and begins, “Seasoned with chiles, enchilada sauce and taco seasoning, this set-it-and-forget-it beef recipe is packed with south-of-the-border flavors.” Prep Time: 10 min; Total Time: 4 hr 10 min; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 lb ground beef

1 tablespoon Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)

4 soft burger buns

Directions

Heat 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add oil and onion; cook about five minutes or until soft. Add beef; cook until brown, stirring occasionally.

Spray 7-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour mixture into slow cooker. Stir in taco seasoning mix, enchilada sauce and green chiles. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours.

Just before serving, stir in cilantro and 1/2 cup of the cheese. If too saucy, cook uncovered about 30 minutes longer, allowing extra moisture to evaporate.

Serve on buns. Top with remaining cheese. Enjoy!

TURKEY CHILI

This is from Eric Kim from The New York Times cooking site. Eric 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.

Friday, April 19, 2024

Friday Recipes

Here's to Friday (yay) and another weekend. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Best Ever Beef Stew and Mini Skillet Meatloaves. Enjoy!

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT SOUP

This interesting soup comes from Drumnwrite in Allrecipes. The recipe begins, "Tomatoes and peanut butter? YES! The first time I tried this at a health food restaurant, I was hooked. About 5 years of tweaking the recipe to my personal taste has created a spicy, sweet favorite amongst my friends and family. Luckily there is always enough for everyone!"

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Servings:10

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/68530/west-african-peanut-soup/.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 medium onions, very finely diced

2 large bell peppers, (any color) finely chopped

6 large cloves garlic, minced

1 (28 ounce) can chopped tomatoes with juice

8 cups vegetable broth

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup uncooked rice

1 (18 ounce) jar creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Cook onion, bell pepper, and garlic until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with their juice, vegetable broth, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

Add rice to soup and stir. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 25 minutes, or until rice is tender.

When rice is cooked, whisk in peanut butter and return to a simmer, and serve. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, if desired.

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.

MINI SKILLET MEATLOAVES

This yumminess is from the Food Network.

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Level: Easy; Makes 4 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/3 cup breadcrumbs

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 large egg

3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 small onion, finely minced

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 cloves garlic, grated or finely minced

1 1/2 pounds meatloaf mix (ground beef, pork and/or veal)

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup ketchup

1 to 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Directions

Mix the breadcrumbs, milk, parsley, egg, Worcestershire sauce, onion, chili powder and garlic in a large bowl. Add the meat, season with salt and pepper and mix with your hands until combined. Shape into six 3-to-4-inch oval loaves.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the loaves and brown about 3 minutes per side.

Whisk the ketchup, sugar and vinegar in a bowl and brush a few tablespoonfuls over the meat. Add 1/2 cup water to the skillet, cover and simmer over low heat until cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Transfer the loaves to a plate. Add the remaining ketchup mixture to the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring, until thick, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve 4 meatloaves with the hot glaze, reserving 2 for quesadillas.

CHICKEN FAJITAS

This recipe is from the Food Network, and begins, "Marinating chicken, peppers and onions in a highly flavored marinade imparts big Tex-Mex flavors onto these mouthwatering grilled fajitas. Spiced yogurt and avocado sauce served alongside fresh cilantro keeps the fajitas healthy and fresh tasting."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Inactive Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Intermediate

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-fajitas-recipe-2040619.

Ingredients

1 cup packed cilantro leaves, plus extra for serving

1/4 cup lime juice, about 2 limes

1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

3 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cloves garlic

1 jalapeno, seeded if desired

1 tablespoon honey

Kosher salt

1 1/2-pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 red onion, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds

2 orange and/or yellow bell peppers, quartered, seeds removed

1 ripe avocado, halved, seeded and peeled

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil

1/8 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 cup fat-free Greek Yogurt

12 corn tortillas

Directions

Put the cilantro, lime juice, broth, scallions, garlic, jalapeno, honey, and salt in a blender, puree until smooth. Reserve 2 tablespoons; do not wash out the blender.

Put chicken breasts in a medium bowl and the peppers and onions in another. Divide the remaining cilantro puree evenly between the chicken and the peppers and onions. Toss well to coat the chicken and vegetables and let stand, at room temperature, for 30 minutes.

Add the avocado, 1/2 cup water, and the reserved 2 tablespoons cilantro sauce to the blender. Puree until smooth and season with salt. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a small skillet set over medium heat until hot. Add the cumin and coriander and continue to cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour the spices over the yogurt and set aside for the flavors to blend. Stir before serving.

Preheat a grill for medium-high/direct heat cooking. Oil the grill grates. Grill the chicken and vegetables, turning, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 5 to 8 minutes for the vegetables and 12 to 15 minutes for the chicken. Let chicken rest 5 minutes. Place the tortillas on the grill until just warmed through, about 30 seconds.

To assemble the fajitas: slice the onions and peppers into thin strips and then slice the chicken. Place some peppers, onions, chicken and cilantro in a tortilla topped with the spiced yogurt and the avocado sauce.

SMOKY WHITE BEAN AND BEEF SLOPPY JOES

This is from Sarah DiGregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. She wrote, "This update on the kid-friendly classic uses half the meat as a traditional sloppy Joe recipe, but retains the qualities that everyone loves: a tart-sweet savoriness and a quick cooking time. You can substitute ground pork, turkey, lamb or plant-based ground meat for the beef; the key is to use a protein that’s not too lean. A little fat helps carry the flavor of the meat through the entire dish. (If you use plant-based meat or you only have lean meat on hand, add another tablespoon of olive oil or your preferred fat.) The addition of adobo sauce from a can of chipotles imparts smoke, with just a hint of heat. (If you’d like a spicier version, by all means, chop up one or two of the chipotles and add them.) The leftover chipotles keep for at least two weeks in the fridge or indefinitely in the freezer, and they are a welcome addition to many dishes, like chicken tacos or chili."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 20 minutes

to view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022280-smoky-white-bean-and-beef-sloppy-joes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt

1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 pound ground beef, preferably 85 percent lean

1 packed tablespoon light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3/4 cup canned or jarred tomato purée

1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotles in adobo)

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or pinto beans, drained

4 hamburger buns, preferably potato buns

Tomato slices and pickle chips, for topping

Preparation

Warm the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over high heat. Add the onion, season with 1 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the bell pepper, then spread out the vegetable mixture and let it cook undisturbed for about 1 minute. Stir well and repeat, letting the vegetables cook undisturbed for another minute or so at a time. You want the onions and peppers to get softened, seared and browned in spots, about 5 minutes total.

Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan, making an empty spot in the middle of the pan, and add the ground beef. Season the beef with a pinch of salt, and smash it flat with a spatula, letting it cook undisturbed for 1 minute until brown underneath. Break up the beef with the spatula and cook 1 to 2 more minutes, until completely browned with no visible pink spots.

Combine the vegetables and beef, then add the sugar and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute to toast the tomato paste. Add the garlic powder and cumin, then the tomato purée, adobo sauce and vinegar. Stir in the beans. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer to thicken slightly, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, toast the buns.

With a fork, roughly smash some of the beans to thicken the mixture. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Serve on toasted buns, topped with tomatoes and pickles.

BEST EVER BEEF STEW

This comes from Chungah at Damn Delicious. She wrote, "A cozy, classic beef stew with tender beef, carrots, mushrooms + potatoes. Everyone will love this, especially on those chilly nights!"

Yield: 8 servings; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

You can view this recipe on Chungah's website at https://damndelicious.net/2020/02/29/best-ever-beef-stew/. While you're there, you can sign up for her newsletter.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 pounds top sirloin steak, diced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 medium sweet onion, diced

2 large carrots, peeled and diced

2 celery ribs, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 ounces cremini mushrooms, halved

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup dry red wine

2 1/2 cups beef stock

4 sprigs fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

1 large russet potato, peeled and cut in 1/2-inch chunks

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Season steak with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Working in batches, add steak to the stockpot and cook, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned, about 6-8 minutes; set aside.

Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3-4 minutes.

Add garlic and mushrooms, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and browned, about 3-4 minutes.

Whisk in flour and tomato paste until lightly browned, about 1 minute.

Stir in wine, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the stockpot.

Stir in beef stock, thyme, bay leaves and steak. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until beef is very tender, about 30 minutes.

Stir in potato; simmer until potatoes are just tender and stew has thickened, about 20 minutes. Remove and discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Stir in parsley; season with salt and pepper, to taste.*

Serve immediately.

Notes:

*TO FREEZE: Let cool completely; portion into plastic freezer bags in individual servings, squeezing out any excess air before sealing. Lay the bags flat in a single layer in the freezer (this will help them freeze quickly). To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, reheating over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Friday, April 5, 2024

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow-Cooker Enchilada Sloppy Joes and S'mores Slab Pie. Enjoy!

SMOKY WHITE BEAN AND BEEF SLOPPY JOES

This is from Sarah DiGregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. She wrote, "This update on the kid-friendly classic uses half the meat as a traditional sloppy Joe recipe, but retains the qualities that everyone loves: a tart-sweet savoriness and a quick cooking time. You can substitute ground pork, turkey, lamb or plant-based ground meat for the beef; the key is to use a protein that’s not too lean. A little fat helps carry the flavor of the meat through the entire dish. (If you use plant-based meat or you only have lean meat on hand, add another tablespoon of olive oil or your preferred fat.) The addition of adobo sauce from a can of chipotles imparts smoke, with just a hint of heat. (If you’d like a spicier version, by all means, chop up one or two of the chipotles and add them.) The leftover chipotles keep for at least two weeks in the fridge or indefinitely in the freezer, and they are a welcome addition to many dishes, like chicken tacos or chili."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 20 minutes

to view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022280-smoky-white-bean-and-beef-sloppy-joes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt

1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 pound ground beef, preferably 85 percent lean

1 packed tablespoon light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3/4 cup canned or jarred tomato purée

1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotles in adobo)

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or pinto beans, drained

4 hamburger buns, preferably potato buns

Tomato slices and pickle chips, for topping

Preparation

Warm the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over high heat. Add the onion, season with 1 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the bell pepper, then spread out the vegetable mixture and let it cook undisturbed for about 1 minute. Stir well and repeat, letting the vegetables cook undisturbed for another minute or so at a time. You want the onions and peppers to get softened, seared and browned in spots, about 5 minutes total.

Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan, making an empty spot in the middle of the pan, and add the ground beef. Season the beef with a pinch of salt, and smash it flat with a spatula, letting it cook undisturbed for 1 minute until brown underneath. Break up the beef with the spatula and cook 1 to 2 more minutes, until completely browned with no visible pink spots.

Combine the vegetables and beef, then add the sugar and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute to toast the tomato paste. Add the garlic powder and cumin, then the tomato purée, adobo sauce and vinegar. Stir in the beans. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer to thicken slightly, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, toast the buns.

With a fork, roughly smash some of the beans to thicken the mixture. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Serve on toasted buns, topped with tomatoes and pickles.

S'MORES SLAB PIE

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "S’mores get a sheet-pan makeover in this summery treat loaded with marshmallow creme and chocolate pudding atop a buttery graham cracker crust."

Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes; Servings: 16

To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/smores-slab-pie/72fdcfd5-c59a-45bd-b288-f7fd8bc1bd68.

Ingredients

Crust

3 cups finely crushed graham crackers (46 squares)

3/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Filling

3-1/2 cups milk

2 boxes (3.4 oz each) Jell-O™ Cook & Serve chocolate pudding & pie filling mix (not instant)

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Topping

4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened

2 jars (7 oz each) Kraft Jet Puffed marshmallow creme

2 cups (from 8-oz container) Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed

Decoration

1/4 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting (from 16-oz container)

1/4 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers (2 squares)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray.

In medium bowl, mix Crust ingredients with fork until well blended. Press evenly in bottom and up sides of pan. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, cook milk and pudding mixes over medium heat 10 to 14 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add chocolate chips; stir until melted and smooth. Pour into baked crust; spread evenly. Cool at room temperature 15 minutes, then cover filling with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until set.

When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap from filling. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in whipped topping. Drop by spoonfuls over chilled pudding layer; spread evenly over top.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave frosting uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Using a fork, drizzle warmed frosting and sprinkle 1/4 cup graham cracker pieces over top.

Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pieces.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1

To ensure success of this recipe, be sure to use pudding that is cooked on the stovetop and not instant.

tip 2

No dark chocolate chips? Replace with semisweet chocolate chips.

BAKED BEANS

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread."

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 6-1/2 hours, plus at least 6 hours' soaking time

This was featured in "A Fresh Take on Easter", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016258-baked-beans.

Ingredients

2 cups navy beans

Salt

1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup molasses

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.

Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.

MEXICAN CORN BUBBLES

Years ago, when my better half and I first got cable, I was channel-surfing, something most of us have done occasionally. I ran across a baking show on PBS called Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, featuring Fr. Dominic Garramone. I fell in love with the show, and watched it almost every time it was on. (Unfortunately, it only ran from 1999 to 2001.)

Anywho, this recipe was featured on his show; you might even find it in one of his many cookbooks (and yes, I’m planning to pick up a copy of at least one or two of said cookbooks).

Makes 24 rolls.

Ingredients

4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S RapidRise Yeast

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon chili powder

1-1/2teaspoons chopped dried jalapeno peppers

1/2 cup water

1-3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 (4-ounce) jar sliced pimientos, well-drained

4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 24 cubes

Directions

In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, cornmeal, sugar, undissolved yeast, salt, chili powder, and jalapeno peppers. Heat water, milk and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees); stir into flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece to smooth balls; flatten to 3-inch circles with palms of hands. Place 3 to 4 strips of pimientos and 1 cube of cheese in center of each circle. Pull up edges and pinch to enclose filling. Place balls in 2 greased 9-inch round cake pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

SLOW-COOKER ENCHILADA SLOPPY JOES

This comes from Tablespoon.com, and begins, “Seasoned with chiles, enchilada sauce and taco seasoning, this set-it-and-forget-it beef recipe is packed with south-of-the-border flavors.” Prep Time: 10 min; Total Time: 4 hr 10 min; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 lb ground beef

1 tablespoon Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)

4 soft burger buns

Directions

Heat 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add oil and onion; cook about five minutes or until soft. Add beef; cook until brown, stirring occasionally.

Spray 7-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour mixture into slow cooker. Stir in taco seasoning mix, enchilada sauce and green chiles. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours.

Just before serving, stir in cilantro and 1/2 cup of the cheese. If too saucy, cook uncovered about 30 minutes longer, allowing extra moisture to evaporate.

Serve on buns. Top with remaining cheese. Enjoy!

TURKEY CHILI

This is from Eric Kim from The New York Times cooking site. Eric 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.

Friday, October 13, 2023

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Slow-Cooker Enchilada Sloppy Joes and S'mores Slab Pie. Enjoy!

SMOKY WHITE BEAN AND BEEF SLOPPY JOES

This is from Sarah DiGregorio in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. She wrote, "This update on the kid-friendly classic uses half the meat as a traditional sloppy Joe recipe, but retains the qualities that everyone loves: a tart-sweet savoriness and a quick cooking time. You can substitute ground pork, turkey, lamb or plant-based ground meat for the beef; the key is to use a protein that’s not too lean. A little fat helps carry the flavor of the meat through the entire dish. (If you use plant-based meat or you only have lean meat on hand, add another tablespoon of olive oil or your preferred fat.) The addition of adobo sauce from a can of chipotles imparts smoke, with just a hint of heat. (If you’d like a spicier version, by all means, chop up one or two of the chipotles and add them.) The leftover chipotles keep for at least two weeks in the fridge or indefinitely in the freezer, and they are a welcome addition to many dishes, like chicken tacos or chili."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 20 minutes

to view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022280-smoky-white-bean-and-beef-sloppy-joes.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, finely chopped

Kosher salt

1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 pound ground beef, preferably 85 percent lean

1 packed tablespoon light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3/4 cup canned or jarred tomato purée

1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from canned chipotles in adobo)

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or pinto beans, drained

4 hamburger buns, preferably potato buns

Tomato slices and pickle chips, for topping

Preparation

Warm the oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over high heat. Add the onion, season with 1 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the bell pepper, then spread out the vegetable mixture and let it cook undisturbed for about 1 minute. Stir well and repeat, letting the vegetables cook undisturbed for another minute or so at a time. You want the onions and peppers to get softened, seared and browned in spots, about 5 minutes total.

Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan, making an empty spot in the middle of the pan, and add the ground beef. Season the beef with a pinch of salt, and smash it flat with a spatula, letting it cook undisturbed for 1 minute until brown underneath. Break up the beef with the spatula and cook 1 to 2 more minutes, until completely browned with no visible pink spots.

Combine the vegetables and beef, then add the sugar and tomato paste, and cook for 1 minute to toast the tomato paste. Add the garlic powder and cumin, then the tomato purée, adobo sauce and vinegar. Stir in the beans. Reduce the heat to medium and let simmer to thicken slightly, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, toast the buns.

With a fork, roughly smash some of the beans to thicken the mixture. Taste and add more salt if necessary. Serve on toasted buns, topped with tomatoes and pickles.

S'MORES SLAB PIE

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, "S’mores get a sheet-pan makeover in this summery treat loaded with marshmallow creme and chocolate pudding atop a buttery graham cracker crust."

Prep Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes; Servings: 16

To view this online, go to https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/smores-slab-pie/72fdcfd5-c59a-45bd-b288-f7fd8bc1bd68.

Ingredients

Crust

3 cups finely crushed graham crackers (46 squares)

3/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

Filling

3-1/2 cups milk

2 boxes (3.4 oz each) Jell-O™ Cook & Serve chocolate pudding & pie filling mix (not instant)

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Topping

4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened

2 jars (7 oz each) Kraft Jet Puffed marshmallow creme

2 cups (from 8-oz container) Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed

Decoration

1/4 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting (from 16-oz container)

1/4 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers (2 squares)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking spray.

In medium bowl, mix Crust ingredients with fork until well blended. Press evenly in bottom and up sides of pan. Bake 10 to 14 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in 4-quart saucepan, cook milk and pudding mixes over medium heat 10 to 14 minutes or until mixture comes to a full boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add chocolate chips; stir until melted and smooth. Pour into baked crust; spread evenly. Cool at room temperature 15 minutes, then cover filling with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until set.

When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap from filling. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in whipped topping. Drop by spoonfuls over chilled pudding layer; spread evenly over top.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave frosting uncovered on High 10 to 15 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Using a fork, drizzle warmed frosting and sprinkle 1/4 cup graham cracker pieces over top.

Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Cover and refrigerate any remaining pieces.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

tip 1

To ensure success of this recipe, be sure to use pudding that is cooked on the stovetop and not instant.

tip 2

No dark chocolate chips? Replace with semisweet chocolate chips.

BAKED BEANS

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread."

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 6-1/2 hours, plus at least 6 hours' soaking time

This was featured in "A Fresh Take on Easter", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016258-baked-beans.

Ingredients

2 cups navy beans

Salt

1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup molasses

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.

Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.

MEXICAN CORN BUBBLES

Years ago, when my better half and I first got cable, I was channel-surfing, something most of us have done occasionally. I ran across a baking show on PBS called Breaking Bread with Fr. Dominic, featuring Fr. Dominic Garramone. I fell in love with the show, and watched it almost every time it was on. (Unfortunately, it only ran from 1999 to 2001.)

Anywho, this recipe was featured on his show; you might even find it in one of his many cookbooks (and yes, I’m planning to pick up a copy of at least one or two of said cookbooks).

Makes 24 rolls.

Ingredients

4-1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

2 envelopes FLEISCHMANN’S RapidRise Yeast

1/4 cup sugar

4 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon chili powder

1-1/2teaspoons chopped dried jalapeno peppers

1/2 cup water

1-3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 (4-ounce) jar sliced pimientos, well-drained

4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 24 cubes

Directions

In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, cornmeal, sugar, undissolved yeast, salt, chili powder, and jalapeno peppers. Heat water, milk and butter until very warm (120 to 130 degrees); stir into flour mixture. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. Add 1 cup flour; beat 2 minutes at high speed. Stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dough. Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 24 equal pieces. Roll each piece to smooth balls; flatten to 3-inch circles with palms of hands. Place 3 to 4 strips of pimientos and 1 cube of cheese in center of each circle. Pull up edges and pinch to enclose filling. Place balls in 2 greased 9-inch round cake pans. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until done. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

SLOW-COOKER ENCHILADA SLOPPY JOES

This comes from Tablespoon.com, and begins, “Seasoned with chiles, enchilada sauce and taco seasoning, this set-it-and-forget-it beef recipe is packed with south-of-the-border flavors.” Prep Time: 10 min; Total Time: 4 hr 10 min; Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 lb ground beef

1 tablespoon Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (4 oz)

4 soft burger buns

Directions

Heat 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add oil and onion; cook about five minutes or until soft. Add beef; cook until brown, stirring occasionally.

Spray 7-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Pour mixture into slow cooker. Stir in taco seasoning mix, enchilada sauce and green chiles. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours.

Just before serving, stir in cilantro and 1/2 cup of the cheese. If too saucy, cook uncovered about 30 minutes longer, allowing extra moisture to evaporate.

Serve on buns. Top with remaining cheese. Enjoy!

TURKEY CHILI

This is from Eric Kim from The New York Times cooking site. Eric 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.